"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV

Those who have chosen to turn from the world to live for Jesus have MUCH to be thankful for!!

Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. When we are baptized in Jesus name, we apply the blood He shed for us, and our sins are remitted (washed away, buried, forgiven}. By His mercy and grace, Jesus has filled us with His Spirit to live a new, holy life. (Acts 2:38).

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." - Colossians 2:6-7

When things are going well, it is easy to give thanks to Jesus. What about when things are going not so well?

Here is a story of a Rabbi that lived between 50 AD–135 AD – Rabbi Akiva - and about how “All that God does He does for the good.” (From: Jewishhistory.org)

“Rabbi Akiva’s favorite maxim was, “All that God does He does for the good.” Once, after he was unable to find any place to sleep in a certain city, he passed the night alone in the forest and repeated his maxim calmly, “All that God does is for the good.” Then, one after another, a lion devoured his donkey, a cat killed his rooster and the wind extinguished his candle. Each time he said, “All that God does is for the good.” When dawn arrived he discovered that a band of robbers had fallen upon the city and carried its inhabitants into captivity. Only he had escaped because his donkey and rooster were not around to make any noises and his extinguished candle did not give away his location (Berachos 60b).”

In EVERYTHING give thanks!

Jesus works things out for us in every situation when we ask Him to help us. When we go one step further, and pray in the Holy Ghost, we find the peace of God, which passes understanding.

We find confidence that Jesus is taking care of the problems in our life that we are turning over to Him, situations that were too big for us to handle, too stressful, seemingly impossible to deal with.

Through His Spirit, He guards our mind and thoughts from fear and doubt, keeping our confidence in Him and His power to take care of our situations.

There is nothing too big or too small to ask Jesus for help. His faithfulness and all that He does for us, His ever present help, is a reason for every request to be made with thanksgiving.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

Church!

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." - Hebrews 13:15 KJV

"Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." - Psalm 106:1 KJV

"[A Psalm of praise.] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:1-5 KJV

How can I overcome temptation?

As it has been said, our battles are in our mind.

The Bible often speaks of the heart. In many verses, the heart is describing our mind where our thoughts are. For example, "And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" - Matthew 9:4 KJV (Luke 24:38, Act 8:22, James 4:8).

One of Thayer’s definitions of heart is, “the center and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors…”

Proverbs speaks of our heart, but we can see the meaning is our mind:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." - Proverbs 4:23 KJV Another translation of this verse, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4:23 NLT

We need to guard our mind. Our senses are exposed to the world around us. We can make choices that limit temptations, by choosing carefully what we look at, and what we listen to.

Often, we do not choose the things we are exposed to (what we see, what we hear). We can, however, choose if we will allow our mind to think on these things. We must guard our minds, continually being aware of our thoughts. If we are being tempted, or having an evil thought, we must put it out of our mind.

"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 [And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else]: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [desires], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin [These desires give birth to sinful actions]: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:13-15 KJV

When we are an overcomer of temptations, Jesus gives us His promise.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [who remains steadfast under trial]: for when he is tried [for when he has stood the test], he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:12 KJV

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized." - John 3:22 KJV

"And they [John’s disciples] came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him." - John 3:26 KJV

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached baptism.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

On that day, 3000 more were added to the church, when they too were filled with the Holy Ghost and  baptized in Jesus name.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 KJV

If we stumble...

We have heard the good news that Jesus died for our sins. He was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead with victory over sin and death. We have obeyed this gospel and have repented of our sins, have been baptized in Jesus name, and have received the gift of His Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

Then we stumbled and sinned. What are we to do?

When we realize we have failed God, we repent. We turn our back on that sin and commit to live a holy life for Jesus. When we repent, it is not just saying we are sorry, but SINCERELY meaning it and ACTING upon it.

The Bible says true repentance is with godly sorrow.

It came to Apostle Paul’s attention that there was sin going on in the church in Corinth. Paul wrote a letter, they were sorry, and repented.

Here are some verses:

"For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 KJV

Another translation of these verses:

"I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right." - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 NLT

What do we do to get the sin we have fallen into out of our life?

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:7-10 KJV

"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." - James 4:7-10 NLT

Jesus gave us power when we first received His Holy Ghost. When we stumble, we must repent and get refilled with His Spirit. We need to continually be refilled with His Spirit because it is by His Spirit that we have power over sin.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8 KJV

When we have stumbled and failed God, we have hope through repentance. By His goodness, Jesus accepts our true repentance. By His mercy, we can find in Jesus forgiveness and the blessed renewing of His Holy Spirit.

Church!

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. - Psalm 9:2

The Bible says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. (James 5:16)

How can we be righteous, for the Bible says, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" - Romans 3:10

It is by the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus - that we can become righteous.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21

When we repent by turning from sin to Jesus, have our sins washed away by baptism in Jesus name, and receive His Holy Spirit in us, through Jesus we are made righteous. We have crucified and buried our sinful nature and put on Christ. (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-6, Romans 14:17)

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27 KJV

Through Christ, our fervent prayers are powerful.

For example,

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." - Acts 4:31 KJV (Acts 4:29-31).

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." - Acts 12:5 KJV

Peter was miraculously delivered from prison (to the surprise of the praying church). (Acts 12:6-17).

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." - Acts 16:25 KJV

Paul and Silas were miraculously delivered from jail. (Acts 16:16-40).

A disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas) was sick and died. Peter prayed for her, and she rose from the dead. (Acts 9:36-42).

"But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up." - Acts 9:40 KJV

"And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him." - Acts 28:8 KJV (Acts 28:7-9).

What should we pray for?

The Lord is soon coming. There are many that have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ that are unprepared. Jesus told His disciples that the harvest out there of souls is truly great, but there are few labourers that are bringing them the gospel.

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:38

Living in these last days, we are in perilous times. There are many temptations. Evil men and seducers are growing worse and worse. Those of us who are living for God need one another’s prayers. Praying in the Spirit is powerful praying. We should stay alert to pray for everyone and everything that Jesus puts on our minds.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18

With the turmoil that is going on today in the political arena, we must remember to pray for all those that are in authority.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

By keeping an attitude of prayer and being sensitive to all that is going on around us, we can be used by the Lord to accomplish His will on earth. Knowing the Lord is working through us, the cares and worries that those in the world are weighed down with are for us replaced with God’s peace. We can trust that Jesus is working everything out according to His purpose. Our part is in everything to pray.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

We may not want to admit it, but our biggest enemy is often our own sinful nature.

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." - Galatians 5:17

When we repented of our sins, we crucified the sinful nature that was destroying us.

"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." - Romans 6:6

We buried it in baptism in Jesus name, and were then resurrected to a new life in Jesus when we received the gift of His Holy Ghost.

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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." - Romans 6:3-4

Peter preached this on the Day of Pentecost, when the church first began.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

Because we are still with a human nature, we need to be alert to keep that old nature from trying to resurrect itself, to once again, rule our life.

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man [your old sinful nature and your former way of life], which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind [your thoughts and attitudes]; and that ye put on the new man [the new self], which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24

This is what we need to watch out for:

"But now ye also put off [get rid of] all these; anger, wrath [rage], malice [desire to injure], blasphemy [speech injurious to another’s good name], filthy communication [dirty language] out of your mouth. Lie not one to another [Don’t lie to each other], seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds [your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds]; and have put on the new man [your new self], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: [as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.]" - Colossians 3:8-10

One thing to watch for is bitterness. We can be living a victorious life, when something reminds us of a past bad experience…

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour [outcry, harsh words], and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice [all types of evil behavior]: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake [God through Christ] hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV

We keep the victory when we immediately turn this thought over to Jesus, asking Him to forgive others or ourselves in the situation, and praying for those that were involved, asking for God's mercy on them.

"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;" - 2 Corinthians 10:5

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." - Colossians 3:13

Stephen completely forgave those that murdered him by asking God to erase his murder from their account.

"And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:60

The people killed Stephen by stoning after His testimony of Jesus. “Asleep” means he died living for Jesus and is “asleep” in the grave until the first resurrection.

The next step is for us to ask the Lord to take it from our minds and forget about it.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14

If we don’t do this, the alternative is to go down that side road, off the path of Jesus, and to focus on how we were hurt or offended and how wrong that person was, putting down a deep root of bitterness that defiles many.

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God [fails to receive the grace of God]; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you [watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you], and thereby many be defiled [contaminated with sin];" - Hebrews 12:15

We must watch and pray and stay on the path of victory!

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16 KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

There are those that pervert the gospel of Christ by pulling verses out of context. (Galatians 1:6-7). Here are some familiar verses that some that are NOT preaching the gospel preach as their message of salvation. The problem is, they leave off the REST of the story.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." - Romans 10:9

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." - Romans 10:10-12

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13

The PROBLEM is, THIS IS WHERE THEY STOP with their “gospel” of salvation.

According to the Bible, what is the REST OF THE STORY?

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:14-16

In the REST of the story, the Bible tells us in these verses that in order to be saved, we need to HEAR the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, preached by a preacher that is SENT FROM GOD. We need to BELIEVE that God robed Himself in flesh in order to die for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. AND we need to OBEY THE GOSPEL.

What is the gospel?

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV (See also 1 Corinthians 1-2).

After we have HEARD the gospel from a preacher sent by God, to be SAVED we need to BELIEVE and then OBEY the gospel. (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

How do we OBEY the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus?

We crucify our sinful nature by repentance, we are buried with Jesus by baptism in a watery grave in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and we are resurrected to live a new, holy life by the infilling of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 6:1-13)

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter PREACHED the gospel of Jesus Christ and then how to OBEY the GOSPEL:

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"Then they that gladly RECEIVED his word were BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 KJV

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." - 1 John 4:7 KJV

TRUE love can only come from God. For us to TRULY LOVE, we must be FULL of God’s Spirit – “born of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:5) This is when we are water baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and Spirit baptized when we receive the gift of His Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as His Spirit gives the utterance. (Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4).

When we are full of God’s Spirit, God’s love comes from within us. The love of God is not put on, it is not difficult, it is not our "works," it is from God within us and it flows out easily to others. When we are born of God - filled with God’s Spirit – we know God, for God is within us. THEN we can TRULY love.

Church!

"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 16:11

The Wrath of the Lamb

How could a lamb, the symbol of gentleness, have wrath?

Jesus is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29). As the Lamb, His visitation to man is one of gentleness and mercy.

Yet Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, has two Divine Attributes. He has the Divine Attribute of Mercy, as well as the Divine Attribute of Justice and Judgement.

Jesus told His people when He dwelt among them that He did not come to walk among them in judgment; He came to them in mercy, love, and forgiveness.

"…for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." - John 12:47 KJV

Jesus took up a cross and died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead. After 40 days of witnessing of the power of His resurrection, His disciples watched Him ascend up to heaven. We will see Him again in the clouds at the time of the rapture, the first resurrection.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [believers who have died] will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord [still living when the Lord returns] shall not prevent them which are asleep [will not meet Him ahead of those who have died].

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ [believers who have died] shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." - 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 KJV

Those that are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, know Him in His Divine Attribute of Mercy.

Those that are left in the world, shall meet the Lamb of God with His Divine Attribute of Judgment.

"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" - Revelation 6:15-17 KJV

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV

"… Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:37-39 KJV

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Like a roaring lion

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15

Through Jesus, we have no fear of death, and through Jesus, we have certain victory!

Why?

Because it took the death of this man without sin to pay the price of our sins. Only the Father, inhabiting a human body that was born without sin, could save humanity.

How do we apply His death to us so that we too may have victory over sin and death?

We apply His death by becoming dead to sin by repenting of our sins, and by burying our old sinful nature by water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins. Jesus then promises the gift of His Holy Ghost which gives us power over temptation and death. (Romans 6:1-4, Acts 2:38-39)

The devil, who is a liar and a deceiver, tries to make us believe he still has power over us, but he doesn’t. By our thinking that the devil has power over us, fear is instilled in us and through fear we can be taken captive at his will. (2Timothy 2:26).

A lion roars when it has prey. (Amos 3:4) The roaring lion brings fear to its prey. (Amos 3:8). It is when the victim is frozen in fear that the lion has power over him. (Isaiah 5:29).

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:11

By faith and obedience to Jesus, we have victory over the devil.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." - 1 Peter 5:8-9

We are in the faith when we have repented, been baptized in Jesus name, and filled with His Holy Ghost. Jesus faced all of the same temptations and testings we do, yet he did not sin, because His flesh is full of His Holy Ghost. (Colossians 2:9-10) He understands our weaknesses. (Hebrews 4:15) Through Jesus, we are overcomers. (Acts 1:8)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

The Gift of God – Living Water

"There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink." - John 4:7

"Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." - John 4:9 

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." - John 4:10 

Jesus said, “If thou knewest the gift of God…”

Jesus has a gift for all humanity. He calls this gift “living water.” Jesus said whoever drinks the water He gives them will never thirst. He said if a person asks Him, He would give them living water. Jesus said this water will be inside them giving them eternal life!

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - John 4:13-14

What is this gift of living water?

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" - John 7:37-39

This gift of living water is the Spirit – the Holy Ghost.

How does it spring up into everlasting life (give eternal life)?

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [“give life to”] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - Romans 8:11

The Spirit gives us eternal life when the Spirit dwells in us. The Spirit dwells in us when we have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [those dead that are baptized in Jesus name and filled with His Spirit] will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep [those that are dead]. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ [those dead that are believers] shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain [believers] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord [be forever with the Lord]." - 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Those baptized in Jesus name and full of the Holy Ghost when they die (“the dead in Christ”), will rise first. Those baptized in Jesus name and full of the Holy Ghost and living when Jesus returns (“we which are alive and remain”), will join those that rose from the grave, to be caught up together in the clouds, to meet Jesus in the air. The gift of the Holy Ghost, the living water, gives us everlasting life with Jesus.

How do we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:39 

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." - Psalm 119:11

"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." - Hebrews 4:12

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" - Ephesians 6:17

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." - Psalm 119:114

Teach your children

What is the first priority in teaching our children?

Paul wrote to Timothy reminding him that from a child he knew the holy scriptures.

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:15 KJV

We can teach our children the things to get by in this world, but this world is not our home and there is the reality of heaven beyond this mortal world. We need to prepare our children for a place in heaven.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV

God impressed on His people how important it is to Him to teach our children His commandments.

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." - Deuteronomy 6:7 KJV

Because of Timothy’s knowledge of the Word and his answer to the call of God in his life, he was able to save himself and teach others of the kingdom of God and how to be saved. (2Timothy 1:5, 1Timothy 4:14)

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." - 1 Timothy 4:16 KJV

Because we love our children and we want the best for them, we teach them about Jesus and His love for them. We teach them the gospel and how to be saved. We give our children the knowledge of the Word as we have been given the knowledge, passing it on to them so they too can have a place not only in heaven, but also a place to be used in the kingdom of God here on Earth.