🫱TRUST🫲

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalms 56:3

Hebrews 13:6 (KJV) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

That we may boldly say. That word boldly  means that we might say with confidence with assurance of mind in the truth. What is the writer saying? I believe we have to back up and understand what we just have read and where the real truth is. True about brotherly love, about remembering those in bonds, about marriage how horonable it is, not forgetting what we have been promised “the Lord said that He would NEVER LEAVE US NOR WOULD HE FORSAKE US.”Can we say that with boldness, confidence because we know the real truth? I like what the writer says afterwards “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear” fear what? “what man shall do unto me” When we place our confidence in the truth of God’s Word then we have the comfort of knowing God will take care of us. In the book of Daniel we read of 3 young men who stood for what they knew was true. The cost for doing so would be being burned to death by man. This is what those men had to say 

Daniel 3:16 (KJV) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

Daniel 3:17 (KJV)  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

Daniel 3:18 (KJV)  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Nebuchadnezzar was so angry that he had the furnace turned up and then he had those three young men thrown in. But a strange thing happened. Nebuchadnezzar saw not 3 men in the fire but 4 men and they were not being burned in the flames. 

Daniel 3:25 (KJV) He (Nebuchadnezzar) answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. In the troublesome times of life, when things look hopeless God said I will not leave you.

John 14:18 (KJV) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Remember this what He has done for others He will do for you. Mark 5:20 (KJV) And he (The man that had been delivered from a demon)departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

How many marvel at what God has done in our lives?

😳Never leave 😎👍

You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. Zig Ziglar

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Don’t allow your talk to be about obtaining and possessing more wealth. Don’t think the more you have the better off you’ll be. No, the child of God should be or learn to be content with what they have. Why is that? For God has said I will never leave you nor will I forsake thee. 

Wow, what a promise we the child of God have.

That’s what God spoke to Jacob about in 

Genesis 28:15 (KJV) And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. What does all this mean? What would you think it meant? I think it means just what it says “I will never leave thee” “I will not leave thee”why do I think that? Well because of who said it. I have had people and I’m sure you have too that have made promises they didn’t keep. I am sure you all have read and even hidden in your heart this verse. John 3:16 (KJV) 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. If one never understands the word “Love” then they know nothing about giving. What does love mean? Giving without expecting anything in return. We know about self love, which is giving expecting something in return; that's not love that’s swapping; I’ll do this for you if you will do this for me. We read that God loved the world not just a few in the world but the whole world. For God so loved every race that He gave. What did God give? His Son Jesus Christ. Too many spend too much time trying to figure out too much and miss the gift. Take God at His Word and believe what He has said. That’s not what I said that’s what God said “that whosoever believeth in him” Then He goes on to say “should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That’s the “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” and the “I will not leave thee” many men and women have stood at a marriage altar and made promises they didn’t keep. Like LOVE AND CHERISH,  HONOR AND SUSTAIN, IN SICKNESS AS IN HEALTH, IN POVERTY AS IN WEALTH, IN THE BAD

THAT MAY DARKEN YOUR DAYS, IN THE GOOD THAT MAY LIGHTEN YOUR WAYS, AND TO BE TRUE IN ALL THINGS UNTIL DEATH DO YOU PART. Zig Ziglar  said “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” That’s fairly close to the meaning of Love, give without expecting anything in return. God offered a Gift, His Son, because He loves you and I without expecting anything in return. He wants very much for you and I to have that gift But He is not going to make you nor I take the gift.

💥WOW💫

It is strange, but true, that the most important turning-points of life often come at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected ways.   Napoleon Hill 

Hebrews 13:4 (KJV) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Marriage, how important is Marriage? Well let’s see what God says. First thing we read is that Marriage is “honourable” what does that mean? Let’s see what  Webster says “Holding a distinguished rank in society; Respected; worthy of respect; regarded with esteem.”

Marriage is  Valuable, beloved, most precious.

God thinks a lot about Marriage. 

Genesis 2:24 (KJV) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Two words tell us how strong a marriage is to be “cleave” which means “To stick; to adhere; to hold to. ” and “one flesh” Have you ever pulled something off the wall that had been there for a while? Did you notice how difficult it was? Maybe it even tore a piece of Sheetrock off as it came. Why was that? because it had cleaved itself to the surface. Which goes along with one flesh. I am just like you, when I  look into the mirror what do I see? One flesh! I can’t separate it. When I married my wife we became one flesh. She became a part of me and I became a part of her. What she does will affect me and what I do will affect her. If something happens to my flesh I work at getting it taken care of. If I cut myself not only is there pain but there is decision that has to be made. Will a bandage help the healing or do I need to go to the ER and get it sewed up? I sure don’t run to my friends and ask them what I need to do nor do I go into the garage and take my table saw and cut off my hand. Oh no,  but marriage in our day and time is not what God intended. We run to the table saw of divorce and end it. That’s painful. Oh no you might say it was best for our children. You think? Ask your children and you may be surprised at their answer. My wife broke her arm but who did that effect? Not just her, it also affected me. I am doing things that she used to do because now she can’t. Yes it’s her arm that is broken but it has also affected me. Why? Because we are one flesh. God also said that marriage is to “honourable” take the high respect out of marriage and you lose the importance of the vows which states until death do I part. It has been a long time ago now. I was home on leave for Christmas. Before I left I was told “they will be sending you to Vietnam so enjoy.” As I left I can’t say that wasn’t in the back of mind. Home is always a wonderful place to go when you have been away for a while. While I was home I met this girl and I mean she was something. I asked her out and she said yes. But the time clock was ticking. My leave was coming to an end and I would soon be going back to who knows what awaited me. So I asked her to marry me to which she said yes and two days later we were married. I told her the night I asked her to marry me that I hated divorce and if she married me it was until death do we part, she agreed. Six months later I was gone. I am glad to report that through the good and the bad we are still together and still in love and have honored our marriage. We have not only respected our marriage vows but we have not defiled our marriage bed. No, we don't need a pat on the back for doing what we promised each other. She is still the WOW of my life and will be to the end which I hope will be a long time in coming. What were the chances of a couple staying married who got together and were married within a week? The secret! Jesus Christ, the Bible and Prayer which would not come for 3 more years. 

❄️🌨️Encourage☃️

 We should be lifting each other up and cheering each other on, not trying to outshine one another. The sky would be awfully dark with just one star.

Hebrews 13:2 (KJV) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

We don’t always know who we are helping or who is talking with us, it could be an angel unawares. On a day not long after I had given my heart to the Lord. I was coming home from a community college I was attending. There on the side of the road was a man tumbling for a ride. I was not in the habit of picking up people but for whatever reason I stopped and picked him up. I asked him where he was headed and he said Lithonia. Now that's where I was living at the time. I said great that’s where I’m going. For whatever reason I took him to his mobile home where he was living. Now here is where it get strange. As we pulled into a dirt driveway on a big farm we went by a big barn and then to a big field where his mobile home sat. He asked me if I would like to come in?  So I did and we sat inside his mobile home, where we talked. Now I had no clue where in the world I was at and neither did anyone else. As we talked I told him about the Lord. He told me about his son that had a drinking problem and asked me if I would call him? To which I said yes I would be glad too. I left and as I drove back up the dirt driveway the motor in my car just stopped running. I looked at my gas gauge and it pointed to about ⅛. Yeah, I know that is less than a quarter and yes I needed gas but that was plenty to get me to a gas station. I went back to the mobile home and this man came and got some gas out of the barn and put it in my car. I turned the key and to my amazement it started right up. I did call the number that the man gave me for his son but I got a recording telling me that the number was no longer in service. I decided to go back and tell that man what had happened hoping he had given me the wrong number. I could not find that place at all. It had just been a few days and I had not forgotten the way back but there was no dirt road, no farm, no barn, nothing. Thinking back over all that I believe I had entertained and angel unaware. Oh you may say that’s not so you just forgot how to get back to his home. I would say yes you are right except that I was not in a strange place I knew where I was and I knew how to get back to that farm. My car that ran out of gas was not out of gas. Am I crazy or did I entertain an angel unawares? So be ye kind one to another for you never know who that stranger may be. 

Matthew 25:35 (KJV) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:     

Matthew 25:36 (KJV)  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.                                                        Matthew 25:37 (KJV)  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 

Matthew 25:38 (KJV)  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 

Matthew 25:39 (KJV)  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?                              

Matthew 25:40 (KJV)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

😍Continue🤗

The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.

~Billy Graham~

Hebrews Chapter 13 

As we come to the last chapter of Hebrews I look forward to that which is before. We have seen Christ love for all without doubt. We have seen those who hated Jesus but we have learn much about faith in Christ as our Savior. We have learned we have an enemy who wants us destroyed, wants to see us fail. But let us never forget that Christ wants us to be more than conquerors. Romans 8:37 (KJV) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. As  John Walsh would say “let’s get to it.”

Hebrews 13:1 (KJV) Let brotherly love continue.  We are to love one another. That’s hard to do when some hate you or want what you have. We don’t live in a world of loving people. So how do we function in a world that doesn’t know much about being loved. It was easy for me to see God’s love as my Heavenly Father. The reason was I had had a father that loved me as a son, but that is not the case in all families. The dad that speaks to his children with harsh words like the young boy who lived up the street from me. His father abused him with awful words, his dad was unfaithful to his mom to which I saw first hand later in life. Yes it would be hard for him to understand that our Heavenly Father was different. The dad that abused his daughter yes I could understand that she too would have a hard time understanding that our Heavenly Father loves her way more. This brotherly love can be tricky in this world. I think we as God’s people should be kind. By being kind we might win those who have had a hard time because of an earthly father that has miss treated them. Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Being kind might just be the solution to those who are unloveable. I don’t know what type of childhood others have had that may or may not have brought them to the place they are. I need to be kind and let brotherly love continue. Just remember that God has forgiven me and you after all the awful words we said about Him, using His name in vain. Oh that’s only a small part of all we did wrongful towards our Heavenly Father. The next verse will teach us why we should let brotherly love continue. 

🥺For Which Reason🤗

 I know everything happens for a reason. But something’s I wish I knew what that reason was.

Hebrews 12:28 (KJV) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

There’s that word again “Wherefore” This chapter started off with this word “Wherefore”

Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Wherefore look back at those who were before you. Then about half way through chapter 12 we read again about “Wherefore”

Hebrews 12:12 (KJV) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

This time it’s about not getting weary. Remember what the word “Wherefore” means “For which reason” So we look back to see for what reason.

Opposition: There’s going to be opposition in our lives. We are given an example of Jesus who faced great opposition. Hebrews 12:3 (KJV) For consider him{Jesus}that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Don't become tired and don’t give up because of the opposition that comes your way. Ok so you messed up, you know what you are not alone we all mess up. We mess up on our jobs, we mess up with those we love. Remember when we were children? Did we not all mess up, get caught? What were the results? Some type of punishment; did that punishment remove us from the family? Were we kicked out on the streets? No! The punishment was for our benefit. I have said many times I am glad for the punishmen I received. Noticed I didn’t say I enjoyed them but was glad for them. Why? Because without them I would have never learned; remove the consequences for my wrong actions and the wrong actions become part of my life. So our Heavenly Father does the same He 

Hebrews 12:6 (KJV) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Not only is punishment a part of being in a family it also is a part of family position.

Hebrews 12:7 (KJV) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? If I wasn’t disciplined then I might not have been part of the family. Now as I stated earlier as this chapter comes to a close we see that word “Wherefore” again  Hebrews 12:28 (KJV) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved. There it is the kingdom that can’t be shaken. How did we get that kingdom that could not be shaken? Grace God’s Riches at Christ Expensive and all you and I did was receive. Yep, recipients of God’s goodness to mankind. When we understand that we will more than gladly server our Heavenly Father.

🐝 Shaken 🍯

The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.

Hebrews 12:27 (KJV) And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

This word, that is all you and I have, is God's Word.

John 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

In a bee colony when you pull a frame of honey out you don’t want the bees but you do want the honey. So you shake the frame downward with a small jolt and the bees will fall off. You are then able to remove the frame of honey. As I read this verse I have to ask myself what do I have in my life that can’t be shaken? Can my marriage be shaken? I would have to say yes to that. Oh it will not be shaken by a divorce. But one day it will be shaken by our enemy, death. That enemy will take this life away and that day is coming for us all. But what do you and I have that can’t be shaken? I can’t answer for all only myself. So what do I have that can’t be shaken? My Faith in God. My Faith in God’s Word. Death is a fearful enemy. Listen to what my close friend said. He told me that the doctor said he was going to die. Then he said but the good part is it’s not today the doctor said I have about a year; that’s good news he said. Not long ago he told me that death had become his friend. I said oh my how could that be? He said because before I get to heaven I must lose to the enemy death. Know why he could say that? Because he has something that can’t be shaken. What’s that? God’s promises he has in his heart.  

Luke 1:1 (KJV) Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Luke 1:2 (KJV) Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

How much of His Word do you and I have hidden in our heart? 

Then there was this other lady who was crying out for help as she spoke loudly. You could hear her clearly as she said “I don’t want to die.” Here are two stories of two different people. One looks at death as a friend because he had something that death could not shake. A woman who was begging for help that would never come. All she had was shaken and no hope in sight and death was on its way. The Apostle Paul said examine yourselves.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Examine yourselves, Prove you own selves, Know your own selves. For what reason? That Jesus Christ is in you. You and I need that which cannot be shaken. Luke 21:33 (KJV) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

🌬️The Voice🦻🏻

Never put passion before principle even if you win you lose. 

Hebrews 12:26 (KJV) Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Two words jumped out at me when I read that verse. First, the word “voice” Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth.

Second word “shake” move irregularly

Whose voice did what? Shook the earth! When was this and whose voice was that powerful. Let us go back to the book of Exodus where we read in Exodus 19:9 (KJV) And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

Exodus 19:17 (KJV) And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

Exodus 19:18 (KJV) And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Here we read where God by His Voice shook a mountain. The shaking of that mountain was so visible and noticeable and then they heard the voice of God. Wow what a day that must have been. I have heard people say if God would just speak to me audibly I would have no problem believing. You think so? If you were to keep reading you will read yes the people were fearful of what they heard. The question is how long did their fear last? There was a man I know who almost died because of his drinking. He said “I’m done drinking and that scared me.” How long did that fear last? A short 2 weeks! Well the same happens here. It wasn’t long before those people who heard God and witness the shaking of the mountain decide to make their on god and worship it. It would be no different today if you or I heard God speak. Never forget the enemy who wants to destroy you and I. People see angels or so they say. They hear others say you are fine, God will take you to heaven when the time comes. Be careful about feelings, what you see and what others tell you. Remember what faith is  Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Seeing is not believing but evidence enables the mind to see truth. Look past what you see and look for the evidence. Now hearing, well do you not understand the older ones get the less they are able to hear? That’s why people wear hearing aids. Well if God spoke you may not hear what He said. Well I need something that is not going to be shaken don’t you? Like a strong foundation.  

Luke 6:48 (KJV) He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

A strong foundation like the Word of God which anyone can read.

Luke 21:33 (KJV) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The winds will blow hard in our life that you can rest assured. The problems will come and they will shake your life. We will lose many things from a pocket knife or purse which will be much easier to overcome than many other losts. I lost my dad, my hero, my advisor, the one I listen to, the one I looked up to. On that day, after talking with him by phone, the enemy of death came and took him, I was 37. But there have been many things and people I have suffered lost in my life. But I do have the promises of my Heaven Father; First that He would never leave me. 

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Not only will He never leave me He also said that He would never lose me. John 10:28 (KJV) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Don’t give in to this worlds draw, don’t let the sounds and sights get you so consumed that you let go what you know is right.

Hebrews 10:23 (KJV) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Yes I’m holding on to my profession of faith because I have seen the evidence and this world has nothing to compare. If today I had all this world could offer it would be nothing to what is a head. I'm not selling out, I'm holding on to what I know. Mark 8:36 (KJV) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

 Read the Book!

Hebrews 10:7 (KJV) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Hid the Book

Psalms 119:11 (KJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Know the Book

Matthew 7:15 (KJV) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:16 (KJV) Ye shall know them by their fruits.