ANGER

There were times when Jesus got angry, angry enough to use descriptive words to humble His enemies, the Pharisees and elders, the ones who were out to kill Him. As a matter of fact, He called them a "brood of vipers," vipers being snakes, of course. Who's the first one you think of when you hear the word snake or serpent? Satan, of course. The description was appropriate. Jesus was both God and man while here on earth. He felt all the same feelings we feel in a given situation. He was tempted and tested. He had the same choices to make that we have to make. He was angry when he found the moneychangers in the temple taking advantage of travelers who came there to worship. He was so angry that he turned over the tables and drove the moneychangers out of the building.

Another one of the things that aroused God's anger was the worship of idols. He wasn't just a little bit angry; He was furious and warned the people they would be punished if they worshiped anyone other than Him. God is a jealous God -- very jealous. Why wouldn't He be. He created this world, this universe, for us and saw to every detail. At that time He had already made plans to send His Son to die a cruel death for us so that we could live with the Godhead in heaven. God doesn't change, so He would still feel the same anger today if He saw mankind worshiping or seeking answers from anything or anyone other than Him.

I wonder what He would have done if He had been in the church that allowed Ilhan Omar to disrespect Charlie Kirk, the President, and the USA. Using the church to spout hatred is as bad or worse than what the moneychangers were doing. She misrepresented the things Charlie said in love and is trying to mislead others into believing her lies? Where's the love like Erika showed in forgiving the shooter? Charlie was such an exceptional Christian that it makes me wonder if he wasn't a modern-day prophet. Should our response be anger both at the shooter and what Ilhan Omar said and continues to say? Maybe the following verses can give us some insight as to how we should react.

Numbers 14:18 - The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished...

Psalm 4:4 - In your anger do not sin, search your hearts and be silent.

Psalm 37:8 - Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Psalm 106:29 - they aroused the Lord’s anger by their wicked deeds, and a plague broke out among them. (God is a loving God but He does not tolerate unrepentant wicked deeds. He gets angry -- big time.)

Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 22:24 - Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered...

Proverbs 27:4 - Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?

Proverbs 29:8 - Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. 

Proverbs 29:11 - Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Proverbs 29:22 - An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

Proverbs 30:32b-33 - clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9 - Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 - If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest. (This can apply to many situations, such as employer/employee, Sargent/private, Warden/prisoner, father/son, mother/daughter, Police/suspect, etc.)

Matthew 5:22 - But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

Mark 3:5 - He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. (Jesus gave the unbelievers "the stink eye.") His anger wasn't limited.

I Corinthians 13:5 - (about love) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Ephesians 4:26 - “In your anger do not sin”; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry...

Ephesians 4:31 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:8 - But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. (The verse above this one says love is not easily angered. It's not that you shouldn't get angry but that your anger needs to be controlled or within reason, no harm done to people.)

I Timothy 2:8 - I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

James 1:19-20 - My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

Intro written and verses compiled by Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

SING!

SING!

I used to tell people I could carry a tune except for the high notes, the low notes, and the ones in-between. So, if you can sing, sing loud and proud. If you don't use it, you may lose it. The Bible has a lot to say about singing, especially when to sing and has examples as to when God's people sang.

Bless His Name, Show His Salvation, Declare His Glory Among Heathen and His Wonders Among All People

Ezra 2:64

The whole company numbered 42,360, 65 besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. (Singers in a group or clan were often mentioned. We can only assume it was because of their importance in praising the Lord in song.)

Psalm 96:1-4
O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. 4 For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! Psalm 147:1

"Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel." Judges 5:3

I Chr. 15:16 - "David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals."

I Chr. 16:9 - "Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts."

I Chr. 16:23 - "Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day."

I Chr. 16:32-33 - "Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth."

Ps. 5:11 - "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you."

Ps. 9:2 - "I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

Ps. 13:6 - "I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me."

Ps. 21:13 - "Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might."

Ps. 30:4 - "Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name."

Ps. 32:11-33:3 - "Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Ps. 33:1-3  Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.  Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Ps. 33:2-3 - "Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."

Ps. 47:6-7 - "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.

Ps. 51:14 - "Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness."

Ps. 57:7-9 - "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.  Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Ps. 59:16-17 - "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God."

Ps. 63:7 - "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings."

Ps. 65:13 - 66:1 - The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.  For the director of music. A song. A psalm. Shout with joy to God, all the earth!  Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!  Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.  All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."

Ps. 67:1 - "For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us..."

Ps. 67:4 - "May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth."

Ps. 68:4 - "Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds -- his name is the LORD-- and rejoice before him."

Ps. 71:22-23 - "I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.  My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-- I, whom you have redeemed.

Ps. 81:2 - "Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre."

Ps. 92:1-4 - "A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp."  For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

Ps. 95:1-2 - "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."

Ps. 96:1-2 - "Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.  Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

Ps. 96:12-13 - "let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

Ps. 98:1 - "A psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

Ps. 98:4-9 - "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.  Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.  Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.

Ps. 98:8-9 - "Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Ps. 101:1 - "Of David. A psalm. I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.

Ps. 104:33 - "I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Ps. 105:2 - "Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts."

Ps. 108:1-3 - "A song. A psalm of David. My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.  Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.  I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples."

Ps. 119:172 - "May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous."

Ps. 135:3 - "Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

Ps. 138:4-5 - "May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.  May they sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

Ps. 144:9 - "I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you..."

Ps. 145:7 - "They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."

Ps. 146:2 - "I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Ps. 147:1 - "Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!"

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. Psalm 147:7

Isaiah 38:20 - The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord.

Ps. 149:1 - "Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints."

Ps. 149:3 - "Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp."

Ps. 149:5 - "Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds."

Ps. 150:1-6 - "Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.  Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.  Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD."

Prov. 29:6 - "An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad."

Isa. 12:5-6 - "Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.  Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

Isa. 38:18-20 - "For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.  The living, the living--they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.  The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.

Isa. 42:10 - "Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them."

Isa 44:23 - "Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel."

Jer. 20:13 - "Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked."

Lk 15:25 - ""Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing."

Rom. 15:9-11 - "so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."  Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."  And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."

Eph. 5:19 - "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord..."

Col. 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

James 5:13 - "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise."

When Not to Sing

Exodus 32:17-20
17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

There are a few verses that show that God will not listen to songs if the people had more or less turned against Him. The prophet, Jeremiah, lamented for 70 years begging the people to return to God, but they refused. They ended up in captivity. The prophet, Ezekiel, was one of those taken into captivity. Jerusalem fell during the time of the prophet Amos. Those verses are as follows:

Lamentations 5:14-15 - "The elders are gone from the city gate; the young men have stopped their music. Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.

Ezekiel 26:13 - "I will put an end to your noisy songs, and the music of your harps will be heard no more.

Amos 5:23 - "Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps."

When A New Well Was Built and the People Had Water

Numbers 21:16b-17

...that is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

Give Thanks Among the Heathen and Sing Praises

2 Samuel 22:50

Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. (Notice the people weren't just to give thanks and praise God at home; they were to give thanks among the heathen and sing praises to Him, which for us would be like giving thanks over food at restaurants and other public places. I don't know if the singing part was meant for the heathen too. If an opportunity arose, I think God would want us to take it, but I'm doubtful that in a restaurant it would go over well unless it was sponsored and maybe not then. But a great talent of singing can draw an audience that no one else can.)

MY "NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY" JOURNAL

New Testament Survey Journal (partial)
Dr. Baker
by Becky Wall


Galatians 1 - 9/1/98
I was educated to things I had never been taught before because I was compelled to focus on the evidence Paul was trying to present instead of on the point Paul was trying to make. I had passed over this evidence while reading on my own. I concluded that Paul should be accepted as an apostle, not merely because he says he is one, but because he has presented overwhelming evidence to prove his case.

The verse which meant the most to me was verse 18: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.” That’s pretty harsh. I must be careful to research and fully understand what I teach.

Galatians 2 - 9/1/98
I couldn’t help but put the key figures in a modern-day setting. I can think of several occasions where others tried to force their ideas on me, not because I am a Gentile, but because I was of a lower class, a female, have a limited education, a different political party, a different religion, etc. But in Jesus’ eyes, I am equal. In His eyes, I am somebody. I need to obey Him before any other, and if anyone tries to teach me anything contrary to what the scriptures teach, then I will continue to ignore that person’s teachings.

My favorite verse was 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The bad and ugly part of me is dead, buried, and forgotten, but the good that comes from the Holy Spirit gives me a pure heart and a new life that will never end.

Galations 3 - 9/1/98
In reading this chapter I gained a better perspective in knowing that the law is no longer our master, but that doesn’t make it null and void. It still serves the same purpose: it convicts us of sin. But the beauty of it all is that Christ has redeemed us. We don’t have to be born into just the right family, or be a particular gender, or be in a certain income level. I am free to be me, and I am loved just the way I am.

My favorite verses were 23-26, which include a promise against prejudice and a promise of the rights of an heir.

Galatians 4 - 9/2/98
I would certainly rather be an heir with the rights of an heir than to be a slave. As long as I remain in Christ, I will have the rights of an heir, but if I should fall into sin, I will become a slave to sin. Those are my choices. So why is it so hard to choose sometimes? Like the Galatians, I would also lose my joy along with my freedom if I turn away from Christ’s teachings.

It is a paradox that it is when we are disciplined, we are the most free, but when we become “carefree,” we become a slave to our sins. I know that this principle is true because I have seen it too many times to doubt it. To be free in Christ is to be free indeed!

Galatians 5 - 9/2/98
I have never taken even a sip of an alcoholic beverage and I have never participated in an orgy, but I have to be really careful about honestly answering that I have never committed any of the other sins listed, at least in some form or the other. I thought, at first, that I had never participated in witchcraft, but I remember playing with a Ouija board at least once when I was young.

Galatians 6 - 9/2/98
It is hard to bear in mind at all times that I reap what I sow. Sometimes I quickly reap the consequences of my actions, but sometimes the consequences appear over a long period of time. It is so important for me to look at “the big picture,” and not just the inviting temptations for pleasure that face me in the present. That few minutes of pleasure could not only bring dire consequences that are long-lasting, but could injure my reputation, my witness, my usefulness and potential as one of Christ’s disciples, and my own self-respect. It would also rob me of my peace and ongoing happiness.

I Thessalonians 1 - 9/3/98
These words would be music to my ears if someone were to say them to me. I hope that at the end of my life someone will be prompted to say them.

I Thessalonians 2 - 9/3/98
Paul never wanted to be a burden to anyone so that his witness would be more well received, and he was gentle with the Thessalonians in his presentation of spiritual truths. His approach is one to exemplify when I present spiritual truths, and I never know when that opportunity will arise. The key, then, is to never be a burden to anyone, and always be gentle in my approach.

I Thessalonians 3 - 9/3/98
Paul continues to encourage the Thessalonians. I think encouragement is almost a lost art in our churches. It is one of my pet peeves. I do encourage, but I always feel I could encourage more if I would just take the time and overcome my own weaknesses that prevent me from doing so, like shyness and fear of saying the wrong thing. I am really trusting God to help me overcome those fears so that I can increase my usefulness in the church and as an overall witness.

I Thessalonians 4 - 9/3/98
Paul gets a little more serious in his writings to the Thessalonians in that he reminds and warns them not to fall into sin. I, too, should stay in God’s Word to get those constant reminders and warnings so that I do not fall into sin.

I Thessalonians 5 - 9/7/98
Paul continues to admonish the Thessalonians. In the beginning of the chapter he warns them not to worry about when Christ will come again, but warms them to just be ready. Am I ready? Sometimes I think “Yes,” but other times I think “No.” I will continue to prepare for His coming in a spiritual way, but I won’t give up my Dorm Mom job and my college studies in order to sit outside in a lawn chair waiting for Christ’s arrival, similar to what some of the Thessalonians were evidently doing. Paul put much emphasis on encouraging and admonishing one another, love, peace, and continuing to work. These charges apply to me, as well.

II Thessalonians 1 - 9/8/98
Paul encourages the Thessalonians not to lose heart over their sufferings, for the Lord would repay the trouble the troublers had brought to His people.

II Thessalonians 2 - 9/8/98
Paul further warns the Thessalonians against false prophets saying the end has come or who come with false teachings. That is why I should know the scriptures. There are so many out there who think they know the truth, but never bother to study the scriptures in search of the real truth. I know they can be very convincing and appear very confident because I have been approached by them before. It is my hope that I can prevent others from falling into this trap by convincing them with scriptures. I had this opportunity one time when one of my friends was approached by Jehovah’s Witnesses and was soaking up everything they said. I knew my scripture well enough to combat the false teachings they were presenting, and even the Jehovah’s Witness trainee was shaking her head “Yes” at what I was saying, as if it made sense to her, too. It was a fulfilling experience. The friend began to go to the Church of Christ and is still a regular goer today. Several of her family members also go. This was about 25 years ago.

II Thessalonians 3 - 9/8/98
Paul again warns the people to work--to not be idle busybodies. This reminds me of something my mother used to say: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” In this case, it seems that Paul is trying to say, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” I would do well to heed the warnings of my mother and Paul, for I have seen and experienced that their points are well taken.

I Corinthians 1 - 9/13/98
These scriptures reminded me of God’s displeasure with the grumbling of the Israelites while on their trek from Egypt to the Holy Land. Paul, too, calls for the Corinthians to give up their quarrels. I do a lot of grumbling myself. Grumbling and quarreling causes division, and God hates division. He hates it in the home, and He hates it in the church. Therefore, I should avoid grumbling. Paul deviates from the subject by encouraging the people to take heart in that God uses the “weak” and “foolish” to accomplish His purposes. I feel weak and foolish, but it is comforting to know that these are the type of people through whom God worked. This is one time that I am proud to be weak and foolish.

I Corinthians 2 - 9/13/98
These scriptures confirm what I had concluded on my own. Spiritually speaking, I am subject to God’s judgment--not man’s. The Holy Spirit has led me on a path unknown to others, and it is the Holy Spirit I should listen to--not the judgment of man. The spiritual truths the Holy Spirit teaches me are not always consistent with what I am told by other Christians and nonChristians. It is God to whom I must ultimately answer, so it is He, through the Holy Spirit, that I should listen. He has promised to reveal to me the truths I need to know, as long as I am willing to listen.

I Corinthians 3 - 9/13/98
It was sobering to me to discover that my jealousy and quarreling puts me in the same category with the worldly ones. I became more aware of the emphasis God puts on my body being his temple. And if I do anything to destroy someone else’s temple, God will destroy me. I would never murder, but would I display, or am I already displaying, a behavior that another might copy to an excessive and destructive degree? I hope not, but it is something I need to constantly consider.

I Corinthians 4 - 9/13/98
The church must take advantage of every opportunity, for it is the foolishness of the church’s teaching that makes Christ’s message strong. And I am a member of that church. I still have a measure of respectability because I have not been persecuted by Satan’s forces to the point that Paul was, in that people looked down upon him. But if I were persecuted to the point that I was in rags, physically tortured, and downtrodden, as Paul was, I would pray that it were because God considered me a worthy advocate.

I Corinthians 5 - 9/14/98
My charge in these scriptures is not to even associate with the unrepentant sinner. We are told in other passages to love the sinner, to witness to them, to help them in whatever way we can, but when they continue their behavior, we are to avoid them. I am to avoid them. I could be brought down by their behavior if I remain in their company for very long. I should never date or marry an unrepentant sinner; that would be a terrible failure to God on my part.

I Corinthians 6 - 9/14/98
I learned that my body provides housing for my soul and Spirit. It is God’s temple, and like the architectural structure, it is not to be defiled or desecrated. If I put this together with other scriptural teachings, my body, like the temple, is to be constantly cleansed. My body and soul should first be cleansed through baptism, then through the forgiveness that comes with prayer and confession. I should never do anything that would possibly or ultimately destroy my temple. It is the shell that God wishes for me to use in order to complete His work in me. When that day comes, my shell will no longer needed, but I will live on for eternity, according to His promise.

I Corinthians 7 - 9/14/98
Because I am a divorcee, I battle with these scriptures sometimes. On the other hand, I am at peace with God over my situation. I know that Paul is speaking to Christians, and that some of them were wanting to divorce a mate, rebel against their slavery, be circumcised, etc. But Paul admonishes them to stay in their present situation. (He does tell the slaves to get their freedom if they can.) He is not addressing abusive marriages, adultery, fornication, an addicted spouse, etc. He does say that God has called us to live in peace. Divorce may be a sin, but so are anger, disharmony, bitterness, quarreling, abuse, etc. The Lord came to save us from our sins, because for some of us, there seems to be no escape from sin no matter how hard we try. For that I will be eternally grateful--literally.

HERE AM I, SEND SOMEONE ELSE

God called Moses and Eli to serve him. Moses resisted the call but eventually relented, sort of. Eli readily said, "Here am I, send me." What if God called you to serve Him in a way that would help 1/3 of every future generation including the current one, for that's how many are being aborted every year. One-third of students are missing in classrooms, 1/3 of workers are missing, 1/3 of our most talented people are missing, 1/3 of the people who would fulfill the necessary supply and demand that fuels our country's economy are missing, 1/3 of the people who would support our social security system are missing and so on. All are missing because of abortion. And they are all human beings, God's children.

HERE AM I, SEND SOMEONE ELSE?

So God called out: (your name)!" And I said, "Here I am." And God said, "I am the God of your mother, and the God of Eve, the mother of all God's children, and the God of Mary, the mother of my Son and your Savior. I have heard the cries of my children from out of the darkness of the abortion clinics and the places in which they were disposed. I have heard the humble prayers of my people who fear for their children who are growing up in a wicked generation, and I am calling you to lead the battle against this evil in your area.” 

And I said, "But, Lord, you know I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now. I am slow of speech and thought." And the Lord said, "Who gave man his mouth? Who gives him sight? Is it not I, the Lord? Now, go. I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

 And I said, "But I must develop the gift you gave me, and the work around the house is not done, and who will take care of my family's needs?" And the Lord said, "I who give gifts according to my purpose gave you your gift and your gift has served me well, but I am setting a new charge before you, and am calling you to a greater battle. Your gift will still be utilized, but in a different way. You must forsake all others and follow me. You are not my first choice, but you have proven yourself a worthy soldier. Therefore, I AM asking you to lead the spiritual battle in your area. My Spirit will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Yours is only one battle in a war against powers and principalities--the dark forces of evil--being waged across the country and in the heavens. We must win the small battles in order to win the greater war." 

I said, "Oh, Lord, please send someone else to do it. What about (your pick)? I know that he/she speaks boldly." Then the Lord's anger burned against me so I relented and said, "Here am I, send me."

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

GIVE AN UNWRAPPED GIFT AT CHRISTMAS

GIVE AN UNWRAPPED GIFT AT CHRISTMAS

This is the time of year we celebrate the birth of Christ, and it is an event worth celebrating. Because of Jesus we have the Bible that allows Him to speak to us, fill us with wisdom, and comfort us and is preparing a home for us in heaven. Because of Him, we have the Holy Spirit who helps us understand scriptures, who pricks our consciences, and who serves each of us as our true soulmate.

We celebrate the fact that Jesus, who suffered a cruel death on our behalf, rose from the dead, seizing control of death from Satan. It was for this purpose that Christ was born. In other words, He as born to die. His resurrection saves believers from a sinful death. The victory had been won following 33 years of preparation, the age Jesus was when he died.

But, we all know people who, because of a death in the family, a tragic accident, depression, divorce, etc. do not feel like celebrating this Christmas. We all have the capacity to do or say something to lift the spirits of those people. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to do or say, but we can proceed with confidence knowing we cannot fail if we use Jesus's life and God's Word as the basis for our approach.

Satan may try to convince us that we cannot make a difference. Alone, we cannot make a difference, but with God's help we can. We need to ask ourselves not only "What would Jesus do (WWJD)?" the popular question being asked years ago, but "What would Jesus say?"

The greatest gifts we can give these people cannot be gift-wrapped. A bow cannot be tied around a kind word. And it would be difficult to wrap up words of encouragement. A listening ear is one of the best gifts and it doesn't require glitzy wrap. A Christmas card with a personal note written inside saying "I just want you to know you are still remembered and I am praying for you" may do more than a card with money inside.

Let's be careful not to be so caught up in "things" that we forget about people. Jesus is not as interested in our buying and receiving things as in our ministering to the needs of others in ways money can't buy. He cares more that we light up people's lives than our Christmas trees and decorated houses. Whatever we do unto them, we do unto Him (Matthew 25:40).

I challenge each of you to choose one person that you know is suffering and give that  person a gift of time and love. You may not have to look for such a person; God may put one in your path. Either way, if you wonder what to say when you approach that person, ask yourself, "What would Jesus say?" and pray that He will give you remembrance of Bible verses along with the right words to say.

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

SAVED - A FORMER STUDY

SAVED - A FORMER STUDY

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Joel 2:32
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.

Ezekiel 33:9
But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Mark 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Luke 7:50
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Luke 8:12
Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Luke 13:23-24
Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

John 10:9
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

Acts 2:21
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 15:11
No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Acts 16:30-31
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Romans 5:9-10
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Romans 8:24
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

Romans 9:27
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.”

Romans 10:5-13
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”... “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”... But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 3:15
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate ... And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:2
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Ephesians 2:5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,  and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Titus 3:5
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

I Peter 3:21-22

... and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1 Peter 4:18
And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

WHEN POLITICS AND RELIGION COLLIDE

WHEN POLITICS AND RELIGION COLLIDE

Politics and religion collide when government in theory fires God from his high position as ruler of our country -- "one nation under God -- and the country's Trustee. "In God we trust" (or we used to). Politics and religion collide when evil is called good and good is called evil, and that's exactly what is happening on a broad scale today. Christians are silenced and singled out while those who serve other gods are welcomed and protected. 

But when they started killing babies, that's when I personally realized the devil had a stronghold on our country. Who would agree to killing babies otherwise, no matter their age or location? Then prayer was disallowed in school. Same gender marriages are allowed. Children are taught deviant sexual practices as normal. Kids are targeted for sex operations to make them transgender. 

The government is taking more control from parents every day, it seems. Many state and local governments have become corrupt and several past Presidents and their administrations have been scrutinized for alleged illegal behavior. How long shall Christians remain silent? Talk about "the silence of the lambs." Christians, we are those lambs. We're supposed to rescue those being led to the slaughter. We are supposed to follow scripture, meaning God, and teach the Bible to our children. We are supposed to stand up for our rights when we are being persecuted for our beliefs. We are often discriminated against. Another word for that is disparate treatment. We are deliberately treated less than fair. Where there are fewer churches or few strong churches with devoted and knowledgeable people, there is more immorality and more discrimination toward Christians. Rural areas tend to hold out longer but with time, some succumb to the control of the Father of Lies -- Satan.

Hollywood has been setting society's values for years and we have let it happen, so it's up to us to undo the damage our silence has caused. They are currently in crisis mode. I have that from an insider source. Now is the time to break their stronghold.

Do your part. If you have been given the talent of music, use that gift for the Lord. Don't hold back singing songs about sin, guilt and condemnation. If you preach, I for one would welcome a good "hell, fire and damnation" sermon to shake us all up. We need it. If your gift is writing, then write for the Lord. If your gift is teaching, don't leave the Lord out of your lesson plans. 

Let your toes be stepped on for a change. Our nation needs to be humbled as so many nations before us in Bible times and since have had to endure. God has been patient and longsuffering toward us, but how long is His fuse? We may find out sooner than we expect.

Becky Wall

Scripture warnings:

...and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. Jeremiah 18:8

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine... Exodus 19:5

And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you. Leviticus 18:28

Proverbs 24:12 - If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:20

After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 9:4-5

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. Deuteronomy 28:1

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. Deuteronomy 28:12

Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, and you will wear out your eyes watching for them day after day, powerless to lift a hand. Deuteronomy 28:32

The Lord will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your ancestors. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone. Deuteronomy 28:36

The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. Deuteronomy 28:49-50

Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. Deuteronomy 28:65

They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them. Deuteronomy 32:28

Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. Joshua 23:7

They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.” 2 Kings 17:15

They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought. 2 Kings 17:33

One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 2 Chronicles 15:6

He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. Job 12:23

But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike... Job 34:29

The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. Psalm 9:17

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭8‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. Psalm 47:8

He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations— let not the rebellious rise up against him. Psalm 66:7

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. Psalm 67:4

May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. Psalm 72:11

May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Psalm 72:17

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Ps. 33:12

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure. Prov. 11:14

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Prov. 14:34

For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Isa. 58:2-3

For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. Isa. 60:12

And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives'--even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal--then they will be established among my people. But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it," declares the LORD. Jer. 12:

...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. II Chron. 7:14

Below is an appropriate warning for the state of our nation today. It is taken from Deuteronomy 28:44-50. We too are turning away from God -- no relationship, no obedience, only unbelief, indifference, apathy, or even contempt.

"The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. They will lend to you, but you will not lend to them. They will be the head, but you will be the tail. All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the LORD your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you. They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.  The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand,  a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young." Does this apply to our nation too? We're on the edge of all of this coming true.

 Verses were from the NIV Bible and were compiled and comments made by Becky Wall

 beckyowall.blogspot.com

SO YOU WANT TO BE A STAR

SO YOU WANT TO BE A STAR

I Cor. 15:41 - The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. (We're not all alike in splendor. Let your light shine as bright as you can; it will grow in splendor.)

Phil. 2:15 - ...so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (You will stand out, shining like a star, if you live a clean life.)

Matt. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Don't hide your light; let it shine. Let people see the goodness in you and the love you have for others and God.)

2 Peter 1:19 - We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (If you have the respect of others, you will shine like a candle in a dark room. Jesus will be seen in you.)

Numbers 24:17 - I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth. (symbolic prophecy about Jesus)

Daniel 12:3 - Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Wise doesn't mean booksmart. True wisdom is that which the Bible teaches, making wise choices, leading a clean life.)

Revelation 22:16 - “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

STARS YOU DON'T WANNA BE LIKE

Jude 4 & 13 - For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. (And yes, they can be found in the church. They may even be among the leadership. Satan does his dirty work whenever and wherever he finds a weak spot in a person. His method of operation, a/k/a known as an m.o., is within the church because he doesn't have to worry about those outside of the church.)

Isaiah 14:12 - How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! (Speaking of Satan who was once a favorite archangel in heaven before he was cast out for wanting to take over God's creations.)

Revelation 8:10-11 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water—the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. (This is a literal star, though some think there is a spiritual meaning to it. It is ironic that Wormwood has a branch called Mugwort, which in the Ukranian language means Chernobyl. Google it.)

HOW TO WIN THE MORNING STAR

Revelation 2:26-29 - To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (over my head, but I think the gist is that if we remain true to the Lord until the end, we will be greatly rewarded.)

Compiled by Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

HUMOROUS BIBLE VERSES

HUMOROUS BIBLE VERSES

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:5

Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. Proverbs 28:17

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Proverbs 20:4

I looked again, and there before me was a flying scroll. Zechariah 5:1

When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.” II Kings 2:

16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” I Kings 18:16-17

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. I Kings 18:25-29
“‘As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them. Leviticus 26:36

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. James

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Job 41:31
It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment.

Acts 12:7-16
7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

GOD CRIES TO ALL NATIONS

GOD'S CRIES TO ALL NATIONS

Jeremiah 18:8
If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Exodus 19:5
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,

Leviticus 18:28
And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

Leviticus 20:23
You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.

Deuteronomy 4:7-8
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

Deuteronomy 8:20
Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 12:29
The Lord your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.”

Deuteronomy 28:1 - Blessings for Obedience
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

Deuteronomy 28:12
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience
15 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you: 16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. 17 Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. 18 The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 19 You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. 20 The Lord will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him. 21 The Lord will plague you with diseases until he has destroyed you from the land you are entering to possess. 22 The Lord will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish. 23 The sky over your head will be bronze, the ground beneath you iron. 24 The Lord will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed. 25 The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth. 26 Your carcasses will be food for all the birds and the wild animals, and there will be no one to frighten them away. 27 The Lord will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores and the itch, from which you cannot be cured. 28 The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind. 29 At midday you will grope about like a blind person in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you. 30 You will be pledged to be married to a woman, but another will take her and rape her. You will build a house, but you will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard, but you will not even begin to enjoy its fruit. 31 Your ox will be slaughtered before your eyes, but you will eat none of it. Your donkey will be forcibly taken from you and will not be returned. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and no one will rescue them. 32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, and you will wear out your eyes watching for them day after day, powerless to lift a hand. 33 A people that you do not know will eat what your land and labor produce, and you will have nothing but cruel oppression all your days. 34 The sights you see will drive you mad. 35 The Lord will afflict your knees and legs with painful boils that cannot be cured, spreading from the soles of your feet to the top of your head. 36 The Lord will drive you and the king you set over you to a nation unknown to you or your ancestors. There you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone. 37 You will become a thing of horror, a byword and an object of ridicule among all the peoples where the Lord will drive you. 38 You will sow much seed in the field but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. 39 You will plant vineyards and cultivate them but you will not drink the wine or gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. 40 You will have olive trees throughout your country but you will not use the oil, because the olives will drop off. 41 You will have sons and daughters but you will not keep them, because they will go into captivity. 42 Swarms of locusts will take over all your trees and the crops of your land. 43 The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. 44 They will lend to you, but you will not lend to them. They will be the head, but you will be the tail. 45 All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you. 46 They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, 48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. 49 The Lord will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. 51 They will devour the young of your livestock and the crops of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain, new wine or olive oil, nor any calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks until you are ruined. 52 They will lay siege to all the cities throughout your land until the high fortified walls in which you trust fall down. They will besiege all the cities throughout the land the Lord your God is giving you. 53 Because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the Lord your God has given you. 54 Even the most gentle and sensitive man among you will have no compassion on his own brother or the wife he loves or his surviving children, 55 and he will not give to one of them any of the flesh of his children that he is eating. It will be all he has left because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of all your cities. 56 The most gentle and sensitive woman among you—so sensitive and gentle that she would not venture to touch the ground with the sole of her foot—will begrudge the husband she loves and her own son or daughter 57 the afterbirth from her womb and the children she bears. For in her dire need she intends to eat them secretly because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of your cities. 58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God— 59 the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. 60 He will bring on you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you. 61 The Lord will also bring on you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed. 62 You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left but few in number, because you did not obey the Lord your God. 63 Just as it pleased the Lord to make you prosper and increase in number, so it will please him to ruin and destroy you. You will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess. 64 Then the Lord will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other. There you will worship other gods—gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your ancestors have known. 65 Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. 66 You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. 67 In the morning you will say, “If only it were evening!” and in the evening, “If only it were morning!”—because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see. 68 The Lord will send you back in ships to Egypt on a journey I said you should never make again. There you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.

NOTE: God is speaking to the Israelites in these verses, but keep in mind, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We, the people of all nations, have changed but He has not. We learn His way of thinking from these verses. Would the punishment be the same for our nation? Probably not the same, but maybe similar. Lands and circumstances have changed. Our nation had one God for centuries, but we have allowed many gods into our country. God is a jealous God when it comes to other gods being worshiped instead of Him. We may say we worship Him, but how devoted are we? Do we spend Sundays watching sports on tv or weekends participating in sports? Do we take time away from family and church events to watch sports or participate in them? In other words, is sports our God? What about alcoholic beverages? Is that a god you're familiar with? Your phone? Pornography? Gambling? What has mastered your life?

Deuteronomy 32:21They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding.

Deuteronomy 32:28
They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them.

Joshua 236 “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. 7 Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. 8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.
9 “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God.

2 Kings 17:15
They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”

1 Chronicles 16:8
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

1 Chronicles 16:26
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

1 Chronicles 16:28
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

1 Chronicles 16:31
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Job 12:23
He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.

Psalm 9:17
The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 18:47
He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me,

Psalm 22:27
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,

Psalm 22:28
for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.

Psalm 33:10
The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Psalm 43:1
Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.

Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 47:1
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.