Nightly Devotion

 Nightly Bible Verse

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) ~2 Corinthians 6:2

Nightly Inspiration

When we receive God’s grace, how fully do we grasp what we have been given? When we run into trouble and God gives us a way out, do we just head back to our old lives? Or do we understand that salvation is now? It’s not a far-off hope, it is now, in our midst, in our hands, ready for us to take hold of and use, as we proceed through life as people changed by grace.

Nightly Prayer

Lord, I have spent too much of my life running from You, making my own way, and putting off taking, hold of the free gift that You have been holding out for me. Thank You for Your relentless grace, Lord, I accept Your gift of salvation and ask that You would transform my life and give me a new direction according to Your ways. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God is going to provide your every need and more!!!!!!!!

When You Are Happy

For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. ~Isaiah 55:12

Seeing Beyond Our Limitations

 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

John 9:1 (NIV)

Today’s Devotional

In John 9:1, we encounter a man who has been blind since birth. This passage introduces us to the account of Jesus healing man and the subsequent events that unfold. The story serves as a powerful illustration of both physical and spiritual blindness, and how Jesus can bring light and sight to those who are lost in darkness.

This passage prompts us to consider the limitations we may have in our own lives. Like the blind man, we may be born with certain challenges or face difficulties in life that seem insurmountable. However, through Jesus, we can experience healing and transformation, transcending our limitations and discovering a new way of seeing and living.

Time to reflect

Reflecting on John 9:1, we can find ways to apply the teachings of this verse in our personal lives:

Acknowledge our limitations and weaknesses, recognizing that we are all in need of healing and transformation through Jesus.

Trust in Jesus to bring light and healing into our lives, believing that He can restore our sight, both physically and spiritually.

Embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation that God provides, even amid challenging circumstances.

Offer support and encouragement to others who may be facing their own limitations or struggles, sharing the hope and healing found in Jesus.

Reflect on the ways that Jesus has brought light and sight into our lives, cultivating a sense of gratitude and awe for His transformative work.

Prayer Of The Day

Heavenly Father, thank You for the story of the blind man in John 9:1. It serves as a powerful reminder that You can bring healing and transformation to our lives, no matter the limitations or challenges we face. We ask for Your healing touch in our lives, so that we may experience the fullness of Your light and love. Help us to trust in Your power to restore our sight, both physically and spiritually. Grant us the courage to embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation that You provide, and help us to support others in their journey toward healing. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Strengthening Faith

As we reflect on John 9:1, let us take the following action steps to praise God and grow in our faith:

Spend time in prayer and reflection, acknowledging our limitations and weaknesses, and asking for God’s healing and transformation.

Share our testimony of how Jesus has brought light and sight into our lives with others, offering encouragement and hope.

Look for opportunities to serve and support those in our community who face challenges and limitations, demonstrating the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Today's Wisdom

The story of the blind man in John 9:1 reminds us of the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. By acknowledging our limitations and trusting in His healing power, we can experience growth and transformation that transcends our circumstances. As we continue on our faith journey, let us be mindful of the ways Jesus has brought light and sight into our lives, and commit ourselves to sharing His love and healing with others. In doing so, we can become beacons of hope and encouragement, shining the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.

Matthew 7:25

 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Matthew 7:25

The Wise Man

If you have been a Christian very long, then you are familiar with the children’s song about the wise man and the foolish man. Just like the song, Matthew 7:24 states that “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Though the torrential rains come and the floodwaters and winds threaten to destroy the house, it will not be destroyed because the wise man built that house on solid rock.

The Christian life is the same way. The wise Christian builds his life on the strong foundation of God, the salvation of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of the Word of God. The foolish person tries to build his life on only one of these instead of recognizing how it all fits together. That life will not last. Only the Christian life built on the things of God will last forever.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
Thank you for being my foundation. May I build my life on godly things instead of my own strength or things of this world. Amen.

Devotion: Unchanging Love

The Bible In One Year – Proverbs 1-2/1 Corinthians 16

Today’s Reading: Psalm 103:13-22 – The world and its desires pass away, but whosoever does the will of God lives forever. ~1 John 2:12

Unchanging Love

When I was in high school, I played on the varsity tennis team. I spent many hours of my teenage years trying to improve my skills on four concrete courts located just two blocks from my home.

The last time I visited that city, one of the first things I did was drive to the tennis courts, hoping to watch others play and reminisce for a moment. But the old courts, so familiar to my memory, were nowhere to be seen. In their place was a vacant field, inhabited only by an occasional weed waving silently in the breeze.

That afternoon remains in my mind as a stark reminder of the brevity of life. One of the places where I expended some of my best youthful strength no longer existed! Reflecting on that experience later brought me to this truth, expressed by an aging King David: “The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from the everlasting to everlasting the LORD’S love is with those who fear him” (Psalm 103:1-17).

We grow older and the world around us may change, but God’s love doesn’t. He can always be trusted to take care of those who turn to Him.-James Banks

Faithful Father, thank You for Your love that never changes! Help me to love You faithfully today.

In our changing world, we can always depend on our unchanging God.

 

Ephesians 6:1-3

 

Ephesians 6:1-3 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

 

1 John 3:15 – Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 

1 Corinthians 6:9 – What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

 

Ephesians 4:28 – Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

 

Luke 3:14 – And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

 

Matthew 15:19 – For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

 

Ephesians 5:5 – For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

 

Acts 20:7 – And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

 

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches o Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

 

Hebrews 4:9-11 – There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest way any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Devotion: Closer Than a Brother

 Have faith and stay in prayer!!!!!!!

Daily Bible Verse

And hereby we do know that we know him if we keep his commandments. ~1 John 2:3

Daily Inspiration

The best way to show our love for God is to obey Him. When we are walking in step with God, we are assured of our relationship with Him, and others also see what a life lived in communion with God looks like. But when we ignore God and follow our own way, we not only hurt our witness to others, but we invite doubt into our own minds.

Daily Prayer

Lord, thank You for revealing Yourself in Jesus and calling me into a relationship with You. It is a joy to know You and to have the assurance of being known by You. Help me walk in obedience, that I may live each day in the knowledge of You and that others may know I am Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

God is my Hero!!!!!!!

Closer Than a Brother

By Chipo Biti

Closer Than a Brother: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ~Proverbs 18:24

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother and his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus loved you way before you were born and he will continue to love you when you leave this earth. His love is not seasonal and it is not conditional. He loved you way before you knew of him or even chose to receive him into your love. He values you so much that he counted it worthy to die on the cross for your sins. No one on the face of this earth will ever be able to match the love that Jesus has for you. When friends come and go, you can be assured that there is someone you can rely on without fail. He will never leave you and he will never turn his back on you. He is you and He desires you to walk in the freedom that he has given you.

There are also people on earth that God uses to be close to us in the good and the bad times. These friends are not many but when they come into your life, they have no intention of leaving. These are friends you can call on at any time and they will gladly help you. These are the friends that you can trust, no matter what. They are gifts.

You should also desire to be the kind of friend people can rely on. Good friends may be hard to find but you should strive to be someone a person should strive to be someone a person can consider a friend who sticks closer than a brother. The love of God should compel you to be someone who can encourage, exhort, and comfort others when they need it.

Prayer

God’s love should be your guide when it comes to how you treat your friends. While we may live in a world where it is hard to find people to trust, you should be one of those people who can be trusted. Your friends should be comfortable knowing that you will always be there, no matter what.

Jesus led the way so that we could follow his example on how to love and how to be friends who are always willing to give.

God is the reason why I remain strong today!!!!!!

How to Get Along with Fellow Men

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ~Romans 12:4

Nightly Devotion on TPKs Stories True Crime & Other Stories

 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/valerie-harvey/episodes/Nightly-Devotion-e2ip6db

Devotion: Muscling Through on TPKs Stories True Crime & Other Stories

 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/valerie-harvey/episodes/Devotion-Muscling-Through-e2ifqhr

Devotion: Jesus' Post-Resurrection Appearances on TPKs Stories True Crime & Other Stories

 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/valerie-harvey/episodes/Devotion-Jesus-Post-Resurrection-Appearances-e2i6c31

Jesus' Post-Resurrection Appearances

 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 

Today’s Devotional

Acts 1:3 speaks of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to His disciples. After His suffering and death on the cross, Jesus was resurrected and appeared to His followers for forty days. During this time, He provided many convincing proofs of His resurrection and continued to teach about the kingdom of God.

 

These post-resurrection appearances of Jesus are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they provide strong evidence for the truth of Jesus’ resurrection, which is a foundational belief of the Christian faith. Secondly, Jesus’ teachings during this time emphasized the importance of the kingdom of God and the role of His followers in spreading this message.

Time to reflect

To apply the lessons from this verse, consider these points:

 

• Reflect on the significance of Jesus’ resurrection and the evidence provided by His post-resurrection appearances.
• Consider the importance of the kingdom of God in Jesus’ teachings and how it should impact your own life and faith.
• Commit to sharing the message of Jesus’ resurrection and the kingdom of God with others.

Prayer Of The Day

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for His resurrection. We are grateful for the evidence of His post-resurrection appearances and the teachings He shared during this time. Help us to fully understand and embrace the importance of the kingdom of God in our lives and to share this message with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Strengthening Faith

To apply the lessons from this verse, take these action steps:

 

1. Study the accounts of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances in the Gospels and Acts, and consider the evidence they provide for His resurrection.
2. Reflect on how the teachings of Jesus during this time can impact your own understanding of the kingdom of God.
3. Look for opportunities to share the message of Jesus’ resurrection and the kingdom of God with others in your life.

Today's Wisdom

Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances are an essential part of the Christian faith, providing strong evidence for His resurrection and emphasizing the importance of the kingdom of God. By studying these accounts and applying their teachings to our own lives, we can grow in our faith and be better equipped to share the good news of Jesus with others.

Galatians 1:3-5

 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever.

Galatians 1:3-5

Grace and Peace

Grace and peace are two things that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Paul knew this when he sent this to theGalatians. He was saying grace to you, telling the people about the grace of God that extends far beyond anything they could find in anyone else. A grace that covers their sins. He was also sharing the peace that he had found in God with them. In a chaotic world, he is the only one that can give peace. He is the only place where we can find peace. Paul knew this very well. He had tried to serve God without the grace and peace when he was a Pharisee. However, he found an empty life. He only found grace and peace after he came face-to-face with the glory of God and his son.

So these two greetings are very powerful for the Christian. Grace is what has delivered us from the evils of this world and peace keeps us calm in the midst of the chaos of this world. Do you know His grace? Do you rely on His peace? Turn to Him and find this today.

A Prayer to Remember

Dear Lord,
I need your grace every day. I need to be reminded of your grace and peace every day. May I live my life in such a way that I remind myself and others of the great things you have done. Amen.

Devotion: Into His Hands on TPKs Stories True Crime & Other Stories

 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/valerie-harvey/episodes/Devotion-Into-His-Hands-e2hr69s

Exodus 34:27-28

 

Exodus 34:27-28 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee with Israel. And he was there forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables that words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

 

Exodus 20:1-17 – And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that I in the earth beneath, or that is in the water the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

 

Matthew 4:10 – Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

 

1 John 5:21 – Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

 

Revelation 21:8 – But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

Matthew 6:6 – But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

 

Acts 19:13-16 – Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

 

Matthew 5:33-37 – Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not foreswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by they head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let you communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

 

James 5:12 – But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

 

Matthew 2:21-23 – And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelans did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, notwithstanding being warned of God in a dram, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

 

Mark 7:7 – Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

Exodus 20:8-11 – Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Devotion: Muscling Through

 

The Bible in One Year: Psalm 148-150/1 Corinthians 15:29-58

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:2-3, 14-12

Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all of Judah. ~2 Chronicles 20:3

Muscling Through

Competitive bodybuilders put themselves through a rigorous training cycle. During the initial months, they emphasize gaining size and strength. As the competition nears, the focus shifts to losing any fat that hides the muscle. In the final days before the competition, they consume less water than normal so their muscle tissue is easily visible. Because of the reduced consumption of nourishment, despite appearing strong.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we read of the opposite reality: acknowledging weakness in order to experience God’s strength. “A vast army is coming against you,” people told King Jehoshaphat. So “he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (v.3), depriving himself and all his people of nourishment. Then they asked God for help. When he finally mustered his military, Jehoshaphat placed singers who praised God at the front of his army (v. 21). As they began to sing, the Lord “set ambushes against the men . . . who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (v. 22).

Jehoshaphat’s decision demonstrated deep faith in God He purposefully chose not to depend on his own human and military prowess but instead to lean on God. Rather than trying to muscle our way through the trials we face, may we turn to Him and allow Him to be our Strength. [Kirsten Homberg]

Read “The Strength of Weakness” at discoveryseries.org/hp144.

We must recognize our weakness to experience God’s Strength!!!!!

Devotion: In His Hands

 Keep Praying and Believing in God!!!!!!

Daily Bible Verse

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? ~1 John 5:5

Daily Inspiration

Overcoming the world sounds like an impossible feat. How do we defeat the forces of greed, strife, and pride that define the ways of the world? Only through Jesus, who leads u in a life of humble sacrifice. In Jesus, we find the peace of a secure eternity, no matter what we face in this world, freeing us to pursue His kingdom instead of worldly gains.

Daily Prayer

Lord God, thank You for calling me to be a child of Your kingdom. You’ve called me to resist the ways of the world as I live for You, but I cannot do it alone. Thank You for sending Jesus to live that I may have an example to follow. And thank You for His death and resurrection, by which I receive the power to follow You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Pray because God Listens!!!!

In His Hands

By Chipo Biti

In His Hands: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O God of truth. ~Psalm 31:5

Trust is a hard thing to come by in the world. When you are surrounded by people who only have their best interests at heart, it can be very hard to find someone you can confide in. the thought of giving a person a glance into your heart and your mind can be daunting.

People are capable of convincing you that you can trust them, but in them, you have finished confiding in them, they are already thinking of the way they’re going to tell someone else about everything that you’ve just shared with them. People are capable of smiling in your face and talking behind your back at the same time. Such things leave very little to be desired when it comes to trying to trust people and letting them into your lives.

Fortunately with God we don’t have such worries. We know that God has our lives in our hands and this gives us peace. It does not give us any reason to worry. God truly is the only one who has your best interests at heart. Everything He guides you in is for your benefit. Thi is why He constantly urges us to follow the guiding of His Spirit.

He isn’t trying to control us. He is trying to prevent us from experiencing anything detrimental to our health and our livelihood as His children.

Think of an interaction between a child and their mother. A child may walk into the kitchen and tell their mom that they are ready to drive a car. The mother will tell them that they are not ready to drive. The child might become upset and think that their mother is trying to stifle their dreams. But the mother is actually protecting them. If the child tries to drive at their young age, they will end up injuring or even killing themselves (or others).

Prayer

The same thing happens with God. He knows us better than we know ourselves and because of this, some of the things He may guide us to do might not make sense in the moment, but when we take a look at our lives later, we realize that everything actually does make sense.

This is why David could confidentially tell God that he has committed his spirit into God’s hands. He is the only one who can truly protect us, guide us, and prepare us for anything life tries to throw in our direction. Amen!

Jesus is my Rock!!!!!!

When You Are Seeking Peace

And the LORD shall guide thee soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fall. ~Isaiah 58:11

Nightly Devotion

 This week will be filled with Good News!!!!

Nightly Bible Verse

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. ~1 Corinthians 15:49

Nightly Inspiration

We’re all human. Descendants of Adam made from the same template as all other humans. And through Ada, God’s image in s became tarnished by sin. But through Jesus, His image in us will be perfected. His image in us will be perfected.  What hope we have because He has been raised! Someday, we too will be raised, forever freed from the bodies of sin, pain, and death.

Nightly Prayer

Lord, thank You for saving me, for giving me hope, and for working in me. Even as I live in this body, with its aches and imperfections, I know that You have promised so much more. Lord, help me to live each day looking forward to the hope that I will one day be fully free from sin and suffering, perfected in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Lord, lead me to a successful life!!!!!

When Your Faith Needs Stirring

For they that say such thing declare plainly that they seek a country. ~Hebrews 11:14

Doctrine & Covenants: Section 35

 

Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at or near Fayette, New York, December 7, 1830. At this time, the Prophet was engaged almost daily in making a translation of the Bible. The translation was begun as early as June 1830, and both Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer had served as scribes. Since they had now been called to other duties, Sidney Rigdon was called by divine appointment to serve as the Prophet’s scribe in this work (see verse 20). As a preface to the record of this revelation, Joseph Smith’s history states: “In December Sidney Rigdon came [from Ohio] to inquire of the Lord, and with him came Edward Partridge. … Shortly after the arrival of these two brethren, thus speak the Lord.”

 

1-2, How men may become the sons of God; 3-7, Sidney Rigdon is called to baptize and to confer the Holy Ghost; 8-12, Sign and miracles are wrought by faith; 13-16, The Lord’s servants will thresh the nations by the power of the Spirt; 17-19 Joseph Smith holds the keys of the mysteries; 20-21, The elect will abide the day of the Lord’s coming; 22-27, Israel will be saved.

 

1  Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round the same today as yesterday, and forever.

 

2  I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.

 

3  Behold, verily, verily, I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a greater work.

 

4  Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah which should come, and thou knewest it not.

 

5  Thou didst baptize by water unto repentance, but they receive not the Holy Ghost;

 

6  But now I give unto thee a commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, even as the apostles of old.

 

7  And it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people.

 

8  For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.

 

9  And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk.

 

10  And the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of me;

 

11  But without faith shall not anything be shown forth except desolations upon Babylon, the same which has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

 

12  And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fulness of my gospel, which I have ent forth unto this generation.

 

13  Wherefore, I call upon the weak thigs of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to tresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;

 

14  And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them.

 

15  And the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand—

 

16  And they shall learn the parable of the fig tree, for even now already summer is nigh.

 

17  And I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him;

 

18  And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those which have been sealed, even things which shall come from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming if he abide I me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead.

 

19  Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.

 

20  And a commandment I give unto thee—that thou shalt write for him; and the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect;

 

21  For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shallot be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure.

 

22  And now I say unto you, tarry with him, and he shall journey with you; forsake him ot, and surely these things shall be fulfilled.

 

23  And inasmuch as ye do not write, behold, it shall be given unto him to prophesy; and thou shalt preach my gospel and call on the holy prophets to prove his words, as they shall be given him.

 

 

24  Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish;

 

25  And Israel shall be saved in mine own due time; and by the keys which I have given shall they be led, and no more be confounded at all.

 

26  Lift up your hearts and be glad, your redemption draweth nigh.

 

27  Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

2 Nephi: Chapter 28

 Many false churches will be built up in the last days—They will teach false, vain, and foolish doctrines—Apostasy will abound because of false teachers—The devil will rage in the hearts of men—He will teach all manner of false doctrines. About 559-545 B.C.

 

1  And now, behold, my brethren, I have spoken unto you, according as the Spirit hath constrained me; wherefore, I know that they must surely come to pass.

 

2  And the things which shall be written out of the book shall be of great worth unto the children of men, and especially unto our seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel.

 

3  For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s’ and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord—

 

4  And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.

 

5  And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;

 

 

6  Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work.

 

7  Yea, and there shall be many which say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.

 

8  And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

 

9  Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.

 

10  And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.

 

11 Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.

 

12  Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.

 

13  They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.

 

14  They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

 

15  O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!

 

16  Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.

 

17  But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts.

 

18  But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.

 

19  For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;

 

20  For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

 

21  And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

 

22  And behold, others he flattered away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for ther is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

 

23  Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

 

24  Therefore wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!

 

25  Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

 

26  Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

 

27  Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!

 

28  And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that I built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

 

29  Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!

 

30  For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, form them shall be taken sawy even that which they have.

 

31  Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

32  Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

Luke: Chapter 21

 Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem—He tells of the signs to precede His Second Coming and gives the parable of the fig tree.

 

1  And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

 

2  And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

 

3  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

 

4  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

 

5  And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

 

6  As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

 

7  And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things shall come pass?

 

8  And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye therefore after them.

 

9  But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

 

10  Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

 

11  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

 

12  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

 

13  And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

 

14  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not meditate before what ye shall answer:

 

15  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

 

16  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of shall they cause you to be put to death.

 

17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

 

18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

 

19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

 

20  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

 

21  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

 

22  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

 

23  But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

 

24  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

 

25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

 

26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

 

27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

 

28  And when these things begin to come pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

29  And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

 

30  When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

 

31  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

 

32  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

 

33  Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away.

 

34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

 

35  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

 

36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

37  And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

 

38  And all the people come early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

Exodus: Chapter 19

 The Lord covenants to make Israel a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation—The people sanctify themselves—The Lord appears on Sinai amid fire, smoke, and earthquakes.

 

1  In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the ame day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

 

2  For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.

 

3  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

 

4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

 

5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then ye shall be peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

 

6  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

 

7  And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.

 

8  And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

 

9  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.

 

10  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

 

11  And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

 

12  And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not go up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

 

13  There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long they shall come up to the mount.

 

14  And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

 

15  And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

 

16  And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

 

17  And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

 

18  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.

 

19  And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

 

20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

 

21  And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.

 

22  And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

 

23  And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.

 

24  And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.

 

25  So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

Appendix: What Does the Bible Really Teach?

 Why True Christians Do Not Use the Cross in Worship

 

The cross is loved and respected by millions of people. The Encyclopedia Britannica calls the cross “the principal symbol of the Christian religion.” Nevertheless, true Christians do not use the cross in worship. Why not?

 

An important reason is that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross. The Greek word generally translated “cross” is stau-ros’. It basically means “an upright pale or stake.” The Companion Bible points out: “[Stau-ros’] never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle . . . there is nothing in the Greek of the [New Testament] even to imply two pieces of timber.”

 

In several texts, Bible writers use another word for the instrument of Jesus’ death. It is the Greek word sy’lon. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) This word simply means “timber” or “a stick, club, or tree.”

 

Explaining why a simple stake often used for executions, the book Das Kreuz und the Kreuzigung (The Cross and the Crucifixion), by Hermann Fuida, states: “Trees were not everywhere available at the places chosen for public execution. So a simple beam was sunk into the ground. On this the outlaws, with hands raised upward and often also with their feet were bound or nailed.”

 

The most convincing proof of all, however, comes from God’s Word. The apostle Paul says: “Christ purchased us, releasing us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: ‘Accursed is every man hung upon a stake, [“a tree,” King James version],’” (Galatians 3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:23, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. Since such a means of execution made the person “a curse,” it would not be proper for Christians to decorate their homes with images of Christ on a cross.

 

There is no evidence that for the first 300 years after Christ’s death, those claiming to be Christians used the cross in worship. In the fourth century, however, pagan Emperor Constantine became a convert to apostate Christianity and promoted the cross as its symbol. Whatever Constantine’s motives, the cross had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The cross is, in fact, pagan in origin. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: “The cross is found in both pre-Christian and non-Christian cultures.” Various other authorities have linked the cross with nature worship and pagan ex rites.

 

Why, then, was this symbol promoted? Apparently, to make it easier for pagans to accept “Christianity.” Nevertheless, devotion to any pagan symbol is clearly condemned by the Bible. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) The Scriptures also forbid all forms of idolatry. (Exodus 20:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:14) With very good reason, therefore, true Christians do not use the cross in worship.”

·          For a more detailed discussion of the cross, see pages 80-93 of the book Reasoning From the Scriptures, published by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.