What about JERUSALEM

WHAT ABOUT JERUSALEM

Jerusalem was originally called Jebus and was inhabited by the Jebusites before David conquered it.“And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.” (1st Chronicles 11:4)

The entire chapter 16 of the book of Ezekiel describes the birth of Jerusalem and God’s love for her and how he married her by putting his skirt over her. Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. (Ezekiel 16:8

In this chapter Ezekiel also describes how Jerusalem turned from God and he rejected her. Yet, in the end he reunites with Jerusalem again. Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, (Ezekiel 16:1-2)But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.(Ezekiel 16:15)
Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 16:60-63)

The Psalms inform us that they shall prosper that love Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Psalms 122:6

We read of Jesus’ love of Jerusalem by his passionate words spoken in the book of Luke “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” (Luke 13:34)

Considering the situation of Jerusalem and the world today these prophetic words spoken by Jesus should grab our attention. “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luke 21:20″

In the following scriptures we find that much is written in the book of Zechariah, Micah, Ezekiel and Isaiah pertaining to the city of Jerusalem. We discover information concerning now, in the future and in world to come. Although Jerusalem is to become a burdensome stone for the entire world, which it is, and all will be gathered against her, which they are, God declares that He will defend and strengthen her and will destroy all that come against her and will set her as His city in the world to come.

Scriptures:

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. (Zephaniah 3:16)

Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. (Zechariah 8:3)

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut to pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. (Zechariah 12:3)

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:6)

In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. (Zechariah 12:8)

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:9)

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the morning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (Zechariah 12:11)

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. (Zechariah 13:1-2)

And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. (Zechariah 14:8)

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)

Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. (Isaiah 24:23)

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem. (Isaiah 27:13)

As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. (Isaiah 31:5)

And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:7)

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. (Jeremiah 3:17)

And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2)

The final triumph of Jerusalem is the New Jerusalem described for us in the book of Revelation.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:1-3)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that Jerusalem is a city that is at the center of God’s plan and will be the location where Jesus will rule from in the future.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

What to Seek First

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WHAT TO SEEK FIRST

Jesus said our first priority is to seek truth and everything else will fall into place. We are not to worry so much about food and what we have to wear. His promise is that if we seek his kingdom he will take care of our daily needs. Along with the Psalmist may this be our desire. “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” (Psalms 27:8)

Scripture:
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Luke 12:29-31)

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought (troubled by cares) can add one cubit unto his stature? (time of life)

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin? And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:25-32)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Our first priority should be to seek the kingdom of God and he will take care of our daily needs.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Instructions Concerning Prayer

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INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER

Jesus instructs us that we are not to pray to impress others, but are to pray privately to our Father and he will openly reward us. He wants us to talk to him, not in repetitive verses or statements, but from the heart. The expression, vain repetition, doesn’t mean that we are not to be persistent on a particular request, because in another parable we were told to be persistent, but that we are not to repeat words over and over, like repeatedly chanting empty words.

Scripture:
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 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. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater damnation. (Mark 12:38-40)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We are to pray privately; not repetitiously or to impress others.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.

Faith over Fear

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FAITH OVER FEAR

The disciples were stricken with panic when a severe storm developed while they were out on a boat with Jesus. Jesus was sound asleep when, in their fright, the disciples woke him. Jesus rebuked them because of their fearfulness and then prayed. Immediately the weather became calm. The disciples were dumbfounded that the weather obeyed him as they watched the storm dissipate before their eyes?

Jesus’ words, “Why are you fearful?” brings to light the concept that having faith eliminates our fears which makes sense. If we know and believe in our heart that everything is going to be all right, then why would we be afraid?

Scripture:
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (Matthew 8:24-27)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that faith takes away our fears.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Healing Faith

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HEALING FAITH

The significance of faith is confirmed in all three gospels, where we read the account of a lady who had a health issue for twelve years. Jesus informs the woman that her faith brought about her healing. This account can also be found in Mark 5 and Luke 8. Faith is also referred to when Jesus heals the two blind men “according to their faith”.

Scripture:
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. (Matthew 9:20-22)

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.” (Matthew 9:27-29)

As is confirmed in the book of James. The prayer of faith will heal the sick.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick. (James 5:14-15)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that faith can bring about a healing.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

National Repentence

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NATIONAL REPENTENCE

What can we do if we see our nation is turning from God and heading down a road to destruction? There are actions that we Christians can take to bring about a healing for our country? The scriptures below describe actions that we can take such as, humble ourselves, pray, seek and do God’s will and turn from wickedness.

Note that 2nd Chronicles reads, “if my people”. Not necessarily all of the people. Our obedience can bring about a healing that even non-believers will benefit from.

Scripture:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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. (2nd Chronicles 7:14)

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (Jeremiah 7:23)

At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; 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. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. (Jeremiah 18:7-10)

Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; (Deuteronomy 4:5-9)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned four facts concerning the healing of a nation. (1) IF we humble ourselves (2) IF we pray (3) IF we seek and obey His will and (4) IF we turn from wickedness, He will forgive and heal our land.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Blessed Nation

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BLESSED NATION

As a result of hearing and doing the word of God bountiful blessing are promised. The children of Israel lost those blessings over and over again because of their disobedience.

Because we are a Christian Nation, our country too has been blessed, but those blessings can be lost if we turn our backs on God. The scripture reads, “And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.” We ARE called CHRISTIAN.

Scripture:
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
The nation that will learn and do the word of the Lord will receive great blessings.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan