“Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.” (James 1:9, 10; The Holy Bible)

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7b; The Holy Bible)

“…you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4: The Holy Bible)

“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21; The Holy Bible)

A WARNING ABOUT JEZEBEL FROM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IN HIS REVELATION TO JOHN:

18“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

24Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

26To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’^b —just as I have received authority from my Father. 28I will also give that one the morning star. 29Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:18-29) (Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.)

“…whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish*, that I may gain Christ…” (Philippians 3: 7, 8; The Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society)

*(the King James version calls, “rubbish”, “dung”—Bill Pelrine’s note)

I’m an inner city missionary.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7; The Holy Bible)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1) (The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society)

“Not every one that says unto me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works?’

And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.’” (Matthew 7: 21-23; The Holy Bible)

Don’t worry. God will provide. He is Jehovah-jireh. Read how He provided for Abraham:

“Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a bunt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh (which means The Lord Will Provide): as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.’” (Genesis 22:13, 14; The Holy Bible)

“I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.” (Proverbs 8:20, 21) (The Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society)

“…I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes…” (Romans 1:16; The Holy Bible)

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7; The Holy Bible)

“Ye shall walk after the LORD you God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him” (Deuteronomy 13:4)

A definition in Strong’s Concordance of the word: “fear”. The Hebrew word in an English alliteration, is “yare”, (pronounced yaw-ray); a prim. Root; to fear; mor. To revere; caus. To frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread (-ful), (put in) fear (-ful, -fully, -ing). (be had in) reverence (-end), X see terrible (act, -ness, thing).

You can see, the words, “revere” and “reverence”, are used in the definition of this Hebrew word. I’ve been told that when The Holy Bible uses the word, “fear”, about how we should be toward God, it means to be, “in holy awe”.

God is all powerful, all knowing and everywhere. We need to revere Him and acknowledge that there is no greater power than Him. He’s our Creator and is the Creator of everyone and everything. Everything is created by His Holy Spirit. I don’t want to be standing in some unrepentant sinners sandals on judgment day. The word, “fear”, is used in The Holy Bible quite a bit. I don’t think we should fear anyone or anything but The LORD.

“…we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society, All rights reserved)

“…this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3; The Holy Bible)

Here are some of the lyrics to an old time spiritual song to give you comfort. If you're a little anxious or down about living or dying, try singing this old spiritual. It gives me comfort sometimes:

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home,

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?

Comin’ for to carry me home;

A band of angels comin’ after me,

Comin’ for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home,

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home.

If you get there before I do?

Comin’ for to carry me home;

Tell all my friends I’m comin’ too,

Comin’ for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home,

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home.

I’m sometimes up, I’m sometimes down,

Comin’ for to carry me home;

But still my soul feels heavenly bound,

Comin’ for to carry me home.

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home,

Swing low, sweet chariot, comin’ for to carry me home.

“Do you know a hard-working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings!” (Proverbs 22:29: The Living Bible Copyright ©1971 by Tyndale House Publishers)

You need to be blessed more than anything.

“Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” (Proverbs 19:1; The Holy Bible)

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2; The Holy Bible)

Enter into God’s rest. Are you going to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy? I've been doing it for over 30 years.  That adds up to over four and a half years of rest and relaxation. I had to repent for not resting one day a week. It took some discipline to force myself to rest. Rest is important to God. The King James Version of The Holy Bible uses the word, “sabbath(s)”, 172 times. Remember the Sabbath and keep in holy (Exodus 20).

“…it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:25) (The Holy Bible, King James Version)

“Hard work brings prosperity; playing around brings poverty.” (Proverbs 28:19) (The Living Bible, Copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers)

     “…every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, of lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

     But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:29-30) (The Holy Bible, King James Version)

Sin has been the downfall of all mankind since Adam.

“He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) (The Holy Bible)

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” (Proverbs 21:5) (The Holy Bible, King James Version)

“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” (Proverbs 28:27) (The Holy Bible, New International Version)

“Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” (Psalms 33:8) (The Holy Bible)

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10) (The Holy Bible)

“Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.” (Psalm 25:7) (The Holy Bible, New International Version)

“God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) (The Holy Bible)

“You that love the LORD, hate evil…” (Psalm 97:10a) (The Holy Bible)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) (The Holy Bible, New International Version)

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

“…it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (1 Corinthians 7:9b) (The Holy Bible, New International Version)

"The woman's place is in the home."--my Uncle Lou

“…be not ye called Rabbi: for one is you Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Neither be ye called masters: for one is you Master, even Christ.

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matthew 23 8-12) (The Holy Bible)

“…Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21) (The Holy Bible)

“…I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

And I saw the woman drunken with blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus…” (Revelation 17:3b-6a) (The Holy Bible, King James Version)

“Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, ‘Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.’” (Revelation 18:20-24) (The Holy Bible)

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) (The Holy Bible)

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Don’t worry. Give all you cares and anxieties to Jesus. He really cares for you. Some of you are worrying about me and others in your lives. Don’t. I’m staying close to The Good Shepherd. He will keep me safe from the tempter’s snare; so I don’t get back into the sin that caused so much calamity and affliction in my life.

Do what I do when I get down in the dumps. Just whistle a happy tune or sing a psalm, hymn or spiritual song. Bust out a tambourine and dance (if you have legs to do it). Read The Holy Bible. Pray The Our Father, as Jesus taught us to pray. Keep the faith.

Here are the words to an old time gospel song copyrighted in 1922, by Helen H. Lemmel. It’s called, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”.  I sing this one every now and then and it gives me great comfort. If you don’t have a hymn book, get one. Hymns are so uplifting and comforting. It’s a nice poem to recite, even if you don’t know the melody.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul, are you wary and troubled,

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

His word shall not fail you, He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well,

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

I'm Jesus' friend!

I'm a nincompoop.

I love pressure!

I'm a weakling.

I'm a paranoid schizophrenic, the hair fell off my legs, my eyesight’s blurry, my teeth are bad, I was a C+ average student in school, my memory is so poor, I can't remember a tune, much less sing without missing at least one beat, my hands are super dry, I'm so poor, I can't afford anything, my brain has been deteriorating rapidly for over 28 years, I’ve been hospitalized several times, spent time in jail, I'm so prone to error, that I just consider it to be the way it is. I’m totally cursed. What a wretch I am.

“…whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) (The Holy Bible)

I can't win for losing.

“You say, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing’; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17) (The Holy Bible)

“Be sober. Be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) (The Holy Bible)

“…my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) (The Holy Bible)

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” (Romans 4:7) (The Holy Bible)

“Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Deuteronomy 5:16) (The Holy Bible, King James Version)

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” (Romans 12:14) (The Holy Bible)

 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

 (Numbers 6:24-26) (Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.)