Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

The “bondage of corruption” is the be captive and contaminated by sin – Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Consider who is “delivered from the bondage of corruption”, those who are “the children of God”. From time to time, some say that “we are all the children of God.” By right of creation that statement is true. But those who have been set at liberty from the bondage of sin are the spiritual children of God. It behooves every accountable person to search the Bible for the answer as to how one becomes a redeemed child of God. – Galatians 3:26.27
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

It cannot be overstated; the only way as person becomes a saved child of God is by being baptized into Christ!
Sadly, many are living with a false hope that they have been set at liberty from the bondage of sin - Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

After one is set free from the bondage of sin , he must guard his liberty in Christ. Please notice a few verses that stress this point:.
II Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Most people do not have this freedom from the guilt of sin or liberty in Christ – Matthew 7:13,14

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

As America celebrates the Fourth of July, may sure you have liberty in Christ!

--- H. Allen Croley

Genesis 5:28-32
28 And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
30 And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:
31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.
32 And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

First parents’ sin resulting in the ground being cursed – Genesis 3:13-24. Pay special attention to verse 17
13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
In Noah Lamech looked for a blessing. God saw something good in Noah as well! Noah signifies rest; his parents gave him that name, with the prospect of his being a great blessing to his generation, He was just that! Notice what God saw in Noah – Genesis 6:8 - But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Contrast that to what his contemporaries were doing – Genesis 6:5 - And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
All of man’s turning to Gods, gets him further and further from sin, and closer and closer to the fellowship with God that was lost in Eden! Noah was a very special man Noah built a family; a boat; a life; and a relationship with God! Noah did not deviate one whit in obeying God - Genesis 6:22 - Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Noah by faith obeyed God’s will and was thus blessed – Hebrews 11:7 -
. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

There is a tremendous need for the alien sinner to by faith obey God and be saved - I Peter 3:20,21
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Noah was saved from the flood because he obeyed God and found safety in the ark. Those who believe and obey God today, find salvation in the church – Acts 2:47 - Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Baptism is the door into Christ and His church - Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Genesis 5:25-27

25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
26 And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

The meaning of his name, which some reason was prophetical, his father Enoch being a prophet. Methuselah means, he dies, or there is a dart, or, a sending forth, namely, of the deluge, which occurred oin the same year that Methuselah died! If his name was so intended and so explained, it was a grave warning to a careless world, long before the judgment came. Notice that the longest life that ever t was lived manifested death in his name. Even though death came extremely slowly for Methuselah, it still came. One should be reminded of Hebrews 9:27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Methuselah lived to be nine hundred and sixty-nine years and still he died. It has been said that the old must die, but the young may die.
Methuselah’s near millennium upon the earth is very amazing. but it is but a “second” compared to eternity. Consider the eternal home of the saved – II Corinthians 5:1 - For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heaven and the eternal dwelling place of the lost Matthew 25:41 - Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels
Remember, it is not how long one lives, but how one lives, that counts in eternity!

GENESIS 5:21`-24

21 AND ENOCH LIVED SIXTY AND FIVE YEARS, AND BEGAT METHUSELAH:
22 AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD AFTER HE BEGAT METHUSELAH THREE HUNDRED YEARS, AND BEGAT SONS AND DAUGHTERS:
23 AND ALL THE DAYS OF ENOCH WERE THREE HUNDRED SIXTY AND FIVE YEARS:
24 AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD: AND HE WAS NOT; FOR GOD TOOK HIM.


Granted, people lived much longer during the early days of history, but can you image having a son at the age of 65? Enoch is famous for two reasons; he was the father of the oldest man who ever lived and he did not have to experience physical death. Enoch had little or nothing to do with how long his son lived, but he did have a great deal to do with the fact that he was spared physical death. The reason of simple, he walked with God!

Consider some essentials to walking with God:

1. Walking with God means that one agrees to do God’s Will – Amos 3:3
3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

2. Living with the knowledge that God sees all that we do – Hebrews 4:12-14
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

And thus living accordingly – Romans 12:1,2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.


3. Walking with God means that one dies to self - Galatians 2:20

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me

4. Walking with God causes one to live in view of Christ’s return – Jude 14
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,


5. Walking with God is obeying God faithfully – Ecclesiastes 12:13,12
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Revelation 2:10
… be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

6. Walking with God means to live for Christ that death will be a gain - Philippians 1:21
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

7. Walking with God means to live in such a way to be able to go to a better place in eternity – Hebrews 11:5,6
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

II Corinthians 5:1


1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Psalm 119:7
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

Judgments—This pertains to the rules of conduct formed by God's judicial decisions; this is the broad sense of the word in the Psalms, so that it includes decisions of approval as well as condemnation.
The decisions of God's will Psalm 110:5

5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

The infliction of punishment on the wicked Exodus 6:6
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

Exodus 12:12
12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

All of humanity, except for Noah and his family had gone away from God. Their every thought was continuous evil – Genesis 6:5. God promised that every one not found in the ark would perish. God did what He said he would do. The world received the judgment of God - Genesis 7:1-24

Part two of two

The perversion of Sodom and Gomorrah bevame so great that God destroyed those cities - Genesis 19:24,25
24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
Can those who engage in similar actions today, expect to escape the wrath of God?

Can those who do not obey the gospel expect not to be punished?
II Thessalonians 1:7-9
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Mark 16;15,16
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
What about the church member who does not remain faithful to the Lord?
Hebrews 10:24-39
Revelation 2:10 -… “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”


--- H. Allen Croley

The Holy Spirit said in Hebrews 12:28 that we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Daniel foretold this kingdom in Daniel 2:44. He said this kingdom would stand forever. In this second chapter, Daniel said there would be four world-wide kingdoms.
History reveals that there were four world-wide kingdoms before John the Baptist came preaching that the kingdom was at hand (Matthew 3:2). John was beheaded and Jesus took up his ministry and he preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand (Matthew 4:17). He told us, Mark 9:1, how close the kingdom was, for there were those that would not taste death until they saw the Kingdom come in POWER.
Then the Holy Spirit told us the power would come in Jerusalem, upon the apostles, before they left the city to preach of the resurrected Christ: "And behold, I send forth the promise of the Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:48). Before Jesus left this earth He explained to the apostles when the power would come: "But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). So we have learned that the Lord would set up a kingdom that would last forever. John said that kingdom was at hand. Jesus said that kingdom would come in the lifetime of those people who were there with him at that time. He said that the kingdom would come with POWER. That the Power would come in Jerusalem and then we learned that the apostles would receive POWER when the Holy Spirit came.
Before Jesus left this earth he said that he had all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). The Holy Spirit said that Jesus had POWER when he arose from the dead: "who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:4). Then on the day of Pentecost, Peter ended up the first part of his sermon with this statement: "Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified." (Acts 2:36). So if we can prove anything by the Bible, we know that the kingdom of Christ was ushered in on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
People often ask why we do not pray the Lord's Prayer. Jesus never prayed what we call the Lord's Prayer. He gave it as a model for the apostles to pray. He said: AFTER THIS MANNER THEREFORE PRAY YE (Matthew 6:9). They were told to seek FIRST the KINGDOM and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). Did they seek in vain? No, we have shown you that the kingdom began on the day of Pentecost. We do not pray for something that the Lord has already given us. SO NOW WE THANK GOD THAT WE CAN RECEIVE THE KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN. To pray "THY KINGDOM COME" IS A MOCKERY.
The kingdom came and after the day of Pentecost it is always spoken of as something that was already in existence. Paul told the new converts that through many tribulations they must enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:23). In the next verse it says that they appointed elders in EVERY CHURCH (Acts 14:23). Despite the teaching of men to the contrary, the church and the kingdom are one and the same thing. Of necessity this has to be. THERE IS ONE BODY (Ephesians 1:4). The body is the church (Ephesians 1:22,23). Jesus Christ, himself, made the church and the kingdom ONE. I quote: "And I also say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Mathew 16:18,19)
Let us read next from Colossians 1:13: "who delivered us out of the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love." Then in the 18th verse of the same chapter he says: "and he is the head of the body the church: who is the beginning the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence." If Jesus has the preeminence in ALL THINGS, he must be reigning NOW or he does not have the PREEMINENCE.
There are many who teach that Jesus did intend to set up his kingdom but when the Jews rejected him he set up the church instead. There is not a semblance of proof for this theory. As we have shown, the Scriptures time after time speak of the kingdom as an established fact. Someone says that Jesus will set up his kingdom on this earth. How can Jesus set up an earthly kingdom when he said in John 18:36: "My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered unto the Jews; but my kingdom is not from hence?" So this theory that Jesus some time in the future, would set up an earthly kingdom flies right into the face of the statement made by the Lord Jesus Christ.
We shall go farther. People knew that Jesus had taught that the kingdom was at hand when he first began his ministry. They knew that John the Baptist had taught that the kingdom was at hand. So they approached Jesus and asked when the kingdom was going to come (Luke 17:20). JESUS SAID THAT THE KINGDOM WOULD NOT COME BY OBSERVATION. I want to dwell on this. Those who teach that Jesus will yet set up a kingdom on this earth are going to have it come by observation but THE KINGDOM OF GOD is within you (Luke 17:21).
People say we are now living in the church age. When Christ comes we shall then be in the kingdom age. The Bible never talks about a church age or a kingdom age. It does say that the church was the eternal purpose of God (Ephesians 3:10,11). So then the church was not an afterthought as some vainly teach. There is to be NO AGE after the church. We read: "unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever." So the church is going to last eternally according to Ephesians 3:21. I would like here to inject the statement that Paul made in Acts 27:25: "I believe God that it shall be even as he hath spoken unto me." Peruse carefully all we have studied and I can say very confidently that I BELIEVE GOD THAT IT SHALL BE EVEN AS HE HATH SPOKEN UNTO ME.
We hear a great deal of talk about a born-again Christian. If you are a Christian you are born- again. Let us look at the fact of being born again. Where are those who are born-again? Jesus said that: "Except ye be born anew ye cannot see the kingdom of God." What is the conclusion of that statement? Those who are born anew see the kingdom of God. If the kingdom does not exist how can one be born anew? Jesus further said, when Nicodemus questioned him about the new birth that: "Except one be born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). So if there it not a kingdom, of necessity there is no new birth. False teaching gets people into queer predicaments.
By our study of the word of God we have learned that there is one body. That body may be referred to as a church or a kingdom. More proof is not needed but we shall speak now from the Book of Hebrews: "But of the Son he saith, thy throne is forever and ever; and the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom." The Holy Spirit says THY THRONE IS. He did not say it had been nor did he say it would be. He says it is FOREVER AND EVER. We turn now to the 12th chapter, verse 23, of Hebrews. "To the general assembly and church of the first born who are enrolled in heaven." The church is enrolled in heaven. However in the 28th verse of the same chapter he calls this church of the first born A KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN.
THERE IS NO SCRIPTURE THAT SAYS JESUS WILL EVER SET FOOT ON THE EARTH AGAIN. I read this about the return of our Lord: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:16, 17). Ponder the statement. We shall be caught up in the air to meet the Lord and so we shall be forever with the Lord. No room for a reign with Christ on earth.
Those that teach that the kingdom is still future say that the righteous will be raised and a thousand years later the wicked will be raised. This is contrary to the teaching of our Lord for He said that THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED WOULD BE RAISED IN ONE HOUR (John 5:28, 29). There cannot be a thousand years inside of one hour. Then to add to that, Jesus said four times in the 6th chapter of John that the righteous would be raised at the last day, verses John 39, 40, 44, 54. You cannot have time after the LAST DAY. After the last day we shall have eternity and there will not be a thousand year reign of Christ after the last day.
The ascension of Jesus is told in this language: "And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Daniel tells us what happened on the other side of that cloud: "I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto the son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13, 14).
John received a message for the seven churches in Asia and the Lord assured him: "and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father, to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever" (Revelation 1:6).
TRUTH NEVER CONTRADICTS TRUTH. Revelation 20 does not teach anything contrary to the truth we have learned. That would be impossible.
J.C. Bailey (1987, Bengough, Saskatchewan)

Because of sin, man stands at odds with his Maker
Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Yet God, in His Love makes salvation possible
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 3:24
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
The one means of this salvation is the gospel of Christ
Romans 1:16,17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
If you want to go to heaven there are some things that you must do
You must hear the Word of God - Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
You must believe
Romans 10:16
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
You must repent of your sins – Acts 17:30,31
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
You must be born again – John 3:1-9
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.


This being born against takes place as You must be baptized for the remission of your sins – Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
You must then be faithful to the Lord – Revelation 2:10
be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
This faithfulness include the must of worshipping God in spirit and in truth –John 4:24
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
This includes observing the Lord’s Supper every Sunday –
Acts 20:7

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.
I Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

More to follow …

God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.
Pat O'Reilly

Carrie Prejean , Miss California’s honest, Scriptural answer to the question, about so-called , “Same Sex Marriage”, surely offended the judge who condemned her. . Does this not speak to how low the morals or some Americans has sunk, when the truth on any subject gets so much negative reaction by the liberals. That “judge” should keep[ in mind that one day all will be judged by Jesus – Romans 14:10
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.



Remember, from the beginning: God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. – Genesis 2:22
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.



Please notice what God’s Word says about homosexuality:

LEVITICUS 18:22-24

22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

LEVITICUS 20:13

13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.


I CORINTHIANS 6:9-11

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.


Effeminate , from verse 9 above . this word is translated from a Greek word meaning "catamite," the technical word for a boy used in pederasty. Those who suffered this abuse were likewise called pathics and took upon themselves the dress and behavior of women. Catamites were the passive partners in sodomy.
Abusers of themselves with mankind , these were the sodomites. Regarding the passive and active homosexuals referred to in these terms, it should be understood that an apostle of Jesus Christ condemned such behavior and in the judgment that they shall not inherit the kingdom of God

Two people cannot hate each other if they both love God.

It is never worthwhile to argue about religion that you think too little of to practice.If you are too busy for God, you are busier than God wants you to be.

In prayer it is better to have a heart without fancy words, than fancy words without a heart.

The Bible is for our information and our transformation.

. Colossians 1:1-4
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
Paul was always concerned about others and he let the brethren at Colosse: know that he was praying for them. Those in Colosse who were saints or Christians had been sanctified by the Word of God - John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.. They had obeyed the gospel, God’s power to save – Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek..
Hope in heaven by their obedience - Colossians 1:5-8
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Pail was also thankful that in their obedience they had hope laid up in heaven, Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people – John 14;1-6
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Part of preparation for heaven is to live a faithful Christian life – Colossians 3:1-6
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. - – Christians are risen with Christ in baptism - Romans 6:1-6
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. - Living for Christ now, give one the abundant life – John 10:10 and eternal life at judgment - Matthew 25:46
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: - Remember the end of the disobedient – II Thessalonians 1:7-9

Paul both lived and died for the Lord, looking to his hope in heaven - II Timothy 4:4-6

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Remember our hope of heaven depends on our obedience to the gospel and being faithful until death - Revelation 2; 10

Notice also Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Marlin Kilpatrick

Most every religion is learned and New Testament Christianity is no exception to this rule. When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, after warning him of evil men and seducers waxing worse and worse, he said, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim. 3:14,15). Why, then, in the realm of religion, do people act as they do?
Why does the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church engage in so much ceremonialism in their various services? If one should ask such a question, the answer no doubt, would be, “This is the way we learned it.” Ask a Muslim why he believes as he does and the answer, most likely, will be the same, “This is the way we learned it.” Why do all people who profess to follow Christ engage is so many unscriptural practices? The answer is still the same, “This is the way we learned it.” But from where did they learn it? Certainly not from the Bible. If the source of our learning is corrupt, our learning will be no better.
It’s not enough to be taught. We must concern ourselves with where and by whom we were taught. Fortunately for Timothy, his faith was instilled in him by a godly mother and grandmother ( 2 Tim. 1:5). So, a hand-me-down faith is not necessarily bad, provided of course, those handing down their faith are sound in the faith.
In order for one’s religion to be learned, there must be a process of teaching, learning and knowing. Concerning Christianity, Jesus said, “no man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44,45). We see this clearly illustrated in the case with Timothy.
As Christians, we should ask ourselves why do we believe as we do. Where did we learn it? We should be able to go to the scriptures and say, “Here is why I believe as I do. I learned it from the Bible.” Dear brother or sister, if someone should ask, “Why do churches of Christ sing without musical instruments?” What would be your reply? With many it would be, “I’m not sure. Let’s ask our preacher.” With many church members, including some liberal preachers, the answer would be that our singing acapella is merely a tradition. Not so with me! I learned it from the Bible, and I shall (the Lord willing) continue to preach it from the Bible. Think about it.

I began the last lesson by talking about some of my “Precious Memories” and then noticed some not so precious memories from some Bible characters. In this study we will notice some “Precious Memories” from the Word of God.

1. The dead of a faithful child of God is precious in His sight – Psalm 116:15
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Death, in itself, is not a good thing, but for the saved it is a genuine blessing. Notice what Paul said about a Christian dying – Philippians 1:23
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

Yes the Christian life is the abundant life – John 10:10, but something far better awaits the faithful- II Corinthians 5:1
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Do not forget, that if death is to be “a precious memory”, one must be faithful unto death – Revelation 2:10, thus dying in the Lord – Revelation 14:13
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.



2. The thoughts of God were precious to David – Psalm 139:17
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
We must study the Word of God – II Timothy 2:15
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Then apply the Word to our lives – Philippians 2:5
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Make God’s Word, His thoughts so precious that they abide in us richly – Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

3. Paul had precious memories of the family of Timothy – Ii Timothy 1:5
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

One must never underestimate the influence of a godly family. Paul was the one who converted Timothy to the Lord – I Timothy 1:2
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
But it was a godly mother and grandmother who did most of the “heavy lifting” in instilling in Timothy some core beliefs that served him well as a child of God.

4. The penitent thief asked the Lord to have a “precious memory”
of him – Luke 23:42,43
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The thief asked to be remembered by the Lord and Jesus granted that request. Many today say that they want to be saved like the thief. Consider the thief for a few minutes:

A. WAS THE THIEF ON THE CROSS SAVED?
YES! GRANTED THE PREMISE THAT THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED IN DEATH, THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT OF IT.
B. EFFORTS TO PROVE HE WAS NOT SAVED RISE FROM A MISTAKEN ZEAL TO DEFEND A RELIGIOUS POSITION, SOME FEARING THAT THE SALVATION OF THE THIEF ON THE CROSS NEGATES SUCH COMMANDS AS BAPTISM, BUT SUCH IS NOT THE CASE.
1. THE THIEF DIED BEFORE ANY OF THE DISTINCTIVE OBLIGATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WERE PUBLISHED. HE WAS DEAD AND BURIED NEARLY TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE GREAT COMMISSION WAS GIVEN; HE WAS NEVER COMMANDED TO BE BAPTIZED; AND NO PERSON ON EARTH TODAY MAY CLAIM ANY SUCH STATUS AS THAT WHICH PERTAINED TO THE THIEF. BAPTISM, FOR EXAMPLE, IS MANDATORY UPON ALL MEN
MARK 16:15,16
15 AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD, AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
16 HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED.

2. FURTHERMORE, ALL EFFORTS TO DISASSOCIATE ONESELF FROM THE COMMANDMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL, ON THE BASIS OF THE ROBBER'S SALVATION, ARISE FROM A TOTAL DISREGARD OF THE TRULY REMARKABLE EXHIBITION OF FAITH ON HIS PART
C. ANY THOUGHT THAT THE ROBBER WAS SAVED IN SOME EASY AND PERFUNCTORY FASHION DISAPPEARS IN THE CONTEMPLATION OF WHAT HE ACTUALLY DID:
1. HE BELIEVED ON THE LORD AT A TIME WHEN EVEN HIS STAUNCHEST DISCIPLES HAD FORSAKEN HIM AND FLED. OF ALL THE MEN ON EARTH, THAT GREATER THIEF ALONE STANDS IN GLORIOUS ISOLATION AS THE UNIQUE WITNESS OF OUR LORD'S PASSION WHO APPRECIATED IT AND MOVED TO APPROPRIATE THE BLESSING
2. HE BELIEVED ON HIM AND CONFESSED HIM AS "LORD" WHILE OTHERS WERE REVILING HIM
3. HE MADE THAT AMAZING CONFESSION WHEN HE HIMSELF WAS IN AN AGONY OF NAKEDNESS, SUFFERING, DEATH, AND HUMILIATION. CAN ANYONE FAIL TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN HIS CONFESSION, UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THE ORDINARY PROFESSION OF FAITH TODAY, WHEN ONE IS ALL DRESSED UP IN HIS SUNDAY BEST AND ENCOURAGED BY A WHOLE CHURCH SINGING AND PRAYING TO URGE HIM FORWARD?
4. THE ROBBER CONFESSED CHRIST IN THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST'S BITTEREST FOES IN THE EXACT MOMENT OF THEIR TRIUMPH, THOSE FOES BEING NONE OTHER THAN THE LEADERS AND MOST INFLUENTIAL MEN IN ALL ISRAEL.
5. HE CONFESSED CHRIST IN THE MOMENT OF CHRIST'S DEEPEST HUMILIATION, BUT THOSE WHO CONFESS TODAY DO SO WITH THE CONCURRENT TESTIMONY OF NINETEEN CENTURIES AFFIRMING HIS GLORIFICATION!
6. THE ROBBER GAVE EVIDENCE THAT HE INDEED HAD SEEN "GOD," BY HIS HUMBLE ACCEPTANCE OF THE HORRIBLE DEATH BY CRUCIFIXION AS A "JUST" REWARD OF HIS DEEDS. IN THE LIGHT OF THESE AND MANY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, IT MUST BE CLEAR THAT THOSE WHO WOULD EITHER CLAIM FOR THEMSELVES OR EXTEND TO OTHERS THE PROMISE OF SALVATION WITHOUT OBEYING THE GOSPEL, USING THE SALVATION OF THAT ANCIENT ROBBER AS A BASIS FOR IT, ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE NAMED IN THE SAME BREATH WITH THAT ROBBER. WHERE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD WAS THERE EVER A MORE DARING EXHIBITION OF FAITH, OR NOBLER CONFESSION MADE UNDER MORE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES THAN WAS HIS?
D. THE THIEF DIED BEFORE THE LORD'S WILL FOR ALL MANKIND WAS PUT IN FORCE
HEBREWS 9:16 - AND WAS SAVED EVEN BEFORE CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS
16 FOR WHERE A TESTAMENT IS, THERE MUST ALSO OF NECESSITY BE THE DEATH OF THE TESTATOR.


1. THEREFORE, HIS SALVATION CANNOT POSSIBLY CONTAIN ANY PRECEDENT FOR REDEMPTION UNDER THE NEW COVENANT; AND AS FOR THE INSISTENCE THAT, AFTER ALL, HE WAS NOT BAPTIZED, WE HAVE ALREADY NOTED THAT NO SUCH COMMAND HAD YET GONE OUT TO ALL MANKIND; BUT EVEN IF IT HAD, THAT THIEF HAD NAILS IN HIS HANDS AND FEET AND WAS IN A POSITION MAKING IT ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED.
2. THE NAILS WERE HOLDING HIM, BUT WHAT IS HOLDING MEN TODAY? PRIDE, PREJUDICE, THE OPINIONS OF DIVINES, AND AN OBSTINATE UNWILLINGNESS TO OBEY THE LORD - THESE ARE THE IMPEDIMENTS NOW.
AS FOR THE MEANING OF THIS MARVELOUS INCIDENT, IT SHOWS THAT AT THE VERY MOMENT OF OUR LORD'S DEEPEST HUMILIATION, HIS POWER TO INSPIRE MEN UNTO ETERNAL LIFE WAS UNDIMINISHED. THE CONFESSION OF THAT THIEF, AND THE LORD'S REPLY, CONSTITUTE A DIVINE PROPHECY THAT THE SON OF GOD WILL HAVE HIS WORSHIPERS AND MEN THEIR SALVATION UNDER EVERY POSSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCE FOREVER!


5. God had a “precious memory” of faithful Noah – Genesis 8:1
1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Noah and his family were the only human beings that were saved – I Peter 3:20

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

The reason God “remembered” Noah was that Noah “remembered” God by fully obeying Him - Genesis 6:22

22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

More to come …

The song by the same title is one of my favorites. The very thought of Precious Memories, can truly, as the song suggests “Flood my soul.” Some of my Precious Memories”:
1) Becoming a Christian
2) Becoming a husband
3) Becoming a father
4) Becoming a Navy Dad

We read in the Bible about some who had some memories that were not precious:

1. The wicked during Noah’s day:
Genesis 6:5-8
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 7:21-24
21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:
22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.


2. Cain remembering what he did to his brother:
Genesis 4:8-13
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.


3. Esau remembering what he did to himself in selling his birthright:
Genesis 25:29-34
29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
See also Genesis 27
4. Remembering wasting one’s youth on unholy living :

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

5. The rich man recalling his life on earth and his brothers:

Luke 16:19-31
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

6. Remember Lot’s wife – Luke 17:32:
Genesis 19:15-26
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast showed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

7. Peter remembering the words of Jesus, concerning his denying the Lord :
Matthew 26:31-35
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Matthew 26:69-75
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.


More to come …