Jesus said at Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. If you are reading this and you are so busy with your family and the cares of this fading world that you have taken no time for Jesus, I pray in Jesus name that you will get saved and make time for Jesus, read the Word of God, and fellowship with saved christians. Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again.
Deuteronomy 6:6 tells us about a reward that we will receive if we talk about Jesus and the Word of God daily with our family. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:10 says And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
In the above picture the little girl is respecting her grandfather and this makes him happy. There are many scriptures in the bible that tell us to respect our parents and grandparents. Ephesians 6:1 says Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Notice that it says in the Lord. Therefore if your parent or grandparent tells you to do something that is not godly do not obey their ungodly requests.
My orthodox Jewish parents told me to deny the Lord Jesus. They told me it was either Jesus or them with their millions of dollars. To the glory of the Lord Jesus, Brother Bob disobeyed their wishes, chose to serve the Lord Jesus, and openly confessed that Jesus is God to the world. To this day I still respect my parents and honor them, but Jesus comes first in my life. Jesus has blessed me for forty two years and with no Jewish relatives for support, Jesus has supplied all my needs and blessed me to give to orphans, widows, and many poor people. Psalm 27:10 says When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Here's some more scriptures about honoring parents from my friend Vince the bus driver. Every day when I ride home on the COTA bus in Columbus, Ohio Vince the bus driver and myself talk about Jesus when we ride down the I70 highway while about 50 people listen to the Word of God. Exodus 20:12 says Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 1 Timothy 5:1 says Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren. The Lord Jesus respected and honored His earthly parents Mary and Joseph. Luke 2:51 says And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Let's learn about some bible stories where children disobeyed their parents in order to serve the Lord Jesus. Jesus blessed these children who chose to serve the Lord Jesus instead of a family members ungodly requests. Notice the picture above of King Asa removing his mother Maachah from being queen because she had made an idol in a grove (unholy trees set up near an altar). Like Gideon who chose to serve God and remove his father's altar to Baal and the surrounding unholy grove trees, Asa also chose to serve God and remove his mother Maachah's idol and grove.
Jonathan disobeyed his father Saul's wishes to kill David and honored the Word of God and the Lord Jesus knowing it was wrong to kill David who was innocent and anointed of God. Because Jonathan showed kindness to David and helped David escape from Saul, after Jonathan died, Jonathan's descendant Mephibosheth was blessed by David and sat with King David at the royal banquet daily. Now my final example of a child that disobeyed his father was when Gideon disobeyed his father Joash and removed the altar of Baal and the grove that his father Joash made.
The story of Gideon disobeying his father Joash to serve the Lord Jesus is recorded at Judges 6:25 and says And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it. Judges 6:30 says Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it. And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
The Lord Jesus blessed Gideon for disobeying his father and removing the altar of Baal and the grove. Joash protected Gideon and said let Baal plead for himself. Of course Baal did not plead for himself and Gideon's life was spared, and the Lord Jesus blessed Gideon to win many battles against the Midianites with just lamps, pitchers, and trumpets. Like Gideon, forty two years ago Brother Bob left everything, money, family, and all his Jewish relatives to serve the Lord Jesus and has been tremendously blessed with joy, peace, and strength that only Jesus and not this world can supply.
Notice the picture above of Daniel refusing to obey the law of the land to stop praying. Pray for your leaders, presidents, governors, and kings while you obey godly laws. Pay your taxes, don't steal, be honest toward all people, and don't speed when you drive a car. Obey the laws of the land. But be like Daniel in the picture above and do not obey a law of the land that tells you to deny the Lord Jesus or the Word of God.
Daniel refused to disobey God's command at 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. Daniel was so bold that he opened his windows toward Jerusalem and let everyone see him praying. Daniel was willing to lay down his life for the Lord Jesus even when he knew that if he kept praying, the law of the land was to throw him into the den of lions. Jesus honored Daniel for disobeying the king's law and delivered Daniel from the den of lions. You can read this story in Daniel 6 of your bibles. Note that the men that accused Daniel of praying were thrown into the den of lions and lost their lives. Psalm 105:15 says Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Peter and John chose to serve the Lord Jesus instead of an ungodly law. The rulers told Peter and John that it was against the law to mention the name of Jesus. The rulers told Peter and John that if they kept talking about Jesus they would be put into prison. Acts 4:18 says And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Peter and John disobeyed the law of their government and kept preaching about Jesus. Jesus was so good to Peter and John that after they were thrown into prison for preaching about Jesus, an angel released them from prison and told them to keep witnessing Jesus everywhere. Peter, John, and the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus Christ.
Here's some more scriptures about honoring parents from my friend Vince the bus driver. Every day when I ride home on the COTA bus in Columbus, Ohio Vince the bus driver and myself talk about Jesus when we ride down the I70 highway while about 50 people listen to the Word of God. Exodus 20:12 says Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 1 Timothy 5:1 says Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren. The Lord Jesus respected and honored His earthly parents Mary and Joseph. Luke 2:51 says And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
2 Chronicles 15:16 says And also concerning Maachah (whose name means oppression) the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron. Because Asa honored the Lord Jesus more than his mother Maachah, the Lord Jesus blessed Asa with great peace in the land. 2 Chronicles 15:19 says And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa.
Notice the picture above of Jonathan disobeying his father Saul's wishes to kill his friend David. Saul became so furious with rage when Jonathan defended David that he cast a javelin at Jonathan to smite and kill his own son. 1 Samuel 20:27 says And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor today? And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
Notice the picture above of Jonathan disobeying his father Saul's wishes to kill his friend David. Saul became so furious with rage when Jonathan defended David that he cast a javelin at Jonathan to smite and kill his own son. 1 Samuel 20:27 says And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor today? And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem.
1 Samuel 20:30 says Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
Jonathan disobeyed his father Saul's wishes to kill David and honored the Word of God and the Lord Jesus knowing it was wrong to kill David who was innocent and anointed of God. Because Jonathan showed kindness to David and helped David escape from Saul, after Jonathan died, Jonathan's descendant Mephibosheth was blessed by David and sat with King David at the royal banquet daily. Now my final example of a child that disobeyed his father was when Gideon disobeyed his father Joash and removed the altar of Baal and the grove that his father Joash made.
The story of Gideon disobeying his father Joash to serve the Lord Jesus is recorded at Judges 6:25 and says And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it. Judges 6:30 says Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it. And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
The Lord Jesus blessed Gideon for disobeying his father and removing the altar of Baal and the grove. Joash protected Gideon and said let Baal plead for himself. Of course Baal did not plead for himself and Gideon's life was spared, and the Lord Jesus blessed Gideon to win many battles against the Midianites with just lamps, pitchers, and trumpets. Like Gideon, forty two years ago Brother Bob left everything, money, family, and all his Jewish relatives to serve the Lord Jesus and has been tremendously blessed with joy, peace, and strength that only Jesus and not this world can supply.
Notice the picture above of Daniel refusing to obey the law of the land to stop praying. Pray for your leaders, presidents, governors, and kings while you obey godly laws. Pay your taxes, don't steal, be honest toward all people, and don't speed when you drive a car. Obey the laws of the land. But be like Daniel in the picture above and do not obey a law of the land that tells you to deny the Lord Jesus or the Word of God.
Daniel refused to disobey God's command at 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. Daniel was so bold that he opened his windows toward Jerusalem and let everyone see him praying. Daniel was willing to lay down his life for the Lord Jesus even when he knew that if he kept praying, the law of the land was to throw him into the den of lions. Jesus honored Daniel for disobeying the king's law and delivered Daniel from the den of lions. You can read this story in Daniel 6 of your bibles. Note that the men that accused Daniel of praying were thrown into the den of lions and lost their lives. Psalm 105:15 says Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Peter and John chose to serve the Lord Jesus instead of an ungodly law. The rulers told Peter and John that it was against the law to mention the name of Jesus. The rulers told Peter and John that if they kept talking about Jesus they would be put into prison. Acts 4:18 says And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Peter and John disobeyed the law of their government and kept preaching about Jesus. Jesus was so good to Peter and John that after they were thrown into prison for preaching about Jesus, an angel released them from prison and told them to keep witnessing Jesus everywhere. Peter, John, and the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus Christ.
Acts 5:40 says And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
If you have suffered and been persecuted for serving Jesus like the apostles, rejoice and keep witnessing Jesus everywhere. The Lord Jesus will bless you with great joy, peace, and strength to overcome this troubled world. Jesus said at John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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