Notice the prophet Agabus and Paul in the picture above. Agabus was a prominent first century christian prophet from Jerusalem who is mentioned twice in the book of Acts. He is recognized for his accuracy and his role in communicating divine messages to the early church. While in Antioch, Syria around 48 AD, Agabus predicted a severe famine that would spread across the entire Roman world. This prophecy was fulfilled during the reign of Emperor Claudius. In response the church in Antioch sent financial aid to believers in Judaea, led by Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 11:27 says And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Around 58 AD in Caesarea, Agabus met with Paul and used a dramatic symbolic gesture, binding his own hands and feet with Paul's belt, to foretell that Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Gentiles (the Romans). Agabus' accurate prophecy signaled a shift in the gospel's advance from a Jerusalem centered mission to Rome. It validated that Paul's upcoming imprisonment was a divinely orchestrated vehicle for reaching the Gentiles in Europe and Rome with the gospel message about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 21:10 says And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him unto the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him (Paul) not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean you to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Like Paul, christians should be willing to deny themselves and rejoice in persecutions while they witness Jesus everywhere on this earth. Jesus said at Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Paul said at Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
Like Paul, Brother Bob left all his Jewish family, relatives, and millions of dollars to witness Jesus everywhere at age 21. I was told by my Jewish family that if I preached and talked about Jesus that my entire Jewish family would have nothing to do with me. Brother Bob was willing to leave everything, family, money, and this world for Jesus. And for 43 years Jesus has taken care of Brother Bob and met all of Brother Bob's needs. Psalm 27:10 says When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Ephesians 1:6 says To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Like Paul, Brother Bob left all his Jewish family, relatives, and millions of dollars to witness Jesus everywhere at age 21. I was told by my Jewish family that if I preached and talked about Jesus that my entire Jewish family would have nothing to do with me. Brother Bob was willing to leave everything, family, money, and this world for Jesus. And for 43 years Jesus has taken care of Brother Bob and met all of Brother Bob's needs. Psalm 27:10 says When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Ephesians 1:6 says To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Mark 8:36 says For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Everyone is seeking to obtain a reward, but the true reward is witnessing about Jesus and blessing the poor everywhere. The true reward with the Lord Jesus is better than the fading pleasures of this world. Jesus said at Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Notice the picture above of Moses who like Brother Bob left family, money, and everything for Jesus. If you have left everything to serve the Lord Jesus, I claim in Jesus name the blessings of Mark 10:29 for your life. In Jesus name you will receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, brethren, sisters, mothers, children, and lands with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Let's be like Moses and obey the Lord Jesus' instructions to lay up treasures in heaven by blessing the poor around us. Jesus said at Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
Notice the picture above of how Jacob continued to hold on to the angel of God and believed that the Lord Jesus would bless him even though the hollow of his thigh was out of joint. The angel of God that wrestled Jacob was a pre incarnate theophany manifestation of the Lord Jesus when Jacob saw the Lord Jesus at Peniel that means facing God. Everyone should be like Jacob and ignore the troubles around us, while they keep witnessing Jesus and bless poor people everywhere. Like Jacob, if we continue to stay with Jesus and keep asking to be blessed, Jesus will bless us greatly.
The following scriptures tell us to serve Jesus daily and ignore the troubles of this world. Luke 9:62 says And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Don't look back to your former sinful life in this world. Luke 17:32 gives us all a warning and says Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Lot's wife lost her life and turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back and desired her former sinful life in this perishing world. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.
It's amazing to Brother Bob that some christians let a little trouble around them stop them from serving Jesus. If you find yourself complaining about the troubles around you while you serve Jesus, take a look at how the saints in history continued to serve the Lord Jesus and ignored the many troubles of this world listed at Hebrews 11:33.
Hebrews 11:33 says Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions (speaking of Daniel), Quenched the violence of fire (the three Hebrew boys), escaped the edge of the sword (David when he escaped Saul's sword), out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured (Jeremiah placed in stocks and in a miry dungeon), not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment (Paul and Silas): They were stoned (Stephen), they were sawn asunder (history records that the prophet Isaiah was sawn asunder), were tempted, were slain with the sword (James was slain by Herod's sword): they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Notice the picture above of Noah's ark with one window at the top of the ark. Why did the Lord Jesus instruct Noah to only place one window at the top of the ark? The reason is because Jesus wants us to be like Noah and not look to the east, west, or south at the troubles in this world around us, but keep looking up to the Lord Jesus for our blessings. Keep your eyes on Jesus and off the people. The outlooks bad, the downlooks worse, but the uplook is looking pretty good; and if you have the right uplook, you'll have the right outlook, and win souls to the Lord Jesus. The bible verse about Noah's ark and the window above is at Genesis 6:16. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
Psalm 24:7 says Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 121:1 says I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Luke 21:28 says And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Notice the picture above of Moses who like Brother Bob left family, money, and everything for Jesus. If you have left everything to serve the Lord Jesus, I claim in Jesus name the blessings of Mark 10:29 for your life. In Jesus name you will receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, brethren, sisters, mothers, children, and lands with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Mark 10:29 says And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Note that many people who are first in the world will be last but the few humble christians who are last will be first.
Moses left all the treasures of Egypt and the prospect of becoming the chief ruler or Pharaoh over Egypt, choosing rather to serve the Lord Jesus and suffer affliction with the people of God. Hebrews 11:24 says By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt (double straits, distresses, and difficulties), not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Moses left all the treasures of Egypt and the prospect of becoming the chief ruler or Pharaoh over Egypt, choosing rather to serve the Lord Jesus and suffer affliction with the people of God. Hebrews 11:24 says By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt (double straits, distresses, and difficulties), not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Moses chose to obtain the everlasting inheritance of heaven instead of the fading treasures of Egypt. It's interesting to note that the word Egypt in Greek is called double straits, distresses, and difficulties. If Moses chose the fading treasures of Egypt, Moses also would have received double distresses. 1 Timothy 6:10 says For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Moses avoided the double distresses from the treasures of Egypt and chose the everlasting inheritance of infinite riches from Jesus in heaven. 1 Peter 1:3 says Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Like Moses, get saved and choose the everlasting inheritance of infinite riches with Jesus instead of the fading riches of this world. 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.
Let's be like Moses and obey the Lord Jesus' instructions to lay up treasures in heaven by blessing the poor around us. Jesus said at Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
Jesus said at Mark 10:21 if you want to have treasure in heaven, give to the poor with your tithe to the storehouse called the treasure house in heaven. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven (storehouse): and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Luke 10:7 tells us that the labourer is worthy of his hire and pastors and preachers should also be blessed with offerings, but the true tithe should go to the poor (the true storehouse spoken of at Malachi 3:10). Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse (treasure house in heaven), that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Notice the picture above of how Jacob continued to hold on to the angel of God and believed that the Lord Jesus would bless him even though the hollow of his thigh was out of joint. The angel of God that wrestled Jacob was a pre incarnate theophany manifestation of the Lord Jesus when Jacob saw the Lord Jesus at Peniel that means facing God. Everyone should be like Jacob and ignore the troubles around us, while they keep witnessing Jesus and bless poor people everywhere. Like Jacob, if we continue to stay with Jesus and keep asking to be blessed, Jesus will bless us greatly.
Galatians 6:9 says And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Genesis 32:25 says And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. The Lord Jesus blessed Jacob and had Esau become his friend because Jacob kept asking for a blessing. Like Jacob, keep asking Jesus to bless you and your prayer requests will be granted.
Like Jacob, have importunity when you pray by persistently asking God to grant your prayer requests. People will tell you that if you ask God a request more than once you lack faith. This is wrong because the Lord Jesus Himself prayed the same prayer and words three times in the garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:44 says And He (Jesus) left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. The people that get blessed the most are the people that ask Jesus the most prayer requests. James 4:2 says Ye have not, because ye ask not. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they quit.
The following scriptures tell us to serve Jesus daily and ignore the troubles of this world. Luke 9:62 says And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Don't look back to your former sinful life in this world. Luke 17:32 gives us all a warning and says Remember Lot's wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Lot's wife lost her life and turned into a pillar of salt because she looked back and desired her former sinful life in this perishing world. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.
It's amazing to Brother Bob that some christians let a little trouble around them stop them from serving Jesus. If you find yourself complaining about the troubles around you while you serve Jesus, take a look at how the saints in history continued to serve the Lord Jesus and ignored the many troubles of this world listed at Hebrews 11:33.
Hebrews 11:33 says Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions (speaking of Daniel), Quenched the violence of fire (the three Hebrew boys), escaped the edge of the sword (David when he escaped Saul's sword), out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured (Jeremiah placed in stocks and in a miry dungeon), not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment (Paul and Silas): They were stoned (Stephen), they were sawn asunder (history records that the prophet Isaiah was sawn asunder), were tempted, were slain with the sword (James was slain by Herod's sword): they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
All these saints of history listed above looked to the future blessings of Jesus in the kingdom of God and ignored the troubles of this world. Hebrews 11:13 says These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Now all these saints listed at Hebrews 11:33 have eternal peace with the true reward and treasure who is the Lord Jesus in the kingdom of God.
John Bunyan in 1669 while in prison writing for Jesus said If the world venture the damnation of their souls for a poor corruptible crown, shall not we venture the loss of a few trifles for an eternal crown. Hebrews 12:1 says Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
The Lord Jesus is continuously with christians irregardless of all the troubles around them in this world. Romans 8:35 says Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake, we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John Bunyan in 1669 while in prison writing for Jesus said If the world venture the damnation of their souls for a poor corruptible crown, shall not we venture the loss of a few trifles for an eternal crown. Hebrews 12:1 says Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
The Lord Jesus is continuously with christians irregardless of all the troubles around them in this world. Romans 8:35 says Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake, we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Notice the picture above of Noah's ark with one window at the top of the ark. Why did the Lord Jesus instruct Noah to only place one window at the top of the ark? The reason is because Jesus wants us to be like Noah and not look to the east, west, or south at the troubles in this world around us, but keep looking up to the Lord Jesus for our blessings. Keep your eyes on Jesus and off the people. The outlooks bad, the downlooks worse, but the uplook is looking pretty good; and if you have the right uplook, you'll have the right outlook, and win souls to the Lord Jesus. The bible verse about Noah's ark and the window above is at Genesis 6:16. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
Psalm 24:7 says Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 121:1 says I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Luke 21:28 says And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
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.
Thank you Brother Bob for allowing "Jesus" to use to bless the "Nation". This weeks "Bible Study" is truly blessed. I must say that i really enjoyed this week "Pictures".The pictures of "Jacob" & "Angel (really nice)etc. But the "Word" is on point as well.This is defintely a Blessing to me.
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Thanks for these kind words in your comment. These blessed comments give strength to Brother Bob and encourage Brother Bob to keep writing for Jesus. Jesus will bless all people that bless and say kind words about Brother Bob's book for Jesus. I'm praying for all these people that say good things about Brother Bob.
Delete(this is jaela ) Goodjob brother bob !(:
ReplyDeleteThanks brother bob. I like you!
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