Three Siblings And The Saviour Have Supper With Satan Part Two

     Earlier we learned that when Jesus visited Martha's home, Martha served, Mary sacrificed, Lazarus sat, Judas stole, and Jesus saved. Today we will see how Mary sacrificed as she gave her life's savings twice in one lifetime by anointing the Lord Jesus with costly spikenard worth 300 pence. Notice that the above two pictures show two different Marys (the first picture is Mary the sister of Lazarus and the second picture is Mary Magdalene) who both got blessed forevermore as they anointed Jesus with spikenard for His burial.

     First, John 12:3 speaks about Mary (the sister of Lazarus) and says Then took Mary (the sister of Lazarus) a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. After Judas said Why was not this ointment sold for 300 pence and given to the poor, Jesus replied at John 12:7 Let her alone, against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

     Second, Mark 14:3 speaks about Mary Magdalene and says And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He (Jesus) sat at meat, there came a woman (Mary Magdalene) having an alabaster box of ointment (note that alabaster was the best material to use for preserving ointment used for burial) of spikenard, very precious, and she brake the box, and poured it on His head. Like Judas, Simon and the pharisees told Jesus that the ointment might have been sold for 300 pence and given to the poor. Jesus replied at Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could; she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily, I say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

     After reading how Mary and Mary Magdalene listed above anointed Jesus with sweet smelling spikenard before Jesus was crucified for His burial, Brother Bob has a blessed saying to share with all my friends. The only sweet thing at Calvary was the six day old faint smell of spikenard mixed with gall and vinegar.

     OK, notice in the picture above we see Mary Magdalene's alabaster box of costly spikenard worth 300 pence along with the 30 pieces of silver Judas Iscariot received to betray our Lord Jesus. Note that the spikenard worth 300 pennyworth was very costly and was twice the value of the 30 pieces of silver. Biblical scholars have stated that 300 pennyworth of spikenard is worth 40 dollars today and Judas' 30 pieces of silver is only worth 20 dollars today. Both Mary and Mary Magdalene truly sacrificed because the spikenard they used to anoint Jesus was twice the value of what the thief Judas received for betraying Jesus.

     History records that when Jesus walked the earth, people saved spikenard for their own burial. Mary and Mary Magdalene were both blessed to use their own costly spikenard burial savings to anoint Jesus twice in one lifetime. After they both sacrificed and poured out all their life's savings upon Jesus when He walked on the earth, God miraculously blessed them with more spikenard to anoint Jesus again for burial after His death on the cross.

     Pictured above we see that Mary and Mary Magdalene were among the women blessed with extra spikenard to anoint the Lord Jesus again for a second time after His death on the cross. Luke 23:55 says And the women also which came with Him from Galilee followed after and beheld the sepulchre, and how His body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments (spikenard), and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

     Notice that by the time Jesus died, Mary and Mary Magdalene had enough newly created spikenard to anoint Jesus again.  Luke 6:38 says Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall men given into your bosom. Use what Jesus gives you today and before you know it, Jesus gives you exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 says Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

     You just cant outgive God. You go ahead and pour out your treasure and Jesus will filler up again, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, like the widow of Zarephath's barrel of flour along with her cruse of oil, and the widow's pot of oil.  If we'll all be faithful like Mary and Mary Magdalene and give our life's savings to bless the poor, Jesus will give us all a crown to cast back at the feet of Jesus in the kingdom.

     Proverbs 19:17 promises He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. But also note that Proverbs 17:5 says Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth His Maker; and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

     For my final thought today, notice in the above picture that Jacob is wrestling with the Lord Jesus or a Theophany which is a visible manifestation of God. Our English bibles say that Jacob had power over the angel. But if we look at the hebrew translation of Hosea 12:3-4 we will see that where it says Jacob had power over the angel, the correct hebrew translation is that Jacob had power over a Theophany or visible manifestation of God which was the Lord Jesus. Also at Genesis 32:30 Jacob called the place where he wrestled the God man Jesus Peniel because he saw God (Jesus) face to face. Jacob prevailed over the Man Jesus but Jesus as God blessed Jacob at Peniel.

     Hosea 12:3 says He (Jacob) took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength, he had power with God; Yea, he had power over the angel (defined as a Theophany or visible appearance of God); and prevailed; A lot of people read Hosea 12:3-4 and say that we should not make Jesus an angel because we should not worship angels. But Hosea 12:3-4 calls the angel in hebrew a Theophany or visible appearance of God and not an angel.

     Now take time to read Colossians 2:18 that speaks about not worshipping angels with no mention of a Theophany. Colossians 2:18 says Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels (not defined as a Theophany but just angels that are not God), intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. This says to not worship angels, but the angel referenced in Hosea 12:4 is a Theophany representing Jesus who wrestled with Jacob as a visible manifestation of God that we all should worship.

     Note that the other place we see a Theophany appearing is at Exodus 23:20 that says Behold I send an Angel (defined again in hebrew as a Theophany or visible manifestation of God or Jesus) before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Jesus was the Theophany or visible manifestation of God that went before Moses and the children of Israel to cut off the enemy Amorities, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

     As always it has been a blessing writing this bible study today. Next week we will discuss Lazarus who sat before Jesus. 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) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.  

Three Siblings And The Saviour Have Supper With Satan Part One

     Friends, today as you look at the above picture, lets learn about three siblings named Martha, Mary, and Lazarus who had supper with Jesus the Saviour and Judas who is a devil or Satan. Martha served, Mary sacrificed, Lazarus sat, Judas stole, and Jesus saved. Jesus had supper with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus at Bethany six days before He was crucified. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after four days, a week later Jesus raised His own self from the dead. Jesus said at John 10:17 Therefore, doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

     The bible speaks about the above picture at John 12 and says Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray Him, Why was not this ointment sold for 300 pence, and given to the poor?

     John 12:6 goes on to say This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone, against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that He was there, and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death. Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

     First, notice Martha in the above picture standing in the background who was troubled that Mary was not helping her cook, clean, wash, and make the house hospitable for the Lord Jesus. Martha, who was cumbered about with much serving asked Jesus, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Jesus replied at Luke 10:41, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

     What was Mary doing? Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet listening to Jesus' words. Mary, instead of being busy about cooking and cleaning, was so interested in what Jesus had to say, that she neglected the housework to listen to what Jesus had to say. On the other hand, Martha was so interested in the housework that she missed what Jesus had to say.

     Friends, as you look at the above picture of the bucket and mop that Mary put down so she could hear Jesus' words, remember there's a time to serve and clean, but there's also a time to put down the mop while we pray and worship our Lord Jesus. Serving, cleaning, and cooking are good, but also listening to Jesus and meditating daily on the Word of God is important. There's got to be a balance between service and worshipping the Lord Jesus. Don't spend all your time cleaning house without reading the bible every day. Also, don't spend all your time cooking all day without taking time to pray. There's nothing wrong with serving, cooking, mowing the grass, good housekeeping, and gardening; Just don't miss taking quality time to mediate on the Word and Jesus as you put the mop down.

     To my sisters reading this anywhere, take time to read Titus 2:4 that says that it is blessed for a godly woman and wife to be a keeper at home as she feeds, cooks, cleans, washes, scrubs, and makes the home hospitable for visitors. I pray in Jesus name that the sisters everywhere who read this will be the wife that Titus 2:4 wants them to be and take care of their husband, children, and be keepers at home, instead of running in the streets gossipping all night while the home is a sloppy mess. Titus 2:4 says That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children; to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed.

     Martha was a good example of a saintly blessed woman that opened her clean house to Jesus. Every time Jesus came through Bethany, He was glad to stop and visit Martha's clean blessed home. Martha's service was necessary to prepare a blessed supper for our Lord Jesus. If Martha didn't serve no one would have ate supper, the dishes would not have been clean, and the table would not have been set.

     OK, as you look above at the little girl mopping and the little boy mowing the lawn, remember that it's good to clean the house and mow the grass. If the members of a church fail to keep the church clean by mopping and mowing the lawn, visitors will see a sloppy run down mess. But also remember that it's important to put down the mop and say let's all pray, meditate on the Word of God, and worship our Lord Jesus. There's a time to serve; but there's also a time to worship our Lord Jesus. If I had to choose between cleaning house, mowing the grass, or listening to Jesus, I'd have to like Mary listen to Jesus because Brother Bob loves listening to Jesus and the Word of God.

     When Jesus visited Martha's house, after Jesus told Martha, you are too busy and cumbered with serving, Martha probably immediately stopped washing dishes and like Mary sat down to listen to what Jesus had to say. It's good for saints to mop, clean the dishes, and mow the lawn, but we all must not neglect the Lord Jesus who should be placed first in all our lives. I pray in Jesus name we can all be like Mary and know when to stop serving and set aside time to worship our Lord Jesus. Our next bible study will talk about Mary's sacrifice of neglecting chores to worship the Lord Jesus by anointing His feet with valuable spikenard.

     Brother Bob encourages all my friends that when you are busy with the cares of life such as laundry, going to shop at Walmart or Kroger, and taking the bus to work, remember to set aside time early each morning to pray, study the Word, and worship the Lord Jesus. For twenty years Brother Bob has gotten up at 4:30AM to take two hours every morning to pray, study the Word, and worship Jesus. The bible promises that you will find the Lord Jesus when you seek Him early in the morning before you are faced with the cares of the day. Proverbs 8:17 says I love them that love me; and those that seek me (Jesus) early shall find me.

     To close out this bible study, Brother Bob gives my friends everywhere an effective way to witness and win souls to our Lord Jesus. After you become friends with anyone, ask that person How do you get saved? Most people don't know how to be saved and say by going to church, getting baptized, being good, repenting, praying, joining a church, or shaking a preacher's hand. Doing all these things and religion will not save any person; Only Jesus can save a person.

     After you ask a person How do you get saved? Tell them to confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord (God) and to believe in their heart that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again. According to Romans 10:9 to be saved a person must confess Jesus as God and believe in their heart that Jesus rose again. Also Romans 1:16  says that the gospel needs to be believed to be saved.

     Romans 1:16 says For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation (notice that believing the gospel will save any person) to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. And the gospel is defined at 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 as the death at the cross, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. So to be saved, a person must confess Jesus as God, and also believe in their heart the gospel or that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again.

     I pray in Jesus name whoever reads this will right now get saved and confess Jesus as God as they believe in their heart that Jesus died for them on the cross, was buried, and rose again. And remember what Jesus said at Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel (tell people everywhere like Brother Bob in this book the gospel that the Lord Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again to win souls) to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

     Also, take time to read the following three bible scriptures that prove that Jesus is God. What a blessing to know that the angels proclaimed Jesus to be God when Jesus was a little baby. Luke 2:10 says And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. The philippian jailor was told that to be saved he must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ at Acts 16:30. Finally Jesus was proclaimed to be God at Philippians 2:8 that says And being found in fashion as a man, He (Jesus) humbled Himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (notice that every tongue will say Jesus is God), to the glory of God the Father.

     As always it is a blessing to write these bible studies. 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) 604-7133. Until we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.

Revealed Mysteries From Jesus

     Friends everywhere, if the cost of bills are rising around you, remember that Jesus as God can provide ways to create money to pay these bills and give us extra money to bless the poor. The other day Brother Bob's rent, electric bill and bus fare prices all rose in one day as his unsaved parents had nothing to do with Brother Bob. As I studied about the picture above of the widow who was able to pay her bills and keep blessing the poor by selling oil that God miraculously created, I was encouraged and Jesus told me to  write this bible study.

     Pictured above, at 2 Kings 4 a widow had no money to pay bills to a creditor and sought advice from the prophet Elisha. She told Elisha that the creditor would take her two sons as bondmen or slaves if the debt was not fully paid. Elisha told the widow What hast thou in thy house? The widow replied Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

     Elisha's advice to the widow can be found at 2 KIngs 4:3 and says Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels, borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

     2 Kings 4:5 goes on to say So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her, and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Wow, God made oil appear out of nowhere to fill all the vessels and kept the oil from spoiling to be used for sale to pay off all the widow's debt.

     After the widow filled all the vessels with oil, she again sought Elisha's advice as to how to pay her bills from the creditor. Elisha told the widow at 2 Kings 4:7 Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. In Jesus name, I pray for anyone reading this, like the widow, Jesus will provide ways to pay all our bills with extra money to bless the poor. Be encouraged friends everywhere, Jesus will provide money to pay all your bills with extra money to bless the poor. Remember the widow not only was able to pay off her debt from her sold oil, but also had extra money called the rest for her and her children to live off of.

     OK, let's see how the widow pictured above kept blessing Elijah with her last bread and water as God made food appear out of nowhere to feed the widow and her son. Friend reading this anywhere, be like the widow and keep blessing the poor as bills rise around you. Jesus will provide for all your needs and continue to bless you greatly to assist the poor.  Most people stop blessing the poor when rent, electric bills, and gas prices rise up. But, Galatians 6:9 says And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

     1 Kings 17:10 describes the picture above and says So he (Elijah) arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks; and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

     The widow replied to Elijah at 1 Kings 17:12 As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse; and behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said, but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

     Friends, see how God made food appear out of nowhere to bless the widow as she obeyed Elijah's request. 1 Kings 17:15 says And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. I pray in Jesus name, that anyone reading this will be like this widow and continue to bless the poor as Jesus provides all our needs making food and money appear out of nowhere. Matthew 6:33 promises But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

     Friends everywhere, let's do the advice of the prophet Habakkuk and continue to rejoice, bless the poor, and serve Jesus with strength when we are surrounded by higher rental payments, higher bus fares, higher bills, and an ungodly world. Habakkuk 3:17 says Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He willl make me to walk upon mine high places.

     Also, remember that when Jesus and Peter had to pay taxes, Jesus made money appear out of nowhere in a fish's mouth to pay taxes.  Jesus said at Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give unto them for me and thee. And an angel created out of nowhere a cake and water for Elijah under the juniper tree that strengthened Elijah for forty days and nights. 1 Kings 19:5 says And as he (Elijah) lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

     And when Hagar and Ishmael had no water to drink in the desert, God provided water out of nowhere from a well to keep them alive. Genesis 21:19 says And God opened her (Hagar's) eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad (Ishamael) drink. Finally, remember how God provided manna falling from heaven for food to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Today, Jesus is our manna and bread that will always feed us and provide all our needs forevermore. Jesus said at John 6:35 I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

     Friends, as you look at the two pictures above remember that when we believe Jesus is God and that Jesus died for us on the cross and rose again, angels will protect us, make us invisible to any enemy, causing our enemies to bless us. In the first picture an angel with a sword protected the children of Israel and stopped Balaam from cursing God's people. Friend reading this, an angel will also protect you if you get saved and confess Jesus as God, believing Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again. Psalm 34:7 promises the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

     Balaam's ass first saw the angel and Balaam kept trying to curse God's people even after his ass spoke. But, when Balaam saw the angel, he decided to bless and not curse God's people. The scripture that shows how an angel with a sword withstood Balaam and protected the children of Israel can be found at Numbers 22:31 and says Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. Rejoice friends everywhere, Jesus said at Luke 20:43 that He would make our enemies our footstool.

     In the second picture we see that two angels protected Lot and his family from men that wanted to have sex with the men angels. Lot tried to reason with the men of Sodom and offered his daughters to the men. Friend reading this remember that you can't reason with the devil. Jesus said when you go to a house, if the people of the house reject you, shake the dust off your feet and move to the next house where someone will receive Jesus and bless you. Jesus said that we should let peace rest upon any house where people receive us and the Lord Jesus.

     The men of Sodom rejected Lot's daughters and wanted to have sex with the men angels. These angels protected Lot and his family by blinding the people of Sodom, as Lot and his family escaped to Zoar for safety. Genesis 19:10 says But the men (angels) put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great; so that they wearied themselves to find the door. I pray in Jesus name that all my friends everywhere who read this will also be protected by angels who make the saints invisible to the enemies like muslim terrorists in this present world.

     To end up today's bible study, enjoy some words of wisdom I heard from a backhills country preacher. First, what is the fastest way to heaven? Turn right and go straight. Second read the following story about Ephesians 5:23 that says for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Chirst is the head of the church; and He is the saviour of the body.

     A farmer said he would give a rooster to the first husband who admitted he was the head of his house. The farmer came to the first house and asked the husband, are you the head of the house? The man said nope, the wife makes the decisions here. The farmer came to the second house and asked the husband, are you the head of the house? The man said nope it's 50/50 here. Finally, the farmer came to the last house and asked the husband, are you the head of the house? The man said yep but wait a minute; honey can we take a rooster into our home?

     And finally, one more story to think about. A country preacher sent his kid to college hoping he would become smart. One night as they were all eating dinner, the country preacher asked his kid, what have you learned? The kid said pi r squared. The backhills preacher said you haven't learned a thing. Pie are round, cornbread is squared. Friends remember that the only way to become smart and have wisdom is to know our Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:30 defines wisdom as Jesus who is the Word of God. Memorize the entire bible and become wise.

     As always it is a great blessing to write these bible studies that I pray in Jesus name will bless multitudes of people all over this earth. 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) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.