Be Like Micaiah The 401st Prophet That Feared God

     Today, I encourage all my friends everywhere to be like Micaiah pictured above who feared God and spoke the truth to 400 false prophets, Ahab, and Jehoshaphat. Ahab and Jehoshaphat wanted to fight a war at Ramoth-gilead. Around 400 false prophets were called in with a unanimous opinion for Ahab to go up to Ramoth-gilead and prosper for the Lord shall deliver it into the king's hand.

     Then Jehoshaphat asked at 1 Kings 22:7 Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? Ahab responded there is yet a 401st prophet named Micaiah but I hate him. While a messenger went to bring Micaiah, one of the 400 false prophets named Zedekiah put a theatrical touch on his prophecy and added a dash of Hollywood. Zedekiah told Ahab with horns of iron shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou hast consumed them. It's bad enough to be a false prophet, but to be a ham actor besides is too much.

     Micaiah, the 401st prophet, feared God and didn't want any worldly recognition from royalty or 400 false prophets. Micaiah spoke the truth to Ahab saying the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee. Ahab hated this prophecy and placed Micaiah in prison, feeding him with the bread and water of affliction.

     Friends anywhere it is better to be like Micaiah on bread and water with the Lord Jesus than a politician at the feasts of worldly evil kings like Ahab. 2 Timothy 1:12 says For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Micaiah was God's child and eventually will be rewarded by Jesus with everlasting life by fearing God and speaking the truth. On the other hand, Ahab was killed at Ramoth-gilead and the dogs licked up his blood off the chariot because he did not fear God.

     Pictured above be like Micaiah the 401st prophet and don't merge into the worldly fog around you. Many prophets and great men like Micaiah refused to blend into the fog around them and stood alone blessed with the Lord Jesus speaking the truth. Daniel spoke for God in the fog of a pagan empire and it was worth a night in a lion's den to be able to read God's handwriting on the wall. Elijah stood alone and refused to blend into the fog of Jezebel's priests for Baal and stooges that ate at her table. When Elijah challenged the multitude, that fifth amendment crowd answered not a word (they didn't want to say anything that might incriminate them).

     Amos stood alone and was unwilling to be classed as a member of the guilds who made their living by bowing to the wishes of the people and preaching a pleasing message that would guarantee a return engagement from Amaziah. And finally Noah stood alone in a civilization of culture and progress. His contemporaries must have laughed at him as an eccentric who was building an oversized houseboat and looking for the world to end.

     Pictured above it is better to fear God and speak the truth than to be wicked and blend in with this fading world. Ecclesiastes 8:12 says Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him. But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he feareth not before God.

TAKE TIME AND READ THE FINAL WORDS OF 

PATRICK HENRY'S WILL BELOW

There is one thing more that I wish I could give you all

It is the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ

With it, if you had nothing else, you could forevermore be happy

Without it, though you had all things else, you could never be happy

     Pictured above we see yet another scripture saying it is better to fear God and speak the truth than to be wicked and blend in with this fading world. Isaiah 3:10 says Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings; Woe unto the wicked; it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

     Remember, it's better to fear God and live for Jesus in a small peaceful home than live in a palace without Jesus. John 3:36 tells us He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Right now choose Jesus and get saved; Repent and decide to stop sinning, make Jesus God of your life, and believe that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.

     And Psalm 34 promises that if anyone fears God and lives to bless Jesus daily, angels will always deliver them and they will have no want (defined as they will have no lack or poverty). Say out loud and believe Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in Him; O fear the Lord, ye his saints. for there is no want (poverty or lack) to them that fear Him. And if anyone fears God and speaks the truth, they will blessed forevermore according to Isaiah 32:18 that says And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation; and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

A POEM ABOUT NOAH 

AND THE BLESSED SAINTS THAT FEAR THE LORD JESUS

Many hundred years ago they ventured to remark

That Noah had some carpenters to help him build the ark

But sad to say on that last day when Noah entered in

Those carpenters were left outside and perished in their sin

How sad to think they may have helped to build the ark so great

Yet still they heeded not God's Word and awful was their fate

Today the same sad state exists among the sons of men

They helped to build the so called church who are not yet born again

They stay behind for sacrament; They work, they sing, they pray

Yet never have accepted Christ, the life, the truth, the way

Another judgment day will come as sure as came that flood

And only those will be secure whose shelter's beneath Christ's blood

     I pray in Jesus name this little bible study blesses multitudes all over this earth with 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) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.

Knowing You're Saved

     Today, I encourage all my friends to look at the epistle of 1 John that quotes the word "know" 27 times, assuring people that after salvation, they will know with a witness that they are saved with eternal life that can not be lost. By faith, many times in 1 John it says after someone gets saved, they know that they are saved.  Get saved and repent by making a decision 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.

      1 John 5:10 pictured above promises that after anyone is saved, they have a witness and know that they are saved. If you ask someone are you saved and they respond I'm working on it or I hope to be saved one day, they are not saved. You're either saved and on your way to heaven or lost and on your way to hell.

     According to the bible, when you're saved, you'll know by faith that you're saved. Take time to say 1 John 5:10 that guarantees salvation to a believer in the Lord Jesus. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself (there is a witness and you know you are saved): he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

     1 John 5:12 goes on to say He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life (in other words if anyone repents, confesses that Jesus is God, and believes the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for them, was buried, and rose again, they know they are saved and have eternal life by faith and not by feeling), and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

     If you ever doubt your salvation, remember that salvation is not determined by your feelings; Salvation is determined by faith in God's Word. God's Word promises at 1 John 5:10 that after salvation you will know with a witness that you are saved with eternal life that can not be lost. 1 Peter 1:5 says Who are kept by the power of God (not our good works) through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

     It's impossible for a person that was born to not know he was born because he exists. Therefore, it's impossible for a person that got saved and born again to not know he was born again because they are changed into a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 promises Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

     Pictured above we see another scripture from 1 John that lets a saint know definitely that they are saved. 1 John 3:14 says We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. This scripture lets anyone know definitely they are saved because they know a change occurred where that saint passed (changed) from death in sin to a saved life with the Lord Jesus. These saved christians will know they are saved when they attend church and love the brethren (going the extra mile to help their brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus). Galatians 6:10 says As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

     EXPLANATION OF THE CHANGE THAT LETS A SAINT KNOW HE'S SAVED

1) There is a discovery of weakness and inability without Jesus

2) Our inability is made manifest by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

3) A change begins spiritually on a person by repentance and purification

4) The change is continued by spiritual growth and sanctification by the Spirit 

5) The change is completed in eternal joy and infinite glory in heaven above

The time of this miraculous change in the life of the believer 

is an era to be looked back upon both now and throughout all eternity

with grateful praise and adoration 

     Notice also that a saint knows they're saved because they love the brethren. We know that we have passed from death to life (and are saved) (why) because we love the brethren. Saved saints love their brothers and sisters that believe that Jesus is God and are saved. Romans 8:16 says The Spirit itself (in saved brethren) beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. If I go to Zambia Africa and meet a brother or sister who is saved in Jesus, there will be an instant bond and a love for the brethren because we both have the same Father.

     Someone will know they are saved when they encourage and love their brothers and sisters who get persecuted by the world for lifting up the Lord Jesus. Someone will know that they are saved when they enjoy hearing a testimony or exhortation from their saved brother or sister that glorifies the Lord Jesus. 1 John 4:7 says Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

     Alright, here's some more scriptures to let saints know that they are saved. Jesus said at John 5:24 Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life (present tense knowing you have salvation the moment you believe Jesus is God), and shall not (in the future) come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (present tense again knowing immediately that salvation occurred). 

     Jesus gives saints a blessed assurance to know they are saved. Isaiah spoke about a saint's blessed assurance and knowledge of salvation. Isaiah 32:17 says And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness (having Jesus who is righteousness according to 1 Corinthians 1:30) quietness and assurance (knowing with a blessed assurance that you are saved) for ever.

     Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. O what a foretaste of glory divine. 

Heir of salvation, purchase of God. Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, all is at rest. I in my Saviour am happy and blessed. 

Watching and waiting, looking above. Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Saviour all the day long. 

This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Saviour all the day long.

     Finally, let me state that saints know they are saved and do not worry about losing their salvation. Our good works do not save us. Ephesians 2:8 tells us For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Titus 3:5 also says Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

     Salvation is not progressive by doing good works. Salvation is an instantaneous transformation when you are born again the moment you just repent and believe by faith that Jesus is God and the gospel. Salvation is a gift given to a believer at an exact moment in time. Salvation is not a reward to be earned with good works over a period of time. Christians do good works after salvation (witnessing and letting Jesus shine to lost sinners) that will be rewarded by Jesus at the bema judgment seat in heaven after the rapture. Ephesians 2:10 says For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works (that occur after salvation), which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

A POEM ABOUT WHY PEOPLE GO TO CHURCH

Some go to church to laugh and talk

Others to walk

Some go to church the time to spend

Others to find a friend

Some go for observation

Others for speculation

Some go to meet a lover

Others a fault to cover

But most go to church to doze and nod

But some how few to worship God

      I pray in Jesus name this bible study blesses multitudes all over this earth 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) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day.