Good Morning Everyone!  I am sending greetings and salutations from Dayton, Ohio.  How are you doing today?  Fine, I hope.  I would like to start things off by saying the Serenity Prayer.  God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and give me the serenity to know the difference.  I want all of you to please keep me in your prayers and thoughts.  I would like for you to please do me a favor.  Please read my blogs and essays that I have written on my WordPress account.  My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins, and I am from Dayton, Ohio.  I would like for you to please read my book called Essays by Anthony Joseph Hopkins.  It is about my personal relationship with God.  Attention to those who are single, please read 1st Corinthians 7th Chapter.  It is very important.  In the 9th verse.  It says, But If they cannot exercise self control, let them marry.  For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.  Paul is addressing the church in Corinth about their relationship problem.  The people during that time were having sex before marriage.  It is best to become friends first and foremost.  It is better to be friends first before lovers.  Burning with passion is an intense desire for sex.  We must continue to live life the right way.  We must keep our minds on Jesus Christ.

Is It Better to Marry Than To Burn With Passion?  God is referring to a Man and a Woman who are single, but have a burning desire to be with each other sexually.  In the Bible, it says if a man and a woman, cannot exercise self control, then it is better to marry than to Burn With Passion.  All that I am saying is be very careful with each other.  The definition of burning with passion is an excessive desire to have sex with the person, who you are choosing to be with.  The word contain is mentioned in the Bible.  Contain means to exercise self control.  Obviously, it means to put a lid on something or stop doing something before you end up getting into trouble with God.

The Apostle Paul is saying to those who are widows and unmarried this message pertains to you.  For me personally, I refuse to get married because it will only make things worse between my potential spouse and I.  I will have to explain to her that I have a mental Illness called Schizoid Affective Disorder.  This is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain of the person who is mentally ill.  There are times when I hear and see things that normal people don’t see or hear.  These are called auditory and visual hallucinations.  There are over 100 million people who suffer from a mental illness worldwide.  If I have a problem with someone of the opposite sex, I would go take a walk.  I know for myself, things are going to be abnormal.  I was involved in a serious relationship with a much older woman.  She did not do anything, but use me for what I can give to her at the time.  I was working two jobs during the 1990s.  I worked and I was involved in a much serious relationship with a woman, who was 11 years older than me.  She had a desire for another person without my common knowledge.  She had given me two STDs.  She even had sex with another man, while I was at work.  I left her and everything that was inside of the apartment.  I didn’t look back.  January 21, 1990, I terminated my relationship and moved out of my apartment.  I stayed with relatives until things got better for me. 

Moreover, at that time, I was being too nice to the wrong person.  Apparently, she told me in my face that she did not love me.  I was furious with her.  I can talk about it right now because if a person does something to hurt me, I have to leave them alone forever. I will excommunicate with anyone. It doesn’t matter if you are one of my family members, if you do something to hurt me, I will be done with you. Therefore, I am done with my relationships. I can speak to you, if I see you face to face, but I will not help you or give up money like I used to. My marriage left me broke and disgusted. I will admit that I have trust issues when it comes to women. I got used so bad that I had to leave her alone. I no longer communicate with any of my ex girlfriends and ex wife. I am doing exactly what the Bible says about self control and getting married

Finally, my ex wife cheated on me with another man. I really don’t talk to her anymore. She messed me up so bad that I had to go out of town just to redeem myself. It has taken me a total of 12 years to forgive her. This woman literally messed up my credit. I am the type of person, who will help anyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you need help, I am there for you. Please continue to keep me in your prayers and thoughts because I am still devastated.

Good Evening Everyone!! My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins, and I am from Dayton, Ohio. I want to inform you that I am so happy to be a member of your group. I recently had eye surgery last week and I am praying for God to please restore my eyesight.

I know that this is not easy conferring with large masses of people. However, I have been confident that God will heal me, and give me the ability to converse with large masses of people.

 I want to inform all of you that I am being very honest and truthful because I feel that I have to verify everything that I do with other people. This would mean that I am a person who is trying to be deceptive.

I am going to give you all of the details about my eye surgeries. My first eye surgery was on September 5, 2022 at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. My cataracts were removed and eye pressures decreased.

 My second eye surgery took place on October 11, 2022 at Grandview Hospital. The Doctor who performed my surgery did a wonderful job in performing my surgery that I can see without my eye glasses. My cataracts and eye pressures have been decreased. The Ophthalmologist name is Dr. Patrick Spencer. He is an excellent doctor. He really knows what he is doing when it comes to my surgery or eye surgery as a whole. Please keep me in your prayers because I still have blurry vision.

God Bless All of you. May the Lord God continue to be with all of you, in the same way that He is with me?

Essays
Anthony Joseph Hopkins
AuthorHouse™
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Phone: 833-262-8899
© 2021 Anthony Joseph Hopkins. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.
Published by AuthorHouse 09/22/2021
ISBN: 978-1-6655-3931-9 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6655-3930-2 (e)
Print information available on the last page.
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
All scriptures were taken from the King James Version of the Bible. This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
Contents
1st Chronicles 16:34, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 26, 2021����������������������������������������1
1st Corinthians 3:16, and What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 20, 2021�����������������������������������4
A James 5:16 Moment by Anthony Joseph Hopkins ���������������������7
Colossians 3:12-17, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 7, 2021 ���������������������������������������� 10
What Does The Bible Say About Consumer Debt? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins������������������������������������������������������������ 15
Deuteronomy 16 – The three major feasts by Anthony Hopkins June 10, 2021 ��������������������������������������������������������������� 35
Deuteronomy 16:17: And What it Means to All People!! ������������46
Ephesians 2:1-5. And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021��������������������������������������49
Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021����������������������������������������58
Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021����������������������������������������70
Is there anything too hard for God? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins June 12, 2021��������������������������������������������������������������� 81
Job 33:14-16; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 6, 2021����������������������������������������84
Luke 12:34; And What It Means to All People? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 2, 2021����������������������������������������90
Matthew 6:8: And How it Relates to All People!!!��������������������� 102
Matthew 7:1-5; and what it means to all people? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins June 18, 2021 ����������������������������������� 105
Ephesians 2:8-9, and what it means to all people!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 13, 2021. ������������������������������������115
Romans 10:9-10; And What it means to all People? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins 6/17/2021�����������������������������������������127
Romans 11:27: And What it Means to all people. By Anthony Joseph Hopkins June 25, 2021 ����������������������������������� 135
Steps ordered by God���������������������������������������������������������������� 142
1st Kings 2.2: And What It Means to All People by Anthony Joseph Hopkins October 16, 2020����������������������������� 147
1st Samuel 23:16-18: And What it Means to All People������������� 150 1st Thessalonians 5:19 and what it means to All People?������������ 154
2nd Chronicles 20:15: And What It Means to All People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins October 30, 2020������������������������ 158
Are We A New Creation in Jesus Christ?���������������������������������� 160
Job 14:14-16, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins August 12, 2021������������������������������� 165
1st Chronicles 16:34, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 26, 2021
1st Chronicles 16:34 says O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. I give thanks unto the Lord on a daily basis. What is the definition of the word mercy? Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. So, to me, mercy is a “love that responds to human need in an unexpected or unmerited way.” At its core, mercy is forgiveness.
The Bible speaks of God’s love for sinners – that is, for all of us. But the Bible also relates mercy to other qualities beyond love and forgiveness. Mercy is also compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy. What is the difference between kindness and mercy? Kindness is a quality of being generous and considerate to someone, and mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom is within someone’s harm.
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Next, mercy consist of forgiveness that is shown towards someone who is harmed. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. 1st Chronicles 16:34 is very true. His mercy endures forever. This is the truth because God is always around for all of us. God is merciful and forgiving. God is the center of my life at this time. God continues to love me, and accept me for who I am. God loves all of us. He knew us from the time that we were inside of our mother’s womb.
Further, the Lord has been good to me for the past 56 years. The Lord God has been by my side; even when I might have forsaken him myself. You see, God wants me to change the way I talk to myself. Whenever we get to the point in life that when we feel depressed and sad, God wants all of us to enjoy a life filled with Him.
For the past 56 years, I have managed to enjoy God’s goodness, even when I was rebellious. My grandparents and mother sent me to church for a reason. My parents wanted me to be filled with the Spirit. My parents wanted me to become a God-Fearing Man. By becoming a God
Fearing Man, I would become Christlike. I will admit that I did what other rebellious children were doing. I also admitted that I have a conscious.
Finally, I want to inform everyone that I used to associate myself with street gang members for 18 years.
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Even though, I attended church on a regular basis. I still had a problem with my mouth. The tongue is a consuming fire. The tongue defiles a man. What comes out of man when he is defiled is murder, rape, robbery, fornication, and a bitter heart. God remained close to me.
I want to inform all of you that grief lives in the past. Grace looks forward to the past. Grace liberates, and grief incarcerates. The Holy Spirit is inside of us. Goodness and mercy shall follow me all of the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. The Lord is good for all of those who continues to obey him. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, please Lord gives me the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Just for today!! God loves you, and I love all of you for the rest of my entire life. God Bless You!!
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1st Corinthians 3:16, and What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 20, 2021
1st Corinthians 3:16 says Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? I really believe it that our bodies are the temple of the God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. This is the reason why I stopped drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. I have been clean and sober for 31 years now.
I am so happy that my temple is clean.
Next, my temple is holy and sacred. I understand that God has saved me from myself. The Lord has literally cleaned me up. I know that I belong to God. I want to say that there was a period of time when I did not care about myself. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I recall a period of time when I used to drink and smoke for 18 years. I know that I went through a period of time when I was a follower rather than a leader. The reason why I am writing this essay is because my body belongs to Jesus Christ.
Further, I want to say that I do not engage in reckless behavior anymore. I do not look at pornography anymore. I choose to obey God, and watch Him work. God loves
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all of us. How do you respond to God? The answer is obedience. If I love God, I am going to become obedient. What drives us to God is need. I want to inform all of you that our bodies belong to God. The Spirit of God dwells inside of us. The Spirit of God helps me in my time of need.
Moreover, I want the Lord to speak inside of my heart. Ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins. The temple itself is not a metaphor. This is a specific thing that we possess inside of our bodies. This means that God wants us to do the right things. Do you know that one of my friends told me in my face that I should not write about God!! I want to inform all of you that God is faithful to me. God’s temple is holy and sacred because we are supposed to share His word with everyone. I am happy that God is reminding me of His faithfulness.
Finally, I want to inform all of you that I am going to continue to pray without ceasing. I am going to continue to read the Bible, so that I can communicate with God on a daily basis. My temple has been through a whole lot of stress for the past few years. My temple is nice, kind, fantastic, and excellent. My temple is sharing God’s message with everyone. My temple always listens to church sermons.
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In order for God to be faithful, God states that His truth endures forever. I love the Lord because he loved me when I was inside of my mother’s womb. God’s nature cannot change. God cannot change. My temple is pure.
My temple is gracious. Whatever the case is, we make our needs to God. Do you know that we are supposed to do God’s Will? He answers prayers. God is unchangeable. God is the Lord and Master in my life.
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A James 5:16 Moment by
Anthony Joseph Hopkins
Good Day Everyone!! How are you doing today? Fine, I hope. I want to inform all of you that I am having a very good day today. I woke up this morning and prayed. I want to say that I still need all of your prayers because I have to publish my other manuscript. On this particular day today, I really need your prayers because I have been sick for most of this year.
Next, I want to inform all of you that I need some advice and suggestions regarding Book Publishing. I would like for all of you to please review all of my information during the past few years.
I would like for all of you to please review my information and see if there is anything worthy of Book Publishing. I would like for all of you to read my information to determined if my writing is worthy of publishing. I want to inform all of you that I have been apprehensive during the past few weeks. I would like to say that I really love you very much. I know that I am an average writer. I only earned a C+ Average in College at the University of Toledo.
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Further, I want to inform all of you that my writing has been above average. I really need all of your prayers because my family is pretty decent right now. There are times when my family members argue with each other. I have a very large extended family right now. On the 26th
Day of May 2021; I have been depressed. I have been depressed because no one is reading my information. I know that I have been taking it easy as of late.
Moreover, I want to inform everyone that I have been sad because my life has been filled with ups and downs. I know that I am a very great writer. I have been feeling down on myself as of late. I would like for all of you to please tell me how am I doing when it comes to my writing skills? I want to inform everyone that I have been feeling discouraged because I really do not have any support. I do not have any support because I will admit that I have been writing about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Moreover, I want to say that my writing skills have improved tremendously since 1985. My writing skills have improved a whole lot. I know that my life has not been perfect. I remember when I was living in Toledo, Ohio: I felt very angry because my classes were very difficult. I will admit, I used to use vulgarity on a daily basis from 1990-1996. I will admit that I used to be so sad and angry at the same time. This is a James 5:16 moment.
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Finally, I want to inform all of you that I have been dealing with situations in my life that really made me cry. I was physically and verbally abused as a child. I know that I have felt intimidated as of late. I really need all of your prayers. I really need your prayers because I am sad and depressed because I need encouragement. I really feel defeated. I want to inform all of you that I love you very much. I really need a lot of support. I have been clean and sober for 31 years as of May 2, 2021. From May 2, 1990 all the way to right now, I have been attending AA and NA Meetings while I was living in Dayton, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio and Charlotte, NC.
In Conclusion, I love all of you. I accept all of you as you are. I want to inform all of you that this is a James 5:16 moment. I am only venting because I really do not have anyone to talk to right now. I am going to pray for all of you. I am trying to convey a message from my heart.
I really love all of you very much. I really need a lot of support. Thank you for reading my James 5:16 moment.
Faithfully Submitted,
Anthony Joseph Hopkins
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Colossians 3:12-17, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 7, 2021
Praise the Lord Everyone!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. I want everyone to know that we are supposed to forgive one another, as the Lord has forgiven you. We are supposed to bear each other and forgive whatever grievance we have toward each other. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Next, I want to inform all of you that we are God’s chosen people. We are supposed to be kind, gentle, understanding, and compassionate towards one another. The Lord has saved me from myself. The Lord has saved me spiritually. I am comfortable and gentle with other people. My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins, and I am a 56-year-old man who has common sense. I am very intelligent, kind, understanding, compassionate, and humble. I am a person who has come a very long way in my personal life. I suffer from schizoid affective disorder. This is a mental illness that is caused by delusions, and people hearing things that other people do not. This also means that I see things that other people do not see.
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Moreover, I also suffer from grand mal seizures. I have been suffering from seizures since Sunday July 25, 1982. I remember on that faithful day when I was at my grandmother’s house and I went upstairs to use the restroom.
All of a sudden, I woke up and I was in the hospital. I had told the doctor the truth that I was playing Pac-man arcade game; the electronic portable version that came out in 1982. I was 17 years old. I kept having seizures for the past 38 years now.
In Addition, I had accomplished a great deal in my personal life. I graduated from high school at the age of 20. I graduated from college from the University of Toledo. I graduated from college at the age of 28 years old. Two years later, I graduated with my Bachelors degree at the age of 30. God has brought me a very long way to prove to my family and friends that I am capable of success. My behavior has changed a whole lot since March 22, 2015. This is the day that I did not have to appear in court anymore for my behavior problems.
Currently, I am an Author at Author house Book Publishing Company. I have been an Author since 1996. I have been writing since I was 17 years old. Author-House is a Book Publishing Company out of Bloomington,
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Indiana. I have completed my first book called My Grace is Sufficient for Me. This is a book that consists of essays that I have written about God. This book belongs to God. The reason why I mentioned all of the details about my life is because I have only memories and writings about my personal life. Colossians 3:12-17, and what it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 7, 2021
Praise the Lord Everyone!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. I want everyone to know that we are supposed to forgive one another, as the Lord has forgiven you. We are supposed to bear each other and forgive whatever grievance we have toward each other. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Next, I want to inform all of you that we are God’s chosen people. We are supposed to be kind, gentle, understanding, and compassionate towards one another. The Lord has saved me from myself. The Lord has saved me spiritually. I am comfortable and gentle with other people. My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins, and I am a 56-year-old man who has common sense. I am very intelligent, kind, understanding, compassionate, and humble. I am a person who has come a very long way in my personal life. I suffer from schizoid affective disorder.
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This is a mental illness that is caused by delusions, and people hearing things that other people do not. This also means that I see things that other people do not see.
Moreover, I also suffer from grand mal seizures. I have been suffering from seizures since Sunday July 25, 1982. I remember on that faithful day when I was at my grandmother’s house and I went upstairs to use the restroom.
All of a sudden, I woke up and I was in the hospital. I had told the doctor the truth that I was playing Pac-man arcade game; the electronic portable version that came out in 1982. I was 17 years old. I kept having seizures for the past 38 years now.
In Addition, I had accomplished a great deal in my personal life. I graduated from high school at the age of 20. I graduated from college from the University of Toledo. I graduated from college at the age of 28 years old. Two years later, I graduated with my Bachelors degree at the age of 30. God has brought me a very long way to prove to my family and friends that I am capable of success. My behavior has changed a whole lot since March 22, 2015. This is the day that I did not have to appear in court anymore for my behavior problems.
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Currently, I am an Author at Author house Book Publishing Company. I have been an Author since 1996. I have been writing since I was 17 years old. Author-House is a Book Publishing Company out of Bloomington, Indiana. I have completed my first book called My Grace is Sufficient for Me. This is a book that consists of essays that I have written about God. This book belongs to God.
The reason why I mentioned all of the details about my life is because I hav
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What Does The Bible Say About Consumer Debt? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins
What Does The Bible say about Consumer Debt? This is a very good question. This is simply because the Bible requires a release after 7 years of debt. Deuteronomy 15 discusses consumer debt. First of all, what is consumer debt? Consumer Debt is as follows: Consumer debt consists of personal debts that are owed as a result of purchasing goods that are used for individual or household consumption.
At release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord’s release.
Deuteronomy 15:1-2 (KJV) At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’S release.
“At The End Of Every Seven Years”
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The Law of God is filled with SEVENS!
The first SEVEN established was the weekly Sabbath. This is the very first Law that God gave us. Before Adam was created and placed in Eden the Scripture says:
Genesis 2:2-3 (KJV) And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. [3] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had RESTED (תַ בָ ׁש shabath) from all his work which God created and made.
God SABBATHED on the seventh day, and set it aside for mankind.
When God flooded the earth with water during the time of Noah, God did so because man would not heed His Law. Once Noah and his family entered the Ark seven days later the flood waters began to cover the earth (Genesis 7:10). All who believed God’s Word were saved.
Those who did not died in the waters. When the water decreased and Noah and his family rested we read:
Genesis 8:4 (KJV) And the ark RESTED (ַוחּנ nuwach) in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
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The Ark did what it was intended to do. It saved believing mankind, and excluded the unbeliever who drowned in the Flood. When Noah and his family left the Ark God gave them SEVEN Laws to live by (see Genesis 9). These Laws were:
Not to worship idols
Not to curse God
To establish courts of justice
Not to commit murder
Not to commit adultery or be sexually immoral Not to steal
Not to eat flesh torn from a living animal
When God raised up the nation of Israel and saved them from enslavement to Egypt He gave them a Law filled with SEVENS.
The Sabbath rest was given in the Law of Moses:
Exodus 20:8-11 (KJV) Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy
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maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
C.H. Spurgeon noted “Next, there were feast days one month in seven—and then there came every seventh year, a year of rest for the land in which they did not till it, but left it to lie fallow. Then after the seven sevens were complete, there came on the 50th year, an extraordinary year of rest, in addition to the usual one—this was called the year of Jubilee.”
God gave SEVENS to His people to remind them how gracious He is.
The Lord’s Seven Year Release
In our text today the Lord speaks of the SEVEN Year Release. In Israel then – just as in every country – there were poor Israelites and rich Israelites. God did not want His people to suffer deprivation.
God is LOVE (1 John 4:7-21)
If you are saved by God Who is love, you in turn are supposed to love others, especially your brother and sister.
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God made a provision among His people where a person who was impoverished could sell themselves to a rich Israelite. God told His people:
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (KJV) If there be AMONG YOU a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: [8] But thou shalt OPEN THINE HAND WIDE unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
God had given all of Israel a gracious blessing when He led them out of Egypt and established them in Canaan. God was so good to them! If God saves you, and blesses you, then you, dear friends, are to be gracious to others as God is gracious. That’s what this chapter is about. God told His people to look after one another. He commanded them that if an Israelite sold themselves to another Israelite in order to satisfy a debt, then on every SEVENTH YEAR the one in debt would be released from bondage and their debt forgiven. God even went further with this Law. He said:
Deuteronomy 15:9-11 (KJV) Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, THE SEVENTH YEAR, THE YEAR OF RELEASE, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him
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nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. [10] Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. [11] For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt OPEN THINE HAND WIDE UNTO THY BROTHER, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
God told His people to not be greedy, and to certainly not attempt to write a loophole into this Seventh Year. God told them that to withhold help from another because the Seventh Year was at hand was EVIL, and would surely be punished. To be generous to others is what God required of His people.
If you have received GRACE, you should give GRACE. If you give GRACE, God gives greater GRACE. This is “The Lord’s Release”
Christ Is Our Release Today
As we look at this text today we find great truths in it that apply to the Christian. Our Lord Jesus did not come to ERASE the Law. He said:
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Matthew 5:17-18 (KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The JOT and the TITTLE were tiny marks found in the Hebrew written language. Jesus said that He would fulfill the Law.
Jesus DID fulfill the Law.
He fulfilled CIRCUMCISION.
He fulfilled ANIMAL SACRIFICE.
Under the Law the rite of CIRCUMCISION brought you into the Family of God. But CIRCUMCISION was only enacted on the male, not on the female. God gave the practice of circumcision to Abraham (see Genesis 17:10-14) and said:
Genesis 17:14 (KJV) And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, THAT SOUL SHALL BE CUT OFF from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
You lost your place in Abraham’s Family if you were not circumcised as men. Women were not circumcised. Further,
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the Law commanded that every sin be covered in the Blood of an animal sacrificed on an altar by a priest. The Law said:
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION.
The rituals of circumcision and shedding of Blood were written into the Law. These rituals were given to Israel until Christ came. The Bible tells us:
Galatians 3:22-26 (KJV) But the scripture hath concluded ALL UNDER SIN, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. [23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [24] Wherefore the LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US UNTO CHRIST, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after that faith is come, we are NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER. [26] FOR YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.
When Christ came He fulfilled the Law as He was sent to do. The blood of animals and the bloody practice of circumcision showed us all the terror of sin. Sin puts a barrier between us and God.
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To remove the barrier of sin the Jewish male was to be circumcised – to shed intimate blood to be in God’s family. The Jewish person whether male or female were to shed animal blood to cover their sins.
That is – until Christ came. The Law of God “was a shadow of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1). If the animal sacrifices could cleanse us from sin then they would have been done but ONCE.
The Bible says:
Hebrews 10:3-4 (KJV) But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. [4] For it is NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SINS.
The Law taught that we ourselves could not permanently erase our sins. The Law was a schoolmaster that taught us that we needed the Messiah to come. The Law – through its shedding of blood from animals without blemish – demanded that animal sacrifices be made over and over. It demanded that men be circumcised, or be cast out of the Family of God. But then Christ came.
Oh, Praise God for the coming of Christ!
It is with His Blood that our sins are covered.
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It is with His sacrifice that we enter the family of God. He fulfilled the bloodiness of the Law.
Hebrews 10:10-14 (KJV) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. [11] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: [12] But this man, after he had OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR EVER, sat down on the right hand of God; [13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
[14] For BY ONE OFFERING he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
The Law could not save anyone. It can point out sin, and teach of the need of the Messiah. But only Messiah can save. His Blood was offered once and for all. He freed us by His shedding of Blood from sin and selfishness. His offering was once and for all. And by ONE OFFERING Jesus has made us “perfect” and acceptable to God our Father. We who are His are circumcised with a circumcision made without hands. Read these happy words with me:
Colossians 2:11-14 (KJV) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
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circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Christ was circumcised on the eighth day according to the Law (Luke 2:21). Christ died on the Cross as the once and for all sacrifice for sins. When you receive Him as Lord and Savior – casting yourselves upon Him – then what He did is placed on your your account by God the Father. Praise Him!
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
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1 Peter 1:18-21 (KJV) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, [21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Jesus Christ paid a debt that we could not pay.
This is what we see in the Law. The Law showed us to be bondslaves to sin and to death. But Christ came and paid our debt. He freed us from sin just as Israel was freed from Egypt. He covers us with His Blood. Does it matter now whether we are circumcised or not? The Scripture says:
Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
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Praise Him! If you have received Christ as Lord and Savior then His life has replaced the blood letting of the Law. And listen to me, Beloved. Saved you are not LAWLESS. Let me say that a few more times.
SAVED you are NOT LAWLESS.
You are STILL to be obedient to God’s Law. You are commanded to follow Christ.
You are commanded to be holy as God is holy. What saith the Scripture?
Ephesians 5:1-8 (KJV) BE YE THEREFORE FOLLOWERS OF GOD, AS DEAR CHILDREN; [2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. [3] But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; [4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. [5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. [7] Be not ye
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therefore partakers with them. [8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
There are some that teach that once you become a Christian then you may walk contrary to the Law of God. Beloved, it is not so. Jesus fulfilled the blood of the Law, but did not eradicate morality.
Because of Christ the morality of the Law
is greater upon the Christian.
When Jesus taught, He BUILT FENCES AROUND THE LAW. Rather than eradicate the morality of the Law Jesus erected barriers to protect the commands of God. In one instance Jesus said: Matthew 5:19-22 (KJV) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. [21] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: [22] But I say unto you, That whosoever is
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angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Jesus took the Sixth Commandment – Thou shalt not murder (Exodus 20:13) – and put a fence of love around it. To carry a grudge against your brother or sister for whom Christ died is as bad as murdering someone. To lust in your heart after a woman (Matthew 5:28, 32) is as bad as committing adultery (Exodus 20:14). Saved by the Blood of Christ you are called to love all – and especially those within the family of God.
That is the heart of our text that we read today. Read it with me one more time.
Deuteronomy 15:1-2 (KJV) At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’S release.
The Israelite was not to hold indebtedness against another Israelite. They were to be RELEASED every seventh year. The Israelite was indebted to God because
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He saved them from Egypt and gave them His Promised Land.
Dear Christian, God saved you with a mighty hand when He sent Christ to bear your sins and your failures. When you received Him as Lord and Savior your debts were paid. They were paid not so that you sell yourselves back into slavery with sin and the world, but were paid in full so that you can freely live in God’s Presence. Having been saved freely (for salvation is a free gift from God) you should love others as you have been loved. If the Israelite was supposed to forgive their brother’s debt, then we have a much greater obligation to forgive. We are to love one another fervently. We are to love God with all our hearts and all our works.
We are obligated to love and follow Him Who saved us. Following Him we will find blessedness and peace. Following Christ we will love.
We will release our brothers or sisters from their debts.
Deuteronomy 15:13-15 (KJV) And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: [14] Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee
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thou shalt give unto him. [15] And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
As you have been blessed of God, so you should bless others. And you should REMEMBER. REMEMBER that when Christ died for you, you were a sinner with no concern for God. Yet Christ died for you. REMEMBER that you still stumble – as do we all – and yet “the blood of Christ keeps on cleansing us”:
1 John 1:7-9 (KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It is amazing to me that any Christian would carry a grudge against another Christian. We are to forgive as God forgave us. The Blood of Christ keeps on cleansing us from sin. Oh glory, we need not do penance to pay for our sins. Christ paid for them all. So when a lost person sins against you – forgive him anyway.
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Matthew 5:44-45 (KJV) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Both Great And New Commandments Demand Love
Love your brother or sister in Christ. If they offend you, remember you offended God. Love them anyway. You failed God but He keeps on loving you. Let love define us. Let love define His Church. Jesus gave us His Church a Great Commandment and a New Commandment. The Great Commandment states:
Mark 12:30-31 (KJV) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. [31] And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Whereas the New Commandment says:
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John 13:34-35 (KJV) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Every seven years those who were bondslaves in Israel were to be released. Yet if the servant willingly wanted to stay in the household of the Master:
Deuteronomy 15:16-17 (KJV) And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; [17] Then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever.
And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
The servant could choose to stay because of love. If that servant chose to stay then the Master of the house would put his ear on the doorpost of that home, and the Master would pierce his ear with an awl. There is one more beautiful principle found in this text that applies to us who are Christ’s today.
We permanently belong to Jesus.
We willingly belong to Jesus.
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When Jesus died on the Cross for my sins, He was pierced through with nails, thorns, and a spear. He died for me. Because He died for me, I live for Him. I am indebted to my Jesus. I have willingly put my ear on the doorposts of Heaven, and my Jesus has pierced my ear through. I no longer belong to myself. I belong to Jesus.
Beloved, to Whom do you belong? If you have been saved by faith in Christ then you are NOT your own – you are BOUGHT with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). I belong to Jesus. Do you?
If you do not, today is the time to look toward Him and be saved. Confess Him as Savior and Lord. Let Him lead you out of Egypt and into the Promised Land where He rules and reigns. Oh, what a glory it is to know Christ and enjoy His Presence! Will you not come? Oh that God would lead you to come and dine at His table this very day!
May God touch your hearts with His Word.
Currently, the Lord’s Release applies today. It means that if a person does not pay their debts, it is labeled as a Charge Off Due to Bad Debt. The Seven Year Principle applies to everyone. For Instance, when it comes to student loan debt, it has to be paid in full. The Seven Year Principle does no
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Deuteronomy 16 – The three major feasts by Anthony Hopkins June 10, 2021
A. The observance of Passover.

1. (1-2) The sacrifice of the Passover.
   Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. Therefore you shall sacrifice the Passover to the LORD your God, from the flock and the herd, in the place where the LORD chooses to put His name.
   a. You shall sacrifice the Passover to the LORD… in the place where the LORD chooses to put His name: At the first Passover, each family in Israel sacrificed the Passover lamb at their home. But when Israel came into the Promised Land, the sacrifice was to be made at the tabernacle (and later, the temple).
   b. For in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night: Exodus 12 describes the first Passover, when Israel was delivered from Egypt, and God sent His judgment upon the firstborn of Egypt. God passed over the
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   homes which obediently sacrificed the Passover lamb and applied its blood to the door posts of the home.
   c. Keep the Passover to the LORD: Prophetically, the feast of Passover clearly presents Jesus as our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), the Lamb of God who was sacrificed, and whose blood was received and applied, so the wrath of God would pass over us.
2. (3-4) The Feast of Unleavened Bread, associated with Passover.
   You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the meat which you sacrifice the first day at twilight remain overnight until morning.
   a. For you came out of the land of Egypt in haste: For the first Passover, the unleavened bread was a practical necessity; they left Egypt in such a hurry there was no time to allow for the dough to rise.
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   b. And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days: But the Feast of Unleavened Bread, following Passover, continued to be important. Leaven was a picture of sin and corruption, because of the way a little leaven would influence a whole lump of dough, and also because of the way leaven would “puff up” the lump – even as pride and sin makes us “puffed up.”
   i. Significantly, God called them to walk unleavened after their initial deliverance from Egypt; symbolically, they were being called to a pure walk with the LORD.
   ii. Some suggest there was also a health aspect in getting rid of all the leaven; that since they used a piece of dough from the previous batch to make the bread for that day, and did so repeatedly, that harmful bacteria could take hold in the dough – so it was good to remove all leaven and start all over at least once a year.
   iii. The purity of the feast of Unleavened Bread followed upon the blood-deliverance of Passover; we can only walk in purity before the LORD after we have had the blood
   deliverance at the cross.
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   c. You shall eat no leavened bread with it: Prophetically, the feast of Unleavened Bread relates to the time of Jesus’ burial, after His perfect, sinless sacrifice on the cross, during which He was received by God the Father as holy and complete (the Holy One who would not see corruption, Acts 2:27), perfectly accomplishing our salvation.
   i. We may regard the burial (or actually, entombment) of Jesus as a small thing in God’s redemptive plan; but it was an essential part of Paul’s gospel: For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
3. (5-8) Regulations for Passover.
   You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates which the LORD your God gives you; but at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at twilight, at the going down of the sun, at the time you came out of Egypt. And you shall roast and eat it in the place which the LORD your God chooses, and in the
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   morning you shall turn and go to your tents. Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly to the LORD your God. You shall do no work on it.
   B. The observance of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). 1. (9-10) The Feast of Weeks.
   You shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the LORD your God blesses you.
   a. From the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain: The Feast of Weeks (or Pentecost) was a feast associated with the joy of harvest, during which Israelites brought a freewill offering unto the LORD, as a demonstration of the thanks in their heart.
4. (11-12) The joy of Pentecost.
   You shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among
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   you, at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.
   a. You shall rejoice: There was no ritual of sacrifice commanded at Pentecost. Instead, it was a time of joyful thanksgiving for the harvest, and heart response to God.
   b. You shall remember: The joy of Pentecost was intensified by remembering the bondage Israel had escaped.
   c. And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes: Leviticus 23:15-21 describes how, at the feast of Pentecost, Israel was to celebrate by bringing a new grain offering to the LORD and by waving two loaves of leavened bread unto the LORD. Prophetically, this is a powerful picture of the work of God in the New Covenant, fulfilled at the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
   i. No atoning sacrifice was necessary because the price had already been paid by Jesus.
   ii. There was a great harvest unto God, and great thanksgiving for that harvest.
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   iii. The response to God on the day of Pentecost was not done out of obligation to a particular law. It was the joyful heart-response of God’s people unto Him.
   iv. The church, founded on the day of Pentecost, would include the “leavened bread” of the Gentiles, waved as holy before God – made holy by the work of Jesus the Messiah.
   C. The observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. 1. (13-15) How to observe the Feast of Tabernacles.
   You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates.
   Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.
   a. You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days: This was to happen on the fifteenth day of the Jewish month Tishri (on the Jewish ceremonial
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   calendar). The Feast of Tabernacles was a time to rejoice in God’s deliverance and provision for Israel during the time of wilderness wandering; a time when having come into the Promised Land, looking back with gratitude on all God had done to deliver and provide in the tough times of the wilderness.
   i. Leviticus 23:39 says of the Feast of Tabernacles, on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath rest.The Feast of Tabernacles began and ended in rest; it was all about celebration and rest and refreshment, remembering what God had done.
   b. Your manservant and your maidservant: We see here also the great social good God intended in the Sabbath and in the Feasts; in other ancient cultures, there was no day off, and there were no holidays. Here, God commands both holidays and “vacation days” – all centered on Him!
   c. Observe the Feast of Tabernacles: Prophetically, the feast of Tabernacles speaks of the millennial rest of comfort of God for Israel and all of God’s people; it is all about peace and rest, from beginning to end.
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   i. Tabernacles is specifically said to be celebrated during the millennium (Zechariah 14:16-19).
5. (16-17) The command to observe each of these three feasts.
   Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.
   a. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: These were only three (four, actually, counting the feast of unleavened bread as a separate feast) of the seven feasts of Israel. Not mentioned in this chapter are the feasts of trumpets, of firstfruits, and of the Day of Atonement.
   b. All your males: Yet, the feasts mentioned in this chapter were the most important feasts in Israel – and every Jewish man, to the best of His ability, was to go to the place of the tabernacle (or later, the temple) and celebrate this feast with the whole nation of Israel.
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   i. Jesus was obedient to this command; He made the trip from Galilee to Jerusalem to be at these feasts (Luke 2:41, John 7:2, 10).
6. (18-20) The appointment of judges and officers.
   You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
   a. You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates: God knew the importance of just judges and officials to a nation. Therefore, God commanded that they shall not pervert justice… nor show partiality… nor take a bribe; instead, they were to follow what is altogether just. A judge has the responsibility to do justice.
7. (21-22) Prohibition of idol trees and pillars.
   You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the
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   LORD your God. You shall not set up a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.
   a. You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar: Such sacred totems were common among the Canaanites. Israel might have been tempted to be “seeker sensitive” and add such items to their worship of the God of Israel. He wanted none of it. God says of such thing, which the LORD your God hates.
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   Deuteronomy 16:17: And What it Means to All People!!
   By Anthony Joseph Hopkins June 11, 2021
   Deuteronomy 16:17 states that every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee. This particular Bible verse is in the Mosaic Laws. However, I want to inform everyone that God is being very flexible when it comes to paying tithes and offerings. I did not know that tithes are supposed to be added to the household budget. For example, if a person is earning $900.00 per month, this means that we will have to pay $90.00 per month in tithes and offerings.
   Next, I want to say that this particular Bible verse is no longer emphasized. This is simply because we are under the New Covenant. Although this Bible verse is very nice and generous. I know that everyone has to pay according as he wishes. Basically, we are making God angry with us when we do not pay tithes and offerings.
   My overall bills come up to $850.00 dollars per month. If I include my tithes and offerings, I will have to pay a total of $100.00 per month.
   Further, I want to inform all of you that some people in Moses time did not have income. They utilized livestock,
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   silver, and gold. To be honest, the wages that people earned was not worth anything. I am not criticizing the way that God did His business. It is that people worked an entire day for wages. This is the reason why I wrote an essay concerning people who earned fix incomes do they still have to pay tithes and offerings? The answer to this question is yes.
   Moreover, I really feel that some of the Old Testament Bible Verses should be emphasized in today’s times. Right now, it is not very easy for anyone who earns a Disability Check to pay tithes and offerings. Some do and some do not pay anything to the Church that they attend each week. I know that my life at this moment has been complicated. My life has been complicated because I owe student loans and other debts.
   Finally, I want to say that at least God is very flexible with everyone. I do not want to make God angry with me ever again. To be honest, I will have to include my 10% of my income to pay tithes and offerings. I really think God is really giving everyone a break because I have some valuables that I can sell each month for money. I have a Book called My Grace is Sufficient for me.
   My book is not selling because I could not afford the marketing fees to market my book. My book is small, and
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   I feel that I can at least accomplish a goal for God. To be completely honest with all of you, I owe $22,500 dollars in student loans from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I was enrolled in school only for a short period of time. I graduated from the University of Toledo on June 12, 1993 and June 17, 1995 respectively. I earned my degree from The University College.
   In Conclusion, I want to inform all of you that I am doing the best I can just to pay bills and survive. May the God of Peace be with all of you. I really feel that I have selected an essay that comes right out of the Bible. It might be from the Old Testament, but I feel that I have knowledge and experience when it comes to the Bible.
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   Ephesians 2:1-5. And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021
   Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
   Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions.
   Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him.
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   What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression?
   Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law.
   Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to look bad on the person who committed this act or crime.
   According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world.
   Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!!
   50
   Essays
   Finally, I want to end this essay by sharing my personal testimony. My grandmothers and grandfathers did not use any vulgarity in front of me as a child. I want to inform all of you that I am still a work in progress. I have not used any vulgarity in over 90 days now. This is simply because God is watching me and the billions of people who exist on earth. God is recording our progressEphesians 2:1-5.
   And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021
   Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
   Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions.
   51
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him.
   What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression?
   Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law.
   Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to look bad on the person who committed this act or crime.
   According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world.
   Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated
   52
   Essays
   against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!!
   Finally, I want to end this essay by sharing my personal testimony. My grandmothers and grandfathers did not use any vulgarity in front of me as a child.. I want to inform all of you that I am still a work in progress. I have not used any vulgarity in over 90 days now. This is simply because God is watching me and the billions of people who exist on earth. God is recording our progressEphesians 2:1-5.
   And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021
   Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
   Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead
   53
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions.
   Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him.
   What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression?
   Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law.
   Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to
   54
   Essays
   look bad on the person who committed this act or crime. According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world.
   Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!!
   Finally, I want to end this essay by sharing my personal testimony. My grandmothers and grandfathers did not use any vulgarity in front of me as a child. all of you that I am still a work in progress. I have not used any vulgarity in over 90 days now. This is simply because God is watching me and the billions of people who exist on earth. God is recording our progress Ephesians 2:1-5.
   And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021
   Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world,
   55
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
   Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions.
   Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him.
   What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression?
   Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose
   56
   Essays
   transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law.
   Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to look bad on the person who committed this act or crime.
   According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world.
   Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!!
   57
   Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021
   Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents.
   I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing.
   All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others.
   I want to say that anytime a person grows up being abused and mistreated, 9 out of 10 times, you might mistreat others yourself. I am going to be frank with everyone. I have been angry for so long that it has affected me, and the relationships that I have with other people.
   58
   Essays
   The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry.
   It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character.
   Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed.
   My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years.
   Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The
   59
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week.
   I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore.
   I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things.
   I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you
   60
   Essays
   for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021
   Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents.
   I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing.
   All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others.
   I want to say that anytime a person grows up being abused and mistreated, 9 out of 10 times, you might mistreat others yourself. I am going to be frank with everyone. I have been angry for so long that it has affected me, and the relationships that I have with other people.
   The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person
   61
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry.
   It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character.
   Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years.
   Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located.
   62
   Essays
   I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week.
   I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore.
   I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things.
   I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you
   63
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021
   Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents.
   I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing.
   All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others.
   The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry.
   It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my
   64
   Essays
   mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character.
   Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years.
   Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week.
   65
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore.
   I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things.
   I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021
   Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another,
   66
   Essays
   even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents.
   I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing.
   All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others.
   The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry.
   It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character.
   Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana
   67
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years.
   Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week.
   I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore.
   I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things.
   68
   Essays
   I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you for reading my essay.
   69
   Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021
   Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents.
   I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing. All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others.
   The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry.
   70
   Essays
   It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character.
   Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed.
   My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years.
   Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week.
   71
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore.
   I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things.
   I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021
   Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another,
   72
   Essays
   even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents.
   I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing.
   All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others.
   The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry.
   It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character.
   Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana
   73
   Anthony Joseph Hopkins
   and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years.
   Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week.
   I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore.
   I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things.
   74

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2 Peter 1NIV

2 Peter 1

1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirming One’s Calling and Election

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,

11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prophecy of Scripture

12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.

13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,

14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.

21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

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What is the Book of 2 Peter All About?

2 Peter 1 Commentary

Chapter 1

This epistle clearly is connected with the former epistle of Peter. The apostle having stated the blessings to which God has called Christians, exhorts those who had received these precious gifts, to endeavour to improve in graces and virtues. They are urged to this from the wickedness of false teachers. They are guarded against impostors and scoffers, by disproving their false assertions, ch. 3:1-7 , and by showing why the great day of Christ’s coming was delayed, with a description of its awful circumstances and consequences; and suitable exhortations to diligence and holiness are given.

Exhortations to add the exercise of various other graces to faith (1-11) The apostle looks forward to his approaching decease. (12-15) And confirms the truth of the gospel, relating to Christ’s appearing to judgment. (16-21)

Verses 1-11 Faith unites the weak believer to Christ, as really as it does the strong one, and purifies the heart of one as truly as of another; and every sincere believer is by his faith justified in the sight of God. Faith worketh godliness, and produces effects which no other grace in the soul can do. In Christ all fulness dwells, and pardon, peace, grace, and knowledge, and new principles, are thus given through the Holy Spirit. The promises to those who are partakers of a Divine nature, will cause us to inquire whether we are really renewed in the spirit of our minds; let us turn all these promises into prayers for the transforming and purifying grace of the Holy Spirit. The believer must add knowledge to his virtue, increasing acquaintance with the whole truth and will of God. We must add temperance to knowledge; moderation about worldly things; and add to temperance, patience, or cheerful submission to the will of God. Tribulation worketh patience, whereby we bear all calamities and crosses with silence and submission. To patience we must add godliness: this includes the holy affections and dispositions found in the true worshipper of God; with tender affection to all fellow Christians, who are children of the same Father, servants of the same Master, members of the same family, travellers to the same country, heirs of the same inheritance. Wherefore let Christians labour to attain assurance of their calling, and of their election, by believing and well-doing; and thus carefully to endeavour, is a firm argument of the grace and mercy of God, upholding them so that they shall not utterly fall. Those who are diligent in the work of religion, shall have a triumphant entrance into that everlasting kingdom where Christ reigns, and they shall reign with him for ever and ever; and it is in the practice of every good work that we are to expect entrance to heaven.

Verses 12-15 We must be established in the belief of the truth, that we may not be shaken by every wind of doctrine; and especially in the truth necessary for us to know in our day, what belongs to our peace, and what is opposed in our time. The body is but a tabernacle, or tent, of the soul. It is a mean and movable dwelling. The nearness of death makes the apostle diligent in the business of life. Nothing can so give composure in the prospect, or in the hour, of death, as to know that we have faithfully and simply followed the Lord Jesus, and sought his glory. Those who fear the Lord, talk of his loving-kindness. This is the way to spread the knowledge of the Lord; and by the written word, they are enabled to do this.

Verses 16-21 The gospel is no weak thing, but comes in power, Ro. 1:16 . The law sets before us our wretched state by sin, but there it leaves us. It discovers our disease, but does not make known the cure. It is the sight of Jesus crucified, in the gospel, that heals the soul. Try to dissuade the covetous worlding from his greediness, one ounce of gold weighs down all reasons. Offer to stay a furious man from anger by arguments, he has not patience to hear them. Try to detain the licentious, one smile is stronger with him than all reason. But come with the gospel, and urge them with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, shed to save their souls from hell, and to satisfy for their sins, and this is that powerful pleading which makes good men confess that their hearts burn within them, and bad men, even an Agrippa, to say they are almost persuaded to be Christians, Ac. 26:28 . God is well pleased with Christ, and with us in him. This is the Messiah who was promised, through whom all who believe in him shall be accepted and saved. The truth and reality of the gospel also are foretold by the prophets and penmenof the Old Testament, who spake and wrote under influence, and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. How firm and sure should our faith be, who have such a firm and sure word to rest upon! When the light of the Scripture is darted into the blind mind and dark understanding, by the Holy Spirit of God, it is like the day-break that advances, and diffuses itself through the whole soul, till it makes perfect day. As the Scripture is the revelation of the mind and will of God, every man ought to search it, to understand the sense and meaning. The Christian knows that book to be the word of God, in which he tastes a sweetness, and feels a power, and sees a glory, truly divine. And the prophecies already fulfilled in the person and salvation of Christ, and in the great concerns of the church and the world, form an unanswerable proof of the truth of Christianity. The Holy Ghost inspired holy men to speak and write. He so assisted and directed them in delivering what they had received from him, that they clearly expressed what they made known. So that the Scriptures are to be accounted the words of the Holy Ghost, and all the plainness and simplicity, all the power and all the propriety of the words and expressions, come from God. Mix faith with what you find in the Scriptures, and esteem and reverence the Bible as a book written by holy men, taught by the Holy Ghost.

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Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 44

Footnotes 2

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 PETER

Though there was, among the ancients, a doubt concerning the authority of this epistle, which is first mentioned by Origen {a}, and afterwards by Eusebius {b} and Jerom {c}, yet it prevailed not among the churches, nor hindered the diligent reading and use of it, together with other Scriptures; it appearing to be useful and profitable, as Eusebius declares; and in process of time this doubt was entirely removed, and it was universally received by fathers and councils into the canon of the Scriptures, where it is justly retained, it having plain signatures of its divine original. Nor is there anything in it unworthy of so great an apostle, whose name it bears; but the whole of it is agreeable to the analogy of faith, to the rest of the sacred writings, particularly to the epistle of Jude, between which, and the second chapter of this, there is a great likeness. The only reason of the doubt of the genuineness of this epistle, and whether it was written by the Apostle Peter, is the difference of its style from the former; but the Holy Ghost, the dictator of the sacred writings, is not limited to a man’s natural style, but could vary it as he pleased: besides, a man’s style is not the same at different times, and when writing on different subjects; add to which, that this objection can only regard the second chapter, for the first and third agree with the former epistle. And some have thought that the second chapter is an extract out of some ancient Hebrew book, describing the characters of the old false prophets; which book Peter and Jude having before them, took the characters of the old prophets, and, under divine direction, applied them to the false teachers of the present age; and if so it is not to be wondered at that the style of the epistle should differ from the former, and even from itself in this part. But that it was written by the Apostle Peter, not only the inscription shows, which, if false, would indeed discredit the genuineness of the book, but the account that is given of the writer of it, as one that was with Christ at his transfiguration, 2Pe 1:16-18. Now there were only the three following disciples there, Peter, John, and, James. The last of these had been dead some time when this epistle was written, and it was never ascribed by any to the Apostle John, and therefore it remains that Peter must be the writer of it. As for Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, that succeeded James, whom Grotius would suggest as the author of it, the character does not agree with him; he was not with Christ on the holy mount, nor heard the voice from heaven, asserting the sonship of Christ, and the divine complacency in him: moreover, this epistle is called a “second epistle”, 2Pe 3:1 and supposes a first, and manifestly refers to the former epistle of Peter’s, about which there never was any doubt, as the authors before mentioned observe. It was written by the apostle in his old age, when upon the decline of life, just as he was about to put off his tabernacle, 2Pe 1:13-15 a little before his martyrdom, in the year 68, though Dr. Lightfoot places it in 66; and it is sent to the same persons as his first, namely, to the believing Jews scattered throughout several parts of Asia, he being the minister of the circumcision; see 1Pe 1:1 compared with 2Pe 3:1. The scope and design of it are, to put them upon a concern for a larger increase of grace and spiritual knowledge; to confirm and establish them in the present truth of the Gospel; to warn them against false teachers, which he largely describes; and he puts them in mind of the dissolution of all things, and of what will precede and follow it; from whence he draws several useful hints and inferences.

{a} Apud Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 6. c. 25. {b} Ib. l. 3. c. 3. 25. {c} Catalog Script. Eccles. sect. 2.

\\INTRODUCTION TO 2 PETER 1\\

In this chapter, after the inscription and salutation, the apostle takes notice of gifts of grace bestowed; and exhorts to the exercise of holiness and good works; and gives the reasons why he was so pressing to them; and endeavours to establish the saints in the Gospel that had been preached among them. In the inscription, the writer of the epistle describes himself by his names, the one given him by his parents, the other by his Lord and master, and by his character and office; and the persons to whom he writes are described as having faith, and that of the same kind with the apostles, and which they obtained through the righteousness of Christ, 2Pe 1:1. The salutation is the same with that in the former epistle, only here is added a wish for an increase of divine knowledge, 2Pe 1:2 and which might be expected, since, by the power of living grace, everything necessary to a spiritual and godly life bad been given them in the effectual calling, through the knowledge of Christ; even exceeding great and precious promises, whereby they partook of the divine nature, and escaped the vices which prevailed in the world, 2Pe 1:3,4 upon which he exhorts not to rest where they were, but to go on in the exercise of grace, and performance of duties, many of which he enumerates, 2Pe 1:5-7 to enforce which he adds several arguments, as that through an abounding in these things they would appear not to have a superficial and speculative knowledge of Christ, 2Pe 1:8 or otherwise it would be evident that they were blind and ignorant, and in an unrenewed state, 2Pe 1:9 whereas by these things they would make their calling and election sure and manifest to men, and would never fall totally and finally, and in the issue have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of Christ, 2Pe 1:10,11 and then he gives the reasons of his conduct, why he so much urged a regard to these things, and put them in mind of them; namely, the usefulness of them for their establishment, the duty of his office, which required it, the short time he had to live, and the profitableness of such exhortations to them, after his decease, 2Pe 1:12-15 and in order to establish them in the truths of the Gospel, and particularly in that which concerns the coming of Christ in power and glory, on which he enlarges in the latter part of this epistle; he observes, that this was not a cunningly devised fable, but was what he and others were eyewitnesses of, even of that which was an emblem and pledge of it; namely, the transfiguration of Christ on the mount, when they saw the glory he received from God his Father, and heard the voice from heaven which declared him to be his well beloved Son, 2Pe 1:16-18, and besides, they had a surer proof of the certainty of his coming; namely, the prophecies concerning it, which should be regarded and given heed to, being as a lamp to direct in the present state of darkness and imperfection, until the illustrious day of Christ’s coming appears, 2Pe 1:19 and the rather this should be attended to, since no scriptural prophecy is an invention and device of men; nor was it formerly given out at the pleasure of men, but by saints, who were influenced and moved unto it by the Holy Ghost, 2Pe 1:20,21.

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Taken from John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.

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Psalms 51:1-4, And What it Means to All People. I want to confess all of my transgressions, iniquity, and sins.  I want to inform all of you that I have been clean and sober for 32 years now.  I will admit that I am still a work in progress.  I am learning how to become a very honest person.  I know that I should be putting all of my trust in God more than man himself.  I remember on Sunday November 25, 1985 at 1;45PM.  I got stabbed with a hook knife by my stepfather.  How it happened, I was at my Mother’s House spending time with my family members, and I stayed for a few hours, and I observed watching my stepfather and brother playing dice.  They were shooting dice, and my brother and stepfather got into a fist fight over a misunderstanding.  Suddenly, my stepfather drew a knife on both of us.  He stabbed me in my forearm, while I tried to protect my brother.  I told the police officer that I would not press charges on my stepfather.  I told the Police that he is too old to be in jail.  I was transported to the hospital for treatment.  I forgave my stepfather for what he did to me.

Further, I want to say that I went through a lot of depression and negative ways of thinking.  I have been suffering from depression for 25 years now.  Since Tuesday July 15, 1997.  I forgive all of the people, who are responsible for using me and beating me up for a total of 27 years.  The people, who I called friends really do not like me as a person still.  I am the type of person, who continue to forgive everyone else for the things that they have done to me.  Currently, my friends do not forgive me for what I have done to them.  I even used to hurt others by what I have said out of my mouth.  I have beaten up a few people myself.  I even cursed at my family members and friends myself.  I want to start a right truth to God and other people. 

Finally, I want to say to God that I am very sorry for hurting other people.  I am very sorry for using vulgarity towards myself, my family members and friends.  I resist the devil, and he fleece from me.  I have my family members, who are introverted and depressed.  I spoke with one of my family members, and she told me to my face that she was an introvert.  I was shocked to hear that my family members and friends are introverted.  That is a choice that a person makes when they are depressed and sad.  I choose Life and Peace.  I ask God why people are whom they are? I want to thank you Lord God for saving me 🙏🙏. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. We all need Jesus Christ 🙏🙏 for your personal relationship with God.

In Conclusion, I want Jesus Christ 🙏🙏🙏. In my Life Right now. I need you in my life. I am a person, who is respectful, helpful, brave, bold, and I am Spiritually Strong. I want to inform all of you that; there are times when I tend to get Spiritually stuck in my life. I need to attend church again. I had eye surgery recently, and I have been seeing clearly. I need to remain faithful to God and Jesus Christ.:Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Your name shall forever be exalted, and I pray that I can spend all of my days rejoicing in Your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are all that come in the name of the Lord. Amen.

Psalms 128:4 says Behold, that this shall The Man be blessed that feareth the Lord.  I want to start things off by saying that I am literally scared of God.  I want to inform all of you that I love you very much.  I love life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  I know that I am not perfect.  I have been in the hospital having treatments for Glaucoma and Macular Degeration.  I also had cataracts.  I am very happy that I am feeling better now.  This Bible verse is saying that everyone is blessed, if we are born again.  This means that we must give up our old way of living.  I feel good because I being a Born Again Christian.

The Lord God is always with us.  I know that I still have to forgive everyone who wrongs me, and each person must forgive me.  I want all of you to know that I am very blessed at all times.  The Lord God is a very grateful and gracious person.  I want everyone to please keep me and my family members in your prayers and thoughts.  I used to be very scared of human beings.  I want to continue to work for God.  I must use God’s Strength and not my own.  I want to be public with Jesus Christ.  I want to get my day started with God.  I want everyone to please pray for me and my family members because I have to make amends to all of my family members and friends.

Further, I want to continue to stand in what God has done for me.  I have to learn how to pray and conduct myself as a Christian by proclaiming the Gospel of Peace with everyone, who I have been in contact with each day.  My heart speak like a real Christian Man.  I need to make things simple and understanding.  Lord God, please allow me to learn how to pray effectively.  I need God more than ever.  I am apologizing for all of my sins and transgressions.  I have to make sure that I am very honest with God and with other people.

Lord in Heaven, please aid me in my faith journey. I feel grateful that I have even been given the opportunity to love You, and I pray that I shall not waste this opportunity. With my humble gratitude, I must also ask for forgiveness for the many times I have doubted Your divine plan. Forgive me for I am a mortal and cannot fully understand what You will do, but know that I trust You to do what is best, as You have always done before. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Heavenly Father, You are compassionate and good. Lord, give me compassion for those who are lost and without You. Give me grace to teach them about Your mightiness and great love. Help me to share the knowledge of You that I’ve gained. Help me to teach only truth about You and not any false perceptions I have of You. Help me to articulate Your truth and Your word well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What does it mean to examine our ways and heart?

                                                By

                          Anthony Joseph Hopkins

          This is an essay that will ask a very important question.  What does it mean to examine our ways and heart?  This is a plan for repentance and renewal.  Turn Back!! Repentance in the Old Testament prophets is often expressed by the verb To Turn!!  Lift our hearts and hands: Lifting hands was a common posture in prayer.

          According to Lamentations 5:21: The one word turn can summarize God’s message to His rebellious people.  In one of Jeremiah’s earlier messages, he had exhorted the people to turn to God no less than seven times.  Return means to “Return” to God in faith.

          When it comes to repentance, I have to completely stop what I had done wrong, and give it to the Lord God.  The definition of the word repent means to turn back.  As it pertains to the topic of discussion, this gives us an opportunity to examine carefully who we are in the eyes of God.  It also enables us to write down on paper all of our positive and negative things about ourselves.  We have to speak with the Lord privately first and foremost.  Before we seek wise counsel with others, we first must confess our sins to the Lord.

          Next, in this case, this means that everything that we did wrong in our personal life, we ask God to forgive us.  As far as our ways and heart is concerned, we must take a real long look at ourselves.  Do you really like what you see?  This is a question that we really need to ask ourselves right now.  For instance, in my case, I tend to ask myself this same question every single day.  I have a lot of health issues right now.  I am taking 22 prescription medications that I am currently taking is Remron, Prozac, Vistaril, Trilafon, and Phenobarbital.  I have been taking these medications for over 20 years now.

          Further, I currently take these medications for seizures and depression.  How do you feel about yourself right now? I feel pretty good about my outlook on life, and my overall behavior as completely changed since taking the medications.  In Step 10 in Alcoholics Anonymous states that we continue to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

1. We review our day at its entirety.  Do we have to make amends with anyone else or God?  Sometimes the answer to this question is yes.  For me personally, I have to examine all of my character defects and disclose them with God or with my A.A. Sponsor.  Right now, I have to write an essay each day of the week just to cope with a mental illness.  I have to pray and read the Bible each day of the week.
2. When we examine our ways, we look at every little thing that makes us tick.  For Example, we focus on having an intimate relationship with God.  Are you ready to have an intimate relationship with God?
3. The definition of the word examine means to look at carefully.  I am the type of person who is very intelligent, nice, kind, polite, patient, considerate, warm, brave, clean, and meticulous.

Finally, we are ready to have an intimate relationship with God by confessing our sins to Him!

     As soon as I say that I am ready to do your will Lord.  First, I must confess all of my sins to the Lord God.  I might even write them down on a piece of paper and tell God exactly what is burdening me. Also, one thing that I can say is that I feel much better when it comes to releasing all of my negative energy to Him.  I also ask Him what he wants me to do right now and in the future.  I ask the Lord to please let me hear His voice.  God already know the things that you need long before you ask Him.  He will supply all of your needs.

Are you glad that we serve an understanding God? I am glad that I serve Him for myself.  Please continue to pray for me each day because I suffer from glaucoma and cataracts as well.

No man naturally walks in the way of life, nor can anyone simply figure it out on his own. All of us need the instruction found in God’s Word in order to walk in the way that leads to life everlasting. If we refuse correction by God’s Word, we sin against our own souls. Amen.