“I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”
John 14: 6
12 “Look, I AM coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22: 12-13
Pastors Noreen & Henry Kevern
And Lead Us Not Into Temptation
“In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil one. Amen.”
Matthew 6:9-13
It does not take much to be led into temptation. We can fall from grace every day and it does not seem to bother us. From little things to big things, the father of lies puts so many things in our path and we seem to swallow them up without thinking. A lie is a lie, whether small or large, whether we lie as not to say something that could hurt someone or we lie because we have done something so horrible that we do not want anyone to know. Even when we say this prayer, we lie to ourselves and God. We do not hallow the Name of the LORD. We curse others; we use God’s Name in vain. We do not acknowledge that God’s kingdom is here in our very beings. We do not want God’s will done on earth as it is in heaven. We want our will. We do not eat our daily bread as we are afraid that then we can no longer say that we do not know what God requires of us. His Word is our daily bread, feeding us on how we are to live our lives in His will. And how we are so unforgiving towards one another; it seems that no matter how God has called us to forgive one another, we hold on to the hurt that others have inflicted on us. We think that we deserve forgiveness but others do not. We forget that we have all sinned and fall short. We ask God not to lead us into temptation but we refuse to follow the way of the LORD and so we keep on sinning. We love to select verses out of the Bible and convict others of sinning, yet refuse to know the whole Word of God and allow the devil to corrupt God’s Word. And from what is happening in the world, we do not want to be delivered from evil, but we seek it out. The Prayer that Jesus gave us has become just something we say and not something we live. God will do all things for us but we have to take the first step and follow and do the things that God wants of us. We love how the verse that grace gives us freedom but forget that in grace we are to live a life following the way of the LORD. We need to listen to the words we are saying when we pray and mean them. We need to ask God to look into our hearts and show us our sins and we need to repent of them, which means we do them no more.
Let’s look and see the Words of God and how they teach us and lead us not into temptation.
Take heed (notice, attention, regard, care, attentiveness) to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived (betrayed, cheated, mislead, tricked) and you turn aside and serve (help, work for, act, behave) other gods (spirits, idols) and worship (love, adore, respect, devotion) them. Deuteronomy 11:16 When we take heed to ourselves we need to pay attention to God’s Word because the devil is misleading us and cheating us of our reward in heaven. If we turn aside and serve Satan, we will live eternity with him in hell. When we idolize people, things, money, sex and love and give our devotion to them, we dishonor God with our lives.
Therefore you shall lay (place, put, set) up these words of Mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind (fix, attach, join, unite) them as a sign (symbol, logo, badge, mark) on your hand, and bind (fix, attach, connect, join, combine, tie, fasten) them between your eyes. Deuteronomy 11:18 In order to place God’s Words in our hearts and souls we have to read and study daily from His Word. Then they become ingrained in us because we see them and read them and say them daily in our lives. We have time to play games, to watch TV, to read other books; but what time do we give to God? We are to attach them as a sign, a badge of love, to our hands. We can do this by wearing rings with a cross, bracelets with symbols of faith, or we can wear a cross around our necks. We can fasten a cross on a hat and they will be on our foreheads. Our Salvation is Jesus and His cross. When we wear a symbol of our faith in God, we show people Who we belong to. We are saying that we are saved from our sins. We are declaring ourselves Christians. But we have to live our lives in God’s way and not our own sinfulness. We have to put on Christ and be His light in the world.
And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 11:20 In Jewish households, on the doorframes of their house there is a little box called a mezuzah. Inside that box is a verse of Scripture. Every time they pass through the door, they touch the box to remind them of God and God’s mitzvah (commandments). They are to kiss the fingers that touched it to express their love for God and His commandments. The Scripture comes from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:1-21. Hear, O Israel. The LORD your God is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all of your heart and all of your soul and all of your strength…and you shall write them on the doorframes of your house… On the back of the scroll, the Name of God is written, it is then rolled up and placed in the Mezuzah so that the first letter of the Name of God can be seen, the letter Shin.
And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry (infidelity, disloyalty, falseness, betrayal) to which your heart and your eyes are inclined (motivated, persuaded, prone, leaning to, orientated to), and that you may remember and do all my commands (instructions, guidelines, directives, directions) and be holy (consecrated, sanctified, blessed, devout, godly, pure) to your God. Numbers 15:39 Since today most people do not wear the same clothing as they did way back when God gave this command, they now use prayer shawls called a tallit, have four Tzitzit (tassels) on the four corners. Think of tying a string to your finger to remember something. The tassels are used to remind people of God’s commands.
I say then, walk (go, move) in the Spirit (God’s Holy Spirit) and you shall not fulfill (achieve, accomplish, realize, satisfy) the lust (desire, longing, yearning, hunger, thirst) of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are to begin to learn to walk in spirit nature and not in the flesh nature. When we do not have our eyes on Jesus, we lose the protection of the Spirit because we place before our eyes our desire of the flesh. We have to abide in Jesus and keep looking to Him so that we do not fall prey to the evil one.
And those that are Christ’s have crucified (executed, killed, hung) the flesh (body, flesh and blood) with its passions (lusts, cravings, urges, obsessions) and desires (wishes, wants, longings). Galatians 4:21-24 When we come to Christ, we are to kill the flesh nature and take on the Spirit nature. We are to leave those desires, those tendencies towards sinful nature (lies, sexual sin, coveting, hate, orgies, foolishness, envy, the list goes on) and become a holy child of God. This is why Jesus tells us that we must become little children and begin again. We have to get rid of the things that Satan has imprisoned us in. The Holy Spirit will come and convict us of our sins and if we will allow Him, He will help us from prison and into the freedom of God’s amazing love. He will teach us His truth and the truth will set you free from the prison of sin and into God’s nature, of Spirit and of truth.
If indeed you have heard of Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus; that you put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt (immoral, unethical, dishonest, debase, perverted, warped, spoiled) according to the deceitful (dishonest, untrustworthy, lying, cheating, faithless) lusts (desires, longings, ache for), and be renewed (rehabilitated, transformed, changed, new, restarted, begin again) in the spirit (soul, essence, life, inner self, attitude, nature) of your mind (brain, awareness, observance), and that you put on the new (fresh, different, unaccustomed, unfamiliar) man which was created (shaped, formed, made, fashioned, designed) according (rendering, fitting, in harmony with) to God, in true righteousness (virtue, morality, justice, decency, honesty) and holiness (sanctity, sacredness, godliness, purity). Ephesians 4:21-24 When Jesus taught about being born again, Paul taught here the essence of being born again. We have to put off the person who we were before we came to Christ. Let’s be honest. When we come to Christ we are sinners and we are to take off the old beaten of coat of sin and put on a new coat of righteousness. We have to put off our lusts to sexual immorality, all of it, adultery, homosexuality, living without marriage, to put off lusting after another even in our minds. We are to be recreated in Christ, in purity, of thought, of living, of everything that is of God. No matter what we have to let go of sin.
Let no corrupt (immoral, debase, perverted, harmful, damaging) word proceed (go out of, continue) out of your mouth, but what is good (decent, respectable, virtuous, noble, wholesome) for necessary (needed, basic, crucial, vital) edification (improvement, education, enlightenment, teaching, learning) that it may impart (inform, tell, instruct) grace (loveliness, beauty, charm, kindness, favor) to the hearers (listeners). Ephesians 4:29 This means that you use language to one another as to not hurt another’s feelings, but we say things that are kind to each other. We do not use language to put down someone, to harm them. Abuse in any form is corrupt and of the devil. Say things to each other lovingly, instilling God’s beauty and kindness and His favor.
And do not grieve (sadden, distress, hurt, pain) the Holy Spirit of God, by Whom you were sealed (preserved, confirmed) for the day of redemption (improvement, restored, delivered, recovered). Ephesians 4:30 It saddens the Holy Spirit when we sin. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that comes and lives in us and we are confirmed in God’s love, preserved when we walk in the way of the LORD. Our day of redemption is when we will be delivered from the temptations that the devil puts in front of us. Our day of redemption will be an improvement from this life that we have been living. Only in Jesus will we be washed clean of our sins; only by the blood of Jesus.
Let all bitterness (resentment, anger), wrath (rage, madness), anger (annoyance, irritation), clamor (demand, uproar) and evil (evil, sinful) speaking (talking, communication) be put away from you, with all malice (nastiness, cruelty). And be kind (gentle, thoughtful) to one another, tenderhearted (softhearted, sympathetic), forgiving (merciful, pardoning, absolving) one another, ever as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 So many people never let go of the past and hate people all their lives. They speak evil of those who years and years ago said something that hurt. We have to be kind and gentle to one another, forgiving those who have hurt us.
Therefore be imitators (followers, sheep) of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice (cost, ransom) to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (smell, fragrance). Ephesians 5:1-2 If we are Jesus’ followers, we need to walk in love, giving our lives to help others. Our fragrance, the way we lead our lives, needs to be sweet smelling so that others will want to come to Jesus.
But fornication (sexual immorality, adultery, homosexuality) and all uncleanness (sinfulness, dirtiness) or covetousness (greed, envy), let it not even be named among you as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness (foulness, obscenity), nor foolish talking, nor coarse (abrasive, crude) jesting (flippant, dismissive), which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous (envious, jealous) man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance (birthright, heritage) in the kingdom of Christ and God. Ephesians 3:3-5 Any person who has sex other than their spouse is committing fornication, sexual immorality. And marriage is between a man and a woman as God designed us. We should use clean language with each other and not tell dirty jokes or say things that put another person down. We should not say bad words about the color of one’s skin; we should not be jealous of what another person has and desire it. When we see our brother or sister in sin, we should gently talk with them, one on one. If they will not listen, then we should bring one or two others to talk with the person. We should not be calling anyone who is living in homosexuality any name that puts them down. If we see someone in adultery or living together, we should gently talk with them. We who are Christians are to live in the way of the LORD, showing others God’s love and mercy and grace. We are to bring sinners to Christ, not drive them away. We will be judged by our words.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath (anger, fury) of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (rebellion, defiance). Ephesians 5:6 Empty words do not bring another to Christ. God’s promises are true. Use God’s Word by knowing God’s Word. Seek for yourself to study and become approved by God. Do not rebel against God by disobeying.
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah! or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders, to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.”
Matthew 24:23-25
This Scripture is simple, do not believe anything except the Word of God. If you hear someone preach or say Scripture says this or that, study the Word and search it, so that you will know God’s truth. There are many who will deceive you by twisting God’s Word. Satan knows God’s Word and twists it because he knows that people will not search God’s Word.
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them powerful delusions (misconceptions, fantasies, misbeliefs) so that they will believe the lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 Satan loves to lie and trick you into believing things so that you will fall away from God. The devil loves to lead people into temptation and straight to hell.
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until every thing is accomplished.”
Matthew 5:18
The law of God still stands. It is how we learn what sin is and what we should not be doing. When the Holy Spirit teaches us God’s truth, He sets us free from the law. All things will be accomplished when Jesus returns and the new heaven and earth come and this heaven and earth disappear.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time at night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have left his house be broken into. So you must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”
Matthew 24:42-44
Jesus calls us to abide in Him and to follow Him in all areas of our lives. If we think that His return is far off, if we think that we can keep on sinning because we do not think we are going to die, if we keep on believing the devil, we will not be ready when Jesus returns. But if we love one another as Jesus loves and follow the way of the LORD, if we study and read His Word, we will be ready when he returns.
You must be on your guard. You will be handled over to local councils and flogged (beaten, whipped) in the synagogues. On account of Me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them and the Gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you speaking but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:9-11
When we give our lives to Christ, we must be on our guard at all times. The devil is roaming about just looking trying to overcome us by his lies. Jesus calls us to overcome and stand firm. Paul tells us to put on the amour of God.
Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation (or race) will certainly not pass away, until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Mark 13:28-31
By reading the Bible, we will see that the signs are obvious. He is telling us that summer is here and the harvest is at hand. We need to prepare ourselves and lead our lives in God’s way and not in the devil’s way. Be prepared for the coming of our LORD.
The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taken a long time in coming, and then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
Luke 12:42-46
Be prepared for the LORD’s return. Let Him find you doing what He wants you to do in your life. You do not know what tomorrow will bring, so always be doing the LORD’s will.
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “the coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21 We are His children, the children of the King and because when we accept Jesus in our hearts, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We live out God’s kingdom in our lives and are therefore showing others the kingdom of God. We need to live our lives in fear of God, fearing that if we do not follow His way, if we choose sin and say we are saved and thus lie, we will lose the promise of eternal life with God in heaven.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36
Life has all sorts of things that come at us and the devil tries to trap us in sin. We have to learn to abide in Christ and surrender all things to Him. We have to put God first in our lives. We have to pray without ceasing and be able to stand before God and be judged by Him.
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.
Revelation 16:15
Do not let God catch you unaware. Clothe yourself in righteousness, so that when the end comes you will be able to stand before God and He will say to you, “Well done good and faithful servant.
And it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountains of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow to it. Micah 4:1 When the new heaven- and the new earth come, then the LORD Jesus will be the temple and there will be no sun as Jesus will is the light. And everyone will call upon the Name of the LORD. And His kingdom will be established forever.
And I saw the dead small and great, standing before God, and the books were opened. And another book was open, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged, each one according to his works. Revelation 20:12 Live your life so that your name is in the book of life.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and He will be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4 Here is our reward, no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, or pain. All our tears will be wiped away and we will be His people.
He who overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he will be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexual immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Revelation 21:7-8 We have to overcome sin and live a life in God’s perfect will. We will choose either to put all sin to death in our lives and receive heaven, or we will continue in sin and receive hell. The choice is up to you.
“And behold, I AM coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one accord to his work. I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates of the city.
Revelation 22:12-14
Now we come full circle. In the beginning mankind was not able to understand God and so the tree of life was withheld from them. Through the devil deceiving Adam and Eve, causing sin to enter the world, mankind was sent out of the Garden of Eden and made to learn what God wants of them. History records our failures and our triumphs but sadly there were more failures and God knew that the only way to save mankind was with His own hand. So God came to earth as a human in Jesus and showed us the way to live life. And He took His own punishment on Himself, He took our sins upon His shoulders and nailed them to the cross and died for our sins. And God waits upon us to turn to Him still until all things are accomplished according to His Word. In Christ, all things are made whole. God’s perfect plan comes together after years and years of God teaching and sending teachers, and Jesus is born, He lives and dies for us and will come again to complete His plan. And still we fail Him in sin and ask Him to forgive us again and again and again. Sadly far too many people continue to lead sinful lives because they are not willing to give up their sins, to repent and sin no more as Jesus told us to do. But God has never given up on us and still continues to send teachers to teach His way, His truth and His life that we are to study and read His Word to know His life and what He requires. That is why it is important for us to read and study our Bible, our daily bread, it will lead us not into temptation and if we choose to follow, it will deliver us from evil. LORD, we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.