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            We will still go over Mathew chapter four but at the end of the bible study I will touch base on a video with Kenneth Copeland regarding Covid 19 to shed some light on this situation. I will also leave the ling for you to watch the video yourself if you are interested, it will definitely help remove any fear if its lingering. But first, I want us to keep up with what we have been doing, I had considered skipping Mathew chapter four to discuss this video instead to help shed some light and remove fear from anyone who is currently battling with it. But then it dawned on me that everything right now in the world is being placed on hold due to this attack and I don't want to add to that, especially when it comes to God’s word, His word shouldn't be placed on hold or postponed, now more than ever. So instead we will keep up with our bible study, and add to it, because you can never get too much of Gods word. So on to Mathew Chapter 4!

            This chapter begins with Jesus being led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days and forty nights. He fasted the entire time and did not become hungry till the forty days and nights were completed. He was sent to the wilderness to be temped rather than at home alone because in the wilderness He was more vulnerable and so the temptation would be even stronger. This time of testing really shows that Jesus is the son of God,

            The wilderness is a biblical time for being humbled and tested, in Deuteronomy God led Israel to the wilderness to be humbled and tested as well. We grow the most in our spiritual wilderness times. It doesn't mean in every case you literally have to be in the wilderness, there may be a season when God is asking you to lay low and really draw on Him alone, that could be a time of spiritual wilderness humbling and testing alone.

            The devil temped Jesus first by trying to trick Him into eating food by turning the stones into bread sense He was the Son of God. But Jesus didn't give him any foothold, instead He simply said “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ “ He didn't argue with the devil or consider or debate what he had said, instead He declared, “it is written” and gave scripture to stand on, and let it be at that. When we are under attack we need to follow Jesus’ example, we dont need to dance with the devil or debate him or argue with him, we simply need to follow Jesus and say, “It is written” and give whatever scripture supports that. Then simply move on, dont give it anymore thought in your mind, for whatever you give thought to in your mind will grow in your spirit and will become something you end up doing. Dont allow the devil a foothold, declare, “it is written” and stand on Gods word and move on. Its that simple if we allow it to be.

            Its important to notice that the first thing Jesus was tempted with was food, just like Adam sinned with the act of eating what he was told not to eat. These are two crucial temptations in the bible mentioned with the act of eating food. Adam first failed which was what brought sin to humans and separated us from God. But Jesus overcame that when he denied the temptation of breaking His fast in the wilderness. Im not saying food is bad, food is good and God created food for us to eat. But if the devil is using food as a way to control your actions and movements then it becomes something we need to be careful of. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) we should take good care of it and that includes what we put into it, rather it be words or thoughts or physicality's such as what we eat. Just some food for thought;).

            Next the devil tried to mock the word of God by quoting scripture (however not in complete form just enough to make it appear that it was biblically supporting his request) and telling Jesus to throw Himself down from the highest point of the temple for, “He will command His angels concerning you to serve, care for, protect and watch over you” and “They will lift you up tin their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

            Jesus didn't argue with the devil, He didn't waste His time correcting how the verse is stated in the bible, “For He will command His angels in regard to you, to protect and defend and guard you in all your ways (of obedience and serverice). They will lift you up in their hands, so that you do not even strike your food against a stone.” He didn't debate the meaning of that verse and what it actually means in context with the entire chapter, (this happens often, people read a verse and find the meaning for it out of context because they didn't read the entire chapter or book even to see what it pertains to and thats often because they aren't allowing the Holy Spirit to teach them as they read. Jesus didn't point any of that out, instead He said, “It is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”

            Then the devil took Jesus on a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to him “all these things I will give You if you will fall down and worship me.” This right here, believe it or not, happens a lot. I know personally many people who are close to having a spiritual breakthrough and finally opening up and surrendering to God, and the devil sees it and tries to put material things in from of them to keep them satisfied so they stop seeking God. I am not saying all material things or wealth comes from the devil, God blesses His people but its in ways that lead them on His path with the source of income from the way He has chosen for us that is used to further His kingdom. Whenever you are offered a new job or anything thats a new change in your life, always always always pray and make sure its from God and not a temptation from the devil to get you off track. If you have never asked God if you are where you are supposed to be and doing what you are supposed to be doing, ask Him. He has the perfect place and job for you already picked out and thats where you will receive all of His blessings, always in everything seek Him first, and allow Him to provide the way.

            The devil offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world and Jesus replied, “Away with you , Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve.” The the devil left and angels came and ministered to Jesus and brought Him food. Jesus overcame all temptations the devil threw His way.

            After the forty days and nights in the wilderness, Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested and put in prison, so He left for Galilee. He left Nazareth and dwelt in Capernaum, by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali which fulfilled prophecy spoken by Isaiah. From that moment on Jesus began to preach to repent, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

            Jesus then sees fishermen, two brothers, Simon (who was called Peter) and Andrew. Jesus called them, to come and follow Him and become fishers of men, and they did, immediately and they became His disciples. From their He saw two more brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, they were fishing with their father. Immediately they left their boat and their father when Jesus called upon them to serve Him as well. Jesus went all through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every sickness, every kind of disease and demonstrating that He was the promised Messiah.

            Standing Strong against cover 19 with Kenneth Copeland

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ9BO_G0aGs

            Above is a link to a video that is now on youtube from Kenneth Copeland. It brushes up on the science behind the virus and the real issue at hand here, fear. It helped me to hold onto my peace of mind by shedding light on facts and faith all from the word and I felt the need to share it with anyone who is needing it. If you are battling fear right now, worry or stress from this situation, do yourself a favor and watch this video. It is almost two hours long, however thats not much time when it can help you to eliminate weeks worth of stress or fear from this situation.

            The bible tells us that sickness is a curse and it is not from God, if its not from God then it has to be from the devil. The virus is a spiritual attack so it needs to be handled in the spirit. This video explains what the virus is from a scientific stand point, how to be smart and sanitary (which we should already be doing), as well as what you need to do most importantly in the spirit. It goes over communion and anointing oils which is something that we should all do anyways, regardless of what spiritual attack is going on in the world. The issue in the world right now isn't just the coronavirus, that is the attack. The issue is fear, fear of being sick, fear of dying, fear of the unknown. This video will give you the spiritual knowledge and scientific knowledge needed to eliminate fear. Please, do yourself a favor and watch this video right now.

            Though we are in the world we are not of the world and we do not receive the way the world does unless we choose too. Just because the world is in panic doesn't mean we should be, we are made in love to be at peace and fearless, don’t give that up to receive what the world receives, thats when fear gets a foothold. Eliminate that foothold and step into your righteousness in Christ and cast out the fear. Gods word is pretty clear, His will for us is to be in good health, to be at peace, to live a long life, to be satisfied, to be prospered, to have our needs met so we can better serve Him. Because it is all about Him. He needs us well to serve Him, remember that. All we need to do is stay in Him, stand on His word, stop listening to fear through the media and receive what God is wanting to bless you with. Believe what Gods word says on this situation and there will be no reason to fear. For if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask Mathew 21:22.

             Remember, Jesus didn't argue with the devil and debate the situation at hand. Follow His teachings and His ways in this time.
“It is written, the Lord does NOT give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”
“It is written, By His stripes I AM Healed.”
“It is written, with a long life He will satisfy me.”

            Find the verses that you need to stand on in this time and stand on them.

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            Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king. Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem searching and asking for He who has been born, king of the Jews. They had seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him. When King Herod heard this, he and all of Jerusalem were disturbed. So he called all the chief priests and scribes and anxiously asked where the messiah was supposed to be born.

            The scribes and priests informed the king that it was in prophecy by Micah that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah. Herod security sent for the magi (wise men) and learned when the exact time the star had first appeared. He then lied to the wise men by encouraging them to go and find the baby then to come back and tell him so he could then go and worship Him.

            The wise men did as they were told and when and found the baby with His mother, Mary. They fell down and worshiped Him and gave Him gifts fit for a king (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod so they then went to back to their own country but a different way as to avoid Herod altogether.

            After the wise men left Joseph was visited by an angel of God in a dream and was told to get the baby and Mary and to leave to Egypt because Herod was on a mission to find the baby and have him killed. Herod was acting in fear, fear of losing his power and title. Joseph woke up and in the middle of the night followed the orders and they all left towards Egypt, where he remained until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken to Hosea.

            Before Herod died, he had realized he was tricked by the wisemen when they did not retur. He ordered his soldiers to then go and kill all of the male children in Bethlehem and in all that area who were under the age of two thus fulfilling the prophecy of Jer 31:15.

            When Herod died, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream again and told Joseph to get up and take the child and Mary back to Israel for the one who was after the baby was dead. So Joseph packed them up and headed to Israel, but when we got close he heard that Herod’s son Archelaus he started to fear that they would be found. But he had no reason to fear, God loved Joseph and already had his needs met, he was then warned by God to go to Galilee and settle there, thus fulfilling prophecy that He shall be called a Nazarene.

            Every time Joseph was given instructions he didn't hesitate. Even in the middle of the night, he didn't wait till morning when it would be easier in the light of day. His trust allowed him to jump the second he was told to jump. His faith, trust and obedience was honorable. When we hear God tell us to do something, we should do it, immediately unless He tells us to wait.

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            The chapter begins in the days of John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea which fulfilled the prophecy Isaiah spoke in chapter 40 vs 3. John preached on repentance, to acknowledge wrongdoing and evil ways and to turn from them, to turn your ways to the Lord and stop living in wicked ways. To repent means to apologize for your wrong doings with the intention of not doing them anymore and changing your ways and mindset.

            John was clothe din camels hair with a leather belt around his wast and ate locusts and wild honey. He didn't follow what was normal in society that day, his ways were ones that would separate him from the flesh and help him grow closer to God. He eliminated distractions in his life and fleshly desires and focused solely on God and the prophecy to repent because the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

            Others may view your lifestyle as weird when you live a lifestyle that leads you to God rather than leading you to things society views as normal. Im sure many viewed Johns lifestyle as weird but out of curiosity some of those probably went to see John preach and that could have led to their repentance. When others think your lifestyle is weird because you follow God, keep at it, one of them out of pure curiously might ask about your ways and it could be the conversation that leads them to repentance and being saved. Use your Christian lifestyle to stand out to non believers to make them interested in Gods hand in your life.

            When John saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptisms, he called them out on their ways. He called the Pharisees out for being legalistic and hypocrites by following the letter of the law while ignoring its intent. As for the Sadducees, they used religion to advance their political positions. John preached to all to change their ways, to repent of their sins, to bear good fruit for trees that don’t bear good fruits are cut down.

            If we call ourselves Christians, we must live like Christians. To be a Christian is to be like Christ, if we aren't living that way then we aren't bearing the fruit that we were called to bear. We all have a purpose and are all called to something specifically, our actions and our ways show by the fruit we bear. If our “fruit” doesn't glorify God or bring others to God, we need to repent and seek what it truly is that God is wanting us to do. We don’t want to be hypocrites like the Pharisees or power seekers for political gains like the Sadducees.

            John preached to repent of your sins, change your inner self and be baptized in the water. He said that the one who is coming who is the messiah will baptize of the Holy Spirit and fire. John baptized people as a cleansing and a sign that they were asking God to forgive them for their wicked ways and they were surrounding to God and were to live the way He wanted them to live, the way He created them to live. John explained that the messiahs baptism would be much greater then what he was doing when suddenly he Jesus came to him and asked to be baptized by John.

            John tried to tell Jesus that it was John who needed to be baptized by Jesus, not the other way around. Jesus didn't need to be baptized for His sins, because he had never sinned. But he was being baptized to fulfill righteousness on behalf of all sins by others. Jesus told John that He was to be baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness and John knew it was to be done, so he baptized Jesus. 

            After Jesus was baptized He came up from the water immediately and the heavens were opened and John saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Jesus with a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”

            John had a desire and a yearning to preach the gospel and preach on repentance and baptism. He followed what God had planned for him and it led him to being used by God in this incredible moment. Just think about the amazing things God has planned to accomplish with you as help, will you answer and allow him to use you for great things like John the Baptist?