Chapter and Verse Ministry

#1035 Father Knows Best

by Reverend Nicholas A. Catania

Go to the previous video.
SUMMARY.

In teaching 1035 Father Knows Best by Reverend Nick Catania, we learn that that Father God still knows best. God doesn't make mistakes. God made you the way He wanted you. You don't criticize God or question his motives. God doesn't make mistakes or do things wrong. You don't dispute the work of God' s hands. God knows what he' s doing. It is ridiculous to argue with God. When the wicked rule, the people mourn. We always pay the price. If you want to get your feelings hurt, read the Bible. Even in churches today there is wickedness today: it's nothing new. Damage control was practiced by the Pharisees in Bible times. Politicians lie and blame somebody else for their failings. For example inflation is blamed on war, but it was around long before the war. Cancel culture is not new either. The man who was born blind had parents who were afraid to be put out of the synagogue. Grave consequences in that day to be put out. Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers. When you're yoked, you're bound and anchored. You will have to put up with stuff at work with woke theology. Remember that Naaman was told to go in peace by the prophet. You can go in peace at work too and put up with stupid rules and regulations. God knows your heart. Don't let anybody steal the truth from you. Do what you have to do. You've got a choice to be at peace in your mind. Stay your mind on God. Don't get agitated and full of anxiety. Stay your mind on God. Peace is promised. Paul was able to be peaceful in prison. Don't let devil run the show. The more you look at the world the more depressed you are going to get. We all want peace. It's a promise. Fill yourself up with the word and naturally you will preach it. Don't be afraid to speak it. Stay put and peaceful. God will supply your need. If you bite your tongue today, there are consequences for your foes in the judgment.

Go to the next video.

1035 Father Knows Best

Father Knows Best. For those of you youngsters that can remember back that far, that was a TV show. It was a sitcom starring Robert Young, (he also played Marcus Wellby, MD) and Jane Wyatt. It followed the lives of a middle-class family who they called the Andersons in the town of Springfield.

And it was back in October 3, 1954 that it first debuted on CBS. I wasn't born yet. The character of Margaret, the wife, was portrayed as the voice of reason and Jim, the character of the husband, was portrayed as a thoughtful, yet spry type father who offered wise advice in response to the children's daily problems.

Jim was a salesman and a manager at a general insurance company in Springfield. And Margaret was a housewife. They lived at 607 Maple Ave. They had three children: Betty "the Princess" Anderson; James "Bud" Anderson; and then there was Kathy "Kitten" Anderson. Jim used to call her "kitten" all the time.

The children did that back then. They would ask questions and present real-life situations to mom and dad. And at the end of the day, they found out that father always knows best. One history of the series characterized the Andersons as truly an ideal family: the sort that viewers could relate and emulate. This was a much simpler time of innocence in our country and in what they showed on TV.

NLTIsaiah 45:8-12 8Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness.Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the Lord, created them. 9 What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker?Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,‘Stop, you're doing it wrong!' Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?' 10How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father,‘Why was I born?' or if it said to its mother,‘Why did you make me this way?'" 11This is what the Lord says— the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: "Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? 12I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.

Our God knows what he's doing. He doesn't do what we do and learn like we do by our mistakes. He doesn't make mistakes. The New Living Translation because it really sets the point a little bit better about Isaiah 45,at least in terms of what I like to present to you tonight. The picture of planting seeds and things growing is a wonderful picture in verse eight. The rest of the verses show how crazy it is for the created thing to argue with it's creator. Isn't that something? A lot of people out there today are questioning, "Why did you make me this way?"

See, God made a boy and God made a girl. And that's all there is. There's a boy and there's a girl. And God made them that way. And today people question the creator. Worse than that, they say "You're doing it all wrong. How clumsy can you be?" And you would speak to God that way? And he says, "Don't question what I do. Do you give give me orders about the work of my hands?" How could someone dispute the work of God's hands? How could someone argue with that?

If you're born a boy, that's the work of God's hands. That's through genetics to chromosomes in the way God designed it all. And when you came out, that's what you're supposed to be; because that's the work of God's hands. This is mankind immersed in pride and rebellion when they fight against the creator God. That is a fight you will never win.

ESVIsaiah 45:9 "Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?' or ‘Your work has no handles'?

One of the translations of Isaiah 45 nine reads. "Why did you give me handles?" (The pot talking to the potter.) That's what he said: "Why did you give me handles?" He wants to argue with the creator.

Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest (argues) against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Repliest is more like "argues" as the meaning of this word (ie: "argues against God".) Why hast thou made me thus? You hear that question thousands and thousands of times a day. People are complaining. Why did you make me a boy? I should be a girl. Why did you make me a girl? I should be a boy. Why did you make me this? I should be something else.

Dr. (PhD.) Chris Drew as of July 5, 2022 (right! Academics at its best), stated that there's an 81 types of genders. He's an idiot. There's only two genders. I'll make it easy: a boy and a girl. This guy is a PhD. And not only did he say that; for your own study and enjoyment he catalogs them and he goes through number one through 81. So if you want to go on the Internet and get sick. Look up Chris Drew, PhD July 5, 2022. I couldn't get much newer than that.

NIVIsaiah 10:1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees,

We don't question the doctor. And so, what do they do? They get involved in the government. Evil gets involved in the government. And then evil starts rules and regulations. And they want to grab you and put you into a place where you have to comply. You must comply. God doesn't like unjust laws and oppressive decrees.

I can't tell you many people I talked to during the week in the sanctum of my cave office and they're afraid to use certain words. Until I bring it out of them and tell them they're safe. There's no woke people in this garage. Most of the time we're asleep.

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

But that's what they do. They make unjust laws and they issue oppressive decrees: "If you don't do this… this hurts my feelings so you're not allowed to voice your opinion. See? Well I got news for you. They couldn't read the Bible very far before they're going to get their feelings hurt. The people mourn when the wicked bear rule. They mourn. And you can see that very plainly. When good government leaders are in rule, then the people are blessed; but when evil leaders are in rule, we pay the price.

And we always pay the price Okay. They are not giving you anything when they can give you a stimulus check. That stimulus check came out of you. You were taxed for it and you're going be taxed for it until you die. And when they find a way to wake you up and tax you some more out of the grave, they'll do that too.

Okay. Remember about a week or so ago I talked to you about the Monkey Pox? When taught you and give you the statistics that 98.9% of the infection was in the homosexual community; and that they're withholding this information from you. So they're saying that it's an emergency to all. But it originated in the homosexual community. And I taught you the other day, for those of you who were here, that just like AIDS (that originated; that grew in that community). Allow me to say it that way. It then spread to heterosexuals through needles, through transfusion of blood, and this sort of thing. That's evil and that's sin.

Romans 1 talks about how that they so justly deserve the consequences.That's because they went away from the natural use of the man and the natural use of the woman, and they deserve what they get. So the Bible says. However, by that sin, the adversary was able to spread this over into the normal community and it hurt normal people and good people.

I'm sorry I have to say this, but I want you to know that a dog tested positively in France for Monkey Pox, because it's two gay owners are infected. And now they gave it to the dog. Worse than that. It was an Italian Greyhound or something like that. There's no respect. I could see if it was like a poodle, a Foo Foo, or something like that. It was like an Italian Greyhound or something. The nerve of them! Haha. It's the truth.

No. Look it up. Liz: right under Chris Drew, look the dog up first. It's more interesting. No, look up Monkey Pox dog infected. Dog tested positive for Monkey Pox. The two gay lovers and friends and they said "non-monogamous relationship" which means "sleeping around", okay? And look who pays the price. Now the dog got sick. That dog didn't do nothing. But see? That's how the devil works. He takes this here, where they're doing things contrary to the Word; And then he throws it on the poor innocent dog. It was probably minding its own business. It didn't know any better.

ESVEcclesiates 3:16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.
This is the English Standard Version that we look at of Ecclesiastes 3:16. And it was something that Solomon saw and it exists today. Now you've got two particular categories you're addressing there: the place of justice and the place of righteousness. The place of justice is where the rules and laws of the land are made, and they set over the people. Then you've got what's called the place of righteousness. That's the church. (Called the assembly in that day) and that's the church.

And he said that he saw wickedness not only in politics, not only in the government… worse than that! He said that he saw wickedness in the place of righteousness. It's just like it was written yesterday. Why? Because you got wickedness in the place of righteousness today. And you sure as heck have wickedness in the place of justice today.

John 9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

John chapter 9 is a familiar chapter and record to you, all about the man who was born blind. And a tremendous miracle was wrought on this man. Never before in the history of mankind had there been a man that was born blind; that his eyes were opened. And many, many years ago it was prophesied that when the Messiah came, he would do one miracle that no one else would have done. If not all these other things that he did to prove who he was, there was this: And that was to open the eyes of a man born blind.

Well he did open that man's eyes and everybody saw it and no one could dispute it. So they went into damage control mode. And so one of the things they said in their damage control because they couldn't dispute it, was "Give God the glory. As for this man (Jesus Christ): we know that he's a (what?) sinner." That was their damage control. They were willing to give God the glory.

Just like I've taught you many, many times. They'll talk about God. And there's nothing wrong with God. But God alone doesn't kick it: and that's God's Word. I did write the book. God said without Jesus, no man sees the father. And that's when they really get upset: when you mention the name of Jesus Christ.

See, they'll go along with God. They'll stomach your God. But you say "Jesus Christ", that lights a fire under their tail. So the Pharisees; that's what they wanted to do: damage control. We can't deny what happened. This is like a playbook out of the government playbook. They do the same stuff today. Well, we can't deny this, so let's do this.

I had a woman, I was telling my wife, she had a Masters degree. and she's sitting in my office. Wonderful woman. And we're talking about something, and she said, "Yeah the war caused the gas prices just to go out of control." And I said, "Excuse me?" And she she said, "Oh. Did you go to Westchester?" (Because my son's got his Westchester degree hanging on the wall.) She said, "I went there. I got a Masters Degree." I said, "No I didn't graduate." That's what I tell her.

I said, "Sorry." I said "Who told you that?" She said, "It's true." I said, "No, it's not." I said "that's a lie." I said. "Go on the Internet. Go back before the war ever started, and see where the gas prices were." I said, "The gas prices were almost double way before the war ever started." I said, "That lie that the gas prices are high because of the war was just something that was spun from Washington; and thrown out to get the accountability off the president.

You don't have to believe me. Go back before the war started Google in 'how much were gas prices?' and you'll see yourself. But you know what Washington did? They just lied. And you know what people do? People don't have enough sense to look at it for themselves. They say if so-and-so says it, it must be true.

You know, I was nice to her. And she said, "Oh, I didn't know that." I said, "Look it up. I don't want you to believe me." Politicians lie. It's damage control. We've got to get you away from looking at us. Let's blame Putin. He's not here to defend himself. Let's blame the price of eggs on Putin.

Let's blame the prices of electric… you know I'm go and I shop electric. You guys probably all shop electric by different electric suppliers. If you don't, you should Okay? Because if you are just getting electric from PECO or Exelon you're getting overcharged a lot.

So they've got this thing on the Internet. You can hit 'choose electric'. And you go you can get your own supplier. Okay, I've been doing this for years. I buy my electric and I buy my gas from the cheapest supplier. Now PECO still has to maintain the pipes, and they still have to maintain the wires. But I went from $1300 at my shop down to $700.

So I'll get a six month, a year, or a two year contract. I've been doing this for years. I did it now, because my contract's coming up in February. So I'm looking at this. I'm at 6.8, I think, where I locked in last time. Did you know that I couldn't find a rate under 10? Do you know why? Because of the war? No.

And gas why we have natural gas here: same thing. My gas, I think, was at 5.6. I couldn't find it under nine. And that's right now: and that's because of the war, too? How much do you pay for eggs? They're ridiculous. And that's if you can get stuff. How much stuff is not on the grocer's shelf? And how about this? And how about that? It's all because of the war. That's a lie.

And that's what they do: damage control. And you know what the sad thing is? There are actually people out there that buy it hook, line, and sinker. Well John 9:22 teaches you about people who do things because the government puts laws there to frighten them. See? And a lot of times, they're not even laws. Which is today's cancel culture. They just say, "If you don't acquiesce to what we say, you will not to be around very long."

John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

The legalists, the Pharisees, the religious leaders; they came to the parents of the blind man and said, 'Tell us how this guy sees; he's your son.' And the words they answered with were, 'He's of age, he can answer for himself.' Instead of defending him; instead of going to his side and saying, 'Yes, Jesus Christ opened his eyes.' They said 'He's of age. Let him answer for himself.

His parents feared the religious leaders. See, you guys think you're so smart. They had cancel culture thousands of years ago. They had already agreed that if any man did confess he was Christ, he should be put out of the the synagogue. Do you know that means? His whole lifestyle is going to change. Because, it's not just the synagogues where people won't associate with you. It's also the people who sell to you, the people who work with you or work for you or buy your goods.

What are they doing? They're canceling him. It's nothing new. The devil was doing this way back then. You see it? It's right there in the Bible.

BBEPsalm 94:20-21 20What part with you has the seat of sin, which makes evil into a law? 21They are banded together against the soul of the upright, to give decisions against those who have done no wrong.

The Bible in Basic English of Psalm 94:20-21 tells you that you've got no fellowship with this. You have nothing in common with this. What part of you has deceit? Which part with you has the seat of sin which makes evil into a law?

Do you know what making evil into a law is? Abortion. Do you know what making evil you're making evil into a law is? Same sex union, and calling it marriage. And I'm sure you know a lot more evil examples that are laws.

Who here loves the IRS? 87,000 new agents; and on the employment application, one of the sections reads "Are you able to handle a gun?" They are going to unleash those agents like locusts on the United States. And they're going to harass people who are just getting by.

I'll guarantee you they're not going to go after the billionaires and the multimillionaires. They always go after the middle class. Because the middle class is the working class of the country. That's where the income's at. That's where they're going to take away the houses; they're going to take away the money. Do you know why? Because the middle class isn't going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on lawyers. You go near the big guys and they've got people on retainer who make $1 million a year just to sit around waiting for something to fight. See? But this is the country we live in.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

We heard about this tonight in manifestations. You can't love the world the way you should love God. You can't give the world your first allegiance. He doesn't say, "Love not the tree, nor the ocean, nor your favorite burger place." He's talking about those things that are contrary to God that are in the world.

See, God made the world. He wants you to enjoy the birds. He wants you to enjoy the trees. He wants you to enjoy food. But the devil, who was given the authority to rule this world, now turns around and he perverts it. And he offers to the children of God, that which looks good (like the fruit to Eve), but the result you pay for it for the rest your life; and literally, that's what happened.

1 John 2:15-17 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world (the things that are contrary to God). If any man love the world (The senses world; the world of the adversary), the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 170And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

God knew about gay pride way back then, a few thousand years ago. He warned about it. The pride of life: that's what it is. And he says that's not of the father. Know what else he said? He said it's of the world. That's what it is. But today they take sin, they sanitize it, and then they protect it. And if you dare say something about it (I'm still waiting to get kicked off Facebook or YouTube)… If you dare say something about it, they'll come at you.

You can't read the Bible very long. Whatever happened to sin? That's what they want. They don't want that word to exist anymore, because then there's no boundaries then. And you can do whatever you want. And you're the one that pays for it. It's not of the father, but it's of the world.

What did the Word say about Moses? He gave up the pleasures of Egypt, right? For what? Something bigger. He turned his back on that. That's a big deal. That's like being the Bill Gates' son and just turning your back on everything that's available. And that's pretty much a good analogy, because Pharaoh… Well actually Pharaoh is even bigger, because Pharaoh could snap his fingers and have you killed; take your land; take your women; everything. He did little babies, right? To get rid of them. Moses turned his back on that: and he grew up in it.

So wasn't like, oh here it's the first temptation and you say "no". He grew up in that environment. He experienced pleasure. He experienced the best that the best had to offer in that day and time. So he knew about it and then he still turned his back on it. Now that's saying something for the guy. And then he went back and he said, There's a new sheriff in town. And what happened? You know the story.

ESV2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?

Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers. You know, we used to have a guy years ago who used to come to this fellowship. A wonderful guy. He was about 350 pounds. I remember doing this teaching and having a yoke or something to show, or maybe it was a broom. I wanted to show how to be unequally yoked. I had a little guy down below and then the yoke was very cockeyed. He had to bend down like that. Don't be unequally yoked, because that's what they do.

You figure that the guy is around 350 pounds. He was a iron worker so he was strong. You can imagine what he looked like unequally yoked to the kid. When you get unequally yoked with someone no matter how big you are, it's an awkward situation. The wimpy kid never pulls you up. They always pull you down.

I've got rotten tomatoes. I've also got this groundhog whose mission in life is to eat my tomatoes. It's the same darn groundhog, I think, that was on Caddy Shack or a relative of his. I'm winning so far. But he got about 12 of the tomatoes. That's his mission in life to eat my tomatoes.

Now, I can't take a tomato that he took a bite out of and put it upstairs with my good tomatoes; and then say to my good tomatoes "fix this tomato". You know what happens every single time? One bad tomato does what? Spoils the whole bunch.

A little leven levens the whole lump. See? That's what it is when you're unequally yoked. You don't choose this part. They pull you down. It doesn't mean you can't talk to people. It doesn't mean you can't have acquaintances. It does mean to be yoked; to be tied in; to be bound to. When you're yoked, you're bound. You can't get out. And then you have a miserable life because if your heart is to move forward for God. You're bound to that anchor.

ESV2 Corinthians 6:14-18 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,"I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17herefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

Don't be unequally yoked. If I had a nickel for every girl or for every guy that got hooked up with an unbeliever. And said, "Oh, it's going to be wonderful." And they're gone for dust. It doesn't work. See? God doesn't mince words. God does want to hurt people's feelings. And God is not calling any group this, that, or the other thing. He speaking truth and he saying it's an unclean thing. And that's loving. You know what isn't loving? To suppress the truth with a lie. That's not loving.

Philippians 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul was in prison, and unlike those parents who, for fear of the Jews, said what they said; This imprisonment of Paul: some of the believers rallied for the Word. And it says they waxed bold to speak the Word fearlessly. And that's where you've got to get in your life.

And I know that they make that very hard for you in your life. I know that. I know that you have to work. And I know that you have to put up with crap in your work because of the woke theology that permeates our land.

Okay, let me tell you story. There was a prophet who healed a man who had leprosy. His name was Naaman. And Naaman was cocky, and full of pride, but at the end of the day he got his tail kicked. And the Bible says his skin came clean like a little child. And Naaman was so thankful, because he was humbled.

You know what he said to the prophet? This is what he said. "I've got to go back," and he says "I've got to walk into this temple of this god; and my master is going to put his arm on mine. And is my duty, my job to do this. I don't want to do this. I came here to get healed. I got healed. That temple didn't heal me. That god didn't heal me. You healed me; but I've got to do this. What do I do?

Do you know the prophet said? Go in peace. You know why? That's what you had to do. That's what he had to do. God knew his heart wasn't there. He knew that that's was part of his responsibility. That's what he had to do.

Now, that's God's Word to you. You've got to put up with crap in your job. I know that. You've got to put up with stupid rules and regulations in your job. I know that. And if I know that, you don't think that God knows it? And his word to you is the same. Go in peace. That's not your heart. He knows that. He knows you love him. He knows you want to do his will. But this is a stupid world that we live in. These are the things that we're confronted with. See? Don't beat yourself up over that junk. You know the truth. Don't let anybody steal the truth from you.

Philippians 1:14-19 14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely (or sincerity), supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

And you've got the monkeys. "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some of good will:" How do you like that? Did you think you could preach Christ of envy and strife with a bad heart? Why? They suppose they'll add to Paul's afflictions. That was the reason why some of them were preaching Christ. because they wanted to shove it up Paul's posterior. They wanted to make it harder for Paul. The right kind of person doesn't do that. They preach it out of love.

Paul was set for the defense of the gospel. He didn't care. You do what you've got to do. This is what he says in verse 18. Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached. 'God bless', he says. That's what he said, 'God bless.' Good, bad, or indifferent: guess what? Christ gets preached. He gets preached.

So did they accomplish what they set out to do? Adding strife to him? No. Do you know why? Because he didn't allow it. And you've got to remember, you've got a choice where you go in your mind. Are you going to let someone take you there? You going to let someone agitate you? You going to let someone beat you up? Don't blame the person. I'd be looking at you. Why are you letting them do that?

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

What keeps you in perfect peace? Staying your mind on God." That's the key. Are you agitated? Are you full of anxiety? Do you have some stuff going on in your life? Maybe you don't know what's going on. Do you know what I'd do? I'd check to see if your mind's stayed on God. That's what I'd do. Because the promise is that he's going to keep you peaceful if you stay your mind on him.

Philippians 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Say what you want. This is what God says. So, I'm keeping my mind on him. This is what God says. That's what Paul said. He kept his mind on God and he was able to be peaceful. And he was able to be peaceful in prison. Right?

So when was the last time you were in prison that you had to stay your mind on God to be peaceful? So you don't have it that bad. You do have a choice. Don't listen to the devil. Don't let him define the rules of the conflict. You engage the devil. You tell him, "This is what the Word says. I choose the Word."

I can't do that for you. I have to do that for me. I can't make that decision. That's why it's important to come together to say hot on the Word; to encourage one another; to hear the Word of God. So that when you leave, you're strong. You're build up. And if something happens, this is what the Word says. Take it and apply it. Paul was in prison and he was a happy camper. He was rejoicing.

So the more you look at the world; the more you look at TV; the more you look at the laws and the rules of evil that the world enacts; the more depressed you going to get. The Bible says that if you stay your mind on God, you're going to have peace. Who here doesn't want peace? Everybody here wants peace. You just want peace.

Some people just want to be left alone. Some people want to go to a desert island or something. I just want peace. Peace. No noise, no clamor, no light pollution, no fog or smoke; I just want peace. Peace! You have it if you stay your mind on God.

It's a promise. God doesn't lie. Does God lie? Does Jesus lie? Then if it says he's going to keep you in perfect peace if you stay your mind on him, it is so. Is he a liar? No. That's right. He doesn't lie.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

The same guy that was just in prison is talking to a younger minister. There are some things he's going to have to learn to endure. Paul says, "preach the Word…" You're not going to preach the Word unless you're keeping your mind on God; unless you're reading the Word; unless you're filling yourself up with the Word. If you fill yourself up with the Word, you can't help but to preach it.

Listen to me. If you feel yourself up with watermelon, you don't have to worry about going potty. Where do I come up with these analogies? This is why they don't let me on prime time. Do you? No, it's a natural reaction. It's the same with the Word.

You put the Word in you and you can't help but see that it's going to come out. You get so much of the Word in you it's oozing and it's got to come out. You see, "Preach the Word. Be instant in season, out of season." Do you know what that means? Don't go to sleep. Be ready with the Word. Be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh what is the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Right? Speak the Word.

How do you speak the Word? Sometimes you've got to reprove. Sometimes you've got to rebuke. Suppose I don't want to do that, I might hurt somebody's feelings. Well, okay. Tell God to send a prophet down and rewrite the passage. As matter of fact, argue with him. Are you going to tell God "You don't know what you're doing?" That's what you're doing. The pot telling the potter. "I don't like that verse."

God says, "What are you doing? You don't talk to me that way." If God was Italian, that's how he would put it. You don't talk to me that way. You remember Jonah? You're going to sleep with the fish too… It's crazy. Stop it.

2 Timothy 4:2-5 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Paul said to Timothy, "This is what's going to happen.to me. You stay put. Don't move off the Word." Let them see what a genuine man or woman of God is. Make full proof of your ministry. And all of you can do that. See?

So you know what? If you want to get depressed, look at the world. If you want to get confused, follow Washington. But God would rather that you would be in perfect peace by keeping your mind on him. And he'll supply your needs. And he knows your heart and he knows the sticky, icky situations that we get into sometimes that we have to bite our tongues.

You know what? It's all going to come out in the wash. You might have to bite your tongue today. But when Jesus Christ comes back, I'm going to tell you what. Nobody's going to tell him to bite his tongue. So you can take rest in that and know that God loves you; and will provide for you. He gave you his son. Jesus died for you. Shall he not give you freely all things now? You're his children.

Lord, thank you for your word. Thank you, that we can continue to grow in your word. Thank you for your love, your goodness and your mercy. Thank you, that we can be men and women of integrity and resolve; and that we can stand upon your word in a family that you've called us to the global body of Christ. And thank you father for your wonderful, wonderful son; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and it's in his precious name I pray, amen.

ÿ
Note: All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. NIV indicates The New International Version, NKJV indicates the New King James Version, ASV means the American Standard Version, BBE means the Bible in Basic English, DBY means the Darby translation,  NAU means the American Standard Version, 1995 Edition, and NAB means the New American Bible translation. For more information, go to the Works Cited page.
Chapter & Verse Ministry * 1019 S. Park Avenue * Audubon * PA * 19403-2037
*Email us at chapterandverse1@aol.com or call us at (610) 574-1727.

This page was last updated 05/04/2024 by Lynn Hadley