David Azbell Ministries

Introduction

In the previous message "Basic Bible Survey" we learned that the Bible is the written word of God. That it is divided into two major divisions with each of those further divided into four sections each.  There are 39 books in the Old testament and 27 books in the new testament.The divisions of the Old testament are Law, History, Poetry, And Prophecy. And the four divisions of the new testament are Gospels, History, Letters and prophecy. This message will summarize each of the books of the Bible as well as providing ways of successful bible reading.

Key Verse 

Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy Word. (Psalms 119:169)

 Old Testament Books

Books of Law

Genesis: This books tells of the beginnings of all things, of mankind, the universe,Sabbath,sin,marriage, sacrifice, nations and government. We will be introduced to key men of God such as

 Abraham

Gen 17:5 KJV
(5) Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Isaac  (The son of Abraham)

Gen 17:19 KJV
(19) And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Jacob (The son of Isaac)

Gen 25:26 KJV
(26) And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

and Joseph.  (The 11th son of Jacob)

Gen 30:22-24 KJV
(22) And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
(23) And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
(24) And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

Exodus: Details how Israel became a nation, and how Moses was called to be their leader. It details how Moses was called upon to free the people from Bondage in Egypt.

Exo 3:11 KJV
(11) And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Tells of the travels of the people to MT Sinai where the Laws of God were given to Moses by God.

Leviticus: The manual of worship for the people of Israel. It is the instruction manual for religious leaders and explains how the sinful people can approach a righteous God. It relates to the coming of Christ the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world.

Numbers: Records the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness due to the disobedience of the people.

Num 14:33 KJV
(33) And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy: Records the final days of the life of Moses and reviews the laws given in Exodus and Leviticus.

Deu 34:7 KJV
(7) And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

Deu 1:1 KJV
(1) These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Books of History

Joshua: Details how Joshua was called to be the Leader after the Death of Moses.

Jos 1:1-2 KJV
(1) Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
(2) Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

It also details how he brought the people out of the wilderness and into the land that was promised to them.

Jos 22:4 KJV
(4) And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.

It records the military campaigns and the division of the land.

Jos 22:7 KJV
(7) Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,

Judges: After the death of Joshua the people turned from God. Judges tells of the story of the repeated sins and the Judges God raised up to deliver them from the enemy forces.

Jdg 1:1-3 KJV
(1) Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
(2) And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
(3) And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

Ruth: This covers the story of Ruth. Ruth is a woman from Moab a Gentile nation whom chose to serve the God of Israel.

Rth 1:4 KJV
(4) And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

Ruth became the Great Grandmother of David.

Rth 4:13-22 KJV
(13) So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
(14) And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
(15) And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
(16) And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.
(17) And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
(18) Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,
(19) And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,
(20) And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,
(21) And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
(22) And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

I Samuel: This book focuses on three people. The last of the Judges of Israel, Samuel.

1Sa 8:1-11 KJV
(1) And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
(2) Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
(3) And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
(4) Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
(5) And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
(6) But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
(7) And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
(8) According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
(9) Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
(10) And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.
(11) And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

Saul the first King of Israel.

1Sa 10:21-27 KJV
(21) When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
(22) Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
(23) And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
(24) And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
(25) Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
(26) And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
(27) But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

And Saul's successor David

II Samuel: Covers the 40 year reign of King David. Included in this books are the last words of King David.

2Sa 23:1-7 KJV
(1) Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
(2) The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
(3) The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
(4) And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
(5) Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
(6) But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
(7) But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.

I Kings: The work is named from its contents, since the entire subject of the whole is the history of the “kings” of Israel and Judah from the accession of Solomon to the Babylonian captivity.We see in the book of Kings that King David's son Solomon would become King upon the death of David.

1Ki 1:29-35 KJV
(29) And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
(30) Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.
(31) Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
(32) And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
(33) The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
(34) And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
(35) Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.

The book ends with the death of Ahab, thus the book covers the kings from Solomon to Ahab.

1Ki 22:22-40 KJV
(22) And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
(23) Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
(24) But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
(25) And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
(26) And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
(27) And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
(28) And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.
(29) So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
(30) And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
(31) But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
(32) And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.
(33) And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.
(34) And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
(35) And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
(36) And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.
(37) So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.
(38) And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.
(39) Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
(40) So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

II Kings: Covers the 308 years from the rebellion of Moab to the ruin Judah. 

2Ki 1:1 KJV
(1) Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.

I Chronicles: The preparations for building the temple and the reign of King David are covered in this book. This book was written about the same time as II Samuel

II Chronicles: Focusing on the Southern kingdom this book continues the History of Israel through the reign of Solomon.It closes with the decree of Cyrus allowing the people to return to Jerusalem from Babylon.

Ezra: In this book the details of the return of the people to Jerusalem is detailed.

Ezr 1:1 KJV
(1) Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Nehemiah: This book details the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This project began about 14 years after Ezra returned and was done under the direction of Nehemiah.

Esther: This book shows God's deliverance of the Jews using Esther and Mordecai.

Books of Poetry

Job: This book is the story of Job a man who lived around the time of Abraham. Its theme is one of why good men suffer. Here in the first twelve verses starts the story and gives a good understanding of how Job was a righteous man that would be allowed to suffer.

Job 1:1-10 KJV
(1) There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
(2) And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
(3) His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
(4) And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
(5) And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
(6) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
(7) And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
(8) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
(9) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
(10) Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
(11) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
(12) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Psalms: The prayer and Praise book.For example lets look at the first chapter.

Psa 1:1-6 KJV
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
(4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
(5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
(6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Proverbs: This book has the divine wisdom for everyday practical problems. For example look at how the book begins.

Pro 1:1-10 KJV
(1) The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
(2) To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
(3) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
(4) To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
(5) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
(6) To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
(7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(8) My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
(9) For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
(10) My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Ecclesiastes: This book is a discussion of how futile life is without God. From the first chapter to the end the preacher tells of how life would be with out God.

Ecc 1:1-18 MKJV
(1) The words of the preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
(2) Vanity of vanities, says the preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
(3) What is the profit to a man in all his labor which he labors under the sun?
(4) A generation passes away, and a generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
(5) The sun also arises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it arose.
(6) The wind goes toward the south, and it turns around to the north; it whirls around continually; and the wind returns on its circuits.
(7) All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; to the place from where the rivers come, there they return again.
(8) All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
(9) That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.
(10) Is there a thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? It has already been in days of old, which were before us.
(11) There is no memory of former things, and also no memory of after things which shall be; for neither shall be a remembrance of them with those who will be at the afterwards.
(12) I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
(13) And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all which is done under the heavens. It is a sad task God has given to the sons of men to be humbled by it.
(14) I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
(15) What is crooked cannot be made straight; and that lacking cannot be numbered.
(16) I spoke within my own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have gathered more wisdom than all that have been before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart has seen much of wisdom and knowledge.
(17) And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I know that this also is vexation of spirit.
(18) For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Song Of Solomon:Through the romance of romance of Solomon and his Shulamite bride. We can understand the Love God has for Israel and Christ's love for the Church.

Son 1:1-5 KJV
(1) The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
(2) Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
(3) Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
(4) Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
(5) I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

Throughout this book we will hear of the love through the words of Solomon. It is a series of Love poems that shows the Love God has for us as well as the Love Christ has for the church.

BOOKS OF PROPHECY:

Several of these books were written during a period when the nation of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: Israel and Judah.

Isaiah: Warns of coming judgment against Judah because of their sin against God.

Isa 1:1-2 KJV
(1) The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
(2) Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Jeremiah: Written during the later decline and fall of Judah. Told of the coming judgment and urged surrender to Nebuchadnezzar.Jeremiah was a priest, a native of Anathoth, in the tribe of Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office when very young, about seventy years after the death of Isaiah, and exercised it for about forty years.

Jer 1:1-5 KJV
(1) The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
(2) To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
(3) It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
(4) Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(5) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Lamentations: This book explains the misery of the Jewish Nation. It begins by explaining that the city has became like a widow.

Lam 1:1-5 KJV
(1) How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!
(2) She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.
(3) Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.
(4) The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
(5) Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.

And ends with the prayer for restoration.

Lam 5:1-22 KJV
(1) Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.
(2) Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
(3) We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.
(4) We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us.
(5) Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest.
(6) We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
(7) Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
(8) Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.
(9) We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.
(10) Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.
(11) They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.
(12) Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.
(13) They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.
(14) The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.
(15) The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.
(16) The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!
(17) For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.
(18) Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.
(19) Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.
(20) Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?
(21) Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
(22) But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

.

Daniel: The prophet Daniel was captured during the early siege of Judah and taken to Babylon. This book provides historic and prophetic teaching which is important in understanding Bible prophecy.

Dan 1:3-8 KJV
(3) And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
(4) Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
(5) And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
(6) Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
(7) Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
(8) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Hosea: Theme of this book is Israel's unfaithfulness, their punishment, and restoration by God.The first Verse tells us to whom these words of prophecy were given to.

Hos 1:1 KJV
(1) The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

Joel: Tells of the plagues which foreshadowed future judgment. The words were given to the prophet Joel we can see this in verse 1.

Joe 1:1 KJV
(1) The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.

 

Joe 1:4 KJV
(4) That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

Amos: During a period of material prosperity but moral decay, Amos warned Israel and surrounding nations of God's future judgment on their sin.

Amo 1:1-6 KJV
(1) The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
(2) And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
(3) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
(4) But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.
(5) I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.
(6) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom:

Obadiah: God's judgment against Edom, an evil nation located south of the Dead Sea.

Oba 1:1-3 KJV
(1) The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
(2) Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
(3) The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

Jonah: The story of the prophet Jonah who preached repentance in Ninevah, capitol of the Assyrian empire. The book reveals God's love and plan of repentance for the Gentiles. The story starts out showing us that Jonah did not do as he was instructed at first.

Jon 1:1-10 KJV
(1) Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
(2) Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
(3) But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
(4) But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
(5) Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
(6) So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
(7) And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
(8) Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
(9) And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
(10) Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

Micah: Another prophecy against Israel's sin. Foretells the birthplace of Jesus 700 years before the event happened.

Mic 1:1-5 KJV
(1) The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
(2) Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple.
(3) For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
(4) And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.
(5) For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?

Nahum: Tells of the impending destruction of Ninevah which had been spared some 150 years earlier through Jonah's preaching.

Nah 1:1-5 KJV
(1) The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
(2) God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
(3) The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
(4) He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
(5) The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

Habakkuk: Reveals God's plan to punish a sinful nation by an even more sinful one. Teaches that "the just shall live by faith."

Hab 1:5 KJV
(5) Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

Hab 2:4 KJV
(4) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Zephaniah: Judgment and restoration of Judah.

Zep 3:12 KJV
(12) I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

Haggai: Urges the Jews to rebuild the temple after a 15 year delay due to enemy resistance.

Hag 1:1-2 KJV
(1) In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
(2) Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.

Zechariah: Further urging to complete the temple and renew spiritual commitment. Foretells Christ's first and second comings.

Zec 6:9-15 KJV
(9) And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
(10) Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
(11) Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
(12) And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
(13) Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
(14) And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
(15) And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Malachi: Warns against spiritual shallowness and foretells the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus.

Mal 3:1 KJV
(1) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Introduction

This is just a basic overview and introduction to the Bible.The fact that Jesus referenced the old testament scriptures in his earthly ministry makes it known that He placed great importance on knowing the content of the Scriptures.

This message introduces the Bible which is the written Word of the one true God. The word "Bible" means "the books." The Bible is one volume which consists of 66 separate books.

The word "Scripture" is also used to refer to God's Word. This word comes from a Latin word which means "writing." When the word "Scripture" is used with a capital "S" it means the sacred writings of the one true God. The word "Bible" is not used in the Bible. It is a word selected by men as a title for all of God's Words.

KEY VERSES:

II Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Origin of the Bible 

The Bible was written by approximately 40 men over 1500 years. The words were inspired by God and written by these men.

The Purpose of the Bible

The Bible was given to us so we might know God and his Love for us. It was written to reveal to us that God is the Creator of mankind. To reveal how sin entered the world and separated us from Him. To reveal the redemption of heaven and the eternal destiny of our soul. 

The Scriptures are used to teach doctrine,to reprove and correct from evil, and to teach righteousness. They will help you to live right and to equip you to work for God.

Major Divisions

The Bible has two major divisions, The Old and New Testaments. Testament by meaning is covenant which means agreement. The old testament is the original agreement between man and God and the new testament is the new agreement made through Jesus Christ.

Both agreements were the same in subject, restoring sinful man to the right relationship with God. God made the law in Hebrews 9:22,

Heb 9:22 KJV
(22) And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Only through the shedding of blood can sin be forgiven.The difference between the two agreements is that in the Old Testament man sacrificed animals for the shedding of blood. However in the New testament the sacrifice was the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Once for all mankind. Thus making the shed blood of Jesus Christ the final sacrifice for all. This is shown to us in Hebrews 9:11-15.

Heb 9:11-15 KJVV (11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (12) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (13) For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: (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? (15) And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Both of the testaments are the word of God and it is necessary to study both to fully understand God's message. The Old is the agreement before the death of Christ and the new is the agreement after the death of Christ.

Further Divisions

The Bible is divided into 66 books between the two testaments.The old testament contains 39 books while the new has 27 books. Each book has been broken into chapters and verses by man in order to help find specific passages.

Unity Of The Bible

There are two things that we mean when we say the unity of the Bible. We mean it is united in content and in theme.

United in Content:

 Even though the Bible was written by many men and over a period of 1500 years, there are no contradictions in the Bible. Though the Bible covers many subjects that are controversial. One writer does not contradict another.  Even though when these subjects are mentioned create different opinions the writers wrote with harmony from the first book to the last. This was only possible because there was only truly one author, using many writers. This is the reason why the Bible stayed united in content.

United in Theme

Though the Bible is a collection of 66 books, there is but one major theme. All 66 books reveal God's special purpose which is summarized in Ephesians:

Eph 1:9-11 KJV(9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
(10) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
(11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

The Bible reveals the mystery of God's plan, which is the theme of all 66 books. It is the revelation that Jesus Christ is the savior of sinful mankind. Jesus explained in Luke how the old testament centered around him.

Luk 24:44 KJV(44) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

After this introduction Jesus continued with the opening of their understanding.

Luk 24:45 KJV (45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Then Jesus continued on to give them the key to understanding the scriptures. In Luke 24:46-48 we see that the Major theme focused on Him:

Luk 24:46-48 KJV(46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
(47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(48) And ye are witnesses of these things.

Both testaments tell the story of Jesus. The old prepares us for the happening, the new tells how it happened. This unites the two in theme, in the old testament people were saved through faith in God's promises. Now we are saved by faith that it happened just as God promised.

Diversity of the Bible

 By diversity we mean that the Bible has variety. It records the many different ways God dealt with the people and the different ways they responded to him. The Bible was written in different moods, some express joy while others reflect sorrow.The Bible contains history, poetry, prophecy, letters, adventure, parables, miracles, and love stories. Because of its variety, the Bible has been further divided into major groups of books.

Old Testament Divisions

 The Old Testament in broken into four major groups: Law, history, poetry and prophecy.

THE BOOKS OF THE LAW:

There are five books of law. The names of these books are:

• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy

These books record the creation of man and the early history of mankind.They tell how God grew up the nation of Israel as a people by which he could reveal himself to the world.

In these books we find the laws given by God. For example we are given the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:

Exo 20:3-17 KJV
(3) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
(4) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
(5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
(6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
(7) Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
(8) 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 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.
(12) Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
(13) Thou shalt not kill.
(14) Thou shalt not commit adultery.
(15) Thou shalt not steal.
(16) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
(17) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

With in these these ten commandments lies the foundation for all law and for living life. They cover most any situation that one will come across as they live their life here on earth. In Deuteronomy we are given the greatest commandment of all.

Deu 6:5 KJV
(5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And in Leviticus 19 we are given the second greatest command.

Lev 19:18 KJV
(18) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

This is just an example of the laws given to us in these books.

The Books of History

• Joshua
• Judges
• Ruth
• I and II Samuel
• I and II Kings
• I and II Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther

Shows the major events of God's people over a period of 1000 years. Showing what happened to the people in both following and ignoring God's Law.

The Books of Poetry

• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon

These books not just served as the books of worship during the old testament times, many are still used regularly today in worship. For an example of the poetry we can look in any of these books, for an example read Psalms 1

Psa 1:1-6 KJV
(1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
(4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
(5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
(6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

There are two divisions of prophetic books in the old testament Major and Minor. The difference is in the size of the book, it has no reflection on importance of either the writer nor the writing. There is a total of 17 books between the two divisions.

Major Prophets

• Isaiah
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Ezekiel
• Daniel

Minor Prophets

• Hosea
• Nahum
• Joel
• Habakkuk
• Amos
• Zechariah
• Obadiah
• Haggai
• Jonah
• Zechariah
• Micah
• Malachi

These books are the messages from God to his people about future events. Some of these have been fulfilled and some are yet to come.

NEW TESTAMENT DIVISIONS

The New Testament has also been divided into four groups: Gospels, History, Letters, and Prophecy.

The Gospels

There are four Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Gospels tells the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Gospels is stated in John

Joh 20:31 KJV
(31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

They are to lead you to believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God.

The Book of History

The book of Acts is the only book of history in the New Testament. It explains how the church began, and how the church fulfilled the commission of spreading the Gospel through out the world.

Letters

There is a total of 21 letters in the new testament,  these letters are also at times called epistles which stands for letters. These letters tell believers how to live and how to fulfill what Jesus commanded.

Prophecy

The book of Revelations is the book of prophecy in the new testament. It is the final book of the bible and tells of the end times. It tells of the final victory of Jesus and his people. 

Rev 2:10 KJV
(10) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Here in 2:10 we are given the summation of the message. It is our encouragement to live a Christian life, and tells what we will receive in the end.

Isa 56:11 (11) Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

In order to understand verse 11 we have to look at verse 10 first. Here the watchmen are described as being blind. The watchmen of the times were the prophets, priests, ministers and other leaders. Today the world is much more complex and many more watchmen are needed.

The watchmen of that day were suppose to watch out for the people and warn them of danger. In the time of Isaiah the danger was more of a threat of harm or death. However, it was the duty of the watchmen, who had been placed to watch over the people, to warn them in the event of danger.

Clergy today are the watchmen of the congregation. It is our called duty to watch over the flock and warn them of danger. The danger can be direct physical danger, emotional danger, or spiritual danger. Many Clergy members today choose to ignore the warnings Isaiah has given to them. They have been warned that these blind watchmen are like a dog that doesn't bark, they are sleeping and love to slumber.

Physical danger can range from being in danger of physical harm from another or from not being prepared. We may fall and suffer injury, we may be involved in traffic accident, or we may be in the midst of a natural disaster. In any of these areas we are expected to be watching over the flock and warning them of the danger. If one is doing things that can lead to physical danger then we are to warn them of this and to instruct them in the ways to avoid the danger.

Emotional danger is a danger where one may be involved in a relationship that is not working out. Maybe the relationship is suffering from abuse, or lack of respect for one another. The husband or the wife may be committing acts against the other. The relationship may not be strong emotionally and the love is not as it should be. Is it not your duty as a member of God's called leaders to counsel this couple? Is it not your responsibility to warn them of the danger that is approaching? Shouldn't you be watching over them and instructing them in Godly counsel?

Spiritual danger seems to be the one that pastors do the best. They seem to notice when one is failing in a relationship with Christ.

The other types of danger are a little more difficult to see, however we are still expected to watch out for the danger. The world today, being so complex, needs many watchmen. We elect watchmen to run our country, we elect watchmen to oversee the justice system. What should we do if these watchmen seem to not be watching over us or when there is no desire to be a leader or watchman? Are we suppose to just sit back and allow these watchmen to continue as they are. We have a duty not to ignore the way they handle their duties whether we think they are Christians or not.

Now in 56:11 the watchmen of the time and the watchmen of today are described as greedy dogs. They are they who can never have enough and they are the shepherds who cannot understand. Many clergy members today will claim this is out of context, however, it is only because they are afraid of the uprising that may follow. Clergy members will say that they are the shepherds because the shepherds are those that have been called to watch the flock. I say that anyone you have entrusted to watch you is a shepherd.

The watchmen today are more than just the religious leaders. We have so many other watchmen in this country. We have the government, the judicial branches, and private companies. The private businesses handle many aspects of our daily lives. They promise to be watching out for us and have our interest in mind. However, this is not true. The watchmen of today are all those that we have given authority to rule over our lives. These watchmen range from the elected officials we have entrusted to run the country, the local business owner we have trusted with our daily needs, school teachers, ministers, insurance companies, judges, governors, ETC. They have all been entrusted to be our watchmen. They make promises, sell you insurance, guide you in decisions and will warn you of danger, but only if that danger will not effect them.

Any person or company who has your trust, helps to guide you in decisions, helps to adequately insure your family, the physician you see, these are all shepherds. If we look at only the Christian shepherds, we are walking down a very dark road that leads to destruction. Today, too many pastors, being afraid of unsettling the congregation, try to avoid these issues. They are afraid if they point out these failures the flock will begin to separate and will possibly leave. However, as a man of God I know that I must be willing to always, no matter what the cost, spread the good news of the gospel. I must be able and willing to bring God's instruction to the people no matter what the personal gain or loss may be.

If I have governmental officials in the congregation and I say that they are shepherds and they are leading us astray. Or if I say that they are greedy dogs, should I be afraid that I may offend them making them not come back to another service? Is it not my responsibility as the shepherd of God's flock to warn the people of these things? Is it not my responsibility to preach that we need to change these things? Do I not need to preach all of God's Word?

It is easy to side step the issues, it is easy to look at the Scripture and misinterpret the meaning. That is what many today say about these verses. They say that it is the clergy and the teachers of the Word that are the shepherds. Yet, if we look at the definition of a shepherd, it is anyone who has been given a duty of watching over sheep. Most clergy want to say that in the Bible the sheep are always the flock of God. Most ministers say that sheep are the people of the church, the people that come to us to hear the Word and to be fed spiritually. But the Bible uses the same term for the shepherd of the herd of sheep. The description is the same, the shepherd is required to feed the flock, water them, and protect them from dangers. I come to you to say that is exactly what a pastor is to do. We are to feed the people, water them and protect them or warn them of danger. Furthermore, if that is the definition of shepherd, where do we find that the government is not the shepherd of the country? Or the insurance companies, are they not the shepherds of their insured? Or the doctors, do they not have patients as their flock?

It would be easier for me, or other ministers, to ignore the unpleasant part of this world. We, however, have been called to reveal the errors and dangers. Just because they work for the government, or an insurance company, or maybe a doctor or hospital that is not who they are. It is up to the clergy of today to point out the dangers, to give instruction as to how the flock can be better. It is necessary that, when we see things that are against the Word of God, we bring this to the attention of the flock. If we continue to look for excuses, or if we continue to avoid them, because of who we may make mad, we are not delivering the Word of God. Did Jesus worry about who He made mad? Did Jesus not preach about the taxation in front of the tax collectors? Did Jesus not deliver the Gospel to all people who would listen?

We have to move to a higher ground. We have to begin to move into territory that may be uncomfortable for us. We need to teach our flock that it is God's will that must be done. We must protect the children of God from the things that are not of God. We have to preach that we need to reform the government, that we have to reform health care and that we have to reform the way of thinking.

We are a nation of missed opportunities and it is time that we change this. See we have greedy dogs watching over us. They are driven by the love of money .The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim 6:10). Our government, while we continue to be over $400 billion in deficit, continues to spend money foolishly. Our government lawmakers, thanks to our taxes, have a good retirement plan, better than any of us. The government leaders have excellent retirement benefits thanks to all the hard working American citizens. They have a great health insurance plan, even upon retirement, however, the average citizen of the United States will retire in poverty with inadequate Medicare health insurance coverage. I have not heard of any governmental employees who retire into poverty with no insurance. Why do we as Americans continue to allow ourselves to live in poverty while we continue to allow our government leaders great riches?

If we continue to miss the opportunity to change things than we will continue to allow the leaders to get richer as we get poorer. If we continue to allow them to oppress us then we will never live any better. Moses was sent to release the Children of Isreal from Pharaoh who was keeping them as slaves and leaving them oppressed. God did not intend for this to be the normal so he sent Moses to get them freed. This oppression as continue even into today. We do not have a King or a dictator oppressing us. Instead we have a host of others doing this, we have a government, insurance companies, and businesses that all keep oppressing us.

Through a greed that is fueled by evil we allow these greedy watchmen to continue to grow riches while making the poor, poorer. It is time that we as Americans begin to take back the control over our own lives. The very Government that is suppose to be taking care of us, continues to offer business big tax breaks to move there companies outside the United States. These business move out of the country causing great lose of jobs, families with no income and no way to support themselves. But that is okay, because we should suffer for other countries, Right?

We continue to loose jobs by companies outsourcing the jobs or moving the entire companies out of the country. Yet we do not stand up to the leaders and protest. Missed opportunities are the biggest down fall of the American people. Just Imagine of Susan B. Anthony had missed the opportunity to change the women's voting rights. If The fore fathers had missed the opportunity to right the Constitution? Or if Columbus had not missed the opportunity to settle here? How much different would things be today?

God did not miss any opportunities and he always gave us a way to capitalize on every opportunity. He gave Noah a great opportunity and he followed through. He gave Moses the opportunity to free the children of Isreal. He gave so many opportunities so we could inherit the great riches of the Kingdom of God. He however also created these opportunities so we could have prosperous lives here as well. We just keep missing the opportunity and allow our very lives to be wrapped into oppression.

David Azbell

It was a Friday morning the 13th of June 2003. The accident was horrific. The collision was head on. The driver would have to be extricated. And all the while a five year old would have to watch and listen. She was trapped in the back seat, so they thought. The first one on scene did not even realize she was there. She could not be seen. The drivers side of the car had been pushed back into the back seat. The doors would not open. The driver of the vehicle (my sister) would not survive the accident.

Tracey Master who is a dispatcher for the Torrance County Dispatch office, would be one of the first ones on the scene. As she was going home from work she came across the accident and pulled over. When she approached my sisters car she saw that there was nothing she could do for her. Then she heard the cry of a child. She could not see the child nor get to her. All she could do is reach her arm inside the vehicle and hold the child’s hand. She held the child’s (Destiny Azbell) hand as rescue workers extricated first my sister from the vehicle then removed Destiny.

She did not let go even after Destiny was removed from the vehicle. She went to the ambulance with Destiny and helped the paramedics comfort her and treat her. Destiny would not allow the paramedics to treat her inside the car and was not being very cooperative in the ambulance from what I hear. Tracey went as far as putting on a oxygen mask so as Destiny would see that it was okay. She most definitely went far beyond what is expected of a person. I can only imagine what the whole scene must have been like. I can only imagine the terror that Destiny must have felt.

I truly wish that there was more that I could do. However I do not know of any way that I could repay the debt that I owe this very special lady. I could never begin to express in words the feelings that I have. Thank you just really doesn’t seem to be enough. Every now and then you hear of a special person and faith in mankind is restored. By far Tracey has restored that faith. She was the Angel that this little child needed in her time of need. She was there for her when no one else was. She was there during the most terrifying time in her young life. As this child lay there helpless and terrified Tracey reached out to her and comforted her. As this child went through what many of us will never experience Tracey stuck by her.

Tracey is truly a very special person. She has shown that the people of the country do still care for one another. She has shown that she cares for mankind that she will take the time to comfort a stranger during a tragedy. She unlike many others stopped and did all that she could. I know that my sister was in God’s hands, however he put Destiny in the hands of an Angel and her name is Tracey Master. Tracey will never be forgotten by this family and especially by this Grandpa.

Destiny only had minor injuries and has recovered completely. She is at home in Amarillo Texas and seems to be doing well.