Whatnots
1. "Nots" In The Bible
2. Fret Not
3. They Remembered Not God’s Mercies
4. Fear Not
5. “Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding”
6. “Thou Shalt Not”
7. He Wist Not
8. Know Not
9. Be Not
10. Not Forsaking
11. Marvel Not
12. Would Not Hear
13. Forget Not The Lord's Benefits
14. I Shall Not Want
15. "If It Had Not Been The Lord"
16. Palm Sunday - The Disciples Understood Not
17. He That Walks In Darkness Knows Not Where He Goes
18. They Were Not All Clean
19. Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled
20. “Not This Man, But Barabbas”
21. “I Know Not The Man”
22. Not Of Works
23. Easter Sunday - “He Is Not Here: For He Is Risen”
24. "Not My Will, But Thine"
25. We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight
26. If I Have Not Love, I Am Nothing
27. Why Not Come To Jesus Now?
28. No, Not One
29. Closing Scriptures
1. "Nots" In The Bible
Preacher John Byerly recently spoke at Pine Grove Baptist Church on Psalm 37. The Psalm begins with “Fret not thyself because of evildoers…” “Fret not” is used again in verses 7 and 8. Later, when I was thinking about our next theme, I remembered his sermon. I thought of other “nots” in the Bible, such as fear not, forsake not, sin not, and believed not. And that’s how I came up with the title, “Whatnots”. Let’s see what other “nots” we can find in the Bible.
2. Fret Not
In Psalm 37 David gives us three things that can make us fret. From the first verse we see that we should not fret over the sin and wickedness of the world. “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.” Verse 7 tells us, “fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” And in verse 8 we read, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” When we fret and become irritated or angry over circumstances we can lose our joy. So, what can we do instead? David gives us the answer.
“3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” (Psalm 37:3-8)
3. They Remembered Not God’s Mercies
The following Sunday, Preacher Byerly’s sermon was from Psalm 106. As he was reading his text I noticed several “nots”. The Psalmist is looking back over the past and reminding the people how Israel did not see how good God had been to them. God had given them mercy and grace and had compassion on them. God has also been so good to us. He gives us mercy and grace in salvation! As we read these verses, think of the times we have been guilty in the same manner as the Israelites.
They understood not and they remembered not… “Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.” (Psalm 106:7)
They waited not… “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:” (verse 13)
They believed not… “Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:” (verse 24)
They hearkened not… “But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.” (verse 25)
How often do we forget the goodness of the Lord? How many times have we not waited on the Lord or believed His word? And how sad when we murmur and complain and fail to listen to what God tells us. Even in our failure, we can find hope in verses 44 and 45. “Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: And he remembered for them his covenant,…” God still hears when we cry to Him.
4. Fear Not
There are 63 verses in the Bible that use the phrase, “Fear Not.” There are also scriptures which tell us to “Be not afraid.” Many things can bring on fear and anxiety. Doctor visits and procedures, and worry about finances or the future, are just a few things that can make us afraid. When our firstborn son was about 3 he was afraid of the dark. We taught him Bible stories and verses. One of the first memory verses that he learned to say was, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalm 56, verse 3”. In Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Lucy suggests that Charlie Brown has pantophobia, which she says is, “the fear of everything.” Even as adults we can have fears. Jesus taught His followers to fear not. I hope you can find encouragement in these verses from Luke 12. A God who knows the number of hairs on your head will surely take care of you.
“6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Verses from Luke 12)
5. “Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding”
How many times have we wanted to throw our hands up into the air and say, “I just don’t understand”? We try to do what’s right, and still things go wrong. We make plans, just to watch them fall apart. When our children were small we would sometimes get a little extra money, and then the next week something would break down and take the extra we had just received. I learned to tell the Lord thank you for providing what He knew we would need. The truth is, problems come, and we don’t understand. Sometimes we don’t know which way to go, but we do know Who we can turn to. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Seek the Lord, and trust in His Word. God’s ways are high above our ways.
“6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:6-12)
6. “Thou Shalt Not”
As we think about “Nots” in the Bible, we remember the most common ones which are found in the Ten Commandments. God wrote the Ten Commandments with His finger. It is sad that the people were worshiping a golden calf while He was on the mountaintop with Moses. I am so glad that we are under grace and not under the law, but it is still good to remember what God has said. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
“1 And God spake all these words, saying,
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
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.” (Exodus 20:1-20)
7. He Wist Not
The life of Samson is one of the saddest in the Old Testament. His birth was announced by the Angel of the Lord. His parents were careful to bring him up according to the instructions given by the Angel. Notice his beginning, “And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.” (Judges 13:24-25) When a young lion roared against him, “And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.” (Judges 14:6) In verse 19 of the same chapter we read, “And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them,…” His enemies had no power against him because he had the power of God on his life. “And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.” (Judges 15:14-15) But, Samson broke his vows with God. He started out right, but he didn’t finish right. And he didn’t even realize that he departed so far from God that the Lord departed from him. “And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” (Judges 16:20)
“17 That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.
19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.
20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
21 But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.” (Judges 16:17-21)
It’s not enough that we start out right. We need to finish right. We need to stay strong for the Lord and be obedient to His Word. When Samson’s hair grew back he prayed to God for strength one more time. God gave him strength to pull the house down which killed about 3,000 men and women.
“22 Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.
25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.
28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.” (Judges 16:22-30)
8. Know Not
As little babies we come into this world knowing nothing. We learn as we grow. Sometimes people reach an age where they think they know everything. But, they learn as they grow, and something often happens to make them realize that they didn’t know as much as they thought they did. I’m somewhere in the next category. I am thankful for the knowledge that I have, but I also realize that there is a lot that I don’t know. I am thankful that I can look up almost anything on the internet and find answers, although I also realize that the answers I find may not be true. In the later years of life many minds revert back similar to childhood, and they lose the memories they once had. There are several verses in the Bible that mention things we, “know not”. I want to share three of those examples today.
Sometimes when we are going through storms, or we are at a crossroad in life, we don’t know how to pray. But, the Spirit helps us during those times and God’s Word tells us something that we do know.
“26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:26-28)
We also don’t know what tomorrow will bring. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 14:14-15) The last example of what we don’t know is, we do not know when we will meet the Lord. It could be today. Are you ready?
“31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:” (Mark 13:31-35)
9. Be Not
After teaching 32 years in a public school Michael retired and started teaching in a Christian school. I enjoyed helping him with his bulletin boards and with my love for gardening and bees, I created a “Be” board decorated with honeybees. Around the honey in the center were “Be” verses, such as Be kind, Be Thankful, Be Joyful, Be Still, Be Born Again… with the scripture references. There are also verses in the Bible that tell us, “Be Not…” I finished the bulletin board and it was up quite a while when one day I read the verse, “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12) I knew that I had to add a sloth to the board. I was pleased with how he looked. Here are more passages that tell us to “Be not…”
“ For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” (Mark 6:50)
“ But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” (II Thessalonians 3:13)
“ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)
“Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.” (Jeremiah 13:15)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6)
“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.” (Luke 21:8)
“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:27)
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (II Peter 3:8)
“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:” (Romans 11:20)
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” (Romans 12:16)
10. Not Forsaking
I want to ask you a question that you will probably think is none of my business. But, that’s okay because I won’t know the answer anyway. Were you able to go to church yesterday? Did you go? I missed half a year last year with cancer surgery and chemotherapy, so I understand there are times when we can’t go. You may have been sick, or had to work, or maybe you had to take care of someone and couldn’t go to church. There are reasons we can’t go to church. Ask yourself if you didn’t go because of a good reason, or just used an excuse. In Hebrews 10:23 the writer tells us to be faithful, because God is faithful to us. In verse 24 he tells us that we can be examples to others and provoke them to do what’s right. And in verse 25 he makes it simple, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…” I hope that you will think about these scriptures and maybe next Sunday you will go to church and worship the Lord. If you don’t have a church home, and you live in our vicinity, I want to invite you to Pine Grove Baptist Church in High Point, North Carolina. I would love to see you Sunday morning at 10:30.
“23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
11. Marvel Not
The word, “marvel” means to be amazed or astonished. There are many marvelous things in the Bible, but John gives us times when we are to, “Marvel not”. The first is when Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night. Jesus said to him, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
“3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:3-7)
Jesus continued the conversation with John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jesus tells us not to marvel about salvation, and He also tells us not to marvel about the resurrection. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29) Then, in his first letter, when John was telling them to love one another, he says, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” (I John 3:13) Jesus had explained this earlier. We should not be surprised or amazed when the world hates the name of Jesus and His church. And we should not be surprised when the world hates us.
“18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:18-20)
12. Would Not Hear
I wonder how many times heartache, pain, and suffering, could have been spared if someone had only listened. When I was young we were taught “cause and effect”, where something happens because of something else. I have also heard it called “the lesson of sowing and reaping”. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8) In reading through the Old Testament we see time and time again that the Israelites did not listen to God, they would not hear, and they suffered the consequences. “And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.” (Nehemiah 9:29) We need to pray for our country. We need to pray that our leaders will hear the Word of God and obey it. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22) II Chronicles 7:14 is a promise from God. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God has also spoken to the church. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:20 & 22) We all need to hear. “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 22:29)
13. Forget Not The Lord’s Benefits
In the past week two different friends have sent messages on Facebook asking me how I am doing. I am doing well. When compared to last year at this time, I am doing great. In March 2023 I was going through chemo. Days were long and hard, and nights were longer. I am so thankful that God brought me through that storm and is giving me more strength as time goes by. I am thankful for our church and how the Lord encourages us through sermons and fellowship with good friends. When I go to bed at night and I have trouble sleeping, I pray for family and friends and tell the Lord, “Thank you” for our home, and the things He provides for us. There are so many things, and people, and moments that I see as the Lord’s benefits to me. Most of all I am thankful that one day when I was a young girl the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and showed me that I was a lost sinner. I asked Jesus to save me and He did, and He has been with me all these years! I have only listed a few, but we have so many benefits from the Lord it is hard to count them. This Psalm of David reminds us to “forget not all his benefits.”
“1 <<A Psalm of David.>> Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.” (Verses form Psalm 103)
14. I Shall Not Want
I was young when I memorized the 23rd Psalm. So young, that I didn’t understand the first verse. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” I would think about the verse and then I would think about things that I wanted. I wondered how a person could not want things. After experiencing the Lord’s goodness and knowing the many, many times that He provided every need for our family I can understand what David was saying. From time to time we do have needs, but God continues to provide. On the other side of not wanting more, is wanting less. I have reached a time in my life where I want less. I have read many articles on minimalism and I often see a description of myself in them. From time to time I go through my stuff and give away things that I no longer need or use. Michael told me one time that he didn’t know anybody who liked to get rid of stuff as much as I did. I told him that once I gave something away I didn’t have to clean it, or pick it up, or find a place to put it, ever again. Closets and cabinets have a way of getting crowded to the point that I can’t find what I need, for all the stuff that’s in the way. If we’re not careful our lives can get the same way when we fill our days with more and more stuff to do, and we don’t have time to read God’s Word, and pray, and be thankful to the Lord. You may already know Psalm 23, but it’s always a good time to read it again and be reminded of all that the Lord provides.
“1 <<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23:1-6)
15. “If It Had Not Been The Lord”
I want to look at another Psalm of David today that begins, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…” (Psalm 124:1) Have you ever been in a close call and thought, “If it had not been for the Lord, I don’t know what would have happened”? I look back at last year with the cancer and chemo and other medical problems that I had and I know that it was the Lord that brought me through. I never would have made it if it had not been for the Lord. I also think of God’s gift of salvation. If it had not been for the Lord I would have no hope, in this life, or in the life to come. Today would be a good day to thank the Lord for all those times when you felt, “If it had not been for the Lord…”
“1 <<A Song of degrees of David.>> If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:1-8)
16. Palm Sunday - The Disciples Understood Not
Today is Palm Sunday. As we move from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, let’s look at some of the “nots” that we find during that time in the scriptures. In the book of Luke, when Jesus tried to prepare the disciples for His death and resurrection, we find that they did not understand what He was trying to tell them.
“31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” (Luke 18:31-34)
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all tell us of Psalm Sunday, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. John tells us that the disciples “understood not”. There are times in our lives when we don’t understand what is happening. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will enlighten us so that we have a better understanding. There are also some things that we understand after some time has passed and other events unfolded. I have heard some people say that we will understand when we get to heaven. I believe that there are many things that we won’t care to understand once we see Jesus. All of our troubles and trials will then be over and when Jesus wipes away all our tears I think our memory of those things will be wiped away as well.
“12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.” (John 12:12-16)
17. He That Walks In Darkness Knows Not Where He Goes
As we continue in chapter 12 of John we see Jesus trying to explain the difference in light and darkness to the disciples. “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46) “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:” (John 12:37)
“24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:” (John 12:24-37)
18. They Were Not All Clean
In chapter 13 of John we see that Jesus wanted to teach the disciples to serve one another and He served them as He washed their feet. The first verse tells us that Jesus loved His own, unto the end. I have seen the “He Gets Us” commercials about washing the feet of others. Jesus did wash the feet of all the disciples, even of Judas Iscariot, whom He knew would betray Him. (“For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” John 13:11) But, we all have to come to Jesus the same way, by confessing and turning away from our sin and believing that He is the only way to heaven. God loves us all so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place. Everyone who rejects Jesus will stand before God and will be judged. We must be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6) “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10) “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
“1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:1-15)
19. “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”
I can imagine how troubled the disciples were as Jesus tried to tell them He was going to be betrayed and die. So in chapter 14 we see how Jesus comforted His disciples.
“1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Verses from John 14)
20. “Not This Man, But Barabbas”
The Jews traded Jesus for a robber. They chose Barabbas instead of Jesus. In the Old Testament Elijah stood against the prophets of Baal and the people would not choose God. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” (I Kings 18:21) Joshua chose the Lord and told the Israelites to choose whom they would serve. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15) You have a choice. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16 & 18) If you have not made the choice to trust Jesus for salvation, then you are making the very devastating choice of death over life.
“33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.” (John 18:33-40)
21. “I Know Not The Man”
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. Jesus knew that he would. Jesus also knew that Peter would deny Him. We must be careful not to judge Peter. We may not say, “I know not the man”, but have we denied Jesus by being ashamed to pray in a public restaurant? Have we denied Jesus by not standing up for what’s right, or speaking up when we know that we should? Have we denied Jesus by not serving Him, or giving Him our all? Have we denied Jesus by seeking the things of the world? Have we denied Jesus by posting or sharing things online that go against the Word of God? Have we denied Jesus by not teaching our children and grandchildren the importance of following Jesus? Can the world see Jesus in us?
“69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75)
22. Not Of Works
In John 14:6 we read, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the only way to heaven and eternal life. We cannot buy our way to heaven. We are not saved by doing good works, but we will do good works after we are saved. We can only be saved by believing in Jesus and trusting Him to save us. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;" (Titus 3:5-6)
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Paul tells us how to be saved in the book of Romans.
Accept that you are a sinner -- "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23) -- with no other way of salvation but by Jesus. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ -- "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Confess your sin to Jesus and trust in Him --
"9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
23. Easter Sunday - “He Is Not Here: For He Is Risen”
It’s Easter Sunday. Let’s praise the Lord! Jesus gave His life on the cross to pay for my sin and your sin and on the third day He rose again.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” (Matthew 28:5-10)
Because He lives, we can live!
“13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
24. “Not My Will, But Thine”
As we continued with our “Whatnots” last week, we looked at some of the events leading up to Easter and also saw some of the failures of man. But Christ our risen Savior never failed. He knew the pain and suffering He would bear, but He went to Calvary to pay for our sin and freely give us salvation. Jesus prayed, “…not my will, but thine, be done.”
“39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46)
Did you know that Jesus taught His disciples to pray that way? When we pray do we pray that God’s will be done?
“9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
25. We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight
Waiting for doctors’ appointments are always hard for me. Last week, as I prayed and tried to go to sleep the night before, I kept trying to pray that God’s will would be done. I prayed that the doctor would know the answer to my problems. And I remembered Bible verses about “Fear not” and putting all my trust in the Lord. Then, I remembered, II Corinthians 5:7, (For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) We can’t see the days ahead, but we can have faith in our God that He is already there. We don’t know what direction our path will take, but we know that the Lord will go with us. We don’t know how difficult or hard the days will be, but we know that the Lord is still in control and He will never leave us. We know that the Lord loves us and that He is working it out for good. God led the Israelites through the wilderness by a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. I used to think how much easier life would be if God put big neon lights over our paths to give us direction. But, we walk by faith, not by sight. As our problems get harder, our faith grows stronger. I hope that whatever you are going through right now, you can be encouraged to remember that the Lord is with you, “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)
26. If I Have Not Love, I Am Nothing
We could tell many things that love does. But, there are also many things that love does not do. The thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians is often called the love chapter. As you read this chapter, notice the things that love does and the things that love does not do.
“1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (I Corinthians 13:1-13)
27. Why Not Come To Jesus Now?
“Why not, why not, Why not come to Him now? Why not, why not, Why not come to Him now?” I can remember singing this song at church when I was very young. Maybe I remember it because the chorus was so simple. This hymn was written by George Frederick Root. I wonder how many people have never called out to Jesus since he wrote it in 1878. We are not promised tomorrow. The writer of Hebrews pleads with his listeners to be saved today. “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” (Hebrews 3:15) “Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7) Jesus died to give you life. I pray that you will come to Him today.
“Why Do You Wait?”
1. Why do you wait, dear brother,
O why do you tarry so long?
Your Savior is waiting to give you
A place in His sanctified throng.
Chorus
Why not, why not,
Why not come to Him now?
Why not, why not,
Why not come to Him now?
2. What do you hope, dear brother,
To gain by a further delay?
There’s no one to save you but Jesus,
There’s no other way but His way.
3. Do you not feel, dear brother,
His Spirit now striving within?
O why not accept His salvation
And throw off your burden of sin?
4. Why do your wait, dear brother?
The harvest is passing away;
Your Savior is longing to bless you,
There's danger and death in delay.
28. No, Not One
I like the old hymns. Johnson Oatman wrote “No, Not One” back in 1895. He tells us that there’s not a friend like Jesus, and he is so right! “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)
No, Not One
1. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! No, not one!
Chorus
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
2. No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!
3. There’s not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! No, not one!
4. Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!
5. Was e’er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! No, not one!
Will He refuse us a home in heaven?
No, not one! No, not one!
29. Closing Scriptures
I have enjoyed finding “Whatnots” in the Bible. Before we move on to a different path in the scriptures, I want to share a few more verses that I found with the word “not”.
“6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” (II Corinthians 4:6-10)
“15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:15-18)
“9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:9-12)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matthew 23:37-38)
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
“11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
“Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:” (Psalm 89:22)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5)
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (II Timothy 1:12)
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
“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.” (I John 2:15)
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:14-18)
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9)
"Be Not Slothful..." Hebrews 6:12
