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Acts 9:9-11 NIV [9] For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. [10] In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. [11] The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. Paul was in Corinth at this time and many of the Gentiles were becoming Christian. Paul stayed in Corinth teaching about Jesus for a year and a half. He got to know the Corinthians well and that may account for the two long letters he sent them. Some parts of the letters praised them for the good work they were doing, and some chastised them for falling back into old ways or for arguing among themselves as to which of them had greater gifts from God. It is in these letters to the Corinthians that we learn of God's plan to distribute the gifts needed for the community of believers to thrive if each person uses his or her gifts for the benefit of others. He teaches them about the importance of fellowship but not to take that time as a chance for a free meal at the expense of others. Paul knew that God was with him in his preaching and his teachings. As God had promised Samuel and the prophets that he would give them the words to say and they trusted God, Paul also trusted in God. He did run into problems with some of the Jewish leaders who felt that he was giving false teachings about how to worship God that was contrary to Jewish Law but God was present in this as well. It was not long after this that he left Corinth and headed to Syria. Jesus will not let us go without his guidance either. When we give witness to our faith, God will give us the words we need and the courage to share them. We, too, are disciples because of our baptism.

I was in church once when a preacher was delivering a sermon about the promise God made to Abraham and his descendants. He explained that this promise was specifically for Abraham and his bloodline, meaning that Israel, the nation, would automatically inherit the promise made to Abraham. I’ve heard this explanation from preachers and teachers throughout my life. After the sermon, I asked the preacher if he had ever read what the apostles taught on this issue. Here’s what the apostles said: Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He says not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. You decide who the Lord was referring to as being the heirs to the promises.

People often make the mistake of not allowing the Lord to teach them truth and righteousness. Instead, they rely on others for their understanding. The Apostle John wrote the following: 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him.” Once we receive the Holy Spirit, we know that the Lord is the source of all truth. Why do people still seek understanding from others instead of the Lord Himself? If you follow those who teach you truth and righteousness, how will you know what you are being taught is true? You must prove all things by asking the Lord for understanding. The Lord will reveal the truth to you if you simply ask Him. If you have a set schedule for reading the Bible but lack understanding, the words will be meaningless to you. However, if you receive understanding from above, you will see the hidden meaning within the words. For example, when Christ spoke to the people, they heard His words but did not understand them. He told them that the kingdom of God is within them, not something that can be observed. They did not comprehend His message. Romans 14:17 states, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” The kingdom is within us, not outside of us. My advice is always to ask the Lord for understanding.

Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV [24] Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, [25] or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

2 Chronicles 20:1 5 cuts directly into crisis: "Do not be afraid or discouraged... for the battle is not yours, but God's." Judah is not imagining danger. "A great multitude" is advancing (2 Chr. 20:2). Fear is present, but it is not allowed to govern Jehoshaphat responds rightly: "He set himself to seek the LORD" (v.3). Before any human plan, he calls for fasting and gathers the people. In his prayer, he confesses dependence: "We have no power... nor do we know what to do, but our eves are upon You" (v.12). Scripture frames this not as weakness, but as proper alignment under God's sovereignty Then God answers through Jahaziel: "Do not be afraid... for the battle is not vours, but God's" (v.15). The issue is not the size of the enemv, but who owns the conflict. God then commands posture, not panic: "Stand firm, hold your position, and see thesalvation of the LORD" (v.17). Their responsibility is obedience; victory belongs to God. The next morning they go out worshiping "Give thanks to the LORD, for His steadfast ove endures forever" (.21). Praise precedes visible breakthrough. As they begin singing, "the LORD set an ambush' against the enemy (v.22), and the opposing armies destroy one another The chapter ends: "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around (v.30). The battle did not disappear first--ownership did. And when God is recognized as the true fighter fear loses its authority and rest becomes the outcome @Royal, Holy, Immortal Bible Study Seri

Nephilim (pronounced NEF-uh-lim) are enigmatic, giant beings mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Genesis 6:1-4, as the offspring of "sons of God" and "daughters of men". Often interpreted as "fallen ones" or "giants," they are associated with immense strength and violence before the Flood. Their origin is debated between angelic-human hybrid theories and interpretations of ancient, powerful, or wicked human leaders. Origin and Nature (Genesis 6:1-4) The Union: The Nephilim appeared when the "sons of God" (often interpreted as fallen angels or, alternatively, the godly line of Seth) took the "daughters of men" (the line of Cain) as wives, leading to a corrupt hybrid race. "Fallen Ones": Derived from the Hebrew root n-p-l ("to fall"), they are interpreted as "those who cause others to fall" or "fallen ones". "Giants": The Greek Septuagint translates them as gigantes, influencing the traditional view of them as massive, superhuman warriors. Pre-Flood Corruption: Their presence, and the wickedness resulting from these unions, is a direct catalyst for God sending the Great Flood to wipe out humanity, as they represent a perversion of natural order. "Men of Renown": Genesis 6:4 describes them as legendary warriors or notorious figures of ancient times. Post-Flood Presence: Numbers 13:33 mentions that the Hebrew spies in Canaan saw Nephilim (or their descendants, the Anakim) and felt like "grasshoppers" in comparison, suggesting they survived the flood or reappeared. Supernatural Offspring: Traditional, heavily influenced by the non-canonical Book of Enoch, this view holds they were literal offspring of fallen angels (Watchers) and human women. Line of Seth/Cain: A more conservative view suggests they were simply the descendants of a godly lineage (Seth) intermarrying with an ungodly one (Cain), with "mighty men" referring to corrupt rulers, not superhuman hybrids