Now let’s notice what we are to do, because these things will happen in our minds and we need to be fighting them.  Here’s what it is, verse 5. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing [or thought] that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”  So when that happens you repent, and ask God to strengthen you, and ask God to help you, to add His Spirit to you so that you can overcome bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  “And having a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled” (vs. 5-6).

Now when we do that…Let’s come back to Romans 8 and let’s understand something so that you don’t have to go around and have a guilty conscience.  You don’t have to feel as though God has gone way off and has deserted you.  He hasn’t.  This is your battle that He will do to give you the strength with you.  But you have to do the fighting.

Now notice here Romans 8:1.  “There is therefore now no condemnation…”  God does not condemn you because of it.  Because you are looking to Christ.  You are repenting.  You are walking in the ways of God.  You are bringing every thought into captivity.  There is no condemnation “… to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walked not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  See you’re not walking after carnal ways, you’re walking after spiritual ways.  “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me [justified] free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:1-3).  It hasn’t been taken from you, but you have been justified from it, and that is why when we pray every day we ask God to forgive us our sins and forgive us our debts and so forth.  Now that’s not the monetary debts that we owe, that is the debt of sin, which only Christ can take care of.  Then there is not condemnation.  Then we are walking in the way of God.  Then we are walking and doing the things that are right, you see.

Now, let’s notice over here how to be spiritually minded.  Verse 9, “But ye are not in the flesh…”  Now this tells us very clearly.  “…But in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.”  That’s what’s important.  “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”  So you see, when it gets down to who is a Christian, God really knows.  It’s the ones who have the Spirit of Christ.  Those who don’t are not.

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit life because of righteousness.  But if the spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His spirit that dwelleth in you.  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die: bit if ye through the Spirit do [put to death] mortify the deeds of the [flesh] body, ye shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (vs. 10-14).  And to be led.

Now notice all of the things that we have to look to.  Notice that there will be suffering that we will go through.  But here is how we are to count these battles, and here is how we are to count these sufferings that we go through.  Now notice, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of [sonship] adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”  The greatest thing in the world, brethren, that we can come right to God the Father in heaven above in a personal one to one relationship with Him and Jesus Christ.  “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs…”  You see, the whole thing that we need to keep our minds on is not the sin, but the goal.  Not the process and the difficulty that we are going through, but the end.  We are “…heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (vs. 15-18).  And that then is how you bring every thought into captivity unto the obedience of Christ.  And this is the battle that you can win and overcome, but it’s going to be a continuous thing.  But we have the victory through Christ.

Now we also have to over come the world.  Now, just like the children of Israel, let’s come to 1 John 2 now.  Just like the children of Israel when they were out there suffering in the wilderness.  They said, “Oh, we need the flesh pots.  Oh, it was so nice when everything was fine.  And, yeah I had a good master, and he really treated me fine.  You know, I just had it just right.”  Satan’s going to come along and he is going to tempt you.  And much more so today because the way that the world is today with everything that is out there.  With all of the goods and services and foods and homes to live in, and clothes to wear, and cars to drive, and things to do, and places to go.  The lure of the world is going to be there and remember the cares and riches of this world are deceitful.

Now let’s pick it up here in 1 John 2:15.  “Love not the world…”  Now we are to love God.  “…Neither the things that are in the world.”  That’s how we overcome the world.  We don’t let it entice us.  We don’t let it pull us in.  We don’t go along and agree with it.  Just ask yourself a question: Which commandment of God am I breaking, Old Testament and New Testament, because I conform to the world?  You think on that one.  Now, “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”  And even though it looks so permanent, even though it looks so stable, “…The world [is passing] passeth away, and the lust thereof: but [the one who is practicing] he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).  And you wanting eternal life, that is exactly how you stay right with God.

Now let’s come to Luke 9:25.  While we’re turning there remember the temptation that Jesus went through.  Remember that?  Yes.  He offered Him the whole world, didn’t he?  He took and he gave Jesus a panoramic view of all the kingdoms of the world and all their glory and the power of them, and he said, “All this is delivered unto me and I give it to whomsoever I will.  So if you bow down and worship me all shall be yours.”

Now let’s come here to Luke 9:23.  Here then is how we overcome the world, and all the pulls of the flesh, and all the temptations of the world that come along.  “And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”  Now that’s interesting.  He said daily, cause that shows the burden and the difficulty to live a spiritual life in a wicked, carnal, sinful world.  “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.”  And that’s what God is going to give us, eternal life.  “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:23-25).  It says another place, lose his soul.  So that’s how we do it.  We deny the things.  We don’t yield to any temptations of the world.

Now, we also have some other scriptures which are important.  And if you get discouraged, and you get down remember this, Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  And again, we can go to Christ and He can give us the strength.  And He can give us the help and we can overcome.

The next thing to overcome is religion.  There’s plenty of it.  Oh, there is so much of it, it is unreal.  They like to come in sheep’s clothing and present an easy, good way.  The smooth way, the ecumenical way, the political way, the get-along way.  The get-along and go-along and don’t rock the boat, does that sound like Laodicean, a little lukewarm?  Sure does.  You’ve got to overcome religion.  And what are they going to do?   Let’s come back to Matthew 7 again, because that’ ties right in with the rains coming and the water and the wind beating.  Because a lot of the doctrines that will come up will come just like that.  And we are being tempted from many sides.  More so than any other generation in the history of the world, because we have it coming through radio, television, audio cassettes, video cassettes, internet, mailings, people sending things to you, infiltrators within the Church - those sent to deliberately to deceive you and take away from Christ.  Now there are a lot of them out there and Jesus said, “Let men deceive you by no means.”  And all the way through He said, “Don’t let anyone deceive you.”  And that’s one of the last things He told His disciples right there when He gave the final prophecy there in Matthew 24.  He said, “Beware that men do not deceive you, for many shall come in My name saying I am the Christ and shall deceive the many.  And they shall give them the broad way.”  Now you look at the big broad ecumenical movement that’s taking place in the world today and know that they’re all false prophets.

Let’s read it here. Matthew 7:13, “Enter ye in at the straight gate…”  That means the narrow gate.  “…For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which to in thereat.”  Just like lemmings running off the cliff.  There thy go.  Just like sheep going astray.  How does it come?

Verse 15, “Beware of false prophets , which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  You shall know them by their fruits” (vs. 15-16).  Verse 21, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…”  That’s why not only is God proving us, but He allows false doctrine to come so that we are going to prove God’s way, and God is proving us through it.  That’s what we have to understand.  That’s what we have to realize.  So this is another battle that we need to fight.  And only those who are doing the will of the Father in heaven above is the one that is going to be receiving salvation.

“Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out [demons] devils: and in Thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work [lawlessness] iniquity” (vs. 22-23).  Then right after that it talks about those who build their house upon a rock, which is Christ.  And the winds of false doctrine and the things that Satan sends against us will not affect us, will not take us off the rock that we have built on, on Christ.

Now let’s come to 2 Timothy 3 and let’s see what these religious people are going to do.  And they are going to be deceiving.  Now they think that they are going to bring you the right things, but they’re not.  Here, 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness…”  And that’s what this whole ecumenical thing is, a form of godliness.  They can’t have godliness because they don’t want to follow God.  So they have a form of it that looks like it.  “…But denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”  Now let’s come down here to verse 13.  “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”  And who are they going to deceive?

Let’s come to Matthew 13, and let’s understand something concerning the spiritual leaven of religion which Jesus warned His disciples concerning, which very few people today really are alert and some have been taken down by all the silliness and stupidity of the different arguments that people have.  Some even listening to Sunday preachers who are saying, you know, “There’s universal salvation for all men.”  I mentioned that before.  Well then there’s no need for the lake of fire.  There is no need for going through the things that we do.  There is no need to grow and overcome.  There is no need to keep the commandments of God if everybody is going to be saved.  Now that’s a bunch of nonsense.

Now let’s come here to Matthew 16:6.  “Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”  That is religious leaven.  That is sin.  Now the disciples didn’t understand it because they thought, well  He spoke that because they didn’t bring bread.  And He said to them verse 11, “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?  Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”  Now those are the teachings.

Now again we are going through some calendar things and all kinds of people coming in with Judaism.  How to pray with a prayer shawl or a yarmulke.  Or calendar things again.  Now I was sent this.  I get things every day.   Now this is worth reading because this woman thinks she’s very sincere in it.  But she doesn’t have a clue.  Let me read this.

“Last year, God brought some information to me about the holy days and it took several months of the Holy Spirit working on me to finally get my attention.”  Well, God’s Holy Spirit will not lead you to error, so it’s the wrong spirit.  “I finally realized that I needed to do some checking and research on my own about the way the Church of God groups keep the holy days.  When I was at the feast last fall I was talking to a Jewish lady…”

Now let me tell you something that has happened here.  Last year before the Feast of Tabernacles we got calls from Jewish groups saying, “Let us come in and give you a seminar on how to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”  And I told them, “You don’t know how to keep the Feast of Tabernacles because you don’t know Christ.”  And we don’t keep it the way the Jews do.  And the Jews don’t keep it the way they ought to, and why should we accept any teachings from those who have rejected Christ.  Now this Jewish woman probably infiltrated.  Now that’s another reason we don’t spread far and abroad where our feast sites are.  We want to have feasts where we have love, and joy, and understanding, and fellowship together.  We don’t want to have to have Feast of Tabernacles where we are fighting people coming in with prayer shawls, and sacred names, and different days, and observing of the moons, and all of these things.  So let me finish this letter here now.

“…And she told me that we weren’t in alignment with the way God commanded them to be kept.”  Remember this: the New Testament interprets the Old Testament.  And not only do we keep the commandments of God, but we keep them in spirit and we keep them with the meaning of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of the New Testament.  Not the meaning of the Old Testament.  And how can anyone who has rejected Christ teach us anything about keeping the feasts of God?

“So I started doing research and project on my own to seek the truth.”  She didn’t go far.  “I am paying the price so I can strive to observe those things God’s way and not mine.”  She’s observing them Jewish ways.  I’ll show you in just a minute.  “It’s the tough difficult way but will be the blessed one in the end.  I encourage all the Churches to get the information out of the Karaite Jews in Jerusalem.  And seriously consider the days the Churches are observing.”

The long and short is: they believe in the observable moon.  And they are two days late.  They do not even know what the new moon is.  That’s why God has solved the calendar problem with the perpetual calculated Hebrew calendar so that we don’t fall into the pitfalls of this leaven of the Jews.  In this case the Karaites.  They couldn’t even for 500 years determine the right holy days and now they’re trying to tell us what the right holy days are.

Now let’ me just read something here, and you’re going to be shocked.  “If Abib is found on March 26, 2001, then the new moon for that month is on March 27, 2001.  If it is not found then, then on March 26, then you postpone a whole month and you go to April 25, 2001.”  First day of Unleavened Bread, April 10.  Two days late.  And once more, this woman in seeking to keep things the way that God has said, has ended up rejecting the Passover because they don’t even keep a 14^th Passover.  Now I could go through the whole thing and show how that they don’t even know when these days are to be kept.  They have here for the Feast of Trumpets, “To Be Announced”.  For Yom Kippur, “To Be Announced”.  The first day of Feast of Tabernacles, “To Be Announced”.  They don’t even know.  And yet she writes and says, oh, this is some new thing.  No, it isn’t.  It’s some old thing that is always been.  It is terrible.  So there are people going out there.  There are even some ministers even in certain branches of the Church of God coming around and saying, “Well, let’s teach you how to have a Passover Sedar.  Jesus kept a Passover Sedar.  Won’t that be nice?”  And he leads the people right into Judaism.  Listen, if someone comes along bringing Judaism, obey Jesus Christ and beware of the leaven of the scribes and Pharisees, which is their doctrines and their teachings.  And how can anyone who has rejected Christ teach us anything.  They can teach us nothing.

Then I’ve got another letter here.  It says, “Now we are being bombarded on all sides by people with various different doctrines.”  Brethren, you’re being proved.  Do you love God?  Do you love the Father?  Do you know the word of God?  If you don’t know the word of God you’re going to be taken down.  And Satan is going to keep after you, and keep after you.  God is going to prove you with it.  Do you love Him?  Are you going to prove these things the right way?

Now this woman here, I’m going to answer her letter and I’m just going to tell her the same thing that I’ve told you on the tape.  How can anyone show you the right way if they don’t even keep the Passover on the 14^th of Nisan as Jesus Christ has commanded, and according to the commandments of God?  Now spare me.

Now concerning the new moon, to show you the difficulties in it.  The Moslems seek a common system for determining Ramadan.  “Ramadan, the holiest month of the Moslem calendar, will begin in late November.”  This was last year.  “But whether it starts on November 26^th or 27^th is a matter of astronomy.”  Well, to make a long story short, what they have to do is this: they have different ones watch for the new moon.  And if they don’t see it then they call other countries where the Arabs are watching for the new moon, and if there are two locations that see it then they declare the next day as the beginning of Ramadan.  So that’s why God gave the calculated calendar.  When you observe the calendar and the feasts of God worldwide, you’re always going to have the problem: invisibility of the new moon.  So that’s why we have it the way it is.  That is the leaven of religion.

Now we also have the problem of Sunday-keeping, all of those things assaulting the people of God.  All of that is religious leaven and we need to stay away from it completely, and be on guard and overcome it and resist it.

Now the last thing we need to over come is Satan the devil.  And he is out there to come and get us.  Now we know that it says in Revelation 12:9 that Satan is deceiving the whole world.  And that he’s going to raise up prophets that will do signs and wonders insomuch that it would deceive even the very elect.  So we’re living in those days.  And how will they come?  They will come with deceit.  They will come with lies.  But they will come as slick as can be.  That’s why you need to prove everything by the scriptures, the way that God has said that we need to prove them.

Now, let’s come here to James 4.  Let’s see that Satan is out there.  He works with the world.  That’s why we are not to love the world.  That’s going to help keep us from Satan the devil.  But here, James 4, let’s notice this.  This is really important for us to understand.

James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses…”  And that’s what’s happened when people have fellowship with the religions of this world.  “…Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”  Now here’s how to overcome it.  Because what happens when you get out there and in the world and all the pride?  “Do you think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  But He giveth more grace.  Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  Submit yourselves therefore to God.”  That’s how you overcome Satan.  “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Because he can’t stand to be where there is righteousness and the name of Christ.  “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:4-8).

Now let’s come to 1 Peter 5 where we have the same thing given by Peter, only a little differently.  Now you see, Satan is out there going around seeing who he can capture.  And many people are taken by him very easily.  Some people he works on over a period of time and chips away, and chips away, and chips away.  And if you don’t have your guard up then you’re going to be in difficult straights trying to fight Satan the devil.

Now here 1 Peter 5:6.  “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…”  Notice how similar to that it is.  Back there when James wrote, and when Peter wrote there were the infiltration’s within the Church of carnal men, and pride was coming up, vanity was coming up.  So he’s saying, “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).  Remember this.  When all else fails, God loves you.  That’s why God has called you.  Never ever forget that.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour…”  And haven’t we seen him devour thousands.  Yes, indeed.  Well, he’s still after the few that are left.  “Whom resist steadfast in the faith…”  You’re not going to resist him with carnal means or methods.  It has to be in the faith.  “…Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (vs. 8-10).  Again, to prove you.  Again, to prove your faith.

Now, let’s go to John 8.  There’s something very important, and we need to understand here with this.  And here’s how we resist.  Let’s come here to verse 29, follow the example of Christ.  “And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.”  But was Satan continually after Him?  Yes, he was.  And God even let him think that he triumphed over Christ in the crucifixion.  But that was really a victory for God.  And when He was resurrected, it was a total defeat for Satan the devil.

“As He spake these words, many believed on Him” (vs. 30).  There are a lot of people who believe on Jesus but don’t follow through with faith.  Now notice what Jesus said to those who believed on Him.  “If you continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  So they said, “We be Abraham’s seed.”  And He says, “I know that.  But you don’t do the works of Abraham.”

Let’s come down here to verse 41.  “Ye do the deeds of your father.”  And these were all the religious people, right?  “Then said they to Him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.  Why do ye not understand My speech?  Even because ye cannot hear My word.”  Why can’t they hear the word.  Because they don’t want the truth.  They want their lies.  “Ye are of your father the devil [you listen to him], and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (vs. 41-44).  And so realize that Satan is out there after you, to come after you with these false religions.

Now, we need to understand that God is going to fight for us.  God will deliver us.  Now in Ephesians 6 we’re told to put on the whole armor of God.  And that we may be able to stand and resist the wicked spirits in high places.  And to put on the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation, and to follow with the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  That’s why we are to know the word of God, brethren.  Now when we do that God will fight for us.

Now let’s come to Psalm 27.  Let’s have total faith in God that He will fight for us, that He will watch for us, that He will help us.  Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation…”  And that’s the whole purpose of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, right?  Yes.  “…Whom shall I fear?  the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple.  For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion…” (Psa. 27:1-5).  Remember, we are to pray every day that we are not to be delivered into temptation, and that we are to be delivered from the evil one.

Now notice how God fought for David here in Psalm 18.  This is really quite a Psalm.  God is really perfect in what He did here.  Now notice…and these trials then produce the love for God because He helps you.  He says, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies” (Psa. 18:1-3).  Yes, the Lord He’ll fight.  He fought for the children of Israel, didn’t He?  He will fight for you.  And He will strengthen you and raise you up in everything that you do.

Now let’s come to Psalm 34.  Let’s understand that God is with us.  God is for us.  God will fight those battles. Just like Moses did, he said to the children of Israel, “Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.”  Well, so will likewise here.  When you are confronted with these problems and trials that you find in your own human nature, that you find in the world, or the assaults of false religions, or as Satan coming after you, then here is the solution.

Let’s pick it up here in verse 4.  Here’s what you need to do.  “I sought the LORD, and He heard me…”  Why did He hear?  Because He listened to God.  “…And delivered me from all my fears.”  Now I want you to circle that, “all my fears”.  We don’t need to have any fears brethren.  “They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him from all his troubles.”  Again, circle “all”.  Now all fears and all troubles.  “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.  O taste and see…”  That’s what the whole purpose of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is.  To eat that unleavened bread, which then is the flesh of Christ.  And to drink of that wine, which is His blood, which means tasting of Christ.  Then we taste of the word of God.  And it fills and it satisfies like no food because it is spiritual nourishment, and spiritual strength you see.  “Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”  And what we need to do to end this Feast of Unleavened Bread is to just ask God to help us trust in Him at all times.  To look to Him to help us in everything, regardless of what it may be.  “O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him” (Psa. 34:4-8).

Now let’s come down here to verse 14.  “Depart from evil…”  That’s the whole theme of Unleavened Bread, getting rid of sin, walking away from Egypt.  “…And do good…”  That is doing the commandments of God, having the fruits of the Spirit of God and doing that good.  “…Seek peace and pursue it.”  Never give up.  Never doubt.  Never hold back.

Verse 15, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.”  God knows, God hears.  And so that’s why when you have these trials and difficulties go to God continually.  God knows you’re going through them.  Ask for His help, His strength, His faith, His wisdom, His purpose, and to learn the lesson that comes from it.  “The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.  The righteous cry [crying out to God], and the LORD heareth…”  Brethren, God will hear.  Now notice the rest of this verse.  “…and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (vs. 15-17).  So notice you’re delivered from your fears, you’re delivered from your troubles.  He says it twice.  And you are delivered from the wicked one.

Now here is the key, verse 18.  “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (vs. 18-19).  Christ will deliver you.  Christ will save you.  Have total faith and confidence and trust in God, even in the darkest hour of your trial.  Even at the lowest moment in your life.  Never give up.  And realize that this trial is a proving of your faith, that you can grow in grace.  That you can grow in faith.  That you can grow in knowledge and understanding.

Let’s come to the book of Hebrews 13 because there’s something that you really need to understand, and you really need to grasp, and you really need to claim this promise.  Let’s pick it up in verse 5.  “Let your [conduct] 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.”  Now this means, “I will never, no I will not ever in any way leave you.”  Christ will not leave you.  He will be there all the time.  Christ will never fail.  “So that we may boldly say, the LORD is my helper…”  And yes, the Lord will help us, and He will strengthen us, and He will deliver us, and He will intervene on our behalf.  “…And I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (vs. 5-6).   Now that’s the confidence that we need to have.

Now verse 8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”  So with that then brethren, you will be strengthened in faith.  And then you will not be led away by anyone or anything, or even be deceived by your own human nature.  And remember in this, the reason that you go through these things is because God loves you and God wants you in His Kingdom.  And so this is the full meaning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the trials that we go through.