World Faiths and Religions!

World Faiths and Religions

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But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for He was looking ahead and including them in what He would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He Himself is fair and just, and He declares sinners to be right in His sight when they believe in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26 NLT)

Whether people choose to believe the Truth or not does not stop it from being the Truth! As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30) Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Proverb 30:5-6)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus [God's Only Begotten Son] every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Phillipians 2:5-11 KJV) AMEN

Listen to Man, but Hear God!

Now an old prophet dwelt in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel; they also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king. And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” ...and [he] found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” And he said, “I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. For I have been told by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.’” He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.) So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water. Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water,” your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.’” (I King 13:11-22; I King 13)

WOW!  When we study God's Word and we clearly understand what He is instructing us to do and not to do, we better obey it!  Christ warns that days will come when many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. (Matthew 24:10-11)  It happened to the man of God above, it happened during the time Jesus was teaching, and it will continue from today until Christ returns.  Even though the old prophet lied to the man of God, it was really satan using the old prophet to try and stop the Word of God from going forward.  The devil thinks if he can stop the Word of God from going forth, he can stop the plan of God.  Because the man of God disobeyed the command God gave him, So it was, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, the prophet whom he had brought back.  When he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the corpse.  And there, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown on the road, and the lion standing by the corpse. (I Kings 13:23-25) God warns us, through the Apostle Peter to Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (I Peter 5:8)

The old prophet had allowed satan to use him, but after hearing what happened to the man of God, he felt remorse and went to get his body to bury him: Then they went and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. Now when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said, “It is the man of God who was disobedient to the word of the Lord. Therefore the Lord has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to him.” And he spoke to his sons, saying, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled it.  Then he went and found his corpse thrown on the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the corpse. The lion had not eaten the corpse nor torn the donkey. And the prophet took up the corpse of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So the old prophet came to the city to mourn, and to bury him.  (I Kings 13:25-29)

Many centuries later another Man of God came to tell all people what we should and should not do, in order to restore our relationship with God - Christ Jesus!  Eventhough there were tweleve disciples in his inner circle, Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. (Luke 22:3-5) And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47-48) Just like the old prophet, Judas felt remorse for what he had done to the Son of God: When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:1-5)

We can listen to man all we want, but don't be deceived: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Christ Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) We all must heed the warning of Christ, before it's too late: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.  (John 5:24-27); Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (John 8:51) Obey God's Word and really live, not just in this life, but in the life to come!

RUTH:God Prepares the Way for Christ - ch. 4!

So the Lord God said to the serpent: ... And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15) There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.”(Isaiah 11:1, 10; Romans 15:12)  “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5; Luke 1:26-38, 67-80)  Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” (John 7:42) ...the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:1-4)

Lessons to Learn
In the previous lesson, we learned that Ruth went to "Go Get Her Man"!  Today we conclude with how Boaz made sure he got his woman!  As we've already studied, the Jewish laws regarding marriage required that the nearest relative of a deceased man marry the man's widow, in the hopes of having a son to carry on the deceased man's family name.  Boaz informed Ruth that there was a relative closer in relation to Mahlon, her deceased husband, than he was, and if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! (Ruth 3:13) Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend, sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it back in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” (Ruth 4:1-4)

Oh no, what to do?  This relative wants to buy the land, but there's more than just land: Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance.” And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” (Ruth 4:5-6)  Now the rest of the Jewish law regarding marriage of a deceased man's widow comes into play: ...if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’ then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, ..., and answer and say, ‘So shall it be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’ And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘The house of him who had his sandal removed.’ (Deuteronomy 25:8-10); Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.” (Ruth 4:7-10)

So Ruth and Boaz were married, and conceived a son (Ruth 4:11-16).  Why is this important or relevant, to be included in the 66 books of the Bible?  Because they and their descendants are in the Genealogy of Jesus:The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.[Ruth 4:17-22] David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah [Bathsheba]. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph [believed by the people to be Jesus father] the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38)

RUTH:Go Get Your Man - ch. 3!

“When I [Lord God] passed by you [Jerusalem] again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 16:8)

Lessons to Learn
From the previous chapter, we learned that Boaz and Ruth really "like" eachother, and that she has found "grace and favor in his sight".  Now her mother-in-law, Naomi instructs her on how to make her intentions known to him: Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?  Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.  Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” (Ruth 3:1-4) What does this mean?

This is an old ancient custom that is no longer practiced by the Jews, but Ruth was indicating that she was willing to serve Boaz (willing to be under his feet, Ruth 3:5-9). Boaz wouldn't hear of Ruth becoming a servant in his house. He was impressed that she had not chased after men as other women did (Ruth 3:10) and he realized that she had an excellent character (Ruth 3:11). Thus, Boaz realized that he wanted Ruth as a wife, not as a servant. Yet, Ruth had to give him a small push to make him realize that she was available and worthy to be his wife by offering to be his servant.  Ruth made her desire known to Boaz, while still remaining a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11).  Women can let men know very directly if they are interested in them or not, but that does not mean we should disobey God's Word: Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4)

Well, Ruth and Boaz spent the whole night sleeping in the field (Ruth 3:14-15), and in the morning he sent her home with an "agreement" of six ephahs, or bushels of barley.  Ruth explained to Naomi all that the man had done for her.  And she said, “These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’” (Ruth 3:16-17)  Remember in the previous chapter, we learned that Jewish marriage laws required a brother or close relative of a widows deceased husband must marry her, with the hope of a son being born to continue the deceased husband's family name.  But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’ then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, ... (Deuteronomy 25:8-9)  Well Boaz confirmed this for Ruth by explaining, Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you—good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning.” (Ruth 3:12-13); Then [Naomi] said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day.” (Ruth 3:18)

Naomi was right, Boaz was determined to get this issue resolved immediately...

RUTH:Favor in God's Eye - ch. 2!

And Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field.”  (Ruth 2:22)

Lessons to Learn
Harvest time has come, and Naomi, being older, would have had a difficult time going to work in the fields, so Ruth had to go work to help provide for their needs.  Like the Apostle Paul stated: For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (II Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 12:11)  Ruth spoke,  “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.” (Ruth 2:2) As she gleaned in the fields, meaning to pick up the scraps left after the reapers gather the good stuff, she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. (Ruth 3:3)

Well, Ruth found "favor" in the sight of Boaz!  He inquired of the reapers who she was.  So the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered and said, “It is the young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. And she said, ‘Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves.’ So she came and has continued from morning until now, though she rested a little in the house.” (Ruth 2:6-7)  Long story short, Boaz spoke with her and told her: not to glean in any other fields (Ruth 2:8); not to worry about any of the young men harrassing her, and that she could drink from the same water as the reapers (Ruth 2:9, 15).  Boaz also spoke with the young men reapers, saying to leave behind some of the good stuff for Ruth to pick up as she gleaned after them (Ruth 2:16). 

Ruth was overwhelmed with Boaz kindness, stating repeatedly, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10); “Let me find favor in your sight, my lord; for you have comforted me, and have spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your maidservants.” (Ruth 2:13)  Boaz responded, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before. The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” (Ruth 2:11-12)  It did not matter that Ruth was a Moabite, or of another nationality.  Apostle Peter states it best: Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  (Acts 10:34-34)  It doesn't matter who we are or where we're from in this whole, big, diverse world, For to this end we ... labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. (I Timothy 4:10)

Well, things went quite well for Ruth, and when she got home, she shared everything with her mother-in-law, and Naomi said, Blessed be the one who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.” (Ruth 2:19-20)  Boaz is a close relative of their deceased husbands.  Based on Jewish laws regarding marriage: “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.  And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.  But if the man does not want to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name to his brother in Israel; he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.’ Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him. But if he stands firm and says, ‘I do not want to take her,’ then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, ... (Deuteronomy 25:5-9)

It's obvious Boaz and Ruth "like" eachother, but a few more formalities have to be dealt with before marriage...

RUTH:What to Do, When You Don't Know - ch.1!

...Boaz begot Obed by Ruth,...  (Matthew 1:5, Matthew 1:1-17: Christ genealogy, by way of Joseph); Which was... the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,... (Luke 3:32, Luke 3:23-38: Christ genealogy by way of Mary)

Historical Background
The book of Ruth was written by God, by the hand of the prophet Samuel.  All 66 books that comprise the Bible meets one of four criteria: the book gives the geneology of Christ's step-father, Joseph and mother, Mary; the book prophecies about the coming of Christ, whether directly or indirectly; the book records the life and teaching of Christ; or the book expounds on the teaching and instruction of Christ.  Ruth's husband, Boaz and son Obed are direct descendants of Joseph and Mary, which makes her, who was a non-Jew, a descendant also.

Even more, the book of Ruth demonstrates God's providential care.  After losing all she had, instead of going back to her pagan country of Moab, Ruth stayed with her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was a Jew, and professed, ...Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. (Ruth 1:16). Naomi's husband, Elimelech died, as did her sons, Mahlon, who was married to Ruth and Chilion, who was married to Orpah. (Side note: Oprah Winfrey names was originally Orpah, but it was constantly mispronouced, so changed.)

Upon returning to Bethlehem, Judah, Naomi and Ruth had many difficulties because of being women without husbands, but Naomi was a wise woman, and able to instruct Ruth on how to behave and what to do, in order for not only their needs to be met, but for Ruth to eventually meet and marry her next husband, Boaz: Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!”... (Ruth 2:20)

Lessons to Learn
Elimelech moved his family, Naomi his wife and his two sons from Bethlehem, Judah (the birth place of Jesus over a thousand years later, also known as Ephrath) to Moab because ... there was a famine in the land. (Ruth 1:1) After some time, Elimelech died, but Naomi and her sons, with their wives Ruth and Orpah, ...dwelt there about ten years. (Ruth 1:4) After a period of time, ...both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband. (Ruth 1:5) Naomi decided that she would go back to Bethlehem because she had heard the famine was over and ...that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. (Ruth 1:6) An interesting note, the reason there was a famine in Isreal and Judah when they left and went to Moab was because ...Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and because they did this evil the Lord gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. (Judges 3:12) 

Anyway, Naomi instructed her daughter-in-laws to ...“Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.” (Ruth 1:8-9)  What should we do, when we don't know what to do?  Well after much protesting and weeping, ...and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law [and left], but Ruth clung to her. (Ruth 1:14)  Just as Ruth realized and did, we also must come to the same realization, ...your God [shall be], my God.  (Ruth 1:16) When we hear the Truth, of who God is and the salvation He gives, we have to make a choice to believe and follow or deny and deal with the consequences: Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62)

So Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem, Judah and everyone who remembered Naomi was so glad to see her.  Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. (Ruth 1:22)  Arriving in Bethlehem during this particular time will prove to be a blessing to Naomi and Ruth.  Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, ... Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38) Ruth goes out to labor in the field, and what a harvest she will reap...

Deny Thyself, and Gain EVERYTHING!

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

A survey was done in 2011 of over 2,000 Americans.  The question was asked, "What are the most important things in your life?"  The answers were, in order of importance:

1. Being a good parent
2. Having a successful marriage
3. Having a job/career that benefits society
4. Owning own home
5. Being successful in a high paying career/profession
6. Becoming famous

Having a relationship with God was nowhere on the list, and surely Christians were included in the survey. We have to get our priorities right.  Jesus tells us clearly in the above verse what the most important thing in our life should be - our relationship with Him, which restores our relationship with God the Father! 

We have to put all of these other needs, wants and relationships in their proper place:

- our parents and family:  Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. [Micah 7:6-7]' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-39)

- our wealth and possessions: Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother. [Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21]’ ” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. (Luke 18:18-23)

- our desire to please others: Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62)

- our desire to be famous: Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12)

Are relationships with our family and friends bad?  Is having wealth bad? Is pleasing others bad? Is being famous bad?  NO!  In and of themselves, none of these things are bad.  The problem is putting these things first, as the most important things in our lives.  And the numbers don't lie, most people who attain all of these things still end up being miserable and or alone.  So what do we do? Then Jesus said to His disciples [and all believers], “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26) Like King Solomon, let's desire the most important thing, and in return, God will bless us with all the others: The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing [wisdom].  Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing [wisdom], and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,  behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, ...  And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, ...  So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, ..., then I will lengthen your days.” (I Kings 3:10-14);  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

From A-Z, Genesis to Revelations!

And He said, “Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. In fact, you bear witness that you approve the deeds of your fathers; for they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ [Nehemiah 9:26-27] that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation. (Luke 11:46-51; Matthew 23:31-36)

The original Hebrew Canon is comprised of 24 Old Testament Books, whereas the Christian Bible is comprised of 39 Old Testament Books.  What's the difference?  There isn't one.  It's the same books, just the Christian Bible separated some of the books: ex. Kings in the Hebrew Canon is I Kings and II Kings in the Christian Bible; Samuel in the Hebrew Canon is I Samuel and II Samuel in the Christian Bible; etc.  The only other difference is that the Hebrew Canon has some of the Old Testament Books in a different order, Genesis is first and Chronicles is last.  When Jesus stated the above scripture, He states "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah".  The death of Abel is recorded in the first book of the Hebrew Canon, Genesis (Genesis 4:1-15); and the death of Zechariah is recorded in the last book of the Hebrew Canon, Chronicles (II Chronicles 24:20-22).  Therefore, Jesus is validating the Books of the Old Testament as being the Word of God. 

What about the New Testament Books?  Well, they were accepted as scripture, sacred writings inspired or breathed by God (II Timothy 3:16), because they were written by the apostles, quote from the Old Testament Books, and they all quote from and expound upon the teaching of Christ Jesus.  The Apostle Peter even validated the New Testament Scripture, most of the books which were written by Paul, who was not an original disciple with the other twelve: Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him [by Christ], has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (II Peter 3:14-16)

It's been stated many times before, but we must always remember, as the Apostle Peter so clearly explains: For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” [Matthew 3:17, 17:5; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22] And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:16-21)

The Apostle John states it best: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.(John 1:1-2, 14) Jesus said: You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these [scriptures] are they which testify of Me. (John 5:39)  Believe that the Bible is the Word of God, Jesus did!