TENACITY

by Tony Alamo
aka Bernie Hoffman

JESUS is the ultimate, the best example for us to see what true tenacity is.1 This word means “the quality of holding fast or unwillingness to quit, resign, or let go”; like a man refusing to let go of his rights, or in the case of JESUS, the TRUTH and HIS mission. People who follow the preaching of JESUS and the teaching of the truth even to the death, what JESUS requires, are tenacious followers.2

When anyone attempts to make a tenacious person give up, that person will express righteous indignation and become even more determined to go on many more times than before, even to the death of their physical body.

Sometimes the tenacious person becomes so tired of dealing with ignorant people that in their weariness, they may, like Elijah, despair of life. “And he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life” (1 Kings 19:4). They wish GOD would take them, but when HE doesn’t, they just keep on going as JESUS did, even to HIS death on the cross.3

Where would we be if JESUS hadn’t tenaciously gone all the way? And what else can we do? Our eternal life in Heaven depends on our continuing on to the end.4 “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

There was a man in the Bible named Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. Jacob was a man of peace who lived in tents. He would rather be at home than be like his brother Esau, who lived the dangerous life of a hunter. He was his mother’s favorite, but Isaac showed favoritism to Esau, his brother.5

The first event between the brothers was when Jacob purchased Esau’s birthright for the puny price of a pot of pottage, like beans or stew.6 Jacob took advantage of his brother’s hunger to accomplish the right to the lineage of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, our SAVIOR and GOD. A firstborn son receives, as the birthright of the firstborn, a double portion of the father’s inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17).

However, with the patriarchs, it gives more. It gives the rulership of the people, the brethren, the entire family, and the title to the blessing of promise (Genesis 27:4, 27-29), which also included the future possession of Canaan (the Promised Land) and of the covenant fellowship with the ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF (Genesis 28:4).

Isaac became old and lost most of his sight. He was about to present Esau with the blessing because he was the elder son, but was curtailed by the deception instigated upon him by Rebekah (Isaac’s wife and the mother of Esau and Jacob) and Jacob. Jacob impersonated Esau, and added falsehood to the scheme. So Jacob received his father’s blessing (Genesis 27:1-29).

Esau hated his brother because of the deception and the success of it. He planned to kill him, but was waiting until his father’s death. Rebekah informed Jacob of Esau’s plans, so Jacob fled to Rebekah’s brother Laban’s home in Haran. Isaac approved. He wished Jacob to marry a kinswoman, not a daughter of Canaan.7

Jacob married Laban’s two daughters. He served Laban fourteen years for them, seven years each, and another six years. He became wealthy. He fled from Laban and received news that his brother Esau was near.8

To make a long history short, after sending his two wives, two concubines, and his children away, Jacob was alone at night. It was a night of prayer, during which the Angel of the LORD (it was the LORD) wrestled with him to find out how much power he had with GOD. Through faith and tenacity, he prevailed, so his name was changed from Jacob to Israel, which means “wrestler with GOD.”9

Genesis 32:24-30 states, “And there wrestled a man [the LORD] with him [Jacob] until the breaking of the day. And when HE [the Lord] saw that HE prevailed not against him [Jacob], HE touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with HIM. And HE [the LORD] said, Let ME go, for the day breaketh. And he [Jacob] said, I will not let THEE go, except THOU bless me. And HE [the LORD] said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And HE said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with GOD and with men, and hast prevailed.

“And Jacob asked HIM, and said, Tell me, I pray THEE, THY name. And HE said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after MY name? And HE blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen GOD [CHRIST] face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Jacob had to receive a blessing from GOD. His brother Esau was near, and he thought perhaps he still wanted to kill him. When you need an answer from GOD, don’t let go until you receive the blessing (the answer).10

Matthew chapter 15 tells of a woman of Canaan who cried unto JESUS, saying, “Have mercy on me, O LORD, THOU SON of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But HE [JESUS] answered her not a word. And HIS disciples came and besought HIM, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But HE answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then [like Jacob] came she and worshipped HIM, saying, LORD, help me [not giving up]. But HE answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, LORD: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then JESUS answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith [you know that I am a good GOD, but I require faith and tenacity]: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matthew 15:22-28).

Let’s take hold of GOD in the name of JESUS and get our answers to the most impossible situations we face, as many others have.11 If you’re not born again of the SPIRIT, you will be after you say this prayer to GOD:

Prayer

My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11

After salvation, JESUS said to be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.12 Then study the King James Version Bible, and, for your benefit and the benefit of others, do what it says.13

CHRIST and GOD the FATHER now live in you through the HOLY SPIRIT. There is a way you can receive a fuller portion of the divine nature of GOD in you. The more the divine nature of GOD lives in you, the more you will be able to stand against the temptations that have so easily moved so many millions of Christians away from salvation. Pray for the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.14 For instructions on how to receive the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT and to receive more of GOD’S holy nature, ask for our literature or call. For without holiness, no man shall see GOD (Hebrews 12:14).

The LORD wants you to tell others of your salvation (Mark 16:15). You can become a distributor of Pastor Tony Alamo’s Gospel literature. We’ll send you literature free of charge. Call or email us for more information. Share this message with someone else.

If you want the world saved, as JESUS commands, then don’t rob GOD of HIS tithes and offerings. GOD said, “Will a man rob GOD? Yet ye have robbed ME. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed THEE? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed ME, even this whole nation [and this whole world]. Bring ye all the tithes [a ‘tithe’ is 10% of your gross income] into the storehouse, that there may be meat [Spiritual food] in MINE house [souls saved], and prove ME now herewith, saith the LORD of HOSTS, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of HOSTS. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of HOSTS” (Malachi 3:8-12).


English Alamo Literature

Please contact us for more information or for literature on other topics which may be of interest.

Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide
P. O. Box 2948
Hollywood, CA 90078

Twenty-four hour prayer and information line: (661) 252-5686

Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide provides a place to live with all the things necessary for life to all those
in our United States locations who truly want to serve the LORD with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Services held in New York City every Tuesday at 8 P.M. and at other locations nightly. Please call for more information: (908) 937-5723.

MEALS SERVED AFTER EACH SERVICE

Ask for Pastor Alamo’s book, The Messiah, showing Christ from the Old Testament revealed in over three hundred thirty-three prophecies.

Become a laborer in the harvest of souls by becoming a distributor of Pastor Alamo’s literature. All of our literature and audio messages are free of charge, including shipping.

THIS LITERATURE CARRIES THE TRUE PLAN OF SALVATION (Acts 4:12).
DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE ELSE

Those of you who are in other countries, we encourage you to translate this literature into your native language.
If you do reprint, please include this copyright and registration:

© Copyright August 2016 All rights reserved World Pastor Tony Alamo ® Registered August 2016


footnotes:

1.Matt. 26:20-57, 27:11-14, Luke 4:1-31, 6:12, 18:31-33, 22:37-44, John 8:37-59, 10:11-18, 11:47-54, 16:32-33, 17:1-4, Phlp. 2:5-8, Heb. 4:14-15, 1 Pet. 2:21-24 return

2. Josh. 1:9, Isa. 40:31, 41:10-13, Dan. 3:13-18, Matt. 10:16-39, 16:24-26, Luke 22:28-30, Acts 5:17-42, 14:21-22, Rom. 8:16-18, 12:1, 2 Cor. 4:17-18, Phlp. 1:27-30, Col. 1:21-24, Heb. 11:32-40, James 1:12, 1 Pet. 1:3-9, 2:19-24, 5:6-10, Rev. 2:7-26, 6:9-11, 12:10-11, 14:1-4 return

3. Luke 9:18-22, John 17:4, 19:13-30, Phlp. 2:5-8, Heb. 12:1-3 return

4. Matt. 24:13, John 8:31-32, Rom. 2:7, 13, 8:35-39, 11:21-22, 12:1, Gal. 6:9, Col. 1:21-24, 1 Tim. 4:14-16, 2 Tim. 2:1-3, 8-12, 3:14-17, 4:5-8, Heb. 3:5-19, 6:4-6, 12:1-2, James 1:21-25, 5:10-11, 2 Pet. 3:10-14, 1 John 2:16-19, 24-25, 28, Rev. 3:1-5, 11-12, 21 return

5. Gen. 25:24-28 return

6. Gen. 25:29-34, Heb. 12:15-17 return

7. Gen. 27:41-46, 28:1-9 return

8. Gen. chs. 29-31, 32:1-8 return

9. Gen. 32:22-30 return

10. Psa. 34:4-17, 55:15-23, Matt. 7:7-8, 21:21-22, Luke 18:1-8, John 15:7, Rom. 8:26-27, 12:12, Eph. 6:17-18, Phlp. 4:6, Col. 4:2, 1 Thes. 5:17, James 5:13-18, 1 John 5:14-15 return

11. Josh. 10:5-42, 1 Kings 18:20-40, 2 Kings 6:14-23, 18:13-37, 19:19-37, 1 Chron. 5:18-22, 14:8-17, 2 Chron. 14:9-15, 20:1-30, 32:1-22, Est. chs. 4, 7-8, Mark 11:24, Luke 11:9-10 return


Prayer footnotes:

1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return

2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return

3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return

4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return

5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return

6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return

7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return

8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return

9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return

10. Heb. 11:6 return

11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return

12. Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:3-5 return

13. Deut. 4:29, 13:4, 26:16, Josh. 1:8, 22:5, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Rev. 3:18 return

14. Isa. 28:11-12, Joel 2:28-29, Luke 3:16, 11:9-13, John 1:29-34, 7:37-39, 14:15-29, 15:26, 16:7-14, Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-39, 5:29-32, 19:1-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 15:13 return