Saturday, April 30, 2016

Shalom,

Here are some of my favorite Psalm 119 verses as we finish the second half today!

89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens].  90 Your faithfulness is from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands fast. AMP

92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, [how can I?] for it is by them You have quickened me (granted me life). AMP

96 I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]. AMP

97 Oh, how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me.  99 I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation.  100 I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].  AMP

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  106 I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. AMP

129 Your testimonies are wonderful [far exceeding anything conceived by man]; therefore my [penitent] self keeps them [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. 130 The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. AMP

160 The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever. AMP

164 Seven times a day and all day long do I praise You because of Your righteous decrees. 165 Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. AMP

Have you picked up on the devotion to the Lord that is present and evident in every verse? His WORD is SETTLED! It is UNCHANGEABLE! His Word gives me LIFE and SAFETY, and LOVE, and GRACE and MERCY, and LIGHT and TRUTH! Why would I EVER want to be without God's WORD? The next time you are tempted to quit and give up because you THINK that NO ONE cares, remember that HE does! He DID, He DOES and you WILL survive! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United again with "Say The Word" because that IS what we have been talking about today! AMEN! 



Shalom in Him!

Friday, April 29, 2016

Shalom,

We began in Psalm 119 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. I have also begun covering Psalm 119 in Adult Bible Study at The Spoken Word Church. Psalm 119 is ALL about the Word of God! I invite you to take the challenge to find the Word in every verse! Verses 1-2 are here:
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the undefiled (the upright, truly sincere, and blameless) in the way [of the revealed will of God], who walk (order their conduct and conversation) in the law of the Lord (the whole of God’s revealed will). Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart.

"Blessed" here is the Hebrew word "`esher", which means: happiness, the state of prosperity that comes when a Superior bestows His favor on someone. The Amplified Bible correctly defines it (above) when it says : Blessed, happy, fortunate, to be envied! God's people, under every Covenant, have been "blessed" by God when they followed His Instructions and did things HIS way! The surrounding nations were in awe of Israel's God and the protection, provision and safety that the people walked in, and sometimes took completely for granted! Many times during the Exodus from Egypt, the people would rebel against Moses. How soon they forgot! Our New Covenant, that was sealed with the blood of Jesus, and is available for every born again believer, provides an even greater level of possible envy to everyone who has not receive Jesus as Lord and Personal Savior! THAT is what our lives SHOULD do! We should walking so in the Blessing of God that people notice the difference, recognize that "we have been with Jesus", and then come to Him, too! Our lives should SHOUT His fame! Let's make it our determined purpose to present Jesus and His Kingdom to the lost in the most enviable way possible! Let YOUR light SHINE! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with an older song called "Shout Your Fame":


Shalom in him!

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Shalom,

Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" for today is a vital key for answered prayer in any area of life!

Plead Your Case

"Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that you may be justified" (Isa. 43:26). 

"Put me in remembrance." What does God mean by that? It means that we are to remind God of His promises about prayer. When you pray, stand before the throne of God and remind Him of His promises. Lay your case legally before Him, and plead it as a lawyer. A lawyer is continually bringing up law and precedent. You bring up God's Word. Bring up His covenant promises. 

The margin of my King James reference Bible says "set forth thy cause" as another meaning of "declare thou" in this verse. God is asking you to bring His Word; to put Him in remembrance, and to plead your covenant rights. This is a challenge from God to lay your case before Him! 

If your children are unsaved, find scriptures that cover your case. Then lay the matter before God. Be definite in your requests. Find scriptures that definitely promise you those things you need. When you come to God according to His Word, His Word does not fail. 

Confession: I accept the challenge of the covenant-keeping God! I put God in remembrance of His promises. I plead my case. I set forth my cause legally. I find scriptures that cover my case, and I lay the matter before God. I come according to God's Word, and God's Word does not fail! 
We looked a couple of days ago at 1 John 5:14-15. These verses say the same thing that we are discussing today! 

14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. AMP

Find what the Word of God promises you concerning whatever situation you may be facing. Write those references down and then go over them again and again and again, meditating as in Joshua 1:8 until the light of His illumination makes that Word REAL to YOU! Now continue speaking that TRUTH over your life AND thanking and worshiping HIM for that answer BEFORE you see it, and you WILL see it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Say The Word":


Shalom in Him!

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Shalom,

Psalm 117 may be the shortest of the Psalms, but it still packs a powerful punch! 
O praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise Him, all you people. For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

The first "praise" in verse 1 and the last one in verse 2 is the Hebrew word "halal", which means:to shine, to make a show, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, to stultify (appear foolish). This involves something that can be seen by other people! We are NOT to go quietly about our faith, appearing dignified and subdued! There IS a time and place for that, but it is NOT during THIS type of praise! AMEN! The second "praise" is the Hebrew word "shabach", which means: to address in a loud tone, to commend, to laud (where we get 'applaud'). 

THIS is the attitude that ALL people are supposed to have toward the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! We should be bragging on Him all the time! He MADE every one of us! He LOVES all people. WHOSOEVER WILL can come to Him and be saved, healed, delivered, filled with Holy Spirit, learn the Word of God and turn around and share their faith with other people! What a beautiful cycle of LIFE! That IS our responsibility, to preach the Good News, sharing the Way of Salvation and Deliverance with all who will hear! 

I read this as I was studying today about how WE are to relate to the world: Psalms 117:1 says: 'Jewish people were supposed to be separated from the Gentiles but not isolated from them'! AMEN! We are to "come out from among them" for the purposes of spiritual growth, but then go right back, as Holy Spirit leads, and take the LIFE to where they are! See how much is in these two verses so far, and we have only scratched the surface! I am convinced that if any born again, Spirit-filled believer is bored with the Word, they have given NO attention to it! We will be joyously spending all of eternity continually learning more! Why not start right now? GO FOR IT! Amen! Here is Hillsong young and Free with "This Is Living ":



Shalom in Him!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Shalom,

If you REALLY want to know how to get your prayers answered, look at 1 John 5:14-15:

14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. AMP

The key to answered prayer is to get the Lord to hear us. The verses above show us that He ONLY hears those requests that are according to, or in line with, His will. His Word IS His will (John 17:17)! So, we need to spend time in the Word of God to find out His will for us, then pray that Word back to Him! Today's "Faith Food" by Kenneth E. Hagin, covers this!

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?  (Gen. 18:23-25)

God refused to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah until He had talked it over with Abraham, His blood covenant friend! Abraham's prayer in Genesis, chapter 18 is one of the most suggestive and illuminating prayers in the Old Testament. Abraham was taking his place in the covenant that God had made with him—the Old Covenant, the Old Testament. 

Through the covenant, Abraham had received rights and privileges we understand little about. The covenant Abraham had just solemnized with the Lord Jehovah gave Abraham a legal standing with God. Therefore, we hear Abraham speak plainly as he intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" 

Confession: I have a covenant with God, the New Covenant. I have covenant rights and privileges. I have a standing with God. I commune with God. I use my covenant rights and privileges in prayer. I join forces with my Father in carrying out His will and plan upon the earth. 


Abraham KNEW the Covenant that He had with Almighty God, and he drew on that Covenant with his petitions. WE, who have a better Covenant, based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6), must learn to do the very same thing! When we do, we will be praying those prayers that He WILL answer because He WILL hear us! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Desert Song":



Shalom in Him!

Monday, April 25, 2016

Shalom,

If you ONLY studied the Scriptures from our Spoken Word Bible Study Plan for today, and nothing else, you would have more than enough knowledge, understanding, Wisdom, guidance and direction to be MORE THAN A CONQUEROR in every area of your life! IF you put it into practice that is! There are many little "keys" that we find in our study of Scripture that reveal just how to be able to walk in the Truth that is found in the Word! Here are a few! Psalm 115:2:

But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

Remember that pour God is Sovereign! SOME people believe that this means God changes His mind often to DO whatever He wants to do on any given day. NO, this means that HE set things up the way HE chose, and then revealed it all in His Word! He will NOT do ANYTHING contrary to His own Word! AMEN! He DID what He pleased, and that was to love us, provide for us, deliver us, heal us, favor us, lead us, bless us AND make all of these things available to, and ONLY to, WHOSOEVER WILL! He give US the choice, and then He abides by OUR choice! We can see this in verses 12-13:
12 The Lord has been mindful of us, He will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron [the priesthood], 13 He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great.

Is there any reason why YOU cannot make the choice to become HIS? Find out how to do this on our website, through the link on the left! Another key is found in verse 16:

16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men.

HE has given US to have dominion on the earth! If WE don't do something about what is going on here, He WILL NOT! He CANNOT, because it would mean taking back what He has already given to us! But we CAN invite Him to get involved and to move on our behalf! Look at 2 Chronicles 7:14:

14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave,and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

AMEN! Let's DO this, and then CONTINUE to do so! Another key to our growth in the things of God is found in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3:
However, brethren, I could not talk to you as to spiritual [men], but as to nonspiritual [men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates], as to mere infants [in the new life] in Christ [unable to talk yet!] I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough [to be ready for it]; but even yet you are not strong enough [to be ready for it], For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?

In order to receive fresh illumination of the Truths in the Word of God, we must be continually meditating on, learning from and then OBEYING what we see and hear! Here is the how, from Joshua 1:8:

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

When we continue in His Word, we will begin to SEE things more clearly! When we DO see, then we must put what we are learning, hearing and seeing into practice! This is called OBEDIENCE! These are not just some "feel good" suggestions, but these are vital things that Holy Spirit is, and will continue, to reveal to every teachable born again believer! Are YOU ready? Then let's begin this study and meditation and action formula and continue this method in every area of our lives! AMEN! Here is HillsongUnited with "A Million Suns":


Shalom in Him!

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Shalom,

We looked at 1 Corinthians 2:2 in yesterday's blog post.  

For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.

The MOST important message that we, as born again believers, should be delivering to the lost is found in verse 4-5:
And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.

We cannot TALK someone into receiving Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, we can only pray for them, first of all, and then share the ANOINTED Word of God so that HE has something to work with! AMEN! Look at verses 6-8:
Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away. But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God—[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. None of the rulers of this age or world perceived and recognized and understood this, for if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.

This great Wisdom of and from God was hidden until such a time as this when we have easy and ready access to the the Word of God and when Holy Spirit is making all things new! Dare to believe the Word of God and dare to believe for the very best in every situation! HE desires to bless you, so EXPECT! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Falling Into You":

[FALLING INTO YOU
[Verse 1]
I've lived my life to the limit
Well I'm at the end of myself
I see the end that I know below me
Your love is waiting to catch

[Chorus]
I'm falling into you
Cause no one's gonna
Love me like you do (alright)
I've got nothing to lose
So I can't stop, won't stop
Falling into you (alright)

[Verse 2]
The rush I've felt in the free-fall
As I lost control of my life
Jesus, I've found that
You've always had me
Your love is never in doubt

[Bridge]
I wanna love you like you love me
I wanna love you like you love me

[Chorus]       [Bridge]     [Chorus 2x]

[Outro]
I'm falling into you


Shalom in Him!

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Shalom,

If you were to ask me what one thing is keeping the Church of Jesus Christ from walking in the fullness of the Glory of God, I would have to say that this is revealed in today's reading in 1 Corinthians 1! First of all, let's look at verses 10-11:
10 But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments. 11 For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you.

Paul was instructing the believer in the church at Corinth to walk in unity. We ALL may have varying ideas about certain subjects and we all may have different ways of expressing out faith, but we should ALL be speaking the same Gospel! Paul says is best in the next chapter when he says this:

1 Corinthians 2:2  For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified.

Our main job as born again believers is to carry out our Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) by sharing the Good News of the Gospel with everyone we come in contact with! When, as the Body of Christ, we concentrate on what we don't agree with each other on, we stray off of the main focus of seeking and saving the lost!  And never forget to add the Resurrection along with "Jesus Christ and Him crucified!" AMEN! Then back in 1 Corinthians 1 we'll look at verses 17-18:
17 For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel), and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect). 18 For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.

We are instructed here NOT to pay particular attention to using fancy words or speaking in a great "pastoral" voice! It is NOT eloquence or smoothness or flashiness that will get the attention of the world! It IS the POWER of the WORD of God, spoken out of the mouth of a born again believer, that will draw people to HIM! Pay more attention to WHAT you say! Speak the WORD of GOD and allow Holy Spirit to have HIS free reign to speak to the hearts of the people! Make HIM to focal point of every service and YOU will begin to experience an understanding of Who He is that you have never known before! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Young and Free  with "Where You Are":



Shalom in Him!

Friday, April 22, 2016

Shalom,

I am going to do something today that I never usually do. I am going to share one of my favorite devotionals in it's entirety and this is so intense and extensive that there will be no need for me to comment further! There will be no music video today, but I WILL share a photo from our 2010 trip to Israel so that you an see with your own eyes one of the things that he is speaking of here! This is Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" for today. It is ALL about Jesus in the hands of the Roman soldiers:

Scorned!

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews Matthew 27:27-29
After Jesus was scourged, Pilate delivered Him to the Roman soldiers so they could initiate the crucifixion process. However, first these soldiers dragged Jesus through the worst mockery and humiliation of all. Matthew 27:27-29 describes what Jesus went through at this stage of His ordeal: “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!”
Verse 27 says the soldiers “…took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.” The “common hall” was the open courtyard in Pilate’s palace. Since Pilate rotated between several official royal residences in Jerusalem, this could have been his palace at the Tower of Antonia (see April 4). It also could have been his residence at the magnificent palace of Herod, located on the highest part of Mount Zion. All we know for sure is that the courtyard was so large, it was able to hold “the whole band of soldiers.” This phrase comes from the Greek word spira, referring to a cohort or a group of 300 to 600 Roman soldiers.
Hundreds of soldiers filled the courtyard of Pilate’s residence to participate in the events that followed. Matthew 27:28 says, “And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.” First, the soldiers “stripped him.” The word “stripped” is the Greek word ekduo, which means to totally unclothe or to fully undress. Nakedness was viewed as a disgrace, a shame, and an embarrassment in the Jewish world. Public nakedness was associated with pagans — with their worship, their idols, and their statues.
As children of God, the Israelites honored the human body, made in the image of God; thus, to publicly parade someone’s naked body was a great offense. We can know, then, that when Jesus was stripped naked in front of 300 to 600 soldiers, it went against the grain of His entire moral view of what was right and wrong.
Once Jesus stood naked before them, the soldiers then “…put on him a scarlet robe.” The Greek phrase is chlamuda kokkinen, from the word chlamus and kokkinos. The word chlamus is the Greek word for a robe or a cloak. It could refer to a soldier’s cloak, but the next word makes it more probable that this was an old cloak of Pilate. You see, the word “scarlet” is the Greek wordkokkinos, a word that describes a robe that has been dyed a deep crimson or scarlet color, which is suggestive of the deeply colored crimson and scarlet robes worn by royalty or nobility. Did this cohort of Roman soldiers who worked at Pilate’s residence pull an old royal robe from Pilate’s closet and bring it to the courtyard for the party? It seems that this is the case.
As Matthew continues the account, we find out what happened next: After the soldiers “…had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head.…” The word “platted” is the Greek word empleko (see January 25). Thorns grew everywhere, including in the imperial grounds of Pilate. These thorns were long and sharp like nails. The soldiers took vines that were loaded with sharp and dangerous thorns; then they carefully wove together those razor-sharp, prickly, jagged vines until they formed a tightly woven, dangerous circle that resembled the shape of a crown.
The nail-like thorns that would have been used
 by the Roman soldiers! Do you see what
 damage these would do? HORRIFIC!
Thank YOU, Lord Jesus!
Afterward, the soldiers “…put it upon his head.…” It was this kind of crown that the soldiers violently pushed down upon Jesus’ head. Matthew uses the Greek word epitithimi, a word that implies theyforcefully shoved this crown of thorns onto Jesus’ head. These thorns would have been extremely painful and caused blood to flow profusely from His brow. Because the thorns were so jagged, they would have created terrible wounds as they scraped across Jesus’ skull bone and literally tore the flesh from His skull.
Matthew called it a “crown” of thorns. The word “crown” is from the Greek word stephanos, the word that described a coveted victor’s crown. These soldiers intended to use this mock crown to make fun of Jesus. Little did they know that Jesus was preparing to win the greatest victory in history!
After forcing the crown of thorns down onto Jesus’ brow, the soldiers put “…a reed in his right hand.…” There were many beautiful ponds and fountains in Pilate’s inner courtyard where long, tall, hard “reeds” grew. While Jesus sat there before them clothed in a royal robe and crown of thorns, one of the soldiers must have realized that the picture was not quite complete and pulled a “reed” from one of the ponds or fountains to put in Jesus’ hand. This reed represented the ruler’s staff, as seen in the famous statue called “Ave Caesar,” which depicted Caesar holding a staff or scepter in his hand. The same image, also showing a scepter in the right hand of the emperor, appeared on coins that were minted in the emperor’s honor and in wide circulation.
With a discarded royal robe about Jesus’ shoulders, a crown of thorns set so deeply into His head that blood drenched His face, and a reed from Pilate’s ponds or fountains stuck in His right hand, “…they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!” The word “bowed” is the Greek word gonupeteo, meaning to fall down upon one’s knees. One by one, the cohort of soldiers passed before Jesus, dramatically and comically dropping to their knees in front of Him as they laughed at and mocked Him.
The word “mocked” is the Greek word empaidzo, the same word used to describe the mocking of Herod and his bodyguards (see April 19). As Pilate’s soldiers mocked Jesus, they said to Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” The word “hail” was an acknowledgment of honor used when saluting Caesar. Thus, the soldiers shouted out this mock salute to Jesus as they would to a king to whom honor was due.
Matthew 27:30 goes on to tell us, “And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.” The word “they” refers to the entire cohort of soldiers who were present in Pilate’s courtyard that night. So as each soldier passed by Jesus, he would first mockingly bow before Him; then he’d lean forward to spit right in Jesus’ blood-drenched face. Next the soldier would grab the reed from Jesus’ hand and strike Him hard on His already wounded head. Finally, he would stick the reed back in Jesus’ hand to make Him ready for the next soldier to repeat the whole process.
The Greek clearly means that the soldiers repeatedly struck Jesus again and again on the head.Here was another beating that Jesus endured, but this time it was with the slapping action of a hard reed. This must have been excruciatingly painful for Jesus, since His body was already lacerated from the scourging and His head was deeply gashed by the cruel crown of thorns.
When all 300 to 600 soldiers were finished spitting and striking Jesus with the reed, Matthew 27:31 tells us that “…they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.” The robe wrapped around Jesus had no doubt had time to mesh into His wounds, for it took a great amount of time for so many soldiers to parade before Him. Therefore, it must have been terrifically painful for Jesus when they jerked this robe off His back and the material ripped free from the dried blood that had coagulated on His open wounds.
But this would be the last act of torture Jesus would endure in this stage of His ordeal. After putting His own clothes back on Him, the soldiers led Him from the palace to the place of execution.
As the soldiers mocked Jesus that day, hailing Him as king in derision and ridicule, they were unaware that they were actually bowing their knees to the One before whom they would one day stand and give an account for their actions. When that day comes, bowing before Jesus will be no laughing matter, for everyone — including those very soldiers who mocked Jesus — will confess that Jesus is Lord!
Yes, a day is soon coming when the human race will bow their knees to acknowledge and declare that Jesus is the King of kings. Philippians 2:10-11 talks about that day: “That at the name of Jesus 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.”
If you have a friend who doesn’t know Jesus yet, don’t you think it’s time for you to introduce that friend to Jesus Christ? Your friend will one day bow before Him anyway; the question is, from which place will he bow before Jesus — from Heaven, from earth, or from hell?
Everyone in Heaven will bow low before Jesus on that day, as will everyone who is alive on earth at His coming and everyone who has gone to hell because they didn’t bow before Him while they lived on this earth. So the big question is not if a person will bow before Him, but from which place will he choose to bow before Him?
Isn’t it your responsibility to help lead your friends and acquaintances to Jesus? God’s Spirit will empower you to speak the Gospel to them. If you pray before you speak to them, the Holy Spirit will prepare their hearts to hear the message. Why not stop today and ask the Lord to help you speak the truth to those friends, acquaintances, and fellow workers whom you interact with every day?
sparking gems from the greek

My Prayer for Today

Lord, open my eyes to those around me who are unsaved and in need of salvation. You died for them because You want them to be saved. I know that You are trusting me to tell them the Good News that they can be saved. Please empower me strongly with Your Spirit, giving me the boldness I need, to step out from behind intimidation and to tell them the truth that will save them from an eternity in hell. Help me to start telling them the Good News immediately, before it is too late.
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
sparking gems from the greek

My Confession for Today

I declare by faith that I am a strong witness for Jesus Christ. My eyes are opened and my spirit is attentive to recognize opportunities to speak the Gospel to people who are unsaved. When I speak to them, they listen with an open heart and want to hear what I have to say. Because of my bold witness, my family, friends, acquaintances, and fellow workers are getting saved!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
Shalom in Him!

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Shalom,

Psalm 111:10 is a great verses to get, and KEEP, down on the inside of you! 

10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.

"Beginning" here is the Hebrew word "re'shiyth", which means:  The first in place, time, order or rank; the best; the chief; the head. The very MOST important part of getting Wisdom from God is to fear Him! NOT to be IN fear, but to be in awe of Who He is and of what He has done for you! It is an attitude of surrender to His perfect will! We are promised that when we do this, we WILL obtain wisdom, skill, good understanding of His will and His Word. Now let's look at Jerry Savelle's website devotional for today!

God Will Turn Your Life Around

And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath. (Deuteronomy 28:13 NKJV)
There are far too many people in this world who go through life carrying a sense of rejection that began in their childhood. Negative words spoken to them in their early years, and oftentimes throughout their entire lives, have kept them down and held them back from being all God intends them to be. Perhaps you are one of these people. Maybe you’ve been told you will never amount to anything. Maybe you were born into poverty, and you’ve been told you will always be poor. Or maybe you have been ridiculed and told you will never be loved by anyone.
But none of this is true. If you go to the Bible, you’ll find out it’s not what God has to say about you. God says He has loved you with an everlasting love. God says you are more than a conqueror in Christ. God says no weapon formed against you will prosper. God says He will supply all your need according to His riches in glory … and He says so much more. In fact, if you will put God at the center of your life, He will turn your life around for you. If you will let Him, God will take you from being beneath and cause you to be above. He will move you from being the tail and will make you the head.
How will He do this? Through His Word. As you read your Bible, God will reveal His truths to you. And if you believe what He shows you and act on what He reveals, the Word you’ve believed acted on will turn your life around.
Confession: I have been made the head, not the tail. I am more than a conqueror in Christ. No weapon formed against me will prosper. I live above every problem, not beneath. The Word of God is turning my life around—in Jesus’ name!
AMEN! Keep praising Him and EXPECTING that what His Word says about YOU is 100% TRUTH! Now let's get out there and act like we believe it! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Falling Into You":


[FALLING INTO YOU
[Verse 1]
I've lived my life to the limit
Well I'm at the end of myself

I see the end that I know below me

Your love is waiting to catch


[Chorus]


I'm falling into you

Cause no one's gonna
Love me like you do (alright)
I've got nothing to lose
So I can't stop, won't stop
Falling into you (alright)

[Verse 2]
The rush I've felt in the free-fall
As I lost control of my life
Jesus, I've found that
You've always had me
Your love is never in doubt

[Bridge]
I wanna love you like you love me
I wanna love you like you love me

[Chorus]       [Bridge]     [Chorus 2x]

[Outro]
I'm falling into you


Shalom in Him!