Shalom,


Many of us are familiar with Psalm 37:4, but the verses before are also a part of the same message:


1 FRET NOT yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God). 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the LORD and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, and he will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.


Do you recognize what the mindset of a born again believer is supposed to be?  The rest of the Psalm is more of the same; in order to get, and keep, God's people in position to receive all that He has planned for them! It ends with this in verses 39-40:


39 But the salvation of the [consistently] righteous is of the LORD; He is their Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD helps them and deliver them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they trust and take refuge in Him.


THAT is what WE have to look forward to, in THIS life! Thank You, Jesus! Here is another song from Hillsong: "This Is Our God"

In 1 Timothy, Paul is writing to encourage and instruct Timothy in the ministry that God had called and separated him to. Timothy was very young and sometimes easily discouraged with the trials of life in the ministry! I found this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:



This advertisement appeared in a London newspaper and thousands of men responded! It was signed by the noted Arctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and that was what made the difference.




"Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success. " 


If Jesus Christ had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:


"Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church. You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you. You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy. You may not see the results of your labor, and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed. It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life."


In spite of the demands that He makes, Jesus Christ receives the "applications" of many who gladly give their all for Him. He is certainly the greatest Master for whom anyone could work, and the task of building His church is certainly the greatest challenge to which a believer could give his life.


Timothy was one young man who responded to Christ's call to help build His church. He was one of the Apostle Paul's special assistants. Along with Titus, Timothy tackled some of the tough assignments in the churches that Paul had founded. 

I like that Jesus set up His church so that we would need each other! That directs each of us back to the source of our strength: THE One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Encourage YOURSELF with the Word AND with the fellowship of like-minded believers! 


In Amos 3-5 the prophet delivers three messages, one in each of the chapters. Each chapter begins with the phrase: "Hear this word". He was actually reminding them that the message was not from him, but from the One, True God! Not heeding how we hear, and what we hear, will cause us to develop hearts that are hardened and callous to the things of God! Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, quick to respond to and obey the instructions in the Word, and quick to change YOUR thinking to agree with GOD'S when there is a conflict! Remember that God is ALWAYS right! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 36:1-4:


1 TRANSGRESSION [like an oracle] speaks to the wicked deep in his heart. There is no fear or dread of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters and deceives himself in his own eyes that his iniquity will not be found out and be hated. 3 The words of his mouth are wrong and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4 He plans wrongdoing on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject or despise evil.


Notice that the transgression, or sin, is what speaks to a wicked person (unbeliever) in his heart! A born again believer has the Spirit of God living on the inside, speaking to them! Not so the wicked! Sin speaks and they listen! Notice all of the choices that "he" has made! God didn't do this and the devil didn't even do this! The One, True God has created each of us with the right, and the responsibility, to choose the course of our own life! He even gives us the answer to the test (Deuteronomy 30:19)! We will all reap the results of pour choices! I hope YOU are making YOURS good ones! 


2 Thessalonians 3:6 says this:


6 Now we charge you, brethren, in the Name and on the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that you withdraw and keep away from every brother (fellow believer) who is slack in the performance of duty and is disorderly, living as a shirker and not walking in accord with the traditions and instructions that you have received from us.


"Withdraw" here is the Greek word "stello", which means: to bring together, gather up (used of furling sails), to shrink from a person or thing, withdraw elsewhere, avoiding. The idea of the "bringing together" and "furling the sails" means to gather yourself in and away from someone like this! Notice, also, that this is referring to "brothers"! That means other believers, who do not want to continue in the Word and in TRUE fellowship. We are to avoid spending much time in their company! IF they want help, we can be there for them with the Word of God. If not, we are to stay completely away from close fellowship! Failure to do this has hurt many believers in their own fellowship with the Lord. It does NOT mean to hate them or treat them badly. It simply means to stay away! Check your own life to see how YOU are obeying this instruction so that you can continue to walk in THE BLESSING! AMEN!


Amos is prophesying the future judgments on these cities and nations that have "NOT done right in the sight of the LORD"! Even the many things that the nation of Israel has had to endure, has been because of THEIR past choices and actions concerning the Word of the One, True God! But very serious WOE to those by whose hand the judgments have come! They are STILL God's chosen people and Land! Chosen BY Him and FOR His purposes! TOUCH NOT GOD'S ANOINTED (1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:15)! He has promises to bless those who bless Israel, and that those who curse Israel shall be cursed (Genesis 12:2-3)! Choose to do things God's Way! There is ALWAYS blessings in that! 


Here is "Run" by Hillsong:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 35:1-3:


1 CONTEND, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! 2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help! 3 Draw out also the spear and javelin and close up the way of those who pursue and persecute me. Say to me, I am your deliverance!


What is David doing here? He is calling on the LORD for help! Is this Scriptural for US to do? Look at Philippians 4:6:


6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.


This is EXACTLY what we are to do as New Covenant believers in Jesus of Nazareth! We must REFUSE to allow the enemy to trap us into doubt, fear, unbelief, worry or anxiety about ANYTHING!  Find what the Word of God promises concerning each situation you face. Then bring it before the LORD in prayer and cast the worry aside! We are also told to do this in 1 Peter 5:7:


7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for he cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.


What is He watching for? He is watching for all of the ways that we will allow Him to show Himself strong on our behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9)! That is what David was counting on, and we should be, too! Thank You, Jesus!


In 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul was letting them know that the Day of the Lord had NOT occurred yet! They were deeply concerned that they had missed it! I really like the Wuest Translation of verse 3:



 Do not begin to allow anyone to lead you astray in any way, because that day shall not come except the aforementioned departure [of the Church to heaven] comes first and the man of the lawlessness is disclosed [in his true identity], the son of perdition, he who sets himself in opposition to and exalts himself above everyone and everything that is called a god or that is an object of worship, so that he seats himself in the inner sanctuary of God, proclaiming himself to be deity.

The "aforementioned departure" that Paul was referring to is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. God WILL remove His own people, His own family, BEFORE He pours out His wrath on those in the world who have rejected Him. His wrath is NOT for His own children! Be encouraged in that, and encourage others with that! Soon and very soon! HALLELUJAH!


We read the account of the prophet Jonah again today. He held such a grudge against Ninevah that he wanted to withhold the message of God from them because he KNEW they would repent! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story! I would like to know if he told them to throw him into the sea because he would rather die than preach in Ninevah? Or maybe he wanted to see if God would save him? Or maybe he was just speaking by the Spirit of God and didn't even realize what he was saying? Isn't meditation fun and exciting! I love to have the Holy Spirit give me new incite into things when I ask Him! Try it! You'll be surprised how some of your previous thinking concerning the Word of God will change! I LOVE it! Here are some images of things recovered from the ruins of Ninevah found during excavations. They repented in the account we read today, but they eventually WERE destroyed:

 Ruins that can be seen above ground.

One of the fifteen gates that led into the ancient city. Five were recovered and these are on display in the Louvre Museum.

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 34:9-11 is a very vital key for living a life of abundance in these lat days!


9 O fear the LORD, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear. 10 The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the LORD [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing. 11 Come, you children,, listen to me; I will teach you to revere and worshipfully fear the LORD.


The word "fear" is the Hebrew word "yare'", or forms of it, and it means: to revere, to stand in awe of, to be awed, to show reverence, to honor, to respect, to cause astonishment and awe, to inspire reverence or godly fear and awe. The first thing that we, as born again believers, must do is to meditate on the TRUTH that the Spirit of God lives IN us! When we become aware of His presence and operate in this Godly "fear", we will be in position to have our needs met, and to lack for NOTHING! Get to know Him (Philippians 3:8-10 AMP!), because that saying "to know Him is to love Him" was never more true about anyone else! Here is a song from Hillsong called "For Who You Are":

I saw an interesting comparison between 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Bible Exposition Commentary today! Here it is:


1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

• Jesus returns in the air
• He comes secretly for the church
• Believers escape the Tribulation
• This occurs at an undisclosed time

2 Thessalonians 1:

• Jesus returns to the earth
• He comes openly with the church
• Unbelievers experience Tribulation judgment
• Occurs at the end of the Tribulation period, the Day of the Lord

Paul was writing these letters so that the people could stop being afraid that they had missed the catching away of the Church, AND, so that they would NOT quit working to go sit on a hill and wait for Jesus! We need to have the same balanced approach in our day! We are so very close to the soon appearing of Jesus in the air, BUT, we must still be about our Father's business of preaching the Good News so that everyone we come in contact with has the opportunity to receive HIM! Nothing brings our Father greater joy than that another "speaking spirit" be snatched from a certain future in Hell and the Lake of Fire! I SO want to please Him, don't you?

2 Kings 13-14 continues the account of the kings of Judah and Israel. It is very interesting to note each of their relationship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Remember that there is "nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9)! The same wrong thinking, speaking and acting continues to go on among the leaders and rulers of the nations today! Those who DO know their God, and OBEY their God, WILL do exploits (Daniel 11:32)! I am excited to see where things go in the next months leading up to the next election in this nation! Stay prayed up and you WILL make the RIGHT choice! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 33:10-11:


10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nought; He makes the thoughts and plans of the peoples of no effect. 11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the thoughts of Hid heart through all generations.


This should greatly encourage you as a born again believer! It doesn't make any difference what man plans, GOD has the final say! As long as we, His people, who are called by His Name, will pray, He will have access, in this nation and others, to carry out HIS plan! Be encouraged by this and also by verses 6-9:


6 By the Word of the LORD were the heavens made, and all their hosts by the breath of His mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea as in a bottle; He puts the deeps in storage places. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD [revere and worship Him]; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9 For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.


Stay in close personal fellowship daily with the One, True,, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible and nothing will take you by surprise or catch you unawares! He WILL show you things to come AND how to prepare for them! AMEN!


This goes right along with 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6:


4 But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness. 6 Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect).


Don't get caught sleeping or inactive! Stand up and speak out, then follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as He directs you on your own unique path to fulfilling His will for your life! This is a MOST exciting time to be alive and flowing in the anointing of God! 


Here is Hillsong's "What The World Will Never Take". The world CANNOT take HIM away from us, but we CAN and MUST share Him and the glorious Gospel with them! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


The introduction to Psalm 32 says this:


[A Psalm of David] A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem.


"Didactic" means: intended to teach or instruct. This Psalm was given to teach God's people how to walk in His ways! Look ate verses 1-2:


1 BLESSED (Happy, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgressions continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit.


As born again believers we are, of all people, MOST BLESSED! We don't just have our sins covered! The sin (singular, the sin nature) was totally removed from us and we were made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). When we sin after being born again, we have the instructions and promise found in 1 John 1:9:


9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose,l thought, and action]. 


Now THAT is a promise worth celebrating EVERY DAY! We WERE sinners, but He saved us! Now we are saints, who sometimes sin. When we obey 1 John 1:9, He takes away even that sin and we are free again! HALLELUJAH! Appreciating that Truth helps us to maintain a thankful and grateful heart, which is essential for growing up in the things of God! Then 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2:


1 Furthermore, Brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instruction which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life]. 2 For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus.


I like this from the Message Bible, too:


1 One final word, friends. We ask you -- urge is more like it -- that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. 2 You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus.


God SO wants us to enjoy this life He has blessed us with, but He wants us to do it HIS way, which is the Way of Life! There is blessing in our obedience to His Word! AMEN! I like this picture I found. i hope it minsters to you!

2 Kings 9-10 shows us more fulfillment of God's Word! All of these rulers and people who we see losing their lives in the Old Covenant are people who are without excuse! They have known God's ways and rejected them! He had warned the people again, and again, and again! They had the witness of those who had already faced the result of their own disobedience to, and defiance of, God's Word! We can choose to learn by either wisdom (the experience of others) or be experience (going through it ourselves - why on earth would you want to do that?). The important thing here is to learn! Those who choose not to even learn have already chosen their lot in this life! Find out what belongs to you as a child of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible and appropriate it! No one else can do it for you! Amen!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 31:23-24 should greatly encourage you in these last moments of the Last Days!


23 O love the LORD, all you His saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, and plentifully pays back him who deals haughtily. 24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the LORD!


I even like the Message Bible, too:


23 Love GOD, all you saints; God takes care of all who stay close to Him, But he pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it alone. 24 Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect GOD to get here soon.


If you haven't been faithful, then repent (change your thinking to agree with God) and get right back in fellowship with Him! THEN rejoice in these verses! 


1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 is MY prayer for YOU!


12 And may the Lord make you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as we also do for you. 13 So that He may strengthen and confirm and establish your hearts faultlessly pure and unblameable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) with all His saints (the holy and glorified people of God)! Amen, (so be it)!


The word "establish" is the Greek word "steerizoo", which means: to make stable, place firmly, set fast, to strengthen, make firm. That is more needful for the Church today than almost any other thing! Become unmovable by the world as you stand strong on His Word! AMEN!


I found this in the Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament concerning Joel:

If there had been newspapers in Joel's day, the headlines might have read:

LOCUSTS INVADE THE LAND!
NATION FACES SEVERE ECONOMIC CRISIS
No End to Drought in Sight

These could be OUR headlines today! The Word of God, especially the Prophets, usually refers to more than one time period! Some of this was to happen shortly after he prophesied and some things not until the Last Days! There are some verses we CAN use to encourage ourselves in the Lord!  Joel 1:3 is an instruction that WE should take to heart concerning the Word of God:


3 Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. 


The most important thing that we can teach our children is to love the LORD and HIS WORD! AMEN!  Then Joel 2:28-29 refers to the days we are living in! Pay attention! And then Joel 3:17:


17 So shall you know, understand and realize that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain. Then shall Jerusalem be holy, and strangers and foreigners [not born into the family of God] shall no more pass through it! 


What a great day THAT will be! Here is a great picture of Jerusalem right now. Just meditate for a moment on what you see here that will NOT be there then! Glory to God! JESUS IS LORD!

Shalom in Him!

SUNDAY'S POST

Shalom,


Psalm 30:4 is an exhortation to us!


4 Sing to the LORD, O you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy Name.


I like this verse in the message Bible, too:


4 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to GOD! Thank Him to His face!


He has done such wonderful and amazing things in each of our lives that we SHOULD be "singing our hearts out to" Him! Spend time in His presence, letting Him know just how grateful, thankful and appreciative you are for everything He's done for you! AMEN! Then WE can say, with  verse 12:


12 To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.


And again the Message Bible:


12 I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about You. GOD, my God, I can't thank You enough.


Meditating consistently on all that HE has done for YOU will go a long way in getting your heart in THAT position! AMEN! Here is a song from Hillsong that should help! "God One And Only"!

1 Thessalonians 2:13 is what every called and anointed Pastor desires to be able to say of the people and families of their  Church!


13 And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of mere men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].


CAN your Pastor say that about YOU? If not, then make whatever adjustments you have to make so that they can! 


2 Chronicles 22:2a:


2a Forty-two years old was Ahaziah when he began his one-year reign in Jerusalem.


Why did Ahaziah only reign for one year? Verses 3-4:


3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly. 4 So he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after his father's death, to his destruction.


It DOES matter who you spend time around and who you listen to and learn from! Make sure the source of your learning is a good and Godly person who knows, and obeys, God's Word! That way you will be in better position to "do what is right in the sight of the Lord" and walk in THE BLESSING of GOD! HALLELUJAH!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


In Psalm 29 we are instructed to give glory to the LORD and to worship Him! That SHOULD come naturally to believers; and it DOES to those who are in fellowship with Him on a daily basis! Then we are told seven times about the "voice of the LORD".  Verse 4 says:


4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty!


His voice, and the Words that He speaks, are FILLED with His power! They are also full of His majesty! That means they are adorned with His glory and all that makes God AWESOME! So LISTEN!!! That is what God the Father was saying in Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; and Luke 9:35; when He said:


This is My beloved Son: hear Him.


"Hear" is the Greek word "akouoo", which means: to attend to, to consider, to understand, to perceive the sense of what is said. He is ALWAYS speaking to lead, guide and direct us! LISTEN so that you can understand and obey! AMEN! 


1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 & 7-8 is what every Pastor would love to be able to say to, and about, the congregation that they are responsible to God for! These are from the Message Bible:


2 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father.


7 Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? 8 The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore -- you're the message!


We are to BE THE WORD to the part of the world that we live in! Get the Word in you so that the Word is what comes out of your mouth. Not necessarily in chapter and verse, but in TRUTH and LIGHT! AMEN! Here is a song form the Hillsong called The Difference, which is what HE is:

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. The name "Obadiah" means: one who worships God. The message he was given was to the descendants of Esau. One particular verse is very appropriate to our time and to what the nations of the world are doing to Israel. Verse 15:


15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head.


This is true of nations, but it can also be true of individuals! Do you remember Galatians 6:7:


7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever and man sows, that shall he also reap.


And, on a more positive note, Ephesians 6:8:


8 Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.


Make sure that you are only allowing yourself to think, say and do things that are a blessing to other people. Then you will reap, or receive, blessings from god Himself! I like that!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 28:7-8:


7 The LORD is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with song will I praise Him. 8 The LORD is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed.


I can personally say that the LORD is MY Strength and MY Shield! I have faith, trust and confidence that I can count on Him to deliver me in EVERY situation! I CANNOT claim that for you, though! You must get the revelation of Jesus as YOUR Deliverer from the Word of God! THAT is what verse 8 is all about! It is POTENTIAL! For HIS part, HE has done everything needful to become the Deliverer of every one of His "anointed"! See 1 John 2:20 to see that every believer is anointed! The potential is there, but the responsibility to walk in it is MINE! And YOURS! 


Matthew 28:5-8:


5 But the angel said to the women, Do not be alarmed and frightened, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. 6 He is not here; He has risen, as He said [He would do]. Come, see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.


The women had gone to the tomb early in the morning. They saw an angel of the Lord, who had rolled the stone away. All of the soldiers were frightened and fell down as though they were dead! The women weren't frightened! They received instructions to preach the Gospel: tell ... He is risen! I personally believe that because they were instantly obedient, they were blessed with what happened next! Verses 8-10:


8 So they left the tomb hastily with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples. 9 And as they went, behold, Jesus met them and said, Hail (greetings)! And they went up to Him and clasped His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, So not be alarmed and afraid; go and tell My brethren to go into Galilee, and there they will see Me.


So the very first preachers of the Gospel were women! If you are a woman called to preach, don't get into debates about it with those who don't agree! If you are not supported in your church, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the church you are supposed to be at, because it cannot be that one! Those who speak out against women in the ministry are simply ignorant of the Word of God in that area. Let them alone (1 Corinthians 14:38), pray for the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened, and then leave them to God! We don't have time to allow the enemy to get us distracted by disputes and strife! Do what God has called YOU to do, and do it for HIS glory! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Tell The World":

I love the account of the 4 lepers in 2 Kings 7! Instead of just sitting there feeling sorry for themselves, they put their hand to something and were blessed! While YOU are waiting for the manifestation of God's deliverance in your life, put your hand to do SOMETHING! God will always bless action based on faith in Him to direct you! Sometimes the only thing holding back the manifestation of your harvest is for you to get up and GO! Listen to that "still small voice", then MOVE!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 27:1-3:


1 THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation -- whom shall I fear or dread? The LORD is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.


What was it that David was confident in during times of great trouble and peril? He was confident in Who the LORD was to him from verse 1: His Light, Salvation, Refuge and Stronghold! There is only one way to have that kind of faith, trust and confidence in the LORD! Verse 4:


4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the LORD and to meditate, consider, and inquire in his temple.


In David's time the presence of the LORD was found in the Tabernacle! For us, look at 1 Corinthians 3:16:


16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?


THAT is where we find His presence! Then we can have the same confidence that David had, and even greater! I like verse 3 and verses 5-6 in the Message Bible:


3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool. 


5 That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. 6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for His place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.


That attitude during times of trouble is a witness and a testimony to the fearful world that their IS and Answer, and His Name is JESUS! Here is an older song from Hillsong called: You Are/ You Are Lord taken from Psalm 27!

In Matthew 27 we read about Pilate giving Jesus over to be crucified. The soldiers beat, spit on and mock Him. Then they take Jesus out to crucify Him. While on the cross, the chief priests, the scribes, the elders and others continue to mock Him! The very people He was dying to save, were treating Him  as one of little or no worth! Read through this chapter again allowing the Holy Spirit to show you what it was like from Jesus' perspective! When you feel all of that righteous indignation rise up to the point that you ALMOST wish Jesus would have gotten down from the cross and showed them all His power, then read THIS in Hebrews 12:3-4:


3 Just think of him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Him [reckon and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. 4 You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, not have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.


Do you see what the Holy Spirit is telling us? Jesus never lashed out at them, even once! He endured! We haven't dealt with anything even remotely as testing as what He went through! We CAN walk in love, stand strong, and be patient for the manifestation of what we are believing God for! AMEN!


There are many things we could discuss in 2 Kings 5-6, but one thing really stood out to me today! When Naaman the leper came to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, this is what happened: 2 Kings 5:9-10:


9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at Elisha's door. 10  Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be clean.


Naaman came first of all to the king of Israel hoping to receive his healing. The king sent him to Elisha, at Elisha's request. When he arrived at Elisha's house, he didn't get to see Elisha, but a messenger! Naaman did NOT like that, OR the message! His own servants convinced him to obey the instructions and he was healed and cleansed! What is OUR lesson from all of this? DON'T put God in a box! He will work through any and all of His people who will allow Him to! YOU don't need a particular minster or ministry in order to receive what YOU need from God! You have His Word and His Spirit available to you as a born again, Spirit-filled believer in Jesus of Nazareth! Learn the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, speak the Word and act on the Word, and you WILL have the results promised by the Word! If the Holy Spirit gives you something specific to do, DO IT! Otherwise just stick with the Word! You get the results and God gets the glory! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

WEDNESDAY'S POST

Shalom,


Psalm 26:1-3:


1 VINDICATE ME, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the LORD without wavering and I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your Truth [faithfully].


WHEN can WE say this about ourselves? When we have obeyed 1 John 1:9! We all miss it, most of us at sometime every day! 1 John 1:9 was given to born again believers so that we can stay in close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most high, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! It will help us to  be able to miss it less if we also obey Psalm 26:4-5:


4 I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders; 5 I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.


As born again believers, we should NOT be spending significant time with unbelievers except to minister to them! Now this is not speaking of the time you must be on the job or in the classroom. It is speaking of the time when YOU choose who you are around! That time should be spent with like-minded believers, which is time well spent! That will help us to be in THIS frame of mind: verses 6-8:


6 I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O LORD, 7 That I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works. 8 LORD, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.


THAT is the place of protection, provision and safety; the place of anointing; the place of power; the place to receive leading, guidance and direction! learn to desire intimate fellowship with HIM! He already desires to spend that time with YOU!


Matthew 26 covers the time of the Passover supper, the time in the garden of Gethsemane, the capture of Jesus and the interrogation at the house of Caiaphas. Here are two clips from the Visual Bible-Matthew that cover most of this. They are very well done and should help in your meditation today!

2 Kings 3-4 covers some of the miraculous things that happened through the ministry of the prophet Elisha! One that particularly interested me today is found in 2 Kings 4:42-44:


42 [At another time] a man from Baal-shalisha ca,e and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain [in the husk] in his sack. And Elisha said, give to the men that they may eat. 43 His servant said, How am I to set [only] this before a hundred [hungry] men? He said, Give to the men that they may eat. For thus says the LORD: They shall be fed and have some left. 44 So he set it before them, and they ate and left some, as the LORD had said.


Does THAT remind you of anything from the New Testament? We now have three instances of where many people were fed from a small offering and there was even food left over! We should NEVER be concerned about where our next meal is coming from! Remember THIS promise from Psalm 37:25:


25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.


Stay in the Word and filled with the Spirit, so that when the need arises, we will be in position to allow the "wondrous works of God" to be done through US! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 25:10:


10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.


There is not a single command or instruction from God that does not have love and mercy as its source and motivation! ALL the "paths", (the Hebrew word "`orach", which means: a way, a path, a road) of the LORD are directed by His great mercy, loving-kindness, Truth and faithfulness! We can TRUST Him with our whole life, knowing that the plans HE has for us are GOOD ones (Jeremiah 29:11)! AMEN!


Here is Psalm 25 put to song:

Matthew 25:40:


40 And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.


Just as we are HIS Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), representing HIM to the world, every good and Godly thing we do for someone else, HE receives it as though we did it for HIM personally! Remember that Truth the next time you have an opportunity to be a blessing to someone, especially someone who cannot pay you back! GOD KEEPS TRACK! Thank You, Jesus! And, of course, there is always the OTHER side of the issue:


45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.


You are NOT a failure! Stay alert for and buy up EVERY opportunity to do the right thing! You WILL be glad you did!


In 2 Kings 1 we find Ahaziah, the king of Israel, sending soldiers to seize Elijah and bring him in. The king didn't like the prophecy he heard from Elijah. He sent a captain and his fifty men to take Elijah. Fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The king, instead of acknowledging God, sent another captain and his men. When the same thing happened, he sent yet another group. What we see with this third group shows us something very important for the day in which we are living! Verse 13:


13 Ahaziah sent again a captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and fell on his knees before Elijah and besought him and said to him, O man of God, I pray you , let my life and the lives of these fifty, your servants, be precious in your sight.


THIS group did NOT die! They respected God's anointed and did him no harm (1 Chronicles 16:22; psalm 105:15)! The other groups could have made that same choice, but they did not! When we are face to face with the One, True, Most High, Living Almighty God of the Bible, we will NOT be able to say, "But I was ordered to do ...."! We each will be held accountable for the choices we make! Choose wisely! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 24:1-2:



1 THE EARTH is the LORD'S, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas and established upon the currents and the rivers.


The earth is God's special creation that He created for US to live on! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament:



Of all the heavenly bodies created by the Lord, the earth is the one He has chosen to be His own special sphere of activity. Clarence Benson called the earth "the theater of the universe," for on it the Lord demonstrated His love in what Dorothy Sayers called "the greatest drama ever staged." He chose a planet, a people and a land, and there He sent His Son to live, to minister, to die, and to be raised from the dead, that lost sinners might be saved. The earth is God's, everything on it and in it is God's, and all the people on the earth are God's, made in His image and accountable to Him. The divine name "LORD" is used six times in this psalm.

"LORD" is the Hebrew word "Yehovah", which is also known as Jehovah and means: the Eternal, Self-existing One! The earth belongs to HIM and He CHOSE to give US dominion over it! It is amazing how many people, who couldn't create anything, think that it is up to US to preserve the earth! God gave the earth and all of its resources for US to USE! Notice that I did not say ABUSE, but USE! Some people think they are the same, but they most definitely are not! Go ahead and make use of what God has provided! There really is no lack of resources, God is an abundant SUPPLIER! Just maintain a grateful, thankful heart and you won't have to worry about abusing anything! AMEN!


We have mentioned before that when Jesus answered the question from His followers about when things would take place on the earth, He was speaking to the Jews! There was no Church or Body of Christ yet! What Matthew 24 addresses will take place during the Tribulation, which is the Wrath of God poured out on a Christ-rejecting world! He was NOT speaking to US! We can, however, learn from this! Verses 4-6:


4 Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in My Name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, i am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT FRIGHTENED OR TROUBLED, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.


We have already seen a great many of these things begin to take place on earth right now! The command to not be frightened or troubled IS to us, too! Remember 2 Timothy 1:7:


7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.


There SHOULD be "No Fear Here"! Remember to be in the Word daily, in fellowship with HIM daily, being filled with the Spirit daily and practicing "reject and replace" on a daily basis! Reject the thoughts that are NOT from God and replace them with His WORD! That will keep fear "OUTA HERE"! AMEN!


In 2 Chronicles 20 we see again the account of the LORD delivering Jehoshaphat and the people from their enemies round about when they sent the singers of praise BEFORE the army! God delivered them mightily! Here is an old video of this from the old Gospel Bill shows called "Fear Not"!:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Here is Psalm 23 in The Living Bible:


1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! 2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me strength. He helps me do what honors Him the most. 4 Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. 5 You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as Your guest; blessings overflow! 6 Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with You forever in Your home.


I really enjoy meditating on the Word of God by reading other versions and translations! It can give a whole new perspective on a verse we've read many times before! Here is another way to meditate the Word: The Sons Of Korah singing Psalm 23:

IN Matthew 23:1-3:


1 THEN JESUS said to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses' seat [of authority]. 3 So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do , for they preach, but do not practice.


Don't ever let yourself follow PEOPLE! It doesn't make any difference WHO they are, they WILL make mistakes. That's why we have to study the Word of God for ourselves. The Pastor of The Spoken Word Church has ALWAYS encouraged the congregation to check out everything he teaches to make sure that it lines up with God's Word! Obey the Word and you cannot fail!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Today we have Psalm 22, also called "The Psalm of the Cross". Psalm 22 begins with "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" and ends with "[that it is finished]!" in the Amplified Bible. Re-read this Psalm with all of this in mind and allow the Holy Spirit to make it come alive to YOU! He did it ALL for YOU! Here is a very early song from Hillsong called "Jesus, You Gave It All":

Matthew 22:37-40 is Jesus' reply to a lawyer trying to test Him!


37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). 38 This is the (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 40 These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the law and the Prophets.


As born again believers, these are STILL the two most important things that we can do! Love HIM with everything within you, and then allow THAT love to flow from you to others! That's a REAL love-life, and it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)!


In 1 Kings 19, after Elijah's great victory over the prophets of baal, we now find him running from a woman! Jezebel threatens him and he runs 80 miles away! This REALLY brings alive James 5:17a: 


17 Elijah was as human as we are" (NLT).


Do YOU think that you wouldn't have run away? What Elijah did to the prophets of baal, he did under the Anointing of God. What he did after Jezebel's threat, he did as a human being who was NOT born again and filled with the Spirit! Thank You, Jesus, for the priceless privilege of being alive on earth NOW! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Do you know that as a believer in Jesus of Nazareth, you are a king? Look at Romans 5:17:


17 For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).


Since you ARE a king, then Psalm 21:7 should cause you to rejoice!


7 For the king trusts, relies on, and is confident in the LORD, and through the mercy and steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved.


The word "moved" is the Hebrew word "mowt", which means: to totter, to shake, to slip, to be shaken, to be overthrown, to let fall. As long as you keep your faith, trust and confidence in the God of the Bible to deliver you, you will NOT be "moved"! What a great promise!


In Matthew 21 we read about Jesus coming down from the Mount of Olives into the city of Jerusalem.  He cleaned out the Temple and the people loved Him! Here is the rest of the chapter from the Visual Bible - Matthew:

1 Kings 17-18 is all about Elijah and his dealings with Ahab and the prophets of Baal. When we were in Israel last year we stood where this took place. here are a couple of pictures:

 Pastor Bill Novak by the statue commemorating Elijah slaying the prophets of Baal!

The group of people we were blessed to go to Israel with!

I hope YOU get an opportunity to visit Israel some time. you will never be the same!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 20:5-6:


5 We will [shout in ] triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.


That is how faith will act! Celebrating the victory BEFORE it can be seen in the natural reveals our confidence in the Word of God to deliver! Remember that the Lord "hears" the prayer that is according to His will (His Word) (1 John 5:14-15)! The "strength" of the LORD is a plural Hebrew word which refers to Him supplying ALL that is required for any given situation! This all comes from the right hand of God's power! While the world and the enemy are boasting in all of their own strength, which WILL eventually fail, WE give all the glory to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! HALLELUJAH!


In Matthew 20:28 Jesus states specifically why He came:


28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].


If you have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, then THIS verse is true of you! John 8:36 in the Message Bible:


36 So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.


Here is Hillsong with "The Freedom We Know":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 19:1-4a:


1 THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. 2 Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. 4 Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world.


Look at these verses from the Message Bible:


1 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. 
2 Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures every evening.
3 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,
4 But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.


Remember that Psalm 14:1 says that "The empty-headed fool has said in his heart, There is no God." All of creation is SHOUTING the "Case For The Creator"! You cannot SERIOUSLY look around at the immensity of the universe and the complexity of just one living cell and not KNOW that God IS! HALLELUJAH!  Here are some pictures of space taken from the Hubble Telescope. 

The heavens do indeed declare HIS glory! Just click on these for a larger view!

Matthew 19:1-2:


1 NOW WHEN Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan. 2 And great throngs accompanied Him, and He cured them there. 


It was quite a long walk from the area around the Galilee to the area of Judea that was beyond the Jordan River! These people accompanied Him! That means they walked along with Him! Here are some pictures that show the areas referred to here:

What happens to the people who accompany, or follow after Jesus? They are delivered, set free, healed! Keep in close proximity to Jesus every day by being aware of His presence through prayer, praise & worship, study & meditation of His Word and intimate fellowship with Him. Then YOU can walk in deliverance, health, prosperity, wisdom, anointing, blessing every day! How much do YOU want that? Only YOU can make that choice for yourself! AMEN!


2 Chronicles 18-19 we see God saving Jehoshaphat even though he aligned himself with Ahab. Verse 3 of chapter 19 tells us one of the reasons:  


3 But there are good things found in you, for you have destroyed the Asherim out of the land and have set your heart to seek God [with all your soul's desire].


That sounds a little like David, who was a man after God's heart! Make sure that YOU are putting HIM as your first priority and your first love. You will find yourself walking in a measure of God's protection, provision and safety that others don't know who DON'T put HIM first! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

The introduction to Psalm 18 says this:

To the Chief Musician. [ A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:

This is how David rejoiced when when he experienced God's deliverance! Verses 1-3:

1 I LOVE You fervently and devotedly, O LORD, my Strength. 2 The LORD is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Notice all of the names that David had for the LORD. Every one of those names represents some  form of God's protection, provision and safety! How did David say that he would be saved from his enemies? By calling on the LORD in praise! Make sure that you come to Him in faith (trust and confidence in God AND His Word) and WITH praise, thanksgiving and worship! That attitude shows your confidence in His ability AND willingness to deliver you! God LOVES that! AMEN!

I especially like verses 20-24 in the Message Bible:

20 God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him.

When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start.

21 Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted.

22 Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick.

23 I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. 

24 God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.

GOD does the work in our lives when WE submit our lives to Him! Philippians 1:6:

6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that he Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

That is OUR God, doing HIS work, in OUR lives, for HIS glory! I LOVE it! I MUST sing, with David:

46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted! 

Here is a different version of Psalm 18 by Cory Asbury:

Then we have THIS promise in Matthew 18:19-20:

19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My Name, there I AM in the midst of them.

As born again believers, we each have the Holy Spirit of God living IN us. When we gather together in His Name, He is also AMONG us! The anointing is stronger to minister to the needs of the people! I believe that is one of the reasons that Jesus sent out His disciples in pairs! They didn't have the Holy Spirit IN them yet, but He anointed them (the Holy Spirit ON them) for service! The Prayer of Agreement is a very powerful type of prayer! That is why we are encouraged to spend time with like-minded believers! There must be a "symphony" of faith in God's Word. Continue to grow in the Word of God and spend time with others who do also. Then you won't lack for prayer partners to agree with YOU in prayer! 

In 2 Chronicles 16-17 we see that though Asa BEGAN his reign doing what was "right in the eyes of the LORD", he didn't finish his reign that way! 2 Chronicles 17:3-4 tells us that Asa's son Jehoshaphat was also a godly king:

3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father [David]. He did not seek the Baals 4 But sought and yearned with all his desire for the LORD, the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not after the ways of Israel.

Keep reading to find out what happens next!

Shalom in Him!