Shalom,

I really like the last half of the selection for today in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers!

Always measure your life solely by the standards of Jesus. Submit yourself to His yoke, and His alone; and always be careful never to place a yoke on others that is not of Jesus Christ. It takes God a long time to get us to stop thinking that unless everyone sees things exactly as we do, they must be wrong. That is never God’s view. There is only one true liberty— the liberty of Jesus at work in our conscience enabling us to do what is right.

Don’t get impatient with others. Remember how God dealt with you— with patience and with gentleness. But never water down the truth of God. Let it have its way and never apologize for it. Jesus said, “Go . . . and make disciples. . .” (Matthew 28:19), not, “Make converts to your own thoughts and opinions.”

I have been hearing from, and sharing the Word with, so many people that have had any number of people telling them the changes that they need to make in order to line up with God's Word! What we should REALLY be doing for them is praying for them first, then share the Word of God that Holy Spirit says to share, and then let HIM make it clear to them! Remember, every believer has the same "Unction" or "Anointing" living IN them (1 John 2:20)! He IS the Spirit of Almighty God, God the Holy Spirit! These believers need us to be praying for them to have seeing eyes and hearing ears, and then to hear and obey the Holy Spirit as HE teaches them the Word and shows them individually what they each must do to get back on track! AMEN! Preach the Word, in season and out of season, when it's convenient and when its not, BUT allow the Holy Spirit to do the TEACHING! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "I Surrender", because surrendering to HIM and HIS Word and HIS Spirit is what all believers must do daily! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I know that I have shared this before, but it is so very good that I am sharing it again! We read 1 Corinthians 13 today in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. The very BEST translation of 1 Corinthian 13:4-8 is found in Rick Renner's Sparkling Gems From The Greek! Here it is:

The following is an expanded interpretive translation of 

First Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love patiently and passionately bears with others for as long as patience is needed;

Love doesn’t demand others to be like itself; rather, it is so focused on the needs of others that it bends over backwards to become what others need it to be;

Love is not ambitious, self-centered, or so consumed with itself that it never thinks of the needs or desires that others possess;

Love doesn’t go around talking about itself all the time, constantly exaggerating and embellishing the facts to make it look more important in the sight of others;

Love does not behave in a prideful, arrogant, haughty, superior, snooty, snobbish, or clannish manner;

Love is not rude and discourteous–it is not careless or thoughtless, nor does it carry on in a fashion that would be considered insensitive to others;

Love does not manipulate situations or scheme and devise methods that will twist situations to its own advantage;

Love does not deliberately engage in actions or speak words that are so sharp, they cause an ugly or violent response;

Love does not deliberately keep records of wrongs or past mistakes;

Love does not feel overjoyed when it sees an injustice done to someone else but is elated, thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed with the truth;

Love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards people from exposure;

Love strains forward with all its might to believe the very best in every situation;

Love always expects and anticipates the best in others and the best for others;

Love never quits, never surrenders, and never gives up;

Love never disappoints, never fails, and never lets anyone down.”


We see above that Love never fails, but there is another Scripture that shows the extreme importance of walking in Love! Galatians 5:6 says this:

6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. AMP

So, walking in this God kind of Love causes our faith to work, in fact, our faith will NOT work without doing so! AND, walking in the God kind of Love keeps us from failing in life because Love NEVER fails! AMEN! We all make mistakes from time to time, but if we concentrate on NOT missing it where Love is concerned, then we will NOT fail! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Love Is War":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's Faith Food by Kenneth E. Hagin says this:

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land" (Isa. 1:19). 

If you are willing and obedient, it is God's will that you have the best. (Of course, you can't walk in disobedience and enjoy the good things of God.) 

God is not a miser or a tightwad. And He didn't put everything here in this world for the devil and his crowd to enjoy. 

Some people have the idea that if you're a Christian, you should never have anything, financially or materially. They believe that you should go through life poor and beaten down. 

But Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil and natural, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matt. 7:11). 

Oh, God wants to give us good gifts! He wants us to have the best! He wants us to prosper and have the good things of this life! But we must cooperate with Him. 

How do we cooperate with God in order to walk in the fullness of all that He has blessed us with? By spending time in daily fellowship with Him, by meditating His Word day and night so that we can see, know and understand all that He has for us and then follow the direction of the Holy Spirit as He leads us day by day according to all the fullness of the Word of God! Instantly obey what you see in the Word of God and the still small voice of the Spirit of God Who lives inside of every believer! Do you understand what John 10:10 actually says?

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP

This "life" is the Greek word "zoe" that refers to the Life that God has within Himself! Jesus came and died and rose again to ransom us back from the clutches of the enemy AND to place us in His Kingdom! He also provided for that same Life that is in Him to be IN us! HALLELUJAH! Have and enjoy the Life that was purchased for you! Share that Life with whoseover will receive HIM Amen!  Here is Hillsong with "Endless Light":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 122 is a very important Psalm to know the God of the Bible's heart concerning the city of Jerusalem!

¹ I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!

² Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!—

³ Jerusalem, which is built as a city that is compacted together—

⁴ To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed and as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

⁵ For there the thrones of judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love you [the Holy City]!

⁷ May peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces!

⁸ For my brethren and companions’ sake, I will now say, Peace be within you!

⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek, inquire for, and require your good.

I am leaving the verses standing alone for emphasis today! Verse 3 says that Jerusalem is as a city that is compacted together. "Compacted" is the Hebrew word "chabar", which means: to unite, to join, to bind together, to be joined, to be coupled. This city, which is the God-given capital of God's nation of Israel, is indeed compacted together! In the Old City sections, everything is very close together and crowded. In the new part of the city there is construction going on. When we visited Israel we learned from our guide that the outer boundaries of the city have already been set! Now they begin to build from the outside in! The new construction will NOT expand the city further, but will be "compacted" into the set borders! I like this! God alone controls the borders! It will NOT be divided! There are many people groups and nations that are calling for Israel to divide the city again and give half of it to the enemies of Israel! THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN! As we say many times, it is MOST important to always be on GOD'S side of any situation! Now YOU know what God's side is in this! Pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem! Verse 6 promises this:

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. KJV

AMEN! Here is Paul Wilbur with a very old song called "Shalom Jerusalem":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Joshua 15-16 we see the boundaries for the nation of Israel as they were drawn up by the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! How do THOSE boundaries look compared with the ones that have been forced on the nation of Israel today? SOMEONE, or many "SOMEONES" have a LOT of explaining to do! AMEN! Here is a comparison with photos:

The Israel that the twelve tribes
 won for themselves

This is GOD'S Israel!

Two views of present day Israel!
THIS is the world's view!
Who do YOU think is right?

Do you remember when Moses asked the Israelites, in Exodus 32:26, who was on the LORD's side? Who's side are YOU on? God is ALWAYS on OUR side! It's time to go all in for God and make certain to always be on HIS side in every situation and every matter! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Hosanna":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 says this:

1 Am I not an apostle (a special messenger)? Am I not free (unrestrained and exempt from any obligation)? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you [yourselves] not [the product and proof of] my workmanship in the Lord? ² Even if I am not considered an apostle (a special messenger) by others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal (the certificate, the living evidence) of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it]. AMP

Paul was defending his calling a an apostle here because SOME did not receive him as such! One reason some may have felt that way is because Paul, as Saul, HAD persecuted the church up until his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Others may have felt this way because they "assumed" that it was up to them to fill the spot that Judas left. Notice this in Acts 1:23-26:

23 And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts (their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen 25 To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go to his own place. 26 And they drew lots [between the two], and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers). AMP

Notice that THEY nominated these two men! Then THEY asked the Lord to show them which one of the two that THEY had picked should be the one! After they asked it does NOT say that they spent time in fasting and prayer in order to clearly hear HIS will! They were not YET filled with the Spirit, so they could not even do that! What DID they do? They "cast lots"! That's also known as "drawing straws"! Does that sound Spirit-led to you? I can't say for certain, but these are my thoughts! If you notice, Matthias, the one "chosen" by lots, is not mentioned again in the New Testament! So, what is MY point in sharing all of this? Even though Paul was NOT recognized by many to actually BE an apostle appointed by Jesus, He did the WORK of an apostle! He did what God had called him to do! So many times in ministry people are more concerned with a title rather than the actual calling! Refuse that type of thinking! If GOD wants you called something, HE will see to it! If not, just DO what you were called, set apart and anointed and equipped to do! There are no rewards for names, only for obedience! The obedient usher who prays for the church and shares the Gospel will have the same reward as the obedient apostle who does what THEY are called to do! AMEN! Be all that God has called YOU to be, and pray for everyone else! Here is a new song from Hillsong United called "Up In Arms". BE the one who is sold out to HIM and HIS will!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read the last 88 verses of Psalm 119 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. I would encourage you to re-read yesterday's blog on the Word and then pay special attention to Psalm 119:89 and 93 for today: 

⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens].
⁹³ I will never forget Your precepts, [how can I?] for it is by them You have quickened me (granted me life). AMP

His Word forever settled and will NEVER change! Any changes to be made will be in us as we continually meditate on His Word and hide it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11)! It is the Word that brings the Life of God into every area of our lives! Read the Word, speak the Word to yourself (and others), listen to the Word being read (CDs, MP3s, etc), and meditate (think about, ponder, talk about) on it so that YOU can make your way prosperous and have GOOD success (Joshua 1:8 AMP)! Then look at Psalm 119:97-100 for more reasons to KNOW this Word!

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

Enjoy your journey into the Word of God! you will NEVER regret THAT decision! EVER! Here is an older song by Sara Groves called, appropriately, "The Word"!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Every verse of Psalm 119 speaks of the Word of God. Why not challenge yourself to find them all? The Word of God is alive and powerful! Hebrews 4:12:

12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. AMP

The Word of God doesn't simply CONTAIN Truth, it IS Truth! John 17:17:

17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. AMP

The Word of God shows us how to be successful! Joshua 1:8:

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. AMP

The Word of God reveals the Will of God! Romans 12:2:

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV

The Word of God created everything that we see! Hebrews 11:3:

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. KJV

The Word of God is the source of faith! Romans 10:17:

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV

The Word of God brings the New Birth! 1 Peter 1:23:

23 You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. AMP

The Word of God IS God!  John 1:1:

1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. AMP

What emphasis do YOU give to the Word of God? This CHOICE will affect every area of your life! Make the wise choice! AMEN! Here are a few pictures to inspire you!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Pastor Bill Novak ended his current series called "God/Man" today at The Spoken Word Church. He will begin a series called "End Times" next week! Did YOU know that Jesus was/is 100% God AND 100% man? Everything that He did here on the earth, He did as a perfect, sinless man! He was completely man and COULD have sinned, but He did not! He was the perfect sacrifice for OUR sins, because He had none of His own! He was the perfect Mediator! 1 Timothy 2:5-6:

5 For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time. AMP


The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Jesus was MADE to BE sin, with OUR sin, so that WE could be MADE the Righteousness of Gd, through HIM! 

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. KJV

How can we partake of this wonderful gift? Romans 10:9-10 tells us this:

9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. AMP

Have YOU received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior yet? If not, is there any reason you can't do so right now? Understand that the price to be paid for sin is death, which is eternal separation from the God of the Bible! Romans 6:23a:

23 For the wages of sin is death;... KJV

BUT, the God has provided the way out! Romans 6:23b:

 ...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV

If you would like to, pray this prayer now:

Almighty God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for me, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at Your right hand. I accept and receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I invite Him to come into my heart and become Lord over my life. I thank You now Father, for welcoming me into Your family. You are my Father. I am Your child. Jesus is my Lord! Amen.

Contact us through the link at the left and let us know so that we can assist you further in finding a good church in your area. In the meantime, check out the teaching on the website to get started! AND welcome too the family! Here is a song to encourage you! It's called "I'm Not Ashamed" by Hillsong:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 117 contains only 2 verses,but they are very direct in instruction to us! As you read and study these verses in these different versions of the Bible, allow the Holy Spirit to direct YOU in YOUR private and personal praise and worship! THEN you will be SO ready for your church Worship Service tomorrow! Ready to be a FULL participator and not just an observer! AMEN! 

Ps 117:1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. 

2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endures for ever. Praise ye the Lord. KJV

Ps 117:1 O PRAISE the Lord, all you nations! Praise Him, all you people!  [Rom 15:11.] 

2 For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) AMP

Ps 117 :1 Praise Adonai, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples! 2 For his grace has overcome us, and Adonai’s truth continues forever. Halleluyah!  CJB


Ps 117:1 Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. 

2 For he loves us with unfailing love; the Lord's faithfulness endures forever. 

Praise the Lord! New Living Translation 

Ps 117:1 Praise God, everybody!  Applaud God, all people!  

2 His love has taken over our lives;God's faithful ways are eternal. 

Hallelujah! THE MESSAGE

Remember that He LIVES in the praise of HIS people (Psalm 22:3)! The Old Covenant believers AND us new Covenant believers! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Praise Him"! Quite appropriate, don't you agree?

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today's message from the devotional "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is very thought provoking!

Take now your son . . . and offer him . . . as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you —Genesis 22:2

.....  If we obey what God says according to our sincere belief, God will break us from those traditional beliefs that misrepresent Him. There are many such beliefs which must be removed-for example, that God removes a child because his mother loves him too much. That is the devil’s lie and a travesty on the true nature of God! If the devil can hinder us from taking the supreme climb and getting rid of our wrong traditional beliefs about God, he will do so. But if we will stay true to God, God will take us through an ordeal that will serve to bring us into a better knowledge of Himself.

The great lesson to be learned from Abraham’s faith in God is that he was prepared to do anything for God. He was there to obey God, no matter what contrary belief of his might be violated by his obedience. Abraham was not devoted to his own convictions or else he would have slain Isaac and said that the voice of the angel was actually the voice of the devil. That is the attitude of a fanatic. If you will remain true to God, God will lead you directly through every barrier and right into the inner chamber of the knowledge of Himself. But you must always be willing to come to the point of giving up your own convictions and traditional beliefs.  ....

Abraham obeyed God because he BELIEVED the promise of God that he would be the "father of many nations" (Genesis 17:4) and that his descendants would be as numerous as the sands of the sea and as the stars of the heaven (Genesis 22:17)! He didn't know HOW God was going to accomplish this if he offered Isaac, but he knew God WOULD! I imagine Abraham picturing Isaac rising from the dead! To have THAT kind of faith in God and His Word requires an all out commitment to feeding on the Word, meditating on the Word and obeying the Word, by the direction of the Holy Spirit. There are NO short cuts available! Determine today to make the Word of God your #1 priority! You will NEVER regret that decision! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with a new song called "Stay And Wait":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I am going to do something very different today! The message from today's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" by Rick Renner is so very powerful and important to know that I am going to share it in it's entirety here:

The Day the Veil Was Rent And the Earth Shook Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent. -- Matthew 27:50,51

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record that on the day Jesus was crucified, the sky turned eerily dark at the sixth hour of the day. Matthew 27:45 says, "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." Notice the choice of words Matthew uses to describe this event. First, he says that "there was darkness." The words "there was" are from the Greek word ginomai, which describes an event that slowly crept up on them before they knew what was happening. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the clouds started rolling over the land, becoming darker and darker until finally an ominous, dark gloom filled the entire sky and loomed over the landscape. The word "dark" is the Greek word skotos, used all over the New Testament to depict something very dark.  Verse 45 says that this sudden and unexplainable darkness covered all the "land." The word "land" is the word ges, the Greek word for the earth, and it refers to the entire earth, not just a small geographical region. The Greek word ges emphatically tells us that the whole world literally became simultaneously darkened.  The historians Phlegon, Thaddus, and Julius Africanus all referred to the darkness that covered the earth at the time of Jesus' crucifixion. Critics of the Bible have attempted to explain away this supernatural darkness by alleging that it was due to an eclipse of the sun. This is impossible, however, for the Passover occurred at the time of a full moon.  The Bible informs us that the darkening of the sky started at the sixth hour (see Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:45). This is significant, for the sixth hour (noontime) was the very moment that the high priest Caiaphas, arrayed in his full priestly garments, began the procession in which he would enter the temple to slaughter a pure, spotless Passover lamb. This darkness that covered the land lasted until the ninth hour - the exact moment the high priest would be making his entrance into the Holy of Holies to offer the blood of the Passover lamb to cover the sins of the nation.  It was at this moment that Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). As He heaved upward to breathe for the last time, Jesus gathered enough air to speak forth a victory shout! His assignment was complete! After proclaiming those words with His last ounce of strength, Matthew 27:50 tells us that He "...yielded up the ghost."  What Matthew tells us next is simply amazing! He writes, "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom...." The word "behold" is the Greek word idou. This is a very difficult word to translate, for it carries such intense feeling and emotion. The King James Version most often translates this word as behold. But in our contemporary world, it might be better rendered, Wow!  This word idou carries the idea of shock, amazement, and wonder. It's almost as if Matthew says, "Wow! Can you believe it? The veil of the temple itself rent in twain from top to bottom!" Matthew wrote about this event many years after the fact, yet he was still so dumbfounded by what happened that day that he exclaimed in effect, "Wow! Look what happened next!"  There were two veils inside the temple - one at the entrance to the Holy Place and a second at the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest was allowed to pass through the second veil once a year. That second veil was sixty feet high, thirty feet wide, and an entire handbreadth in thickness! One early Jewish writing states that the veil was so heavy, it took three hundred priests to move or manipulate it. It would have been impossible humanly speaking to tear such a veil.  At the exact moment Jesus was breathing His last breath on the Cross at Golgotha, Caiaphas the high priest was standing at his station in the inner court of the temple, preparing to offer the blood of a spotless Passover lamb. At the very instant Caiaphas stepped up to kill the Passover sacrifice, Jesus exclaimed, "It is finished!" At that same instant, miles away from Golgotha inside the temple at Jerusalem, an inexplicable, mystifying supernatural event occurred. The massive, fortified veil that stood before the Holy of Holies was suddenly split in half from the top all the way to the bottom!  The sound of that veil splitting must have been deafening as it ripped and tore, starting from the top and going all the way down to the floor. It was as if invisible, divine hands had reached out to grab it, rip it to shreds, and discard it.  Imagine how shocked Caiaphas must have been when he heard the ripping sounds above his head and then watched as the veil was torn in half, leaving two sides of the once-massive curtain lying collapsed to his right and his left. Just think what must have gone through this evil high priest's mind when he saw that the way to the Holy of Holies was opened - and that God's Presence was no longer there!  You see, when Jesus was lifted up on that Cross, that Cross became the eternal mercy seat on which the blood of the final sacrifice was sprinkled. Once that sacrifice was made, it was no longer necessary for a high priest to continually make sacrifices year after year, for Jesus' blood had now settled the issue forever!  For this cause, God Himself ripped the veil of the temple in half, declaring that the way to the Holy of Holies was now available to everyone who came to Him through the blood of Jesus! This is why the apostle Paul wrote that Jesus "...hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" (Ephesians 2:14).  Jesus' death was such a dramatic event that even the earth reacted to it. Matthew 27:51 says, "...the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." The word "earth" is the word ges, the same word seen in verse 45 (see above) that describes the whole earth. The word "quake" is the Greek word seiso, which means to shake, to agitate, or to create a commotion. It is where we get the word for a seismograph, the apparatus that registers the intensity of an earthquake. It is interesting to note that Origen, the early Christian leader, recorded that there were "great earthquakes" at the time of Jesus' crucifixion.  I find it so amazing that although Israel rejected Jesus and the Roman authorities crucified Him, creation always recognized Him! During His life on this earth, the waves obeyed Him; water turned to wine at His command; fishes and bread multiplied at His touch; the atoms in water solidified so He could walk across it; and the wind ceased when He spoke to it. So it should come as no surprise that Jesus' death was a traumatic event for creation. The earth shook, trembled, and shuddered at the death of its Creator, for it instantly felt its loss.  The earth shuddered so violently when Jesus died that even "...the rocks rent...." The word "rocks" is petra,  referring to large rocks. The other word that could have been used for "rocks" is the word lithos, which meant small stones. But Matthew tells us that huge, large rocks were "rent" by the shaking of the earth. The word "rent" is schidzo, meaning to rend, to tear, to violently tear asunder, or to terribly fracture. This was a serious earthquake! It makes me realize all over again the incredible significance of the death of Jesus Christ!  When Jesus' blood was accepted at the Cross as final payment for man's sin, the need to habitually offer sacrifices year after year was eliminated. The Holy of Holies, a place limited only to the high priest once a year, has now become open and accessible to all of us! As "believer-priests," each of us can now enjoy the Presence of God every day. This is why Hebrews 10:19,22 says, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.... Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience...."  Since the way to the Holy of Holies has been thrown wide open to us, we need to take a few minutes each day to enter into the Presence of God to worship Him and to make our requests known. Because of what Jesus did, we can now "...come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Since this is God's promise to us, let's drop everything we're doing and come boldly before that throne of grace for a few minutes today!  Are YOU ready to do so? Here is Hillsong Live with "Love Like Fire":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

When Paul went to the Corinthians, he proclaimed the Gospel message of Salvation through Jesus Christ and God confirmed that message with signs, wonders and miracles, just as He did with the first disciples (Mark 16:20) and as He does now through our missionary partners around the world who do the same! How do I know this? Look at 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 and 4-5:

1 As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom;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.

⁴ 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], ⁵ So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. AMP

THIS is the same message that WE are to be bringing to the lost! We are not supposed to try to teach them the deeper things of the Word of God. People who have not yet received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior cannot even understand the Word yet, other than the simple and powerful Gospel! Look at verses 13-14:

¹³ And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. ¹⁴ But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. AMP

As born again believers get themselves into a good Bible teaching church, THEN they can begin to be taught the Word of God and grow in the Word and the Word can grow in them! THESE are the people that Paul is speaking of in verses 6-10:

⁶ 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. ⁷ 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]. ⁸ 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. ⁹ But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. ¹⁰ Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny]. AMP

God wants us to become those who DO know and understand Him and His Ways through His Word! The choice, however, is ours to make, each and every day! Please do NOT become as those Paul  speaks of  whom he could NOT teach anything beyond the simple milk of the Word the Gospel of Salvation (1 Corinthians 3:2)! Be a diligent hearer AND doer of the Word, beginning with the simple Gospel, and then and grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2)! YOU will become a powerful force for good in the lives of everyone around you when you do so! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Children Of The Light" - OUR calling!

Children in the wilderness
Following the love You poured out for us
Covered by the name that we confess
Jesus Saviour forever

Roaming through the dark of night
Clinging to the word that burns deep inside
Eyes fixed on Your name and endless light
Jesus Saviour forever

Set alight to follow
In the shadow of Your Name
The world is Yours and I know
Everything will find its place
Under Your name

Walking on through the fire
Knowing I will not be burned but refined
Fearless in Your name ever by my side
Jesus Saviour forever

Taking on the raging storm
Anchored to the kingdom unshakable
Holding to Your Name that outshines all
Jesus Saviour forever

Set alight to follow
In the shadow of Your Name
The world is Yours and I know
Everything will find its place
Under Your name

Bridge (x2):

Children of the light
Blazing through the night
Taking back what the devil had stolen

Calling on Your name
Breaking every chain
Jesus everlasting freedom

Running through the wild
Dancing in the fire
Taking back what the devil had stolen

Calling on Your name
Breaking every chain
Jesus everlasting freedom

Set alight to follow
In the shadow of Your Name
The world is Yours and I know
Everything will find its place
Under Your name
(x2)

Jesus, under Your name

Jesus, All the power
All the glory
All the praise be to Your Name forever
All the power
All the gloryAll the praise be to Your Name forever

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I just cannot get past Psalm 113! It is powerful from beginning to end and a great and timely message for US!

¹ Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord!
² Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever
³ From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
⁴ The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens!
⁵ Who is like the Lord our God, Who has His seat on high,
⁶ Who humbles Himself to regard the heavens and the earth!
⁷ [The Lord] raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and the dung hill,
⁸ That He may seat them with princes, even with the princes of His people.
⁹ He makes the barren woman to be a homemaker and a joyful mother of [spiritual] children. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)  AMP

The word "praise" is found 5 times in this Psalm. This is the Hebrew world "halal", which means: to be clear, to shine, to make a show, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, to stultify (to appear, foolish, absurd or ridiculous). Do you get that this is NOT a quiet sort of response? Why do this? Because HE IS, and because of all the wonderful things He has done in us, for us and through us! AMEN! Here, to help you be a DOER of this Psalm, is a very old song by Ron Kenoly called "Can't Stop Praising His Name":

Shalom in Him!