Shalom,
Today I just want to share a passage from today's Bible Reading Plan from the Amplified Bible. It is very powerful and my daily commitment! It's found in Philippians chapter 3:
Phil 3:8-11 (Amplified)
8Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One),
9And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.
10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
11That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
I love Paul's prayer and I make it my own. But we can't forget that we are a work in progress:
Phil 1:6 (Amplified)
6And 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.
The work in us is being done by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us! So don't get discouraged. Remember what Paul says in Philippians 3:12-14:
Phil 3:12-14 (Amplified)
12Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.
13I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
Even Paul had not attained to his goal, but he never gave up! He continued pressing on every day! Getting to know Jesus more every day! Then at the end of his life he said this:
2 Tim 4:7 (Amplified)
7I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.
So keep pressing on in YOUR life! Get to know Jesus more every day! He is WELL worth knowing!
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Shalom,
Our selection from The Spoken Word Church Daily Bible Reading plan is found in Proverbs 24:
Prov 24:3-5 (KJV)
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
We find here that the Word of God says that "Through wisdom", the Hebrew word, chakam, which means: to be wise (in mind, word or act), to become wise, to act wisely, to show one's wisdom, is "an house", the Hebrew word, bayith, which means: a house, a habitation, a household, a family, "builded", the Hebrew word, banah, which means: to build, to rebuild, to establish, to cause to continue, "and by understanding", the Hebrew word, tabuwn, which means: discretion, reason, skilfulness, intelligence, insight, "it is established", the Hebrew word, kuwn, which means: to set up, to be fixed, to be stable, to be secure, to be prepared. The Amplified Bible says it very well:
Our selection from The Spoken Word Church Daily Bible Reading plan is found in Proverbs 24:
Prov 24:3-5 (KJV)
3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
We find here that the Word of God says that "Through wisdom", the Hebrew word, chakam, which means: to be wise (in mind, word or act), to become wise, to act wisely, to show one's wisdom, is "an house", the Hebrew word, bayith, which means: a house, a habitation, a household, a family, "builded", the Hebrew word, banah, which means: to build, to rebuild, to establish, to cause to continue, "and by understanding", the Hebrew word, tabuwn, which means: discretion, reason, skilfulness, intelligence, insight, "it is established", the Hebrew word, kuwn, which means: to set up, to be fixed, to be stable, to be secure, to be prepared. The Amplified Bible says it very well:
Prov24:3 (Amplified)
3Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],
Then the next verse says "And by knowledge", the Hebrew word, da'ath, which means: knowledge, perception, skill, wisdom, discernment, (this word comes from the word yada', which means: to learn to know, to come to know, to find out!), shall the chambers be filled with "all", the Hebrew word, kol, which means: all, the whole, everything, totality, "precious", the Hebrew word, yaqar, which means: valuable, costly, excellent, prized, rare, splendid, glorious, "and pleasant", the Hebrew word, na'iym, which means: delightful, lovely, agreeable, beautiful, "riches", the Hebrew word, hown, which means: wealth, substance, riches, sufficiency.
The next verse says that a wise (the Hebrew word chakam used in verse 3 above) man (person) is "strong", the Hebrew word, 'oz, which means: strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise), boldness, might, power, yea a man of knowledge (the Hebrew word da'ath used in verse 4 above) "increaseth", the Hebrew word, 'amats, which means: to be strong, to be alert, to be courageous, to be steadfastly minded, to be brave, to prove superior to, "strength", the Hebrew word, koach, which means: to be firm, vigorous, power, might, substance. The Amplified Bible says:
Prov 24:5 (Amplified)
5 A wise man is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;
It is better to be wise than strong because wisdom will produce a strength that is beyond natural, human strength! That sounds like the ability and power of God to me!
I hope that you are finding out how much deeper the Word of God is than you think at first glance! Meditation not only deepens our understanding of the Word and what it is actually saying, but it also gets that Word inside of us where the Holy Spirit, Who is our Teacher, can make it even more clear and He will also bring that Word that we have been meditating on back to us when we need it! (John 14:26)
Keep meditating! Your growth is amazing and other people are noticing!
Shalom in Him!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Shalom,
I hope you've been doing your own meditating on the Word of God and getting to know Him more every day! We want to look at a verse from our Bible Reading Plan from the last few days.
Prov 18:20 (KJV)
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
I find more and more believers who still do not understand that the words of their own mouth are so vitally important to their very life. We see here that the Word of God says that a man's "belly", the Hebrew word, beten, which means: the belly, the body of anything, the seat of mental faculties, "shall be satisfied", the Hebrew word, saba', which means: to be satisfied, to be fulfilled, have enough, have plenty of, be full of, "with the fruit of", the Hebrew word, periy, which means: fruit, reward, produce, offspring, his mouth and with "the increase of", the Hebrew word, tebuw'ah, which means: income, produce, revenue, yield, crops, "his lips", the Hebrew word, saphah, which means: lip, language, speech, "shall he be filled" which is the same Hebrew word, saba, as is translated "shall be satisfied" above. What does this mean? Let's look at the Amplified Bible:
I hope you've been doing your own meditating on the Word of God and getting to know Him more every day! We want to look at a verse from our Bible Reading Plan from the last few days.
Prov 18:20 (KJV)
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
I find more and more believers who still do not understand that the words of their own mouth are so vitally important to their very life. We see here that the Word of God says that a man's "belly", the Hebrew word, beten, which means: the belly, the body of anything, the seat of mental faculties, "shall be satisfied", the Hebrew word, saba', which means: to be satisfied, to be fulfilled, have enough, have plenty of, be full of, "with the fruit of", the Hebrew word, periy, which means: fruit, reward, produce, offspring, his mouth and with "the increase of", the Hebrew word, tebuw'ah, which means: income, produce, revenue, yield, crops, "his lips", the Hebrew word, saphah, which means: lip, language, speech, "shall he be filled" which is the same Hebrew word, saba, as is translated "shall be satisfied" above. What does this mean? Let's look at the Amplified Bible:
Prov 18:20 (Amplified)
20A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].
This verse is saying that we, by the words of our own mouths, produce the fruit of our lives. The situations we face in our lives today are a direct result of the things we've said about ourselves and the choices we've made previously! God has put us in control of our own lives and then told us exactly what good choices to make so that we can have that abundant life that Jesus came to give us (see John 10:10)! Remember that Jesus said:
John 15:7 (KJV)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
The Amplified Bible is even more clear here:
John 15:7 (Amplified)
7If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
The answer for those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour is to get into His Word until His Word gets into us! The more that we meditate on the promises found in the Word, the more real they become to us. When they are that real to us, Jesus says that THEN we can ask what we will (our wills will be in line with His will) and then it WILL be done! That's what Proverbs is referring to! Our lives are the product of our own words and we will have to be satisfied with the results because they are of our own choosing! So make YOUR words line up with HIS WORD and then have happy and joyful results!
Keep meditating!
Shalom in Him!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Shalom,
We're going to look at some verses in Matthew's Gospel today. The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem where Jesus had been teaching his disciples. The Pharisees desired to try to trip up Jesus in His teaching:
Matt 22:15 (KJV)
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
You can read the next few verses for that story, but the result was:
Matt 22:22-23 (KJV)
22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him...
So then we see the Sadducees trying the same tactic, with the same results!
We're going to look at some verses in Matthew's Gospel today. The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem where Jesus had been teaching his disciples. The Pharisees desired to try to trip up Jesus in His teaching:
Matt 22:15 (KJV)
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
You can read the next few verses for that story, but the result was:
Matt 22:22-23 (KJV)
22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him...
So then we see the Sadducees trying the same tactic, with the same results!
Matt 22:34
34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
So here they go again!
Matt 22:35-36 (KJV)
35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
The word "lawyer" is the Greek word, nomikos, which means: according to or pertaining to the law, one learned in the law, an expert in the Mosaic law. This was one who had studied the Law of Moses, probably his entire life, and new it inside and out. The word "tempting" is the Greek word, peirazo, which means: to test objectively, to scrutinize, entice, assay, examine, prove, try (it can be in either a good sense with right motives or in a bad sense with bad motives). We want to look at the answer Jesus gave him here:
Matt 22:37-40 (KJV)
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Jesus said, "Thou shalt love", the Greek word agapao which is referring to the God kind of love. It is the same word used in John 3:16 of God's love for the world that caused Him to send Jesus for us! He says here that WE are to love HIM with that same love! We are to love Him with "all", the Greek word, holos, which means: whole, all, complete, altogether, every whit, completely with all thy (referring to each individual person) "heart" which is the combination of our spirit being and our soul (our mind, emotions and will). Then He breaks it down further to our soul (because that is where we make choices!) and even further to our "mind", the Greek word, dianoia, which means: deep thought, imagination, understanding. That's where it has to start! In order to love the Lord the way we are told to here, we must get to KNOW Him! (Paul reveals his desire to know Him in Philippians 3:8-14. Check it out in the Amplified Bible!) The way we get to know Him is through the Word. Once we KNOW Him, our choice will be whether or not to love Him with the same love with which He loves us! Now don't stop there! The next part is equally as important in the eyes of God! Jesus said that we are to love (agapao) our neighbor even as we love ourselves! He also said that these two commandments are the basis for the entire Law! We don't have to "try" to obey the 10 commandments. If we do these two things, the rest will be taken care of! If we love someone we won't even consider stealing from them or lying about them or any of the other "shalt nots"! And a little secret is this: WHEN we love the Lord like that, loving each other will also fall into place!
We have our instructions! We need to get to know Him to the point of loving Him with our entire being! Then we love each other and the results are found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8! Love (charity, from the same Greek word and SHOULD be translated love!) NEVER fails! I think I want to love like that! How about you?
Shalom in Him!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Shalom,
The Bible Reading Plan for today included John chapter 17. This chapter of the Gospel of John contains the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples before His death, burial and resurrection. As you will see from the portion we will look at today, He also included US! Each one of us who have received Jesus as our Lord and personal Saviour! Let's read:
John 17:14-23 (KJV)
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
The Amplified Bible says this:
The Bible Reading Plan for today included John chapter 17. This chapter of the Gospel of John contains the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples before His death, burial and resurrection. As you will see from the portion we will look at today, He also included US! Each one of us who have received Jesus as our Lord and personal Saviour! Let's read:
John 17:14-23 (KJV)
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
The Amplified Bible says this:
John 17:14-23 (Amplified)
14I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world.
15I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one.
16They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world.
17Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
18Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth.
20Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching,
21That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
22I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one:
23I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me.
The prayer from the heart of Jesus was that we would be "sanctified", the Greek word, hagiazo, which means: purify, consecrate, separate from profane things (the world) and separate unto God. Then he goes on to tell us HOW the Father will sanctify us: "by the Truth: Your Word is Truth." The Word of God is the ONLY Truth. Anything contrary to the Word of God is NOT the Truth, but a lie. Keep meditating on this passage and let the Holy Spirit build a confidence in the Word of God inside of you that will never be taken away! When God's Word becomes YOUR Truth, you will truly be pleasing to Him and be fulfilling His will for your life!
Shalom in Him!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Shalom,
Today's Bible Reading Plan included John 15. Let's look first of all at verse 7:
John 15:7 (KJV)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
We're told here that if "ye abide", the Greek word, meno, which means: to stay in a given place, to remain, to continue to be present, to be held or kept continually; and His "word", the Greek word, rhema, which means: an utterance, the spoken word; abides in you, then ye shall ask what ye will and it SHALL BE DONE unto you! The Amplified Bible says:
Today's Bible Reading Plan included John 15. Let's look first of all at verse 7:
John 15:7 (KJV)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
We're told here that if "ye abide", the Greek word, meno, which means: to stay in a given place, to remain, to continue to be present, to be held or kept continually; and His "word", the Greek word, rhema, which means: an utterance, the spoken word; abides in you, then ye shall ask what ye will and it SHALL BE DONE unto you! The Amplified Bible says:
John 15:7 (Amplified)
7If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Now that is a tremendous promise and very few believers that I have met actually believe this Word enough to act on it! Get the Word of God in you by meditating continually on it until it becomes real to you. Then start doing what you know to do! ASK what you desire and it will be done. GOD SAID SO!!!
The other verse we want to look at is verse 12:
John 15:12 (KJV)
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
We are told here that our Heavenly Father expects us to give the same love to each other that HE has given to us! What kind of love is that? It's the kind of love that is based on a choice and not a feeling. A love that sees everyone as precious and valuable. We who were very unlovely have been loved with an everlasting love by the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! And He expects nothing less from us than that we give that same love to each other! That's a great commandment to obey because we know from 1 Corinthians chapter 13 that love NEVER fails!
Keep reading, studying and meditating the Word of God for the purpose of obeying it. You will be amazed at the affect the Word will have on your life and the people around you will be blessed!
Shalom in Him!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Shalom,
The Spoken Word Church Bible Reading plan for today has so many things that I could share on this blog that it was difficult to decide! If you haven't visited the site yet, please visit The Spoken Word Church website through the link at the left of this blog. The Bible Plan is right on the home page and you can follow along with us! It takes you chronologically through the Bible daily, finishing in 1 year. I am reading this year in the Amplified Bible.
I believe that Holy Spirit wants us to look at these passages today:
John 14:1-6 (Amplified)
1DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
2In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.
3And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
4And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.
5Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?
6Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
It is very exciting to me to know that it is within my control whether I walk through life distressed, worried, agitated and fearful OR in the peace and joy that only God and His Word can give! Since He is telling us here NOT to LET our hearts be troubled, then it is our responsibility to find out how to go about it! He says in the very next verse that a stress-free life comes when we put our trust and confidence in HIM! We do THAT by studying His Word, believing His Word and obeying His Word. When Jesus left to go and prepare those wonderful places for us in heaven so that He can return and take us there one day, He also said this:
Mt. 28:18 (Amplified)
18Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
Because ALL authority over all the power of the enemy has been given to Jesus, then we, as His body here on the Earth, have that same authority, in His Name, over any distressing situation or circumstance that our enemy, the devil, tries to bring about in our lives! BELIEVE Him! Believe His Word! Believe that His Word will work for you in the same way that it worked for Him when He spoke it in His ministry!
The next thing that Jesus says is very important for believers to know and to share with other people. Jesus said "I am the "Way", which is the Greek word, hodos, which means: a road, the route, the mode, the means; the "Truth", which is the Greek word, aletheia, which means: what is true in any matter under consideration; and the "Life", which is the Greek word, zoe, which means: used of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God. He is telling us here that the ONLY way we can come into fellowship with God (to belong to God) and the ONLY way we can know the REAL Truth, and the ONLY way we can have that fullness of Life that God has in Himself is by and through Himself! Through Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One (and His anointing)! 1 John tells us this:
1 John 5:11-12 (Amplified)
11And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.
Do YOU possess the Son? Have you ever accepted and received Jesus Christ as your own Lord and personal Saviour? If not, please check out the church website to the left and find out how to make Jesus the Lord of you life and have these promises of God in His Word belong to you, too!
Shalom in Him!
The Spoken Word Church Bible Reading plan for today has so many things that I could share on this blog that it was difficult to decide! If you haven't visited the site yet, please visit The Spoken Word Church website through the link at the left of this blog. The Bible Plan is right on the home page and you can follow along with us! It takes you chronologically through the Bible daily, finishing in 1 year. I am reading this year in the Amplified Bible.
I believe that Holy Spirit wants us to look at these passages today:
John 14:1-6 (Amplified)
1DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
2In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.
3And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
4And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.
5Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?
6Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
It is very exciting to me to know that it is within my control whether I walk through life distressed, worried, agitated and fearful OR in the peace and joy that only God and His Word can give! Since He is telling us here NOT to LET our hearts be troubled, then it is our responsibility to find out how to go about it! He says in the very next verse that a stress-free life comes when we put our trust and confidence in HIM! We do THAT by studying His Word, believing His Word and obeying His Word. When Jesus left to go and prepare those wonderful places for us in heaven so that He can return and take us there one day, He also said this:
Mt. 28:18 (Amplified)
18Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
Because ALL authority over all the power of the enemy has been given to Jesus, then we, as His body here on the Earth, have that same authority, in His Name, over any distressing situation or circumstance that our enemy, the devil, tries to bring about in our lives! BELIEVE Him! Believe His Word! Believe that His Word will work for you in the same way that it worked for Him when He spoke it in His ministry!
The next thing that Jesus says is very important for believers to know and to share with other people. Jesus said "I am the "Way", which is the Greek word, hodos, which means: a road, the route, the mode, the means; the "Truth", which is the Greek word, aletheia, which means: what is true in any matter under consideration; and the "Life", which is the Greek word, zoe, which means: used of the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God. He is telling us here that the ONLY way we can come into fellowship with God (to belong to God) and the ONLY way we can know the REAL Truth, and the ONLY way we can have that fullness of Life that God has in Himself is by and through Himself! Through Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One (and His anointing)! 1 John tells us this:
1 John 5:11-12 (Amplified)
11And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.
Do YOU possess the Son? Have you ever accepted and received Jesus Christ as your own Lord and personal Saviour? If not, please check out the church website to the left and find out how to make Jesus the Lord of you life and have these promises of God in His Word belong to you, too!
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Shalom,
Today's Bible Reading included Proverbs 3. I want to look at a few of these verses:
Proverbs 3:1-2 (Amplified)
1MY SON, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.
We're told here to NOT "forget" the law or teaching of the Word of God. This is the Hebrew word, shakach, which means: to mislay, be oblivious of from lack of memory or attention, to ignore, to cease to care. That isn't just referring to our forgetting where a passage is or not remembering the exact words, it is actually talking about our NOT spending time in the Word of God every day, NOT paying attention to the Word, NOT treating the Word of God as precious and valuable, NOT meditating on the Word. We are further told to "let (thine heart) keep" the Word. This is the Hebrew word, natsar, which means: to guard, to protect, to maintain, to obey, to observe, to preserve. Meditate on the Word of God for the purpose of getting to know Him and of obeying what the Word tells us to do. The results? We're told that in verse 2! Length of days (being able to accomplish more in a 24 hour day than we were able to previously!) and years of a life worth living (fullness of life and many years to enjoy that full life!) and tranquility (the KJV says "peace" which is the Hebrew word shalom, which means: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, health, prosperity, tranquility, contentment, friendship with man and God) continuing through old age until we leave this world, THESE shall they (God's Word) add to you! Now those are some awesome results that I know I want in my life!
Continue to meditate on the Word of God EVERY day! Your life, both the quality of your life and the length of it here on this earth, depend on it!
Shalom in Him!
Today's Bible Reading included Proverbs 3. I want to look at a few of these verses:
Proverbs 3:1-2 (Amplified)
1MY SON, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.
We're told here to NOT "forget" the law or teaching of the Word of God. This is the Hebrew word, shakach, which means: to mislay, be oblivious of from lack of memory or attention, to ignore, to cease to care. That isn't just referring to our forgetting where a passage is or not remembering the exact words, it is actually talking about our NOT spending time in the Word of God every day, NOT paying attention to the Word, NOT treating the Word of God as precious and valuable, NOT meditating on the Word. We are further told to "let (thine heart) keep" the Word. This is the Hebrew word, natsar, which means: to guard, to protect, to maintain, to obey, to observe, to preserve. Meditate on the Word of God for the purpose of getting to know Him and of obeying what the Word tells us to do. The results? We're told that in verse 2! Length of days (being able to accomplish more in a 24 hour day than we were able to previously!) and years of a life worth living (fullness of life and many years to enjoy that full life!) and tranquility (the KJV says "peace" which is the Hebrew word shalom, which means: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, health, prosperity, tranquility, contentment, friendship with man and God) continuing through old age until we leave this world, THESE shall they (God's Word) add to you! Now those are some awesome results that I know I want in my life!
Continue to meditate on the Word of God EVERY day! Your life, both the quality of your life and the length of it here on this earth, depend on it!
Shalom in Him!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Shalom,
It's been a while again! Let's get right back into meditating on God's Word. Our Spoken Word Church Bible Reading plan for today included reading Proverbs 2. The first part of that Proverb from the Amplified Bible says:
Proverbs 2:1-11 (Amplified)
1MY SON, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, 2Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it];
3Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures,
5Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.
6For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity,
8That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints.
9Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing [in every area and relation]; yes, you will understand every good path.
10For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.
11Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you
The word "receive" in the first verse is actually the Hebrew word, laqach, which means: to take, to take to or for a person, to take possession of, to fetch, to capture. It's a very active and aggressive word! You don't just sit around and wait for the Word of God to fall on you. Instead you go after the precious promises in the Word in order to make them your own! God has hidden the promises in His Word so that we can find them for ourselves and make them our own! In fact the Word of God tells us this:
Proverbs 25:2 (Amplified)
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
WE are the kings spoken of in this verse! The word "glory" is the Hebrew Word, kabowd, which means: glorious, honor, abundance, copiousness, dignity and reputation. It was very good for God to hide His Word FOR us and it is a very good thing indeed for us to find it out!
Continue meditating on the rest of the verses shown above from Proverbs 2:1-11 in the Amplified Bible. This translation makes it very clear that God wants His people to really know His Word so that understanding will come and we can be doers of that Word, receiving the results He intends for us to receive. Learn to fall in love with the Word of God! You will be glad you did because He says this about His Words:
Proverbs 4:22 (Amplified)
22For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh
Shalom in Him!
It's been a while again! Let's get right back into meditating on God's Word. Our Spoken Word Church Bible Reading plan for today included reading Proverbs 2. The first part of that Proverb from the Amplified Bible says:
Proverbs 2:1-11 (Amplified)
1MY SON, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, 2Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it];
3Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures,
5Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.
6For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity,
8That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints.
9Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing [in every area and relation]; yes, you will understand every good path.
10For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you.
11Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you
The word "receive" in the first verse is actually the Hebrew word, laqach, which means: to take, to take to or for a person, to take possession of, to fetch, to capture. It's a very active and aggressive word! You don't just sit around and wait for the Word of God to fall on you. Instead you go after the precious promises in the Word in order to make them your own! God has hidden the promises in His Word so that we can find them for ourselves and make them our own! In fact the Word of God tells us this:
Proverbs 25:2 (Amplified)
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
WE are the kings spoken of in this verse! The word "glory" is the Hebrew Word, kabowd, which means: glorious, honor, abundance, copiousness, dignity and reputation. It was very good for God to hide His Word FOR us and it is a very good thing indeed for us to find it out!
Continue meditating on the rest of the verses shown above from Proverbs 2:1-11 in the Amplified Bible. This translation makes it very clear that God wants His people to really know His Word so that understanding will come and we can be doers of that Word, receiving the results He intends for us to receive. Learn to fall in love with the Word of God! You will be glad you did because He says this about His Words:
Proverbs 4:22 (Amplified)
22For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh
Shalom in Him!
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