Shalom,


We have looked at Psalm 119 a couple of times this year! The most important thing to remember about Psalm 119 is that it is ALL ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD! Every verse refers to the Word in some manner! Do you get the message that we are to highly value, treasure and appreciate, know and USE the Word? Hallelujah!


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.


That is so abundantly clear that we have to be totally ignoring it if we don't "get it"! There is not one thing that could ever happen in our lives, as believers in Jesus of Nazareth, that our "thinking" (stewing, fretting, worrying) about it can change! Our responsibility is to "cast that care" (1 Peter 5:7) on HIM and HE will do the delivering! Once we have gone to Him in prayer over any given situation, THEN we can stand on Philippians 4:13:


13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].


Just as a tea bag infuses the tea into your cup of water, so the Father will infuse you with His strength, by the Holy Spirit Who lives in you!


We have used Malachi 3:8-10 many times to teach on the benefits and responsibility of believers to be tithers. We have looked at Leviticus 27:30 that says the tithe is "holy" (separated from the world and separated unto God) to the LORD! When we obey what God says BECAUSE God said it, we are blessed! When we obey what God said BECAUSE we LOVE God, we are MOST blessed! 


As we begin the New Year, make a new commitment to go through the Spoken Word Bible Reading plan from a different translation, reading with someone else, listening along on CD or mp3, writing YOUR thoughts in a journal to share with others, or any number of new and different ways of studying! I guarantee that you will learn some things you never knew about the Word before! See the Word of God as YOUR vital necessity and devour it! THAT is how God meant for it to be!


Happy New Year and:


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 31:8-9:


8 Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.


So many times when we hear the promises of God taught, it is directed at US! In these two verses we see the higher purpose that God has for our prosperity (being in control of our  lives in every area = spiritually, mentally, physically, financially, socially, emotionally, and in our families). His purpose is so that WE can set others free and lead them to HIM! Stand up for the rights of others, but ALSO, teach them the Word of God so that THEY can learn to stand up for themselves and then grow up to help others the same way that you helped them! Isn't GOD'S plan great?  AMEN!


Philippians 3:1:


1 FOR THE rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. To keep writing to you [over and over] of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is [a precaution] for your safety.


We need to be thankful EVERY DAY for the Great New Covenant that we have in HIM! Sometimes, the reason we are not seeing the manifestation of what we have been believing God for, is because we have forgotten our first love! REMEMBER, then say with Paul in verses 7-8:


7 But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider  as [one combined]loss for Christ's sake. 9 Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless (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 [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).


Make it your 2011 resolution to really, really KNOW HIM! When we do know Him, we will begin to think like Him, then we will begin to speak like HIM, then we will begin to ACT like Him! What will the world say then? Many of them will call on Jesus for themselves! AMEN!


Malachi 1:1-3:


1 THE BURDEN or oracle (the thing to be lifted up) of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi [My messenger]. 2 I have loved you, says the LORD. Yet you say, How and in what way have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? says the LORD; yet I loved Jacob (Israel), 3 But [in comparison with the degree of love I have for Jacob]I have hated Esau [Edom] and have laid waste his mountains, and his heritage I have given to the jackals of the wilderness.


I really like the Amplified Bible (above) for this verse! Do you REALLY think that God hated Esau, Isaac's son? This is the same explanation we should use for Luke 14:26 when we are told to "hate" our father, mother, etc.! He means that our Love for HIM should be so great that the love we have for our friends and family should look like hate in comparison. DO YOU love HIM more than anyone or anything else in YOUR life? THAT is what is required of us! That is what the #1 New Covenant commandment (according to Jesus! - Matthew 22:7; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27) says! AMEN! All of the things that Malachi and the other prophets had to address with the people when they slipped back into sin would not have been necessary IF they had done this! How well do YOU obey this #1, most important commandment? Check yourself! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 30: 2-3:


2 Surely I am too brutish and stupid to be called a man, and I have not the understanding of a man [for all my secular learning is as nothing]. 3 I have not learned skillful and godly Wisdom, that I should have the knowledge or burden of the Holy One.


Wouldn't it be refreshing if all of those without the knowledge of God and His Word would just recognize it and admit it? Then God would have something to work with in reaching them with the Truth! What can WE do? PRAY! Pray that the eyes of their understanding would become open to the Truth! Pray for laborers across their path who will be able to minister to them in the way that is needful for them! Claim the heathen as your inheritance (Psalm 2:8 - Remember, we are joint, equal heirs with Jesus {Romans 8:17}, so this applies to US, too!)! Do all that you can and trust God to do all that you can't! AMEN!


Philippians 2:5-11:


5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [let Him be your example in humility. 6 Who, although being essentially one with God, and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that he became like men and was born a human being. 8 And after He had appeared in human form, He was abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! 9 Therefore [because he stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, 10 That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must )bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


NONE of us has given up so much and paid such a price as Jesus did for us! Let's have the same commitment to Him and to His Word so that we will set everything else aside for the purpose of obeying His will, His plan, and His purpose for our lives! We are here on this earth as Ambassadors for the Kingdom of Heaven, representing Heaven to those who have never heard, or who have been so discouraged that they forgot! Be willing to pay ANY price to get the Good News to people! Jesus is counting on you!


I have two thoughts to share with you concerning Nehemiah 12-13. First of all, here is yet another list of people involved. Were you a little tired of reading names you have never heard of and can't even pronounce? There is ONE Who is not! By naming these people, God was showing, through Nehemiah, that EVERY person was being seen by HIM and his work was recognized by the God of the Bible! That means YOU, too! HE sees you, HE knows you, HE HAS called you and anointed you to the specific job designed for YOU to perform! You are precious and valuable to Him and that makes you precious and valuable to ME, too, even if I don't yet know it or acknowledge it! Allow YOUR importance to HIM to motivate you to be ALL that He has called you to be in this life! Rewards await in the next! AMEN!


The second point is that sheep need a shepherd! Nehemiah had to stir the people up to recommit themselves to the Lord and His Word! General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once said this to a group of new officers: "I want you young men always to bear in mind that it is the nature of a fire to go out; you must keep it stirred and fed and the ashes removed." We all need to realize that we CANNOT maintain the zeal of the Lord for His plan for our lives unless we attend to it DAILY! He blesses us with so many good blessings and wants us to enjoy them all! BUT, not one of them is more important than HIS #1 priority! Hide the Word in your heart so that YOU can keep the fire burning in YOU! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Proverbs 29:1:


1 HE WHO, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed -- and that without remedy.


"Hardens" is the Hebrew word, "qashah", which means:  to be hard, to be harsh, to make stiff, to make stubborn. Used of obstinacy! Notice that "hardens" is a progressive word! That means that it doesn't just happen in  day! It takes time after time after time of refusing to listen to or obey the Word of God! Then when they aren't expecting it, destruction comes and there is no remedy, or way out for them! NOT GOOD! Don't harden your heart to the correction and discipline of God's Word! Everything God does for us, especially discipline, is out of Hid great love for us, to get us in position to receive His richest and best blessings! Thank You, Jesus! 


Philippians 1:23-24 reveal a conflict that Paul was faced with:


23  But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; 24 But to remain in my body is moire needful and essential for your sake.


Paul had such a great desire to be in heaven with Jesus! He had endured so much in his life and was so looking forward to the time when he would be face to face with the Lord Jesus for eternity! Remember 2 Corinthians 5:8 that says "to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord". That is what WE have to look forward to, too! But FIRST THINGS FIRST! Let's complete our "mission" here before we move on! It is much more needful for THEM! AMEN!


There are three "proofs" that the people meant what they had prayed and confessed in yesterday's reading in Nehemiah. They are:

1. Their submission to the Word of God: Nehemiah 10:1-27 & 29.
2. Their commitment to separate from the world: Nehemiah 10:28 & 30-31.
3. Their support for the "House of God": Nehemiah 10:32-39.

We can gauge OUR commitment to the Lord with these same three choices! How do YOU measure up? If you need a little "fine tuning", make it your determined purpose to do so! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 28:1:


 1 THE WICKED flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.


The wicked, those without God in this world, flee (as in terror) from all sorts of supposed calamities and things that they FEAR will come upon them! You've seen this for yourself if you have been paying attention to what is happening in the world around you! Why do they do this? Because they have no HOPE! They certainly can't call on the One they don't believe in! The righteous, on the other hand, step out and "own" their lives with a supernatural boldness that can only come from being filled with the Holy Spirit and meditating daily on God's Word - which IS Truth! Be THAT one! The world around you is counting on you!


Ephesians 6:8:


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


God repays! He will owe NO man! So continue to do those good and Godly things that bring blessings to others, and then stand back and watch the One True God bless your socks off! And then on again! AMEN!


Nehemiah 8:1-3:


1 THEN ALL the people gathered together as one man in the broad place before the Water Gate; and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. 2 And Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first of the seventh month. 3 he read from it, facing the broad place before the Water Gate, from early morning until noon, in the presence of the men and women and those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.


Now THAT was no30 minute sermon! Would YOU be so attentive and appreciative if your Pastor stood to read the Word of God from early morning until noon? That IS the First Love! Let's get back to it! We are so blessed with the freedom we do still have in this nation to worship the Lord; read, study and meditate on the Word; and fellowship with like-minded believers around the Word! Let's not take it for granted! Verses 5-6:


5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above them; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, lifting up their hands; and they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with faces to the ground. 


The people stood up to acknowledge and respect the Word of God and His presence! Then they worshiped God because of the Word! How do YOU respect and honor the WORD of the LIVING God?


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 27:1:


1 DO NOT boast of [yourself and ] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth.


We understand that we are  not to brag up our plans and and what WE are going to do, but to live each day for His glory and to trust Him! But there is something else very important here that we don't always speak about! If the Church were to be taken out of here today, is there something that you will have left undone or a person you will wish you had spoken to sooner? I believe that this verse is ALSO saying: you have no idea if tomorrow is even coming! So, take advantage of TODAY to do what you know to do! Proverbs 3:27 says this:


27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Do it TODAY! Remember that TODAY is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)! And then we have our Ephesians 5 for today where verse 16 says this:


16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.


Rather than bragging or boasting or even being satisfied, we should be continually listening and watching for any and every opportunity to minister LIFE! AMEN! Don't just do something because that's what you've always done! Do what you do with purpose and presence! THAT is how a Living Epistle should "read"! AMEN! And then we have verse 17-18:


17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the LORD is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.


We are living in the very BEST of times to be alive on the earth! So much is happening at such a rapid pace and then RAPTURE!  I think I hear a trumpet tuning up!


In Nehemiah 6-7 we see that all that is left for the rebuilding of the Temple and the city is to restore the gates, with the doors. The enemies of Israel, who had not been able to stop the restoration, not resorted to fear tactics against Nehemiah himself to try to get him to quit out of fear. I like the title of this section of commentary from the Bible Exposition Commentary:


WE HAVE HEARD THE ENEMY, AND HE IS A LIAR.  I love it! Remember for yourself that the enemy is not only a liar, but the father of all lies! That is ALL that he can produce! I like this from the same commentary:


The enemy's main purpose was to generate fear in the heart of Nehemiah and his workers (Neh 6:9,13-14,19), knowing that fear destroys faith and paralyzes life. Adolph Hitler wrote, "Mental confusion, contradiction of feeling, indecisiveness, panic; these are our weapons." Both Jesus (Luke 13:31-37) and Paul (Acts 21:10-14) had to face the specter of fear, and both overcame it by faith.

Nehemiah didn't listen to the enemy's lies. He and the people completed the wall and hung the gates in only fifty-two days, much to the chagrin of their adversaries (Neh 6:15-16).   YOU can operate in that same kind of faith and even more so because you have the Spirit of God living in you to reveal the Truth to you, thought by thought! Thank You, Lord!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 26:1:


1 LIKE SNOW in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool.


For most places snow in summer is not only not wanted, but it can actually be harmful. In Wisconsin the summers are so short that we try to take advantage of every warm day, but snow would also kill the gardens and the summer crops for the farmers. Harvesting crops is also affected greatly by rain. Farmers will check the weather forecasts before deciding when to harvest. It is not suitable, proper or appropriate! NEITHER is it appropriate to give honor to a fool! But that IS how the world operates! They will give praise and honor to a terrorist and known murderer, while belittling and persecuting a believer in Jesus, or any other moral and decent person! It is a very good gauge of your life to see how people treat you! People who get all the honor are probably NOT all they seem to be and the ones who really deserve to be honored and appreciated, seldom are (by the world)! If you are not suffering some type of persecution for your stand on the Word of God, then you MAY not be doing all that you are called to do and know to do! Verse 12 says that even this "fool", the Hebrew word "keciyl", which means: simple, stupid or stupid fellow, is better off than someone who, in their own mind and thinking is very wise! If they THINK they know it all already they will NOT be open to God's Word and skillful and Godly Wisdom! 


12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.


What to do? DON'T be EITHER of these! Be "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10)! Be filled with the Word of God and filled with the Spirit of God! Meditate day and night on the Word of God so that you will be wise in HIS eyes! AMEN!


Ephesians 4:29:


29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.


When you read this verse, you may be thinking that it is referring to swearing or cursing, but it is not. That may be included, but the word "corrupt" is the Greek word "sapros", which means: rotten, bad, corrupt, worthless, putrid, unfit for use, of poor quality. When the 10 spies came back from spying out the land and gave an "evil" report, it was this same type of thing! It was worthless, faithless, and unfit for use! Anything spoken that is NOT in faith or is contrary to the good and Godly promises of God's Word, is "corrupt"! It is worthless, produces nothing, and actually STINKS in the nostrils of God! I would personally rather hear someone cuss up a storm than to hear someone say that tongues have ceased, healing isn't for all, God wants people poor, you can't understand the Word, (blah, blah, blah!) KNOW the Word of God so you can SPEAK the Word of God and DO the Word of God! There is NOTHING corrupt about that! AND, you will not be grieving the Holy Spirit then! Verse 30:


30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you are sealed (marked, branded as God's own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequence of sin).


The Holy Spirit is greatly grieved when God's people do not know and recognize the GOODNESS of God! Get into the Word consistently so that you can really KNOW Him! You'll be glad you did, and so will everyone around you!


I see two things in Nehemiah today that really stand out to me as something that is needful for our time! When the people of Israel were being threatened by the other nations, Nehemiah prayed to God and then the people banded together and worked together for the protection, provision and safety of all! Nehemiah 4:16-17:


16 And from that time forth, half of my servants worked at the task, and the other half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail; and the leaders stood behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who built the wall and those who bore the burdens loaded themselves so that everyone worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other hand.


As believers who know how to wield the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and know how to pray, both in the Spirit and in their known language, we should do this same thing, every day and all day long! Be ever ready to pray, to proclaim God's Word and to praise and worship whenever necessary! There should never be a time that we are not "tuned in" to the Spirit of God and ready to act in obedience to His leading and direction! AMEN! 


Then in Nehemiah 5 we see the people under such financial pressure because their own people were lending them money at high interest and they were being forced to sell their own children into slavery to pay the debts and in order to eat! Nehemiah told the people that this should NOT be so! He even said this about himself, as Governor of the land in verses 14-15:


14 Also, in the twelve years after I was appointed to be their governor in Judah, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, neither I nor my kin ate the food allowed to [me] the governor. 15 But the former governors lived at the expense of the people and took from them food and wine, besides forty shekels of silver [ a large monthly official salary]; yes, even their servants assumed authority over the people. But I did not so because of my [reverent] fear of God.


Would that we had leaders like THAT now! I know there are some! Let's pray for more of them! AMEN!


Shalom  in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 25:4-5:


4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).


When the dross is melted out of the silver, you have some of the shiniest material to work with to make beautiful jewelry! If those in leadership don't use the same kind of care and diligence to remove wicked and ungodly people from their presence, then there decisions will be tainted with ungodliness and unrighteousness! Do YOU know of any leaders today who have surrounded themselves with ungodly and unrighteous people? The result is ungodly and unrighteous choices and decisions that DO NOT represent God's plan for this nation! What do WE do? PRAY!!!


Ephesians 3:4-6 reveals the "mystery" that Paul has been speaking of:         


4 When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. 5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the Holy Spirit. 6 [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel).                  
                                                                             
So what was the mystery? The mystery was that Gentile believers  in Jesus and Jewish believers in Jesus are now ONE family! In JESUS there is now no difference that should separate us! We are heirs together! Not one replacing the other, but TOGETHER! Today there are as many Jews who don't agree as there are Christians who think they  are the Jewish replacement! NOT SO! There IS a growing awareness in the Body of Christ of just how important Israel and the Jewish people are in God's eyes and in His plan! Agree with God, no matter what ANYONE else thinks about it! If they disagree with God and His Word - THEY'RE WRONG!!! It's as simple as that! AMEN!


When reading in Nehemiah 1-3, I noticed two very important things about Nehemiah that reveal a great deal about his character. First of all, he loved his nation and his people. He didn't just SAY it, but he proved it by his concern - Nehemiah 1:2:


2 Hanani, one of my kinsmen, came with certain men from Judah, and I asked them about the surviving  Jews who had escaped exile, and about Jerusalem. 


He inquired about them because he cared and wanted to know! Then, when the report was not so good, he did this in verse 4:


4 When I heard this, I sat down and wept and mourned for days and fasted and prayed [constantly] before the God of heaven,


He cared enough to ask and then he cared enough to pray! But that's not all! Verses 5-6:


5 And I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, Who keeps covenant, loving-kindness, and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6 Let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to listen to the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You day and night for the Israelites, Your servants, confessing the sins of the Israelites which we have sinned against You. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned.


This was NOT the first time that Nehemiah had prayed! He had been praying night and day! How much do YOU pray over the things you need or are responsible for? Not only did Nehemiah care enough to ask and to pray, he also WORKED! He oversaw the building project and did it well! Most of Nehemiah 3 is about who worked and where they worked! Nehemiah, by the leading of the LORD, organized the work forces so that everything went smoothly! We are all part of the same family (as believers) so we should all be able to work together, each doing OUR part! Check out Ephesians 4 to see the New Covenant example of this! Now find out where YOU belong and get to it! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


The last time we looked at Proverbs 24 we looked at verse 3 that says that a life, a home and a family are built on the solid foundation of skillful and Godly Wisdom! today we will look at verse 5:


5 A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.


"Wise" is the Hebrew word "chakam", which means: wise, skillful, practical. I found an interesting note on this in Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament Words. It says this:


chakam OT:2450, "wise; skillful; practical." This word plus the noun chakemah and the verb "to be wise" signify an important element of the Old Testament religious point of view. Religious experience was not a routine, a ritual, or faith experience. It was viewed as a mastery of the art of living in accordance with God's expectations. In their definition, the words "mastery" and "art" signify that wisdom was a process of attainment and not an accomplishment. 

We will never "arrive" when it comes to skillful and Godly Wisdom, but will continue to grow and develop in it! I like that! Then we see  the word "man", the Hebrew word "geber", which means a warrior, a valiant man, a hero. So a wise warrior is "strong", the Hebrew word, "`oz", which means: strength, majesty, boldness, power. And the man of knowledge, "increases", the Hebrew word "`amats", which means: to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, bold, solid, stout, determined, secure; "strength", the Hebrew word "koach", which means: strength, force, ability, power. That same word for strength (force, power, ability) is found in verse 10:


10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.


How do you NOT have small strength, power, force and ability? You continue to be a person of knowledge so that you can continue to be bold, courageous, strong, solid, determined, secure and alert in your pursuit of GOD'S strength, force, power and ability! Do you remember what John 8:31-32 says?


31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 

32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. 

THAT is where strength and freedom come from - knowledge of God's Word! Old Testament or New, it has always come down to God's Word! AMEN!


Ephesians 2:5-10:


5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, he made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation). 6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 7 He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory for himself.] 10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), created in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].


There you have it! The answer to any question at all concerning WHO can be saved! Jesus died ONCE FOR ALL! The ONLY thing between any person on earth and Heaven as their home when they leave here is the question: What have you done with Jesus? PREACH IT!


Ezra 9-10 shows how Ezra and the men of Israel handled the discovery that many of the men had taken foreign wives. The root cause of all of the wickedness that sent Israel into captivity in the first place was the sin of Solomon in taking so many foreign wives. They eventually led Solomon away from the LORD and the TRUTH. Now, free at last, the men had begun the sin all over again! It was no light thing that they were dealing with! God had commanded and He expected to be obeyed! he had to preserve a people unto Himself so that there would be the right environment for Messiah to come to earth! They made the changes that were necessary. Are YOU ready to do the same when HE reveals things to you? Make obeying (being a doer of ) God's Word your #1 priority!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Proverbs 23:9:


9 Speak not in the ears of a [self-confident] fool, for he will despise the [godly] Wisdom of your words.


This verse is telling us that even though we are to preach the Word to all who want to hear, we are NOT to speak, declare, proclaim the Truth of the Word to a self-confident fool! This is speaking of someone who is arrogant and unbelieving and does not want anything whatsoever to do with God and His Word. Do NOT waste time speaking the Word to them for they will despise the Word and THAT will cause their heart to become even harder! What to do then? Pray for them! Ask the Father to send laborers across their path that they WILL listen to! Pray in the Spirit for them because the Holy Spirit knows what it is that keeps them from desiring the Truth! Timing is EVERYTHING when it comes to ministering the Word of God to people! And GOD'S timing is PERFECT! AMEN!


Ephesians 1:13-14:


13 In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit. 14 That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it -- to the praise of His glory.


The moment you received Jesus of Nazareth as YOUR Lord and personal Saviour, the Holy Spirit came into your spirit and made YOU a new creation! Your spirit man was recreated into the image of God! INSTANTLY! At the Rapture of the Church, our bodies will be changed INSTANTLY! What is NOT changed instantly is our soul (mind, emotions and will). Our souls must be renewed DAILY by the Word of God! Philippians 1:6 tells us that the holy Spirit BEGAN to work a GOOD WORK inside of us the moment were born again! He will continue working that Good Work in us right up until the time of the Appearing of Jesus for the Church! And He works with and according to the Word of God!  Allow Him to do HIS work by spending time daily in the Word and then listen and obey whatever He tell you to do! Pretty simple, don't you think?!


In Ezra 7-8 we see that Ezra himself gives the credit and glory to God for all that was done through his ministry when the phrase "the good hand of the LORD was upon me" is found 6 times in these two chapters (7:6, 7:9, 7:28, 8:18, 8:22, 8:31)!  Remember that EVERYTHING good in your life is from God and HE deserves ALL of the thanksgiving and praise for it! This includes all of the good and Godly people that He puts into your life  for good! I found an interesting note in the commentary I was looking at, the Bible Exposition Commentary. It said this:



When God wants to judge a nation, He sends them inferior leaders (Isa 3:1-8); but when He wants to bless them, He sends them men like Ezra.

Do YOU think He is judging our nation now? Just something to ponder!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 22:4:


4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
                    
"Reward" is the Hebrew word "`eqeb" , which means: a consequence, a gain, a reward. The "consequence" of being humble (accepting something you don't deserve and agreeing with God - ALWAYS!) and operating in the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD (being awed in His presence) is:

• riches - Hebrew `osher - meaning: riches and wealth
• honor - Hebrew kabowd - meaning: glory, honor, abundance, splendor, dignity, riches
• life - Hebrew chay - meaning: living, flowing, fresh, lively, active, sustenance, maintenance, renewal

It doesn't COST to do things God's way - it pays tremendous rewards! AMEN!


Galatians 6:9:


9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.


The word "and" is a continuative word, meaning it continues this thought from the previous verse: but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. It means to CONTINUE sowing to the Spirit! Continue "doing right" in the eyes of God and in "due", or "appropriate" time, we SHALL reap a harvest of good things! That is, IF we don't grow weary and faint or quit or give up! 


Esther 9-10 brings us to the end of the book of Esther. The Jews were given 9 months to prepare for the day when their enemies would try to annihilate them do to the orders drafted by Haman and signed by the king.. The Jews were basically a peaceful people. They were commanded to lie at peace - Jeremiah 29:7 - "Seek the peace of the city where I have cased you to be carried away captive". WE are told this in Hebrews 12:14:  "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which  no man shall see the LORD". But THIS situation had been forced on them and they were going to save themselves and their families! They had the backing of the king and they rejoiced in the deliverance of the LORD! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 21:2:


2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs and tries the hearts.


As human beings, we have a tendency to think that OUR way is the BEST way! I haven't met a person yet who didn't feel that way about most things! This verse says that even though we may THINK that, it is NOT true! God is the only omniscient ONE! He is the ONLY One Who knows the end from the beginning! He knows what is necessary for every situation we will ever face! Now THAT is something to get excited about! We can, and MUST, trust Him to get it right! He's been doing this a lot longer than we have! AMEN! And then verse 11:


11 When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of [godly] Wisdom and good sense will learn by being instructed.


We can CHOOSE how we learn! If we want to be an unbelieving believer and spend out time scoffing at the Word, then there WILL be some kind of retribution or "punishment"  that will open the eyes of the simple who have yet to make a choice! But those with good sense learn by hearing the teaching of the Word of God and meditating on what they are taught! I would MUCH rather learn THAT way! How about you?


Galatians 5:1:


1 IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [ and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off)


We have been made SO free by the Blood that Jesus of Nazareth shed for us, why would ANYONE want to go back to bondage? I found this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:



When the believers in Galatia trusted Christ, they lost the yoke of servitude to sin and put on the yoke of Christ (Matt 11:28-30). The yoke of religion is hard, and the burdens heavy, Christ's yoke is "easy" and His burden is "light" That word easy in the Greek means "kind, gracious." The yoke of Christ frees us to fulfill His will while the yoke of the Law enslaves us. The unsaved person wears a yoke of sin (Lam 1:14); the religious legalist wears the yoke of bondage (Gal 5:1); but the Christian who depends on God's grace wears the liberating yoke of Christ.

Doesn't that make the choices so clear? What do YOU choose?  Choose Life and Freedom! AMEN! And then verse 16 tells us how to control the flesh from doing the things we looked at yesterday!


16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).


Remember that the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the Law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)!


In Esther 7-8 we see the tables turned on Haman who reaps the results of the seeds he has sown! He was prideful and arrogant and now he will reap the results of that! Proverbs 16:5:


5 Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly  offensive to the LORD; be assured [I pledge it] they will not go unpunished.


The mindset that we all must have is that without Jesus we are nothing! In Him, we are ALL children of God, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus! Not one of us is better than the next, just better off! AMEN! Obey Romans 12:3 and YOU will never have to be concerned of being a "Haman"!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 20:1:


1 WINE IS a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of  it is not wise.


Some who read this blog are waiting for me to say what a sin drinking is. Others are waiting to see if we say that drinking is ok. What WILL we say? We'll say exactly what the Word of God says! "Wine" here is the Hebrew word, "yayin", which means: wine, fermented grape, intoxication. This word is used 141 times in the Bible. Melchizedek brought wine (Genesis 14:18), it was considered among the people's riches (Ezekiel 27:18), it was given to those troubled with problems (Proverbs 31:4-7), it was used to make merry without intoxication (1 Samuel 13:28), it was used in rejoicing before the LORD (Deuteronomy 14:26), it was used as an offering to the LORD (Exodus 29:40), it was part of Jacob's blessing (Genesis 27:28). The word is all over the Bible and it is NOT just grape juice! This is what the verse says about wine, though.  It says that wine is a "mocker", the Hebrew word, "luwts", which means: to make mouths at, to scoff, to scorn, to talk arrogantly, to deride. "Strong drink" is the Hebrew word "shekar", which means: an intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor; which is "raging", the Hebrew word "hamah", which means: to make a loud sound, to be in great commotion or tumult, to growl, to roar, to cry aloud, to be in an uproar. Adam Clarke's commentary says this:



It deceives by its fragrance, intoxicates by its strength, and renders the intoxicated ridiculous.

The Bible does not say that drinking these is wrong, but it DOES say this in Ephesians 5:18:


18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be ever filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.


The command of God's Word is to NOT GET DRUNK! It also says to put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite (Proverbs 23:2)! Let's find out what God's Word has to say and do it! As a former bartender, before I was born again, I can tell you truthfully that every person I have ever known who said or thought: "I can handle my drinking" COULD NOT! Let's fall in love with Jesus (Luke 10:27), hide His Word in our hearts so that we DON'T sin against Him (Psalm 119:11), receive forgiveness for the times we DO miss it( 1 John 1:9), and live THIS life to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2)! The rest WILL take care of itself! AMEN!


IN Galatians 4 Paul is telling the people that for a Gentile believer to try to keep the Law and the feasts as a way of pleasing God is all wrong! To keep the Feasts as a way of identifying with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Jesus (Yeshua) is great and can be very rewarding! But to think that we can add to our free gift of Salvation by keeping the Law just simply puts us in bondage all over again!  Verse 9:


9 Now, however, that you have come to be acquainted with and understand and know [the true] God, or rather to be understood and known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly and worthless elementary things [of all religions before Christ came], whose slaves you once more want to become?


Verse 31:


31 So, brethren, we [who are born again] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free [the supernatural].


THAT is who we are! So let's act like it! AMEN!


In Esther 5-6 we see how God's Word works concerning those who do us wrong! Haman, who should have been happy that he was so honored to be invited to the Queen's banquet, couldn't even enjoy his happiness because of his intense hatred for and jealousy of Mordecai! Proverbs 7:14-16 tells exactly what happened to Haman:


14 Behold, [the wicked man] conceives iniquity and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. 
15 He made a pit and hollowed it out and has fallen into the hole which he made [before the trap was completed]. 
16 His mischief shall fall back in return upon his own head, and his violence come down [with the loose dirt] upon his own scalp.

Do you remember this from Galatians 6:7: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap" ? THAT is what happened to Haman! AND THAT is how God's Word STILL works now! Sow ONLY what you want to reap in return! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 19:11:


11 Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.


"Good sense" is the Hebrew word, "sekel",  which means:  prudence, insight, understanding, good sense; prudence means: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason, shrewdness in the management of affairs, skill and good judgment in the use of resources, caution as to danger. That looks kind of like a prosperous person, doesn't it? Do you think that means that sometimes our prosperity may be hindered because we "fly off the handle" or refuse to forgive someone and to bless and pray for them the way the Word of God says to? I do! In fact, the rest of that verse say that to overlook (or pass over, or ignore) when someone sins against you, is to us a "glory", the Hebrew word, "tipharah", which means:  beauty, splendor, glory, honor, rank, renown. You and I rise in the ranks of God's people when we obey God's Word, and verse 11 is one of those to obey! AMEN! YOU and I do NOT want God holding on to OUR sins, so let's release those who sin against us! What YOU make happen for others, God WILL make happen for you!


The Complete Jewish Bible says this:


11 People with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.


The Message Bible says this:


11 Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.


There is NO good, and certainly NO Godly, reason to hang on to offenses and refuse to forgive, knowing that WHATEVER seeds a person sows, THAT is what WILL COME UP! Forgive, so YOU can be forgiven! AMEN!


Esther 3:1:


1 AFTER THESE things, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were before him.


After reading through Esther you may be asking yourself, "Why in the world did God EVER allow Haman to be exalted to such a high position?" This may help, from the Bible Exposition Commentary:



Haman probably fawned and flattered his way into this powerful new position because that's the kind of man he was. He was a proud man, and his purpose was to achieve authority and recognition. As we have seen, Ahasuerus was a weak and gullible man, susceptible to flattery and anxious to please people; so Haman's task wasn't a difficult one.


God permitted Haman to be appointed to this high office because He had purposes to fulfill through him. (See Rom 9:17.) God takes His promises seriously and will not break His covenant with His people. My friend  used to say, "The Jew has attended the funeral of every one of the nations that tried to exterminate him"; and Haman was not to be an exception.

God ALWAYS works THROUGH people to bless us! He will work with someone for a long time to give them the opportunity to do the right thing and make the right choice! BUT, there WILL come a time, after someone has repeatedly closed off or hardened their heart, that GOD will harden it some more, and then use them to bless others! Don't let YOUR heart become hardened! Stay fresh and focused on God's glorious plan for YOUR life! It's the only one on THIS earth you have! Next is eternity and THAT is FOREVER! HALLELUJAH! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 18:4:


4 The words of a [discreet and wise] man's mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].


The word for "man" here is the Hebrew word "iysh", which means: man, male, human being, champion, great man! The Amplified Bible says a "wise and discreet" man! When a wise man speaks his words are valuable and worth noting! Now he wouldn't BE a wise man if he had not received Jesus as Lord and Saviour AND become a student of the Bible! You can't be wise without Wisdom, which comes from God and His Word and IS the principal thing! Remember in 2 Peter 3:16 where Peter says that some of Paul's teaching were "hard to be understood"? Well, that describes the words of the wise man! When we hide the Word in our heart and meditate on it until it becomes Wisdom to us, THEN the fountain of God's Wisdom and anointing can rise up big inside of us and become that gushing stream that flows out and minsters life to the people! THAT is why we are to meditate the Word - DAY & NIGHT! The lost and hurting NEED the River of Life flowing out of us so that it reaches THEM with the ANSWER! AND HIS Name is JESUS! AMEN!


Galatians 2 has Paul, who had spent 3 years receiving the Gospel message directly from Jesus, coming to Jerusalem to make sure that the Church of Jesus Christ were all speaking the same thing! Verse 2:



2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.



Paul went by revelation, meaning that the Holy Spirit led him to go there for HIS purposes! Some say that Paul wanted to make sure that what HE was preaching lined up with what the rest of the Church was preaching. NOT SO! Remember that Paul spent 3 years receiving his instruction from Jesus Himself! He KNEW that HE was preaching the right Gospel! He went privately so as not to cause a public controversy that would harm the preaching of the Gospel. I like the Message Bible for this verse:



2 I went to clarify with them what had been revealed to me. At that time I placed before them exactly what I was preaching to the non-Jews. I did this in private with the leaders, those held in esteem by the church, so that our concern would not become a controversial public issue, marred by ethnic tensions, exposing my years of work to denigration and endangering my present ministry. 

Doesn't that make it a little more clear? And  some of them WERE wrong! Some were preaching that Gentile believers had to become observers of the Law in order to be saved. NOT TRUE! If the Law could have saved ANYONE, Jesus would NOT have had to give His life! Verse 21 says as much:



21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Every answer IS found in the Word of God, it just takes time and diligence to find it! AMEN!


Esther begins with king Ahasuerus (Xerxes) proudly showing off all the riches of his kingdom. Remember when king Hezekiah did the same? (2 Kings 20:13) God is NOT pleased with that kind of pride! During a drunken feast, Hezekiah sends for his wife, Queen Vashti, so that he can show off her great beauty! Pride again! She refused and made him angry, Some scholars say that she was pregnant at the time with his son, Artexerxes, and did not want to appear in that condition. Whatever the reason, Vashti is deposed and when the king returned from battle and remembered that queen, his advisers "came up with" the plan. NO! It was God's plan all along! He had Esther in place to accomplish HIS will for His people in that place! 


One comment I thought was interesting in the Bible Exposition Commentary had to do with the drunkenness that caused the irrational behavior of the king in the first place. 

Most of the advertisements that promote the sale of alcoholic beverages depict fashionable people in gracious settings, giving the subtle impression that "social drinking" and success are synonymous. But pastors, social workers, physicians, and dedicated members of Alcoholics Anonymous would paint a different picture. They've seen firsthand the wrecked marriages, ruined bodies and minds, abused families, and shattered careers that often accompany what people call "social drinking."

Longtime baseball coach and manager Connie Mack said that alcohol had no more place in the human body than sand had in the gas tank of an automobile. Alcohol is a narcotic, not a food; it destroys, not nourishes. The Bible warns against drunkenness (Prov 20:1; 21:17; 23:20-21,29-35; Isa 5:11; Luke 21:34; Rom 13:13-14; 1 Cor 5:11; Eph 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3-5)

The best way to avoid drunkenness is not to drink at all. A Japanese proverb warns, "First the man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, and then the drink takes the man." And King Lemuel's mother taught him, "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink" (Prov 31:4, KJV).

As always in God's Word, we are given instruction in the Word, and then expected to make wise choices! Make sure that all of YOUR choices are wise ones! Then YOU will have a most blessed life here on earth! AMEN!

Shalom,

Proverbs 17:1:

1 BETTER IS a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting [on offered sacrifices] with strife.

Remember that when a sacrifice was made to the LORD, it had to be the best of whatever was being offered. So this meal they are speaking of here would be a meal of some of the choicest food! The best and tenderest meat. But if there is "strife", the Hebrew word, "rib", which means: strife, quarrel, dispute, struggle, contention, bitter conflict, discord, tension, dissension, then you are better off fasting! OR eating a piece of dry bread! Even the secular world is discovering that strife and tension can cause many physical problems, as well as mental and emotional problems. We are told to avoid those things that would lead to strife (2 Timothy 2:23 and Titus 3:9). Verse 7 explains why we have a problem listening to some of the ungodly politicians that have arrived on the scene!

7 Fine and arrogant speech does not befit [an empty-headed] fool -- much less do lying lips befit a prince. 

We are supposed to be able to respect those in authority, so they should be people that speak the TRUTH, ALWAYS! And we SHOULD be able to hear them speak for themselves so that we get a clear picture of who they really are. I don't think that tele-prompters fit very well in that scenario, do you?

As we go into the Epistles again, remember that they are letters to US! Letters to born-again, spirit-filled believers in Jesus of Nazareth. In them we learn how to walk successfully in this New Covenant we have through the Blood of Jesus! Paul speaks of this in Galatians 1:1-5:

1 PAUL, AN apostle -- [special messenger appointed and commissioned and sent out] not from [any body of] men nor by or through any man, but by and through Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and God the Father, Who raised Him from among the dead -- 2 And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and [soul] peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) 4 Who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father -- 5 To Him [be ascribed all] the glory through all the ages and the eternities of the eternities! Amen (so be it).

God purposed it, He planned it, and then He set it in motion! Jesus gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for OUR sin to pay the eternal price so that we don't have to! By the blood of Jesus WE have entered into an eternal Covenant with God that cannot be broken - EVER! AMEN! As you continue to study in the Epistles, remember to make note of everything that is said about who YOU are BECAUSE you belong to HIM! And remember, God's Word IS Truth!

Ezra 5:1-2:

1 NOW THE prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son [grandson] of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the Name of the God of Israel, Whose [Spirit] was upon them. 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [heir to the throne of Judah] and Jeshua son of Jozadak and began to build the house of God in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God [Haggai and Zechariah], helping them.

The Israelites were forced to stop the work by order of king Artaxerxes. After some years they were building there own houses and NOT rebuilding the Temple that God had instructed them to build. King Darius again gave the order to rebuild and the prophets spoke the Word of the LORD to the people to get back to work! God used His Word to create the world and all that is in it! He spoke His Word through His servant every time He wanted something done! "Any work of God that is not built on the Word of God will not prosper"  "If we want to know the power of God, we must also know the Word of God (Matthew 22:29)(Bible Exposition Commentary). 

KNOW the Word of God, then DO the Word of God! We will only ever be truly happy and blessed in THIS life when we do! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 16:3:


3 Roll your works upon the LORD [commit and trust them wholly to Him; he will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.


The example of rolling our works on the LORD is as when a weaker person will roll a heavy load over onto the shoulders of a stronger person, one who is more able to carry it! "Works" is the Hebrew word "ma`aseh", which means: a deed, a work, an act, a labor, a business, a pursuit, an undertaking, an enterprise. When we roll them over on the LORD, trusting in HIM, then our "thoughts", the Hebrew word "machashabah", which means: a thought, a device, a plan, a purpose, an invention, "shall be established" is the Hebrew word "kuhn", which means: to be firm, to be stable, to be established, to be fixed, to be securely determined, to be directed aright, to be steadfast, to be prepared, to be settled, to be arranged, to make firm, to make ready, to provide for, to furnish, to be restored, to accomplish, to succeed. God WANTS us to succeed, ALWAYS! He prepares the way for us and then instructs us in the areas we need to adjust in order to BE successful! HE'S on OUR side! Are WE on HIS??Verse 9:


9 A man's mind plan's his way, but the LORD directs his steps and makes them sure.


A man's (female man or male man) mind (soul - mind, emotions and will) "plans", the Hebrew word "chashab", which means: to think, to plan, to esteem, to calculate, to invent, to imagine, to make a judgment, to devise, to reckon, to regard, to consider, his way, but it is the LORD who "directs", the Hebrew word, "kuwn" seen above, his steps. We make the plans, after spending time in the Word of God and in praise, prayer and fellowship with HIM. Then He will direct the moment by moment details. Don't keep yourself awake at night trying to figure out every detail of your endeavors. Trust that when you make a decision to move forward, HE knows exactly what is necessary to happen and WILL direct you, by His Spirit within you, in the most blessed and prosperous way possible for you! Your most important role is to stay in tune and instantly obey! Blessings await! GO FORTH! 


Revelation 22 gives us a picture of the inside of the Heavenly City! My favorite thing is found in verse 3:


3 There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him ad do Him holy service].


Only the clean and pure and beautiful and delightful and fragrant and lovely and vibrant and lively and thrilling and amazing and awesome and .......! You get the picture! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:



What will we do in heaven for all eternity? Certainly, we shall praise the Lord, but we shall also serve Him. "His servants shall serve Him" (Rev 22:3) is a great encouragement to us, for in heaven our service will be perfect. As we seek to serve the Lord here on earth, we are constantly handicapped by sin and weakness; but all hindrances will be gone when we get to glory. Perfect service in a perfect environment!
What will this service be? We are not told, nor do we need to know now. It is sufficient that we know what God wants us to do today. Our faithfulness in life prepares us for higher service in heaven. In fact, some students think that we shall have access to the vast universe and perhaps be sent on special missions to other places. But it is useless to speculate, because God has not seen fit to fill in the details.
Not only shall we be servants in heaven, but we shall also be kings. We shall reign forever and ever! This speaks of sharing Christ's authority in glory. As believers, we are seated in Christ in the heavenlies today (Eph 2:1-10); but in the eternal state, we shall reign as kings over the new heavens and earth. What an honor! What grace!

They explain it very well! We don't know YET what we will do or what life will be like, but we Do know that it will be SO MUCH BETTER than this life! AMEN!


And then verses 20-21:


20 He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, LORD Jesus! 21 The grace (blessing and favor) of the LORD Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with all the saints (God's holy people, those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!


AMEN! And remember that the swiftly and speedily part comes AFTER these things begin to come to pass! The early Church were looking for these things to happen in their lifetimes, but none of the prophesies had yet been fulfilled! WE are living in the time of the end because ALMOST all of the prophecies have already been fulfilled, and the rest could happen in a very short time! Be ready! AND, be about our Father's business! AMEN!


Zechariah 13-14 continue speaking of the end times. We see the phrase "in that day" ten times in these two chapters. "That day" refers to the "the Day of the LORD", the day of God's wrath and judgment that the prophets wrote about (Joel 3:9-16; Zephaniah 1:1), and that was described by Jesus (Matthew 24:4-31) and John (Revelation 6-19). My favorite verse in these two chapters? Zechariah 14:9:


9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth; in that day the LORD shall be one [in the recognition and worship of men] and His Name One.


THAT will be the day that the entire world and all of God's creation will know, understand and realize that Jesus Christ IS GOD and KING and SAVIOUR and LORD! AMEN! HALLELUJAH!


Soon and very soon! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs15:15:


15 All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].


God designed life to operate in circles! We sow good seeds, in good soil, then we reap a great harvest so that we have enough for every need, extra for blessings and then seed to sow again! In the verse above we see that the afflicted are suffering. Their thoughts are filled with anxiety and fear, which causes their words to be fear-filled words. This results in more affliction and bondage. Then they speak that ...... Do you see how that happens? All of life is like that! Make sure that YOU are meditating on what God's Word says and NOT doubt, fear and unbelief! Then you will have a glad heart and enjoy a continual feast of good and godly results! AMEN!


Revelation 21:1-3:


1 THEN I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God.


What a spectacular future! God has a plan for the earth and the people on it! It is NOT to try to preserve THIS earth! He will totally replace this earth with a brand new one! Hallelujah! The people left on the earth after the Tribulation will have Jesus Himself as their King! Do you think HE will selfish motives, bad morals, questionable affiliations or secret, deceitful agendas? NO! He is the Righteous One and He will rule and reign in total RIGHTEOUSNESS! AMEN! HE will be a leader that everyone can trust and submit to without question! And WE will rule and reign WITH HIM forever! AMEN! Thank You, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!


Zechariah 11-12 show more of the message God gave to Zechariah. We see the people giving wages to Zechariah, the same that the priests gave to Judas for betraying Jesus! Verses 12-13:


12 And I said to them, If it seems just and right to you, give me my wages; but if not, withhold them. So they weighed out for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, Cast it to the potter -- the munificently [miserable] sum at which I [and My shepherd] am priced by them! And I [Zechariah] took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.


The people rejected Zechariah the same way the religious leaders would reject Jesus later! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:

Because Israel rejected their true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, they will one day blindly accept and obey the false shepherd (Antichrist) who will lead them astray. Those who reject the light inevitably accept the darkness. "I have come in My Father's name," said Jesus, "and you do not receive Me: if another comes in his own name, him you will receive" (John 5:43, NKJV).


That God's chosen people, who possess the inspired Scriptures, should reject Him who is "the truth" (John 14:6) and came from the Father, and follow one who is a liar and is energized by Satan, is incredible to comprehend, but it will happen just as the Scripture says. However, the Lord will judge this false shepherd by breaking his power (his right arm) and confusing his mind (right eye), and then Messiah will come from heaven and confine him to the lake of fire for a thousand years (Rev 19:11-21).



We, believers in Jesus of Nazareth, will NOT be on the earth at the time that the antichrist is revealed. WE will be in Heaven with our wonderful Lord and Saviour! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 14:26-27:


26 In the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge. 27 Reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.


We have already learned in Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10, that the "fear of the LORD" is the beginning of Wisdom! Wisdom in our lives has its start in our walking in the fear of the LORD! So what exactly IS the fear of the LORD? It is the Hebrew word, "yare'", which means:  standing in awe, reverence, respect, reverence whereby an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders them proper respect. We can only stand in awe and reverence of the LORD when we KNOW Him! The more that we know Who HE is, the more that we will honor, respect, and worship Him! When we learn who we are, IN HIM, then we will have no problem walking and operating in the necessary faith to have STRONG confidence in the Word. Not only do we, as God's children, have a place of protection, provision, safety and refuge, but we have the "fountain", spring or source of life and vitality rising up inside of us, so that we can be led by the Spirit of God and be able to avoid all of the snares and traps the enemy has planned for us! Verse 34:


34 Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.


The United States of America flourished more than any other nation, ever, WHEN we made God's Word our source for law and order! The wicked, driven by the god of this world (satan) have been trying to do away with anything that even hints of the Bible! Why? Because satan STILL thinks that he can defeat the One true, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! He will keep trying until his last day on earth! But it doesn't require a whole nation to walk in righteousness, just those who are called by His Name! AMEN!


Revelation 20:1-2:


1  THEN I saw an angel descending from heaven; he was holding the key of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and a great chain was in his hand. 2 And he gripped and overpowered the dragon, that old serpent [of primeval times], who is the devil and satan, and [securely] bound him for a thousand years. 3 Then her hurled him into the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and closed it and sealed it above him, so that he should no longer lead astray and deceive and seduce the nations until the thousand years were at an end. After that he must be liberated for a short time.


Don't you just LOVE it! Are you eagerly awaiting THAT day? The Millennial reign of Jesus of Nazareth as King over all the earth will begin! True peace, no devil, no enemy, no sin! Hallelujah! It is hard to believe that after living under the Righteous Reign of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, that anyone will even WANT to follow satan after he is released "for a short time". Some will still choose to follow him to utter destruction (verses 7-9)! OUR verse is verse 6:


6 Blessed (happy, to be envied) and holy (spiritually whole, of unimpaired innocence and proved virtue) is the person who takes part (shares) in the first resurrection! Over them the second death exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ (the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years.


Make sure that you are sharing the Good News of the Gospel with as many people as possible so they, too, can share in the first resurrection and know this joy-filled, love-filled- faith-filled life we know on earth right now! AMEN!


Zechariah 9-10 begin with the prophecy of the destruction of Tyre, which was fulfilled during the reign of Alexander the Great and has never been rebuilt! God's Word is TRUTH! If  he said it, it IS so! We can count on it! Zechariah 9:9 is another prophecy spoken by Zechariah that has already come to pass! We LOVE this one!


9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King come to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just and having salvation [triumphant and victorious], patient, meek, lowly, and riding on a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.


THAT is our JESUS! Do you realize that God planned for our salvation from sin BEFORE man was created? See 1 Peter 1:20 and Revelation 13:8. God was not taken by surprise when Adam sinned and had to quickly come up with a "Plan B". It was in His Divine plan from before the creation of the world! God wanted to create beings that were ABLE to sin, so that we would love Him by choice and not like robots! When we receive Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, we receive the Spirit of god to live IN us! We are in a better position even than Adam was in the Garden! Hallelujah! Glory to God for His great Wisdom and Divine favor! AMEN!


Zechariah 10 tells of the time when God will bring the people of Israel back to the land that he had promised them. That is happening right now, as we live! Verse 12: 


12 And I will strengthen [Israel] in the LORD, and they shall walk up and down and glory in His Name, says the LORD.


God will NEVER forsake the nation of Israel or His people! Neither can we, if we want to be pleasing to Him and continue to live and walk in His favor! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!