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!