Shalom,
Proverbs 30:5 SHOULD give us great confidence in the Word of God!
5 Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.
This verse says that every Word of God is "tried and purified". The KJV says "pure". This is the Hebrew word "tsaraph", which means: to test (and prove true). The Word of God has ALREADY been PROVEN to be TRUE! John 17:17 says that the Word of God IS TRUTH! We can trust the Word of God for any and every situation in life! He IS a shield of refuge and protection when we put all of our faith, trust and confidence in HIM! Who else would you EVER trust besides HIM?
Verses 11-14 speak of a "class of people" who think, speak and act in ways that are contrary to God's Word and God's ways. It doesn't make any difference how many people make up this "class", they are WRONG! Don't be moved when it APPEARS that a majority of the people are this way. Even if it were true (and it's NOT!), once you agree with God, the two of you become a BIGGER majority! AMEN! Always agree with God's Word, no matter what the cost, and you will see see a tremendous payback blessing that you only dreamed of! GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME! AMEN!
Colossians 3:1-4 really goes right along with that!
1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
HIS ways are so far above and better than the worlds ways that they can't even be compared! Just look at the sorry state that most of the world is in right now! THAT is the result of thinking that they can get by WITHOUT the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! THIS is the time for the Church to shine! God will accomplish His will in and through US, if we stay in position and operate in instant obedience! Glory to God! Verse 16-17:
16 Let the Word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts. 17 and whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him!
THAT is the wonderful life we are given to live out on this earth! Filled with His Word, filled with His Spirit, filled with His glory, and getting HIS results! Just like Jesus did! Are you ready for this? YES! AMEN!
Here is Hillsong United singing "Freedom Is Here":
Shalom in Him!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 29:1:
1 HE WHO, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed -- and that without remedy.
The word "reproved" here is the Hebrew word "towkechah", which means: rebuke, reproof, correction, chastisement. Do you remember Proverbs 3:12:
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
The correction comes from the One, True God, through His Word, so that we can continue to grow up in Him! If we refuse to accept the correction, then we harden our hearts to His Word. The fact that the reproof is coming often in Proverbs 29:1 is a sure sign of the Father's love, because He ONLY corrects those whom He loves! Also, the reproof coming often is another sign of the patient persistence of our loving God! This "suddenly" in the last part of that verse does not mean the person wasn't warned! It just means that they kept ignoring the correction, and ignoring it and ignoring it, until one day they took themselves out of God's protection by refusing His Word and the calamity struck with force! Don't refuse correction from the Lord! It is ALWAYS for our benefit and blessing! Thank You, Jesus!
Colossians 2: 10 is one of the greatest Truths of the New Covenant!
10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of ever angelic principality and power.
All the fullness of GOD lives in us as believers in Jesus of Nazareth! Everything we will ever need will be found by spending time in His presence; and His presence is IN US! We sure don't have to travel very far, do we? Take YOUR place in His presence and see YOUR life changed - from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
I will not be commenting on the Song of Solomon. I believe too much has been written about this book concerning human love and marriage. I truly believe that it was written, FIRST OF ALL, so that we could better understand our intimate love affair with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Spend time reading one-on-One with the Holy Spirit and let HIM show YOU how to be more intimate, up-close, and personal with your LORD! You will never be the same again! THEN let the Holy Spirit direct you how to use this Word in you earthly life! BLESSINGS!
Here is an old song that we used to sing called "My Life Is In You Lord"!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 29:1:
1 HE WHO, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed -- and that without remedy.
The word "reproved" here is the Hebrew word "towkechah", which means: rebuke, reproof, correction, chastisement. Do you remember Proverbs 3:12:
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
The correction comes from the One, True God, through His Word, so that we can continue to grow up in Him! If we refuse to accept the correction, then we harden our hearts to His Word. The fact that the reproof is coming often in Proverbs 29:1 is a sure sign of the Father's love, because He ONLY corrects those whom He loves! Also, the reproof coming often is another sign of the patient persistence of our loving God! This "suddenly" in the last part of that verse does not mean the person wasn't warned! It just means that they kept ignoring the correction, and ignoring it and ignoring it, until one day they took themselves out of God's protection by refusing His Word and the calamity struck with force! Don't refuse correction from the Lord! It is ALWAYS for our benefit and blessing! Thank You, Jesus!
Colossians 2: 10 is one of the greatest Truths of the New Covenant!
10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of ever angelic principality and power.
All the fullness of GOD lives in us as believers in Jesus of Nazareth! Everything we will ever need will be found by spending time in His presence; and His presence is IN US! We sure don't have to travel very far, do we? Take YOUR place in His presence and see YOUR life changed - from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
I will not be commenting on the Song of Solomon. I believe too much has been written about this book concerning human love and marriage. I truly believe that it was written, FIRST OF ALL, so that we could better understand our intimate love affair with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Spend time reading one-on-One with the Holy Spirit and let HIM show YOU how to be more intimate, up-close, and personal with your LORD! You will never be the same again! THEN let the Holy Spirit direct you how to use this Word in you earthly life! BLESSINGS!
Here is an old song that we used to sing called "My Life Is In You Lord"!
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 28:2:
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
This is a vivid picture of the nation of Israel over the course of time in the Old Testament, and an equally vivid picture of the United States of America at this present time! When there is great sin in the land, then there will be many voices trying to be heard and many people vying for power. But when there is a person (the Hebrew word here for "man" is "`adam", which refers to all of mankind - "male and female created He THEM") of knowledge and understanding of God's Word, then there will be stability in the land! The ultimate stability will be over all the earth during the 1000 years that Jesus the Christ rules and reigns! Hallelujah! Then verse 14 says:
14 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the LORD] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
When you face tests, trials and temptations here on earth, remember to continue to reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord! Be aware of His presence and remain in awe of WHO He is! That Godly attitude will cause salvation and deliverance in every area of your life! DON'T allow your confidence in God's Word to slip or your heart WILL begin to harden and THEN - true calamity! Avoid that at all costs! Praise Him! AMEN!
In Colossians 1:4-6 Paul has this to say about the believers in the church at Colossae:
4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] and of the love which you [have and show] for all the saints (God's consecrated one), 5 Because of the hope [of experiencing what is] laid up (reserved and waiting) for you in Heaven. Of this [hope] you heard in the past in the message of the truth of the Gospel, 6 Which has come to you. Indeed, in the whole world [that Gospel] is bearing fruit and still is growing [by its own inherent power], even as it has done among yourselves ever since the day you first heard and came to know the grace or undeserved favor of God in reality, deeply and clearly and thoroughly, becoming accurately and intimately acquainted with it].
When we meditate on the Word of God day and night, as instructed in Joshua 1:8, the results in our lives will cause the people around us to sit up and take notice! When we walk in love, treating every person as precious and valuable, just as God Himself treats us, they will also take notice! Remember that God's Word will NOT return to Him void and having accomplished nothing! His Word WILL accomplish what HE sent it into the world to accomplish! Keep preaching the Good News of the Gospel to every person you come in contact with, and the Gospel will DO THE WORK! AMEN!
In 1 Kings 3-4 we see the beginning of the reign of Solomon. He began his reign in a good and righteous way! 1 Kings 3:3-4:
3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking [at first] in the statutes and practices of David his father, only he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon [near Jerusalem, where stood the tabernacle and the bronze altar] to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. One thousand burnt offerings Solomon offered on that altar.
God rewarded him for this in verse 5:
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. And God said, Ask what I shall give you.
God told Solomon to ASK! What did he ask for? Look at verses 6-9:
6 Solomon said, you have shown to your servant David my father great mercy and loving-kindness, according as he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of hearty with You; and You have kept for him this great kindness and steadfast love, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of David my father, and i am but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish). 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who cannot be counted for multitude. 9 So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?
God was WELL pleased with the heart of Solomon here! He said this in verses 11-14:
11 God said to him, Because you have asked this and have not asked for long life or for riches, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize what is just and right, 12 Behold, I have done as you asked. I have given you a wise, discerning mind, so that no one before you was your equal, nor shall any arise after you equal to you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings equal to you all your days. 14 And if you will go My way, keep My statutes and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.
Chapter 4 tells us all the ways that the LORD blessed Solomon! As long as Solomon walked in HIS ways, he continued to live in a very prosperous manner, in every area! We will see as we go along! make it YOUR determined purpose today to walk in HIS ways in YOUR life! Then EXPECT to reap an abundant harvest of GOOD things now! Here is a song by Hillsong United called "Lord of Lords", just because I like it!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 28:2:
2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
This is a vivid picture of the nation of Israel over the course of time in the Old Testament, and an equally vivid picture of the United States of America at this present time! When there is great sin in the land, then there will be many voices trying to be heard and many people vying for power. But when there is a person (the Hebrew word here for "man" is "`adam", which refers to all of mankind - "male and female created He THEM") of knowledge and understanding of God's Word, then there will be stability in the land! The ultimate stability will be over all the earth during the 1000 years that Jesus the Christ rules and reigns! Hallelujah! Then verse 14 says:
14 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears [the LORD] at all times [regardless of circumstances], but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
When you face tests, trials and temptations here on earth, remember to continue to reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord! Be aware of His presence and remain in awe of WHO He is! That Godly attitude will cause salvation and deliverance in every area of your life! DON'T allow your confidence in God's Word to slip or your heart WILL begin to harden and THEN - true calamity! Avoid that at all costs! Praise Him! AMEN!
In Colossians 1:4-6 Paul has this to say about the believers in the church at Colossae:
4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] and of the love which you [have and show] for all the saints (God's consecrated one), 5 Because of the hope [of experiencing what is] laid up (reserved and waiting) for you in Heaven. Of this [hope] you heard in the past in the message of the truth of the Gospel, 6 Which has come to you. Indeed, in the whole world [that Gospel] is bearing fruit and still is growing [by its own inherent power], even as it has done among yourselves ever since the day you first heard and came to know the grace or undeserved favor of God in reality, deeply and clearly and thoroughly, becoming accurately and intimately acquainted with it].
When we meditate on the Word of God day and night, as instructed in Joshua 1:8, the results in our lives will cause the people around us to sit up and take notice! When we walk in love, treating every person as precious and valuable, just as God Himself treats us, they will also take notice! Remember that God's Word will NOT return to Him void and having accomplished nothing! His Word WILL accomplish what HE sent it into the world to accomplish! Keep preaching the Good News of the Gospel to every person you come in contact with, and the Gospel will DO THE WORK! AMEN!
In 1 Kings 3-4 we see the beginning of the reign of Solomon. He began his reign in a good and righteous way! 1 Kings 3:3-4:
3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking [at first] in the statutes and practices of David his father, only he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon [near Jerusalem, where stood the tabernacle and the bronze altar] to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. One thousand burnt offerings Solomon offered on that altar.
God rewarded him for this in verse 5:
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. And God said, Ask what I shall give you.
God told Solomon to ASK! What did he ask for? Look at verses 6-9:
6 Solomon said, you have shown to your servant David my father great mercy and loving-kindness, according as he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of hearty with You; and You have kept for him this great kindness and steadfast love, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of David my father, and i am but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish). 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who cannot be counted for multitude. 9 So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?
God was WELL pleased with the heart of Solomon here! He said this in verses 11-14:
11 God said to him, Because you have asked this and have not asked for long life or for riches, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize what is just and right, 12 Behold, I have done as you asked. I have given you a wise, discerning mind, so that no one before you was your equal, nor shall any arise after you equal to you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings equal to you all your days. 14 And if you will go My way, keep My statutes and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.
Chapter 4 tells us all the ways that the LORD blessed Solomon! As long as Solomon walked in HIS ways, he continued to live in a very prosperous manner, in every area! We will see as we go along! make it YOUR determined purpose today to walk in HIS ways in YOUR life! Then EXPECT to reap an abundant harvest of GOOD things now! Here is a song by Hillsong United called "Lord of Lords", just because I like it!
Shalom in Him!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Shalom,
In Proverbs we have heard a lot about the differences between the wise and the foolish. Being ignorant is different than being foolish! Not knowing something can be remedied by gaining knowledge, but knowledge will not help a fool! Proverbs 27:22:
22 Even though like grain you should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
The word for "fool" here is the Hebrew word "`eviyl", which means: one who despises wisdom, one who mocks guilt, one who is quarrelsome. It also means to be perverse, silly or licentious. You cannot beat foolishness out of a fool! Knowledge is not possible for the fool, because he doesn't WANT to learn! If he came to a place of wanting to learn, he would no longer BE a fool! It is a choice that the foolish person has to make!
Philippians 4:8:
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
The ONLY things we are to allow our mind to spend time thinking about are the things listed in this verse! make the thoughts you CHOOSE to think line up with ALL of these requirements! We have no control over thoughts COMING, but we have the responsibility to control the ones that STAY! If the thoughts bombarding your mind do not line up with this verse, then you have to "reject and replace" (2 Corinthians 10:5) so that you can protect your heart (Proverbs 4:23)! You can't pray the thoughts away, you must recognize them, cast them away and replace them with what the Word of God says! Don't ignore them, they'll keep coming back! Fill your heart and mind with God's Word and there will be no place for the wrong thoughts! I love the Word! Here is a different video of Hillsong United's "Awakening" by Chris Tomlin. It portrays what happens in the spiritual realm and what we MUST do to take control of our lives!
1 Chronicles 27 shows again how very detailed and organized God is! There is NO chaos surrounding the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! He is the God of infinite ORDER! Just look at the universe if you doubt that! 1 Chronicles 28-29 shows the orderly transfer of power from David to Solomon as king over Israel! Previously they had to act very quickly, but this is the time for the official change of power and the celebration! David instructs Solomon concerning the building of the Temple, that David was not allowed to do. In 1 Chronicles 28:9 David gave this instruction to Solomon:
9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the LORD searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, he will cast you off forever!
Solomon had fair warning from David, but we will find that he didn't keep this warning in his heart and he didn't maintain a deep, intimate fellowship with the One, True God. He allowed himself to take many, many wives and be led away by THEM instead of HIM being the leader in his home! Operate in Wisdom - learn from the mistakes of Solomon and you won't have to learn by experience (going through it yourself!) AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
In Proverbs we have heard a lot about the differences between the wise and the foolish. Being ignorant is different than being foolish! Not knowing something can be remedied by gaining knowledge, but knowledge will not help a fool! Proverbs 27:22:
22 Even though like grain you should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
The word for "fool" here is the Hebrew word "`eviyl", which means: one who despises wisdom, one who mocks guilt, one who is quarrelsome. It also means to be perverse, silly or licentious. You cannot beat foolishness out of a fool! Knowledge is not possible for the fool, because he doesn't WANT to learn! If he came to a place of wanting to learn, he would no longer BE a fool! It is a choice that the foolish person has to make!
Philippians 4:8:
8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
The ONLY things we are to allow our mind to spend time thinking about are the things listed in this verse! make the thoughts you CHOOSE to think line up with ALL of these requirements! We have no control over thoughts COMING, but we have the responsibility to control the ones that STAY! If the thoughts bombarding your mind do not line up with this verse, then you have to "reject and replace" (2 Corinthians 10:5) so that you can protect your heart (Proverbs 4:23)! You can't pray the thoughts away, you must recognize them, cast them away and replace them with what the Word of God says! Don't ignore them, they'll keep coming back! Fill your heart and mind with God's Word and there will be no place for the wrong thoughts! I love the Word! Here is a different video of Hillsong United's "Awakening" by Chris Tomlin. It portrays what happens in the spiritual realm and what we MUST do to take control of our lives!
1 Chronicles 27 shows again how very detailed and organized God is! There is NO chaos surrounding the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! He is the God of infinite ORDER! Just look at the universe if you doubt that! 1 Chronicles 28-29 shows the orderly transfer of power from David to Solomon as king over Israel! Previously they had to act very quickly, but this is the time for the official change of power and the celebration! David instructs Solomon concerning the building of the Temple, that David was not allowed to do. In 1 Chronicles 28:9 David gave this instruction to Solomon:
9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the LORD searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, he will cast you off forever!
Solomon had fair warning from David, but we will find that he didn't keep this warning in his heart and he didn't maintain a deep, intimate fellowship with the One, True God. He allowed himself to take many, many wives and be led away by THEM instead of HIM being the leader in his home! Operate in Wisdom - learn from the mistakes of Solomon and you won't have to learn by experience (going through it yourself!) AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 26:12:
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.
This "fool" is the Hebrew word "keciyl", which means: a fool, a stupid fellow, a dullard, a simpleton, an arrogant one. This is NOT the same word as found in Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1 where the fool has said in his heart that there is no God. That one is the Hebrew word "nabal" and means: stupid, wicked, foolish, vile. The fool in Proverbs 26 is someone who is ignorant of the Word of God and probably a simple person who doesn't think they are very wise. The person that is ALMOST impossible to reach is the person that thinks he DOES have all the answers and won't listen to anyone else! We DO know, though, that with God, ALL THING ARE POSSIBLE! If you know someone like the second person, pray for them and share the Word of God. If you know someone like the first person in the verse, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY - and let God do the rest! AMEN! And then verse 27:
27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man's feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him.
We MUST pray for those who come against us! God said that HE will deal with those who come against us! They NEED our prayer! This verse always brings back memories of the Road Runner and Coyote cartoons! That coyote is just like the enemy! He keeps trying, but he CANNOT win! Here is a little sample!
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.
Sometimes we who preach and teach the Word of God may sound like we are saying the same thing all the time, but it will only sound like the "same old thing" if we are NOT obeying the Word we've heard! When we DO obey the Word, then the next time we hear it, the Spirit of God will show us something MORE that we can act on so that we can continue to grow, layer upon layer, and day by day! THAT is why it is never "irksome" to us to continue to remind you of the Word! Irksome" means: annoying, tedious, troublesome, boring. I LOVE to hear the Word and preach the Word, over and over! His Word IS TRUTH! What ELSE would I want to hear? Then verse 13-14 should be our goal as believers:
13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but this one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ is calling us upward.
Not one of us has "arrived" yet! We will continue to grow right up until we see Jesus face to face, IF we choose to! I do! How about you?
1 Chronicles 25-26 continues with the listing of the Levites and their particular responsibilities. Chapter 25 deals with 24 orders of the Levitical musicians. Chapter 26 deals with the others who were responsible for the service of the priesthood; the doorkeepers, administers of the treasury and those who performed external services. God is very precise and a God of ORDER! He does NOTHING haphazardly! Aren't you glad of that? That tells me that He is also very precise and ordered when it comes to leading, guiding and directing ME in MY life! THAT give great confidence! Thank YOU, Lord Jesus! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 26:12:
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.
This "fool" is the Hebrew word "keciyl", which means: a fool, a stupid fellow, a dullard, a simpleton, an arrogant one. This is NOT the same word as found in Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1 where the fool has said in his heart that there is no God. That one is the Hebrew word "nabal" and means: stupid, wicked, foolish, vile. The fool in Proverbs 26 is someone who is ignorant of the Word of God and probably a simple person who doesn't think they are very wise. The person that is ALMOST impossible to reach is the person that thinks he DOES have all the answers and won't listen to anyone else! We DO know, though, that with God, ALL THING ARE POSSIBLE! If you know someone like the second person, pray for them and share the Word of God. If you know someone like the first person in the verse, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY - and let God do the rest! AMEN! And then verse 27:
27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man's feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him.
We MUST pray for those who come against us! God said that HE will deal with those who come against us! They NEED our prayer! This verse always brings back memories of the Road Runner and Coyote cartoons! That coyote is just like the enemy! He keeps trying, but he CANNOT win! Here is a little sample!
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.
Sometimes we who preach and teach the Word of God may sound like we are saying the same thing all the time, but it will only sound like the "same old thing" if we are NOT obeying the Word we've heard! When we DO obey the Word, then the next time we hear it, the Spirit of God will show us something MORE that we can act on so that we can continue to grow, layer upon layer, and day by day! THAT is why it is never "irksome" to us to continue to remind you of the Word! Irksome" means: annoying, tedious, troublesome, boring. I LOVE to hear the Word and preach the Word, over and over! His Word IS TRUTH! What ELSE would I want to hear? Then verse 13-14 should be our goal as believers:
13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but this one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ is calling us upward.
Not one of us has "arrived" yet! We will continue to grow right up until we see Jesus face to face, IF we choose to! I do! How about you?
1 Chronicles 25-26 continues with the listing of the Levites and their particular responsibilities. Chapter 25 deals with 24 orders of the Levitical musicians. Chapter 26 deals with the others who were responsible for the service of the priesthood; the doorkeepers, administers of the treasury and those who performed external services. God is very precise and a God of ORDER! He does NOTHING haphazardly! Aren't you glad of that? That tells me that He is also very precise and ordered when it comes to leading, guiding and directing ME in MY life! THAT give great confidence! Thank YOU, Lord Jesus! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 25:11-12 have to do with the words that we speak:
11 A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12 Like an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.
One of the commentaries that I looked at says that the word for apples could actually be oranges and that the settings of silver are like little silver serving trays! I really like that analogy, too! Speaking a "word in season" (Isaiah 50:4) is like giving someone nourishing and wholesome fruit, and presenting it on a beautiful serving platter! Words are important, and timing is important! Be filled with the Word of God, and led by the Spirit of God, and you will be a tremendous blessing to those you minister to! This same commentary also said that the earring and the ornament actually make a set of matching jewelry that go beautifully together. What a great example of the beauty of someone sharing the Word of God, under the Anointing of God, with one who respects and receives that Word with the intention of obeying it! THAT is how the Word of God was meant to be handled here on earth! In all aspects, it is the beautiful and powerful Word of God that is the focus of these verses! Treasure the Word! HE treasures YOU! AMEN!
Philippians 2:14-16:
14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among us], 15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, 16 Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend labor to no purpose.
THAT is the very reason we are HERE! To be bright lights IN the world and TO the world, holding the Word of God, the Word of Life (Zoe, life as God has it inside Himself!) out to them! The most valuable gift we could ever give is the Word of God! Here is the Hillsong song :We The Redeemed"
1 Chronicles 23:1:
1 WHEN DAVID was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
David was old and "full of days", the Hebrew word, "saba`", which means: to be satisfied, to be fulfilled, to have in excess. In other words, it was high time for David to step down and let Solomon take over! Then David assembled the priests and gave them their duties. I am SO very blessed to be living in a time when we have so much knowledge available to us! I AM a priest in my own home! I need to be a Great one! So do YOU!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 25:11-12 have to do with the words that we speak:
11 A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12 Like an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.
One of the commentaries that I looked at says that the word for apples could actually be oranges and that the settings of silver are like little silver serving trays! I really like that analogy, too! Speaking a "word in season" (Isaiah 50:4) is like giving someone nourishing and wholesome fruit, and presenting it on a beautiful serving platter! Words are important, and timing is important! Be filled with the Word of God, and led by the Spirit of God, and you will be a tremendous blessing to those you minister to! This same commentary also said that the earring and the ornament actually make a set of matching jewelry that go beautifully together. What a great example of the beauty of someone sharing the Word of God, under the Anointing of God, with one who respects and receives that Word with the intention of obeying it! THAT is how the Word of God was meant to be handled here on earth! In all aspects, it is the beautiful and powerful Word of God that is the focus of these verses! Treasure the Word! HE treasures YOU! AMEN!
Philippians 2:14-16:
14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among us], 15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, 16 Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend labor to no purpose.
THAT is the very reason we are HERE! To be bright lights IN the world and TO the world, holding the Word of God, the Word of Life (Zoe, life as God has it inside Himself!) out to them! The most valuable gift we could ever give is the Word of God! Here is the Hillsong song :We The Redeemed"
1 Chronicles 23:1:
1 WHEN DAVID was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
David was old and "full of days", the Hebrew word, "saba`", which means: to be satisfied, to be fulfilled, to have in excess. In other words, it was high time for David to step down and let Solomon take over! Then David assembled the priests and gave them their duties. I am SO very blessed to be living in a time when we have so much knowledge available to us! I AM a priest in my own home! I need to be a Great one! So do YOU!
Shalom in Him!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 24:13-14:
13My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 14 So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if your find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.
I found this in The Biblical Illustrator (Old Testament) and found it interesting!
I. It is WHOLESOME. "My son, eat thou honey, because it is good." Honey was one of the choice productions of Canaan. It was used by its inhabitants as an article of diet; it was not only delicious to the palate, but strengthening to the frame. Divine knowledge is the aliment for man's spiritual nature; without it there is no moral strength; our faculties require God Himself to feed upon. Without God it starves. He is the food of the intellect, the affections, the imagination, the conscience.
II. It is DELECTABLE. "And the honeycomb, which is sweet to the taste." God's goodness in nature appears in this as well as in all other things: that the provisions essential to man's strength He has made palatable to the taste. Honey is not only strengthening, but "sweet." The pleasures of spiritual knowledge are of the most exquisite kind.
III. It is SATISFYING. "When thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off." There shall be a reward. Goodness is its own reward, and the reward is equal to the highest "expectation.
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)
I like that! Here is the song "Holy And Anointed One":
Verse 19-20:
19 Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked, 20 For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
The word "fret" here is the Hebrew word "charah", which means: to be hot, to be furious, to burn, to become angry, to be kindled, to heat oneself in vexation. We are NOT to allow evil and wicked people, and the things that they do, cause us to lose our focus on preaching the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth! THAT is what the enemy wants! Don't worry, God is keeping track of everything and He WILL repay the evil done! Let's let Him be the Judge of all while we be about His business for us! AMEN!
Philippians 1:9-11 is also MY prayer for YOU!
9 And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], 10 So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. 11 May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized].
When WE walk in love, the world WILL take notice (John 13:35); and our faith WILL work for us (Galatians 5:6)! Love is ALWAYS the best way, because love NEVER fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)! AMEN!
We see in 1 Chronicles 20-22 another account of David's sin of numbering the people of Israel. We saw in 1 Samuel 24 that God moved David to do this. This is the same type of thing that happened when God told Moses that He would destroy all of the people and start all over again with Moses! It was a challenge to see if Moses had the right attitude towards the people and his own role. Moses passed the test by saying "Not so" to the Lord! When the challenge came, David SHOULD have said "Not so"! Instead, David listened to satan and sinned! It was Joab who said the right thing! 1 Chronicles 21:1-4:
1 Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel. 2 David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it. 3 And Joab answered, May the LORD multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel? 4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
Even though David sinned, he once again repented and got back in fellowship with the LORD. He went again after God's heart! When YOU miss it, "go thou and do likewise"! REPENT! Change YOUR thinking to agree with GOD'S, confess the sin, and receive your forgiveness! Then get busy, again, with what God has called you to do! It's very simple! Not always easy on the flesh, but ALWAYS simple! You can't get any simpler that "God is ALWAYS right! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 24:13-14:
13My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 14 So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if your find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.
I found this in The Biblical Illustrator (Old Testament) and found it interesting!
I. It is WHOLESOME. "My son, eat thou honey, because it is good." Honey was one of the choice productions of Canaan. It was used by its inhabitants as an article of diet; it was not only delicious to the palate, but strengthening to the frame. Divine knowledge is the aliment for man's spiritual nature; without it there is no moral strength; our faculties require God Himself to feed upon. Without God it starves. He is the food of the intellect, the affections, the imagination, the conscience.
II. It is DELECTABLE. "And the honeycomb, which is sweet to the taste." God's goodness in nature appears in this as well as in all other things: that the provisions essential to man's strength He has made palatable to the taste. Honey is not only strengthening, but "sweet." The pleasures of spiritual knowledge are of the most exquisite kind.
III. It is SATISFYING. "When thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off." There shall be a reward. Goodness is its own reward, and the reward is equal to the highest "expectation.
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)
I like that! Here is the song "Holy And Anointed One":
Verse 19-20:
19 Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked, 20 For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
The word "fret" here is the Hebrew word "charah", which means: to be hot, to be furious, to burn, to become angry, to be kindled, to heat oneself in vexation. We are NOT to allow evil and wicked people, and the things that they do, cause us to lose our focus on preaching the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth! THAT is what the enemy wants! Don't worry, God is keeping track of everything and He WILL repay the evil done! Let's let Him be the Judge of all while we be about His business for us! AMEN!
Philippians 1:9-11 is also MY prayer for YOU!
9 And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], 10 So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble]. 11 May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized].
When WE walk in love, the world WILL take notice (John 13:35); and our faith WILL work for us (Galatians 5:6)! Love is ALWAYS the best way, because love NEVER fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)! AMEN!
We see in 1 Chronicles 20-22 another account of David's sin of numbering the people of Israel. We saw in 1 Samuel 24 that God moved David to do this. This is the same type of thing that happened when God told Moses that He would destroy all of the people and start all over again with Moses! It was a challenge to see if Moses had the right attitude towards the people and his own role. Moses passed the test by saying "Not so" to the Lord! When the challenge came, David SHOULD have said "Not so"! Instead, David listened to satan and sinned! It was Joab who said the right thing! 1 Chronicles 21:1-4:
1 Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel. 2 David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it. 3 And Joab answered, May the LORD multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel? 4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
Even though David sinned, he once again repented and got back in fellowship with the LORD. He went again after God's heart! When YOU miss it, "go thou and do likewise"! REPENT! Change YOUR thinking to agree with GOD'S, confess the sin, and receive your forgiveness! Then get busy, again, with what God has called you to do! It's very simple! Not always easy on the flesh, but ALWAYS simple! You can't get any simpler that "God is ALWAYS right! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 23:15-16 reveals how God "feels" when we think, speak and do the right thing!
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine; 16 Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
The word "glad" in verse 15 is the Hebrew word "samach", which means: a spontaneous emotion or extreme happiness which is expresses in some visible and/or external manner. That means that this so greatly delights the One, True God that He lets it be known! Remember when Jesus heard the Father say, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased"? I believe that IF we put these verses into practice, we will NOT have to wait until we get to Heaven to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant"! Let's give HIM something to rejoice about!
Ephesians 6:10-12:
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
We must realize that the things going on in the world right now that are good and godly are being done at the direction of the Spirit of God, through people who allow Him to work through them! In that same way, the evil things going on all over the world are being done at the direction of the devil and his evil spirits, through people who allow themselves to be used as pawns in his evil and wicked schemes! Don't judge the people! Be prepared to battle the REAL enemy with the weapons of OUR warfare, that are not natural and that the enemy cannot withstand! Verse 18:
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
Praying in the Spirit is praying God's perfect will into the earth, without our minds getting in the way! The Holy Spirit knows what is needful to be prayed and when we yield to Him, the job gets done the right way! AMEN!
1 Chronicles 18-19 tell of more victories won by David. It is amazing that nations would still come against them when God had delivered them time after time! Remember: "Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands"? Word had spread and the people knew! Yet they STILL thought they could defeat the nation! The devil STILL thinks that he can defeat the One, True God! He keeps trying to use the nations of the world to wipe the nation of Israel from the face of the earth! He will NOT succeed! Not EVER! But he WILL keep trying! Be aware of the signs of the times that we are living in! And also be aware that we are living in the Times of the Signs! EVERYTHING is following God's plan. He has NOT been taken by surprise by ANYTHING taking place on the earth! Let's stay in close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible. We'll be in GREAT company, and, also, in the safest place on the earth to be! AMEN! Here is "How Great Is Our God" by Chris Tomlin:
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 23:15-16 reveals how God "feels" when we think, speak and do the right thing!
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine; 16 Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
The word "glad" in verse 15 is the Hebrew word "samach", which means: a spontaneous emotion or extreme happiness which is expresses in some visible and/or external manner. That means that this so greatly delights the One, True God that He lets it be known! Remember when Jesus heard the Father say, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased"? I believe that IF we put these verses into practice, we will NOT have to wait until we get to Heaven to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant"! Let's give HIM something to rejoice about!
Ephesians 6:10-12:
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
We must realize that the things going on in the world right now that are good and godly are being done at the direction of the Spirit of God, through people who allow Him to work through them! In that same way, the evil things going on all over the world are being done at the direction of the devil and his evil spirits, through people who allow themselves to be used as pawns in his evil and wicked schemes! Don't judge the people! Be prepared to battle the REAL enemy with the weapons of OUR warfare, that are not natural and that the enemy cannot withstand! Verse 18:
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
Praying in the Spirit is praying God's perfect will into the earth, without our minds getting in the way! The Holy Spirit knows what is needful to be prayed and when we yield to Him, the job gets done the right way! AMEN!
1 Chronicles 18-19 tell of more victories won by David. It is amazing that nations would still come against them when God had delivered them time after time! Remember: "Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands"? Word had spread and the people knew! Yet they STILL thought they could defeat the nation! The devil STILL thinks that he can defeat the One, True God! He keeps trying to use the nations of the world to wipe the nation of Israel from the face of the earth! He will NOT succeed! Not EVER! But he WILL keep trying! Be aware of the signs of the times that we are living in! And also be aware that we are living in the Times of the Signs! EVERYTHING is following God's plan. He has NOT been taken by surprise by ANYTHING taking place on the earth! Let's stay in close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible. We'll be in GREAT company, and, also, in the safest place on the earth to be! AMEN! Here is "How Great Is Our God" by Chris Tomlin:
Shalom in Him!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Shalom,
I want to look at two verses in Proverbs 22 today. The first one is verse 4:
4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
We have already read in earlier Proverbs that the Fear of the Lord is the very beginning of Wisdom! Now we see that not only will we gain Wisdom, but we will also receive riches and honor and life by operating in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord! The KJV says "by", which is the Hebrew word "`eqeb", and means: a consequence of, a gain, a reward. Remember, it doesn't really cost us anything worthwhile to obey God, but it surely does PAY! Then next verse we will look at is verse 12:
12 The eyes of the LORD keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
Another verse that goes right along with this one is Jeremiah 1:12:
12 Then said the LORD to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My Word to perform it.
When we take the necessary time to find out what God's Word has to say about any and every situation, and speak it out of our mouths, HE will make sure that it comes to pass! What is our job? Feed on His Word, then Speak His Word! What is the LORD'S job? MAKE IT HAPPEN! I LIKE that!
Ephesians 5 gives more guidance on how the life of a believer in Jesus of Nazareth is supposed to look to the world! Remember that we represent Heaven while we're here on the earth! We are ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)! Look at verses 14-17:
14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. 15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
That is our call to battle! Represent the LORD Jesus right here on earth and show forth His glory, so that people will be drawn to HIM! Amen! The best way to begin is found in the next verses! Verses 17-20:
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 get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. 19 Speak out to one another in palms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody in your heart to the LORD, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the Name of our LORD Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Remember that when we give thanks according to verse 20, it is not "for" the things, but for God's Word concerning those things! We give thanks for God's provision in every situation!
1 Chronicles 16 shows David and all of Israel praising the LORD for the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. Verse 34 goes right along with Ephesians 5:20:
34 O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Be thanking Him for how great and wonderful He is, and, also, for all the good things that He has done in your life! 1 Chronicles 17:20-21 are very important to remember in these days in which we live!
20 O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God beside You, according to all that our ears have heard. 21 And what nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to Himself as a people, making Yourself a name of great and terrible things, by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt?
There is NO other God but the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Krishna, Allah, etc. are either people who have died and NOT come back to life, as Jesus of Nazareth did; or they are demonic spirits working for the Father of all lies, satan! Then verse 24 says this:
24 Let it be established and let Your Name [and the character that Name denotes] be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel's God; and the house of David Your servant will be established before You.
He IS Israel's God! He WAS, He IS, and He EVER will BE! Israel belongs to God! Make sure that you are taking time every day to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem! Those who bless Israel WILL BE BLESSED! I choose blessing, how about you? Here is the closest I could find of a picture of what David would have looked like bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel! He wasn't naked, as some have supposed! He just was NOT wearing his kingly robes, he was wearing the simple linen ephod of a priest. The first picture is more likely what the garment would have looked like. The second picture is more like the wonderful, joyous attitude David would have had!
Shalom in Him!
I want to look at two verses in Proverbs 22 today. The first one is verse 4:
4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
We have already read in earlier Proverbs that the Fear of the Lord is the very beginning of Wisdom! Now we see that not only will we gain Wisdom, but we will also receive riches and honor and life by operating in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord! The KJV says "by", which is the Hebrew word "`eqeb", and means: a consequence of, a gain, a reward. Remember, it doesn't really cost us anything worthwhile to obey God, but it surely does PAY! Then next verse we will look at is verse 12:
12 The eyes of the LORD keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
Another verse that goes right along with this one is Jeremiah 1:12:
12 Then said the LORD to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My Word to perform it.
When we take the necessary time to find out what God's Word has to say about any and every situation, and speak it out of our mouths, HE will make sure that it comes to pass! What is our job? Feed on His Word, then Speak His Word! What is the LORD'S job? MAKE IT HAPPEN! I LIKE that!
Ephesians 5 gives more guidance on how the life of a believer in Jesus of Nazareth is supposed to look to the world! Remember that we represent Heaven while we're here on the earth! We are ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)! Look at verses 14-17:
14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. 15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
That is our call to battle! Represent the LORD Jesus right here on earth and show forth His glory, so that people will be drawn to HIM! Amen! The best way to begin is found in the next verses! Verses 17-20:
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 get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. 19 Speak out to one another in palms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody in your heart to the LORD, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the Name of our LORD Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Remember that when we give thanks according to verse 20, it is not "for" the things, but for God's Word concerning those things! We give thanks for God's provision in every situation!
1 Chronicles 16 shows David and all of Israel praising the LORD for the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. Verse 34 goes right along with Ephesians 5:20:
34 O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Be thanking Him for how great and wonderful He is, and, also, for all the good things that He has done in your life! 1 Chronicles 17:20-21 are very important to remember in these days in which we live!
20 O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God beside You, according to all that our ears have heard. 21 And what nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem to Himself as a people, making Yourself a name of great and terrible things, by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt?
There is NO other God but the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Krishna, Allah, etc. are either people who have died and NOT come back to life, as Jesus of Nazareth did; or they are demonic spirits working for the Father of all lies, satan! Then verse 24 says this:
24 Let it be established and let Your Name [and the character that Name denotes] be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, is Israel's God; and the house of David Your servant will be established before You.
He IS Israel's God! He WAS, He IS, and He EVER will BE! Israel belongs to God! Make sure that you are taking time every day to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem! Those who bless Israel WILL BE BLESSED! I choose blessing, how about you? Here is the closest I could find of a picture of what David would have looked like bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel! He wasn't naked, as some have supposed! He just was NOT wearing his kingly robes, he was wearing the simple linen ephod of a priest. The first picture is more likely what the garment would have looked like. The second picture is more like the wonderful, joyous attitude David would have had!
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 21:30:
30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the LORD.
The enemy has tried constantly since he was kicked out of Heaven to defeat the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! He has worked through people since the time of Adam and Eve to try to thwart the plan of God. He has NOT succeeded! He will NEVER succeed! As you observe the things that are currently happening all over the world, realize that the signs of the times reveal that we are indeed living in the "Times of the Signs"! All the things that the Bible says will happen as the nations prepare to come against Israel are happening at this very moment! Not much has left to be fulfilled! Be ready, but, most importantly, be BUSY! Doing what? Preaching the Good News to everyone in YOUR realm of influence! Look at verse 31:
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the LORD.
Israel has a very strong military and well trained people, but their ultimate victory, when the entire known world comes against them, will be GOD'S!!! He ALONE will get the glory! AMEN! I also believe that the same will be true of the USA, as long as the Church of Jesus of Nazareth is still on the earth, and still praying for the peace and prosperity of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem! Do YOUR part!
Ephesians 4 speaks of God's plan for the Church, the Body of Christ (the Messiah). He desires that we all do our own individual parts, loving and encouraging each other, so that we can accomplish the task of reaching the world with the Gospel! Verse 15:
15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Remember that the "Truth" here is the Word of God (John 17:17)! Here is Hillsong United with "Glow":
In 1Chronicles 13-15 we again see the account of David's first attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. The first time God's rules concerning the handling of the Ark are wrong and Uzza pays for this with his life. Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to the things of God! God's Word has been available in the earth since the first time He spoke it out, and every person has the responsibility to seek after HIM to find it! The Bible says that creation itself speaks of the magnificence of God! The most remote tribe of people on the face of the earth can STILL see from nature around them that there IS a GOD! When they seek to find out about Him, He will move Heaven and earth to get to them!
David realized his mistake and in 1 Chronicles 15:2 he said this:
2 The David said, None should carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.
Verse 28:
28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, sound of the cornet, trumpets, and cymbals, sounding aloud with harps and lyres.
This time there was great joy! Doing things God's way will ALWAYS end in great joy! You can count on it!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 21:30:
30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the LORD.
The enemy has tried constantly since he was kicked out of Heaven to defeat the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! He has worked through people since the time of Adam and Eve to try to thwart the plan of God. He has NOT succeeded! He will NEVER succeed! As you observe the things that are currently happening all over the world, realize that the signs of the times reveal that we are indeed living in the "Times of the Signs"! All the things that the Bible says will happen as the nations prepare to come against Israel are happening at this very moment! Not much has left to be fulfilled! Be ready, but, most importantly, be BUSY! Doing what? Preaching the Good News to everyone in YOUR realm of influence! Look at verse 31:
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the LORD.
Israel has a very strong military and well trained people, but their ultimate victory, when the entire known world comes against them, will be GOD'S!!! He ALONE will get the glory! AMEN! I also believe that the same will be true of the USA, as long as the Church of Jesus of Nazareth is still on the earth, and still praying for the peace and prosperity of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem! Do YOUR part!
Ephesians 4 speaks of God's plan for the Church, the Body of Christ (the Messiah). He desires that we all do our own individual parts, loving and encouraging each other, so that we can accomplish the task of reaching the world with the Gospel! Verse 15:
15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Remember that the "Truth" here is the Word of God (John 17:17)! Here is Hillsong United with "Glow":
In 1Chronicles 13-15 we again see the account of David's first attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. The first time God's rules concerning the handling of the Ark are wrong and Uzza pays for this with his life. Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to the things of God! God's Word has been available in the earth since the first time He spoke it out, and every person has the responsibility to seek after HIM to find it! The Bible says that creation itself speaks of the magnificence of God! The most remote tribe of people on the face of the earth can STILL see from nature around them that there IS a GOD! When they seek to find out about Him, He will move Heaven and earth to get to them!
David realized his mistake and in 1 Chronicles 15:2 he said this:
2 The David said, None should carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.
Verse 28:
28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, sound of the cornet, trumpets, and cymbals, sounding aloud with harps and lyres.
This time there was great joy! Doing things God's way will ALWAYS end in great joy! You can count on it!
Shalom in Him!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 20:3 tells us this:
3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel.
"Honor" is the Hebrew word "kabowd", which means: weight (in a good sense), splendor, copiousness, glorious, abundance, riches, dignity, reputation, wealth. To stay out of strife will keep our lives in position to be blessed with all good things! Strife is a tool of the enemy, who we know ONLY comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10)! It's his very nature! So avoid strife at all costs by being a doer of Hebrews 12:14:
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Also Romans 12:18:
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
That is not speaking of fighting for your country, it is speaking of your own personal relationships and dealings with people. God's way is ALWAYS the BEST way!
Another verse in Proverbs 20 that goes along with verse 3 is verse 22:
22 Do not say, I will repay evil; wait [expectantly] for the LORD, and He will rescue you.
I think HE will do a better job of it anyway, don't you?
In Ephesians 3:4-6, Paul speaks of a mystery:
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).
The mystery was that the Jewish Messiah (Yeshua, Jesus) was going to be the Saviour of the entire world! He came to save the Jews AND the Gentiles (that's us!)! Hallelujah! We don't understand what a new and novel thought that was to the Jewish people of Paul's time! He said this in verse 8:
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out].
Guess what! This same grace, privilege and favor has been granted unto US! We are to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that others can know that HE LOVES THEM! AMEN! Here is a beautiful song I found while searching for a children's song about Yeshua. It is in Hebrew and should be familiar to many of you!
In 1 Chronicles 11-12 we see again the list of David's mighty men. God had been so faithful to surround David with such a great QUALITY of people! They were so very faithful to him! When David was running from Saul for all of those years, and it looked like the kingdom would never be his, these great and mighty men would have given their lives for him! Some did! What God has promised WILL come to pass, if we don't get "weary in well-doing" and faint (2 Thessalonians 3:13)! 1 Chronicles 11:9 says it all:
9 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with Him.
He is ALSO with you and in you! Never forget it! And never give up. Never give in. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 20:3 tells us this:
3 It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel.
"Honor" is the Hebrew word "kabowd", which means: weight (in a good sense), splendor, copiousness, glorious, abundance, riches, dignity, reputation, wealth. To stay out of strife will keep our lives in position to be blessed with all good things! Strife is a tool of the enemy, who we know ONLY comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10)! It's his very nature! So avoid strife at all costs by being a doer of Hebrews 12:14:
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Also Romans 12:18:
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
That is not speaking of fighting for your country, it is speaking of your own personal relationships and dealings with people. God's way is ALWAYS the BEST way!
Another verse in Proverbs 20 that goes along with verse 3 is verse 22:
22 Do not say, I will repay evil; wait [expectantly] for the LORD, and He will rescue you.
I think HE will do a better job of it anyway, don't you?
In Ephesians 3:4-6, Paul speaks of a mystery:
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).
The mystery was that the Jewish Messiah (Yeshua, Jesus) was going to be the Saviour of the entire world! He came to save the Jews AND the Gentiles (that's us!)! Hallelujah! We don't understand what a new and novel thought that was to the Jewish people of Paul's time! He said this in verse 8:
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out].
Guess what! This same grace, privilege and favor has been granted unto US! We are to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that others can know that HE LOVES THEM! AMEN! Here is a beautiful song I found while searching for a children's song about Yeshua. It is in Hebrew and should be familiar to many of you!
In 1 Chronicles 11-12 we see again the list of David's mighty men. God had been so faithful to surround David with such a great QUALITY of people! They were so very faithful to him! When David was running from Saul for all of those years, and it looked like the kingdom would never be his, these great and mighty men would have given their lives for him! Some did! What God has promised WILL come to pass, if we don't get "weary in well-doing" and faint (2 Thessalonians 3:13)! 1 Chronicles 11:9 says it all:
9 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with Him.
He is ALSO with you and in you! Never forget it! And never give up. Never give in. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!
Shalom in Him!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 19:8:
8 He who gains Wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding shall prosper and find good.
We have looked at Wisdom a lot in these Proverbs, and it makes great sense that if you love your life, you WILL work hard at acquiring Wisdom! The second part of this Proverb says that if you "keep", the Hebrew word "shamar", which means: to guard, to preserve, to give heed, to protect, to keep watch, to retain, to treasure up, to celebrate, understanding, then you will find "good", the Hebrew word "towb", which means: good in every sense of the word, benefit, welfare, prosperity, happiness, bounty. Godly Wisdom and understanding are key ingredients for a life that is blessed in every way right here on earth! Going right along with that is verse 27:
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction only to ignore it and stray from the words of knowledge.
To keep hearing the Word of God without putting it into practice is not wise! James 1:22-25 tells us that we deceive ourselves when we do this. We think that the Word of God will work for us just because we've heard it. John 8:32 says that it is the Word of God that we "know" that will set us free! That is the Greek word "ginooskoo", which means: to learn to know, to come to know, to get knowledge of, to perceive, to understand, to become acquainted with. That takes time AND practice! Be a DOER and get God's results!
Ephesians 2:10 says this:
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good 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].
God's purpose for our lives here on earth is to do those "good works"! What works are those? John 14:12 says this:
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The Amplified Bible says:
12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.
His plan for us here is to do the same things that Jesus did while He ministered on the earth! When we do, He will get the glory and people will be drawn to Him! God's #1 desire is that none "should perish, but that all should come to repentance"(2 Peter 3:9). THAT is our Father's business! Let's be about it!
In 1 Kings 1-2 we see that, after more rebellion and intrigue, Solomon is crowned king over Israel. David gives him this charge in 1 Kings 2:2-3:
2 I go the way of all the earth. be strong and show yourself a man; 3 Keep the charge of the LORD your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.
We will see, as we continue reading about Solomon, that he did obey this charge in the beginning. We will see the results of his obedience, and then we will also see when he begins to go astray. As you see these things, use them as a gauge for your own life, so that you can avoid the same pitfalls! The same enemy still uses the same tests, temptations and trials to try to get US to get off track. Remember, there is nothing new under the sun! Be wise! Here is a link to a news story about the newly discovered remains of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem! Very exciting times we live in!
http://yourjewishnews.com/7729.aspx
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 19:8:
8 He who gains Wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding shall prosper and find good.
We have looked at Wisdom a lot in these Proverbs, and it makes great sense that if you love your life, you WILL work hard at acquiring Wisdom! The second part of this Proverb says that if you "keep", the Hebrew word "shamar", which means: to guard, to preserve, to give heed, to protect, to keep watch, to retain, to treasure up, to celebrate, understanding, then you will find "good", the Hebrew word "towb", which means: good in every sense of the word, benefit, welfare, prosperity, happiness, bounty. Godly Wisdom and understanding are key ingredients for a life that is blessed in every way right here on earth! Going right along with that is verse 27:
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction only to ignore it and stray from the words of knowledge.
To keep hearing the Word of God without putting it into practice is not wise! James 1:22-25 tells us that we deceive ourselves when we do this. We think that the Word of God will work for us just because we've heard it. John 8:32 says that it is the Word of God that we "know" that will set us free! That is the Greek word "ginooskoo", which means: to learn to know, to come to know, to get knowledge of, to perceive, to understand, to become acquainted with. That takes time AND practice! Be a DOER and get God's results!
Ephesians 2:10 says this:
10 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good 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].
God's purpose for our lives here on earth is to do those "good works"! What works are those? John 14:12 says this:
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The Amplified Bible says:
12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.
His plan for us here is to do the same things that Jesus did while He ministered on the earth! When we do, He will get the glory and people will be drawn to Him! God's #1 desire is that none "should perish, but that all should come to repentance"(2 Peter 3:9). THAT is our Father's business! Let's be about it!
In 1 Kings 1-2 we see that, after more rebellion and intrigue, Solomon is crowned king over Israel. David gives him this charge in 1 Kings 2:2-3:
2 I go the way of all the earth. be strong and show yourself a man; 3 Keep the charge of the LORD your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.
We will see, as we continue reading about Solomon, that he did obey this charge in the beginning. We will see the results of his obedience, and then we will also see when he begins to go astray. As you see these things, use them as a gauge for your own life, so that you can avoid the same pitfalls! The same enemy still uses the same tests, temptations and trials to try to get US to get off track. Remember, there is nothing new under the sun! Be wise! Here is a link to a news story about the newly discovered remains of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem! Very exciting times we live in!
http://yourjewishnews.com/7729.aspx
Shalom in Him!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 18:9 says this:
9 He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.
The KJV only has the first part of this verse, but I think that the second part shows the true meaning in a much more powerful way! We have all read or heard stories about people who have destroyed their own lives and wasted their gifts and talents by getting involved in the things of the world, but did we ever realize that not putting the necessary time into developing the gifts and talents that God has given us has exactly the same results in the eyes of God? It is a life calling NOT fulfilled! A person who knows what to do in order to have a healthy body, and refuses to do it, may as well just kill themselves now and be done with it! That may sound harsh, but that is exactly what happens! Have you ever seen someone who died from lung cancer because of smoking? I have! It's not pretty and it takes an uncalled for toll on the family and friends left behind! We have a responsibility, as believers, to care for this Temple of the Holy Spirit so that we can live long on the earth, bringing Glory to His Name! AMEN!
I have had many questions about whether or not a person who actually has committed suicide will go to Heaven. The ONLY Way to Heaven is through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. If someone takes their own life, who has received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, they will be immediately in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8)! If they never received Jesus as Saviour, then they will NOT! Taking your own life is a sin (a selfish decision to do something our way instead of God's), but the ONLY sin not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ is the sin of rejecting Him! Let's just share the Good News of the Gospel with people so that THEY can KNOW they have Heaven as their home when they leave this earth!
Do you have friends and loved ones who have yet to see the Truth of God's Word in some area(s) of their lives? Pray this Holy Spirit inspired prayer that Paul prayed, putting THEIR name in it! Then pray in the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His great work! Ephesians 1:16-23:
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. 17 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that he may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world that is to come. 22 And He has put all things under His feet and had appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].
A perfect prayer that is completely in line with God's Will! We KNOW that this prayer WILL BE answered (1 John 5:14-15)! AMEN!
2 Samuel 23:3-4 are the last words that the LORD spoke through David:
3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me, When one rules over men righteously, ruling in the fear of God, 4 He dawns on them like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, when the tender grass springs out of the earth through clear shining after rain.
THAT is how Jesus Himself will rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years after the Great Tribulation! Until then, we need to pray continually for good and Godly leaders to rise up in our nation! An election is coming up sooner than you think! Pay attention! AMEN!
2 Samuel 23 also records the names of the mighty men who served David and served WITH David! Do you notice the very last name on the list? Verse 39:
39 Uriah the Hittite -- thirty-seven in all.
Uriah was one of only 37 men who put their lives on the line constantly for David and for Israel! I have come to realize that the ONLY strong thing about David was his love for the Lord! He would continue to pick himself up and run after God every time he made mistakes, and he made many! WE are without excuse when it comes to following God's plan for our lives! MOST of us haven't made anywhere near the kind of mistakes that David made, and yet he remained a man "after God's own heart"! What do we do? Get back in the Word of God and in close, intimate fellowship with Him. Then begin again to DO what He has told us to do! Simple! Easy? Not always, but ALWAYS simple! Here is an interesting little video about David's mighty men, using pictures of modern Israeli soldiers!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 18:9 says this:
9 He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.
The KJV only has the first part of this verse, but I think that the second part shows the true meaning in a much more powerful way! We have all read or heard stories about people who have destroyed their own lives and wasted their gifts and talents by getting involved in the things of the world, but did we ever realize that not putting the necessary time into developing the gifts and talents that God has given us has exactly the same results in the eyes of God? It is a life calling NOT fulfilled! A person who knows what to do in order to have a healthy body, and refuses to do it, may as well just kill themselves now and be done with it! That may sound harsh, but that is exactly what happens! Have you ever seen someone who died from lung cancer because of smoking? I have! It's not pretty and it takes an uncalled for toll on the family and friends left behind! We have a responsibility, as believers, to care for this Temple of the Holy Spirit so that we can live long on the earth, bringing Glory to His Name! AMEN!
I have had many questions about whether or not a person who actually has committed suicide will go to Heaven. The ONLY Way to Heaven is through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. If someone takes their own life, who has received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, they will be immediately in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8)! If they never received Jesus as Saviour, then they will NOT! Taking your own life is a sin (a selfish decision to do something our way instead of God's), but the ONLY sin not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ is the sin of rejecting Him! Let's just share the Good News of the Gospel with people so that THEY can KNOW they have Heaven as their home when they leave this earth!
Do you have friends and loved ones who have yet to see the Truth of God's Word in some area(s) of their lives? Pray this Holy Spirit inspired prayer that Paul prayed, putting THEIR name in it! Then pray in the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His great work! Ephesians 1:16-23:
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. 17 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that he may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world that is to come. 22 And He has put all things under His feet and had appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].
A perfect prayer that is completely in line with God's Will! We KNOW that this prayer WILL BE answered (1 John 5:14-15)! AMEN!
2 Samuel 23:3-4 are the last words that the LORD spoke through David:
3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me, When one rules over men righteously, ruling in the fear of God, 4 He dawns on them like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, when the tender grass springs out of the earth through clear shining after rain.
THAT is how Jesus Himself will rule and reign on the earth for 1000 years after the Great Tribulation! Until then, we need to pray continually for good and Godly leaders to rise up in our nation! An election is coming up sooner than you think! Pay attention! AMEN!
2 Samuel 23 also records the names of the mighty men who served David and served WITH David! Do you notice the very last name on the list? Verse 39:
39 Uriah the Hittite -- thirty-seven in all.
Uriah was one of only 37 men who put their lives on the line constantly for David and for Israel! I have come to realize that the ONLY strong thing about David was his love for the Lord! He would continue to pick himself up and run after God every time he made mistakes, and he made many! WE are without excuse when it comes to following God's plan for our lives! MOST of us haven't made anywhere near the kind of mistakes that David made, and yet he remained a man "after God's own heart"! What do we do? Get back in the Word of God and in close, intimate fellowship with Him. Then begin again to DO what He has told us to do! Simple! Easy? Not always, but ALWAYS simple! Here is an interesting little video about David's mighty men, using pictures of modern Israeli soldiers!
Shalom in Him!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 17:27-28:
27 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit. 28 Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.
The more that we grow up in the things of God, by meditating daily on the Word of God and obeying it, the wiser we become! Joshua 1:8 says that if we meditate on the Word day and night, we will reach a place of wisdom and understanding of the Lord and His ways that we will be prosperous and successful! The verses above tell us that we can even APPEAR to be wise by being slow to speak! That was also a characteristic of Jesus, AND, a commandment to us found in James 1:19:
19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
The Word of God tells us that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. We can too, IF, we watch our words AND "speak the Truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15)!
Galatians 6:9-10:
9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. 10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
The Greek word for growing weary in verse 9 is "ekkakeoo". This means: to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted. The only way we can reach that state of being is if we are busying ourselves with doing "things" without the daily leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit! he will NOT lead us beyond what we are capable of handling! Take the time every day to check YOUR leading. Remember that we are to "go out with joy, and be led forth with peace" (Isaiah 55:12). If the peace and joy are NOT present, then DON'T move! It is our responsibility to keep ourselves in position to be used by God to be a blessing to others, as verse 10 says! Then the harvest that we reap will be blessings in abundance! AMEN!
In 2 Samuel 21-22 David is forced, by the previous actions of Saul against the covenant that Joshua had made with the Gibeonites, to give over some of the descendants of Saul's house. God takes covenants very seriously! Don't enter into an agreement or covenant with another person without the leading, guidance and direction found in the Word of God, and by the Spirit of God! When OUR word means something to us, we will have even more confidence in HIS Word in our lives! AMEN! We see the Israelites continue to deal with the descendants of Goliath. Did you think he didn't have any family? I have to admit that I had never thought about it until I read through the Bible Plan! There is SO much more in the Word of God than can take in! Each year through the Bible I learn more and get even more excited about the Word than I was before! I hope you do too!
2 Samuel 22 has David singing his song of praise to the Lord for all that He had done for him! Here is "Shout To The Lord", one of the first Hillsong songs I ever heard!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 17:27-28:
27 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit. 28 Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.
The more that we grow up in the things of God, by meditating daily on the Word of God and obeying it, the wiser we become! Joshua 1:8 says that if we meditate on the Word day and night, we will reach a place of wisdom and understanding of the Lord and His ways that we will be prosperous and successful! The verses above tell us that we can even APPEAR to be wise by being slow to speak! That was also a characteristic of Jesus, AND, a commandment to us found in James 1:19:
19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
The Word of God tells us that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. We can too, IF, we watch our words AND "speak the Truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15)!
Galatians 6:9-10:
9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. 10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
The Greek word for growing weary in verse 9 is "ekkakeoo". This means: to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted. The only way we can reach that state of being is if we are busying ourselves with doing "things" without the daily leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit! he will NOT lead us beyond what we are capable of handling! Take the time every day to check YOUR leading. Remember that we are to "go out with joy, and be led forth with peace" (Isaiah 55:12). If the peace and joy are NOT present, then DON'T move! It is our responsibility to keep ourselves in position to be used by God to be a blessing to others, as verse 10 says! Then the harvest that we reap will be blessings in abundance! AMEN!
In 2 Samuel 21-22 David is forced, by the previous actions of Saul against the covenant that Joshua had made with the Gibeonites, to give over some of the descendants of Saul's house. God takes covenants very seriously! Don't enter into an agreement or covenant with another person without the leading, guidance and direction found in the Word of God, and by the Spirit of God! When OUR word means something to us, we will have even more confidence in HIS Word in our lives! AMEN! We see the Israelites continue to deal with the descendants of Goliath. Did you think he didn't have any family? I have to admit that I had never thought about it until I read through the Bible Plan! There is SO much more in the Word of God than can take in! Each year through the Bible I learn more and get even more excited about the Word than I was before! I hope you do too!
2 Samuel 22 has David singing his song of praise to the Lord for all that He had done for him! Here is "Shout To The Lord", one of the first Hillsong songs I ever heard!
Shalom in Him!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 16:20:
20 He who deals wisely and heeds [God's] Word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the LORD -- happy, blessed, and fortunate is he.
The word "good" above is the Hebrew word, "towb". It means: good in the widest sense; beautiful, best, bountiful, good, excellent, happiness, prosperity, wealth, welfare. Every good thing that God our Father has, He has given us. The key to accessing these things in our lives is found within His Word! Dig in and find the treasure that is yours as a born again child of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! What in the world would YOU let hold you back?
Galatians 5:6 says this:
6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
It is NOT keeping the Law, or even the 10 commandments, that pleases the Father! He is pleased when we operate in faith (Hebrews 11:6)! And this faith will ONLY operate when we walk in love! Jesus said that their were 2 commandments that covered the entire Law and the Prophets! Matthew 22:37-40:
37 And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it. you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.
Walking in the love of God, which means treating every person the way God treats you (as being precious and valuable), will cause your faith to work and produce. THIS will bring glory to God and cause people to want to know more about the great God that YOU serve! AMEN! Do you remember this older Hillsong song called "What The Love Of God Can Do"?
In 2 Samuel l9-20 we see David being inconsolable because of the death of Absalom, even though his people had won a great victory for him! I really like this explanation from the Bible Exposition Dictionary: Old Testament:
It was very unlike David to be insensitive to the sacrifices his men made as they served him (see 23:13-17; 1 Sam 30:21-30), but that day he was so obsessed with the death of Absalom that he could think of nothing else. By isolating himself from his men, the king turned a military victory into an emotional defeat. David was not only a great warrior but also a deeply emotional poet and musician, a man who could go from the depths of despair into the heights of glory while writing one psalm. David had experienced a difficult time after the death of Amnon (13:37-39), and the death of his favorite son Absalom left him inconsolable. David's attitude puzzled his followers, who saw Absalom as a liar, a murderer, a traitor, and a rebel.
Certainly we expect a father to grieve over the tragic death of a son and over-look the son's mistakes and sins. But leaders must still lead, even if their hearts are broken; that's one of the prices that leaders must pay. On October 10, 1950, Sir Winston Churchill was introduced at the University of Copenhagen as "the architect of victory" in World War II. Churchill replied: "I was only the servant of my country and had I, at any moment, failed to express her unflinching resolve to fight and conquer, I should at once have been rightly cast aside." David the father forgot that he was also David the king and that he still had his crown because his brave soldiers put the good of the nation ahead of their own personal interests.
What Joab said to David woke him up and he set about on a course of forgiveness for all those involved so that the nation could heal and move on. Many very complex situations can be remedied with grace and mercy! Remember the commandment of Jesus found in Romans 12:18:
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
This is not speaking of national peace from war, but of personal peace between people. Refuse to hold anything against anyone! Remember that God has said that vengeance is HIS (Romans 12:19)! We can forgive, because God Himself has our back! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 16:20:
20 He who deals wisely and heeds [God's] Word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the LORD -- happy, blessed, and fortunate is he.
The word "good" above is the Hebrew word, "towb". It means: good in the widest sense; beautiful, best, bountiful, good, excellent, happiness, prosperity, wealth, welfare. Every good thing that God our Father has, He has given us. The key to accessing these things in our lives is found within His Word! Dig in and find the treasure that is yours as a born again child of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! What in the world would YOU let hold you back?
Galatians 5:6 says this:
6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
It is NOT keeping the Law, or even the 10 commandments, that pleases the Father! He is pleased when we operate in faith (Hebrews 11:6)! And this faith will ONLY operate when we walk in love! Jesus said that their were 2 commandments that covered the entire Law and the Prophets! Matthew 22:37-40:
37 And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it. you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.
Walking in the love of God, which means treating every person the way God treats you (as being precious and valuable), will cause your faith to work and produce. THIS will bring glory to God and cause people to want to know more about the great God that YOU serve! AMEN! Do you remember this older Hillsong song called "What The Love Of God Can Do"?
In 2 Samuel l9-20 we see David being inconsolable because of the death of Absalom, even though his people had won a great victory for him! I really like this explanation from the Bible Exposition Dictionary: Old Testament:
It was very unlike David to be insensitive to the sacrifices his men made as they served him (see 23:13-17; 1 Sam 30:21-30), but that day he was so obsessed with the death of Absalom that he could think of nothing else. By isolating himself from his men, the king turned a military victory into an emotional defeat. David was not only a great warrior but also a deeply emotional poet and musician, a man who could go from the depths of despair into the heights of glory while writing one psalm. David had experienced a difficult time after the death of Amnon (13:37-39), and the death of his favorite son Absalom left him inconsolable. David's attitude puzzled his followers, who saw Absalom as a liar, a murderer, a traitor, and a rebel.
What Joab said to David woke him up and he set about on a course of forgiveness for all those involved so that the nation could heal and move on. Many very complex situations can be remedied with grace and mercy! Remember the commandment of Jesus found in Romans 12:18:
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
This is not speaking of national peace from war, but of personal peace between people. Refuse to hold anything against anyone! Remember that God has said that vengeance is HIS (Romans 12:19)! We can forgive, because God Himself has our back! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 15:1-2, 4, 7, 14, 23, 26, 28 all refer to speaking words:
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool pours out folly.
4 A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
7 The lips of wise disperse knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; not so the minds and hearts of the self-confident and foolish.
14 The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after and craves it, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool feeds on folly.
23 A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment -- how good it is!
26 The thoughts of the wicked are shamefully vile and exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasing words to Him.
28 The mind of the [uncompromisingly] righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
The words that we speak are containers of either the Truth of God's Word, which brings LIFE, or the untruth of the world and the devil, which brings death into every situation. Don't ever get slack in your thinking concerning the words that you speak. Read Proverbs 6:2 and Matthew 12:37 to find the importance of our words! Spend time meditating the Word of God every day, and then, when you DO speak, let it be as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11)! Our words are important, our words WILL produce, and we WILL have to give an account of the words that we have spoken (Matthew 12:36). Make them GOD words!
Galatians 4: 4-7:
4 But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, 5 To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons]. 6 And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father! 7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.
If you have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, then you ARE NOW God's son (male or female!). Everything that the Son has is ours by inheritance and by the Covenant! Learn what's in the "WILL" and walk in it! It is most definitely for the here and now, so that the world can see Heaven in our lives and want to know the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible!
In 2 Samuel 17 we see many words spoken! Some were words of truth and some were not! What you believe about the words that you hear WILL determine the outcome in your life! Absalom believed the wrong counsel and it cost him his life! Chapter 18 tells of the defeat of Absalom and his death at the hand of Joab. Chapter 18 ends with David wailing over the death of the son who had gone against him. This is such a different David than the man who had fasted and prayed for the young son that Nathan the prophet had said would die. When the boy died, David said this 2 Samuel 12:23:
23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
David knew that his infant son would be in Paradise. I don't think he was as sure about Absalom! Why did he not fast and pray for his other sons while they lived? Proverbs 22:6 tells us this:
6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Make sure that you pay the price to train your child according to the Word of God! When you do that, you can have all confidence that their future is in the hands of God, and, no matter WHAT it looks like in the natural realm, God WILL bring them around! HALLELUJAH! Here are two pictures that capture what we've said about words and THE Word:
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 15:1-2, 4, 7, 14, 23, 26, 28 all refer to speaking words:
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool pours out folly.
4 A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
7 The lips of wise disperse knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; not so the minds and hearts of the self-confident and foolish.
14 The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after and craves it, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool feeds on folly.
23 A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment -- how good it is!
26 The thoughts of the wicked are shamefully vile and exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasing words to Him.
28 The mind of the [uncompromisingly] righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
The words that we speak are containers of either the Truth of God's Word, which brings LIFE, or the untruth of the world and the devil, which brings death into every situation. Don't ever get slack in your thinking concerning the words that you speak. Read Proverbs 6:2 and Matthew 12:37 to find the importance of our words! Spend time meditating the Word of God every day, and then, when you DO speak, let it be as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11)! Our words are important, our words WILL produce, and we WILL have to give an account of the words that we have spoken (Matthew 12:36). Make them GOD words!
Galatians 4: 4-7:
4 But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, 5 To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons]. 6 And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father! 7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.
If you have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, then you ARE NOW God's son (male or female!). Everything that the Son has is ours by inheritance and by the Covenant! Learn what's in the "WILL" and walk in it! It is most definitely for the here and now, so that the world can see Heaven in our lives and want to know the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible!
In 2 Samuel 17 we see many words spoken! Some were words of truth and some were not! What you believe about the words that you hear WILL determine the outcome in your life! Absalom believed the wrong counsel and it cost him his life! Chapter 18 tells of the defeat of Absalom and his death at the hand of Joab. Chapter 18 ends with David wailing over the death of the son who had gone against him. This is such a different David than the man who had fasted and prayed for the young son that Nathan the prophet had said would die. When the boy died, David said this 2 Samuel 12:23:
23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.
David knew that his infant son would be in Paradise. I don't think he was as sure about Absalom! Why did he not fast and pray for his other sons while they lived? Proverbs 22:6 tells us this:
6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Make sure that you pay the price to train your child according to the Word of God! When you do that, you can have all confidence that their future is in the hands of God, and, no matter WHAT it looks like in the natural realm, God WILL bring them around! HALLELUJAH! Here are two pictures that capture what we've said about words and THE Word:
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Shalom,
Proverbs 14:6-7:
6 A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands. 7 Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
A "scoffer" is the Hebrew word "luwts", which means: to scorn, to boast, to mock, to talk arrogantly, to have in derision, to "make mouths at" (make faces). It is of no use for a scoffer to seek Wisdom because he will not be able to comprehend it anyway! His attitude will keep him from perceiving, understanding and comprehending the Truth of God's Word. Verses 7 says to get away from them! Why do you think that is? One answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:33:
33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
Another in Psalm 1:1:
1 BLESSED (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
Spending time with scoffers and scorners puts us in position for THEIR attitudes to become OURS! We need to spend time EVERY DAY with like-minded believers in order to maintain a right mental attitude and to keep our hearts and minds stayed on HIM! If we're alone, that means spending time in His Word, some of the wisest counselors you can find anywhere! AMEN!
Galatians 3 can be summed up in verse 2:
2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing [the message of the Gospel] and believing [it]? [Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a message of faith?]
A true and vibrant faith in the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible WILL produce great good works, but it is not the works that gain our entrance into the family of God, it is the faith! Remind yourself every day of the amazingly wonderful and powerful GIFT of our Salvation, through the precious blood of Jesus of Nazareth, and you won't get caught up in false doctrines that steal your faith and confidence in who YOU are IN HIM! AMEN! Here is a cute song from the Go Fish Guys called "Saved":
In 2 Samuel 15-16 we see Absalom begin his attempt to take over the kingdom from his father David. He had no Word from God through a prophet and no anointing to be the king, yet he sought to make HIMSELF king! Do you think HE had a heart that went hard after the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible? I thought this was very interesting from the Bible Exposition Dictionary: Old Testament, and very appropriate to be aware of in the times in which WE are living right now!:
If ever a man was equipped to be a demagogue and lead people astray, that man was Absalom. He was a handsome man whose charm was difficult to resist (14:25-26), and he had royal blood in his veins from both his father and his mother. The fact that he had no character wasn't important to most of the people who, like sheep, would follow anybody who told them what they wanted to hear and gave them what they wanted to have. Newspaper editor H. L. Mencken's definition of a demagogue is rather extreme, but he gets the point across: "One who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." Novelist James Fenimore Cooper expressed it accurately: "One who advances his own interests by affecting a deep devotion to the interests of the people."
That is precisely what Absalom tried to do here, and what many are trying to do now, not only in our own nation, but in many others! Be aware! Our prayer continues to be: May godly plans succeed and prosper, and ungodly plans fail and come to utter destruction - in the Name above ALL Names - Jesus of Nazareth! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Proverbs 14:6-7:
6 A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands. 7 Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.
A "scoffer" is the Hebrew word "luwts", which means: to scorn, to boast, to mock, to talk arrogantly, to have in derision, to "make mouths at" (make faces). It is of no use for a scoffer to seek Wisdom because he will not be able to comprehend it anyway! His attitude will keep him from perceiving, understanding and comprehending the Truth of God's Word. Verses 7 says to get away from them! Why do you think that is? One answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:33:
33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
Another in Psalm 1:1:
1 BLESSED (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
Spending time with scoffers and scorners puts us in position for THEIR attitudes to become OURS! We need to spend time EVERY DAY with like-minded believers in order to maintain a right mental attitude and to keep our hearts and minds stayed on HIM! If we're alone, that means spending time in His Word, some of the wisest counselors you can find anywhere! AMEN!
Galatians 3 can be summed up in verse 2:
2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing [the message of the Gospel] and believing [it]? [Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a message of faith?]
A true and vibrant faith in the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible WILL produce great good works, but it is not the works that gain our entrance into the family of God, it is the faith! Remind yourself every day of the amazingly wonderful and powerful GIFT of our Salvation, through the precious blood of Jesus of Nazareth, and you won't get caught up in false doctrines that steal your faith and confidence in who YOU are IN HIM! AMEN! Here is a cute song from the Go Fish Guys called "Saved":
In 2 Samuel 15-16 we see Absalom begin his attempt to take over the kingdom from his father David. He had no Word from God through a prophet and no anointing to be the king, yet he sought to make HIMSELF king! Do you think HE had a heart that went hard after the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible? I thought this was very interesting from the Bible Exposition Dictionary: Old Testament, and very appropriate to be aware of in the times in which WE are living right now!:
If ever a man was equipped to be a demagogue and lead people astray, that man was Absalom. He was a handsome man whose charm was difficult to resist (14:25-26), and he had royal blood in his veins from both his father and his mother. The fact that he had no character wasn't important to most of the people who, like sheep, would follow anybody who told them what they wanted to hear and gave them what they wanted to have. Newspaper editor H. L. Mencken's definition of a demagogue is rather extreme, but he gets the point across: "One who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots." Novelist James Fenimore Cooper expressed it accurately: "One who advances his own interests by affecting a deep devotion to the interests of the people."
That is precisely what Absalom tried to do here, and what many are trying to do now, not only in our own nation, but in many others! Be aware! Our prayer continues to be: May godly plans succeed and prosper, and ungodly plans fail and come to utter destruction - in the Name above ALL Names - Jesus of Nazareth! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
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