Shalom,
In Psalm 29 we are instructed to give glory to the LORD and to worship Him! That SHOULD come naturally to believers; and it DOES to those who are in fellowship with Him on a daily basis! Then we are told seven times about the "voice of the LORD". Verse 4 says:
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty!
His voice, and the Words that He speaks, are FILLED with His power! They are also full of His majesty! That means they are adorned with His glory and all that makes God AWESOME! So LISTEN!!! That is what God the Father was saying in Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; and Luke 9:35; when He said:
This is My beloved Son: hear Him.
"Hear" is the Greek word "akouoo", which means: to attend to, to consider, to understand, to perceive the sense of what is said. He is ALWAYS speaking to lead, guide and direct us! LISTEN so that you can understand and obey! AMEN!
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 & 7-8 is what every Pastor would love to be able to say to, and about, the congregation that they are responsible to God for! These are from the Message Bible:
2 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father.
7 Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? 8 The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore -- you're the message!
We are to BE THE WORD to the part of the world that we live in! Get the Word in you so that the Word is what comes out of your mouth. Not necessarily in chapter and verse, but in TRUTH and LIGHT! AMEN! Here is a song form the Hillsong called The Difference, which is what HE is:
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. The name "Obadiah" means: one who worships God. The message he was given was to the descendants of Esau. One particular verse is very appropriate to our time and to what the nations of the world are doing to Israel. Verse 15:
15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head.
This is true of nations, but it can also be true of individuals! Do you remember Galatians 6:7:
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever and man sows, that shall he also reap.
And, on a more positive note, Ephesians 6:8:
8 Knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.
Make sure that you are only allowing yourself to think, say and do things that are a blessing to other people. Then you will reap, or receive, blessings from god Himself! I like that!
Shalom in Him!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 28:7-8:
7 The LORD is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with song will I praise Him. 8 The LORD is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed.
I can personally say that the LORD is MY Strength and MY Shield! I have faith, trust and confidence that I can count on Him to deliver me in EVERY situation! I CANNOT claim that for you, though! You must get the revelation of Jesus as YOUR Deliverer from the Word of God! THAT is what verse 8 is all about! It is POTENTIAL! For HIS part, HE has done everything needful to become the Deliverer of every one of His "anointed"! See 1 John 2:20 to see that every believer is anointed! The potential is there, but the responsibility to walk in it is MINE! And YOURS!
Matthew 28:5-8:
5 But the angel said to the women, Do not be alarmed and frightened, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. 6 He is not here; He has risen, as He said [He would do]. Come, see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.
The women had gone to the tomb early in the morning. They saw an angel of the Lord, who had rolled the stone away. All of the soldiers were frightened and fell down as though they were dead! The women weren't frightened! They received instructions to preach the Gospel: tell ... He is risen! I personally believe that because they were instantly obedient, they were blessed with what happened next! Verses 8-10:
8 So they left the tomb hastily with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples. 9 And as they went, behold, Jesus met them and said, Hail (greetings)! And they went up to Him and clasped His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, So not be alarmed and afraid; go and tell My brethren to go into Galilee, and there they will see Me.
So the very first preachers of the Gospel were women! If you are a woman called to preach, don't get into debates about it with those who don't agree! If you are not supported in your church, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the church you are supposed to be at, because it cannot be that one! Those who speak out against women in the ministry are simply ignorant of the Word of God in that area. Let them alone (1 Corinthians 14:38), pray for the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened, and then leave them to God! We don't have time to allow the enemy to get us distracted by disputes and strife! Do what God has called YOU to do, and do it for HIS glory! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Tell The World":
I love the account of the 4 lepers in 2 Kings 7! Instead of just sitting there feeling sorry for themselves, they put their hand to something and were blessed! While YOU are waiting for the manifestation of God's deliverance in your life, put your hand to do SOMETHING! God will always bless action based on faith in Him to direct you! Sometimes the only thing holding back the manifestation of your harvest is for you to get up and GO! Listen to that "still small voice", then MOVE!
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 28:7-8:
7 The LORD is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with song will I praise Him. 8 The LORD is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed.
I can personally say that the LORD is MY Strength and MY Shield! I have faith, trust and confidence that I can count on Him to deliver me in EVERY situation! I CANNOT claim that for you, though! You must get the revelation of Jesus as YOUR Deliverer from the Word of God! THAT is what verse 8 is all about! It is POTENTIAL! For HIS part, HE has done everything needful to become the Deliverer of every one of His "anointed"! See 1 John 2:20 to see that every believer is anointed! The potential is there, but the responsibility to walk in it is MINE! And YOURS!
Matthew 28:5-8:
5 But the angel said to the women, Do not be alarmed and frightened, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. 6 He is not here; He has risen, as He said [He would do]. Come, see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.
The women had gone to the tomb early in the morning. They saw an angel of the Lord, who had rolled the stone away. All of the soldiers were frightened and fell down as though they were dead! The women weren't frightened! They received instructions to preach the Gospel: tell ... He is risen! I personally believe that because they were instantly obedient, they were blessed with what happened next! Verses 8-10:
8 So they left the tomb hastily with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples. 9 And as they went, behold, Jesus met them and said, Hail (greetings)! And they went up to Him and clasped His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, So not be alarmed and afraid; go and tell My brethren to go into Galilee, and there they will see Me.
So the very first preachers of the Gospel were women! If you are a woman called to preach, don't get into debates about it with those who don't agree! If you are not supported in your church, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the church you are supposed to be at, because it cannot be that one! Those who speak out against women in the ministry are simply ignorant of the Word of God in that area. Let them alone (1 Corinthians 14:38), pray for the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened, and then leave them to God! We don't have time to allow the enemy to get us distracted by disputes and strife! Do what God has called YOU to do, and do it for HIS glory! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Tell The World":
I love the account of the 4 lepers in 2 Kings 7! Instead of just sitting there feeling sorry for themselves, they put their hand to something and were blessed! While YOU are waiting for the manifestation of God's deliverance in your life, put your hand to do SOMETHING! God will always bless action based on faith in Him to direct you! Sometimes the only thing holding back the manifestation of your harvest is for you to get up and GO! Listen to that "still small voice", then MOVE!
Shalom in Him!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 27:1-3:
1 THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation -- whom shall I fear or dread? The LORD is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.
What was it that David was confident in during times of great trouble and peril? He was confident in Who the LORD was to him from verse 1: His Light, Salvation, Refuge and Stronghold! There is only one way to have that kind of faith, trust and confidence in the LORD! Verse 4:
4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the LORD and to meditate, consider, and inquire in his temple.
In David's time the presence of the LORD was found in the Tabernacle! For us, look at 1 Corinthians 3:16:
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
THAT is where we find His presence! Then we can have the same confidence that David had, and even greater! I like verse 3 and verses 5-6 in the Message Bible:
3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool.
5 That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. 6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for His place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.
That attitude during times of trouble is a witness and a testimony to the fearful world that their IS and Answer, and His Name is JESUS! Here is an older song from Hillsong called: You Are/ You Are Lord taken from Psalm 27!
In Matthew 27 we read about Pilate giving Jesus over to be crucified. The soldiers beat, spit on and mock Him. Then they take Jesus out to crucify Him. While on the cross, the chief priests, the scribes, the elders and others continue to mock Him! The very people He was dying to save, were treating Him as one of little or no worth! Read through this chapter again allowing the Holy Spirit to show you what it was like from Jesus' perspective! When you feel all of that righteous indignation rise up to the point that you ALMOST wish Jesus would have gotten down from the cross and showed them all His power, then read THIS in Hebrews 12:3-4:
3 Just think of him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Him [reckon and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. 4 You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, not have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.
Do you see what the Holy Spirit is telling us? Jesus never lashed out at them, even once! He endured! We haven't dealt with anything even remotely as testing as what He went through! We CAN walk in love, stand strong, and be patient for the manifestation of what we are believing God for! AMEN!
There are many things we could discuss in 2 Kings 5-6, but one thing really stood out to me today! When Naaman the leper came to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, this is what happened: 2 Kings 5:9-10:
9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at Elisha's door. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be clean.
Naaman came first of all to the king of Israel hoping to receive his healing. The king sent him to Elisha, at Elisha's request. When he arrived at Elisha's house, he didn't get to see Elisha, but a messenger! Naaman did NOT like that, OR the message! His own servants convinced him to obey the instructions and he was healed and cleansed! What is OUR lesson from all of this? DON'T put God in a box! He will work through any and all of His people who will allow Him to! YOU don't need a particular minster or ministry in order to receive what YOU need from God! You have His Word and His Spirit available to you as a born again, Spirit-filled believer in Jesus of Nazareth! Learn the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, speak the Word and act on the Word, and you WILL have the results promised by the Word! If the Holy Spirit gives you something specific to do, DO IT! Otherwise just stick with the Word! You get the results and God gets the glory! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 27:1-3:
1 THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation -- whom shall I fear or dread? The LORD is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.
What was it that David was confident in during times of great trouble and peril? He was confident in Who the LORD was to him from verse 1: His Light, Salvation, Refuge and Stronghold! There is only one way to have that kind of faith, trust and confidence in the LORD! Verse 4:
4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the LORD and to meditate, consider, and inquire in his temple.
In David's time the presence of the LORD was found in the Tabernacle! For us, look at 1 Corinthians 3:16:
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
THAT is where we find His presence! Then we can have the same confidence that David had, and even greater! I like verse 3 and verses 5-6 in the Message Bible:
3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool.
5 That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic. 6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for His place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.
That attitude during times of trouble is a witness and a testimony to the fearful world that their IS and Answer, and His Name is JESUS! Here is an older song from Hillsong called: You Are/ You Are Lord taken from Psalm 27!
In Matthew 27 we read about Pilate giving Jesus over to be crucified. The soldiers beat, spit on and mock Him. Then they take Jesus out to crucify Him. While on the cross, the chief priests, the scribes, the elders and others continue to mock Him! The very people He was dying to save, were treating Him as one of little or no worth! Read through this chapter again allowing the Holy Spirit to show you what it was like from Jesus' perspective! When you feel all of that righteous indignation rise up to the point that you ALMOST wish Jesus would have gotten down from the cross and showed them all His power, then read THIS in Hebrews 12:3-4:
3 Just think of him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Him [reckon and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. 4 You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, not have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.
Do you see what the Holy Spirit is telling us? Jesus never lashed out at them, even once! He endured! We haven't dealt with anything even remotely as testing as what He went through! We CAN walk in love, stand strong, and be patient for the manifestation of what we are believing God for! AMEN!
There are many things we could discuss in 2 Kings 5-6, but one thing really stood out to me today! When Naaman the leper came to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, this is what happened: 2 Kings 5:9-10:
9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stopped at Elisha's door. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be clean.
Naaman came first of all to the king of Israel hoping to receive his healing. The king sent him to Elisha, at Elisha's request. When he arrived at Elisha's house, he didn't get to see Elisha, but a messenger! Naaman did NOT like that, OR the message! His own servants convinced him to obey the instructions and he was healed and cleansed! What is OUR lesson from all of this? DON'T put God in a box! He will work through any and all of His people who will allow Him to! YOU don't need a particular minster or ministry in order to receive what YOU need from God! You have His Word and His Spirit available to you as a born again, Spirit-filled believer in Jesus of Nazareth! Learn the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, speak the Word and act on the Word, and you WILL have the results promised by the Word! If the Holy Spirit gives you something specific to do, DO IT! Otherwise just stick with the Word! You get the results and God gets the glory! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
WEDNESDAY'S POST
Shalom,
Psalm 26:1-3:
1 VINDICATE ME, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the LORD without wavering and I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your Truth [faithfully].
WHEN can WE say this about ourselves? When we have obeyed 1 John 1:9! We all miss it, most of us at sometime every day! 1 John 1:9 was given to born again believers so that we can stay in close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most high, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! It will help us to be able to miss it less if we also obey Psalm 26:4-5:
4 I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders; 5 I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.
As born again believers, we should NOT be spending significant time with unbelievers except to minister to them! Now this is not speaking of the time you must be on the job or in the classroom. It is speaking of the time when YOU choose who you are around! That time should be spent with like-minded believers, which is time well spent! That will help us to be in THIS frame of mind: verses 6-8:
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O LORD, 7 That I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works. 8 LORD, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.
THAT is the place of protection, provision and safety; the place of anointing; the place of power; the place to receive leading, guidance and direction! learn to desire intimate fellowship with HIM! He already desires to spend that time with YOU!
Matthew 26 covers the time of the Passover supper, the time in the garden of Gethsemane, the capture of Jesus and the interrogation at the house of Caiaphas. Here are two clips from the Visual Bible-Matthew that cover most of this. They are very well done and should help in your meditation today!
2 Kings 3-4 covers some of the miraculous things that happened through the ministry of the prophet Elisha! One that particularly interested me today is found in 2 Kings 4:42-44:
42 [At another time] a man from Baal-shalisha ca,e and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain [in the husk] in his sack. And Elisha said, give to the men that they may eat. 43 His servant said, How am I to set [only] this before a hundred [hungry] men? He said, Give to the men that they may eat. For thus says the LORD: They shall be fed and have some left. 44 So he set it before them, and they ate and left some, as the LORD had said.
Does THAT remind you of anything from the New Testament? We now have three instances of where many people were fed from a small offering and there was even food left over! We should NEVER be concerned about where our next meal is coming from! Remember THIS promise from Psalm 37:25:
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Stay in the Word and filled with the Spirit, so that when the need arises, we will be in position to allow the "wondrous works of God" to be done through US! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Shalom,
Psalm 26:1-3:
1 VINDICATE ME, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the LORD without wavering and I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your Truth [faithfully].
WHEN can WE say this about ourselves? When we have obeyed 1 John 1:9! We all miss it, most of us at sometime every day! 1 John 1:9 was given to born again believers so that we can stay in close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most high, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! It will help us to be able to miss it less if we also obey Psalm 26:4-5:
4 I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders; 5 I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.
As born again believers, we should NOT be spending significant time with unbelievers except to minister to them! Now this is not speaking of the time you must be on the job or in the classroom. It is speaking of the time when YOU choose who you are around! That time should be spent with like-minded believers, which is time well spent! That will help us to be in THIS frame of mind: verses 6-8:
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O LORD, 7 That I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works. 8 LORD, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.
THAT is the place of protection, provision and safety; the place of anointing; the place of power; the place to receive leading, guidance and direction! learn to desire intimate fellowship with HIM! He already desires to spend that time with YOU!
Matthew 26 covers the time of the Passover supper, the time in the garden of Gethsemane, the capture of Jesus and the interrogation at the house of Caiaphas. Here are two clips from the Visual Bible-Matthew that cover most of this. They are very well done and should help in your meditation today!
2 Kings 3-4 covers some of the miraculous things that happened through the ministry of the prophet Elisha! One that particularly interested me today is found in 2 Kings 4:42-44:
42 [At another time] a man from Baal-shalisha ca,e and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain [in the husk] in his sack. And Elisha said, give to the men that they may eat. 43 His servant said, How am I to set [only] this before a hundred [hungry] men? He said, Give to the men that they may eat. For thus says the LORD: They shall be fed and have some left. 44 So he set it before them, and they ate and left some, as the LORD had said.
Does THAT remind you of anything from the New Testament? We now have three instances of where many people were fed from a small offering and there was even food left over! We should NEVER be concerned about where our next meal is coming from! Remember THIS promise from Psalm 37:25:
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Stay in the Word and filled with the Spirit, so that when the need arises, we will be in position to allow the "wondrous works of God" to be done through US! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 25:10:
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
There is not a single command or instruction from God that does not have love and mercy as its source and motivation! ALL the "paths", (the Hebrew word "`orach", which means: a way, a path, a road) of the LORD are directed by His great mercy, loving-kindness, Truth and faithfulness! We can TRUST Him with our whole life, knowing that the plans HE has for us are GOOD ones (Jeremiah 29:11)! AMEN!
Here is Psalm 25 put to song:
Matthew 25:40:
40 And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.
Just as we are HIS Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), representing HIM to the world, every good and Godly thing we do for someone else, HE receives it as though we did it for HIM personally! Remember that Truth the next time you have an opportunity to be a blessing to someone, especially someone who cannot pay you back! GOD KEEPS TRACK! Thank You, Jesus! And, of course, there is always the OTHER side of the issue:
45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.
You are NOT a failure! Stay alert for and buy up EVERY opportunity to do the right thing! You WILL be glad you did!
In 2 Kings 1 we find Ahaziah, the king of Israel, sending soldiers to seize Elijah and bring him in. The king didn't like the prophecy he heard from Elijah. He sent a captain and his fifty men to take Elijah. Fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The king, instead of acknowledging God, sent another captain and his men. When the same thing happened, he sent yet another group. What we see with this third group shows us something very important for the day in which we are living! Verse 13:
13 Ahaziah sent again a captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and fell on his knees before Elijah and besought him and said to him, O man of God, I pray you , let my life and the lives of these fifty, your servants, be precious in your sight.
THIS group did NOT die! They respected God's anointed and did him no harm (1 Chronicles 16:22; psalm 105:15)! The other groups could have made that same choice, but they did not! When we are face to face with the One, True, Most High, Living Almighty God of the Bible, we will NOT be able to say, "But I was ordered to do ...."! We each will be held accountable for the choices we make! Choose wisely!
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 25:10:
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
There is not a single command or instruction from God that does not have love and mercy as its source and motivation! ALL the "paths", (the Hebrew word "`orach", which means: a way, a path, a road) of the LORD are directed by His great mercy, loving-kindness, Truth and faithfulness! We can TRUST Him with our whole life, knowing that the plans HE has for us are GOOD ones (Jeremiah 29:11)! AMEN!
Here is Psalm 25 put to song:
Matthew 25:40:
40 And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me.
Just as we are HIS Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), representing HIM to the world, every good and Godly thing we do for someone else, HE receives it as though we did it for HIM personally! Remember that Truth the next time you have an opportunity to be a blessing to someone, especially someone who cannot pay you back! GOD KEEPS TRACK! Thank You, Jesus! And, of course, there is always the OTHER side of the issue:
45 And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me.
You are NOT a failure! Stay alert for and buy up EVERY opportunity to do the right thing! You WILL be glad you did!
In 2 Kings 1 we find Ahaziah, the king of Israel, sending soldiers to seize Elijah and bring him in. The king didn't like the prophecy he heard from Elijah. He sent a captain and his fifty men to take Elijah. Fire came down from heaven and consumed them. The king, instead of acknowledging God, sent another captain and his men. When the same thing happened, he sent yet another group. What we see with this third group shows us something very important for the day in which we are living! Verse 13:
13 Ahaziah sent again a captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and fell on his knees before Elijah and besought him and said to him, O man of God, I pray you , let my life and the lives of these fifty, your servants, be precious in your sight.
THIS group did NOT die! They respected God's anointed and did him no harm (1 Chronicles 16:22; psalm 105:15)! The other groups could have made that same choice, but they did not! When we are face to face with the One, True, Most High, Living Almighty God of the Bible, we will NOT be able to say, "But I was ordered to do ...."! We each will be held accountable for the choices we make! Choose wisely!
Shalom in Him!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 24:1-2:
1 THE EARTH is the LORD'S, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas and established upon the currents and the rivers.
The earth is God's special creation that He created for US to live on! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament:
Of all the heavenly bodies created by the Lord, the earth is the one He has chosen to be His own special sphere of activity. Clarence Benson called the earth "the theater of the universe," for on it the Lord demonstrated His love in what Dorothy Sayers called "the greatest drama ever staged." He chose a planet, a people and a land, and there He sent His Son to live, to minister, to die, and to be raised from the dead, that lost sinners might be saved. The earth is God's, everything on it and in it is God's, and all the people on the earth are God's, made in His image and accountable to Him. The divine name "LORD" is used six times in this psalm.
"LORD" is the Hebrew word "Yehovah", which is also known as Jehovah and means: the Eternal, Self-existing One! The earth belongs to HIM and He CHOSE to give US dominion over it! It is amazing how many people, who couldn't create anything, think that it is up to US to preserve the earth! God gave the earth and all of its resources for US to USE! Notice that I did not say ABUSE, but USE! Some people think they are the same, but they most definitely are not! Go ahead and make use of what God has provided! There really is no lack of resources, God is an abundant SUPPLIER! Just maintain a grateful, thankful heart and you won't have to worry about abusing anything! AMEN!
We have mentioned before that when Jesus answered the question from His followers about when things would take place on the earth, He was speaking to the Jews! There was no Church or Body of Christ yet! What Matthew 24 addresses will take place during the Tribulation, which is the Wrath of God poured out on a Christ-rejecting world! He was NOT speaking to US! We can, however, learn from this! Verses 4-6:
4 Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in My Name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, i am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT FRIGHTENED OR TROUBLED, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
We have already seen a great many of these things begin to take place on earth right now! The command to not be frightened or troubled IS to us, too! Remember 2 Timothy 1:7:
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
There SHOULD be "No Fear Here"! Remember to be in the Word daily, in fellowship with HIM daily, being filled with the Spirit daily and practicing "reject and replace" on a daily basis! Reject the thoughts that are NOT from God and replace them with His WORD! That will keep fear "OUTA HERE"! AMEN!
In 2 Chronicles 20 we see again the account of the LORD delivering Jehoshaphat and the people from their enemies round about when they sent the singers of praise BEFORE the army! God delivered them mightily! Here is an old video of this from the old Gospel Bill shows called "Fear Not"!:
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 24:1-2:
1 THE EARTH is the LORD'S, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas and established upon the currents and the rivers.
The earth is God's special creation that He created for US to live on! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament:
Of all the heavenly bodies created by the Lord, the earth is the one He has chosen to be His own special sphere of activity. Clarence Benson called the earth "the theater of the universe," for on it the Lord demonstrated His love in what Dorothy Sayers called "the greatest drama ever staged." He chose a planet, a people and a land, and there He sent His Son to live, to minister, to die, and to be raised from the dead, that lost sinners might be saved. The earth is God's, everything on it and in it is God's, and all the people on the earth are God's, made in His image and accountable to Him. The divine name "LORD" is used six times in this psalm.
"LORD" is the Hebrew word "Yehovah", which is also known as Jehovah and means: the Eternal, Self-existing One! The earth belongs to HIM and He CHOSE to give US dominion over it! It is amazing how many people, who couldn't create anything, think that it is up to US to preserve the earth! God gave the earth and all of its resources for US to USE! Notice that I did not say ABUSE, but USE! Some people think they are the same, but they most definitely are not! Go ahead and make use of what God has provided! There really is no lack of resources, God is an abundant SUPPLIER! Just maintain a grateful, thankful heart and you won't have to worry about abusing anything! AMEN!
We have mentioned before that when Jesus answered the question from His followers about when things would take place on the earth, He was speaking to the Jews! There was no Church or Body of Christ yet! What Matthew 24 addresses will take place during the Tribulation, which is the Wrath of God poured out on a Christ-rejecting world! He was NOT speaking to US! We can, however, learn from this! Verses 4-6:
4 Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in My Name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, i am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT FRIGHTENED OR TROUBLED, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
We have already seen a great many of these things begin to take place on earth right now! The command to not be frightened or troubled IS to us, too! Remember 2 Timothy 1:7:
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
There SHOULD be "No Fear Here"! Remember to be in the Word daily, in fellowship with HIM daily, being filled with the Spirit daily and practicing "reject and replace" on a daily basis! Reject the thoughts that are NOT from God and replace them with His WORD! That will keep fear "OUTA HERE"! AMEN!
In 2 Chronicles 20 we see again the account of the LORD delivering Jehoshaphat and the people from their enemies round about when they sent the singers of praise BEFORE the army! God delivered them mightily! Here is an old video of this from the old Gospel Bill shows called "Fear Not"!:
Shalom in Him!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Shalom,
Here is Psalm 23 in The Living Bible:
1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! 2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me strength. He helps me do what honors Him the most. 4 Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. 5 You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as Your guest; blessings overflow! 6 Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with You forever in Your home.
I really enjoy meditating on the Word of God by reading other versions and translations! It can give a whole new perspective on a verse we've read many times before! Here is another way to meditate the Word: The Sons Of Korah singing Psalm 23:
IN Matthew 23:1-3:
1 THEN JESUS said to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses' seat [of authority]. 3 So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do , for they preach, but do not practice.
Don't ever let yourself follow PEOPLE! It doesn't make any difference WHO they are, they WILL make mistakes. That's why we have to study the Word of God for ourselves. The Pastor of The Spoken Word Church has ALWAYS encouraged the congregation to check out everything he teaches to make sure that it lines up with God's Word! Obey the Word and you cannot fail!
Shalom in Him!
Here is Psalm 23 in The Living Bible:
1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! 2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me strength. He helps me do what honors Him the most. 4 Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. 5 You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as Your guest; blessings overflow! 6 Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with You forever in Your home.
I really enjoy meditating on the Word of God by reading other versions and translations! It can give a whole new perspective on a verse we've read many times before! Here is another way to meditate the Word: The Sons Of Korah singing Psalm 23:
IN Matthew 23:1-3:
1 THEN JESUS said to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses' seat [of authority]. 3 So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do , for they preach, but do not practice.
Don't ever let yourself follow PEOPLE! It doesn't make any difference WHO they are, they WILL make mistakes. That's why we have to study the Word of God for ourselves. The Pastor of The Spoken Word Church has ALWAYS encouraged the congregation to check out everything he teaches to make sure that it lines up with God's Word! Obey the Word and you cannot fail!
Shalom in Him!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Shalom,
Today we have Psalm 22, also called "The Psalm of the Cross". Psalm 22 begins with "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" and ends with "[that it is finished]!" in the Amplified Bible. Re-read this Psalm with all of this in mind and allow the Holy Spirit to make it come alive to YOU! He did it ALL for YOU! Here is a very early song from Hillsong called "Jesus, You Gave It All":
Matthew 22:37-40 is Jesus' reply to a lawyer trying to test Him!
37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). 38 This is the (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 40 These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the law and the Prophets.
As born again believers, these are STILL the two most important things that we can do! Love HIM with everything within you, and then allow THAT love to flow from you to others! That's a REAL love-life, and it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)!
In 1 Kings 19, after Elijah's great victory over the prophets of baal, we now find him running from a woman! Jezebel threatens him and he runs 80 miles away! This REALLY brings alive James 5:17a:
17 Elijah was as human as we are" (NLT).
Do YOU think that you wouldn't have run away? What Elijah did to the prophets of baal, he did under the Anointing of God. What he did after Jezebel's threat, he did as a human being who was NOT born again and filled with the Spirit! Thank You, Jesus, for the priceless privilege of being alive on earth NOW! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Today we have Psalm 22, also called "The Psalm of the Cross". Psalm 22 begins with "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" and ends with "[that it is finished]!" in the Amplified Bible. Re-read this Psalm with all of this in mind and allow the Holy Spirit to make it come alive to YOU! He did it ALL for YOU! Here is a very early song from Hillsong called "Jesus, You Gave It All":
Matthew 22:37-40 is Jesus' reply to a lawyer trying to test Him!
37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). 38 This is the (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 40 These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the law and the Prophets.
As born again believers, these are STILL the two most important things that we can do! Love HIM with everything within you, and then allow THAT love to flow from you to others! That's a REAL love-life, and it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)!
In 1 Kings 19, after Elijah's great victory over the prophets of baal, we now find him running from a woman! Jezebel threatens him and he runs 80 miles away! This REALLY brings alive James 5:17a:
17 Elijah was as human as we are" (NLT).
Do YOU think that you wouldn't have run away? What Elijah did to the prophets of baal, he did under the Anointing of God. What he did after Jezebel's threat, he did as a human being who was NOT born again and filled with the Spirit! Thank You, Jesus, for the priceless privilege of being alive on earth NOW! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Shalom,
Do you know that as a believer in Jesus of Nazareth, you are a king? Look at Romans 5:17:
17 For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Since you ARE a king, then Psalm 21:7 should cause you to rejoice!
7 For the king trusts, relies on, and is confident in the LORD, and through the mercy and steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved.
The word "moved" is the Hebrew word "mowt", which means: to totter, to shake, to slip, to be shaken, to be overthrown, to let fall. As long as you keep your faith, trust and confidence in the God of the Bible to deliver you, you will NOT be "moved"! What a great promise!
In Matthew 21 we read about Jesus coming down from the Mount of Olives into the city of Jerusalem. He cleaned out the Temple and the people loved Him! Here is the rest of the chapter from the Visual Bible - Matthew:
1 Kings 17-18 is all about Elijah and his dealings with Ahab and the prophets of Baal. When we were in Israel last year we stood where this took place. here are a couple of pictures:
I hope YOU get an opportunity to visit Israel some time. you will never be the same!
Shalom in Him!
Do you know that as a believer in Jesus of Nazareth, you are a king? Look at Romans 5:17:
17 For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Since you ARE a king, then Psalm 21:7 should cause you to rejoice!
7 For the king trusts, relies on, and is confident in the LORD, and through the mercy and steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved.
The word "moved" is the Hebrew word "mowt", which means: to totter, to shake, to slip, to be shaken, to be overthrown, to let fall. As long as you keep your faith, trust and confidence in the God of the Bible to deliver you, you will NOT be "moved"! What a great promise!
In Matthew 21 we read about Jesus coming down from the Mount of Olives into the city of Jerusalem. He cleaned out the Temple and the people loved Him! Here is the rest of the chapter from the Visual Bible - Matthew:
1 Kings 17-18 is all about Elijah and his dealings with Ahab and the prophets of Baal. When we were in Israel last year we stood where this took place. here are a couple of pictures:
Pastor Bill Novak by the statue commemorating Elijah slaying the prophets of Baal!
The group of people we were blessed to go to Israel with!
Shalom in Him!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 20:5-6:
5 We will [shout in ] triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.
That is how faith will act! Celebrating the victory BEFORE it can be seen in the natural reveals our confidence in the Word of God to deliver! Remember that the Lord "hears" the prayer that is according to His will (His Word) (1 John 5:14-15)! The "strength" of the LORD is a plural Hebrew word which refers to Him supplying ALL that is required for any given situation! This all comes from the right hand of God's power! While the world and the enemy are boasting in all of their own strength, which WILL eventually fail, WE give all the glory to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! HALLELUJAH!
In Matthew 20:28 Jesus states specifically why He came:
28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].
If you have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, then THIS verse is true of you! John 8:36 in the Message Bible:
36 So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.
Here is Hillsong with "The Freedom We Know":
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 20:5-6:
5 We will [shout in ] triumph at your salvation and victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.
That is how faith will act! Celebrating the victory BEFORE it can be seen in the natural reveals our confidence in the Word of God to deliver! Remember that the Lord "hears" the prayer that is according to His will (His Word) (1 John 5:14-15)! The "strength" of the LORD is a plural Hebrew word which refers to Him supplying ALL that is required for any given situation! This all comes from the right hand of God's power! While the world and the enemy are boasting in all of their own strength, which WILL eventually fail, WE give all the glory to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! HALLELUJAH!
In Matthew 20:28 Jesus states specifically why He came:
28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].
If you have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, then THIS verse is true of you! John 8:36 in the Message Bible:
36 So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.
Here is Hillsong with "The Freedom We Know":
Shalom in Him!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 19:1-4a:
1 THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. 2 Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. 4 Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world.
Look at these verses from the Message Bible:
1 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
2 Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures every evening.
3 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,
4 But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
Remember that Psalm 14:1 says that "The empty-headed fool has said in his heart, There is no God." All of creation is SHOUTING the "Case For The Creator"! You cannot SERIOUSLY look around at the immensity of the universe and the complexity of just one living cell and not KNOW that God IS! HALLELUJAH! Here are some pictures of space taken from the Hubble Telescope.
Matthew 19:1-2:
1 NOW WHEN Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan. 2 And great throngs accompanied Him, and He cured them there.
It was quite a long walk from the area around the Galilee to the area of Judea that was beyond the Jordan River! These people accompanied Him! That means they walked along with Him! Here are some pictures that show the areas referred to here:
What happens to the people who accompany, or follow after Jesus? They are delivered, set free, healed! Keep in close proximity to Jesus every day by being aware of His presence through prayer, praise & worship, study & meditation of His Word and intimate fellowship with Him. Then YOU can walk in deliverance, health, prosperity, wisdom, anointing, blessing every day! How much do YOU want that? Only YOU can make that choice for yourself! AMEN!
2 Chronicles 18-19 we see God saving Jehoshaphat even though he aligned himself with Ahab. Verse 3 of chapter 19 tells us one of the reasons:
3 But there are good things found in you, for you have destroyed the Asherim out of the land and have set your heart to seek God [with all your soul's desire].
That sounds a little like David, who was a man after God's heart! Make sure that YOU are putting HIM as your first priority and your first love. You will find yourself walking in a measure of God's protection, provision and safety that others don't know who DON'T put HIM first!
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 19:1-4a:
1 THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. 2 Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard. 4 Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world.
Look at these verses from the Message Bible:
1 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
2 Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures every evening.
3 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,
4 But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
Remember that Psalm 14:1 says that "The empty-headed fool has said in his heart, There is no God." All of creation is SHOUTING the "Case For The Creator"! You cannot SERIOUSLY look around at the immensity of the universe and the complexity of just one living cell and not KNOW that God IS! HALLELUJAH! Here are some pictures of space taken from the Hubble Telescope.
The heavens do indeed declare HIS glory! Just click on these for a larger view!
Matthew 19:1-2:
1 NOW WHEN Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan. 2 And great throngs accompanied Him, and He cured them there.
It was quite a long walk from the area around the Galilee to the area of Judea that was beyond the Jordan River! These people accompanied Him! That means they walked along with Him! Here are some pictures that show the areas referred to here:
What happens to the people who accompany, or follow after Jesus? They are delivered, set free, healed! Keep in close proximity to Jesus every day by being aware of His presence through prayer, praise & worship, study & meditation of His Word and intimate fellowship with Him. Then YOU can walk in deliverance, health, prosperity, wisdom, anointing, blessing every day! How much do YOU want that? Only YOU can make that choice for yourself! AMEN!
2 Chronicles 18-19 we see God saving Jehoshaphat even though he aligned himself with Ahab. Verse 3 of chapter 19 tells us one of the reasons:
3 But there are good things found in you, for you have destroyed the Asherim out of the land and have set your heart to seek God [with all your soul's desire].
That sounds a little like David, who was a man after God's heart! Make sure that YOU are putting HIM as your first priority and your first love. You will find yourself walking in a measure of God's protection, provision and safety that others don't know who DON'T put HIM first!
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Shalom,
The introduction to Psalm 18 says this:
To the Chief Musician. [ A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:
This is how David rejoiced when when he experienced God's deliverance! Verses 1-3:
1 I LOVE You fervently and devotedly, O LORD, my Strength. 2 The LORD is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, Who is to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
Notice all of the names that David had for the LORD. Every one of those names represents some form of God's protection, provision and safety! How did David say that he would be saved from his enemies? By calling on the LORD in praise! Make sure that you come to Him in faith (trust and confidence in God AND His Word) and WITH praise, thanksgiving and worship! That attitude shows your confidence in His ability AND willingness to deliver you! God LOVES that! AMEN!
I especially like verses 20-24 in the Message Bible:
20 God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him.
When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start.
21 Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted.
22 Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick.
23 I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step.
24 God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.
GOD does the work in our lives when WE submit our lives to Him! Philippians 1:6:
6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that he Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
That is OUR God, doing HIS work, in OUR lives, for HIS glory! I LOVE it! I MUST sing, with David:
46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted!
Here is a different version of Psalm 18 by Cory Asbury:
Then we have THIS promise in Matthew 18:19-20:
19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My Name, there I AM in the midst of them.
As born again believers, we each have the Holy Spirit of God living IN us. When we gather together in His Name, He is also AMONG us! The anointing is stronger to minister to the needs of the people! I believe that is one of the reasons that Jesus sent out His disciples in pairs! They didn't have the Holy Spirit IN them yet, but He anointed them (the Holy Spirit ON them) for service! The Prayer of Agreement is a very powerful type of prayer! That is why we are encouraged to spend time with like-minded believers! There must be a "symphony" of faith in God's Word. Continue to grow in the Word of God and spend time with others who do also. Then you won't lack for prayer partners to agree with YOU in prayer!
In 2 Chronicles 16-17 we see that though Asa BEGAN his reign doing what was "right in the eyes of the LORD", he didn't finish his reign that way! 2 Chronicles 17:3-4 tells us that Asa's son Jehoshaphat was also a godly king:
3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father [David]. He did not seek the Baals 4 But sought and yearned with all his desire for the LORD, the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not after the ways of Israel.
Keep reading to find out what happens next!
Shalom in Him!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 17:1:
1 HEAR THE right (my righteous cause), O LORD; listen to my shrill, piercing cry! Give ear to my prayer, that comes from unfeigned and guileless lips.
David was crying out to God to hear his prayer. We are so very blessed to have our better Covenant, that is based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6) than David had! As born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth, we have THIS promise from 1 John 5:14-15:
14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan),k He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
He hears us when we ask what is in line with His will! His Word IS His will! Find out what God's Word has to say about your situation. Then make your request of Him based on the authority of the Word that He has already spoken! He WILL hear, and you WILL have it! AMEN! We SHOULD be ageeing with David on verse 15:
15 As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You].
Spend time in being aware of His presence inside of you! Have HIM and HIS WORD be the last thing you think about at night. Then you will wake up with your mind on Him and already fellow-shipping with Him!
In Matthew 17 we read that Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain with Him. There He was seen by them in a glorified state. They were awestruck! We are very familiar with how Peter responded! I really think that Peter gets picked on a lot because he was aggressive! He put his foot in his mouth a lot, but at least he said SOMETHING! Here is how God the Father responded in verse 5:
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a shining cloud [composed of light] overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is My Son, My Beloved, with Whom I am [and have always been] delighted. LISTEN TO HIM!
The emphasis above is mine, but I DO believe that this is what the Father was actually saying! My paraphrase: This is MY SON! He has eternal things to say to you that are much more important than earth-talk! LISTEN TO HIM so that you can understand and obey. THEN I can bless you! That's what I think! What do YOU think? Does what you think line up with God's Word? That is ALWAYS our standard! AMEN! Here is a painting of what this MAY have looked like!
After all that we have been reading in the Old Testament, I was thrilled to read about Godly Asa! 2 Chronicles 14:2:
2 And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
And also 2 Chronicles 15:17b:
17b nevertheless, the heart of Asa was blameless all his days.
God ALWAYS had a remnant who would do things His way! He has a mighty "remnant" today! Does that number include YOU? I hope so!
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 17:1:
1 HEAR THE right (my righteous cause), O LORD; listen to my shrill, piercing cry! Give ear to my prayer, that comes from unfeigned and guileless lips.
David was crying out to God to hear his prayer. We are so very blessed to have our better Covenant, that is based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6) than David had! As born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth, we have THIS promise from 1 John 5:14-15:
14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan),k He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
He hears us when we ask what is in line with His will! His Word IS His will! Find out what God's Word has to say about your situation. Then make your request of Him based on the authority of the Word that He has already spoken! He WILL hear, and you WILL have it! AMEN! We SHOULD be ageeing with David on verse 15:
15 As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You].
Spend time in being aware of His presence inside of you! Have HIM and HIS WORD be the last thing you think about at night. Then you will wake up with your mind on Him and already fellow-shipping with Him!
In Matthew 17 we read that Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain with Him. There He was seen by them in a glorified state. They were awestruck! We are very familiar with how Peter responded! I really think that Peter gets picked on a lot because he was aggressive! He put his foot in his mouth a lot, but at least he said SOMETHING! Here is how God the Father responded in verse 5:
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a shining cloud [composed of light] overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is My Son, My Beloved, with Whom I am [and have always been] delighted. LISTEN TO HIM!
The emphasis above is mine, but I DO believe that this is what the Father was actually saying! My paraphrase: This is MY SON! He has eternal things to say to you that are much more important than earth-talk! LISTEN TO HIM so that you can understand and obey. THEN I can bless you! That's what I think! What do YOU think? Does what you think line up with God's Word? That is ALWAYS our standard! AMEN! Here is a painting of what this MAY have looked like!
After all that we have been reading in the Old Testament, I was thrilled to read about Godly Asa! 2 Chronicles 14:2:
2 And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
And also 2 Chronicles 15:17b:
17b nevertheless, the heart of Asa was blameless all his days.
God ALWAYS had a remnant who would do things His way! He has a mighty "remnant" today! Does that number include YOU? I hope so!
Shalom in Him!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 16:1-2 makes so much more sense in the Amplified Bible and a couple of other versions:
1 KEEP and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself. 2 I say to the LORD, You are my Lord; I have no good beside or beyond You.
The Complete Jewish Bible:
1 Protect me, God, for you are my refuge. 2 I said to Adonai, "You are my Lord; I have nothing good outside of you."
The English Standard Version:
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
The Message Bible:
1 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. 2 I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.
At The Spoken Word Church we like to say it this way: "Everything good in my life I give God the credit, thanksgiving and praise. Anything bad, I DON'T blame God!" Where do we get that from? James 1:17 says this:
17 Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
ANYTHING and EVERYTHING good in my life comes from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! And, like the Message Bible said above: Without YOU, Lord, nothing makes sense! Here is Hillsong United with "Search My Heart". One of the lines in this song is "Without You I am nothing!" Thank You, Jesus, that we never have to be without YOU again! HALLELUJAH!
In Matthew 16 we see the Pharisees and Sadducees make an appearance again! They were always showing up with some new scheme to try and trick Jesus! This time they asked Him for a sign from heaven that proved His authority. After ALL of the signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and deliverances that they had already seen, they asked for more? I like His reply in verse 3b:
3b You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
We are living in the time of the soon appearing of Jesus for His Church. The most important "sign" that it is close is the nation of Israel! So much of Bible prophecy centers on Israel becoming a nation AGAIN, and the Jewish people returning. This happened in 1948 and the people continue to return from every corner of the earth! We are indeed living in the times of the signs! Keep watching Israel with one eye and keep the other on the sky! SOON and very soon, we are going to see our KING! GLORY!
2 Chronicles 12:1 says this:
1 WHEN REHOBOAM had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
This happened time and time again with the nation of Israel. They always reaped the results of it! We have also seen the same thing happen in the church. People who have severe needs and problems will begin to come to services and learn from the Word of God what to do to turn their situation around. They are very diligent UNTIL they begin to get the answers they wanted. Then they become less and less diligent until eventually they stop coming altogether. The next thing we hear from them is that they have worse problems than they had the first time they came! Learn by wisdom (the experience of others) so you don't have to go through the same things yourself! Stick with the Word of God and you will consistently have God's results! That is SO much better!
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 16:1-2 makes so much more sense in the Amplified Bible and a couple of other versions:
1 KEEP and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself. 2 I say to the LORD, You are my Lord; I have no good beside or beyond You.
The Complete Jewish Bible:
1 Protect me, God, for you are my refuge. 2 I said to Adonai, "You are my Lord; I have nothing good outside of you."
The English Standard Version:
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
The Message Bible:
1 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. 2 I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.
At The Spoken Word Church we like to say it this way: "Everything good in my life I give God the credit, thanksgiving and praise. Anything bad, I DON'T blame God!" Where do we get that from? James 1:17 says this:
17 Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
ANYTHING and EVERYTHING good in my life comes from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! And, like the Message Bible said above: Without YOU, Lord, nothing makes sense! Here is Hillsong United with "Search My Heart". One of the lines in this song is "Without You I am nothing!" Thank You, Jesus, that we never have to be without YOU again! HALLELUJAH!
In Matthew 16 we see the Pharisees and Sadducees make an appearance again! They were always showing up with some new scheme to try and trick Jesus! This time they asked Him for a sign from heaven that proved His authority. After ALL of the signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and deliverances that they had already seen, they asked for more? I like His reply in verse 3b:
3b You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
We are living in the time of the soon appearing of Jesus for His Church. The most important "sign" that it is close is the nation of Israel! So much of Bible prophecy centers on Israel becoming a nation AGAIN, and the Jewish people returning. This happened in 1948 and the people continue to return from every corner of the earth! We are indeed living in the times of the signs! Keep watching Israel with one eye and keep the other on the sky! SOON and very soon, we are going to see our KING! GLORY!
2 Chronicles 12:1 says this:
1 WHEN REHOBOAM had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
This happened time and time again with the nation of Israel. They always reaped the results of it! We have also seen the same thing happen in the church. People who have severe needs and problems will begin to come to services and learn from the Word of God what to do to turn their situation around. They are very diligent UNTIL they begin to get the answers they wanted. Then they become less and less diligent until eventually they stop coming altogether. The next thing we hear from them is that they have worse problems than they had the first time they came! Learn by wisdom (the experience of others) so you don't have to go through the same things yourself! Stick with the Word of God and you will consistently have God's results! That is SO much better!
Shalom in Him!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Shalom,
I like the Message Bible for Psalm 15:
1 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?
2 "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.
3 Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor;
4 Despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you,
5 Make an honest living, never take a bribe. You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this".
Under the Old Covenant the people were required to obey the Law. Righteousness, though, has ALWAYS been by faith! Habakkuk 2:4:
4 Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.
We who have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal SAVIOUR have THIS promise in Hebrews 4:16:
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor), that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Psalm 15 SHOULD be a picture of our lives BECAUSE we have spent time daily in HIS presence, before HIS throne! AMEN!
Matthew 15:11:
11 It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles [him].
Jesus was saying this in response to the Pharisees complaining that the disciples of Jesus did not wash their hands before they ate. Can you imagine the sight of all of those healed and delivered in the multitudes that followed Jesus and THIS was what they took away from that? Sounds like the world today! Jesus went on to explain to His disciples in verses 17-20:
17 Do you not see and understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the abdomen and so passes on into the place where discharges are deposited? 18 But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him]. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. 20 These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him].
Not washing your hands before you eat might make you sick, but it will not make you unclean before God! As believers, we know that thoughts come AT us from the outside. they are either thoughts form God and line up with His Word, or they are thoughts from the enemy and are contrary to the Word (sometimes ever so subtly!). When we accept these thoughts, they become a part of us! Those evil things described in verse 19 start out as thoughts. They SHOULD BE rejected immediately. When they aren't, then they get inside of us and they WILL produce evil in our lives through our words and actions. That is why we are to cast down those thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5)! We call it "reject and replace". Reject the ungodly thoughts and replace them with what the Word of God says. THEN our thinking will produce godly words and godly actions that will have GOD'S results! Thank You, Jesus! I was going to post a video from the Visual Bible - Matthew for this chapter, but I found this instead. It is a summary of the Book of Matthew with scenes from the Visual Bible accompanied by the song "With Everything" by Hillsong. I thought it was very well done! Enjoy!
As you continue to read through the Old Testament, remember that God's Chosen People, the Jews, were chosen NOT because they were better than others, but so that He could preserve a line to bring Messiah through. Every thing that God did through all of these years was done with that in mind! Then, in the fullness of time, He brought forth JESUS! Yeshua - the Messiah of Israel - and Saviour of the world! EVERYTHING in the Old Testament and under the Old Covenant was pointing towards HIM! That should help you in your study and meditation! Remember, also, that the gifts and callings of God are WITHOUT REPENTANCE! That means that His chosen people are STILL to be blessed by those who desire to live in the blessing of God! Father, we pray for the continued peace and prosperity for the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem - in Jesus' Name! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
I like the Message Bible for Psalm 15:
1 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?
2 "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.
3 Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor;
4 Despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you,
5 Make an honest living, never take a bribe. You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this".
Under the Old Covenant the people were required to obey the Law. Righteousness, though, has ALWAYS been by faith! Habakkuk 2:4:
4 Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.
We who have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal SAVIOUR have THIS promise in Hebrews 4:16:
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor), that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Psalm 15 SHOULD be a picture of our lives BECAUSE we have spent time daily in HIS presence, before HIS throne! AMEN!
Matthew 15:11:
11 It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles [him].
Jesus was saying this in response to the Pharisees complaining that the disciples of Jesus did not wash their hands before they ate. Can you imagine the sight of all of those healed and delivered in the multitudes that followed Jesus and THIS was what they took away from that? Sounds like the world today! Jesus went on to explain to His disciples in verses 17-20:
17 Do you not see and understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the abdomen and so passes on into the place where discharges are deposited? 18 But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him]. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. 20 These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him].
Not washing your hands before you eat might make you sick, but it will not make you unclean before God! As believers, we know that thoughts come AT us from the outside. they are either thoughts form God and line up with His Word, or they are thoughts from the enemy and are contrary to the Word (sometimes ever so subtly!). When we accept these thoughts, they become a part of us! Those evil things described in verse 19 start out as thoughts. They SHOULD BE rejected immediately. When they aren't, then they get inside of us and they WILL produce evil in our lives through our words and actions. That is why we are to cast down those thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5)! We call it "reject and replace". Reject the ungodly thoughts and replace them with what the Word of God says. THEN our thinking will produce godly words and godly actions that will have GOD'S results! Thank You, Jesus! I was going to post a video from the Visual Bible - Matthew for this chapter, but I found this instead. It is a summary of the Book of Matthew with scenes from the Visual Bible accompanied by the song "With Everything" by Hillsong. I thought it was very well done! Enjoy!
As you continue to read through the Old Testament, remember that God's Chosen People, the Jews, were chosen NOT because they were better than others, but so that He could preserve a line to bring Messiah through. Every thing that God did through all of these years was done with that in mind! Then, in the fullness of time, He brought forth JESUS! Yeshua - the Messiah of Israel - and Saviour of the world! EVERYTHING in the Old Testament and under the Old Covenant was pointing towards HIM! That should help you in your study and meditation! Remember, also, that the gifts and callings of God are WITHOUT REPENTANCE! That means that His chosen people are STILL to be blessed by those who desire to live in the blessing of God! Father, we pray for the continued peace and prosperity for the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem - in Jesus' Name! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 14:2-3:
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity]. 3 They are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is none that does good or right, no, not one.
That is what God saw when He looked from heaven at His creation! But when the "proper time" came, He acted! Galatians 4:4-6:
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!
THAT is us! Born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth! Recreated in the image of God, with the Spirit of God living IN us! Hallelujah! DON'T be an "empty-headed" fool (Psalm 14:1a)! Acknowledge the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible, and decide to do things HIS way! There IS no other way! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Father":
Matthew 14:35-36:
35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent around into all the surrounding country and brought to Him all who were sick 36 And begged Him to let them merely touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were perfectly restored.
When Jesus said to "Go ye into all the world", He meant for us to start WHERE WE ARE! How many sick and hurting have YOU brought to church lately? Hear and obey!
1 Kings 13 gives the account of the prophet who was sent by God to King Jeroboam to prophesy to him. God confirmed His Word through this prophet! He obeyed God's instructions UNTIL another prophet lied to him about what the LORD said. This is a good lesson for us to learn. We should NOT follow the leading of any person here on earth that isn't confirmed in our own spirits, by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us! Don't follow man, follow God! Or, like Paul said, follow the godly leaders as THEY follow God! There are no excuses and no short-cuts! Learn to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit and then refuse to follow the strange voice!
Shalom in Him
Psalm 14:2-3:
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity]. 3 They are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is none that does good or right, no, not one.
That is what God saw when He looked from heaven at His creation! But when the "proper time" came, He acted! Galatians 4:4-6:
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!
THAT is us! Born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth! Recreated in the image of God, with the Spirit of God living IN us! Hallelujah! DON'T be an "empty-headed" fool (Psalm 14:1a)! Acknowledge the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible, and decide to do things HIS way! There IS no other way! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Father":
Matthew 14:35-36:
35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent around into all the surrounding country and brought to Him all who were sick 36 And begged Him to let them merely touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were perfectly restored.
When Jesus said to "Go ye into all the world", He meant for us to start WHERE WE ARE! How many sick and hurting have YOU brought to church lately? Hear and obey!
1 Kings 13 gives the account of the prophet who was sent by God to King Jeroboam to prophesy to him. God confirmed His Word through this prophet! He obeyed God's instructions UNTIL another prophet lied to him about what the LORD said. This is a good lesson for us to learn. We should NOT follow the leading of any person here on earth that isn't confirmed in our own spirits, by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us! Don't follow man, follow God! Or, like Paul said, follow the godly leaders as THEY follow God! There are no excuses and no short-cuts! Learn to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit and then refuse to follow the strange voice!
Shalom in Him
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Shalom,
I know that I have said this before, but the Psalms of David are a real blessing to me! He was sometimes faced with very real, life-threatening situations. He would cry out to God with his problem, but would end up encouraging HIMSELF with what God had ALREADY done for him. What did that do? That strengthened his faith to believe that God would do it again! Psalm 13:5-6 is just another example of that great and godly attitude!
5 But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
David MADE himself act as he would if he already had the answer! He said 'I SHALL "rejoice", the Hebrew word "giyl", which means: to spin around, to rejoice, to be glad, to be joyful; "in Your salvation", the Hebrew word "yeshuw`ah", which means: deliverance, victory, welfare, prosperity, aid, health. Then he said that he would sing to the LORD because HE had already (in the past) dealt "bountifully" with him, and David fully expected Him to do it again! This is the Hebrew word "gamal", which means: to treat a person well, to benefit someone, to bestow on, to do good, to reward. YOU can expect the same things from the Lord when YOU take Him at His Word and refuse to believe anything else! Act like you would if you could see the answer right now! Rejoice! Throw a party! THANK HIM! He loves it when we trust fully and completely in His goodness and mercy! Enjoy Hillsong's "Salvation Is Here":
In Matthew 13 we read the parable of the sower again. Jesus told of four different types of "soil". We are individually responsible for the "soil" in our lives! That refers to the heart, which is the spirit/soul combination. The spirit of a believer in Jesus of Nazareth has been recreated in the image of God (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are spirit-beings. We possess souls, which are our mind, emotions and will. We MUST renew our minds with the Word of God so that our emotions can line-up with the Word and we can make wise and godly choices! Prepare the "soil" of your heart by praying in the Spirit, spending time in praise, thanksgiving and worship, meditating on the Word and choosing to be a DOER of what you hear! Then the Word of God will come alive to you and you will understand it better than ever before! You will begin to reap the 30/60/100 fold return on the seed of the Word that you have planted in your heart!
1 Kings 11-12 is another account of what happened to Solomon that caused all of the problems that he would encounter, which are reflected in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The first 2 verses tell it all:
1 BUT KING Solomon [defiantly] loved many foreign women -- the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. 2 They were of the very nations of whom the LORD said to the Israelites, You shall not mingle with them, neither shall they mingle with you, for surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods. Yet Solomon clung to these in love.
Verses 4 and verse 6:
4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect (complete and whole) with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as David his father did.
David made his own mistakes, but he ALWAYS repented and got back into fellowship with God. He NEVER worshiped any other so-called gods (idols, demons). You and I WILL make mistakes and miss it sometimes. WHEN we do, we need to go DIRECTLY to 1 John 1:9:
9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
Get immediately back into close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Then you can continue to walk in the BLESSING of the Covenant you have with Him through the precious Blood of Jesus of Nazareth! What a wonderful life! HALLELUJAH!
Shalom in Him!
I know that I have said this before, but the Psalms of David are a real blessing to me! He was sometimes faced with very real, life-threatening situations. He would cry out to God with his problem, but would end up encouraging HIMSELF with what God had ALREADY done for him. What did that do? That strengthened his faith to believe that God would do it again! Psalm 13:5-6 is just another example of that great and godly attitude!
5 But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
David MADE himself act as he would if he already had the answer! He said 'I SHALL "rejoice", the Hebrew word "giyl", which means: to spin around, to rejoice, to be glad, to be joyful; "in Your salvation", the Hebrew word "yeshuw`ah", which means: deliverance, victory, welfare, prosperity, aid, health. Then he said that he would sing to the LORD because HE had already (in the past) dealt "bountifully" with him, and David fully expected Him to do it again! This is the Hebrew word "gamal", which means: to treat a person well, to benefit someone, to bestow on, to do good, to reward. YOU can expect the same things from the Lord when YOU take Him at His Word and refuse to believe anything else! Act like you would if you could see the answer right now! Rejoice! Throw a party! THANK HIM! He loves it when we trust fully and completely in His goodness and mercy! Enjoy Hillsong's "Salvation Is Here":
In Matthew 13 we read the parable of the sower again. Jesus told of four different types of "soil". We are individually responsible for the "soil" in our lives! That refers to the heart, which is the spirit/soul combination. The spirit of a believer in Jesus of Nazareth has been recreated in the image of God (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are spirit-beings. We possess souls, which are our mind, emotions and will. We MUST renew our minds with the Word of God so that our emotions can line-up with the Word and we can make wise and godly choices! Prepare the "soil" of your heart by praying in the Spirit, spending time in praise, thanksgiving and worship, meditating on the Word and choosing to be a DOER of what you hear! Then the Word of God will come alive to you and you will understand it better than ever before! You will begin to reap the 30/60/100 fold return on the seed of the Word that you have planted in your heart!
1 Kings 11-12 is another account of what happened to Solomon that caused all of the problems that he would encounter, which are reflected in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The first 2 verses tell it all:
1 BUT KING Solomon [defiantly] loved many foreign women -- the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. 2 They were of the very nations of whom the LORD said to the Israelites, You shall not mingle with them, neither shall they mingle with you, for surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods. Yet Solomon clung to these in love.
Verses 4 and verse 6:
4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect (complete and whole) with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as David his father did.
David made his own mistakes, but he ALWAYS repented and got back into fellowship with God. He NEVER worshiped any other so-called gods (idols, demons). You and I WILL make mistakes and miss it sometimes. WHEN we do, we need to go DIRECTLY to 1 John 1:9:
9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
Get immediately back into close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Then you can continue to walk in the BLESSING of the Covenant you have with Him through the precious Blood of Jesus of Nazareth! What a wonderful life! HALLELUJAH!
Shalom in Him!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 12:1-2 is another very clear picture of the times we are now living in!
1 HELP, LORD! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. 2 To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak.
BUT, we KNOW that God's Word IS Truth! SO, verse 6-7 are ALSO TRUTH!
6 The Words and promises of the LORD are pure Words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. 7 You will keep them and preserve them, O LORD; You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever.
Stay with the Word of God and HIS protection, provision and safety will render the enemy's attacks USELESS! AMEN!
Matthew 12:17-21:
17This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 18 Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My Beloved in and with Whom My soul is well pleased and has found its delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim and show forth justice to the nations. 19 He will not strive or wrangle or cry out loudly; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory. 21 And in and on His Name will the Gentiles (the peoples outside of Israel) set their hopes.
This was the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4! WE are the "peoples outside of Israel"! Everything that Jesus did on the earth He did as a Spirit-filled man! He was without sin, but so are we IF we have received Him as Lord and personal Saviour, AND continually confess sin according to 1 John 1:9! THAT is why He gave us that verse! He desires that we remain in close, intimate fellowship with HIM, so that WE can do what JESUS did in His ministry (John 14:12)! Sing this song to HIM from YOUR heart: Hillsong: With All I AM:
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see another account of all that Solomon accomplished in building and furnishing the Temple, and in his dealings with other nations. He asked God for Wisdom to rule the people and God promised Him not only Wisdom, but also riches and honor (1 Kings 3:11-13)! God KEEPS His Word! Look at 2 Chronicles 9:22-23:
22 King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had put into his mind.
Knowing that should give us great confidence that He will also confirm His Word that WE speak! Continue to be a DOER of God's Word and a SPEAKER of God's Word, and you WILL see God's results! He'll get all the glory, and we'll be THE BLESSED! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 12:1-2 is another very clear picture of the times we are now living in!
1 HELP, LORD! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. 2 To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak.
BUT, we KNOW that God's Word IS Truth! SO, verse 6-7 are ALSO TRUTH!
6 The Words and promises of the LORD are pure Words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. 7 You will keep them and preserve them, O LORD; You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever.
Stay with the Word of God and HIS protection, provision and safety will render the enemy's attacks USELESS! AMEN!
Matthew 12:17-21:
17This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 18 Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My Beloved in and with Whom My soul is well pleased and has found its delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim and show forth justice to the nations. 19 He will not strive or wrangle or cry out loudly; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory. 21 And in and on His Name will the Gentiles (the peoples outside of Israel) set their hopes.
This was the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4! WE are the "peoples outside of Israel"! Everything that Jesus did on the earth He did as a Spirit-filled man! He was without sin, but so are we IF we have received Him as Lord and personal Saviour, AND continually confess sin according to 1 John 1:9! THAT is why He gave us that verse! He desires that we remain in close, intimate fellowship with HIM, so that WE can do what JESUS did in His ministry (John 14:12)! Sing this song to HIM from YOUR heart: Hillsong: With All I AM:
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see another account of all that Solomon accomplished in building and furnishing the Temple, and in his dealings with other nations. He asked God for Wisdom to rule the people and God promised Him not only Wisdom, but also riches and honor (1 Kings 3:11-13)! God KEEPS His Word! Look at 2 Chronicles 9:22-23:
22 King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had put into his mind.
Knowing that should give us great confidence that He will also confirm His Word that WE speak! Continue to be a DOER of God's Word and a SPEAKER of God's Word, and you WILL see God's results! He'll get all the glory, and we'll be THE BLESSED! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Shalom,
Psalm 11:3-4:
23 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what had he [the Righteous One] wrought or accomplished? 4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men.
We are certainly living in these times! The enemy has tried to shake this nation to its very foundations! What should the righteous (those in right standing with God - the born again believers, the CHURCH) do? Obey the Word! I don't for one second believe that the One, True God, Who raised this nation up for the purpose of spreading the Gospel to the world, is even close to being finished with it! He sees! He knows what's been happening, and He has a plan! Let's start with 2 Chronicles 7:14:
14 If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
THAT is where we begin! Revival is spreading across this nation again, as well as all over the world! Get involved in what God is doing! Do YOUR part and then WATCH and SEE what the LORD will DO! AMEN!
Matthew 11:12:
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize -- a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
Does that describe YOU and YOUR attitude towards the things of God? If not, why not? He MUST be our #1 priority, and His cause OUR cause, if we want to be truly successful in this life and fulfill the calling He has placed on us! It is worth whatever it costs us to get our lives in line with His Word. And remember THIS in Matthew 11:30:
30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good -- not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Just how heavy is light? It doesn't weigh anything negligible! Don't take on too much, just do YOUR part! All the parts working together will get the job done! AMEN!
It is so good to know that Solomon came back to his senses at the end of his life! Ecclesiastes 12:13:
13 All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of His creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.
Do you want it a little more simple than that? Here is the Message Bible:
13 The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you.
Remember that "fear" here is reverence, respect and awe! Be aware of His presence IN you, as a believer in Jesus of Nazareth! Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in you and act on His Word. It's as simple as that! And the most powerful thing you can do in this life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong's "Tell The World":
Shalom in Him!
Psalm 11:3-4:
23 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what had he [the Righteous One] wrought or accomplished? 4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men.
We are certainly living in these times! The enemy has tried to shake this nation to its very foundations! What should the righteous (those in right standing with God - the born again believers, the CHURCH) do? Obey the Word! I don't for one second believe that the One, True God, Who raised this nation up for the purpose of spreading the Gospel to the world, is even close to being finished with it! He sees! He knows what's been happening, and He has a plan! Let's start with 2 Chronicles 7:14:
14 If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
THAT is where we begin! Revival is spreading across this nation again, as well as all over the world! Get involved in what God is doing! Do YOUR part and then WATCH and SEE what the LORD will DO! AMEN!
Matthew 11:12:
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize -- a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
Does that describe YOU and YOUR attitude towards the things of God? If not, why not? He MUST be our #1 priority, and His cause OUR cause, if we want to be truly successful in this life and fulfill the calling He has placed on us! It is worth whatever it costs us to get our lives in line with His Word. And remember THIS in Matthew 11:30:
30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good -- not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Just how heavy is light? It doesn't weigh anything negligible! Don't take on too much, just do YOUR part! All the parts working together will get the job done! AMEN!
It is so good to know that Solomon came back to his senses at the end of his life! Ecclesiastes 12:13:
13 All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of His creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.
Do you want it a little more simple than that? Here is the Message Bible:
13 The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you.
Remember that "fear" here is reverence, respect and awe! Be aware of His presence IN you, as a believer in Jesus of Nazareth! Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in you and act on His Word. It's as simple as that! And the most powerful thing you can do in this life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong's "Tell The World":
Shalom in Him!
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