Shalom,


Psalm 121:2-3:


2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber.


The best reason we have to sleep well is that God NEVER does! We can cast our care on Him knowing that He is watching over us ALWAYS (1 Chronicles 16:9)! Verse 8:


8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.


The word "keep" is the Hebrew word "shamar", which means: to guard, to preserve, to observe, to watch and ward, to protect, to save life, to treasure up, to celebrate. How exciting to KNOW that the One, True God loves us so much that He sees us as treasures and celebrates our lives! He protects us and leads us into victory every time we obey His Word! Hallelujah!


2 John 1-3:


1 THE ELDERLY elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the elect (chosen) lady and her children, whom I truly love -- and not only I but also all who are [progressively] learning to recognize and know and understand the Truth --  2 Because of the Truth which lives and stays on in our hearts and will be with us forever: 3 Grace (spiritual blessing), mercy, and [soul] peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ (the Messiah), the Father's Son, in all sincerity (truth) an love.


"Truth" is found in these verses 4 times! It is the Greek word "aleetheia", which means: what is true in any matter under consideration; in reality; that candor of mind which is free from affectation, pretense, simulation, falsehood, deceit. The Truth is vital to our living a successful life here on earth! Remember John 17:17?


17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.


This is the same Greek word. It is the "Truth" of God's Word that sets us apart from the world, and the world's way of doing things! GOD'S WAY is ALWAYS the RIGHT Way! Here is a fun song! It is Hillsong Kids with "Jesus In My Life":

I found this in the Bible Exposition Commentary concerning these chapters of Ezekiel 9-10:

 The people are doomed (Ezek 9-10)
This is the heart of Ezekiel's message, and it must have broken his heart to deliver it. Read the Book of Lamentations and see how thoroughly the Lord "dealt in fury" with His people. Jeremiah was an eyewitness of the destruction of Jerusalem, and what Ezekiel predicted, Jeremiah saw fulfilled. 

God had warned the people time after time after time, but they refused to listen and obey His Word and His warnings! Now He was about to remove His presence from the nation. Even in this He was protecting them! If God had not removed them from the land, their sin would have destroyed it. The land was, and still IS, God's promise to the Jewish people! Don't believe the lies you hear from the media! The Jewish people are supposed to have a very much larger section of the land, and one day soon, HE WILL SEE TO IT! I would most definitely NOT want to be one who was even remotely involved with keeping from Israel what Almighty God declared as belonging to them, and Him! If you keep God's Covenants with man in mind as you study the Bible, everything will make so much more sense! God WANTS you to know!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 120 is the first of the "Songs of Degrees" or the "Songs of Ascents". They make up a sort of hymnal that the people would sing as they made their way to Jerusalem for the three annual Feasts - Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. I can imagine the entire nation of Israel crying out to the LORD with this one! Verses 1-2:


1 IN MY distress I cried to the LORD, and he answered me. 2 Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.


The entire world, except for a few close friends, has turned against the nation of Israel! They side with    nations that are ruled by terrorists, and that have said outright that their main goal is to annihilate the entire nation and the Jewish people! Verse 7:


7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.


The Word of God says that those who "touch" Israel for evil will be cursed themselves (Genesis 12:3)! Verses 3-4:


3 What shall be given to you? Or what shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? -- 4 Sharp arrows of a [mighty] warrior, with [glowing] coals of the broom tree!


DON'T mess with God's people! That also includes other born again believers! We have been given the two-fold commandment of love: to love the LORD our God with everything within us, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31)! Anything else, cast THAT care on Him and keep yourself in LOVE! Amen!


Do you want to know for sure if you are born again? 1 John 5:1:


1 EVERYONE WHO believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).


And then 1 John 5:11-12:


11 And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who possesses the Son of God has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life.


Do you want to know how much you REALLY love God? 1 John 5:3:


3 For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep] His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).


Do you want to know how to get your prayers answered? 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) 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 us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.


The this is a most important instruction found in verse 21:


21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods) -- [from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).


Keeping the One, True God and His plan as our #1 priority will get us in position to walk in all of the fullness of God's wonderful plan for our lives! Hallelujah! Here is Hillsong with "You Are More":

The same theme is found in the Book of Ezekiel today! I found this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:

The nation of Israel was blessed with a gracious Lord to worship and love, a fruitful land to enjoy, and a holy law to obey. Their love for the Lord and their obedience to His law would determine how much blessing He could entrust to them in the land. These were the terms of the covenant and the Jewish people knew them well. The generation that first entered the land obeyed God's covenant, as did the succeeding generation, but the third generation provoked the Lord, broke their "marriage vows," and prostituted themselves to idols (Judg 2:10-13). They disobeyed the law, defied their Lord, and defiled the land, and the Lord would not accept that kind of conduct. First. He punished them in their land by permitting seven enemy nations to occupy the land and oppress the people, as recorded in the Book of Judges. But each time God delivered Israel from their oppressors, the Jews eventually returned to the worship of idols: so He finally took them away from the land, some through death and others through exile in Babylon. It's a tragic story, but it reminds us that the Lord is serious about His covenant and our obedience. 

He WAS, He IS, and He always WILL BE, very, very serious about this commandment! This is the key to walking in THE BLESSING! Let's "become who we really are"!  We are HIS workmanship! He created each of us with a unique call, plan and purpose in His kingdom and "for such a time as this"!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


We finish Psalm 119 today! here are some more of my favorite verses! Verse 89:


89 Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens]. 


We can COUNT on His Word! It has never changed and it never will! Hallelujah!  Verses 90-91:


90 Your faithfulness is from generation to generation; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 All [the whole universe] are your servants; therefore they continue this day according to Your ordinances.


In the beginning GOD created everything! I don't care who doesn't believe it! No argument against God's Word by  any scientist has EVER stood up to the test! The universe is God's servant and continues just the way HE set it up! ALL according to HIS WORD! Hallelujah! Verse 96:


96 I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity].


What a glorious Truth that is! We can put all of our faith, trust and confidence in God and His Word! Now look at verses 97-100:


97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me. 99 I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].


There is NO limit to how much we can understand of God's Word except what we put on ourselves! We have the potential to know God's Word more than any Bible teacher we have ever heard IF we apply ourselves to dig into the Word and dig out the precious treasures hidden in there FOR us! We should certainly know more than our enemies! How well do YOU know God's Word? How well do you WANT to know it? The choice is completely yours! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making Your Word available to us! Amen! Verse 130:


130 The entrance and unfolding of Your Words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.


Here is a picture that goes along with the verse above!

The Word, the Word, the Word! Oh how I LOVE God's Word! Verse 160:


160 The sum of your Word is Truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.


See John 17:17 for confirmation of this verse! And the last one is verse 165:


165 Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.


Gods' Word contains the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, the wisdom for every endeavor, the promises of the Covenant and the keys to walking in all the fullness of God's Life!  We are, of all people, most blessed! Glory to God!  1 John 4 contains more wonderful Truths! Verse 4:


4 Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because he Who live in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.


Remember, if you have received Jesus of Nazareth as your Lord and personal Saviour, then the Spirit  of Almighty God lives IN YOU! The God of all the universe lives in you, and HE is greater than anyone who could ever come against you in this world! That should give you great confidence! Then verse 19:


19 We love Him, because he first loved us.


We have the priceless privilege of being members of His family! We are saved by His blood, called by His Name, and have complete access to His holy Word! Thank HIM! Hallelujah!


Ezekiel 4-6 warns the people that Jerusalem would be destroyed. I will share this from the Bible Exposition Commentary:

When the sons of Asaph wanted to describe the city of Jerusalem, they wrote, "Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King" (Ps 48:2, NKJV). The Babylonian Talmud says, "Of the ten measures of beauty that came down to the world. Jerusalem took nine" (Kidushin 49 b), and, "Whoever has not seen Jerusalem in its splendor has never seen a lovely city" (Succah 51 b). Of modern Jerusalem, Samuel Heilman wrote, "It is a place in which people actually live; it is a place that lives in them." One of the Jewish exiles in Babylon wrote: "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth-if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy" (Ps 137:5-6, NKJV). When Jewish families around the world celebrate Passover, they conclude the meal with, "Next year in Jerusalem!"


The Jewish exiles wouldn't be happy with the three messages Ezekiel would bring them from the Lord, for he was going to announce the destruction of Jerusalem and the ravaging of the Promised Land. It was bad enough that the Jews were exiles in a pagan land, but to be told that they would have no city to return to was more than they could bear. No wonder they preferred the encouraging messages of the false prophets. 

The did not heed the warning of the prophets, but the Word of God came to pass just exactly the way He said it would! But there was also the promise that Jerusalem would be rebuilt, and it was! I would definitely recommend a trip to the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. There is no place like it in the entire world! God's people, God's land, and God's city! How dare anyone say or do otherwise! I would NOT want to be in those shoes! Remember to always pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem! YOUR blessing depends on it! Amen!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


For the next two days we will be looking at the "WORD" Psalm! In Psalm 119, every verse speaks of God's Word! I will be sharing a few verses that really speak to me today. Verse 2:


2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep  His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart.


Do YOU want blessings and to be blessed? Then BE the "who" of verse 2! It is always our choice! Verse 12:


12 Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.


The word "teach" here is the Hebrew word "lamad", which means: to instruct, to goad, to teach - (the rod being an Oriental incentive). It means so much more than just "tell me what Your Word says"! This involves training and doing whatever it takes to instill in us the desire to WANT to learn! Don't pray this prayer lightly, but please get yourself in position to WANT to pray it! He SO wants to really teach us the hidden Truths of His wonderful Word! Thank You, Jesus! Then verses 16-18:


16 I will delight myself in your statutes; I will not forget Your Word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live; and I will observe Your Word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.


Again, these are ALL choices that each person must make for themselves! When we choose wisely, our whole life becomes a testimony to the greatness of our God! In order to do this effectively, we must guard our hearts. this will involve making wise choices about who we spend our time with! Verse 63:


63 I am a companion of all those who fear, revere, and worship You, and of those who observe and give heed to Your precepts. 


And verse 74:


74 Those who reverently and worshipfully fear You will see me and be glad, because I have hoped in  Your Word and tarried for it.


Having friends and companions who love the Word of God as much as you do will put you in position to always have someone to pray in agreement with according to Matthew 18:19! This agreement means to think so alike that you can make a symphony together! Powerful! What are YOUR favorite Psalm 119 verses? Tomorrow we will look at the last 88 verses. I'm sure we'll find many more favorites! Here is a new song from Hillsong United with "God In Everything":

1 John 3:1-2:


1 SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. 2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested we shall [as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.


What a wonderful promise and Truth! We ARE His children right now! We have access to all that heaven provides in order to be successful here in this earth! Then, when we see Him, we will be just like Him! Hallelujah! I really can't think of anything I would rather have than that! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen!


Ezekiel 3:18-19:


18 If I say to the wicked, you shall surely die, and you do not give him warning or speak to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand. 19 Yet if you warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered yourself.


This is an Old Covenant command to the prophet Ezekiel, but we should take the concept to heart for ourselves! Every unbeliever has to make the choice whether or not they will receive Jesus of Nazareth as their Lord and personal Saviour. WE have been commissioned to  preach the Good News of the Gospel to them so that they can KNOW that they have a choice! We are NOT responsible for their choice, but we ARE responsible before God for our obedience to His command! Make sure that you are buying up every opportunity to share the Good News. That will give you a clear conscience and enable you to walk in peace and joy! Amen!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 118 begins and ends with praise, thanksgiving and worship! Included are four practical instructions for believers:

• Give thanks to the LORD at ALL TIMES (verses 1-4).
• Trust the LORD in Every Crisis (verses 5-14).
• Glorify the LORD after Every Victory (verses 15-21).
• See the LORD in Every Experience  (verses 22-29).

When we do this, we will have bold and aggressive confidence in the promises and provisions of the Word of God for every area of our lives! Verses 8-9 say:

8 It is better to trust and take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust and take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

I will add: It is better to put confidence in God and His Word than to trust in the government! When everything around us looks like it may fail, God's Word will never fail! Keep being a DOER of the Word and you will be a SEER of the results! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "This Is Our God":

1 John 2:24-27:

24 As for you, keep in your hearts what you have heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the first dwells and remains in you, then you will dwell in the Son and in the Father [always]. 25 And this is what He himself has promised us -- the life, the eternal [life]. 26 I write this to you with reference to those who would deceive you [seduce and lead you astray]. 27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do].

Simply speaking, this portion of Scripture is telling us to continue in the Word of God! As we continue daily meditating the Word of God, we will begin to KNOW Him more (Philippians 3:10). As we know HIM more, we will understand how to operate in the Word and in faith. We will not be able to be easily deceived by the enemy into believing something that is contrary to the Word. The "unction" or "anointing" that we have received is the Spirit of Almighty God Himself, Who lives in us as born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth! He is the One Who teaches us what the Word of God is saying to us individually, so that we can put it into practice in our own lives. Ministry gifts such as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, and Pastor-Teachers are valuable to our growth, but they cannot teach us. They can only teach the Word of God. The Spirit of God is the One Who teaches us what the Word that THEY are preaching/teaching means to us individually! Don't be lazy about the Word of God! Read Joshua 1:8 again and see how important meditation is to your success and prosperity in every area! Thank You, Jesus, for Your Word!

We begin Ezekiel today. His name means "God strengthens". Ezekiel was one of four prophets who were called as priests. The others were Jeremiah, Zechariah, and John the Baptist. It would have been easier for each of them to remain in the priesthood, for priests were highly regarded by the Jewish people. God uses the prophets many times to rebuke the people for their sins and iniquities, so they were often despised. It was not a fun life, but rewards in Heaven will be given for faithfulness to HIS calling and not for how easy this life was! Remember, obedience is EVERYTHING in the eyes of Almighty God (1 Samuel 15:22)! Now let's look at verse 27-28:

27 From what had the appearance of His waist upward, I saw a lustre as it were glowing metal with the appearance of fire enclosed round about within it; and from the appearance of His waist downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness [of a halo] round about Him. 28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face and I heard a voice of One speaking.

This is the One Who lives in You by His Spirit! Listen to HIS voice and you will never make a wrong decision again! Learn to recognize His voice and to operate in patience to hear what HE will say! What a blessed life we have! YOU are the most blessed person I know! Amen!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Here is Psalm 117 from the Message Bible:


1 Praise GOD, everybody! Applaud GOD, all people! 2 His love has taken over our lives; GOD'S faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!


Why should we praise and applaud the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible? Because He IS! AND, because He is GOOD!  His wonderful ways toward us are eternal! Hebrews 13:8 says this:


8 Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).


His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, His loving-kindness to YOU, has never, and will never, fail! God loves you! Love Him back! Amen!


1 John 1:1-3:


 1 [WE ARE writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. 2 And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers]. 3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ the (Messiah).


Once we have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, we have a relationship with Him! We are members of the family of Almighty God! Nothing can change that relationship in the same way that my son will always be my son, no matter how old he becomes! Fellowship, on the other hand, is a moment by moment choice WE have to make! "Fellowship" is the Greek word "koinoonia", which means: fellowship; association; communion; joint participation; contact; intimacy; communication; social intercourse. HE has said that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and we have His invitation to come boldly before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)! He lives IN us by His Spirit and we can speak to Him and listen to Him every day and all day long! the choice is OURS! Let's make it a priority to increase our level of intimacy in fellowship with Him, so that WE can get to know Him and His ways better than ever before! That will increase our capacity for faith to grow and for us to be able to operate in the authority He intends for us to operate in! Glory to God! 


2 Kings 24:14:


14 He (Nebuchadnezzar) carried away all Jerusalem, all the princes, all the  mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths. none remained except the poorest of the land.


When we understand that God has an everlasting Covenant with the nation of Israel, the people and the land, then we can understand that everything He ordered done TO them was in order to protect BOTH the people and the land for His plan and purpose! They were exiled to Babylon to stop their disobedience and rebellion from destroying them! As you continue to read in the Old Testament, remember that God's Covenant with THEM is everlasting! Know, also, that His Covenant with US is one of His reasons for preserving them a nation and a people for the Messiah, Jesus, to come through! Our God is such a GOOD God! Hallelujah! Here is Hillsong with "Undending Love":

Shalom in Him! 

Shalom,


Psalm 116:1-2:


1 I LOVE the LORD, because He has heard [and now hears] my voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.


This Psalm is an extremely personal one. The words I, my, or me appear over 30 times. It is very important to make the Word of God personal to YOU! We know from 2 Corinthians 1:20 that all of the promises of God are "Yes and Amen", but unless we can get the reality of the Truth that it means ME, then the Word will have no real affect on our lives! Go through the New Testament and find all of the Scriptures that speak of being "In Him", "In Christ", and other personal verses like that. Meditate on those until the Holy Spirit is able to bring you to a place of realization that this is who YOU are! Then, when you pray, or give praise, thanksgiving and worship, you can make it a personal petition or declaration based on what you KNOW of the Word of God concerning YOU! God LOVES when we do that! Then verses 12-13 say this:


12 What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? [How can I repay Him for all His bountiful dealings?] 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and deliverance and call on the Name of the LORD.


To lift up the cup of salvation is a very unselfish thing to do! Now we are speaking of making known and available to the world all of the blessings and benefits that we enjoy as children of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Keep lifting HIM up and HE will draw all men unto Himself (John 12:32)!


Here is Hillsong with "Yes and Amen". To see the lyrics, click through to You Tube!

2 Peter 3:3:


3 To begin with, you must know and understand this, that scoffers (mockers) will come in the last days with scoffing, [people who] walk after their own fleshly desires


We are most definitely living in those days! Not only do we have people putting aside the Word of God for their own lives, but trying to get rid of any reference to God and His Word from every aspect of life. There has never been a greater need for the Church of Jesus of Nazareth to be about preaching the Good News than there is right now! Don't assume that anyone you know is born again unless you actually hear them proclaim that Jesus is their Lord! If they are believers, then they will rejoice to hear the Gospel. If they are not, then you will plant a seed of Truth in them that the Holy Spirit can work with to convict them of their need for the Saviour! Time is running out for them to receive eternal, everlasting LIFE! (Zoe, life as God has in Himself!) Verse 9 shows us the Father's heart:


9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but he is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 


He is patient, BUT, there will come the day, soon and very soon, when the Father will say, "It is time" and Jesus will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,  and with the sound of the trumpet and will appear for us in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16). We are running head long into our blessed eternity! The unbelievers are running head long towards hell! We need to do as much as we can, for as long as we have left, in order to be doing OUR part in bringing joy to the Father's heart with all of those we will help lead into the Kingdom! Amen!


Daniel 11-12 involve prophecy. Some that is now history and some yet to come. I am posting an introduction from the Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament that gives an outline. If you are interested in further study, I would encourage you to do so! Here is the introduction to these last two chapters:


The prophecy given in chapters 11 and 12 is long and complex. The first thirty-five verses of Dan 11 were prophecy in Daniel's day but are now history. They deal with important but, for the most part, forgotten historical characters with difficult names and complicated relationships. The chapters may be outlined as follows:


1. Prophecies already fulfilled (11:1-35)
a. About Persia — 11:1-2
b. About Greece — 11:3-4
c. About Egypt and Syria — 11:5-20


d. About Antiochus Epiphanes and Syria — 11:21-35
2. Prophecies yet to be fulfilled (11:36-12:3)
a. About the Tribulation and Antichrist — 11:36-12:1
b. About the promised kingdom — 12:2-3
c. Final instructions to Daniel (12:4-13)


These prophecies fill in the details of previous prophecies the Lord had given to Daniel and were the answer to his prayer for greater understanding of God's plans for Israel. The focus is on Israel in the last days. 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I am going to dare to ask YOU this question from Psalm 115:2:


2 Why should the nations say, Where is now their God? 


Verse 3 goes on to say:


3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.


We who are born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth CANNOT use this response! We have been told this in Matthew 28:18-20:


18 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and earth has been given to Me. 19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).


YES, He IS in Heaven, but it pleases Him to do the work THROUGH HIS BODY! Where is His body? ON THE EARTH! Remember that when Jesus entered Heaven as our Lord and Saviour, He was told to wait until His enemies be made His footstool! It is OUR job, while we are here on this earth, to use HIS authority over all the power of the enemy! WE must do the works that Jesus did so that they will not have to ask us "Where is your God?"! Then many will seek HIM! Look at Psalm 115:16:


16 The heavens are the LORD'S heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men.


We are expected to find out what belongs to us because of our Covenant of Blessing, and then to make it ours! God wants US to be in control of our lives so that we can be in position to be instantly obedient to the voice of His Spirit as He leads, guides and directs us day by day! I pray THIS prayer over YOU! Verses 14-15:


14 May the LORD give you increase more and more, you and your children. 15 May you be blessed of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth!


Our response to that prayer? Verse 18:


18 But we will bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the LORD from this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!)


2 Peter 2 warns of false prophets who will try to enter the church with false teaching to try to lead the people of God off of the narrow path of God's Truth! Verse 3 says this:


3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.


The word "feigned" here is the Greek word "plastos", which means: moulded, formed, made up, fabricated. It is where we get the word "plastic"! Their words are FALSE and have no power except to deceive! KNOW the Truth of God's Word and you will not be deceived by the lies of the enemy! Amen! Stick to the "straight and narrow" Way of God's Word and you CAN walk in all of the blessings of our New and better Covenant! Thank You, Jesus! Amen!

Here is a new song from Hillsong called "Narrow Road":

In Daniel 9-10 we see that Daniel was very aware of the times he was living in! He knew from the preaching of the prophet Jeremiah that it was close to the time that Israel should return from the captivity in Babylon. 

He sought the LORD in concentrated prayer to receive His wisdom on what was to take place. The LORD answered Daniel's prayer and also told him of the things that would take place during the last days. As we see the signs of the times in which we live, we can take a lesson from Daniel and spend some time in prayer and fasting to make sure that we are clearly seeing our role in these days! We must find out what God wants done, and then DO IT! Let's be about our Father's business, for His #1 priority is all that is really important in this life! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 114 is a declaration of God's involvement in the creation of the nation of Israel! Verses 2-3:


2 Judah became [God's] sanctuary (the Holy Place of His habitation), and Israel His dominion. 3 The [Red] Sea looked and fled; the Jordan [River] was turned back.


God himself called and separated them as a nation and as the people through whom He would bring salvation to the world! He split the Sea and pushed back the waters of the River in order to lead His people THEN! How much more will He do to provide deliverance for US, as His family! Hallelujah! How I love the Word of God!

The Scriptural foundation for The Spoken Word Church is the first part of Ephesians 4:15:


15 But speaking the Truth in love, (may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ). 


This is what we do, so 2 Peter 1:12 goes right along with that!


12 So I intend always to remind you about these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that [you] now [hold].


Verses 3-4 are just some of the Truths that we will continue to bring to remembrance!


3 For His divine power has bestowed on us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these he has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. 


Those "precious and exceedingly great promises" are for all born again believers! Those who are diligent to study and find them in His Word, and then act on them, will have the promised results! Will YOU be one who lives in the promises? It takes diligence, but it is well worth every effort! Amen!


Daniel 5-6 tell of the end of the rule of Belshazzar, who was a grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. He did NOT remember all that his grandfather had declared concerning Daniel and Daniel's God! He dishonored God by drinking from the vessels of the Temple and Daniel told him what his fate would be. In chapter 6 we see another king being deceived into throwing Daniel into the den of lions because he would not compromise his prayer to God. Again, the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible miraculously delivered one who dared to stand in His Name! You and I can take confidence knowing that WE have a better Covenant, based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6)! He will most certainly deliver US, too! Amen!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalms 113-118 are referred to as the "Hallel Psalms". They direct praise to God for the deliverance of the people from Egyptian bondage. These Psalms are all sung during the celebration of the Passover feast. Psalms 113-114 are sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115-118 are sung after. These would be the "hymns" that Jesus and His disciples sang before going to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night that He was betrayed.  "Praise" here is the Hebrew word "halal", which we looked at a couple of days ago. It means: to boast, to flash forth light, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, to stultify (to cause to appear foolish). This is where we get the word "Hallelujah" and it is NOT quiet! Verse 3 tells us how long this type of praise should go on and how often it should occur!


3 From the rising of the sun to the going down of it and from east to west, the Name of the LORD is to be praised [halal]!


The sun is always rising somewhere and always "going down" somewhere! That means that when praise is ending somewhere, it is starting up in another spot! In other words, He is to be praised CONTINUALLY! That IS the way it is in Heaven! We had better get used to it here, because eternity is a very long time! Amen! Here is Psalm 113 sung by Kidz World Worship:

I love the Amplified Bible for 1 Peter 5:7:


7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once for all] on Him, for he cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.


"Casting" is the Greek word "epirrhipto" which means: to throw upon. It is a compound word with "epi" which means upon, toward, over; and "rhipto" which means: (through the idea of sudden motion) to fling, to toss, to cast down, to throw. In other words, "get rid of it"! Throw those cares on Him the moment you realize that you have taken on care (anxiety, worry, guilt, fear). He IS the ONE Who cares FOR you and ABOUT you! Thank You, Jesus!  Then I also like verse 8:


8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.


Notice that the enemy is NOT a lion! Jesus IS the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! The enemy wanders around searching to find someone who either does not have a Covenant with Almighty God through the precious blood of Jesus of Nazareth, or has a Covenant but has no idea what that means! Both types of people can be devoured in this life by the enemy! Notice also that the enemy goes about AS a ROARING lion! He does not even possess a real roar! Everything he says is a lie and the way he says it is a lie also! Listen and pay attention daily to the still, small voice of the Spirit of God inside of you so that you can properly translate the enemy's "fake' roar! Then you can be a DOER of verse 9:


9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset -- rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.


The same sufferings AND the same DELIVERER! Hallelujah!


Daniel 7-8 reveal some of the  dreams of Daniel. These dreams foretold  all of the major kingdoms of the earth, including the time of the Tribulation when the antichrist  rules for a short time.These were all future when Daniel was telling them, but most are past tense to us! I like this quotation concerning prophecy:  "Prophecy is history written beforehand"!   Daniel didn't understand these things, but he did understand, and completely rely on, the One True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Do YOU?


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 112:1-3:


1 PRAISE THE LORD! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His offspring shall be mighty on the earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.


I read in one commentary that this verse did not apply to New Testament believers because it was part of the Old Covenant. That statement is totally FALSE! Remember that our New Covenant is a BETTER Covenant, based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6)! That means that anything different about the New Covenant is BETTER! We can expect, when WE meet the conditions of the promise, to have these wonderful promises AND SO MUCH MORE!  That is why we can also identify with verse 7:


7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed (leaning on and being confident) in the LORD.


It makes no difference where the "evil tidings" are coming from, we shall not be moved by them! Our God will deliver us every time that we trust in Him and His Word! Thank You, Jesus! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "Rise":

I really like 1 Peter 4:1-3 in the Message Bible:


1 Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from the old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. 2 Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you (the old you) want. 3 You've already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good.


The moment we were born again our spirits were made new, in the image of God (2 Corinthians 5:17)! The problem is that we still have the nature of the flesh as long as we are living here on earth. The Good News is that when we renew our minds with the Word of God to think, speak, and act like God, then our spirit and soul (mind, emotions and will) combination is much stronger than the will of the flesh! Stay strong in God's Word and your flesh nature will not be able to "lord it over you"! Thank You, Jesus! Then verses 7-8 are vital:


7 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. 8 Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.


The Amplified Bible says:


7 But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer. 8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].


Notice that we are told to be alert for prayer. That means to pay attention! Don't just walk blindly through your life doing the same things you have always done! Stay in intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit Who lives in you! He will lead, guide and direct you moment by moment and day by day, so that you will be able to buy up every opportunity to fulfill the calling that God has placed on your life from before the foundation of the world! Yes, you are THAT important to God and His plan! Don't take that lightly! At the Reward Seat in Heaven, you will be eternally glad that you paid attention! 


In Daniel 3-4 we read of the three Hebrew young men who refused to bow to the image that Nebuchadnezzar had made of himself. Do you think he may have taken pride in the fact that Daniel had identified the head of gold in the king's dream as referring to him and his kingdom? Pride has brought many a good person down to their knees! We see that again in chapter 4 when the king again gets prideful and God uses those seven years to show him just Who was really the source of every "good and perfect gift" (James 1:17)!


The declaration of faith of the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is found in Daniel 3:16-18. Not many translations actually get this accurate and some make it sound like they didn't know for sure if God would actually deliver them. Here is the translation that I like best! This is from the New American Standard Updated Edition:


16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 If it be, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O King. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."


I have heard this taught before that what they actually were saying is, and I paraphrase: "IF you are able to throw us into the furnace, our God WILL deliver us; and if you do not throw us in, we STILL will not worship your gods or your image!"  I really like that! Whether or not this is actually how it went down, the bottom line is that the faith of these three men was put to the test before all of the people and God came through! They didn't GET faith by going through this. The faith that they had in Almighty God to deliver was proven to all when they came out unharmed! Build your faith by meditating daily on the Word of God so that when you are faced with a  "fiery furnace" situation, your faith will pass the test! God LOVES to do that! Hallelujah!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 111:1:


1 PRAISE THE LORD! (Hallelujah!) I will praise and give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart in the council of the upright and in the congregation.


The two different Hebrew words used for "praise" here are "halal", which means: to boast, to flash forth light, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, to stultify (to cause to appear foolish); and "yadah", which means: to give thanks, to laud, to praise, to use the hand, to revere or worship. The "council of the upright" is a small, close-knit group of like-minded believers (the SWC Intercessors, for example). Then there is the full congregation. We should be giving praise, thanksgiving and worship privately, and then in each of these groups of believers! That is a lot of praise and worship going on, but it does not even compare to the amount of unending praise and worship that is going on in Heaven! This is just practice for the future! Hallelujah! If you have been lacking in this area, it is high time to get with God's program! Your life will never be the same - guaranteed! After all, verse 10 does say this:


10 The reverent fear and worship of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the LORD]. Their praise of Him endures forever.


1 Peter 3 speaks to the wife and then the husband in the marriage relationship. Why did he say more to the wife than to the husband? Up to this time the women were treated as lesser citizens, even in the Temple situation. This is NOT as God intended for it to be! Remember that it was God Himself Who appointed Deborah as a Judge! But mankind has very seldom stayed with God's way of doing anything! Galatians 3:28 says this:


28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


Women were not used to having this kind of freedom and so Paul stressed that God's plan in the home was for order. The husband has God-given responsibilities to take care of the wife and children in the same way that Jesus cares for the Church! The wife is to be a help in caring out God's plan for the family! Outside of marriage, there are NO rules of gender before God! We are each to find God's plan for our lives and get ourselves right in the middle of His will and plan and purpose for us! Verse 15:


15 But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.


There it is! God's plan for mankind is to show forth HIS glory! Preach the Gospel, the Good News, so that others may desire to know HIM! Amen!

Here is Hillsong with "Tell The World":

In Daniel 1-2 we see that the Hebrew children of royalty and nobility were taken to Babylon to be in the court of the king for his use. Vegetables and water anyone? Sometimes walking in Divine health is hindered by our choice of the foods we eat! If your health is not what you would like it to be, don't be always praying for healing without asking the Holy Spirit what, if any, changes YOU should make in what you are putting into your body! It won't affect whether or not you have Heaven as your home when you leave this earth, but it may have everything to do with how soon you arrive there! Your choice! Choose wisely! 


I also like the reason king Nebuchadnezzar gave for why he wanted the wise men to tell him the dream first, and then the interpretation! They could say anything they wanted as a "wise" man, and the king would have no way of knowing if it was true or not. If a wise man could supernaturally know his dream without being told by him, then he could trust that they would give a right interpretation to it! Keep a high standard like that when you judge the "supernatural" manifestations that you will be seeing more and more of in these last days before the appearing of Jesus for the Church. The Bible says that there WILL BE lying signs and wonders, but those who do know their God will not be easily fooled! Remember that the devil never created anything. He simply counterfeits what God has made as genuine! So, if there are lying signs and wonders, MUCH more will there be GODLY signs, wonders, and miracles! Amen! The difference will be that the REAL ones will point, ALWAYS, to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Watch and pray! 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 110:1:


1 THE LORD (God) says to my Lord (the Messiah), Sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool.


This Psalm, according to one commentary I read, is quoted or alluded to in the New testament more times than any other Psalm, with verse 1 appearing 25 times! Check out Hebrews chapter 1 and Philippians chapter 2 for two of those examples! Our Covenant making and Covenant keeping God (Jehovah) said this to our resurrected Lord Jesus! God the Son, Who came to earth as the Son of God and the Son of Man, was given a Name that is above EVERY other name and was seated at the Father's right hand! Not only that, but this King of all kings is also an eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:15)! Verse 4:


4 The LORD has sworn and will not revoke or change it: you are a priest forever, after the manner and order of Melchizedek.


We can come before His presence with great confidence that we are always welcome there and that He is always disposed to show us His favor! Stay in close, intimate fellowship with Him every day and you should never have a "bad day" for the rest of you life here on earth! Choices! Make the wise ones! 


1 Peter 2:9 is speaking of every born again believer in Jesus of Nazareth!


9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.


That is who we are because of Him! That is exactly the way that God sees us! Don't see yourself as anything less than who God Himself has MADE you to be! It is high time for the Church of Jesus Christ to step it up and BE the Church! As HE is, so are we, IN THIS WORLD (1 John 4:17)! That means right now, NOT later on in Heaven! We must operate as the Body that Jesus Himself is the Head of! We are His hands, His feet, and His voice in the earth! See it, believe it, and DO IT! Amen! here is Hillsong's "The Lost Are Found:

We read 2 Chronicles 36:1-8 in the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. Did you notice that God did not appoint these kings! Verse 1 says that "The people of the land" made Jehoahaz their king. Then, after three months, "the king of Egypt made Eliakim" king over Judah. And, of course, he did evil in the sight of the LORD! God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to invade the land and take some of the best of the Hebrew young people into exile. His plan and purpose was to preserve and protect the line that the Messiah Jesus would eventually come through! As your continue to read through the Old Testament, remember these things. It will help you to put things in the right perspective and will bring a great understanding of the "ways" of God, just like Moses (Psalm 103:7)! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 109:1-4:


1  O GOD of my praise! Keep not silence, 2 For the mouths of the wicked and the mouth of deceit are opened against me; they have spoken to me and against me with lying tongues. 3 They have compassed me about also with words of hatred and have fought against me without cause. 4 In return for my love they are my adversaries, but I resort to prayer.


This was David's reaction to those who came against him. He could have tried to avenge himself. In fact, he had opportunity to do so where Saul is concerned on more than one occasion! But David KNEW that vengeance belonged to God and God alone (Romans 12:19)! David went to the LORD in prayer for the situation and God delivered him! He rejoiced in the Truth found in verses 30-31:


30 I will give great praise and thanks to the LORD with my mouth; yes, and I will praise Him among the multitude. 31 For He will stand at the right hand of the poor and needy, to save him from those who condemn his life.


Develop the confidence for yourself that you really CAN cast every care and worry on HIM! He truly cares for you and wants to take care OF you! Thank You, Jesus! Here is Hillsong with "The First And The Last"

1 Peter 1:3-5:


3  Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.


Because of all that Jesus accomplished through His death, burial land resurrection, we have become NEW! We are now of the royal family of Almighty God Himself! We have an inheritance, we have authority in His Name and we have His Word to speak! After all of that, we have the God of the Bible's Heaven as our home when we leave this earth! We are, of ALL people, MOST BLESSED! Verse 6-9:


6 [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed. 8 Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. 9 [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.


We SHOULD be glad! We SHOULD be filled with joy every day for all of the blessings we have received and for all that the Spirit of Almighty God will do THROUGH us to set people free! Remember, you are the only Jesus that some people will ever see!


Jeremiah 22-23 covers again the reign of king Josiah of Judah. There were 20 rulers over Judah and only 8 of them were "good" rulers. They are:

• Asa
• Jehoshaphat
• Joash
• Amaziah
• Uzziah
• Jotham
• Hezekiah
• Josiah

Josiah was only eight years old when he began his thirty-one year reign, so he had advisers helping him rule. When he was sixteen he committed himself to the LORD and began to seek to please God. He was a great king and it says of him in 2 Kings 23:25 we see this:

25 There was no king like him before or after [Josiah] who turned to the LORD with all his heart and all his soul and all his might, according to all the law of Moses.

WE are to love the Lord with all of OUR heart, and mind, and soul, and strength; and then to love each other as HE loves us (Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27)! That's a tall order, but one He has fully equipped us to carry out! Do "right" in the sight of the LORD and be BLESSED! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!