Shalom,

We heard Pastor Bill Novak teach "Happy #2" at The Spoken Word Church this morning. The most important thing I learned today is that my happiness is MY responsibility! God has shown us in His Word HOW to be happy and it is up to US to do it! John 13:17 says this:


John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.  KJV

The Amplified Bible says this:


John 13:17 If you know these things, blessed and happy and to be envied are you if you practice them [if you act accordingly and really do them]. AMP

What "things" is He speaking about? The "things" that we see in the Word of God! Find out what God wants done and DO it! Find out HOW God wants things done, and then do it HIS way! Amen!

Here is "I'm Really Happy" with the Hillsong Kids. Lyrics follow:

I want to praise Jesus for all He's done for me
I want to shout real loud that Jesus is all I need
‘Cause I gotta few words to say
And few things to do, 
And a little jumping around,
‘Cause I'm living for you

And I'm really happy You're in my life
I'm really happy You're in my heart
And I'm really happy ‘cause Jesus You're all I need.

I want to praise Jesus for all He's done for me
I want to shout real loud that Jesus is all I need
‘Cause I gotta few words to say
And few things to do, 
And a little jumping around,
‘Cause I'm living for you

And I'm really happy You're in my life
I'm really happy You're in my heart
And I'm really happy ‘cause Jesus You're all I need.

And I'm really happy You're in my life
I'm really happy You're in my heart
And I'm really happy ‘cause Jesus You're all I need.

‘Cause I gotta few words to say
And few things to do, 
And a little jumping around,
‘Cause I'm living for you

‘Cause I gotta few words to say
And few things to do, 
And a little jumping around,
‘Cause I'm living for you

And I'm really happy You're in my life
I'm really happy You're in my heart
And I'm really happy ‘cause Jesus You're all I need.

And I'm really happy You're in my life
I'm really happy You're in my heart
And I'm really happy ‘cause Jesus You're all I need.

And I'm really happy You're in my life
I'm really happy You're in my heart
And I'm really happy ‘cause Jesus You're all I need.

And I'm really happy You're in my life
I'm really happy You're in my heart
And I'm really happy ‘cause Jesus You're all I need.

Jesus You're all I need.
Jesus You're all I need.
Jesus You're all I need.
Jesus You're all I need.

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Luke 11:39-52 Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees very boldly, bluntly and personally. Many people reading these verses think that Jesus was angry at them. Remember that Jesus never sinned! Everything Jesus did on the earth He did out of pure LOVE! How could THIS be love? Hebrews 12:6 reveals to us that Jesus chastens those whom He loves! He loved them too much to allow them to be lost eternally without trying to reach them with the Truth! How did they react? Verses 45 and 53-54:

⁴⁵ One of the experts in the [Mosaic] Law answered Him, Teacher, in saying this, You reproach and outrage and affront even us!  ⁵³ As He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees [followed Him closely, and they] began to be enraged with and set themselves violently against Him and to draw Him out and provoke Him to speak of many things, ⁵⁴ Secretly watching and plotting and lying in wait for Him, to seize upon something He might say [that they might accuse Him].

DON'T allow yourself to despise the correction, instruction and chastening of the Lord! Everything He says to you is for your eternal good!  I like this from Bob Yandian's Morning Moments devotional:

Proverbs 9:9 (NKJV): Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

The wiser people are, the more they appreciate being corrected. Why? Because they know the more they learn, the wiser and happier they become. To him who has, even more will be given (Mark 4:25). This is a spiritual law and the truly wise understand this law and benefit from it.

I hope YOU will allow yourself to benefit from the instruction and correction of the Lord! Here is Hillsong with "Open My Eyes":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Luke 10:1-2 we see Jesus sending out the 70 to prepare the way for Him to come later. You could say that this was His pre-crusade team! 

 ¹ NOW AFTER this the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit). ² And He said to them, The harvest indeed is abundant [there is much ripe grain], but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Jesus had sent them to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and cast out devils. This is what happened when they returned! Verse 17:

 ¹⁷ The seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!

What was Jesus' response to this? Verses 18-20:

 ¹⁸ And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven.

Do YOU know why Jesus said this to them? Once our attention moves from HIM to the power that comes from Him, then we are in danger of being as those who "worship the creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:24)! Falling in love with the power and authority was the very thing that caused the downfall of Lucifer! What is God's plan, then? Philippians 3:10:

10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection  AMP

The more that we come to know HIM, the more that we will know and understand how to operate in the power and authority that belong to us as members of the family of God! THIS keeps our focus on HIM instead of on the power! Amen! I LOVE the Word of God! I hope YOU do, too! Here is Hillsong United with "Lost Are Found":

"The Lost Are Found"

Everlasting

While earthly ages fade

In mercy

Our God Your kingdom reigns

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

In the Savior

Injustice brought to right

For Your glory

That Your name be lifted high

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

The lost are found

The blind will see

The lame will walk

The dead will live

And You are God

Forever You will reign

[x3]

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

Lord over everything

You are near

All of the universe at Your feet

The lost are found

The blind will see

The lame will walk

The dead will live

And You are God

Forever You will reign

[x8]

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I will never be able to read Psalm 88 ever again without remembering hearing it read from the bottom of the pit where they lowered Jesus while held captive at the house of Caiaphas. Here are two pictures from our trip:

The underside of the hole where Jesus was lowered 
down into total darkness.

Part of the pit as it appears now.

We can see the depths of the love that Jesus has for people in Luke 9:55-56a when some of His disciples wanted to call down fire from Heaven on people who would not receive Him:

 ⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked and severely censured them. He said, You do not know of what sort of spirit you are, ⁵⁶ For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them [from the penalty of eternal death].

Jesus came to save, and He sent us to do the same! Who have YOU shared the Gospel with today? Here is Hillsong with an older song called "Tell The World":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I was especially blessed by two different portions of today's Bible Plan. Psalm 87:1-3 says this:

 ¹ ON THE holy hills stands the city [of Jerusalem and the temple] God founded. ² The Lord loves the gates of Zion [through which the crowds of pilgrims enter from all nations] more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Israel). ³ Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah [pause, and calmly realize what that means]!

GOD founded the Temple that was on the Temple Mount! HE founded the Temple that was rebuilt. GOD gave the land of Israel to His people Israel! GOD brought back the people who had been disbursed! HE brought, and is continuing to bring, the Jewish people back to the homeland that HE gave to them! There is no question in HIS mind who should be living and ruling in that land! There is also no doubt in HIS mind that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the land GOD owns! It would behoove ALL nations and people to get on GOD'S side in this matter, don't you think?

The other portion that really spoke to me is found in Luke 8 where Jesus was telling the parable of the sower. Verses 8-10:

   ⁸ And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times [as great]. As He said these things, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and understand by hearing!  ⁹ And when His disciples asked Him the meaning of this parable, ¹⁰ He said to them, To you it has been given to [come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that, [though] looking, they may not see; and hearing, they may not comprehend.

The "others" that Jesus was speaking about here are those people who know that God IS, but don't want to know anymore about Him! Verses 15-18:

   ¹⁵ But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience. ¹⁶ No one after he has lighted a lamp covers it with a vessel or puts it under a [dining table] couch; but he puts it on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. ¹⁷ For there is nothing hidden that shall not be disclosed, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come out into the open. ¹⁸ Be careful therefore how you listen. For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away.

We know that knowledge of God's Word comes layer upon layer. To those who know, and want to know more, more will come! Those who know, but don't WANT to know more, they will lose even what they think they know! The very best way to keep what we know is to give it away! THAT is what verse 16 is saying! Share the Truth and more and more will come to you! Amen! Here is an appropriate song from Hillsong called "No Reason To Hide":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 86:5 says this:

 ⁵ For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.

Have you ever had the idea that God was up in Heaven with a giant hammer just ready to pound us for doing something wrong? I have had many people over the years tell me something similar to that! How totally untrue! If you stop and think about it, is there anyone in your life you would love enough to watch your own son be ridiculed, tortured and crucified for? NOT me! Yet, John 3:16-17 tells us this:

16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP

God loves each one of us so very much that He DID give His son for this purpose! And notice that verse 17 says that He did NOT send His Son to judge us, but to save us! Hallelujah! There IS now greater Gift! Amen! So how should WE respond? Psalm 86:10-13 and 15 sounds good to me!

   ¹⁰ For You are great and work wonders! You alone are God. ¹¹ Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name. ¹²I will confess and praise You, O Lord my God, with my whole (united) heart; and I will glorify Your name forevermore. ¹³ For great is Your mercy and loving-kindness toward me; and You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol [from the exceeding depths of affliction]. ¹⁵ But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness and truth.

This IS our God! Aren't YOU thankful for that? I am! Here is Hillsong with "This Is Our God":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Luke 6 today we see Jesus healing a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The scribes and Pharisees were angry and began to plot against Jesus. I LOVE verse 11 in the Amplified Bible:

11 But they were filled with lack of understanding and senseless rage and discussed (consulted) with one another what they might do to Jesus. AMP

Doesn't that make so much sense as to why they were angry? They weren't merely ignorant of the Truth of God's Word, but they were FILLED with a lack of understanding! In the KJV it says that they were "filled with madness". "With madness" is the Greek word "anoia". Strong's Concordance says: stupidity, rage. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: want of understanding, folly; madness expressing itself in rage. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: without understanding, denotes folly and this finding its expression in violent rage. 

If they were filled with a lack of understanding, there was no place for the Truth to enter in! Do you see a parallel with certain people that you deal with today? What is the answer? How do we reach them with the Truth? This is why we pray before we share the Truth with them! The Holy Spirit knows what bit of light will get through to them! Have you ever been in a very dark room and then saw a tiny pinprick of light? Your eyes were drawn right to the light! THAT is what happens with the unbelievers that we are praying for! When even a pinprick of the Light of God's Word gets through, it is enough to brighten their entire being, for a moment! Once they accept that Truth, they will be open for even more! Keep praying and keep sharing the Gospel. The Holy Spirit knows HIS job, and HE does it well! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "Light Will Shine":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 84:4-5 and 7:

    ⁴Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!  ⁵Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. ⁷They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.

Spending time daily in the presence of the Lord is not a hardship but a wonderful blessing! In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11)! Make a quality decision, which is a decision that you will NOT turn back on, to seek His face daily! Then YOU cans say, and really mean, Psalm 84:10:

  ¹⁰For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of my God than to dwell [at ease] in the tents of wickedness.

Here is a picture that I think will be a blessing to you:

Here is a song from Hillsong called "Blessed" to encourage you some more! :

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

If you think that the things that are going on in the world right now are new things, look at Psalm 83:1-4:

 ¹KEEP NOT silence, O God; hold not Your peace or be still, O God. ²For, behold, Your enemies are in tumult, and those who hate You have raised their heads. ³They lay crafty schemes against Your people and consult together against Your hidden and precious ones. ⁴They have said, Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be in remembrance no more. AMP

Sound familiar? The enemies of Israel are, and have always been, the enemies of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Who do YOU think will win THAT battle? We KNOW how God feels about us! John 3:16:

16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. AMP

He IS on our side! The question is: are WE on HIS side? If we do not stand with Israel, which includes praying for the peace and prosperity of the nation and it's eternal capital of Jerusalem (Genesis 12:3 and Psalm 122:6), then we are most decidedly NOT on God's side! Ask the Spirit of God to show you in the Word how HE feels about Israel and then line yourself up with that. THEN you will be on God's side, and HIS side is BLESSED! AMEN! Here is "The Mighty One Of Israel" by Randy Rothwell:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We are having a Variety Show at The Spoken Word Church tonight! I will be sharing a short Music DVD of our trip to Israel, so I am just going to post my favorite picture here and a song! 

The Beautiful Gates, which are actually below ground beneath these sealed ones, will open for Messiah Jesus who will go through as the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords! HALLELUJAH!!!

Here is Robin Mark with "Days Of Elijah":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan today we read Luke 2. Look at verses 48-52, which took place after Joseph and Mary had spent three days looking for Jesus:

 ⁴⁸And when they [Joseph and Mary] saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, Child, why have You treated us like this? Here Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You [distressed and tormented]. ⁴⁹And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Father's business? ⁵⁰But they did not comprehend what He was saying to them. ⁵¹And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was [habitually] obedient to them; and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart.  ⁵²And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.

I wanted to look especially at verse 52! This verse bears witness to the Truth that Jesus operated on  the earth as a man! he didn't stop BEING God, but He did nothing here on the earth AS God! THAT will come later (or sooner, as many of us believe)! Only a human being can "increase in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man"! Let's look at Philippians 2:5-7 in both the Amplified Bible and the New Living Translation:

5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] 6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. AMP

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; 

He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. New Living Translation 

Everything that Jesus of Nazareth did while He was on the earth, except for His death on the cross, WE can do also! He did nothing as God, even though He WAS God (and IS God), but He did them as a Spirit-filled man Who put God and His Word first place in His life! He communed more closely with His Heavenly Father than with any human being! WE CAN TO! And, WE SHOULD! Amen! Make it a priority to spend quality, first of all, face to face time in His presence every day and you will "grow in favor with God and man", too! Hallelujah! Here to encourage you is Hillsong with "I Stand In Awe":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Proverbs 4:20-23 says this:

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. KJV

These are instructions from God for every believer! "Attend" is the Hebrew word "qashab". Strong's Concordance says: a primitive root; to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to hear, to be attentive, to heed, to incline (used of ears), to attend (used of ears), to hearken, to pay attention, to listen. The Theological Dictionary of the Old testament adds obeying to the hearing! Here are these verses in the Amplified Bible, the New Living Translation and the Message Bible:

20 My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. 

21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. 

22 For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. 

23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. AMP

20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION 


20 Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. 
21 Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! 
22 Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health. 
23 Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. 

THE MESSAGE BIBLE

The Word of God is the single most important possession you and I have in this life! The Word of God does not just contain Truth, it IS Truth (John 17:17)! Make sure that YOU are giving priority attention to the Word of God in every area of your life and you should be seeing successes multiplying in all of those areas! Mark 4:24 says this:

24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you — and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. AMP

Put the Word FIRST! You can't possibly go wrong doing that! Amen! Here is a picture that reinforces this for you!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Hebrews 13:8 says this:

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

He IS, and He WILL NOT CHANGE! You and I can count on Him! We can count on His Word and we can count on His promises! Our most important decision should be to get to know Him more (Philippians 3:10)! As you do, you will be able to sing this song from your heart and REALLY mean it! Amen! Hillsong's "I Desire Jesus":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Hebrews 12:1-3:

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. KJV

Now let's look at this in the new Living Translation:

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. New Living Translation

This translation makes it just a little clearer, don't you  think? The witnesses spoken of here refers to the testimony of the lives of those heroes of faith in chapter 11! The sin that "does so easily beset us" is the particular sin, which we each have, that is the one that so regularly "trips us up"! It is time to grow beyond being able to be so easily tripped up now! We must hide the needed Word in our hearts that will enable us to shed that sin (Psalm 119:11)! We must keep our focus daily on Jesus! He IS the source of our faith and the One Who will make the Word come alive to us, bringing "perfection" which is really "maturity"! The cross was a symbol of shame and degradation, but Jesus was so very willing to go through with this because WE would be the harvest for Him! (Thank YOU, Jesus!) The contradiction was that Jesus was being mocked and scorned by the very sinners that He was dying to save! They didn't even know it! HE didn't faint and give up and neither should we! Here are these verses in the Amplified Bible:

1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  [Ps 110:1.] 3 Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up 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. AMP

I LOVE the "strip off and throw aside" instruction for the easily besetting sin! It is active, powerful and effective! Now let's look at one more! The Message Bible:

12 Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running — and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. 2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. 3 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!  THE MESSAGE BIBLE

I LOVE that one, too! No "spiritual fat"! Spiritual fat comes from putting the Word in and never obeying it! Never los sight of your God-given goals! Keep with it and hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Running" from the new Cornerstone album:

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I am going to share the entire devotional from Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food because it is so TRUE and very powerful! I encourage everyone to get all of the Faith Food devotionals! They contain priceless TRUTH in small and daily doses! Here is today's:

BORN AGAIN
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Pet. 1:23). 

We are begotten of God. 

We are born of God. 

We are children of God. 

We are heirs of God. 

We are joint-heirs (the word "joint" means equal) with Jesus (Rom. 8:17). 

In declaring this, we do not magnify ourselves. We magnify God and what He has done for us through the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not make ourselves new creatures. God made us new creatures. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. 

We are new creatures created by God in Christ Jesus! 

Confession: I am begotten of God. I am born of God. I am born of incorruptible seed by the living Word of God. I was born into the spiritual realm, given eternal life, and made a branch of the vine through the incorruptible Word of God. 

AMEN! You and I can make no more powerful statement about ourselves than to say that we are Born Again! If you have never received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Savior, then you are NOT Born Again, YET! Is there any reason that YOU can't receive Jesus as Lord and Savior right now? Follow the link on the left to The Spoken Word Church website and find out how! let us know that you have and we will be glad to assist you further! Here, to encourage you in this, is Hillsong United with "One Way":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Isaiah 55:8-9 says this:

   ⁸For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.  ⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.  AMP

Many people have used this verse as an excuse for not understanding the Word of God. God is NOT saying in these verses that we can't understand His Word, but that His Word, His Ways and His thoughts are far above those of the world! They will NOT just magically open up to us. We CAN know them, but it requires diligence and persistence! How much do YOU want to know Him? Paul, in Philippians 3, tells us that he made it his "determined purpose"(AMP) to know HIM! I hope that it is yours, too! Hosea 6:3a tells us this:

3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: KJV

Make it YOUR determined purpose to know Him, and you will! Remember that Jesus said this to His disciples in Luke 8:10:

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. KJV

If the disciples who were not yet born again and did not yet have the Holy Spirit living in them were told that it was for them to know the secret things of God, how much more is it given to us! What a priceless privilege we have as born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth! Don't treat that lightly! Follow on to know Him and you will! Amen! Here is Hillsong United with "To Know Your Name":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 75:1 says this:

1 We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds. New Living Translation

THAT must be the attitude of our heart, especially as we see the things that are now taking place across the world against Christians and Jews, against Americans and Israelis! As WE keep our focus on HIM, He is free to carry out His perfect plan in the earth! And He most definitely has a plan! It is a plan to bless His people and to judge those who have chosen wickedness! Verses 2-8:

  ²When the proper time has come [for executing My judgments], I will judge uprightly [says the Lord]. ³When the earth totters, and all the inhabitants of it, it is I Who will poise and keep steady its pillars. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! ⁴I said to the arrogant and boastful, Deal not arrogantly [do not boast]; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn [of personal aggrandizement]. ⁵Lift not up your [aggressive] horn on high, speak not with a stiff neck and insolent arrogance.  ⁶For not from the east nor from the west nor from the south come promotion and lifting up. ⁷But God is the Judge! He puts down one and lifts up another. ⁸For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup [of His wrath], and the wine foams and is red, well mixed; and He pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth must drain it and drink its dregs. AMP

God desires that NONE should be lost, but that ALL should be born again, but He will NOT wait forever! There WILL come a time of judgement. I am glad that YOU have chosen Jesus, the RIGHT and ONLY choice! Our response to what God has done for us? Verse 9:

  ⁹But I will declare and rejoice forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 

Why? Because HE IS! That is reason enough, don't you think? Here is Hillsong with "All Of My Days":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I have some of my grandchildren with me today! The oldest is 11 1/2 and the youngest is 3! It is very fun, entertaining and educational to hear them speak and interact! They have such an innocence and trust! Did you realize that this just exactly the way that our Father wants US to react to HIM? We, as adults, must first realize just who we are as believers in Jesus of Nazareth! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says this: 


17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. KJV


17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! AMP


17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! New Living Translation

This IS how God sees the born again believer! What Jesus did 2000 years ago gave every person on earth the POTENTIAL to become a new creature! What WE do with JESUS and His offer of Salvation will determine if we live forever in HIS presence, or forever OUT of HIS presence! What have YOU chosen? If you are reading this, it is NOT too late to make the RIGHT choice! Please do! Here is Hillsong with "Cornerstone":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Asaph makes an entirely true statement in Psalm 73:1:

¹TRULY GOD is [only] good to Israel, even to those who are upright and pure in heart.

"Good" here is the Hebrew word "towb". This means: good in every sense of the word! This includes: excellent, rich, valuable, appropriate, happy, prosperous. God is ONLY good to Israel AND the Church! Why, then, do bad things sometimes happen to God's people? Asaph was asking himself the same question! He noticed that it LOOKED as though the wicked were being blessed far more, and more often, than the Godly! He began to THINK that way, but caught himself before he "took" that thought! Matthew 6:31 tells us that we "take" a thought by speaking it out of our mouth! Notice what Asaph had to say about THAT! Verse 15:

 ¹⁵Had I spoken thus [and given expression to my feelings], I would have been untrue and have dealt treacherously against the generation of Your children.

He rejected that thought and then he said this in verses16-17:

¹⁶But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful ¹⁷Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood [for I considered] their end.

Asaph realized that he should NOT be moved by the way that things "seemed"! He knew that the apparent success and prosperity of the wicked was very short-lived! Eventually, if they stay wicked, all that they have they will lose and it will come into the hands of God's people! Proverbs 13:22:


22 A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up. AMP

In the meantime, THIS is what Jesus is doing on our behalf! Hebrews 7:24-26:

 ²⁴But He holds His priesthood unchangeably, because He lives on forever. ²⁵Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. ²⁶[Here is] the High Priest [perfectly adapted] to our needs, as was fitting--holy, blameless, unstained by sin, separated from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.

Jesus is interceding for us and leading, guiding and directing us, day by day, by His Spirit in us! He leads us in ways of righteousness and prosperity in every area of our lives! Amen! FOLLOW Him! Here is Hillsong Live with "Follow The Son":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today we remember the terrible tragedy that took place in our nation 11 years ago.We remember those who lost their lives, those who gave their lives and those who lost loved ones. Along with that, we must also face the TRUTH that the attacks, though perpetrated by Islamic terrorists who plotted and planned to murder innocent Americans because they hate,  would NOT have happened if we, as a nation, had not turned our back on the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! God has promised protection for those who acknowledge His Lordship and follow His Word. There are those in this nation who have been diligently trying to remove all mention of God and His Word. We, the Church of Jesus Christ, have been relatively silent - UNTIL NOW! God's people, who are called by His Name, have risen up! We are speaking out and we are NOT backing down! Where do YOU fit in this picture? Make up your mind now to get back under God's protection by agreeing with Him! Become a doer of 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.

When WE do our part, God WILL do His! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Children Of The Light" because that IS who we are!

Shalom in Him!