Shalom,

We begin in Proverbs today in our Bible Reading Plan. "Proverbs" is the Hebrew word "mashal". One of the definitions of this word is "a pithy maxim". "Pithy" means: precisely meaningful, forceful and brief. A "maxim" is: a brief expression of a general truth, principle, or rule of conduct. Quite an accurate description of what we find in the entire Book of Proverbs! Look at verses 1-6:

 ¹ THE PROVERBS (truths obscurely expressed, maxims, and parables) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ² That people may know skillful and godly Wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, ³ Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity, ⁴ That prudence may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth-- ⁵ The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly]-- ⁶ That people may understand a proverb and a figure of speech or an enigma with its interpretation, and the words of the wise and their dark sayings or riddles.

God WANTS us to understand Him through a thorough study and meditation of His Word! Joshua gives us the "formula" for successful study of the Word in Joshua 1:8:


8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. AMP

The Holy Spirit, Who lives IN every born again believer, will teach us the Word and what it means to each of us individually! John 14:26:

26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. AMP

Are YOU ready to begin a NEW and adventurous study of the Word of God? Then pay attention to Proverbs 1:7:

⁷ The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

So, spend some time in His presence, giving Him praise, thanksgiving and worship. THEN you will be ready to gain a new and deeper understanding to the wonderful Word of the Living God! Here, to encourage you in this, is Hillsong with "Running":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I want to share from Kenneth E. Hagin's Faith Food AND from the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan because they go together so well! Here is today's Faith Food, called Midnight Praise:

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them" (Acts 16:25). 

Singing, praising, and thanksgiving all go together. 

Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes, cast into prison, and their feet put in stocks. But at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God—aloud. The other prisoners heard them! 

Most people in similar circumstances would have griped and complained. If they had been like some modern Christians, Silas would have said, "Paul, are you still there?" And Paul would have answered, "Where else would I be?" 

Silas would have complained, "I'll tell you, my poor back is hurting so bad. I don't understand why God let this happen to us. He knows we've tried to serve Him and do our best!" 

That kind of praying would have gotten Paul and Silas further in—instead of out! God didn't have them thrown in jail; the devil did. But there's truth and instruction here to help us in our midnight hour—the hour of test, of trial—when the storms of life come. That's the time to pray, praise, sing, and give thanks to God! 

Do YOU agree? Let's look at Psalm 150 from the Amplified Bible:

 ¹ PRAISE THE Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power! ² Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness! ³ Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! ⁴ Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes! ⁵ Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! ⁶ Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

Are you breathing? Then PRAISE Him! Amen! First, make this confession from Faith Food:

Confession: I praise and thank God at all times. I never have a "poor old me" attitude. I keep an attitude of praise at all times. 

Now, let's join in with Hillsong Live as they sing "Praise Him":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

We read Psalm 149 today in the Spoken Word Bible  Reading Plan.  

1 PRAISE THE Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, praise Him in the assembly of His saints! ² Let Israel rejoice in Him, their Maker; let Zion's children triumph and be joyful in their King! ³ Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre! ⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory. ⁵ Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds. ⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands, ⁷ To wreak vengeance upon the nations and chastisement upon the peoples, ⁸ To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron, ⁹ To execute upon them the judgment written. He [the Lord] is the honor of all His saints. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

   

There are two very important Truths that I want you to see in this Psalm today. The first thing is that there are so MANY ways in which to offer, praise, thanksgiving and worship to the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Each of us should be operating in ALL of these ways at varying times during our own personal praise and worship and during the corporate service at our local churches. Singing, shouting, dancing, and playing instruments is all involved here! Do you NOT play any musical instrument? Then play the ones you OWN! Your hands make excellent instruments of worship! So DO it! Amen! 

The next Truth that we see is that by being a DOER of the above, we allow God to deal with the enemy and those he uses to try and steal, kill and destroy God's people! The victory is ours when the battle is the Lord's! It is HIS when we give it up to Him and praise Him for the results that He has promised in His Word! Amen! Here is a very old song called "Hosanna, Hosannna" with lyrics following:

The victory is mine

When the battle is the Lord’s

Hosanna, Hosanna

No enemy can stand

When His praise goes forth

Hosanna, Hosanna

When fear and doubt

Surround you all about

And the enemy’s camp is near

Say that Jesus in me

Is greater than he

Who lives in the world

Hosanna, He has won the victory

Hosanna, over all His enemies

Hosanna, we lift our hands in praise

Hosanna, we will conquer in His name

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Jeremiah 33:2-3 is a direct invitation from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible to YOU!

² Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it--the Lord is His name: ³ Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).

Remember, God is NOT a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19)! If He said it, He WILL do it! Amen! Now, all that it left to do is for YOU to call out to Him! Make it YOUR determined purpose to KNOW Him (Philippians 3:10 AMP), call out TO Him and He WILL reveal himself to you! Then DO whatever He shows you and tells you to do! you will NEVER be the same! GUARANTEED! Here is Hillsong with "To Know Your More":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In Psalm 147:1 we are instructed to praise the Lord and verse 2 tells us why!

¹ PRAISE THE Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God, for He is gracious and lovely; praise is becoming and appropriate. ² The Lord is building up Jerusalem; He is gathering together the exiles of Israel.

Since 1948 the Lord has been bringing the Jewish people back to their God-given land from every part of the world! They continue to arrive yet today! Hallelujah! I LOVE watching the Word of God be fulfilled right before our eyes! Verses 11-12 give more reasons for praising Him and instructs Israel to do the same!

¹¹ The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness. ¹² Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

God's people, who are called by his Name, both the Church of Jesus Christ and the Jewish people, have a multitude of reasons to praise Him! The Church is addressed specifically in Revelation as he speaks to the seven churches.  Revelation 3:15-17 address a church that had grown fat, lazy and cold toward the things of God and His Word. 

¹⁵ I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! ¹⁷ For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

If you find yourself in a church such as this, check yourself first of all to see that YOU are doing YOUR part! Then begin to pray and intercede for that church in the Spirit and according to the Word of God. Pray the Ephesians (1:17-21 and 3:16-21) and Colossians (1:9-14) prayers for the members and leadership. As you are doing this continue to listen to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit as He directs you to either stay or move on to a church that is on fire for the things of God and fully involved in fulfilling HIS plan and purpose! I invite you to check out our website through the link at the left and to visit us if you are in our area! We are, most definitely, a "Church On Fire" (Hillsong):

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Today I am going to post ALL of Psalm 146 because it is SO good!

 ¹ PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise the Lord, O my soul! ² While I live will I praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have any being. ³ Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help. ⁴ When his breath leaves him, he returns to his earth; in that very day his [previous] thoughts, plans, and purposes perish. ⁵ Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of [special revelation to] Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, ⁶ Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, Who keeps truth and is faithful forever, ⁷ Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets free the prisoners, ⁸ The Lord opens the eyes of the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright in heart and in right standing with Him). ⁹ The Lord protects and preserves the strangers and temporary residents, He upholds the fatherless and the widow and sets them upright, but the way of the wicked He makes crooked (turns upside down and brings to ruin).  ¹⁰ The Lord shall reign forever, even Your God, O Zion, from generation to generation. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

The time to praise the Lord for all of the wonderful things He has done is right now, and right here on earth! And while you're at it, remember this: As a born again believer in Jesus of Nazareth, you have the "breath" of God in you! HIS breath contains His spiritual DNA! It is everything that causes God to BE God, in you! Don't take this lightly! Meditate on these Truths until they simply explode on the inside of you! THEN go about your Father's business, "breathing" His Word, His Life and His Light on everyone you meet! Some will receive and others will not, but YOU will have done your part! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Everything That Has Breath":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Were YOU a "DOER" of God's Word today? Did you "DO" Psalm 145:1-2?

¹ I WILL extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever [with grateful, affectionate praise]. ² Every day [with its new reasons] will I bless You [affectionately and gratefully praise You]; yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Do you realize that there is never an excuse to NOT do this Word? Whether things of this life appear to be good or not good, HE is still the same (Hebrews 13:8)! God is GOOD, ALL THE TIME! When it looks like things are not good, we must find where WE are missing it so that we can get back in position to receive the goodness of God! Psalm 145:19 says this:

 ¹⁹ He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.

"Save" here is the Hebrew word "yasha", which means: to save, deliver, give victory, help, be safe, preserve. So have reverence and awe in His presence and give glory to His Name for He IS GOOD! Amen! Here is Hillsong and Alvin Slaughter with "God Is Good":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 144:15 says this:

¹⁵ Happy and blessed are the people who are in such a case; yes, happy (blessed, fortunate, prosperous, to be envied) are the people whose God is the Lord!

What "god" do YOU serve? There are many people who THINK that they are serving the Lord when they are actually serving themselves or other people, places, things or events! How can we tell? Matthew 6:21 is a great gauge! 

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I have heard that going through your checkbook will show you very quickly where your affection lies! Try it for yourself and see what you find! You just may be surprised! THEN, make a quality decision to put HIM, (the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible) first place in your heart and life. You will NEVER regret THAT decision! You just may find yourself on the receiving end of some of the "many other things" spoken of in John 21:25:

   ²⁵ And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written.

Amen! Here is a song that should motivate you to put every area of your life in HIS very capable hands! Hillsong's "I Surrender":

Shalom in Him!

Have a wonderful and most-blessed Thanksgiving! 

Shalom,

With all that has been happening in this nation and world this year, it is more important than ever to remember that, as born again believers, we ARE, of ALL people, MOST BLESSED! Jeremiah 17:7:

7 [Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. AMP

Have a wonderful and abundantly blessed Thanksgiving Day! Here is Hillsong with "Hope Of The World":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

John 19:1-3 reveals just a small part of what Jesus of Nazareth went through to pay the price for OUR salvation. For eternity AND for this life!

 ¹ SO THEN Pilate took Jesus and scourged (flogged, whipped) Him.  ² And the soldiers, having twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple cloak around Him. ³ And they kept coming to Him and saying, Hail, King of the Jews! [Good health to you! Peace to you! Long life to you, King of the Jews!] And they struck Him with the palms of their hands

Here is a picture that shows the thorns that were most likely used:

I would say that every one of us has MUCH to be thankful for! Here is Hillsong with "This Is Our God":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I find that I pray Psalm 141:3 often, especially as I begin to minister the Word of God:

 ³ Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

I desire to speak ONLY what would be pleasing to God and beneficial to those hearing me speak! Another time to be especially watchful over our words is when we are praying for something promised in the Word of God! Make sure that you KNOW what the Word promises concerning any need that you have, then, after you have prayed according to the Word (1 John 5:14-15) then never let your words be contrary to what you have just prayed! Then we can say, with the psalmist, verse 2:

 ² Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Here, to go along with that verse, is Hillsong with "Like Incense/Sometimes By Step":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I know that it is early, but I LOVE this new Christmas song by Hillsong! I am spending time with my grandchildren, so this is what I am sharing with you today! Glory to God, "We HAVE a Savior"! Are YOU thankful for HIM? Amen! Lyrics follow:

A child has been given, 
The King of our freedom
Sing for the light has come
This is Christmas

Come and adore Him
And bring gifts before Him
Joy to the world
Worship the Son
This is Christmas
[ Lyrics from: h.html ]
Chorus:
Jesus, Emmanuel here with us
Tell all the world
We have a Saviour
We have a Savior
We are no longer lost
'Cause He has come down for us
We have a Saviour
We have a Savior

Sing with angels
And lift up your voices
Join in the song of hope
This is Christmas

Bridge:
His love will reign forever
His love will reign forever
His love will reign forever 

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Great Service today! In our Bible Reading Plan we read John 16 today. I LOVE this in verse 13:

 ¹³ But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

There is absolutely no excuse for born again believers to be ignorant of the Word of God! HE, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, lives IN us! When we receive the INFILLING of the Holy Spirit, He is able to teach us the deep things of God! Stay filled with the Spirit and feasting daily on His Word and YOU will build layer upon layer of knowledge and understanding of the Word so that you can receive and act on WISDOM! Amen! Then He leaves us with THIS promise from verse 33:

   ³³ I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]

Develop the desire to spend time in His presence and YOU will be changed, from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)! Here is Hillsong Live with "I Desire Jesus":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 138:3 is a very powerful statement! If you will meditate on this until it becomes REAL to you, you will never fear a situation again! Here is the verse in a few translations: 

3 In the day when I cried thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. KJV

3 In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength (might and inflexibility to temptation) in my inner self. AMP

3 As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. New Living Translation 

3 The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. THE MESSAGE
                                                                                  
Come before Him confessing what the Word of God has to say about your situation and KNOW that He then hears you! IF He hears you, you KNOW that you HAVE it (1 John 5:14-15)! HE listens! HE is waiting for YOU to "call"! NOW, remind yourself of Psalm 138:8 and be encouraged! 

⁸The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever--forsake not the works of Your own hands. AMP

Here is Hillsong United with "You Are More":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

THIS is our instruction for living in these last days. You know, the kind that try men's souls! Look at John 14:1:

¹ DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.

WE have a choice in the matter! Choose to believe God's Word by acting on it and refuse to be troubled! This is the Greek word "tarassoo", which means: to cause one inward commotion; take away calmness of mind; disturb his equanimity; to disquiet; make restless. The only way to keep these things from taking over your emotions is to guard what you take in through your eyes and ears! If the news programs or papers trouble you - cut them out! If talking with friends troubles you, stay away! It is the individual responsibility of each born again believer to guard their heart (spirit/soul combination) with ALL diligence (Proverbs 4:23 AMP)! Remind yourself of what Jesus said in John 14:6:

⁶ Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

JESUS is the WAY to an eternity spent in heaven and the presence of Almighty God! JESUS is the WAY to prosperity and blessing in every area and realm of  life! Do YOU know THE WAY? Ask me! I'd love to speak with you about this!  In the meantime, here is Hillsong Live with "Love So High":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

Psalm 136 is a wonderful Thanksgiving Psalm! Verses 1-3  call on us to give HIM thanks and then verses 4-25 tell us why! Verse 26 reminds us again to give HIM thanks! Here are verses 1-3:

¹ O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. ² O give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. ³ O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever--

Read the rest of the Psalm to find out the many things He did for Israel and know that YOU have a better covenant with god than they did! Begin to be more thankful each day for all of the wonderful things that he has done for YOU! John 13:1 says this:

 ¹[NOW] BEFORE the Passover Feast began, Jesus knew (was fully aware) that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. And as He had loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and to the highest degree.

HIS love knows no end! He has loved you and will continue to love you, with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)! LOVE HIM BACK!!! Amen! Here is Hillsong Live with "Love Knows No End":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

I am meditating on two different things that I see in today's Bible Reading Plan. Psalm 135:1-3 says this:

 ¹ PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! ² You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, ³ Praise the Lord! For the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for He is gracious and lovely!

Do you know WHO is standing in the house of the Lord in this New Covenant that we, as born again believers, live in? Look at 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. AMP

So WHO stands in the house of God? YOU do, because you ARE the house of God! So PRAISE HIM! All day long, as often as you think of Him, give Him praise! It's not hard to do and doesn't take a long time, but it will totally change your life to spend every day in that frame of mind! AMEN! The next thing I am meditating on is found in Psalm 135:10-13:

 ¹⁰ Who smote nations many and great and slew mighty kings-- ¹¹ Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. ¹² [The Lord] gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel His people. ¹³ Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your fame, O Lord, throughout all ages.

Other nations and people once occupied the land that God gave to Israel. THIS is how God dealt with them! Why? Because they rejected God (Who had created them!) and the people He had chosen! The Israelites initially had asked to pass peacefully through their land, but they said NO! How did God respond? Verses 10-11 above tell what happened to those nations and kings that defied God. Verse 12 tells us that God took the land from them and gave it to Israel! This was almost a millennium before Islam was created by a man who decided to make a new religion that would also be a political entity and a cultural entity! They have NO historical claim to the nation and land of Israel! Don't be fooled by the lies simply because a majority of the world and the media are ignorant of the Truth! Stand with Israel and GOD will continue to see to YOUR blessing! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Praise Him":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In John 11 today we read about the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Look at verses 39-44:

 ³⁹ Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, But Lord, by this time he [is decaying and] throws off an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! ⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God? ⁴¹ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² Yes, I know You always hear and listen to Me, but I have said this on account of and for the benefit of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You did send Me [that You have made Me Your Messenger]. ⁴³ When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! ⁴⁴ And out walked the man who had been dead, his hands and feet wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] napkin bound around his face. Jesus said to them, Free him of the burial wrappings and let him go.

Notice that when Jesus came to raise Lazarus, there was not one person who expected this! Jesus had been close friends with Lazarus and his sisters. They knew Him and had listened intently to His teachings, especially Mary, but their faith was only to the level where they could believe that Jesus could have, and would have, healed Lazarus IF He would have made it in time! Jesus was showing them this so that they could learn to believe God's Word for every situation without wavering! NOW, take this example of Jesus doing the impossible with you when you pray for this nation! We do NOT have to "put up" with 4 more years of an evil administration! We KNOW that these election results are NOT God's will, but man's choice AND corruption! GOD has promised to hear our prayer for this nation and He has spoken through His prophets and ministers that HE is doing a mighty work right now in the earth and in this nation! Let's make sure that WE are on GOD'S side so that when His Glory is shown for all to see, WE will be in position to enjoy it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "His Glory Appears":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

If you will REALLY meditate on John 10:10, your life will NEVER be the same! Here it is from the Amplified Bible:

 ¹⁰ The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

What a clear picture of the stark differences between the right and wrong choice! We all have a choice to make! Please CHOOSE LIFE so that YOU can have Life, in abundance, to the full, till it overflows! Amen! Here is Hillsong Kids with "Better Than Life":

Better than the riches of this world
Better than the sound of my friend's voices
Better than the biggest dreams of my heart
And that's just the start

Better than getting what I say I need
Better than living the life that I want to
Better than the love anyone could give
Your love is

You hold me now in your arms
And never let me go

You oh lord make the sun shine
And the moon light in the night sky
You give me breath and all your love
I give my heart to you because

I can't stop falling in love with you
I'll never stop falling in love with you
I can't stop falling in love with you
I'll never stop falling in love with you

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In John 9:4-5 Jesus says this just before He healed the man born blind.

 ⁴ We must work the works of Him Who sent Me and be busy with His business while it is daylight; night is coming on, when no man can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the world's Light. AMP

Jesus said that "we" need to be busy with the business of God the Father! THEN He healed the man! What is the Father's business? We know from these verses that healing is part of that business! We 

18b  .... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. KJV

THAT is now OUR business! Amen! Then Jesus goes on to say that as long as HE was in the world, HE was the Light of the world! He is no longer IN the world, but seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven! Where's the Light now?  Look at Matthew 5:14:

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. AMP

YOU, as a born again believer in Jesus of Nazareth, ARE the Light now! So BE the Light! Verses 15-16 say this:

15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. AMP

As you and I shine HIS Light by sharing the Good News and obeying the Word of God, we bring glory to GOD and people to Jesus! HE is well pleased! Amen! Here is HillsongUnited with "Light Will Shine":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

In John 8 we see Jesus confronted by those who are continually questioning Him. When he told them the Truth, they didn't believe and continued to challenge Him. Look at verses 43-47:

   ⁴³ Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.] ⁴⁴ You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false. ⁴⁵ But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me [do not trust Me, do not rely on Me, or adhere to Me]. ⁴⁶ Who of you convicts Me of wrongdoing or finds Me guilty of sin? Then if I speak truth, why do you not believe Me [trust Me, rely on, and adhere to Me]?  ⁴⁷ Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.] This is the reason that you do not listen [to those words, to Me]: because you do not belong to God and are not of God or in harmony with Him.

Unbelievers CANNOT understand the Word of God because the Holy Spirit does not live in them (1 Corinthians 2:14) to teach them! The only thing that an unbeliever can understand is their need for a Savior and the simple Gospel of what Jesus did so that they can accept Him as Lord and Savior. Once they do that, then they have the Holy Spirit living in them to teach them the rest of God's Word! It takes time to grow in and understand the Word of God, but it is time very well-spent! Receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit will cause an even greater, and quicker, understanding of the Word! This is what Jesus has promised believers in verses 30-32:

    ³⁰ As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted, relied on, and adhered to Him].  ³¹ So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.  ³² And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

Want to be TRULY free? Then get into the Word of God and LIVE there! Amen! Here is a picture and a song from Hillsong called "Your Kingdom Come":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

When the brothers of Jesus, who did NOT yet believe in or trust Him, tried to get Jesus to go up to Jerusalem so that His message could be heard, He said this to them in John 7:6-7:

  ⁶ Whereupon Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here].  ⁷ The world cannot [be expected to] hate you, but it does hate Me because I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil.

I see two very important things to remember in these verses. First of all, Jesus said "but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is always here." WE, who have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Savior, MUST be buying up every opportunity to share the Good News of the Gospel with the lost! WE are the only Jesus they will ever see on this earth UNLESS they receive Him, too! Second, Jesus said "I denounce it for its wicked works and reveal that its doings are evil." Notice that He didn't say that He denounced individuals, but the world, or world system! In the Untied States of America we are now living among a totally ungodly and evil generation! They agree with or actively participate in the wanton murder of the unborn, the most innocent among us! They are trying to make it legal to "assist" an elderly person in taking their own life! When will it turn into taking their life because they are a nuisance to them? This world agrees with, supports and participates in some of the most degrading and deviant sexual behavior. They reject the Word of God that says that you must work in order to even eat! It is, in general, the  most insidiously selfish and self-centered generation to ever live in this land that God gave freedom to for the purpose of spreading the Gospel! What must we do? Continue to share the Good News, but we MUST speak up for godly principles! If WE don't, WHO will? If not NOW, then WHEN? After it's too late? Let's reach as many as we can, as fast as we can, with the great Good News, and REFUSE to accept or ignore evil! Pray! and Then GO, as the Spirit of God directs YOU! Amen! Here is Hillsong with "Running":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,

1 Corinthians 6:9-12 says this:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, 10 Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God. 11 And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean  and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God. 12 Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power. AMP

Many people use these Scriptures to condemn the people who do these things to an eternity in hell! That is NOT what this is saying! The key to what Paul is trying to get across to these born again believers in Corinth is that once a person is born again, by believing that Jesus of Nazareth died for their sin, and asking Him to be their Lord and personal Savior, they are no longer under the law. There are "free" to do any of these things, BUT, if they choose to continue in sin once they are born again, they will NOT be able to operate in the fullness of the Covenant! We need to realize, as Jesse Duplantis to accurately puts it: "The Kingdom of Heaven is a place, the Kingdom of God is a method." Sin has consequences in THIS life! The only sin that will keep someone out of Heaven when they leave this earth is the sin of rejecting Jesus! That is the ONLY sin NOT covered by the Blood of Jesus! Operating in known sin in this life will take us out from under the protection of God and the blessings of the Covenant now! All of the things listed above are still, and will always be, sin in the eyes of God! What is the answer then? REPENT! Change your thinking to agree with God! Confess that sin according to 1 John 1:9 and accept and receive His forgiveness AND the cleansing from ALL unrighteousness! Now, by the leading of the Holy Spirit within and by hiding the Word of God in your heart, STOP sinning and enjoy LIFE! John 10:10:

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP

AMEN! Here to encourage you is Hillsong Live with "Love Like Fire" with lyrics below:

I am desperate for Your touch 
a glimpse of heaven 
for the glory of Your Son.
In a moment You can
turn a life around
forever to be found in You.

I am reaching out to find
theres nothing greater than
Your love that holds my life.
Your grace and mercy that 
have saved me by Your blood, 
and swept away my shame Oh Lord.

Chorus
Your love is like fire 
that burns for all to see.
My only desire 
to worship at Your feet.
So let this fire
consume my life.
Let Your love take me deeper
pull me closer to where You are,
'cause all I want is more of You. 

and I'm surrender to Your love
forever humbled by the
message of the cross.
I stand abandoned in 
Your presence and Your embrace,
and I'll never be the same Oh God.

Chorus
Your love is like fire, 
that burns for all to see.
My only desire, 
to worship at Your feet.
So let this fire
consume my life.
Let Your love take me deeper,
pull me closer to where You are,
'cause all I want is more of You.

When You call I will follow.
At the cross I surrender all,
Jesus I belong to You.

I belong to You Lord

Your love is like fire, 
that burns for all to see.
My only desire, 
to worship at Your feet.

Your love is like fire, 
that burns for all to see.
My only desire, 
to worship at Your feet.

So let this fire
consume my life.
Let Your love take me deeper,
pull me closer to where You are,
'cause all I want is more of You.

When You call I will follow,
at the cross I surrender all,
Jesus I belong to You.

Let Your love take me deeper,
pull me closer to where You are,
cause all I want is more of You

When You call I will follow,
at the cross I surrender all,
Jesus I belong to You.

Shalom in Him!