Shalom,

Proverbs 17:1:

1 BETTER IS a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting [on offered sacrifices] with strife.

Remember that when a sacrifice was made to the LORD, it had to be the best of whatever was being offered. So this meal they are speaking of here would be a meal of some of the choicest food! The best and tenderest meat. But if there is "strife", the Hebrew word, "rib", which means: strife, quarrel, dispute, struggle, contention, bitter conflict, discord, tension, dissension, then you are better off fasting! OR eating a piece of dry bread! Even the secular world is discovering that strife and tension can cause many physical problems, as well as mental and emotional problems. We are told to avoid those things that would lead to strife (2 Timothy 2:23 and Titus 3:9). Verse 7 explains why we have a problem listening to some of the ungodly politicians that have arrived on the scene!

7 Fine and arrogant speech does not befit [an empty-headed] fool -- much less do lying lips befit a prince. 

We are supposed to be able to respect those in authority, so they should be people that speak the TRUTH, ALWAYS! And we SHOULD be able to hear them speak for themselves so that we get a clear picture of who they really are. I don't think that tele-prompters fit very well in that scenario, do you?

As we go into the Epistles again, remember that they are letters to US! Letters to born-again, spirit-filled believers in Jesus of Nazareth. In them we learn how to walk successfully in this New Covenant we have through the Blood of Jesus! Paul speaks of this in Galatians 1:1-5:

1 PAUL, AN apostle -- [special messenger appointed and commissioned and sent out] not from [any body of] men nor by or through any man, but by and through Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and God the Father, Who raised Him from among the dead -- 2 And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and [soul] peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) 4 Who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father -- 5 To Him [be ascribed all] the glory through all the ages and the eternities of the eternities! Amen (so be it).

God purposed it, He planned it, and then He set it in motion! Jesus gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for OUR sin to pay the eternal price so that we don't have to! By the blood of Jesus WE have entered into an eternal Covenant with God that cannot be broken - EVER! AMEN! As you continue to study in the Epistles, remember to make note of everything that is said about who YOU are BECAUSE you belong to HIM! And remember, God's Word IS Truth!

Ezra 5:1-2:

1 NOW THE prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son [grandson] of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the Name of the God of Israel, Whose [Spirit] was upon them. 2 Then rose up Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel [heir to the throne of Judah] and Jeshua son of Jozadak and began to build the house of God in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God [Haggai and Zechariah], helping them.

The Israelites were forced to stop the work by order of king Artaxerxes. After some years they were building there own houses and NOT rebuilding the Temple that God had instructed them to build. King Darius again gave the order to rebuild and the prophets spoke the Word of the LORD to the people to get back to work! God used His Word to create the world and all that is in it! He spoke His Word through His servant every time He wanted something done! "Any work of God that is not built on the Word of God will not prosper"  "If we want to know the power of God, we must also know the Word of God (Matthew 22:29)(Bible Exposition Commentary). 

KNOW the Word of God, then DO the Word of God! We will only ever be truly happy and blessed in THIS life when we do! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 16:3:


3 Roll your works upon the LORD [commit and trust them wholly to Him; he will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.


The example of rolling our works on the LORD is as when a weaker person will roll a heavy load over onto the shoulders of a stronger person, one who is more able to carry it! "Works" is the Hebrew word "ma`aseh", which means: a deed, a work, an act, a labor, a business, a pursuit, an undertaking, an enterprise. When we roll them over on the LORD, trusting in HIM, then our "thoughts", the Hebrew word "machashabah", which means: a thought, a device, a plan, a purpose, an invention, "shall be established" is the Hebrew word "kuhn", which means: to be firm, to be stable, to be established, to be fixed, to be securely determined, to be directed aright, to be steadfast, to be prepared, to be settled, to be arranged, to make firm, to make ready, to provide for, to furnish, to be restored, to accomplish, to succeed. God WANTS us to succeed, ALWAYS! He prepares the way for us and then instructs us in the areas we need to adjust in order to BE successful! HE'S on OUR side! Are WE on HIS??Verse 9:


9 A man's mind plan's his way, but the LORD directs his steps and makes them sure.


A man's (female man or male man) mind (soul - mind, emotions and will) "plans", the Hebrew word "chashab", which means: to think, to plan, to esteem, to calculate, to invent, to imagine, to make a judgment, to devise, to reckon, to regard, to consider, his way, but it is the LORD who "directs", the Hebrew word, "kuwn" seen above, his steps. We make the plans, after spending time in the Word of God and in praise, prayer and fellowship with HIM. Then He will direct the moment by moment details. Don't keep yourself awake at night trying to figure out every detail of your endeavors. Trust that when you make a decision to move forward, HE knows exactly what is necessary to happen and WILL direct you, by His Spirit within you, in the most blessed and prosperous way possible for you! Your most important role is to stay in tune and instantly obey! Blessings await! GO FORTH! 


Revelation 22 gives us a picture of the inside of the Heavenly City! My favorite thing is found in verse 3:


3 There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him ad do Him holy service].


Only the clean and pure and beautiful and delightful and fragrant and lovely and vibrant and lively and thrilling and amazing and awesome and .......! You get the picture! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:



What will we do in heaven for all eternity? Certainly, we shall praise the Lord, but we shall also serve Him. "His servants shall serve Him" (Rev 22:3) is a great encouragement to us, for in heaven our service will be perfect. As we seek to serve the Lord here on earth, we are constantly handicapped by sin and weakness; but all hindrances will be gone when we get to glory. Perfect service in a perfect environment!
What will this service be? We are not told, nor do we need to know now. It is sufficient that we know what God wants us to do today. Our faithfulness in life prepares us for higher service in heaven. In fact, some students think that we shall have access to the vast universe and perhaps be sent on special missions to other places. But it is useless to speculate, because God has not seen fit to fill in the details.
Not only shall we be servants in heaven, but we shall also be kings. We shall reign forever and ever! This speaks of sharing Christ's authority in glory. As believers, we are seated in Christ in the heavenlies today (Eph 2:1-10); but in the eternal state, we shall reign as kings over the new heavens and earth. What an honor! What grace!

They explain it very well! We don't know YET what we will do or what life will be like, but we Do know that it will be SO MUCH BETTER than this life! AMEN!


And then verses 20-21:


20 He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, LORD Jesus! 21 The grace (blessing and favor) of the LORD Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with all the saints (God's holy people, those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!


AMEN! And remember that the swiftly and speedily part comes AFTER these things begin to come to pass! The early Church were looking for these things to happen in their lifetimes, but none of the prophesies had yet been fulfilled! WE are living in the time of the end because ALMOST all of the prophecies have already been fulfilled, and the rest could happen in a very short time! Be ready! AND, be about our Father's business! AMEN!


Zechariah 13-14 continue speaking of the end times. We see the phrase "in that day" ten times in these two chapters. "That day" refers to the "the Day of the LORD", the day of God's wrath and judgment that the prophets wrote about (Joel 3:9-16; Zephaniah 1:1), and that was described by Jesus (Matthew 24:4-31) and John (Revelation 6-19). My favorite verse in these two chapters? Zechariah 14:9:


9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth; in that day the LORD shall be one [in the recognition and worship of men] and His Name One.


THAT will be the day that the entire world and all of God's creation will know, understand and realize that Jesus Christ IS GOD and KING and SAVIOUR and LORD! AMEN! HALLELUJAH!


Soon and very soon! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs15:15:


15 All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].


God designed life to operate in circles! We sow good seeds, in good soil, then we reap a great harvest so that we have enough for every need, extra for blessings and then seed to sow again! In the verse above we see that the afflicted are suffering. Their thoughts are filled with anxiety and fear, which causes their words to be fear-filled words. This results in more affliction and bondage. Then they speak that ...... Do you see how that happens? All of life is like that! Make sure that YOU are meditating on what God's Word says and NOT doubt, fear and unbelief! Then you will have a glad heart and enjoy a continual feast of good and godly results! AMEN!


Revelation 21:1-3:


1 THEN I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a mighty voice from the throne and I perceived its distinct words, saying, See! The abode of God is with men, and He will live (encamp, tent) among them; and they shall be His people, and God shall personally be with them and be their God.


What a spectacular future! God has a plan for the earth and the people on it! It is NOT to try to preserve THIS earth! He will totally replace this earth with a brand new one! Hallelujah! The people left on the earth after the Tribulation will have Jesus Himself as their King! Do you think HE will selfish motives, bad morals, questionable affiliations or secret, deceitful agendas? NO! He is the Righteous One and He will rule and reign in total RIGHTEOUSNESS! AMEN! HE will be a leader that everyone can trust and submit to without question! And WE will rule and reign WITH HIM forever! AMEN! Thank You, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!


Zechariah 11-12 show more of the message God gave to Zechariah. We see the people giving wages to Zechariah, the same that the priests gave to Judas for betraying Jesus! Verses 12-13:


12 And I said to them, If it seems just and right to you, give me my wages; but if not, withhold them. So they weighed out for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, Cast it to the potter -- the munificently [miserable] sum at which I [and My shepherd] am priced by them! And I [Zechariah] took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.


The people rejected Zechariah the same way the religious leaders would reject Jesus later! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:

Because Israel rejected their true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, they will one day blindly accept and obey the false shepherd (Antichrist) who will lead them astray. Those who reject the light inevitably accept the darkness. "I have come in My Father's name," said Jesus, "and you do not receive Me: if another comes in his own name, him you will receive" (John 5:43, NKJV).


That God's chosen people, who possess the inspired Scriptures, should reject Him who is "the truth" (John 14:6) and came from the Father, and follow one who is a liar and is energized by Satan, is incredible to comprehend, but it will happen just as the Scripture says. However, the Lord will judge this false shepherd by breaking his power (his right arm) and confusing his mind (right eye), and then Messiah will come from heaven and confine him to the lake of fire for a thousand years (Rev 19:11-21).



We, believers in Jesus of Nazareth, will NOT be on the earth at the time that the antichrist is revealed. WE will be in Heaven with our wonderful Lord and Saviour! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 14:26-27:


26 In the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge. 27 Reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.


We have already learned in Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10, that the "fear of the LORD" is the beginning of Wisdom! Wisdom in our lives has its start in our walking in the fear of the LORD! So what exactly IS the fear of the LORD? It is the Hebrew word, "yare'", which means:  standing in awe, reverence, respect, reverence whereby an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders them proper respect. We can only stand in awe and reverence of the LORD when we KNOW Him! The more that we know Who HE is, the more that we will honor, respect, and worship Him! When we learn who we are, IN HIM, then we will have no problem walking and operating in the necessary faith to have STRONG confidence in the Word. Not only do we, as God's children, have a place of protection, provision, safety and refuge, but we have the "fountain", spring or source of life and vitality rising up inside of us, so that we can be led by the Spirit of God and be able to avoid all of the snares and traps the enemy has planned for us! Verse 34:


34 Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.


The United States of America flourished more than any other nation, ever, WHEN we made God's Word our source for law and order! The wicked, driven by the god of this world (satan) have been trying to do away with anything that even hints of the Bible! Why? Because satan STILL thinks that he can defeat the One true, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! He will keep trying until his last day on earth! But it doesn't require a whole nation to walk in righteousness, just those who are called by His Name! AMEN!


Revelation 20:1-2:


1  THEN I saw an angel descending from heaven; he was holding the key of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and a great chain was in his hand. 2 And he gripped and overpowered the dragon, that old serpent [of primeval times], who is the devil and satan, and [securely] bound him for a thousand years. 3 Then her hurled him into the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and closed it and sealed it above him, so that he should no longer lead astray and deceive and seduce the nations until the thousand years were at an end. After that he must be liberated for a short time.


Don't you just LOVE it! Are you eagerly awaiting THAT day? The Millennial reign of Jesus of Nazareth as King over all the earth will begin! True peace, no devil, no enemy, no sin! Hallelujah! It is hard to believe that after living under the Righteous Reign of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, that anyone will even WANT to follow satan after he is released "for a short time". Some will still choose to follow him to utter destruction (verses 7-9)! OUR verse is verse 6:


6 Blessed (happy, to be envied) and holy (spiritually whole, of unimpaired innocence and proved virtue) is the person who takes part (shares) in the first resurrection! Over them the second death exerts no power or authority, but they shall be ministers of God and of Christ (the Messiah), and they shall rule along with Him a thousand years.


Make sure that you are sharing the Good News of the Gospel with as many people as possible so they, too, can share in the first resurrection and know this joy-filled, love-filled- faith-filled life we know on earth right now! AMEN!


Zechariah 9-10 begin with the prophecy of the destruction of Tyre, which was fulfilled during the reign of Alexander the Great and has never been rebuilt! God's Word is TRUTH! If  he said it, it IS so! We can count on it! Zechariah 9:9 is another prophecy spoken by Zechariah that has already come to pass! We LOVE this one!


9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King come to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just and having salvation [triumphant and victorious], patient, meek, lowly, and riding on a donkey, upon a colt, the foal of a donkey.


THAT is our JESUS! Do you realize that God planned for our salvation from sin BEFORE man was created? See 1 Peter 1:20 and Revelation 13:8. God was not taken by surprise when Adam sinned and had to quickly come up with a "Plan B". It was in His Divine plan from before the creation of the world! God wanted to create beings that were ABLE to sin, so that we would love Him by choice and not like robots! When we receive Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, we receive the Spirit of god to live IN us! We are in a better position even than Adam was in the Garden! Hallelujah! Glory to God for His great Wisdom and Divine favor! AMEN!


Zechariah 10 tells of the time when God will bring the people of Israel back to the land that he had promised them. That is happening right now, as we live! Verse 12: 


12 And I will strengthen [Israel] in the LORD, and they shall walk up and down and glory in His Name, says the LORD.


God will NEVER forsake the nation of Israel or His people! Neither can we, if we want to be pleasing to Him and continue to live and walk in His favor! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 13:13-14:


13 Whoever despises the Word and counsel [Of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] is rewarded. 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.


How do you tell if someone despises the Word? This is the Hebrew word "buwz", which means: to despise, to disrespect, to hold in contempt, to hold as insignificant. "Destruction" is the Hebrew word, "chabal", which means to bind, to destroy, to pervert, to writhe in pain. Someone despising the Word of God will be in pain in some form or other in their life. They will also be bound and held captive by situations and circumstances. Do YOU see people in bondage? They MOST LIKELY are guilty of despising the Word of God on some occasion! You can be a believer in Jesus of Nazareth and still despise the Word of God. Remember that one of the definitions is to hold as insignificant! Someone who totally ignores the Word of God may not realize what they are actually doing! What do they need to do? The unbeliever needs to get born again by the Spirit of God. The believer needs to understand verse 14 and get themselves into the Word of God! We are to feed on the Word MORE than we feed on natural food (Job 23:12)!  Two other verses that go right along with that are found in verses 16 and 18:


16 Every prudent man deals with knowledge, but a [self-confident] fool exposes and flaunts his folly.


18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.


Knowledge comes from study and mediation of the Word of God, and He uses His Word to instruct and correct us! Do you see it? It is the Word, the Word, the Word!!! Go after knowledge of the Word with everything within you! Hidden within the Word of God is EVERYTHING you will ever need to be completely successful IN THIS LIFE! AMEN!


I feel that Revelation 19:10 is one of the most important verses:


10 Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours].


The single, most important TRUTH we should know is "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2)! We need to KNOW Him! Make Philippians 3:10 YOUR prayer and most fervent desire! 


Zechariah 7:2-6:


2 Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to pray and entreat the favor of the LORD 3 And to speak to the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and to the prophets, saying, [Now that I am returned from exile] should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself as I have done these so many years [in Babylon]? 4 Then came the word of the LORD of hosts to me [Zechariah], saying, 5 Speak to all the people of the land and to the priests, saying, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventy months, even those seventy years you were in exile, was it for Me that you fasted, for Me? 6 And when you ate and when you drank, did not you eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves?


One of the things I have discovered, as a believer in Jesus of Nazareth, is that God HATES religion! He does NOT want man to live by a set of rules and regulations to try to please Him or to get Him to do what WE want Him to do! He wants us to obey His Word so that He can continue to bless us and provide for our every need (Philippians 4:19) and fulfill the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4)! He goes on to answer them in Zechariah 8:19:


19 Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah times of joy and gladness and cheerful, appointed seasons; therefore [in order that this may happen to you, as the condition of fulfilling the promise] love truth and peace.


God's desire is that we cheerfully and joyfully celebrate HIM and every GOOD THING that He has done for us! WHATEVER season YOU celebrate, do it BECAUSE of Who He is and what HE has done in and for and through you! Love Him AND His Word. They CANNOT be separated! LOVE the Word, which IS Truth (John 17:17)! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


There are two verses in Proverbs 12 that I want to look at today! The first is verse 13:


13 The wicked is [dangerously] snared by the transgression of his lips, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall come out of trouble.


The word for "lips"  here is the Hebrew word "saphah", which means: lip, language, speech. The wicked are trapped by their own words, which are usually contrary to God's Word!  But the promise to the righteous is that they shall ALWAYS come OUT of trouble! There will always be a way out for those who stand strong on God's Word, including using 1 John 1:9 to confess when we DO miss it and receive the forgiveness and cleansing from that sin and ALL unrighteousness! Thank You, LORD Jesus!  Then verse 21:


21 No [actual] evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity.


It may LOOK like evil is happening when we are hit with various tests and trials, but remember that God has given the answer for every problem we will EVER be faced with ! Stand on His Word and you WILL see HIS results, no matter WHAT things look like! The things that LOOK like evil and calamity just present an opportunity to speak God's Word into those situations and see God's results! AMEN! But as for the wicked, those without Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour, they shall be "filled", the Hebrew word "mala`", which means: to be full, an abundance, overflow, to be filled up, to the full extent, with evil, misfortune and calamity! We don't need definitions to understand what those three words mean, and we DON'T want them! Thank You, Jesus, for YOUR righteousness that put US in right standing! GLORY TO GOD! 


Revelation 18:1-2:


1 THEN I saw another angel descending from heaven, possessing great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his radiance and splendor (KJV). 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become a habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (AMP).


The double "is fallen" is not a mistake or a typo. The world system is really a dual system. The enemy, who was handed authority of the world system by Adam, has set up a double system in the earth that is controlled in the spiritual realm by the devil and his demons and in the natural realm by wicked and ungodly leaders and rulers who are led and directed by the god of this world, satan. Notice the little "g". Although he would like to think of himself as such, the devil will NEVER be God, or even like HIM! He has been defeated by Jesus and has no authority over anyone who has given their life to Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal Saviour! He, for now, has a legal right to exist on the earth, but not much longer!  So this verse is most likely speaking of the fall of the demonic influence AND the natural city with its human rulers! What is the future of both? IT IS FALLEN!  Verse 4:


4 I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues.


God requires us to separate ourselves from the world's way of doing things! We are to spend our time with like-minded believers so that we can remain strong in faith and walk in HIS authority, for our own lives and to set others free, too! 


In Zechariah 4-6 we see more of the 8 visions that he received from the LORD. In the first one here, Zechariah sees a lampstand with 7 lamps and a bowl on top for the oil. There were also 2 olive trees beside it feeding oil to the lamps so that they would not go out. The 2 olive trees represented Joshua, the priest, and Zerubbabel, the governor. What it also represented is shown in verse 6:


6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the Word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 


We can attempt to do the work of God in one of three ways:

• We can trust our own strength and wisdom.
• We can trust the resources of the world.
• We can depend on the power of Almighty God!

I KNOW which I will choose! The ONLY really effective choice! The first two may APPEAR to succeed, at first, but in the end, it is only the power of Almighty God that will have a lasting victory and success! Then in Zechariah 6 we see this in verses 11-13:

11 Yes, take from them silver and gold, and make crowns and set (one) upon the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, 12 And say to him, Thus says the LORD of hosts: [You, Joshua] behold (look at, keep in sight, watch) the Man [the Messiah] whose Name is the branch, for he shall grow up in His place and he shall build the [true] temple of the LORD. 13 Yes, [you are building a temple of the LORD, but] it is He Who shall build the [true] temple of the LORD, and He shall bear the honor and glory [as of the only begotten of the Father] and shall sit and rule upon His throne. And He shall be a Priest upon His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between the two [offices -- Priest and King].

Yeshua (Jesus)! Jesus is our High Priest and He IS the King of all kings! AMEN! He will rule and reign as such during the Millennium following the Tribulation. THEN there will be true peace on earth - and NOT before! Come quickly, LORD JESUS! AMEN!

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 11:1:


1 A FALSE balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.


"Abomination" is the Hebrew word "tow`ebah", which means: something disgusting, an abhorrence. These unjust dealings are an abomination to the LORD because they are contrary to His nature! We are supposed to be His hands, and feet, and mouth on the earth! We should be representing Who He is in every area of our lives because WE are the only Jesus some people will ever see! Verse 11:


11 By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God's favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.


When our nation was on the path of righteousness that the founding fathers set us on, we were SO blessed! We WERE the most powerful nation on earth at one time! We were blessed and prospering in every area! Slowly the nation began to move away from Word of God and the influence of godly men and women. With the move ahead from radio to television, to cell phones, to the internet, people thinking and speaking contrary to the Word of God AND of History has grown to the point where we no longer even resemble a Christian nation! NOT the Christianity of the Bible! With that "mouth of the wicked" having such a bold place in our society, you can see the very real danger of our nation being "overthrown", the Hebrew word "harac", which means: to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy, beat down, pull down, ruin. The ONE thing that this nation has going for it is the number "His people" that there are here! Remember THIS promise in 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.


The promise isn't that if ALL the people of the nation would do this, just HIS people! I still firmly believe that if WE do what WE know to do, God will again bless this land, for OUR sakes, right up until the Rapture! Let's look away from all that the world is doing and saying and look back again to God and His Word! Be doers of the Word of God and ALLOW Him to bless us again! AMEN!


Revelation 17 speaks of the great harlot. This "woman" is responsible for many of the false religions that exist in the earth today! During the Tribulation the beast will use the false religion to influence people to do his will. I found this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:

Throughout history, political systems have "used" religious bodies to further their political causes. At the same time, church history reveals that religious groups have used politics to achieve their purposes. The marriage of church and state is not a happy one, and has often spawned children that have created serious problems. When dictators are friendly with religion, it is usually a sign that they want to make use of religion's influence and then destroy it. The church of Jesus Christ has been most influential in the world when it has maintained a separated position.

We KNOW that separation of church and state, as it is written in the U.S. Constitution, is there for the protection of the Church FROM the State and NOT to keep believers and ministers from taking part in the political process. But there IS something to be said for separating ourselves from the world system and its way of thinking! The more we focus on God's Word, by the Holy Spirit within us, the more influence we will have ON the world! 


We begin in Zechariah today. Zechariah was young man when God called him to minister to the Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon and were to be rebuilding the Temple. Haggai had already delivered two messages to the people and it is at this time that Zechariah joins him. God spoke to Zechariah in a series of 8 night visions. We read of the first of these in these 3 chapters and the rest later on. We will just look at a few highlights of these. Zechariah 1:14:


14 So the angel who talked with me said to me, Cry out, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.


Jerusalem belongs to GOD! HE made His earthly home there when the Temple was first built and He has NEVER relinquished His ownership! he allowed the city to be overrun for His purposes and intents, but NOW, in our time, He has called His people back and the nations who resist and come against the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem are putting themselves in a very dangerous position! No nation that has ever come against Israel has ever done well afterwards! Here are two different portions of Scripture that give instruction in how to pray for and treat the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah 62:6-7:


6 I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night; you who [are his servants and by your prayers] put the LORD in remembrance [of His promises], keep not silence, 7 And give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes her a praise in the earth.


And Psalm 122:6:


6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love you [the Holy city]!


As you continue to read in Zechariah, allow the Holy Spirit to show you what YOUR attitude and actions should be toward this nation and city. We DO have a part to play, that's why we're here! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 10:1:


1 THE PROVERBS of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.


The first group of Proverbs had a more flowing style to them. These are more short and to the point! They are usually comparing two opposites and the results of each. Verse 1, above, sometimes makes me laugh!  I have often heard parents making comments to each other concerning their children. If they are doing something good, they both want to claim ownership! BUT, if they have done something questionable, embarrassing or wrong, they all of a sudden become, "YOUR son, or YOUR daughter"! It is human nature to want to take credit for the good and to place blame on someone else for the not so good! The Truth here, though, is that when our children are "wise", the Hebrew word "chakam", which means: wise, skillful, shrewd, learned, prudent, practical, intelligent, artful, we are all pleased and proud! When they are "foolish", the Hebrew word "keciyl", which means: stupid, silly, a dullard, a simpleton, an arrogant one, then no one wants to take credit for it! We have to realize that children will grow up and come to a point when they have to make their own decisions and choices. They will inevitably fail at some point. WE did! What parents need to focus on is found in Proverbs 22:6:


6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.


WE do OUR part and then trust God to do HIS! HE WILL! AMEN! And I have to again share verse 17, because it is so powerful!


17 He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.


Walking in wisdom is one of the most unselfish things you can do, because it will affect every person you come in contact with! 


Revelation 16 shows the results of the "bowl" judgments upon the earth. Everything that was done with some moderation in the first half of this 7 year period, is now done completely! I saw this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:



Heaven gives justification for this terrible judgment: the earth-dwellers have shed the blood of God's people, so it is only right that they should drink blood. In God's government, the punishment fits the crime. Pharaoh tried to drown the Jewish boy babies, but it was his own army that eventually drowned in the Red Sea. Haman planned to hang Mordecai on the gallows and to exterminate the Jews; but he himself was hanged on the gallows, and his family was exterminated (Est 7:10; 9:10). King Saul refused to obey God and slay the Amalekites, so he was slain by an Amalekite (2 Sam 1:1-16). 



God's Word is TRUTH! If He says something is going to happen, it most definitely WILL happen, and it will happen just as He said it would! AMEN! WE are SO blessed to NOT be a part of the people living on the earth at this time! GLORY TO GOD!


Haggai 1-2 begins with the Israelites, who had been bullied into stopping the rebuilding of the Temple, building their own homes while the House of God was left undone. When asked about it, the people would say it wasn't yet time to rebuild! This was AFTER they were sent by Cyrus with instructions to rebuild and with all that was necessary to get it done! They were afraid, so they were making excuses!  I recently saw two good quotes on excuses! Billy Sunday once called and excuse "the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie"; and Benjamin Franklin said, "I never knew a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else." Do YOU make excuses for NOT doing the will of God for your life? When God tells us to do something, it is because He trusts us to do it, AND because He WANTS to bless us for our obedience! 


After Haggai delivered the message to the people that they were not being blessed in any area BECAUSE of their disobedience, they repented and began, again, to rebuild the Temple! 


Haggai 2:7-9:


7 And I will shake all nations and the desire and the precious things of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine, says the LORD of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts, and in this place will i give peace and prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.


The first glory of this house is when Jesus of Nazareth came to earth! The latter glory will come when He reigns as King in Jerusalem for a thousand years! THAT is the first time there will be real peace on earth! AMEN! Come quickly, LORD JESUS!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 9:7-9:


7 He who rebukes a scorner heaps upon himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man gets for himself bruises. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man (one upright and in right standing with God) and he will increase in learning.


There are very many good reasons why God said to be "swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath" (James 1:19) and I believe that this could be one of them! Don't be so quick to unload everything you've got on someone to try and get them to see the Word of God. Don't get angry or impatient or unkind! If someone does not want to hear the Word of God, then find someone who DOES and leave the other to the LORD! 1 Corinthians 14:38 says that if someone chooses ignorance, then we are to let them be ignorant! You cannot change a person's mind, they have to want to change it!


Revelation 15:1:


1 THEN I saw another wonder (sign, token, symbol) in heaven, great and marvelous [warning of events of ominous significance]: There were seven angels bringing seven plagues (afflictions, calamities), which are the last, for with them God's wrath (indignation) is completely expressed [reaches its climax and is ended].


This will be the the final judgment of the Tribulation as the wrath of God is poured out on the earth and those who have rejected Him. Those who were victorious over the temptations of the antichrist to take the mark of the beast and deny the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible, are now singing songs of victory! They are singing the song of Moses that the Israelites sang when they were safely on the other side of the Red Sea by the grace and glory of God, and also the song of the Lamb! Old Covenant and New Covenant together and fulfilled! Verses 3-4:


3 And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, Mighty and marvelous are Your works, O LORD God the Omnipotent! Righteous (just) and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the ages (King of the nations)! 4 Who shall not reverence and glorify Your Name, O LORD [giving You honor and praise in worship]? For You only are holy. All the nations shall come and pay homage and adoration to You, for Your just judgments (Your righteous sentences and deeds) have been made known and displayed.


We are to sing songs of victory NOW, in this life, because He has already won the victory over the devil and all the forces of hell! Thank, praise and worship Him every day for all that He has done and for all that He IS! AMEN! Remember that He LIVES IN those praises (Psalm 22:3)! And where God lives, God is active and powerful! AMEN!


Ezra 3 begins with the returned Israelites building the altar of the God of Israel and renewing the instructed Feasts. They begin the rebuilding of the Temple by laying again the foundation. This Temple would not be as beautiful and magnificent as Solomon's Temple, but the people were in one accord about being obedient to the LORD this time! Verse 1:


1 WHEN THE seventh month came and the Israelites were in the towns, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem.


Verse 9 shows that the workers were in unity. The people sang to the LORD in unity in verse 11:


11 They sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid!


There was a break in the  unity when the old men were crying because they remembered the grandeur of the original Temple and the younger people were rejoicing because THEY remembered the captivity and this was wonderful to them! If the generation of the older men had rejoiced for what they had and obeyed the Word of God, they would never have been taken into captivity in the first place! They SHOULD be rejoicing over the grace and mercy of Almighty God for bringing them home!


Chapter 4 shows the jealous Samaritans trying to stop the rebuilding. They succeed for a time, but the Temple WILL be rebuilt. We will see that as we continue in the Old Testament!


Shalom in Him!

TUESDAY'S POST


Shalom,


Proverbs 8:6-11:


6 Hear, for I will speak excellent and princely things, and the opening of my lips shall be for right things. 7 For my mouth shall utter truth, and wrongdoing is detestable and loathsome to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are righteous (upright and in right standing with God); there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands [and opens his heart], and right to those who find knowledge [and live by it]. 10 Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.


Do you remember that Matthew 6:33 says to seek, FIRST OF ALL, the kingdom of God and HIS way of doing and being right, then all the good things that the world strives after will be ours! Well His "way of doing and being right" is the Wisdom that these verses are talking about! In order to have OUR needs met and OUR situations under control, we HAVE to go hard after the Wisdom of God that is found in His Word! Again, there are no shortcuts to the awesome promises in the Word of God! Every promise has the condition of operating in faith for it! And we should all remember that faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word of God! AMEN! Verse 17:


17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation, and right standing with God


Guess what? It doesn't COST to serve God and get into His Word! IT PAYS and it pays WELL! Verse 19:


19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than refined gold, my increase than choice silver.


Now THAT is valuable stuff right there! I KNOW you want some  of that! Stick with the Word, more and more every day, and you will find yourself living the life you only previously dreamed of! AMEN!


I found something new in Revelation 14 that gives me a little better concept of what Heaven will be like! Speaking of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists in verse 3:


3 And they sang a new song before the throne [of God] and before the four living creatures and before the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin]. No one could learn [to sing] that song except the 144,000 who had been ransomed (purchased, redeemed) from the earth.


We WILL be one big, happy family in Heaven! But we will NOT be all alike! We will all still have our individual and unique personalities, after all, God MADE us that way! We will all have different and unique responsibilities! And, apparently, we will all be singing different songs! They will be unique, but they will ALL give Glory to the Godhead! I sincerely believe that Heaven is going to be so very much more than what most believers expect! SO much better than this life! AMEN! 


Ezra 1:1-4:


1 NOW IN the first year of Cyrus king of Persia [almost seventy years after the first Jewish captives were taken to Babylon], that the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might begin to be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and put it also in writing: 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: the LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among you of all His people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem; he is God. 4 Ands in every place where a survivor [of the Babylonian captivity of the Jews] sojourns, let the men of that place assist him with silver and gold, with goods and beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.


Is that not unprecedented! Not only are the Jewish captives allowed to return to their homeland, but they are to be given money and everything else they will need, along with extra funds to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed when they were taken captive! Things did not appear to be any different to the captives. it was just like any other day for most of them! It looked like an impossibility that they would ever be able to return home. They had nothing and were under the control of their captors. But God had said that after seventy years they would return! Only the few that were looking into the Word were not surprised (Daniel 9)! Isn't that just like our good, compassionate, merciful and loving God to bring them back in abundance? That should give you confidence that when you make the corrections and adjustments that the Holy Spirit  tells you to make, he will also cause YOU to have an abundant return! 


The king also had them take back the vessels from the Temple that Nebuchadnezzar had taken. And just another proof to us that God never forgot them for a moment while they were in captivity, chapter 2 lists the number of people returning and from to what family they belong! God SEES, God HEARS, and God will NEVER forget YOU! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 7:1-4:


1 MY SON, keep my words; lay up within you my commandments [for use when needed] and treasure them. 2 keep my commandments and live, and keep my law and teaching as the apple (the pupil) of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to skillful and godly Wisdom, You are my sister, and regard understanding or insight  as your intimate friend 


Theses verses were directed to a son. Remember that we (believers)  are ALL sons of God! Some are male "sons" and some are female "sons"! We are told here to "keep", the Hebrew word, "shamar", which means:  to hedge about, to guard, to protect, to preserve, to have charge of, to watch, to observe, to retain, to treasure up, to celebrate the Word! We are also told to "lay up", the Hebrew word, "tsaphan", which also means: to treasure up, to hide, to hoard or reserve, to store up, the commandments; then we will "live" the Hebrew word "chayah", which means: to have life, to remain alive, to sustain life, to live prosperously, to be restored to life and health, to revive, to refresh, to restore, to preserve. It is the Word of God that does all of this! Do you see why we are told to require HIM as our vital necessity (Jeremiah 29:13 AMP)? And HE and HIS WORD are ONE! 


How do we write the Word on our hearts? How do we "hide" the Word in our heart (Psalm 119:11)? By meditating on the Word DAY and NIGHT (Joshua 1:8)! Read it, study it, read it out loud, talk about it with like-minded believers, listen to the Bible recorded or listen to GOOD teaching of the Word! Choose YOUR favorite ways and then DO IT! No one else can do it for you and there are no short cuts for spending TIME in the Word, but the rewards are well worth it! The Word will keep you from falling into the traps and temptations of the enemy! Verse 5:


5 That they may keep you from the strange woman, from the stranger who flatters with (words).


The first part of this verse is using the strange, or loose (AMP) woman as an example for a young man. The rest of the verse shows that this instruction is for EVERYONE! It says from the "stranger", the Hebrew word "nokriy", which means: a stranger, an alien, a foreigner, someone unknown or unfamiliar, who flatters with "words" (NOT her words, just words). Allow the word of God to build within you such a knowledge of the Truth that you will instantly recognize the lie and the liars! Then satan will NOT be successful in tripping YOU up! AMEN!


Revelation 13 speaks of the beast that will be revealed during the midway part of the 7 year tribulation period. I'm not even going to try to do an in-depth teaching on this here, but I do want to point out verses 13-17:


13 He performs great signs (startling miracles), even making fire fall from the sky to the earth in men's sight. 14 And because  of the signs (miracles) which he is allowed to perform in the presence of the [first] beast, he deceives those who inhabit the earth, commanding them to erect a statue (an image) in the likeness of the beast who was wounded by the [small] sword and still lived. 15 And he is permitted [also] to impart the breath of life into the beast's image, so that the statue of the beast could actually talk and cause to be put to death those who would not bow down and worship the image of the beast. 16 Also he compels all [alike], both small and great, both the rich and the poor, both free and slave, to be marked with an inscription [stamped] on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 So that no on will have the power to buy or sell unless he bears the stamp (mark, inscription), [that is] the name of the beast or the number of his name.


I have sometimes thought about HOW all of this will play out, as I'm sure some of you have! I was wondering how they could have everyone in the world worship an image at the same time. Once the internet came into play, I figured that it would be something global by way of the internet. I did see something interesting a few weeks ago that may be a method for them! I saw that in Japan they were holding concerts (people had actually bought tickets and were present at a live concert venue) for the "live" performance of a HOLOGRAM! They had created this character, Hatsune Miku, that is just an IMAGE, with a VOICE given by a cartoon voice actor! There was a capacity crowd of people, all standing and ADORING this "cartoon character" being projected onto the stage area with the voice piped in! Do you see the possibilities? BUT, just so you remember, WE WON'T BE HERE! WE will be in Heaven at the Marriage Supper and viewing all of this from THAT vantage point! Horrors on earth but wonders in Heaven! AMEN! Let's take all the people we can with us when we fly! AMEN!


2 Chronicles: 36-22-23:


22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the Word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus the king of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 23 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD, the God of Heaven, has given me, and He has charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up [to Jerusalem].


This is the fulfillment of what Jeremiah had prophesied and what Ezra WILL speak about in the next book. God's Word IS TRUTH! If God said is, it WILL happen! AMEN! You can stand in faith on ALL of God's promises knowing that this is TRUE! Thank You, Jesus! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs  6:4 is a perfect example to show that you can't just read the Bible, without meditating on it, and know what is being said! Do you REALLY think that the same God Who said "He gives His beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2) means that we should not give sleep to our eyes? You do not understand the God of the Bible if you think like that! I like the Amplified Bible on this verse:


4 Give not [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.


That is referring to sleeping late all the time, not being focused on each day's plan and goal, not being alert and ready. It's talking about NOT being a sluggard! Look at verses 6-10:


6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!  7 Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10.Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep 11 So will your poverty come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless].


That is NOT the seed I want to sow into my life! How about you?Let's be diligent to be about our fathers business! AMEN!


Revelation 12:1-2:


1 AND A great sign (wonder) -- [warning of future events of ominous significance] appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and with a crownlike garland (tiara) of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and she cried out in her birth pangs, in the anguish of her delivery.


The woman is Israel, and she is about to bring forth, at the set time, the Saviour of the world! Verse 5:


5 And she brought forth a male Child, one Who is destined to shepherd (rule) all the nations with an iron staff (scepter), and her Child was caught up to God and His throne.


This verse shows both the birth of Jesus of Nazareth into the earth AND His ascension into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father AFTER His death, burial, and resurrection! In the next verses we see a retelling of the time when Lucifer and the other fallen angels were cast out of Heaven to the earth. Then we have THIS in verse 10-11:


10 Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come - the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of the brethren, he who keeps bringing before God charges against them day and night, has been cast out! 11 And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing! 


Some people still think that satan has access to Heaven but he does NOT! After Jesus cleansed the Holy of Holies in Heaven with His blood (Hebrews 9:11-12) satan no longer has access to Heaven! He  must roam the earth, seeking someone he can dupe into believing his lies. if he has something to say to God, he must shout from the atmosphere and hope God pays attention! GLORY TO GOD!


We won't get into all the symbolism in this chapter, there is too much to cover!  Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you through it and check out a few good concordances or Bible handbooks and you should be able to get a good picture of things! Have fun!


Lamentations 4 tells of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple; and also of the horrendous things that happened to the people who stayed and would not believe the Word of the LORD that had come through Jeremiah. In chapter 5 Jeremiah calls on the LORD to remember them, recalling all that the people and nation had suffered at the hands of the heathen nations because of their disobedience. Verses 19 and 21 are declaration of the greatness of our God and a cry for God's mercy and deliverance. 


19 But You, O LORD, remain and reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to [all] generations. 21 Turn us to Yourself, O LORD, and we shall be turned and restored! Renew our days as of old!


God DOES restore and renew the nation of Israel! And He has again restored and renewed them! Jewish people are still arriving from all of the other countries to make their home in the nation of Israel that was reborn in 1948! Soon and very soon the world will KNOW that Jesus of Nazareth IS the Messiah of Israel! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 5:1-2:


1 MY SON, be attentive to my Wisdom [godly Wisdom learned by actual and costly experience], and incline your ear to my understanding [of what is becoming and prudent for you]. 2 That you may exercise discretion and your lips may guard and keep knowledge and the wise answer [to temptation].


"Attend" is the Hebrew word "qashab", which we have looked at previously, and means: to prick up your ears, to hear, be attentive, to hearken, to give heed. We are to pay attention "unto my Wisdom", the Hebrew word "chokmah", which means: wisdom (in a good sense), skill, shrewdness, prudence. Then we are instructed to "bow", the Hebrew word, "natah", which means: to stretch out, to extend, extending something outward and toward, our ear to understanding. Doing so will allow us to operate in wisdom and discretion (freedom of choice), and be in position to "keep", the Hebrew word, "natsar", which means: to watch, to guard, to keep, to preserve; knowledge. When we operate this way, we can have boldness to speak the Word of God and know that God will confirm it with signs following!


The strange woman in verse three doesn't actually say woman, but rather anything strange and foreign from what is good and godly! Don't be fooled into thinking that this chapter is only dealing with adultery and if you haven't been involved in that, then you can just pass this chapter by! This means that when we stay in the Word for the purpose of learning God's will and His ways, then we will be able to keep ourselves from the temptation to get involved in ANYTHING that will take us further away from close, intimate fellowship with Jesus! The enemy is tricky and makes it his goal to try and lead all of God's people away from Him! REFUSE! You have all the equipment you need to do so! AMEN!


Revelation 11 shows John measuring the Third Temple! It hasn't been built yet, but the Temple Institute in Israel has been very diligently producing all of the furniture and vessels for the new temple! Below is a picture of the Menorah (Lampstand) that they have made to go into the temple when it is finally rebuilt! 

We know that the Temple will be rebuilt, because the Word of God says so! We also know that the antichrist will try to take up residence their and call himself god! THAT won't last  long!


Next we see the two witnesses who will preach the Gospel to all who will hear! people will try to kill them, but they will lost their own live in the process, for they are divinely protected by God and through the fire that will come out of their mouths and devour their enemies! I'm am SO happy that we will NOT be on the earth at this time, but enjoying Heaven in the presence of our Wonderful Lord and King, JESUS! AMEN!


In Lamentations 3 Jeremiah is speaking of the pain, sorrow and frustration that have come from preaching the message God gave him to the people who would not listen! He agonized over the people who would experience the judgement of God because they would NOT listen and obey God! In case you were ever tempted to think that being called to a pulpit ministry is a glorious, glamorous "job", think again! Ministers of the Gospel have been given the responsibility of presenting the Truth to the people, and it is NOT always very well received! The work of the ministry can get dirty and gritty, just like life, but the rewards are incomparable when someone grabs  a hold of the Word for themselves! 


Jeremiah spends the first 20 verses rehashing all of the suffering he endured for his ministry and the people. Then he suddenly changes his thinking and speaking to praise the LORD! Verses 21-23:


21 But this I recall and therefore have  I hope and expectation. 22 it is because of the LORD'S mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.


When things look tough in YOUR life, remember these verses AND the fact that you have a Covenant with Almighty God through the precious blood of Jesus of Nazareth! Build up your faith by praying in the Spirit and by hearing and hearing and hearing God's Word! VICTORY! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 4:1:


1 HEAR, MY sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain and to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, and interpretation [of spiritual matters].


This verse is just filled with words that show the importance of  what WE do when it comes to the Word of God! "Hear" is the Hebrew word, "shama", which means: to hear, to listen to obey, to hear with attention or interest, to understand, to heed, to agree, to yield to, to obey. I like to say - Hear for the purpose of obeying!  Then we have "attend", the Hebrew word, "qashab", which means: to hear, to be attentive, to heed, to pay attention, to listen. Sound familiar? This is all so that we can "know", the Hebrew word, "yada", which means: to know, to learn to know, to perceive, to find out, to discern, to know by experience, to acknowledge, to recognize, to be acquainted with, to have knowledge of, to be wise, to make known. What is it we are to know? "Understanding", the Hebrew word, "biynah,", which means: understanding, knowledge, meaning, discernment, wisdom. This all has to do with the "instruction", the Hebrew "mucar", which means: instruction, chastisement, discipline, training, correction, reproof. Verse 3:


3 For I give you good doctrine [what is to be received]; do not forsake my teaching.


The Word of God is well worth whatever time it takes to get it inside and to obey it! Verse 6 and 8:


6 Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you. 
8 Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.


Those are the promises! Thank YOU, Jesus!


In Revelation 10 we see a being referred to as "another mighty angel". Some Bible scholars like to say that this is Jesus in angelic form because of the similarities in appearance. Although Jesus DID appear under the Old Covenant as the Angel of the Lord, once He left His glory in Heaven to become a man, He will forever be 100% God and 100% Man! He lives in a resurrected body that can move through walls and move at the speed of thought, but still appears as a man. This angel says this in verse 6:


6 And swore in the  name of (by) Him Who lives forever and ever, Who created the heavens (sky) and all they contain, and the earth and all it contains, and the sea and all it contains. [He swore] that no more time should intervene and there should be no more waiting or delay


God has given every opportunity for those who had not yet received Jesus as Saviour to make that choice. Now there will be no more delay and the Great Tribulation, the Wrath of God, will begin. This will be more horrendous than anything that has ever happened on the earth so far! When John is told to eat the book, it is at first sweet to the taste. The Word of God is compared to honey and is sweet to the believer who trusts in it. When John had swallowed the book, it became bitter in his stomach. The Word of Truth is NOT so sweet to those who reject the Truth! I am SO glad that YOU have accepted the Truth of the Word NOW and will not have to be around for these things! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 3:1:


1 MY SON, Forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;


"Forget" is the Hebrew word, "shakach", which means: to mislay, to be oblivious of (from lack of attention), to ignore, to cease to care. How do we mislay the Word? Do we set it aside and seek help or answers from other people, books, shows, the internet? EVERY answer we will ever need to every question we will ever have has been hidden in the Word of God FOR us! I like this from the Bible Exposition Commentary:


"It isn't enough for believers to carry the Bible in their hands; they must let the Holy Spirit write it on their hearts (Proverbs 3:3 & 7:3; 2 Corinthians 3:1-3). Obedience to the Word can add years to your life and life to your years."


Then we have this instruction and promise in verses 5-6:


5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the LORD with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct and make straight and plain your paths.


The word "direct" is the Hebrew word, "yashar", which means: to be straight, even, right, pleasant, prosperous. When WE trust in the Lord and His Word, then HE will make sure that our paths (way, journey, manner of life) are pleasing, prosperous and right in His sight! What a great God! Verse 19:


19 The LORD by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens.


The Word of God is powerful enough to have created all that universe and everything in it! I think it just might be powerful enough to make our whole life better. Don't you?


Revelation 9 reveals 5 months of judgment on all those not sealed by God. Then we see more torment, death and destruction that you would think would lead these people to repent and call on the Name of the LORD! They do NOT! Verse 20-21:


20 And the rest of humanity who were  not killed by these plagues even then did not repent of [the worship of] the works of their [own] hands, so as to cease paying homage to the demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor move. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their practice of magic (sorceries) or their sexual vice or thefts.


The Word of God says that TODAY is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)! If you have never received Jesus of Nazareth as your Lord and personal Saviour, don't be left behind when Jesus comes for the Church and think that you will have plenty of time to get saved during the 7  years of tribulation! Your heart may become too hardened at that time to care! Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for You and that He was raised from the dead? Is there any reason you can't receive Him as Lord and personal Saviour right now? Pray this prayer, believing in your heart what the Word of God says about Who Jesus is!


Almighty God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for me, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at Your right hand. I accept and receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I invite Him to come into my heart and become Lord over my life. I thank You now Father, for welcoming me into Your family. You are my Father. I am Your child. Jesus is my Lord! Amen.


Now get into a good local church and learn the Word of God so that YOU can help others receive Him, too! Check the link at the left for the Spoken Word Church and let us know where you live. We will help you find a church in your area so you can grow up IN HIM! AMEN! If you are already a believer, make sure that you buy up every opportunity to let people know the Good News!


In Jeremiah 43-44 we see the people rejecting the warning that Jeremiah had delivered from the LORD to NOT go into Egypt. Once they were in Egypt, they began to worship idols and turn completely away from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! The LORD had Jeremiah give them one more message, telling them what was to come upon them for their disobedience, again! it was NOT pretty! Jeremiah ministered for approximately 46 years and, though he was loved and protected by godly people, most of the people refused to listen to him or to heed his message. Jeremiah's rewards will certainly be great in Heaven, because he didn't enjoy a very easy life here! The book of Lamentations that we will be looking at beginning tomorrow is a record of what he felt about all of the things that had happened to Jerusalem and to the people who refused the warnings that God had given!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I often share Philippians 3:8-10 as some of my favorite Scriptures. I make it MY determined purpose, along with Paul, to really KNOW HIM! Being a DOER of Proverbs 2:1-5 is the very best way to start! 


1 MY SON, if you will receive My Words and treasure up my commandments within you, 2 Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; 3 Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures, 5 Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God.


The word "receive" sounds like you just wait and something gets dropped in your lap! NOT SO! The word is actually the Hebrew word "laqach", which means: to take, to get, to fetch, to lay hold of, to seize, to acquire, to buy, to snatch, to take away, to carry away, to take possession, to capture, to take captive! It is NOT in any way a passive, just "sit and wait" word! It's a get up and get going, active and intense word! Just how much do you REALLY want to know the LORD and His Word? The only limits to how much we can get to know Him, and at the same time get to know the power, are what we put on our own lives by choosing to be lazy and apathetic when it comes to the Word of God! Verse 7 tells us that He hides the Wisdom within His Word FOR us! WHEN we take the time to dig it out, THEN we will reap the results of great Wisdom operating in our lives! AMEN!


In Revelation 8 the seventh seal is broken and there is silence in Heaven for 1/2 hour. The seven angels were given trumpets. This begins the trumpet judgments. The first 4 are covered in chapter 8. They are:

1. Verses: 6-7                    Affected the earth
2. Verses 8-9                     Affected the sea
3. Verses10-11                 Affected the rivers
4. Verses 12-13                Affected the heavens (atmosphere)

All of these resulted in verse 13:

13 Then I [looked and I] saw a solitary eagle flying in midheaven, and as it flew I heard it crying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the rest of the trumpet blasts which the three angels are about to sound!

We'll see those tomorrow!

In Jeremiah 40-42 I find it amazing that Jeremiah and the other prophets had warned the people over and over and they would not believe or obey what the prophets said. Then this heathen man from another nation tells exactly the same thing! Jeremiah 40:2-3:

2 And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, the LORD your God pronounced evil upon this place. 3 Now the LORD has brought it about and has done as He said: [It is] because you [of Judah] have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed His voice, therefore this thing has come upon you.

God's people ignored His Word because they did not believe it and this pagan man spoke the Word of the LORD and knew that it was true! God's people are MEANT to know His Word! It takes time to do it, but it is time well spent and it is VITAL for our very lives here on earth! Remember that it is the Word that you KNOW that will set you free, and keep you free! (John 8:32)

In Jeremiah 42:5-6 the people who have returned to the land send Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD for what they should do. They promised to obey whatever it the LORD tells Jeremiah to tell them! 

5 Then they said to Jeremiah, May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we fail to do according to all the things that the LORD your God sends you to tell us. 6 Whether it is good or evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to Whom we are sending you [to inquire], that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

Will they obey? Tune in tomorrow! Or read ahead yourself! You know you want to!

Shalom in Him!