Shalom,


Psalm 17:1:


1 HEAR THE right (my righteous cause), O LORD; listen to my shrill, piercing cry! Give ear to my prayer, that comes from unfeigned and guileless lips. 


David was crying out to God to hear his prayer. We are so very blessed to have our better Covenant, that is based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6) than David had! As born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth, we have THIS promise from 1 John 5:14-15:


14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan),k He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.


He hears us when we ask what is in line with His will! His Word IS His will! Find out what God's Word has to say about your situation. Then make your request of Him based on the authority of the Word that He has already spoken! He WILL hear, and you WILL have it! AMEN! We SHOULD be ageeing with David on verse 15:


15 As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice, and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You].


Spend time in being aware of His presence inside of you! Have HIM and HIS WORD be the last thing you think about at night. Then you will wake up with your mind on Him and already fellow-shipping with Him! 


In Matthew 17 we read that Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain with Him. There He was seen by them in a glorified state. They were awestruck! We are very familiar with how Peter responded! I really think that Peter gets picked on a lot because he was aggressive! He put his foot in his mouth a lot, but at least he said SOMETHING! Here is how God the Father responded in verse 5:


5 While he was still speaking, behold, a shining cloud [composed of light] overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is My Son, My Beloved, with Whom I am [and have always been] delighted. LISTEN TO HIM!


The emphasis above is  mine, but I DO believe that this is what the Father was actually saying! My paraphrase: This is MY SON! He has eternal things to say to you that are much more important than earth-talk! LISTEN TO HIM so that you can understand and obey. THEN I can bless you! That's what I think! What do YOU think? Does what you think line up with God's Word? That is ALWAYS our standard! AMEN! Here is a painting of what this MAY have looked like! 

After all that we have been reading in the Old Testament, I was thrilled to read about Godly Asa! 2 Chronicles 14:2:


2 And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.


And also 2 Chronicles 15:17b:


17b nevertheless, the heart of Asa was blameless all his days.


God ALWAYS had a remnant who would do things His way! He has a mighty "remnant" today! Does that number include YOU? I hope so! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 16:1-2 makes so much more sense in the Amplified Bible and a couple of other versions:


1 KEEP and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself. 2 I say to the LORD, You are my Lord; I have no good beside or beyond You.


The Complete Jewish Bible:


1 Protect me, God, for you are my refuge. 2 I said to Adonai, "You are my Lord; I have nothing good outside of you."


The English Standard Version:


1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."


The Message Bible:


1 Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. 2 I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.


At The Spoken Word Church we like to say it this way: "Everything good in my life I give God the credit, thanksgiving and praise. Anything bad, I DON'T blame God!" Where do we get that from? James 1:17 says this:


17 Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is  no variableness, neither shadow of turning.


ANYTHING and EVERYTHING good in my life comes from the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! And, like the Message Bible said above: Without YOU, Lord, nothing makes sense! Here is Hillsong United with "Search My Heart". One of the lines in this song is "Without You I am nothing!" Thank You, Jesus, that we never have to be without YOU again! HALLELUJAH! 

In Matthew 16 we see the Pharisees and Sadducees make an appearance again! They were always showing up with some new scheme to try and trick Jesus! This time they asked Him for a sign from heaven that proved His authority. After ALL of the signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and deliverances that they had already seen, they asked for more? I like His reply in verse 3b:


3b You  know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.


We are living in the time of the soon appearing of Jesus for His Church. The most important "sign" that it is close is the nation of Israel! So much of Bible prophecy centers on Israel becoming a nation AGAIN, and the Jewish people returning. This happened in 1948 and the people continue to return from every corner of the earth! We are indeed living in the times of the signs! Keep watching Israel with one eye and keep the other on the sky! SOON and very soon, we are going to see our KING! GLORY!


2 Chronicles 12:1 says this:


1 WHEN REHOBOAM had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.


This happened time and time again with the nation of Israel. They always reaped the results of it! We have also seen the same thing happen in the church. People who have severe needs and problems will begin to come to services and learn from the Word of God what to do to turn their situation around. They are very diligent UNTIL they begin to get the answers they wanted. Then they become less and less diligent until eventually they stop coming altogether. The next thing we hear from them is that they have worse problems than they had the first time they came! Learn by wisdom (the experience of others) so you don't have to go through the same things yourself! Stick with the Word of God and you will consistently have God's results! That is SO much better!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


I like the Message Bible for Psalm 15:


1 God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?
2 "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.
3 Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor;
4 Despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you,
5 Make an honest living, never take a bribe. You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this".


Under the Old Covenant the people were required to obey the Law. Righteousness, though, has ALWAYS been by faith! Habakkuk 2:4:


4 Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.


We who have received Jesus of Nazareth as Lord and personal SAVIOUR have THIS promise in Hebrews 4:16:


16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor), that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].


Psalm 15 SHOULD be a picture of our lives BECAUSE we have spent time daily in HIS presence, before HIS throne! AMEN!


Matthew 15:11:


11 It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles [him].


Jesus was saying this in response to the Pharisees complaining that the disciples of Jesus did not wash their hands before they ate. Can you imagine the sight of all of those healed and delivered in the multitudes that followed Jesus and THIS was what they took away from that? Sounds like the world today! Jesus went on to explain to His disciples in verses 17-20:


17 Do you not see and understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the abdomen and so passes on into the place where discharges are deposited? 18 But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him]. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. 20 These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him].


Not washing your hands before you eat might make you sick, but it will not make you unclean before God! As believers, we know that thoughts come AT us from the outside. they are either thoughts form God and line up with His Word, or they are thoughts from the enemy and are contrary to the Word (sometimes ever so subtly!). When we accept these thoughts, they become a part of us! Those evil things described in verse 19 start out as thoughts. They SHOULD BE rejected immediately. When they aren't, then they get inside of us and they WILL produce evil in our lives through our words and actions. That is why we are to cast down those thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5)! We call it "reject and replace". Reject the ungodly thoughts and replace them with what the Word of God says. THEN our thinking will produce godly words and godly actions that will have GOD'S results! Thank You, Jesus! I was going to post a video from the Visual Bible - Matthew for this chapter, but I found this instead. It is a summary of the Book of Matthew with scenes from the Visual Bible accompanied by the song "With Everything" by Hillsong. I thought it was very well done! Enjoy!

As you continue to read through the Old Testament, remember that God's Chosen People, the Jews, were chosen NOT because they were better than others, but so that He could preserve a line to bring Messiah through. Every thing that God did through all of these years was done with that in mind! Then, in the fullness of time, He brought forth JESUS! Yeshua - the Messiah of Israel - and Saviour of the world! EVERYTHING in the Old Testament and under the Old Covenant was pointing towards HIM! That should help you in your study and meditation! Remember, also, that the gifts and callings of God are WITHOUT REPENTANCE! That means that His chosen people are STILL to be blessed by those who desire to live in the blessing of God! Father, we pray for the continued peace and prosperity for the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem - in Jesus' Name! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 14:2-3:


2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity]. 3 They are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is  none that does good or right, no, not one.


That is what God saw when He looked from heaven at His creation! But when the "proper time" came, He acted! Galatians 4:4-6:


4 But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to [the regulations of] the Law, 5 To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God's sons]. 6 And because you [really] are [His]  sons, God has sent the [Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!


THAT is us! Born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth! Recreated in the image of God, with the Spirit of God living IN us! Hallelujah! DON'T be an "empty-headed" fool (Psalm 14:1a)! Acknowledge the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible, and decide to do things HIS way! There IS no other way! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Father":

Matthew 14:35-36:


35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent around into all the surrounding country and brought to Him all who were sick 36 And begged Him to let them merely touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were perfectly restored.


When Jesus said to "Go ye into all the world", He meant for us to start WHERE WE ARE! How many sick and hurting have YOU brought to church lately? Hear and obey!


1 Kings 13 gives the account of the prophet who was sent by God to King Jeroboam to prophesy to him. God confirmed His Word through this prophet! He obeyed God's instructions UNTIL another prophet lied to him about what the LORD said. This is a good lesson for us to learn. We should NOT follow the leading of any person here on earth that isn't confirmed in our own spirits, by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us! Don't follow man, follow God! Or, like Paul said, follow the godly leaders as THEY follow God! There are no excuses and no short-cuts! Learn to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit and then refuse to follow the strange voice! 


Shalom in Him

Shalom,


I know that I have said this before, but the Psalms of David are a real blessing to me! He was sometimes faced with very real, life-threatening situations. He would cry out to God with his problem, but would end up encouraging HIMSELF with what God had ALREADY done for him. What did that do? That strengthened his faith to believe that God would do it again! Psalm 13:5-6 is just another example of that great and godly attitude!


5 But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.


David MADE himself act as he would if he already had the answer! He said 'I SHALL "rejoice", the Hebrew word "giyl", which means: to spin around, to rejoice, to be glad, to be joyful; "in Your salvation", the Hebrew word "yeshuw`ah", which means: deliverance, victory, welfare, prosperity, aid, health. Then he said that he would sing to the LORD because HE had already (in the past) dealt "bountifully" with him, and David fully expected Him to do it again! This is the Hebrew word "gamal", which means: to treat a person well, to benefit someone, to bestow on, to do good, to reward. YOU can expect the same things from the Lord when YOU take Him at His Word and refuse to believe anything else! Act like you would if you could see the answer right now! Rejoice! Throw a party! THANK HIM! He loves it when we trust fully and completely in His goodness and mercy!  Enjoy Hillsong's "Salvation Is Here":

In Matthew 13 we read the parable of the sower again. Jesus told of four different types of "soil". We are individually responsible for the "soil" in our lives! That refers to the heart, which is the spirit/soul combination. The spirit of a believer in Jesus of Nazareth has been recreated in the image of God (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are spirit-beings. We possess souls, which are our mind, emotions and will. We MUST renew our minds with the Word of God so that our emotions can line-up with the Word and we can make wise and godly choices! Prepare the "soil" of your heart by praying in the Spirit, spending time in praise, thanksgiving and worship, meditating on the Word and choosing to be a DOER of what you hear! Then the Word of God will come alive to you and you will understand it better than ever before! You will begin to reap the 30/60/100 fold return on the seed of the Word that you have planted in your heart! 


1 Kings 11-12 is another account of what happened to Solomon that caused all of the problems that he would encounter, which are reflected in the Book of Ecclesiastes. The first 2 verses tell it all:


1 BUT KING Solomon [defiantly] loved many foreign women -- the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. 2 They were of the very nations of whom the LORD said to the Israelites, You shall not mingle with them, neither shall they mingle with you, for surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods. Yet Solomon clung to these in love. 


Verses 4 and verse 6:


4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect (complete and whole) with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as David his father did.


David made his own mistakes, but he ALWAYS repented and got back into fellowship with God. He NEVER worshiped any other so-called gods (idols, demons). You and I WILL make mistakes and miss it sometimes. WHEN we do, we need to go DIRECTLY to 1 John 1:9:


9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].


Get immediately back into close, intimate fellowship with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Then you can continue to walk in the BLESSING of the Covenant you have with Him through the precious Blood of Jesus of Nazareth! What a wonderful life! HALLELUJAH!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 12:1-2 is another very clear picture of the times we are now living in!


1 HELP, LORD! For principled and godly people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men. 2 To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak.


BUT, we KNOW that God's Word IS Truth! SO, verse 6-7 are ALSO TRUTH!


6 The Words and promises of the LORD are pure Words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. 7 You will keep them and preserve them, O LORD; You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever.


Stay with the Word of God and HIS protection, provision and safety will render the enemy's attacks USELESS! AMEN!


Matthew 12:17-21:


17This was in fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 18 Behold, My Servant Whom I have chosen, My Beloved in and with Whom My soul is well pleased and has found its delight. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim and show forth justice to the nations. 19 He will not strive or wrangle or cry out loudly; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering (dimly burning) wick He will not quench, till He brings justice and a just cause to victory. 21 And in and on His Name will the Gentiles (the peoples outside of Israel) set their hopes.


This was the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4! WE are the "peoples outside of Israel"! Everything that Jesus did on the earth He did as a Spirit-filled man! He was without sin, but so are we IF we have received Him as Lord and personal Saviour, AND continually confess sin according to 1 John 1:9! THAT is why He gave us  that verse! He desires that we remain in close, intimate fellowship with HIM, so that WE can do what JESUS did in His ministry (John 14:12)! Sing this song to HIM from YOUR heart: Hillsong: With All I AM:

In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see another account of all that Solomon accomplished in building and furnishing the Temple, and in his dealings with other nations. He asked God for Wisdom to rule the people and God promised Him not only Wisdom, but also riches and honor (1 Kings 3:11-13)! God KEEPS His Word! Look at 2 Chronicles 9:22-23:


22 King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom which God had put into his mind.


Knowing that should give us great confidence that He will also confirm His Word that WE speak! Continue to be a DOER of God's Word and a SPEAKER of God's Word, and you WILL see God's results! He'll get all the glory, and we'll be THE BLESSED! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 11:3-4:


23 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what had he [the Righteous One] wrought or accomplished? 4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men. 


We are certainly living in these times! The enemy has tried to shake this nation to its very foundations! What should the righteous (those in right standing with God - the born again believers, the CHURCH) do? Obey the Word! I don't for one second believe that the One, True God, Who raised this nation up for the purpose of spreading the Gospel to the world, is even close to being finished with it! He sees! He knows what's been happening, and He has a plan! Let's start with 2 Chronicles 7:14:


14 If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.


THAT is where we begin! Revival is spreading across this nation again, as well as all over the world! Get involved in what God is doing! Do YOUR part and then WATCH and SEE what the LORD will DO! AMEN!


Matthew 11:12:


12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize -- a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].


Does that describe YOU and YOUR attitude towards the things of God? If not, why not? He MUST be our #1 priority, and His cause OUR cause, if we want to be truly successful in this life and fulfill the calling He has placed on us! It is worth whatever it costs us to get our lives in line with His Word. And remember THIS in Matthew 11:30:


30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good -- not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.


Just how heavy is light? It doesn't weigh anything negligible! Don't take on too much, just do YOUR part! All the parts working together will get the job done! AMEN!


It is so good to know that Solomon came back to his senses at the end of his life! Ecclesiastes 12:13:


13 All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of His creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.


Do you want it a little more simple than that? Here is the Message Bible:


13 The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you.


Remember that "fear" here is reverence, respect and awe! Be aware of His presence IN you, as a believer in Jesus of Nazareth! Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in you and act on His Word. It's as simple as that! And the most powerful thing you can do in this life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong's "Tell The World":

Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 10:12-14:


12 Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand; forget not the humble [patient and crushed]. 13 Why does the wicked [man] condemn (spurn and renounce) God? Why has he thought in his heart, You will not call to account? 14 You have seen it; yes, You note trouble and grief (vexation) to requite it with Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.


Why DO the wicked mock God and think that nothing will ever happen to them? Because of the long-suffering of God! 2 Peter 3:9:


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


He SAID that vengeance belongs to Him (Romans 12:19), but He desires that they repent BEFORE He must act! He gives them as much time as possible to change their thinking to agree with Him! But He WILL act. Verses 17-18:


17 O LORD, You have heard the desire and the longing of the humble and oppressed; You will prepare and strengthen and direct their hearts, You will cause Your ear to hear, 18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man, who is of the earth, may not terrify them any more.


Here is "Glory To The King" by Hillsong that goes right along with these verses!

Here are some very direct and powerful Words direct from the lips of Jesus Himself! Matthew 10:32-33:


32 Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me [out of a state of oneness with Me], I will also acknowledge him before My Father Who is in heaven and confess [that I am abiding in] him. 33 But whoever denies and disowns Me before men, I also will deny and disown him before My Father Who is in heaven.


Pretty straight-forward isn't it? That is why Jesus brought Peter back into fellowship by asking him three times if he loved Him. Peter had denied even knowing Jesus three times on the night that Jesus was arrested. Have YOU acknowledged and confessed Him before men? If not, click on The Spoken Word Church link to the left and find out how. Then send us an email to let us know about it! THE most important decision you will ever make in this life! It determines YOUR eternity! AMEN! 


Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 also goes along well with the Psalm for today!


11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, the hearts of the sons of men are fully set to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days [seemingly] are prolonged [in his wickedness], yet surely I know that it will be well with those who [reverently] fear God, who revere and worship Him, realizing His continual presence. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not [reverently] fear and worship God.


Though it SEEMS like God's judgment is taking a long time, it WILL come! Make sure that YOU are on the side of GRACE! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 9:9-10:


9 The LORD also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation). 10 And they who know Your Name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity].


Continue to increase your knowledge of the Word of God by meditating on it every day (Joshua 1:8) and you, too, can stand with authority on the Word for deliverance in every area of your life! He will then be YOUR Refuge and Stronghold from all of the attacks of the enemy! 


Matthew 9:1:


1 AND JESUS, getting into a boat, crossed to the other side and came to His own town [Capernaum] (Matthew 4:13). 


Here is a picture of the group we toured Israel with last year outside of the ancient city of Capernaum! The Bible absolutely comes alive in that land! So small, yet so filled with His Story! 

In Ecclesiastes 7:25-26 shows that Solomon realized where he went wrong!


25 I turned about [penitent] and my heart was set to know and to search out and to seek [true] wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly and that foolishness is madness [and what had led me into such wickedness and madness]. 26 And I found that [of all sinful follies none has been so ruinous in seducing one away from God as idolatrous women] more bitter than death is the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are bands. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.


If Solomon would have obeyed Deuteronomy 17:16-17, concerning horses AND wives, he could have avoided ALL that he went through here! God's Word is THE ANSWER for every situation! Solomon said it himself in verses 11-12:


11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yes, more excellent it is for those [the living] who see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defense even as money is a defense, but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the life of him who has it.


As long as Solomon obeyed the Word of God and operated in the wisdom that God gave to him, he prospered and things went very well for him. It was when he forsook wisdom and obedience and went his own way that things went terribly wrong! Don't miss out on years of life worth living like Solomon did. Choose obedience and choose life! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 8 is so powerful that I want to post the entire Psalm here:


1 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent (majestic and glorious) is Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory on [or above] the heavens. 2 Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have established strength because of Your foes, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I view and consider Your heavens, the works of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that you care for him? 5 Yet you have made him but a little lower than God, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. 7 All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the air, and all the fish of the sea, and whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent (majestic and glorious) is Your Name in all the earth!


He is THE LORD (Jehovah - the Eternal, Self-existing One!) OUR Lord (sovereign, master, commander), and He is EXCELLENT! The One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible - IS - and their is no other! HALLELUJAH! Verse 5-6 are very accurate in the Amplified Bible above! He made man just a little lower than God Himself, with dominion and authority over all of His creation! Then Adam sinned and made satan his master. Jesus defeated satan and returned authority to all of those who receive HIM (Jesus) as Lord and personal Saviour! That's US! Start operating in the authority that God has given you and take back your life from the enemies influence! AMEN!


Matthew 8:2-3 reveal the TRUTH that God is 100% ABLE, and 100% WILLING, to heal and deliver from all the bondage of the enemy! 


2 And behold, a leper came up to Him and, prostrating himself, worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You are able to cleanse me by curing me. 3 And He reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed by being cured. And instantly his leprosy was cured and cleansed.


Jesus is STILL willing AND able to deliver YOU! Here is Hillsong's new song, "God Is Able"

Ecclesiastes is sometimes hard to read because it sounds so negative. Remember that it was written by a backslidden believer! Solomon KNEW the LORD and at one time had made HIM the #1 priority of his life! The Book of Proverbs is filled with the Wisdom of God from one who knew HIM! When he allowed all of the riches and THINGS of the world to become more important to him than God, Ecclesiastes is the result. There ARE some very good Truths to be found here! Look at Ecclesiastes 3:14:


14 I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him,, knowing that He is].


Take Solomon's writings in Ecclesiastes as a warning of the way things could look IF you choose NOT to stay in fellowship with HIM! You REALLY don't want to go there! Life in fellowship with the One, True God is the greatest blessing available to us! Treasure that!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 7 is a psalm of David during the time that Cush the Benjamite was causing problems for him by lying to king Saul. David say this in verse 6:


6 Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; life up Yourself against the rage of my enemies; and awake [and stir up] for me the justice and vindication [that] You have commanded.


David was doing the RIGHT thing in the face  of persecution by his enemies. Romans 12:19 tells us what God has instructed concerning this:


19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.


Rather than try to take matters into his own hands, David counted on the Lord to deliver him. Even though there were times when Saul was within his grasp, he refused to handle the situation himself. Carry out the things that God has given YOU to do, and allow Him to do HIS part! Then you can say with David, from verse 17:


17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to His rightness and justice, and I will sing praise to the Name of the LORD Most High.


Matthew 7:1-2 goes right along with this:


1 DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.


God WILL take care of those who do wrong to us, so continue to pray for and bless those who do you wrong, and keep yourselves walking in the love that never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)! Here is Chris Tomlin singing: "Our God IS Greater":

Ecclesiastes is a sorry and sad view of life on earth! It comes from the perspective of Solomon AFTER he began to go His own way, instead of God's way! He had asked for Wisdom and God gave him Wisdom, but he stopped ACTING on the Wisdom he had! Notice what he said on Ecclesiastes 1:16:


16 I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge. 17 And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it.


Solomon had been GIVEN Godly Wisdom, but he searched out his own! Notice how many times in this and the next chapter that he says "I'" and "myself". Solomon became obsessed with himself instead of the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Don't ever take YOUR eyes off of HIM! EVERYTHING good in your life, give GOD the credit, thanksgiving and praise for it! That will keep you humble before Him and then HE can lift you up! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 6 is a Psalm of David. He is calling out to God for deliverance from his present situation. He addresses the Lord eight times in this Psalm as the Lord JEHOVAH! This is the Covenant Name  of Almighty God! It means: the Eternal, Self-existing One. David is standing on the Word of God, on the basis of the Covenant. Does David believe this? ABSOLUTELY!!! Look at verses 8-10:


8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD receives my prayer. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and sorely troubled; let them turn back and be put to shame suddenly.


You and I, as born again believers, CAN say the same thing of our prayers IF they line up with the Word of God! How do we know? Look at 1 John 5:14-15:


14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.


Find out what the Word of God has to say about ANY situation that you are facing. Then pray THAT prayer. He will hear you, and when He hears, we RECEIVE! Thank You, Jesus! AMEN!


Matthew 6 continues with the Sermon on the Mount. Verses 31-33 go right along with what we just looked at in Psalm 6:


31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given to you besides.


Seek to spend time in His presence by spending time in the Word, time in praise, thanksgiving and worship, time in fellowship with Him and then pray believing that HE will meet those needs and answer the prayers that line up with His Word! 


1 Chronicles 6:5-6 answer the Jerusalem question FOREVER!


5 Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that My Name might be there, neither chose I any man to be a ruler over My people Israel; 6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that My Name [and the symbol of My presence] might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.


GOD HAS SPOKEN and no nation on earth will ever again take Jerusalem from the nation of Israel! When we were in Israel last year, our Tour Guide shared these next verses with us, encouraging us to pray, knowing they would be answered! Verses 32-33:


32 Also concerning the stranger who is not or Your people Israel but has come from a far country for Your great Name's sake and Your  mighty power and Your outstretched are -- if he comes and prays toward this house, 33 Hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, and do all for which the stranger calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your Name and fear You [reverently and worshipfully], as do Your people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by Your  Name.


We did pray toward where the Temple used to be by praying at the Western Wall! I have GREAT confidence that those prayers have already been answered! AMEN!  Here is a picture of the Western Wall and the sign explaining it:

When Solomon had finished praying, the LORD consumed the offering and His glory so filled the entire house that the priests could not even enter! God claimed the Temple as HIS! Then He said this, among other things, to Solomon in chapter 7 and verse 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.


We hear that verse quoted a lot these days, but not always in its entirety! We are not just to pray, but to SEEK HIS FACE! The Amplified, above, tells us to require His presence as our vital NECESSITY! Make sure that you are pursuing HIM when you pray, and you WILL receive! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 5:3:


3 In the morning  You hear my voice, O LORD; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].


"In the morning" means the first thing! Before we do or say anything else, we should be singing His praises! Psalm 149:5 says this:


5 Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds.


In Psalm 5:3 the word "prayer" has been added by the translators. They thought it would bring clarity, but this means so much more without it!  It means that our mindset will be to have a heart filled with praise, thanksgiving and worship to start the day, then we will be aware of His presence IN us and listen for His voice to lead, guide and direct us through the rest of the day! Sometimes we WILL present specific prayer to Him, but I really like the attitude of continually listening all day long! Look ate verses 7-8:


7 But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and mercy; I will worship toward and at Your holy temple in reverent fear and awe of You. 8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way level (straight and right) before my face.


Such a powerful and intimate fellowship we are blessed to have with the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! Take FULL advantage of it!


Matthew 5:1-2:


1 SEEING THE crowds, He (Jesus) went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:


Jesus went up on the mountain to give His disciples a break from the crowd in order to teach them more. This is the beginning of what is known as the "Sermon on the Mount". Here is The Visual Bible: Matthew with this. It is at the end of the first one and the beginning of the second. Jesus started out with His disciples, but, as always happened, crowds began to gather! It would be wonderful if people STILL wanted to hear the Word of God like that!

In 2 Chronicles 4-5 we see the finished work of the Temple. They brought in the Ark of the Covenant. Notice 2 Chronicles 5:10:


10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tables [the Ten Commandments] which Moses put in it at Mount Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of Egypt.


Hebrews 9:4 says that other things were in the Ark:


4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant:


Were these things actually ever in the Ark? That's a puzzle for YOU to find out! Have fun searching! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 4 again has David calling out to God for deliverance in a time of need. Many scholars believe that this was also from the time of Absalom's rebellion. Verse 4 in the Amplified Bible says:


4 Be angry [or stand in awe] and sin not; commune with your own hearts upon your beds and be silent (sorry for the things you say in your hearts). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 


This verse appears to be speaking of not allowing anger to swell to the point that you lose sense and do foolish things. It DOES have a New testament counterpart in Ephesians 4:16:


26 Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath


I believe there is an even more powerful message than that in this verse in Psalm 4! Look at this in the KJV:


4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.


"Stand in awe" is the Hebrew word "ragaz", which means: to quiver (with any violent emotion), to be afraid, to tremble, to be excited, to be disquieted. I believe that an even better idea here is that of being aware of the presence of the Lord. When we stand in awe of Him, aware of His presence inside of us, it makes it SO much easier to avoid sin! Remember that the fear of the Lord is just the very beginning of Wisdom! Let's begin! AMEN!


In Matthew 4 Jesus begins to call His disciples to follow Him. These men would live and walk and work with Jesus for the three years of His earthly ministry. They saw every type of miracle you could imagine! They saw how Jesus operated. Even though they were not in the right spiritual position at this time to understand all that was happening, once they were born again and were able to understood the Word of God more clearly, they remembered what they had seen Jesus do and were able to do the same things! That WAS, and IS, God's intention! Notice also in verses 23-24:


23 And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people. 24 So the report of Him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed them.


Jesus preached and taught the Gospel to ALL people! Those who came to Him, in faith, received what they needed from Him! He healed EVERY disease, EVERY weakness, EVERY affliction, of EVERY person who came to Him believing! We have no record of Jesus ever turning someone away and refusing to heal them! "If it be thy will" has NO place in the life of a born again believer concerning healing and deliverance! The question really is: Is it YOURS? I would highly recommend a book we have by Gloria Copeland entitled: "And Jesus Healed Them All". If you leave even a little crack open for doubt, the enemy will, like a flood, POUR more doubt into you and question the Word. GIVE HIM NO PLACE! Meditate on John 10:10 and keep your heart ever ready to believe and receive! AMEN! Here are some pictures from our Israel trip of the ruins of a synagogue in Capernaum, which was the home base for much of the ministry of Jesus, and of Peter's home, which was just a short walk from the synagogue. These were the very places where Jesus went about teaching, preaching and healing THEM ALL! 

 Both of these are of the remains of a rebuilt synagogue and other buildings.

Both of these are of what is believed to be the remains of the home of Peter.

In 2 Chronicles 1-3 we see another account of the building of the Temple by Solomon. We saw yesterday where Solomon began to miss it in his private life. Looking today we can see even earlier where he began to step into sin. 2 Chronicles 1:16:


16 Solomon's horses were brought out of Egypt; the king's merchants received them in droves, each drove at a price.


That doesn't SEEM to be too bad, until you go back to Deuteronomy 17:16-17 and see this:


16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to multiply horse, since the LORD said to you, You shall never return that way. 17 And he shall not multiply wives to himself, that his [mind and] heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.


Could it possibly BE any clearer? We will see in Ecclesiastes just how Solomon's thinking deteriorated  from the one who operated in SO much Godly Wisdom! Don't take the Word of God lightly! It WILL affect ALL of your life! 


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 3 is a Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom. He began by calling out to God with his problems, then encouraged himself in the Lord by saying this in verse 3:


3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.


This was the way David operated! He would notice the problem, cry out to God, remind himself of the promise of God's protection, provision and safety, and then praise Him for the answer! Psalm 3 is also a song that we heard many times. Here is a version you may not have heard performed by the Sons of Korah!

Matthew 3 brings John the Baptist on the scene, preparing the way of the Lord! It ends with John baptizing Jesus! Here is an excerpt from The Visual Bible - Matthew that covers the last part of chapter 2 from yesterday, and chapter 3:

1 Kings 9-10 cover the finishing of the building of the Temple and of Solomon's house. It also covers the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who couldn't believe that all of the stories she had heard of Solomon's wisdom and wealth could possibly be true. She had this to say in verses 6-9:


6 She said this to the king, It was a true report I heard in my own land of your acts and sayings and wisdom. 7 I did not believe it until I came and my eyes had seen. Behold, the half was not told me. You have added wisdom and goodness exceeding the fame I heard. 8 Happy are your men! Happy are these your servants who stand continually before you, hearing your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, Who delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he made you king to execute justice and righteousness.


Everything that the Queen of Sheba said was TRUTH! What is noticeably absent from this conversation is Solomon giving any credit to the LORD Who had, indeed, been the source of ALL of his riches, honor and wisdom! This may be the first recorded sign of the downfall of Solomon. I saw this footnote on the online Bible version I used:


1 Kings 9:19 Once on the throne Solomon became a thoroughgoing despot. All political power was taken out of the hands of the tribal sheiks... and placed in the hands of officers who were simply puppets of Solomon. The resources of the nation were expended not on works of public utility but on the personal aggrandizement of the monarch. In the means he took to gratify his passions he showed himself to be little better than a savage (James Orr et al., eds., The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). The division of the nation at Solomon's death with all the weakness and misery that it caused [idolatry, ignoring God, captivity, exile, the loss of the ten tribes] through the coming centuries was the direct outgrowth of Solomon's unholy self-indulgence (Amos R. Wells, Bible Miniatures). Because of his extensive building program and his extravagant expenditures in the maintenance of his luxurious court, he resorted to forced labor and heavy taxation. Bitter opposition to his rule thus engendered the division of the united kingdom after his death (The New Jewish Encyclopedia).


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 2 is the Psalm most quoted or alluded to in the New Testament (18 times!). Verses 1-3 could be a picture of the world we live in today!


1 WHY DO the nations assemble with commotion [uproar and confusion of voices], and why do the people imagine (meditate upon and devise) an empty scheme? 2 The kings of the earth take their places; the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and His Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ). They say, 3 Let us break Their bands [of restraint] asunder and cast Their cords [of control] from us.


The world (those who have not received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour) want NO restraint! They are trying, on every side, to throw off all restrictions on their ungodly and perverted life styles! The Word of God says that this will happen as the day approaches for Jesus to return for the Church! What is God's answer to those who desire such things and do such things? Verse 4-6:


4 He Who sits in the heavens LAUGHS; the LORD has them in derision [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. 5 He speaks to them in His deep anger and troubles (terrifies and confounds) them in His displeasure and fury, saying. 6 Yet have I anointed (installed and placed) My King (firmly) on My holy hill of Zion.


God's plan has been in motion since the moment of creation! Verses 10-12 is ample warning for the "kings of the earth". 


10 Now therefore, O you kings, act wisely; be instructed and warned, O you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with reverent awe and worshipful fear; rejoice and be in high spirits with trembling [lest you displease Him]. 12 Kiss the Son [pay homage to Him in purity], lest He be angry and you perish in the way, for soon shall His wrath be kindled. O blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are those who seek refuge and put their trust in Him!


That's ME! I hope it's YOU, too!  In Matthew 2 we see the wise men from the East coming to find the One born King of the Jews! "Wise men" is the Greek word "magos", which means: wise men, teachers, priests, seers, Oriental scientists. These were very learned men who understood astronomy. They studied the stars right along with the Word of God! They knew that prophecy showed that a Child was to be born Who would be King of the Jews! They followed the phenomenon that God had placed in skies for such a time as this! If you have never watched the documentary "The Star Of Bethlehem" I highly recommend it! You will NEVER be the same after you watch what SCIENCE has proven about the "star"! Hallelujah! Here is a trailer with excerpts from the program:

Also worth noting is that at the time that these wise men came from the East, Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house and Jesus was now a young child, NOT a baby in a cradle! He may have been as old as 2! All of these riches would have financed the family's move to Egypt when they had to leave everything behind and leave to protect Jesus from Herod's killing spree! God is SO good! he has EVERYTHING under control WHEN we get involved in HIS plan! Find it out! You'll be so blessed!


1 Kings 7-8 give the details for the building of the Temple that Solomon carried out! What a beautiful sight it must have been for those coming into Jerusalem! Here are two pictures that depict the Temple. One is of a model of the Temple that we saw in Jerusalem and the other is a painting of what it may have looked like:

 This is a model of the Temple.

This is a painting. Impressive isn't it?

NOW we have the Holy of Holies INSIDE of us! Thank YOU, Jesus! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Psalm 1:1-2:


1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the LORD, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.


What is God's faithful promise to those who will meditate on HIS Word day and night? Let's look at Joshua 1:8 again:


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.


In both of these references, the word "meditate" is the Hebrew word "hagah", which means: to murmur, to ponder, to imagine, to meditate, to speak, to study, to talk, to utter. It also refers to the sound made by someone who is musing (deep concentration and serious thought). Meditating on God's Word is what is required in order to have the Word of God become real to us so that we can speak it out with the same authority that Jesus did, with the same results! Check out John 15:7, especially in the Amplified Bible! Thank You Jesus, for Your Powerful Word! Here is Hillsong singing "This Is Our God":

Matthew 1 gives us the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to His step-father, Joseph! Right in the  middle is David, whom God promised would have a son to sit on the throne of Israel FOREVER!  1 Kings 5-6 tell us of Solomon's efforts in building the first Temple in Jerusalem. We read of the very large  foundation stones put in place. Here is a photo of some of those stones!

Massive, aren't they! There are reports that a team of archaeologists have discovered remains from Solomon's Temple area! We believed without having seen, now God is causing the world to see! Hallelujah!


Shalom in Him!

Shalom,


Proverbs 31:4-7:


4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 Lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready too pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want and misery no more. 


Many people have very definite ideas about whether or not believers should drink wine or other intoxicating beverages. Some have even gone so far as to say that the wine that Jesus drank was actually just grape juice. That is simply not true. Although He may have had grape juice, too, no one would have called him a "winebibber" if that were true! We see this in 1 Corinthians 6:12:


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.


When we take this verse along with Ephesians 5:18:


18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;


...we see that, though we are free to make our choice in whether we drink or not, we are NOT to be drunk! Now take our verses from Proverbs 31 (above) along with Revelation 1:3 (written to born again believers):


6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.


We ARE kings in the eyes of Almighty God. The exhortation in Proverbs 31 is that it is not wise for kings to drink wine or other intoxicating drinks. It is lawful, it is just not expedient (profitable, advantageous or useful) or wise! As with ALL things in life, the choice is yours. Choose wisely!


The rest of Proverbs 31 is instructing young men what to look for in a godly wife! The most important verse to remember is verse 30:


30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but  a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! 


If the beauty you see on the outside of a person, whether man or woman, does not originate on the inside, from a born again spirit and a soul that loves the Lord, then it will eventually turn very ugly! Without HIM, we are of NO worth! Here is a Hillsong United song from their Aftermath CD called "Search My Heart":

Colossians 4:2-6:


2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. 3 And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; 4 That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty. 5 Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity. 6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].


This is a MUST place to start for the believer in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, who wants to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant" from the Lord! Begin with these basics and then add to this your personal ministry that the Holy Spirit will lead you in! Rewards await in Heaven, AND on the earth, for those who are obedient to His Word and His calling! AMEN!


Shalom in Him!