Luke 12: 31-32
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives you Father great happiness to give you the kingdom.
O my Father, please wake me up. Wake up Your church in America. Wake up the congregations of Your people to see how far we have fallen and bring great revival. Please raise up godly leaders all over this land who will govern and rule in righteousness and true judgment. Raise up godly judges who will not be seduced into perverting righteous judgments. Raise up godly legislators who will pass laws to return integrity and goodness to our land. Wake up Your people to elect the godly, righteous leaders we need to return to You and Your ways before the end.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 21, 2016
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Words Of Life
Proverbs 12: 18-20
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil, joy fills hearts that are planning peace.
John 6: 63, 68
"The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." ... Simon Peter replied, "You alone have the words that give eternal life. ..."
O my Father, You have given me words of life, that I might give these life-words to others. My words often have been vinegar, pushing away the very ones I desire to draw close. Fill my mind and my heart with Your life-giving words, to crowd out all the negative and critical attitudes that still remain there; that the words that spill over from my heart out my mouth would be healing to my relationships.
Open my eyes and mind and heart to see and understand all that is behind the words and actions of others, that I might respond in a positive, encouraging manner that will heal.
Continue to draw us all closer to Yourself, Father, for salvation, for understanding and for growth in Christ.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil, joy fills hearts that are planning peace.
John 6: 63, 68
"The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." ... Simon Peter replied, "You alone have the words that give eternal life. ..."
O my Father, You have given me words of life, that I might give these life-words to others. My words often have been vinegar, pushing away the very ones I desire to draw close. Fill my mind and my heart with Your life-giving words, to crowd out all the negative and critical attitudes that still remain there; that the words that spill over from my heart out my mouth would be healing to my relationships.
Open my eyes and mind and heart to see and understand all that is behind the words and actions of others, that I might respond in a positive, encouraging manner that will heal.
Continue to draw us all closer to Yourself, Father, for salvation, for understanding and for growth in Christ.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Right, Just And Fair
Proverbs 2: 1-9
My child, listen to Me, ... tune your ears ... cry out ...search ...Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to Him.
Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.
O my Father, I have listened, I have tuned my ears to hear, I have and am crying out to You and searching diligently. And I have gained an understanding of what it means to fear the Lord, to appreciate the magnitude of Your power and righteousness and Your sovereign authority over all You have made.
Now, Father, grant me the wisdom to apply the knowledge and understanding You have granted me to learn, to choose the right course of action to take to resolve the issues that persist in my relationships. Be my Shield, to protect me as I walk in integrity. Guard my path as I seek to be faithful to You in my attitudes, words and actions.
Help me to understand what is right, just and fair in my communications with my loved ones and with others, so that I will take the right course of action and words every time to bless them and glorify You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
My child, listen to Me, ... tune your ears ... cry out ...search ...Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to Him.
Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.
O my Father, I have listened, I have tuned my ears to hear, I have and am crying out to You and searching diligently. And I have gained an understanding of what it means to fear the Lord, to appreciate the magnitude of Your power and righteousness and Your sovereign authority over all You have made.
Now, Father, grant me the wisdom to apply the knowledge and understanding You have granted me to learn, to choose the right course of action to take to resolve the issues that persist in my relationships. Be my Shield, to protect me as I walk in integrity. Guard my path as I seek to be faithful to You in my attitudes, words and actions.
Help me to understand what is right, just and fair in my communications with my loved ones and with others, so that I will take the right course of action and words every time to bless them and glorify You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
God's Diamonds
Proverbs 16:4
The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
Our God is the Almighty God of the Ages, Creator of the Universe. He has made all things for His own pleasure, and all His purposes for everything will be accomplished. His goodness to those who love Him is set in contrast to His justice in punishing the wicked who hate Him. Just as the fiery light of a diamond gleams brightest against a black velvet backdrop, so His chosen ones will shine with His glory forever.
I think of a video game scenario, a very poor illustration: As the player controls the hero, and the hero learns by trial and gains in skills and powers, he fights and vanquishes ever stronger foes until he finally comes to the culmination, the final victory, and wins the game. There would be no game without the dastardly foes.
And our dastardly foes are not flesh and blood, but are spiritual authorities in heavenly places, invisible to our physical eyes, but detectable in our spirits. This foe often attacks us through human people who have been deceived by him, but these people are not really our enemies, but the dark powers behind them are. That's why Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, those who despitefully use us, because God's goodness to them can lead them to repentance also, as it did for us.
But those people who refuse to want to know the Truth, and choose to continue in the godless life they have made for themselves, will in the end find that their god is our enemy, and will share his eternity, separated from God. This will starkly contrast with the light and life and joy and peace we will have in Christ with God forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
Our God is the Almighty God of the Ages, Creator of the Universe. He has made all things for His own pleasure, and all His purposes for everything will be accomplished. His goodness to those who love Him is set in contrast to His justice in punishing the wicked who hate Him. Just as the fiery light of a diamond gleams brightest against a black velvet backdrop, so His chosen ones will shine with His glory forever.
I think of a video game scenario, a very poor illustration: As the player controls the hero, and the hero learns by trial and gains in skills and powers, he fights and vanquishes ever stronger foes until he finally comes to the culmination, the final victory, and wins the game. There would be no game without the dastardly foes.
And our dastardly foes are not flesh and blood, but are spiritual authorities in heavenly places, invisible to our physical eyes, but detectable in our spirits. This foe often attacks us through human people who have been deceived by him, but these people are not really our enemies, but the dark powers behind them are. That's why Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, those who despitefully use us, because God's goodness to them can lead them to repentance also, as it did for us.
But those people who refuse to want to know the Truth, and choose to continue in the godless life they have made for themselves, will in the end find that their god is our enemy, and will share his eternity, separated from God. This will starkly contrast with the light and life and joy and peace we will have in Christ with God forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 17, 2016
He That Is Hanged Is Cursed
Deuteronomy 21: 22-23
And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) --
Jesus' body must be removed from the cross and buried that same day, for He bore the curse in God's sight that is upon us, all of us, each one of us, the curse that I deserve. Because He bore my curse, I am free of it, free from the bondage of the curse of sin, and God is now free to bless me instead.
How often have we returned to the mire, the sin that once bound us. In our rebellion, selfishness and pride, our childish willfulness, we have pulled away from You, tried to go our own way, as though we could ever know better than You!
But You are faithful and strong and wise and gentle with us, drawing us back to Your path that You have set before each of us from the detours we tend to run off to.
Father, I want to do what You have for me to do, I want to be who You have made me to be; open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I do want to see You! Thank You for Your promise that, He who began a good work in me will continue to perform it in me until I am perfect on the day my Lord returns. You will never let me go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) --
Jesus' body must be removed from the cross and buried that same day, for He bore the curse in God's sight that is upon us, all of us, each one of us, the curse that I deserve. Because He bore my curse, I am free of it, free from the bondage of the curse of sin, and God is now free to bless me instead.
How often have we returned to the mire, the sin that once bound us. In our rebellion, selfishness and pride, our childish willfulness, we have pulled away from You, tried to go our own way, as though we could ever know better than You!
But You are faithful and strong and wise and gentle with us, drawing us back to Your path that You have set before each of us from the detours we tend to run off to.
Father, I want to do what You have for me to do, I want to be who You have made me to be; open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I do want to see You! Thank You for Your promise that, He who began a good work in me will continue to perform it in me until I am perfect on the day my Lord returns. You will never let me go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 16, 2016
The Least And The Greatest
Luke 9:48
Then He said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes my Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."
I must diminish while You must grow greater (John 3:30). Hide me in the clift of the rock and cover me with Your hand (Exodus 33:22), that I may not promote myself but rather be the servant of all, that my good works may bring glory to You, Father, Who does all things for Your glory. You alone deserves all the honor and glory, for it is You Who are accomplishing Your whole will in this whole world fulfilling Your whole plan for us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then He said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes my Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."
I must diminish while You must grow greater (John 3:30). Hide me in the clift of the rock and cover me with Your hand (Exodus 33:22), that I may not promote myself but rather be the servant of all, that my good works may bring glory to You, Father, Who does all things for Your glory. You alone deserves all the honor and glory, for it is You Who are accomplishing Your whole will in this whole world fulfilling Your whole plan for us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 15, 2016
The King's Responsibility
Deuteronomy 17:18-20
When he sits on the throne as king, --
This is when a new king is anointed and crowned to reign over the people.
He must copy for himself this body of instructions on a scroll --
He is required to make himself his own Bible.
in the presence of the Levitical priests. --
So he will copy accurately every word, every phrase, not leaving anything out.
He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily, --
He cannot misplace it, because he needs to read it every day.
as long as he lives. --
He will never know it so well that he doesn't need to review it every day, his whole life long.
That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God --
This will help him know God better and better, thereby growing in his "fear of the Lord," the reverential awe and respect for God that He deserves.
by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. --
This king will not only know intellectually what God says, but he will also put into practice everything it says to do; this is a faith of doing, not just giving mental assent. It will teach him how to rule his people according to true justice and righteousness.
This regular reading --
Every day.
will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. --
It will continually remind him that, although he is king over the people, he is still one of them, and he does not stand above the law, but is just as subject to it as everyone else.
It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. --
Continually reading all these stipulations every day will keep fresh in his mind the attitudes of mind that recognize that God is the One that is above all, and who made everything and devised the laws that govern all of Creation.
Understanding how all these rules fit together, as a "body of laws" will impress upon him that diverting from them in the least way would be like putting just a little poison into the great pot of stew: it will pollute the whole pot. Likewise, every detail of God's laws is woven into the whole body of laws, and to pull one "string" can unravel the whole garment.
And it will insure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
This was when Moses was repeating to all the children of Israel the Law that God had given to him at the beginning of their sojourn in the desert, at the end of these 40 years of wandering, to make sure that they would all have these ideas clear in their minds as they entered the Promised Land to conquer and possess it.
This says that even the future king would be just as much under God's laws as the poorest of the people under him. It doesn't matter how important you think you are, or how insignificant you think you are, you are fully responsible to know, obey and follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions." No one is exempt.
Now, today, as Christians, we understand that we are not under the Law because Jesus fulfilled all the Law; so now we understand that Body of Law not as specific rules to be followed by rote, but as life principles that are to govern our view of the world, our attitudes, and our thinking processes. We all think that "common sense" should be followed, but what has commonly been known as "common sense" is nothing different than the principles God laid down in His Law. When we are so familiar with God's Word by reading it every day for years and decades, and have God's Holy Spirit living in us to teach us the Truth of His written Word, then we will follow the "common sense" it outlines for our lives.
When the king over Israel had his own Scriptures that he read every day, that would have kept him from ever being enticed to be diverted into following all the disgusting, demon-backed idols and practices of the people who lived around and among them. The peoples that God wanted displaced and eradicated from the land He gave His people. The enticing lies that had deceived these people were to be stamped out, and God's Truth would have triumphed, had the people only followed God with their whole hearts.
When the king strayed, then the people under him also strayed. Likewise, when the king followed God wholeheartedly, God blessed him and his people, and prosperity was enjoyed by everyone in the nation.
That's a very important reason why we need to pay attention to who we elect to be our leaders in our own society: If they follow the right ways, we will all be blessed; if they follow the (left?) wrong ways, they will be deceived and they will deceive the people, which has resulted in poverty and all manner of problems in our society.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
When he sits on the throne as king, --
This is when a new king is anointed and crowned to reign over the people.
He must copy for himself this body of instructions on a scroll --
He is required to make himself his own Bible.
in the presence of the Levitical priests. --
So he will copy accurately every word, every phrase, not leaving anything out.
He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily, --
He cannot misplace it, because he needs to read it every day.
as long as he lives. --
He will never know it so well that he doesn't need to review it every day, his whole life long.
That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God --
This will help him know God better and better, thereby growing in his "fear of the Lord," the reverential awe and respect for God that He deserves.
by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. --
This king will not only know intellectually what God says, but he will also put into practice everything it says to do; this is a faith of doing, not just giving mental assent. It will teach him how to rule his people according to true justice and righteousness.
This regular reading --
Every day.
will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. --
It will continually remind him that, although he is king over the people, he is still one of them, and he does not stand above the law, but is just as subject to it as everyone else.
It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. --
Continually reading all these stipulations every day will keep fresh in his mind the attitudes of mind that recognize that God is the One that is above all, and who made everything and devised the laws that govern all of Creation.
Understanding how all these rules fit together, as a "body of laws" will impress upon him that diverting from them in the least way would be like putting just a little poison into the great pot of stew: it will pollute the whole pot. Likewise, every detail of God's laws is woven into the whole body of laws, and to pull one "string" can unravel the whole garment.
And it will insure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
This was when Moses was repeating to all the children of Israel the Law that God had given to him at the beginning of their sojourn in the desert, at the end of these 40 years of wandering, to make sure that they would all have these ideas clear in their minds as they entered the Promised Land to conquer and possess it.
This says that even the future king would be just as much under God's laws as the poorest of the people under him. It doesn't matter how important you think you are, or how insignificant you think you are, you are fully responsible to know, obey and follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions." No one is exempt.
Now, today, as Christians, we understand that we are not under the Law because Jesus fulfilled all the Law; so now we understand that Body of Law not as specific rules to be followed by rote, but as life principles that are to govern our view of the world, our attitudes, and our thinking processes. We all think that "common sense" should be followed, but what has commonly been known as "common sense" is nothing different than the principles God laid down in His Law. When we are so familiar with God's Word by reading it every day for years and decades, and have God's Holy Spirit living in us to teach us the Truth of His written Word, then we will follow the "common sense" it outlines for our lives.
When the king over Israel had his own Scriptures that he read every day, that would have kept him from ever being enticed to be diverted into following all the disgusting, demon-backed idols and practices of the people who lived around and among them. The peoples that God wanted displaced and eradicated from the land He gave His people. The enticing lies that had deceived these people were to be stamped out, and God's Truth would have triumphed, had the people only followed God with their whole hearts.
When the king strayed, then the people under him also strayed. Likewise, when the king followed God wholeheartedly, God blessed him and his people, and prosperity was enjoyed by everyone in the nation.
That's a very important reason why we need to pay attention to who we elect to be our leaders in our own society: If they follow the right ways, we will all be blessed; if they follow the (left?) wrong ways, they will be deceived and they will deceive the people, which has resulted in poverty and all manner of problems in our society.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
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