Jeremiah 31:33-34
"But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know Me from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the Lord, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews quoted this extended passage, so I think God wants us to know this. God will never abandon the Nation Israel. God made them promises that will not be transferred to any other people.
This passage tells us about a future time when Jesus has assumed the Throne of David and will reign as King over the whole Earth. He will not just give them His laws, as He did at Mount Sinai, but will change their hearts by the New Birth, and no one will need to tell anyone else who Jesus is, everyone will already know Him, not just know of Him.
They will all know in their hearts the right way to live their lives, and how to build healthy relationships with one another; they will all know God's love for them, and will love and worship Him and love one another with His love; and they will all know God's forgiveness, and be able to grant that forgiveness to themselves and to one another. It will be Earth's Golden Age.
Today let us live our lives knowing Him, loving Him, and extending His love and forgiveness to one another, in the power of His Holy Spirit that lives in us. That's what Jesus meant when He talked about the Kingdom of God being within us. He is our King and we obey Him as His subjects today, being in the world but not of it. And eagerly waiting for His Glorious Appearing.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, May 13, 2016
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Great Is His Faithfulness
Lamentations 3:21-23
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
I can remember, and remembering gives me hope. God never changes. He has sent His Son to be the fully atoning Sacrifice, completely satisfying God's wrath on sin, in our place and for our benefit. Now God is free to forgive us when we confess, agree with God of the sinfulness of our sins (I John 1:9). So each day is a new start. Each day is the first day of the rest of our life. We can leave the old habits that have made our life miserable and wake up to a brand-new day. Because "His compassions never fail. They are new every morning." He will remain faithful even if we fall down again today; there's always tomorrow.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
I can remember, and remembering gives me hope. God never changes. He has sent His Son to be the fully atoning Sacrifice, completely satisfying God's wrath on sin, in our place and for our benefit. Now God is free to forgive us when we confess, agree with God of the sinfulness of our sins (I John 1:9). So each day is a new start. Each day is the first day of the rest of our life. We can leave the old habits that have made our life miserable and wake up to a brand-new day. Because "His compassions never fail. They are new every morning." He will remain faithful even if we fall down again today; there's always tomorrow.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
God Fights For Us
Nehemiah 4:20
…Our God will fight for us.
Nehemiah had come from Iraq where the Israelites had been carried to by Nebuchadnezzar, and now King Artaxerxes had allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, and both Ezra and Nehemiah returned with them. Nehemiah had come specifically to rebuild the defensive wall surrounding the city. When the local leaders in the area realized that they were actually making progress in the work, they all banded together to attack and stop them. But Nehemiah heard of their plot, and took steps to militarize all the workers, with weapons and guards. And he encouraged them with the reminder that it was God Who would protect them, like He had done before in their history.
God has always fought for His own people, whether they are born of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), or born-again into God's own family (John 3:3). God allowed for the regional leaders to realize that the Jews were ready to defend themselves, so they broke off the attack. And God fights for us, His children, today.
Just as the Jews were fearful, but God used their preparations to discourage an attack on them, so also, when we see a problem ahead, or are facing difficulties, when we do what we can and trust Him, then He always comes through in our defense. God is God, He is the Almighty, and He has total control of every detail. He will not do what we are to do, but He wants us to trust Him to do what we cannot do. So we need not be afraid or worry.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
…Our God will fight for us.
Nehemiah had come from Iraq where the Israelites had been carried to by Nebuchadnezzar, and now King Artaxerxes had allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, and both Ezra and Nehemiah returned with them. Nehemiah had come specifically to rebuild the defensive wall surrounding the city. When the local leaders in the area realized that they were actually making progress in the work, they all banded together to attack and stop them. But Nehemiah heard of their plot, and took steps to militarize all the workers, with weapons and guards. And he encouraged them with the reminder that it was God Who would protect them, like He had done before in their history.
God has always fought for His own people, whether they are born of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel), or born-again into God's own family (John 3:3). God allowed for the regional leaders to realize that the Jews were ready to defend themselves, so they broke off the attack. And God fights for us, His children, today.
Just as the Jews were fearful, but God used their preparations to discourage an attack on them, so also, when we see a problem ahead, or are facing difficulties, when we do what we can and trust Him, then He always comes through in our defense. God is God, He is the Almighty, and He has total control of every detail. He will not do what we are to do, but He wants us to trust Him to do what we cannot do. So we need not be afraid or worry.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
God's Will
I Thessalonians 4:3-8
For this is the will of God, --
What is God's will for me? Here it is.
your sanctification; --
This is what will make us holy, separated from this world's evil.
that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; --
To not use our body parts in ways not intended by God.
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel --
Each of us needs to take care of the physical needs of our bodies, we are each responsible for our own bodies.
in sanctification and honor, --
We care for our bodies with the aim of separating from worldly things that would harm or damage our physical life or relationships, or dishonor ourselves or others.
not in lustful passion, --
We are not to give in to our "I want it and I want it now" lusts for whatever it is we want, whether a sexual arousal or some other appetite, such as a chemical-laden non-food that fires up pleasure responses in our brain.
like the Gentiles who don't know God; --
That's like the people who don't know God, who put other things and desires before wanting to know God; who worship themselves or their possessions or their status; Pagans.
and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter --
If a believer falls into a passionate physical relationship with one who is not his wife, he is defrauding her father and her future husband of what is rightfully given on a wedding night.
because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, --
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Avenger who will settle all scores and even all odds, because He is the One Who is our perfect Sacrifice, atoning in full for every transgression, deed, thought, word and desire that is not up to God's perfect Standard.
just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. --
We are warned repeatedly all through Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, and every preacher of righteousness we have ever heard.
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, --
God did not give us a free will in order to do whatever we want;
but in sanctification.
But so that we could freely choose His good for us, and be rewarded for our choices.
Consequently, he who rejects this --
As a consequence of this, those who don't choose to agree with God, who make their own decisions to believe and do whatever they want,
is not rejecting man,
are not rejecting the people who preached righteousness,
but the God Who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
but are rejecting God Who is the Maker of it all and told us how it works; and they refuse to cooperate, so they go against the right, then wonder why they suffer. But God has given us who believe His Holy Spirit to inform us, to teach us the right ways, and to strengthen us to be able to do the hard thing that is the right thing to do.
Dear Father, help me to always "possess [my] own vessel in sanctification and honor." Help me to always consider Your ways when I am tempted to react in worldly ways, and do the hard thing; to keep my mouth shut; to eat the real foods You provide; to order my gestures and looks to not tempt anyone to take advantage, and thereby dishonor You by dishonoring my body.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For this is the will of God, --
What is God's will for me? Here it is.
your sanctification; --
This is what will make us holy, separated from this world's evil.
that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; --
To not use our body parts in ways not intended by God.
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel --
Each of us needs to take care of the physical needs of our bodies, we are each responsible for our own bodies.
in sanctification and honor, --
We care for our bodies with the aim of separating from worldly things that would harm or damage our physical life or relationships, or dishonor ourselves or others.
not in lustful passion, --
We are not to give in to our "I want it and I want it now" lusts for whatever it is we want, whether a sexual arousal or some other appetite, such as a chemical-laden non-food that fires up pleasure responses in our brain.
like the Gentiles who don't know God; --
That's like the people who don't know God, who put other things and desires before wanting to know God; who worship themselves or their possessions or their status; Pagans.
and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter --
If a believer falls into a passionate physical relationship with one who is not his wife, he is defrauding her father and her future husband of what is rightfully given on a wedding night.
because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, --
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Avenger who will settle all scores and even all odds, because He is the One Who is our perfect Sacrifice, atoning in full for every transgression, deed, thought, word and desire that is not up to God's perfect Standard.
just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. --
We are warned repeatedly all through Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, and every preacher of righteousness we have ever heard.
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, --
God did not give us a free will in order to do whatever we want;
but in sanctification.
But so that we could freely choose His good for us, and be rewarded for our choices.
Consequently, he who rejects this --
As a consequence of this, those who don't choose to agree with God, who make their own decisions to believe and do whatever they want,
is not rejecting man,
are not rejecting the people who preached righteousness,
but the God Who gives His Holy Spirit to you.
but are rejecting God Who is the Maker of it all and told us how it works; and they refuse to cooperate, so they go against the right, then wonder why they suffer. But God has given us who believe His Holy Spirit to inform us, to teach us the right ways, and to strengthen us to be able to do the hard thing that is the right thing to do.
Dear Father, help me to always "possess [my] own vessel in sanctification and honor." Help me to always consider Your ways when I am tempted to react in worldly ways, and do the hard thing; to keep my mouth shut; to eat the real foods You provide; to order my gestures and looks to not tempt anyone to take advantage, and thereby dishonor You by dishonoring my body.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, May 9, 2016
Chariots And Horses Of Fire!
II Kings 2:1-14
(1) And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2) ..."Stay here."... Went down to Bethel. (4) ..."Stay here." ... So they went down to Jericho. (6) ... "Stay here." ... So the two of them went on [to the Jordan River]. (8) And Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ... (9) "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." (11) Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. (12) And Elisha saw it and cried out, ... and he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. (13) He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. (14) And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the waters, ... and they were divided here and there and Elisha crossed over.
Elisha was very persistent; he was determined to stay with his mentor as long as possible, even when Elijah kept telling him to stay behind. His tenacity paid off, as he was there to see Elijah taken up to Heaven. When he asked Elijah for a "double portion" of his spirit, he was wanting to be acknowledged as Elijah's "first-born," that, according to the Law was to receive a double portion of the inheritance (see Deuteronomy 21:17). This was a very audacious request, one that was not in his authority to grant. But God said, "Yes!"
And to have the "chariot of fire and horses of fire" come right between them as they walked together affected Elisha so powerfully that he tore his garments into two pieces. These were a very passionate people, and when overcome by emotion would often react by tearing their clothes.
Elisha also had Elijah's mantle, with which he performed the same miracle, of dividing the Jordan to walk across on dry ground.
O my Father, please grant me the persistence of Elisha, to persist in trusting You; the tenacity of Elisha, to hold on to Your promises even when I see no answer to my prayers; and the audacity of Elisha, to ask of You only what You'd be able to do for me and through me. Keep me faithful, Father, that you would do great things through me, and keep me humble, to not realize my part in Your miracles until after. That You will receive all the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(1) And it came about when the Lord was about to take up Elijah by a whirlwind to heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. (2) ..."Stay here."... Went down to Bethel. (4) ..."Stay here." ... So they went down to Jericho. (6) ... "Stay here." ... So the two of them went on [to the Jordan River]. (8) And Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. ... (9) "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." (11) Then it came about as they were going along and talking, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. (12) And Elisha saw it and cried out, ... and he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. (13) He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. (14) And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and struck the waters, ... and they were divided here and there and Elisha crossed over.
Elisha was very persistent; he was determined to stay with his mentor as long as possible, even when Elijah kept telling him to stay behind. His tenacity paid off, as he was there to see Elijah taken up to Heaven. When he asked Elijah for a "double portion" of his spirit, he was wanting to be acknowledged as Elijah's "first-born," that, according to the Law was to receive a double portion of the inheritance (see Deuteronomy 21:17). This was a very audacious request, one that was not in his authority to grant. But God said, "Yes!"
And to have the "chariot of fire and horses of fire" come right between them as they walked together affected Elisha so powerfully that he tore his garments into two pieces. These were a very passionate people, and when overcome by emotion would often react by tearing their clothes.
Elisha also had Elijah's mantle, with which he performed the same miracle, of dividing the Jordan to walk across on dry ground.
O my Father, please grant me the persistence of Elisha, to persist in trusting You; the tenacity of Elisha, to hold on to Your promises even when I see no answer to my prayers; and the audacity of Elisha, to ask of You only what You'd be able to do for me and through me. Keep me faithful, Father, that you would do great things through me, and keep me humble, to not realize my part in Your miracles until after. That You will receive all the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Mothers' Day
III John 4
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the Truth.
Happy Mothers' Day to all of you who have children, grandchildren and spiritual children. May they all know the Father's love and walk in His Truth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the Truth.
Happy Mothers' Day to all of you who have children, grandchildren and spiritual children. May they all know the Father's love and walk in His Truth.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Leviathan
Leviathan: Strong's Hebrew index, #3882; livyathan=liv-yaw-thawn--(from #3867; lavah=law-vaw--to twine or twist to unite) A wreathed [twisted] animal, a large sea monster.
Job 41:1-10
God says to Job, Can you draw out Leviathan with a fish-hook? [No.] Or press down his tongue with a cord? [No.] Can you put a rope in his nose? [No.] Or pierce his jaw with a hook? [No.] Will he make many supplications to you? [No, he won't beg.] Or will he speak to you soft words? [No.] Will he make a covenant with you? [No, no agreements.] Will you take him for a servant forever? [Not a chance.] Will you play with him as with a bird? [Hardly.] Or will you bind him for your maidens? [A plaything for your little girls?] Will the traders bargain over him? [No] Will they divide him among the merchants? [Cut him up? With what knife?] Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? [Nothing could penetrate.] Lay your hand on him; remember the battle; you will not do it again! [If you survive, you'll never attempt it again!] Behold your expectation is false [if you think you can survive an encounter with him]; will you be laid low even at the sight of him? [Just being close enough to see him!] No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him [no living human being.]
So God tells Job that this sea-monster cannot be caught or tamed or merchandised. No hook, no harpoon, no spear would be able to penetrate his skin. God made this dragon to be impervious to any man's attempt to subdue him.
Psalm 74:13-14
Thou didst divide the sea by Thy strength; Thou didst break the heads of the sea monsters in the waters, Thou didst crush the heads of Leviathan; Thou didst give him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
I think that here Leviathan is used as a name for all the Leviathans in the oceans, as I don't think that a single animal could normally and naturally have more than one head. So when God divided the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through it, He also killed some of the sea-monsters, and their bodies washed up onto the shore with the dead Egyptians.
Psalm 104:24-26
O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; the Earth is full of Thy possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, animals both small and great. There the ships move along, And the Leviathan, which Thou hast formed to sport in it.
Okay, here the Leviathan is named as a species of animal that plays and cavorts in the seas and oceans. I think about dolphins and otters and sharks and sailfish and other sea animals that seem to play and dance in the waters of the Earth. And it is named with the ships that ply the waves, as comparable in size to them.
Isaiah 27:1
In that Day the Lord will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, with his fierce and mighty sword, even Leviathan the twisted serpent; and He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.
This is referring to the Day of the Lord, and Leviathan is still in this Earth, still twisting in the waters of the seas, waiting for King Jesus to slay him with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth: His Word. He will attempt to flee, but none will be able to evade His ultimate judgement.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Job 41:1-10
God says to Job, Can you draw out Leviathan with a fish-hook? [No.] Or press down his tongue with a cord? [No.] Can you put a rope in his nose? [No.] Or pierce his jaw with a hook? [No.] Will he make many supplications to you? [No, he won't beg.] Or will he speak to you soft words? [No.] Will he make a covenant with you? [No, no agreements.] Will you take him for a servant forever? [Not a chance.] Will you play with him as with a bird? [Hardly.] Or will you bind him for your maidens? [A plaything for your little girls?] Will the traders bargain over him? [No] Will they divide him among the merchants? [Cut him up? With what knife?] Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? [Nothing could penetrate.] Lay your hand on him; remember the battle; you will not do it again! [If you survive, you'll never attempt it again!] Behold your expectation is false [if you think you can survive an encounter with him]; will you be laid low even at the sight of him? [Just being close enough to see him!] No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him [no living human being.]
So God tells Job that this sea-monster cannot be caught or tamed or merchandised. No hook, no harpoon, no spear would be able to penetrate his skin. God made this dragon to be impervious to any man's attempt to subdue him.
Psalm 74:13-14
Thou didst divide the sea by Thy strength; Thou didst break the heads of the sea monsters in the waters, Thou didst crush the heads of Leviathan; Thou didst give him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
I think that here Leviathan is used as a name for all the Leviathans in the oceans, as I don't think that a single animal could normally and naturally have more than one head. So when God divided the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through it, He also killed some of the sea-monsters, and their bodies washed up onto the shore with the dead Egyptians.
Psalm 104:24-26
O Lord, how many are Thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all; the Earth is full of Thy possessions. There is the sea, great and broad, in which are swarms without number, animals both small and great. There the ships move along, And the Leviathan, which Thou hast formed to sport in it.
Okay, here the Leviathan is named as a species of animal that plays and cavorts in the seas and oceans. I think about dolphins and otters and sharks and sailfish and other sea animals that seem to play and dance in the waters of the Earth. And it is named with the ships that ply the waves, as comparable in size to them.
Isaiah 27:1
In that Day the Lord will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, with his fierce and mighty sword, even Leviathan the twisted serpent; and He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.
This is referring to the Day of the Lord, and Leviathan is still in this Earth, still twisting in the waters of the seas, waiting for King Jesus to slay him with the sword that proceeds out of His mouth: His Word. He will attempt to flee, but none will be able to evade His ultimate judgement.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)