Psalm 87:4-6
I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know Me--also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! Regarding Jerusalem it will be said, "Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there." And the Most High will personally bless this city. When the Lord registers the nations, He will say, "They have all become citizens of Jerusalem."
Yes, the day will come when all nations will know the Lord; when Jesus Himself reigns over all the world from Jerusalem, all nations will come to Him and bow before Him as King and Savior.
But not until then. Other nations today try to lay claim to Jerusalem, but without any faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So they have no Divine Right to any of that land, as the nation Israel has. So there will be turmoil in the Middle East until the Lord comes.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 28, 2016
Thursday, October 27, 2016
To Forgive
Luke 17:3-4
So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.
So if they wrong me, I am to let them know how they have offended me; and if I wrong them, I am to ask their forgiveness. Even if I am offended by their constant or repeated, "I'm sorry!" for the same repeated offense, I am to still forgive.
I do not forgive for their sake, because they asked forgiveness; I am to forgive for my own heart's healing, even if they don't ask for forgiveness. To forgive is not to trust--trust regained must be earned. But I must not keep beating myself up for their offences, I must forgive, and let it go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.
So if they wrong me, I am to let them know how they have offended me; and if I wrong them, I am to ask their forgiveness. Even if I am offended by their constant or repeated, "I'm sorry!" for the same repeated offense, I am to still forgive.
I do not forgive for their sake, because they asked forgiveness; I am to forgive for my own heart's healing, even if they don't ask for forgiveness. To forgive is not to trust--trust regained must be earned. But I must not keep beating myself up for their offences, I must forgive, and let it go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Control Our Tongue
Proverbs 13:3
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
O Lord God, my Lord and my Father, please help me. Put a guard on my mouth and keep me from verbally inserting myself where I need to step back. Please keep me out of the way of Your working in the lives and hearts of those close to me. Teach me to be the servant of those who are part of my life. Strengthen me to keep my mouth shut and teach only by my example, without any words at all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
O Lord God, my Lord and my Father, please help me. Put a guard on my mouth and keep me from verbally inserting myself where I need to step back. Please keep me out of the way of Your working in the lives and hearts of those close to me. Teach me to be the servant of those who are part of my life. Strengthen me to keep my mouth shut and teach only by my example, without any words at all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Hidden Faults And Deliberate Sins
Psalm 19:12-14
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
This is my prayer. This has been my prayer for many years now, and God is still showing me what secret sins are still lurking in my heart, so that I can attack them to eradicate them from my life. And I pray that He continue to do this.
I have also sought His strength when confronted with deliberate sinful choices, to decide to do what is right instead of what is easy or convenient. But I need to be mindful at the moment to seek His strength, and not to just "go with the flow." I'm still working on this!
When David talks about deliberate sins controlling him, he's referring to what we call addiction today. Anyone who finds themself caught in this trap, I suggest Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-step program that is based on the Beatitudes and uses the the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Everyone is welcome and can be helped, no matter what the issue is that they are wrestling with, not just alcohol.
When we do these things, then we will be free of feeling guilty, and we won't be as vulnerable to "great sin," using the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to reject it and turn to what is right, instead.
Then our words and our very thoughts will be pleasing to God, and we will be enabled to be Jesus' hands and feet, and His voice in teaching others of God's good ways.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
This is my prayer. This has been my prayer for many years now, and God is still showing me what secret sins are still lurking in my heart, so that I can attack them to eradicate them from my life. And I pray that He continue to do this.
I have also sought His strength when confronted with deliberate sinful choices, to decide to do what is right instead of what is easy or convenient. But I need to be mindful at the moment to seek His strength, and not to just "go with the flow." I'm still working on this!
When David talks about deliberate sins controlling him, he's referring to what we call addiction today. Anyone who finds themself caught in this trap, I suggest Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-step program that is based on the Beatitudes and uses the the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Everyone is welcome and can be helped, no matter what the issue is that they are wrestling with, not just alcohol.
When we do these things, then we will be free of feeling guilty, and we won't be as vulnerable to "great sin," using the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to reject it and turn to what is right, instead.
Then our words and our very thoughts will be pleasing to God, and we will be enabled to be Jesus' hands and feet, and His voice in teaching others of God's good ways.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 24, 2016
Be Strong And Courageous
Joshua 1: 7-9
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
We need to be careful to obey all the instructions God has given to us, not leaving anything out. We are not to deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left--don't make them stricter or easier, more conservative or more liberal than what they actually say. That's how we will be able to be successful in everything we do in life. If we study this Book of Instruction continually, daily, and meditate on it day and night, thinking about it when we get up and go to bed, and in relation to everything we do all day, then we will be able to obey everything written in it, and only then will [we] prosper and succeed in all [we] do.
God has given us His Manufacturer's Instructions, the how-to manual, to show us the way He has designed this Earth and this world on it, to operate properly. He doesn't want us to add any further complications or requirements to it, nor will He abide our leaving out any of it we don't think we agree to. We are not to change any part of it, to "interpret" it other than its normal, common meaning of the words.
Then when we understand His love for us in providing everything we need in every area of life, and trust His wisdom and knowledge to have planned out everything for the progress of this world's societies in carrying out His Plan of the Ages; then we will be able to be strong and courageous, and not be afraid or discouraged, no matter what kind of turmoil happens to be roiling around us, trusting Him to be with us all the time and everywhere we go.
Thank you, dear Father, for giving us Your Word, to teach us of Your love and care for us; for pouring out Your wrath due us on Christ Jesus on the Cross in our place, and for sealing us up into Your Kingdom forever by Your Holy Spirit. Your greatness and graciousness and mercy are unfathomable. There is no other in all Creation like You or even similar to You, as You are the Creator, and stand apart in Your holiness from all You have made.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
We need to be careful to obey all the instructions God has given to us, not leaving anything out. We are not to deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left--don't make them stricter or easier, more conservative or more liberal than what they actually say. That's how we will be able to be successful in everything we do in life. If we study this Book of Instruction continually, daily, and meditate on it day and night, thinking about it when we get up and go to bed, and in relation to everything we do all day, then we will be able to obey everything written in it, and only then will [we] prosper and succeed in all [we] do.
God has given us His Manufacturer's Instructions, the how-to manual, to show us the way He has designed this Earth and this world on it, to operate properly. He doesn't want us to add any further complications or requirements to it, nor will He abide our leaving out any of it we don't think we agree to. We are not to change any part of it, to "interpret" it other than its normal, common meaning of the words.
Then when we understand His love for us in providing everything we need in every area of life, and trust His wisdom and knowledge to have planned out everything for the progress of this world's societies in carrying out His Plan of the Ages; then we will be able to be strong and courageous, and not be afraid or discouraged, no matter what kind of turmoil happens to be roiling around us, trusting Him to be with us all the time and everywhere we go.
Thank you, dear Father, for giving us Your Word, to teach us of Your love and care for us; for pouring out Your wrath due us on Christ Jesus on the Cross in our place, and for sealing us up into Your Kingdom forever by Your Holy Spirit. Your greatness and graciousness and mercy are unfathomable. There is no other in all Creation like You or even similar to You, as You are the Creator, and stand apart in Your holiness from all You have made.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Yeast
Luke 13: 20-21
He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."
Jesus also said that the Kingdom of God is within me (Luke 17:21); since I revere and obey Jesus as my King, I am a part of His Kingdom. Each one of us who has recognized His authority over us as our King is also a part of His Kingdom right now. So we are to be the yeast in the dough of the society we live in to raise it up, just as the yeast makes the bread to rise. It takes time; The dough sits to rise, then is often punched down to rise again. We need to remember this when we find ourselves "punched down." We will rise again. And we may even raise up our whole society, if we don't give up.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."
Jesus also said that the Kingdom of God is within me (Luke 17:21); since I revere and obey Jesus as my King, I am a part of His Kingdom. Each one of us who has recognized His authority over us as our King is also a part of His Kingdom right now. So we are to be the yeast in the dough of the society we live in to raise it up, just as the yeast makes the bread to rise. It takes time; The dough sits to rise, then is often punched down to rise again. We need to remember this when we find ourselves "punched down." We will rise again. And we may even raise up our whole society, if we don't give up.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Empty Words
Deuteronomy 32:47
These instructions are not empty words--they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.
(See also, John 6:63, The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.)
Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is our life. Man's words are empty, like the empty calories we eat that do not nourish but only put on unhealthy fat. God has given us real food that will nourish our physical bodies. And He has given us Real Food and Real Drink that are spiritual, for our life itself is spiritual, and it manifests itself in our physical bodies.
Isaiah 55:2
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good?
Empty calories in processed foods do not nourish our bodies, and can be a source of many of our diseases. And listening to all this world's "wisdom" will never lead to good health. Only God's natural foods give physical life, and His Word gives Real Life; God's laws and rules provide the spiritual nourishment, the principles by which we live our lives, and results in robust health; in the spiritual, emotional and physical arenas.
So I have learned to enjoy God's nourishing whole foods instead of the chemically-enhanced flavorings of this world's processed foods. And I also daily nourish my emotional and spiritual health by ingesting His Word. I will take a "bite" and "chew" it until I am ready to accept that Truth in its total entirety, with all its practicality and applicability to my life, my daily living and attitudes; then I'll "swallow" it, to let it become my life.
May I honestly approach Scripture with an open mind, ready to learn what Truth God has for me each day, not considering what I may have previously been taught, or what I would want to find there for my own vindication.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
These instructions are not empty words--they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.
(See also, John 6:63, The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.)
Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is our life. Man's words are empty, like the empty calories we eat that do not nourish but only put on unhealthy fat. God has given us real food that will nourish our physical bodies. And He has given us Real Food and Real Drink that are spiritual, for our life itself is spiritual, and it manifests itself in our physical bodies.
Isaiah 55:2
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good?
Empty calories in processed foods do not nourish our bodies, and can be a source of many of our diseases. And listening to all this world's "wisdom" will never lead to good health. Only God's natural foods give physical life, and His Word gives Real Life; God's laws and rules provide the spiritual nourishment, the principles by which we live our lives, and results in robust health; in the spiritual, emotional and physical arenas.
So I have learned to enjoy God's nourishing whole foods instead of the chemically-enhanced flavorings of this world's processed foods. And I also daily nourish my emotional and spiritual health by ingesting His Word. I will take a "bite" and "chew" it until I am ready to accept that Truth in its total entirety, with all its practicality and applicability to my life, my daily living and attitudes; then I'll "swallow" it, to let it become my life.
May I honestly approach Scripture with an open mind, ready to learn what Truth God has for me each day, not considering what I may have previously been taught, or what I would want to find there for my own vindication.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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