OUR ETERNAL INHERITANCE IS KEPT SAFELY IN HEAVEN FOR US UNTIL THE REVELATION OF THE MESSIAH
(1 Pet 1:3-5 KJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
{4} To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
{5} Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time.
(Mat 6:9 KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
(Acts 7:54-60 KJV)
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
{55} But he(Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven,
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
{56} And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
(Rev 21:3-8 KJV)
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people,
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
{4} And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
{5} And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new.
And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
{6} And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
{7} He that overcometh shall inherit all things;
and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
{8} But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,
and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death.
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Gospel (#7) Presented by Jesus
The Gospel (#7) Presented by Jesus
REVEALING THE THINGS OF HEAVEN
(Isa 57:15 KJV)
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is Holy;
I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isa 66:1-2 (KJV)
Thus saith the LORD,
The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:
where is the house that ye build unto me?
and where is the place of my rest?
{2} For all those things hath mine hand made,
and all those things have been, saith the LORD:
but to this man will I look,
even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,
and trembleth at my word.
(1 Ki 8:27 KJV)
But will God indeed dwell on the earth?
behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee;
how much less this house that I have builded?
(Mat 3:1-2 KJV)
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, {2} And saying,
Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(Mat 3:16-17 KJV)
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
{17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
THE ESSENTIALS OF JESUS' PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL
1) REPENT (TURN AWAY FROM SIN AND WICKED BEHAVIOR)
2) FOLLOW ME (JESUS) BECOME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
3) BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST (ENTRUST YOUR SPIRITUAL WELL BEING TO HIM)
4) OBEY MY WORDS (OF JESUS CHRIST).
5) YOU MUST BE SPIRITUALLY REBORN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
6) OBTAIN FORGIVENESS OF SIN BECAUSE OF GOD'S MERCY
*7) JESUS TEACHES ABOUT HEAVEN
8) JESUS TEACHES ABOUT HELL
9) SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT
JESUS TEACHES ABOUT HEAVEN
Heaven is where believers inthe Lord Jesus Christ will go at death, but unbelievers will never see. When the spirit leaves the human body, heaven becomes the believer's one true eternal Home. Those who believe in Jesus are meant to happily anticipate heaven each day with great joy and delight. For heaven is the place of eternal joy, being in the presence of Christ forever.
THE NEW TESTAMENT AFFIRMS THAT GOD CREATED HEAVEN
(Acts 4:24 KJV)
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said,
Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and all that in them is:
HEAVEN AND EARTH STAND UNDER GOD'S LORDSHIP
(Mat 11:25 KJV)
At that time Jesus answered and said,
I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes.
HEAVEN IS THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD
(Mat 6:9-10 KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
{10} Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN DAWNED THROUGH JESUS' PRESENCE AND MINISTRY
(Mark 1:14-15 KJV)
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, {15} And saying,
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe the gospel.
JESUS SPOKE OF HEAVEN AS A MESSIANIC BANQUET, A PLACE OF JOY, CELEBRATION AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
(Mat 26:28-29 KJV)
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
{29} But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,
until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
JESUS SPOKE OF HEAVENLY LIFE AS A TIME OF JOY, CELEBRATION AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
(Mat 26:27-29 KJV)
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
{28} For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
{29} But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,
until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
(Mat 13:43a KJV)
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father....
(Mat 25:34 KJV)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
(Isa 25:6-9 KJV)
And in this mountainshall the LORD of hosts make unto all people
a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
{7} And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people,
and the veil that is spread over all nations.
{8} He will swallow up death in victory;
and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;
and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth:
for the LORD hath spoken it. {9} And it shall be said in that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us:
this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
(Rev 7:9-17 KJV)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number,
of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; {10} And cried with a loud voice, saying,
Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
{11} And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts,
and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
{12} Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might,
be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
{13} And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,
What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
{14} And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tribulation,
and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
{15} Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple:
and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
{16} They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
{17} For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters:
and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MARRYING OR GIVING IN MARRIAGE IN HEAVEN
(Luke 20:34-36 KJV)
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
{35} But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead,
neither marry, nor are given in marriage: {36} Neither can they die any more:
for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
CHRISTIANS SHOULD REJOICE BECAUSE THEIR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN
(Luke 10:20 KJV)
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you;
but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
JESUS PROMISED A HEAVENLY HOME FOR HIS FOLLOWERS
(John 14:1-6 KJV)
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
{2} In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
{3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.
{4} And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
{5} Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
{6} Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(2 Cor 5:1-2 KJV)
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,
we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
{2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
CHRIST IS SEATED IN HEAVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER
(Eph 1:17-22a KJV)
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
{18} The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
{19} And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power,
{20} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,
and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
{21} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in thisworld, but also in that which is to come:
{22} And hath put all things under his feet,...
THE HOPE OF HEAVEN IS THE HOPE OF GLORY
(Col 1:26-28 KJV)
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
{27} To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
{28} Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD'S PLEDGE TO BELIEVERS THAT WE WILL PARTICIPATE IN HEAVEN
(2 Cor 5:5-10 KJV)
Now he that hath wrought us{Grk=made us a finished work} for the selfsame thing is God,
who also hath given unto us the earnest{Grk=down payment} of the Spirit.
{6} Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
{7} (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
{8} We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
{9} Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
{10} For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
that every one may receive the things done in his body,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
REVEALING THE THINGS OF HEAVEN
(Isa 57:15 KJV)
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is Holy;
I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Isa 66:1-2 (KJV)
Thus saith the LORD,
The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:
where is the house that ye build unto me?
and where is the place of my rest?
{2} For all those things hath mine hand made,
and all those things have been, saith the LORD:
but to this man will I look,
even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,
and trembleth at my word.
(1 Ki 8:27 KJV)
But will God indeed dwell on the earth?
behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee;
how much less this house that I have builded?
(Mat 3:1-2 KJV)
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, {2} And saying,
Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(Mat 3:16-17 KJV)
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
{17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
THE ESSENTIALS OF JESUS' PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL
1) REPENT (TURN AWAY FROM SIN AND WICKED BEHAVIOR)
2) FOLLOW ME (JESUS) BECOME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
3) BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST (ENTRUST YOUR SPIRITUAL WELL BEING TO HIM)
4) OBEY MY WORDS (OF JESUS CHRIST).
5) YOU MUST BE SPIRITUALLY REBORN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
6) OBTAIN FORGIVENESS OF SIN BECAUSE OF GOD'S MERCY
*7) JESUS TEACHES ABOUT HEAVEN
8) JESUS TEACHES ABOUT HELL
9) SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT
JESUS TEACHES ABOUT HEAVEN
Heaven is where believers inthe Lord Jesus Christ will go at death, but unbelievers will never see. When the spirit leaves the human body, heaven becomes the believer's one true eternal Home. Those who believe in Jesus are meant to happily anticipate heaven each day with great joy and delight. For heaven is the place of eternal joy, being in the presence of Christ forever.
THE NEW TESTAMENT AFFIRMS THAT GOD CREATED HEAVEN
(Acts 4:24 KJV)
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said,
Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and all that in them is:
HEAVEN AND EARTH STAND UNDER GOD'S LORDSHIP
(Mat 11:25 KJV)
At that time Jesus answered and said,
I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes.
HEAVEN IS THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD
(Mat 6:9-10 KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
{10} Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN DAWNED THROUGH JESUS' PRESENCE AND MINISTRY
(Mark 1:14-15 KJV)
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, {15} And saying,
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe the gospel.
JESUS SPOKE OF HEAVEN AS A MESSIANIC BANQUET, A PLACE OF JOY, CELEBRATION AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
(Mat 26:28-29 KJV)
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
{29} But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,
until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
JESUS SPOKE OF HEAVENLY LIFE AS A TIME OF JOY, CELEBRATION AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
(Mat 26:27-29 KJV)
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
{28} For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
{29} But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,
until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
(Mat 13:43a KJV)
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father....
(Mat 25:34 KJV)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
(Isa 25:6-9 KJV)
And in this mountainshall the LORD of hosts make unto all people
a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
{7} And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people,
and the veil that is spread over all nations.
{8} He will swallow up death in victory;
and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces;
and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth:
for the LORD hath spoken it. {9} And it shall be said in that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us:
this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
(Rev 7:9-17 KJV)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number,
of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; {10} And cried with a loud voice, saying,
Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
{11} And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts,
and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
{12} Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might,
be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
{13} And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,
What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
{14} And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tribulation,
and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
{15} Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple:
and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
{16} They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
{17} For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters:
and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO MARRYING OR GIVING IN MARRIAGE IN HEAVEN
(Luke 20:34-36 KJV)
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
{35} But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead,
neither marry, nor are given in marriage: {36} Neither can they die any more:
for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
CHRISTIANS SHOULD REJOICE BECAUSE THEIR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN
(Luke 10:20 KJV)
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you;
but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
JESUS PROMISED A HEAVENLY HOME FOR HIS FOLLOWERS
(John 14:1-6 KJV)
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
{2} In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
{3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.
{4} And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
{5} Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
{6} Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(2 Cor 5:1-2 KJV)
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,
we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
{2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
CHRIST IS SEATED IN HEAVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER
(Eph 1:17-22a KJV)
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
{18} The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
{19} And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power,
{20} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,
and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
{21} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in thisworld, but also in that which is to come:
{22} And hath put all things under his feet,...
THE HOPE OF HEAVEN IS THE HOPE OF GLORY
(Col 1:26-28 KJV)
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
{27} To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
{28} Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom;
that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD'S PLEDGE TO BELIEVERS THAT WE WILL PARTICIPATE IN HEAVEN
(2 Cor 5:5-10 KJV)
Now he that hath wrought us{Grk=made us a finished work} for the selfsame thing is God,
who also hath given unto us the earnest{Grk=down payment} of the Spirit.
{6} Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
{7} (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
{8} We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
{9} Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
{10} For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;
that every one may receive the things done in his body,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
A Place for the Weary
A Place for the Weary
Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward.
Hebrews 10:35 (NCV)
Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed
at the water's edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it
is now bowed and bent.
Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?
..
Then something happened. You were bruised...
by harsh words
by a friend's anger
by a spouse's betrayal ....
The bruised reed .... Society knows what to do with you .... The world will
break you off; the world will snuff you out.
But the artists of Scripture proclaim that God won't. Painted on canvas
after canvas is the tender touch of a Creator who has a special place for
the bruised and weary of the world. A God who is the friend of the wounded
heart.
From: He Still Moves Stones
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1993)
Max Lucado
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward.
Hebrews 10:35 (NCV)
Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed
at the water's edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it
is now bowed and bent.
Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?
..
Then something happened. You were bruised...
by harsh words
by a friend's anger
by a spouse's betrayal ....
The bruised reed .... Society knows what to do with you .... The world will
break you off; the world will snuff you out.
But the artists of Scripture proclaim that God won't. Painted on canvas
after canvas is the tender touch of a Creator who has a special place for
the bruised and weary of the world. A God who is the friend of the wounded
heart.
From: He Still Moves Stones
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1993)
Max Lucado
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Worship Wars
Worship Wars
Alan Riley
Have you ever heard the phrase "Worship Wars"? It is frequently used to describe what has happened in many of our churches over the last couple of decades as worship styles have changed.
The two words that make up the phrase "Worship Wars" ought not to go together. Worship is holy and sacred. Wars can on rare occasions be justified, but most often they are the opposite of holy and sacred. "Worship" by definition is all about God. "Worship Wars" are most assuredly not about God. Worship Wars are all about us, about our personal preferences and what we want.
For those of us who are students of church history, we know the current "Worship Wars" are nothing new. As music changes in society, the music that is considered to be acceptable in the church changes slowly behind it. If that process never happened, we would still be worshiping the Lord through the use of first century Hebrew tunes and rhythms! Just think about it - at one time, Gregorian Chants were the new "contemporary" music being used in the church!
I read an article recently about an incident that happened at a church in Canada. This controversy over music in worship wreaked havoc and division in this congregation for over a decade. Speeches were made. Petitions were signed. A bunch of meetings were held. Threats were made. Families were divided. Many people left the church.
Was it the older members rebelling against singing choruses or the younger members complaining about singing the old hymns? No, the controversy was over whether or not is was appropriate to use an organ in the worship services, and it raged among the members of St. Andrews during the 80s. But not the 1980s... it was the 1880s!
This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart because the vast majority of my ministry career has been spent as a worship leader. And as is usually the case, the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.
When we take our eyes off the One we are worshiping and focus on how we are worshiping, we have a heart problem. When we cause or even participate in conflict in the church over what boils down to our personal preferences, we have a heart problem.
There are those who would say they are not fighting for their personal preferences, they are fighting to keep worship holy and acceptable to God. I would say to you if you believe that your cultural preferences are tantamount to God's will, you have a heart problem.
Nowhere in God's word does it spell out to us our style of worship. The closest it comes to that is in two very similar passages in Paul's letters - Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 - where we are told to worship God and admonish each other using "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs." Bible scholars and historians disagree on the exact application of those terms, but all agree they encompass a wide variety of musical styles. In other words, God's words tells us to use a wide variety of musical styles to worship God and encourage each other.
No matter what style of worship you employ in worship, God always focuses in on your heart. He told the Samaritan woman at the well that the Father is seeking for those who will worship him in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23)
Are you or your church embroiled in the Worship Wars? If so, I urge you to surrender immediately... surrender your will, your desires and your personal preferences to God and direct your focus toward the One Who alone is worthy of our worship and adoration.
Worship is not about us, it is about Him.
Alan Riley
Have you ever heard the phrase "Worship Wars"? It is frequently used to describe what has happened in many of our churches over the last couple of decades as worship styles have changed.
The two words that make up the phrase "Worship Wars" ought not to go together. Worship is holy and sacred. Wars can on rare occasions be justified, but most often they are the opposite of holy and sacred. "Worship" by definition is all about God. "Worship Wars" are most assuredly not about God. Worship Wars are all about us, about our personal preferences and what we want.
For those of us who are students of church history, we know the current "Worship Wars" are nothing new. As music changes in society, the music that is considered to be acceptable in the church changes slowly behind it. If that process never happened, we would still be worshiping the Lord through the use of first century Hebrew tunes and rhythms! Just think about it - at one time, Gregorian Chants were the new "contemporary" music being used in the church!
I read an article recently about an incident that happened at a church in Canada. This controversy over music in worship wreaked havoc and division in this congregation for over a decade. Speeches were made. Petitions were signed. A bunch of meetings were held. Threats were made. Families were divided. Many people left the church.
Was it the older members rebelling against singing choruses or the younger members complaining about singing the old hymns? No, the controversy was over whether or not is was appropriate to use an organ in the worship services, and it raged among the members of St. Andrews during the 80s. But not the 1980s... it was the 1880s!
This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart because the vast majority of my ministry career has been spent as a worship leader. And as is usually the case, the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.
When we take our eyes off the One we are worshiping and focus on how we are worshiping, we have a heart problem. When we cause or even participate in conflict in the church over what boils down to our personal preferences, we have a heart problem.
There are those who would say they are not fighting for their personal preferences, they are fighting to keep worship holy and acceptable to God. I would say to you if you believe that your cultural preferences are tantamount to God's will, you have a heart problem.
Nowhere in God's word does it spell out to us our style of worship. The closest it comes to that is in two very similar passages in Paul's letters - Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 - where we are told to worship God and admonish each other using "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs." Bible scholars and historians disagree on the exact application of those terms, but all agree they encompass a wide variety of musical styles. In other words, God's words tells us to use a wide variety of musical styles to worship God and encourage each other.
No matter what style of worship you employ in worship, God always focuses in on your heart. He told the Samaritan woman at the well that the Father is seeking for those who will worship him in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23)
Are you or your church embroiled in the Worship Wars? If so, I urge you to surrender immediately... surrender your will, your desires and your personal preferences to God and direct your focus toward the One Who alone is worthy of our worship and adoration.
Worship is not about us, it is about Him.
The Books of History
The Books of History
II Chronicles 21-24 Wednesday: Psalms 120-121
Thursday: Proverbs 31
Friday: Nahum
2 Chronicles 21
1
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
2
And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
3
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
4
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
5
Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
7
Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
8
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
9
Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
10
So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
12
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
13
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
14
Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
15
And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
16
Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
17
And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
18
And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
19
And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
20
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
2 Chronicles 22
1
And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
2
Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
3
He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.
4
Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
5
He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.
6
And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.
7
And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
8
And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.
9
And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.
10
But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.
11
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.
12
And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
2 Chronicles 23
1
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.
2
And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
3
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.
4
This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;
5
And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.
6
But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.
7
And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
8
So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.
9
Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
10
And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
11
Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.
12
Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:
13
And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
14
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.
15
So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.
16
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD's people.
17
Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
18
Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.
19
And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.
20
And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.
21
And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
2 Chronicles 24
1
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.
2
And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3
And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.
4
And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD.
5
And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.
6
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.
8
And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.
9
And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.
10
And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
11
Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.
13
So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
14
And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15
But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
16
And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.
17
Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
18
And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
19
Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
21
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.
22
Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.
23
And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.
24
For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.
25
And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
26
And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.
27
Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold,
II Chronicles 21-24 Wednesday: Psalms 120-121
Thursday: Proverbs 31
Friday: Nahum
2 Chronicles 21
1
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
2
And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
3
And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.
4
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.
5
Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
6
And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
7
Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever.
8
In his days the Edomites revolted from under the dominion of Judah, and made themselves a king.
9
Then Jehoram went forth with his princes, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and smote the Edomites which compassed him in, and the captains of the chariots.
10
So the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. The same time also did Libnah revolt from under his hand; because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers.
11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
12
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
13
But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
14
Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
15
And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.
16
Moreover the LORD stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:
17
And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king's house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
18
And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease.
19
And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
20
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
2 Chronicles 22
1
And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.
2
Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.
3
He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.
4
Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
5
He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.
6
And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.
7
And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.
8
And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.
9
And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.
10
But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.
11
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.
12
And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
2 Chronicles 23
1
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.
2
And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
3
And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king's son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.
4
This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;
5
And a third part shall be at the king's house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.
6
But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.
7
And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
8
So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.
9
Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.
10
And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
11
Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.
12
Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:
13
And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
14
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.
15
So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering of the horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there.
16
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD's people.
17
Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
18
Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.
19
And he set the porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.
20
And he took the captains of hundreds, and the nobles, and the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the house of the LORD: and they came through the high gate into the king's house, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom.
21
And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword.
2 Chronicles 24
1
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.
2
And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
3
And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.
4
And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD.
5
And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.
6
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
7
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.
8
And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.
9
And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.
10
And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
11
Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.
13
So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
14
And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15
But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
16
And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.
17
Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
18
And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
19
Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20
And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
21
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.
22
Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.
23
And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.
24
For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.
25
And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
26
And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.
27
Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold,
Monday, September 29, 2008
Psalms 61
| 1 | Hear my cry, O God;
| ||||
| 2 | From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee,
| ||||
| 3 | for thou hast been a shelter for me,
| ||||
| 4 | I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:
| ||||
| 5 | For thou, O God, hast heard my vows:
| ||||
| 6 | Thou wilt prolong the king's life:
| ||||
| 7 | He shall abide before God for ever:
| ||||
| 8 | So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever,
|
Published by The American Bible Society |
Let Your Praise Outweigh Your Asking
Let Your Praise Outweigh Your Asking
Bishop Keith Butler
Romans 4:20 - He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (KJV)
God stayed with Abraham until he became strong in faith. Notice that being strong in faith has something that goes with it...to be strong in faith is to give God glory.
Well Abraham is giving God glory. Abraham is saying that he is a father of a great multitude. Sarah isn't pregnant yet. She hasn't gotten pregnant all these years. But he is giving God glory, and calling those things which be not as though they were. He is calling himself a father now; not going to be; but is father of a great multitude, now. And he is thanking God that he is.
Abraham gave God so much glory, that he became fully persuaded that God would perform what He said in His word.
When your praise outweighs your asking, you'll have your manifestation. You need to praise God, not just make confessions of faith. You need to praise Him because you believe the confession is so. Praise Him by saying, "I'm getting stronger everyday. I'm stronger today than I was yesterday, and I thank you for it, Father. I'm stronger in my mind, stronger in my body, stronger in my bones, stronger in every way, than I was yesterday; and thank you for it."
When Abraham followed Gods methodology for faith, he received the promise. Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son.
Now God is going to close the deal on the enemy. His word is in the earth. Jesus is born. Jesus walks the earth, and only says what God says. Jesus only speaks that which the Father tells Him to speak. And that is so important. The need to discipline your mouth cannot be overstated.
Practice saying what the Bible says when the pressure is on. It is so tempting to say the wrong thing when your emotions are high. But you have to deliberately say what God says and couple that with praise. Give God glory by praising Him in the middle of the crisis. Let it be said about you that you are strong in faith because you were able to control your tongue, and your praises outweighed your asking.
Scripture references: John 14:10; James 3:2-3; James 5:12
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Bishop Keith Butler
Romans 4:20 - He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (KJV)
God stayed with Abraham until he became strong in faith. Notice that being strong in faith has something that goes with it...to be strong in faith is to give God glory.
Well Abraham is giving God glory. Abraham is saying that he is a father of a great multitude. Sarah isn't pregnant yet. She hasn't gotten pregnant all these years. But he is giving God glory, and calling those things which be not as though they were. He is calling himself a father now; not going to be; but is father of a great multitude, now. And he is thanking God that he is.
Abraham gave God so much glory, that he became fully persuaded that God would perform what He said in His word.
When your praise outweighs your asking, you'll have your manifestation. You need to praise God, not just make confessions of faith. You need to praise Him because you believe the confession is so. Praise Him by saying, "I'm getting stronger everyday. I'm stronger today than I was yesterday, and I thank you for it, Father. I'm stronger in my mind, stronger in my body, stronger in my bones, stronger in every way, than I was yesterday; and thank you for it."
When Abraham followed Gods methodology for faith, he received the promise. Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son.
Now God is going to close the deal on the enemy. His word is in the earth. Jesus is born. Jesus walks the earth, and only says what God says. Jesus only speaks that which the Father tells Him to speak. And that is so important. The need to discipline your mouth cannot be overstated.
Practice saying what the Bible says when the pressure is on. It is so tempting to say the wrong thing when your emotions are high. But you have to deliberately say what God says and couple that with praise. Give God glory by praising Him in the middle of the crisis. Let it be said about you that you are strong in faith because you were able to control your tongue, and your praises outweighed your asking.
Scripture references: John 14:10; James 3:2-3; James 5:12
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Hanging On
Those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:13 (NCV)
In Portuguese, a person who has the ability to hang in and not give up
has garra. Garra means "claws."
What imagery! A person with garra has claws which burrow in the side
of the cliff and keep him from falling.
So do the saved. They may get close to the edge, they may even stumble and
slide. But they will dig their nails into the rock of God and hang on.
From: Everyday Blessings
Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004)
Max Lucado
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Matthew 24:13 (NCV)
In Portuguese, a person who has the ability to hang in and not give up
has garra. Garra means "claws."
What imagery! A person with garra has claws which burrow in the side
of the cliff and keep him from falling.
So do the saved. They may get close to the edge, they may even stumble and
slide. But they will dig their nails into the rock of God and hang on.
From: Everyday Blessings
Copyright (J. Countryman, 2004)
Max Lucado
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Steps Out of Anger
Steps Out of Anger
by Dr. David C. Cooper
We all have to deal with anger. So, how can we resolve anger? Here are five important steps to get out of the anger trap:
Step 1: SORT IT OUT
Try to understand why you are angry. Remember, there is a difference between the normal irritations in life and a persistent state of anger.
Step 2: COUNT THE COST
One of the predominant causes of divorce today is negative behavior such as unkind words, abuse and constant fighting. One psychologist says that an angry confrontation can erase 20 acts of kindness. The point is, anger can cost us dearly if we do not keep it in check.
Step 3: LET IT OUT
Release your anger to God in prayer. Tell God how you feel. He can handle it. Then go talk about it with a friend. Or, even the person you're angry at, if you can do it constructively. Whatever you do, don't keep your anger locked up in your heart. Repressed anger visits in a host of emotional and relational problems.
Step 4: SET LIMITS
That means to control your words and behavior. God tells us to get a grip on our tongues: "When words are many, sin is not absent. But he who keeps a tight rein on his tongue is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). Don't cross the line of verbal or physical abuse no matter how frustrated you get. Don't justify or excuse such abusive behaviors.
Step 5: GIVE IT UP
As Christians, we do not have the right to remain angry. In Christ, we have given up that right. We surrender our anger to Him and forgive others as He has forgiven us. When we forgive, we are free indeed. Free from resentment, bitterness, and anger.
So, as we walk today through the mine field of relationships replete with misunderstandings, remember the word of God: "Be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26).
Stay Focused
and Blessed.........................
Jan
by Dr. David C. Cooper
We all have to deal with anger. So, how can we resolve anger? Here are five important steps to get out of the anger trap:
Step 1: SORT IT OUT
Try to understand why you are angry. Remember, there is a difference between the normal irritations in life and a persistent state of anger.
Step 2: COUNT THE COST
One of the predominant causes of divorce today is negative behavior such as unkind words, abuse and constant fighting. One psychologist says that an angry confrontation can erase 20 acts of kindness. The point is, anger can cost us dearly if we do not keep it in check.
Step 3: LET IT OUT
Release your anger to God in prayer. Tell God how you feel. He can handle it. Then go talk about it with a friend. Or, even the person you're angry at, if you can do it constructively. Whatever you do, don't keep your anger locked up in your heart. Repressed anger visits in a host of emotional and relational problems.
Step 4: SET LIMITS
That means to control your words and behavior. God tells us to get a grip on our tongues: "When words are many, sin is not absent. But he who keeps a tight rein on his tongue is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). Don't cross the line of verbal or physical abuse no matter how frustrated you get. Don't justify or excuse such abusive behaviors.
Step 5: GIVE IT UP
As Christians, we do not have the right to remain angry. In Christ, we have given up that right. We surrender our anger to Him and forgive others as He has forgiven us. When we forgive, we are free indeed. Free from resentment, bitterness, and anger.
So, as we walk today through the mine field of relationships replete with misunderstandings, remember the word of God: "Be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry (Ephesians 4:26).
Stay Focused
and Blessed.........................
Jan
Repentance Is a Decision
Repentance Is a Decision
Perhaps you do not understand that God is kind to you so you will change
your hearts and lives.
Romans 2:4 (NCV)
No one is happier than the one who has sincerely repented of wrong.
Repentance is the decision to turn from selfish desires and seek God. It is
a genuine, sincere regret that creates sorrow and moves us to admit wrong
and desire to do better.
It's an inward conviction that expresses itself in outward actions.
You look at the love of God and you can't believe he's loved you like he has
and this realization motivates you to change your life. That is the nature
of repentance.
From: Walking with the Savior
Copyright (Tyndale House, 1993)
Max Lucado
Perhaps you do not understand that God is kind to you so you will change
your hearts and lives.
Romans 2:4 (NCV)
No one is happier than the one who has sincerely repented of wrong.
Repentance is the decision to turn from selfish desires and seek God. It is
a genuine, sincere regret that creates sorrow and moves us to admit wrong
and desire to do better.
It's an inward conviction that expresses itself in outward actions.
You look at the love of God and you can't believe he's loved you like he has
and this realization motivates you to change your life. That is the nature
of repentance.
From: Walking with the Savior
Copyright (Tyndale House, 1993)
Max Lucado
The Gospels Early History
The Gospels Early History
Acts 5-6 Sunday: Hebrews 8-10
Monday: Deuteronomy 1-3
Tuesday: II Chronicles 21-24
Acts 5
1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 6
1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Acts 5-6 Sunday: Hebrews 8-10
Monday: Deuteronomy 1-3
Tuesday: II Chronicles 21-24
Acts 5
1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 6
1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Friday, September 26, 2008
Today's Bible Study Micah
Micah 1
1
The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
2
Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the LORD from his holy temple.
3
For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.
4
And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.
5
For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem?
6
Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.
7
And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.
8
Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.
9
For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.
10
Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust.
11
Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing.
12
For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem.
13
O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee.
14
Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel.
15
Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel.
16
Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.
Micah 2
1
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
2
And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
3
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.
4
In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields.
5
Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD.
6
Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame.
7
O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
8
Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war.
9
The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever.
10
Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
11
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
12
I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
13
The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.
Micah 3
1
And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for youto know judgment?
2
Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
3
Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.
4
Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
5
Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
6
Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
7
Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
8
But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
9
Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
10
They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
12
Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
Micah 4
1
But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
2
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
3
And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
4
But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
5
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
6
In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
7
And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
8
And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
9
Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.
10
Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
11
Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.
12
But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.
13
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.
Micah 5
1
Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
3
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant ofhis brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
4
And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
5
And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.
6
And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.
7
And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
8
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
9
Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
10
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:
11
And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:
12
And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers:
13
Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.
14
And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.
15
And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
Micah 6
1
Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice.
2
Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
3
O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
4
For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
5
O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.
6
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
9
The LORD's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.
10
Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable?
11
Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?
12
For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
13
Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins.
14
Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.
15
Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.
16
For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.
Micah 7
1
Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.
2
The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.
3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh fora reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
4
The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.
5
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
6
For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
7
Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
8
Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
9
I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.
10
Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.
11
In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed.
12
In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
13
Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.
14
Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
15
According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things.
16
The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
17
They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.
18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
19
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
20
Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
What Your Speech Says About You
What Your Speech Says About You
Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
"You are one of them... Your speech shows it!" Mark 14:70 (NKJV)
You can try to disguise your identity by changing your looks, your social circle and your address - but how you speak will give you away every time.
It happened to Peter. When a servant girl saw him warming himself by the fire, she said, "'You...were with Jesus of Nazareth.' But he denied it...And the...girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by, 'This is one of them.' But he denied it again...later those who stood by said to Peter again...'you are one of them...your speech shows it'" (Mk 14:67-70 NKJV). So in order to convince his accusers that he wasn't a friend of Jesus, Peter "began to curse and swear, 'I do not know this Man of whom you speak'" (Mk 14:71 NKJV).
It worked! After that nobody else accused him of knowing Jesus. Isn't it interesting how public profanity in any language, has a way of making others question the quality of your relationship with Christ?
Paul says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up...that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29 NIV). If you want to win people to Jesus, start with how you talk. Paul said, "Let your speech always be with grace...that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Col 4:6 NKJV). Words are powerful things. They either build up or tear down, add to or take from.
It's not important that people can tell from your accent where you're from, but when they can't tell by the way you talk that you're Christ's disciple, something's seriously wrong.
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Bishop E. Earl Jenkins
"You are one of them... Your speech shows it!" Mark 14:70 (NKJV)
You can try to disguise your identity by changing your looks, your social circle and your address - but how you speak will give you away every time.
It happened to Peter. When a servant girl saw him warming himself by the fire, she said, "'You...were with Jesus of Nazareth.' But he denied it...And the...girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by, 'This is one of them.' But he denied it again...later those who stood by said to Peter again...'you are one of them...your speech shows it'" (Mk 14:67-70 NKJV). So in order to convince his accusers that he wasn't a friend of Jesus, Peter "began to curse and swear, 'I do not know this Man of whom you speak'" (Mk 14:71 NKJV).
It worked! After that nobody else accused him of knowing Jesus. Isn't it interesting how public profanity in any language, has a way of making others question the quality of your relationship with Christ?
Paul says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up...that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29 NIV). If you want to win people to Jesus, start with how you talk. Paul said, "Let your speech always be with grace...that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Col 4:6 NKJV). Words are powerful things. They either build up or tear down, add to or take from.
It's not important that people can tell from your accent where you're from, but when they can't tell by the way you talk that you're Christ's disciple, something's seriously wrong.
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saying.....Thank You
Saying “Thank You”
Thank the LORD because he is good. His love continues forever.
Psalm 106:1 (NCV)
Worship is when you're aware that what you've been given is far greater than
what you can give. Worship is the awareness that were it not for his touch,
you'd still be hobbling and hurting, bitter and broken. Worship is the
half-glazed expression on the parched face of a desert pilgrim as he
discovers that the oasis is not a mirage.
Worship is the "thank you" that refuses to be silenced.
We have tried to make a science out of worship. We can't do that. We can't
do that any more than we can "sell love" or "negotiate peace."
Worship is a voluntary act of gratitude offered by the saved to the Savior,
by the healed to the Healer, and by the delivered to the Deliverer.
From: In the Eye of the Storm
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1991)
Max Lucado
The Books of Poetry 29 -30
The Books of Poetry
Proverbs 29-30 Friday: Micah
Saturday: Acts 5-6
Sunday: Hebrews 8-10
Proverbs 29
1
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26
Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
27
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 30
1
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2
Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
3
I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
8
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
10
Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
13
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15
The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
16
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
17
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
18
There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four whichI know not:
19
The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
20
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21
For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
22
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23
For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24
There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
25
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
26
The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
27
The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29
There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
30
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31
A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
32
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
33
Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Proverbs 29-30 Friday: Micah
Saturday: Acts 5-6
Sunday: Hebrews 8-10
Proverbs 29
1
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6
In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26
Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
27
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 30
1
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2
Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
3
I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
8
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
10
Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11
There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
13
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15
The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
16
The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
17
The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
18
There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four whichI know not:
19
The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
20
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21
For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
22
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23
For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24
There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
25
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
26
The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
27
The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29
There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
30
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31
A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
32
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
33
Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
THE PROMISE
THE PROMISE
SOME THINGS IN THIS LIFE
WE'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND
AT THOSE TIMES REMEMBER
IT'S ALL PART OF GOD'S PLAN
GOD WILL NEVER GIVE YOU
MORE THAN YOU CAN BEAR
HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU
TO CARRY HIS FAIR SHARE
IN THOSE TIMES OF TROUBLE
YOU CAN REST ASSURED
GOD IS ALWAYS WITH YOU
IT IS PROMISED IN HIS WORD
SO CAST YOUR CARES UPON HIM
AND DO NOT WORRY SO
GOD IS RIGHT THERE WAITING
FOR YOU TO LET THEM GO
Copyright: Jeffrey Paul Guest
Keep God's Word in Your Mouth
Keep God's Word in Your Mouth
Bishop Keith Butler
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)
God's word is what you need to cause healing to manifest in your body. That is why you must keep God's word in your mouth.
The word profession is a term that means confession or words of your mouth. So that means then there is a high priest that comes for our words. And Jesus is the High Priest of our words. The high priest in the Old Testament a lamb or the blood or whatever it was, and offered it up on a sacrifice before God. There's a high priest over your words. His name is Jesus, or the anointed Jesus. He's come for your words -- words that will stir up the gift that's in you.
The Scripture says to consider the High Priest of our profession, the anointed one Jesus. Your words stir up the gift of healing on the inside of you. The words you should speak are the Gospel? For example, your doctor tells you to take some pills three times a day. So you do it faithfully. Well, there's another kind of pill you ought to take along with the doctor's prescription. You need to take the Gos-pill - the good news pill.
You take Gos-pills by speaking God's word out of your mouth. Every morning I get up and I say what God says about my life and family. I say, thank you Father, I'm redeemed from the curse of the law, from poverty, sickness and spiritual death because Jesus has set me free. For sickness I have health, for poverty I have wealth, for eternal death I have eternal life. And he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am indeed free in Jesus' name, etc.
Somebody may say, "you're talking about mind over matter." This is not mind over matter, even though your mind will begin to think the way God says to think when you meditate the word of God. I'm talking about stirring up the healing power on the inside of you. The word of God says in Proverbs 18:21, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." So keep the word of God on your tongue. Stir up the gift in you by speaking the word of God. Then Jesus, our Great High Priest will take your words before God and cause healing to manifest in your body.
Scripture References: Proverbs 18:21; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Bishop Keith Butler
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)
God's word is what you need to cause healing to manifest in your body. That is why you must keep God's word in your mouth.
The word profession is a term that means confession or words of your mouth. So that means then there is a high priest that comes for our words. And Jesus is the High Priest of our words. The high priest in the Old Testament a lamb or the blood or whatever it was, and offered it up on a sacrifice before God. There's a high priest over your words. His name is Jesus, or the anointed Jesus. He's come for your words -- words that will stir up the gift that's in you.
The Scripture says to consider the High Priest of our profession, the anointed one Jesus. Your words stir up the gift of healing on the inside of you. The words you should speak are the Gospel? For example, your doctor tells you to take some pills three times a day. So you do it faithfully. Well, there's another kind of pill you ought to take along with the doctor's prescription. You need to take the Gos-pill - the good news pill.
You take Gos-pills by speaking God's word out of your mouth. Every morning I get up and I say what God says about my life and family. I say, thank you Father, I'm redeemed from the curse of the law, from poverty, sickness and spiritual death because Jesus has set me free. For sickness I have health, for poverty I have wealth, for eternal death I have eternal life. And he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am indeed free in Jesus' name, etc.
Somebody may say, "you're talking about mind over matter." This is not mind over matter, even though your mind will begin to think the way God says to think when you meditate the word of God. I'm talking about stirring up the healing power on the inside of you. The word of God says in Proverbs 18:21, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." So keep the word of God on your tongue. Stir up the gift in you by speaking the word of God. Then Jesus, our Great High Priest will take your words before God and cause healing to manifest in your body.
Scripture References: Proverbs 18:21; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Keep God's Word in Your Mouth
Keep God's Word in Your Mouth
Bishop Keith Butler
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)
God's word is what you need to cause healing to manifest in your body. That is why you must keep God's word in your mouth.
The word profession is a term that means confession or words of your mouth. So that means then there is a high priest that comes for our words. And Jesus is the High Priest of our words. The high priest in the Old Testament a lamb or the blood or whatever it was, and offered it up on a sacrifice before God. There's a high priest over your words. His name is Jesus, or the anointed Jesus. He's come for your words -- words that will stir up the gift that's in you.
The Scripture says to consider the High Priest of our profession, the anointed one Jesus. Your words stir up the gift of healing on the inside of you. The words you should speak are the Gospel? For example, your doctor tells you to take some pills three times a day. So you do it faithfully. Well, there's another kind of pill you ought to take along with the doctor's prescription. You need to take the Gos-pill - the good news pill.
You take Gos-pills by speaking God's word out of your mouth. Every morning I get up and I say what God says about my life and family. I say, thank you Father, I'm redeemed from the curse of the law, from poverty, sickness and spiritual death because Jesus has set me free. For sickness I have health, for poverty I have wealth, for eternal death I have eternal life. And he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am indeed free in Jesus' name, etc.
Somebody may say, "you're talking about mind over matter." This is not mind over matter, even though your mind will begin to think the way God says to think when you meditate the word of God. I'm talking about stirring up the healing power on the inside of you. The word of God says in Proverbs 18:21, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." So keep the word of God on your tongue. Stir up the gift in you by speaking the word of God. Then Jesus, our Great High Priest will take your words before God and cause healing to manifest in your body.
Scripture References: Proverbs 18:21; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Bishop Keith Butler
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)
God's word is what you need to cause healing to manifest in your body. That is why you must keep God's word in your mouth.
The word profession is a term that means confession or words of your mouth. So that means then there is a high priest that comes for our words. And Jesus is the High Priest of our words. The high priest in the Old Testament a lamb or the blood or whatever it was, and offered it up on a sacrifice before God. There's a high priest over your words. His name is Jesus, or the anointed Jesus. He's come for your words -- words that will stir up the gift that's in you.
The Scripture says to consider the High Priest of our profession, the anointed one Jesus. Your words stir up the gift of healing on the inside of you. The words you should speak are the Gospel? For example, your doctor tells you to take some pills three times a day. So you do it faithfully. Well, there's another kind of pill you ought to take along with the doctor's prescription. You need to take the Gos-pill - the good news pill.
You take Gos-pills by speaking God's word out of your mouth. Every morning I get up and I say what God says about my life and family. I say, thank you Father, I'm redeemed from the curse of the law, from poverty, sickness and spiritual death because Jesus has set me free. For sickness I have health, for poverty I have wealth, for eternal death I have eternal life. And he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am indeed free in Jesus' name, etc.
Somebody may say, "you're talking about mind over matter." This is not mind over matter, even though your mind will begin to think the way God says to think when you meditate the word of God. I'm talking about stirring up the healing power on the inside of you. The word of God says in Proverbs 18:21, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." So keep the word of God on your tongue. Stir up the gift in you by speaking the word of God. Then Jesus, our Great High Priest will take your words before God and cause healing to manifest in your body.
Scripture References: Proverbs 18:21; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Keep God's Word in Your Mouth
Keep God's Word in Your Mouth
Bishop Keith Butler
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)
God's word is what you need to cause healing to manifest in your body. That is why you must keep God's word in your mouth.
The word profession is a term that means confession or words of your mouth. So that means then there is a high priest that comes for our words. And Jesus is the High Priest of our words. The high priest in the Old Testament a lamb or the blood or whatever it was, and offered it up on a sacrifice before God. There's a high priest over your words. His name is Jesus, or the anointed Jesus. He's come for your words -- words that will stir up the gift that's in you.
The Scripture says to consider the High Priest of our profession, the anointed one Jesus. Your words stir up the gift of healing on the inside of you. The words you should speak are the Gospel? For example, your doctor tells you to take some pills three times a day. So you do it faithfully. Well, there's another kind of pill you ought to take along with the doctor's prescription. You need to take the Gos-pill - the good news pill.
You take Gos-pills by speaking God's word out of your mouth. Every morning I get up and I say what God says about my life and family. I say, thank you Father, I'm redeemed from the curse of the law, from poverty, sickness and spiritual death because Jesus has set me free. For sickness I have health, for poverty I have wealth, for eternal death I have eternal life. And he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am indeed free in Jesus' name, etc.
Somebody may say, "you're talking about mind over matter." This is not mind over matter, even though your mind will begin to think the way God says to think when you meditate the word of God. I'm talking about stirring up the healing power on the inside of you. The word of God says in Proverbs 18:21, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." So keep the word of God on your tongue. Stir up the gift in you by speaking the word of God. Then Jesus, our Great High Priest will take your words before God and cause healing to manifest in your body.
Scripture References: Proverbs 18:21; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Bishop Keith Butler
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Hebrews 3:1 (KJV)
God's word is what you need to cause healing to manifest in your body. That is why you must keep God's word in your mouth.
The word profession is a term that means confession or words of your mouth. So that means then there is a high priest that comes for our words. And Jesus is the High Priest of our words. The high priest in the Old Testament a lamb or the blood or whatever it was, and offered it up on a sacrifice before God. There's a high priest over your words. His name is Jesus, or the anointed Jesus. He's come for your words -- words that will stir up the gift that's in you.
The Scripture says to consider the High Priest of our profession, the anointed one Jesus. Your words stir up the gift of healing on the inside of you. The words you should speak are the Gospel? For example, your doctor tells you to take some pills three times a day. So you do it faithfully. Well, there's another kind of pill you ought to take along with the doctor's prescription. You need to take the Gos-pill - the good news pill.
You take Gos-pills by speaking God's word out of your mouth. Every morning I get up and I say what God says about my life and family. I say, thank you Father, I'm redeemed from the curse of the law, from poverty, sickness and spiritual death because Jesus has set me free. For sickness I have health, for poverty I have wealth, for eternal death I have eternal life. And he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am indeed free in Jesus' name, etc.
Somebody may say, "you're talking about mind over matter." This is not mind over matter, even though your mind will begin to think the way God says to think when you meditate the word of God. I'm talking about stirring up the healing power on the inside of you. The word of God says in Proverbs 18:21, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." So keep the word of God on your tongue. Stir up the gift in you by speaking the word of God. Then Jesus, our Great High Priest will take your words before God and cause healing to manifest in your body.
Scripture References: Proverbs 18:21; Hebrews 4:14; 10:23
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Walking By Faith
Walking By Faith
The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38 NKJV
Walking by faith is not easy. When you make up your mind to trust God the
odds are usually stacked against you. Remember Noah? When he built the ark
there had never been rain! And the outcome isn't always what you expect.
Walking by faith doesn't mean your problems suddenly evaporate. Sometimes
faith doesn't change your circumstances, it changes you by giving you the
tenacity to hang in there when the check doesn't come in the mail, the
doctor says, "It's malignant," your spouse asks for a divorce, the children
are running riot, or the place you've worked in for 30 years closes its
doors. Faith gives you the fortitude to endure these things, confident that
God is working on your behalf. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for"
(Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV).
So, walking by faith means: (1) trusting in the faithfulness of God; (2)
following in the footsteps of ordinary people who did extraordinary things;
(3) using your faith, because it's the currency of Heaven. When the Bible
says, "The just shall live by faith" (Hebrews 10:38), it doesn't mean little
sporadic bursts. No, it's talking about a lifestyle! Anybody can go the
first few rounds in the ring; it's when you're knocked down in the ninth
that you need the faith to get back up and keep fighting. When the plane you
re flying on encounters turbulence you don't throw away your ticket or bail
out, you sit still and trust the pilot.
So discount your circumstances, dethrone your doubts, and start walking by
faith!
Bob Gass Ministries
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
The just shall live by faith.
Hebrews 10:38 NKJV
Walking by faith is not easy. When you make up your mind to trust God the
odds are usually stacked against you. Remember Noah? When he built the ark
there had never been rain! And the outcome isn't always what you expect.
Walking by faith doesn't mean your problems suddenly evaporate. Sometimes
faith doesn't change your circumstances, it changes you by giving you the
tenacity to hang in there when the check doesn't come in the mail, the
doctor says, "It's malignant," your spouse asks for a divorce, the children
are running riot, or the place you've worked in for 30 years closes its
doors. Faith gives you the fortitude to endure these things, confident that
God is working on your behalf. "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for"
(Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV).
So, walking by faith means: (1) trusting in the faithfulness of God; (2)
following in the footsteps of ordinary people who did extraordinary things;
(3) using your faith, because it's the currency of Heaven. When the Bible
says, "The just shall live by faith" (Hebrews 10:38), it doesn't mean little
sporadic bursts. No, it's talking about a lifestyle! Anybody can go the
first few rounds in the ring; it's when you're knocked down in the ninth
that you need the faith to get back up and keep fighting. When the plane you
re flying on encounters turbulence you don't throw away your ticket or bail
out, you sit still and trust the pilot.
So discount your circumstances, dethrone your doubts, and start walking by
faith!
Bob Gass Ministries
Stay Focused
and
Blessed.........................
Jan
He is the First and Last,
He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all! He is the
Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was,
He always is, and He always will be ... unmoved, Unchanged,
Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him. Herod
couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people
couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age
can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous,
mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him
because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the
overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive
to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way. He
is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! My Father in heaven
can whip the father of this world. So, if you're wondering why I feel so
secure, understand this... He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all! He is the
Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was,
He always is, and He always will be ... unmoved, Unchanged,
Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him. Herod
couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people
couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him, The New Age
can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous,
mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me. He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him
because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the
overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive
to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way. He
is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine! My Father in heaven
can whip the father of this world. So, if you're wondering why I feel so
secure, understand this... He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
The Psalms 119 Today'sBible study
The Psalms
Psalms 119 Thursday: Proverbs 29-30
Friday: Micah
Saturday: Acts 5-6
1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12
Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.leth.
25
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
49
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58
I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86
All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94
I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.
95
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96
I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97
O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113
I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121
I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126
It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151
Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Psalms 119 Thursday: Proverbs 29-30
Friday: Micah
Saturday: Acts 5-6
1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8
I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12
Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.leth.
25
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
49
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52
I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54
Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58
I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68
Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75
I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76
Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82
Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83
For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85
The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86
All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91
They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94
I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.
95
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96
I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97
O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106
I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108
Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113
I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117
Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119
Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121
I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123
Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126
It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
139
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
141
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151
Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152
Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158
I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160
Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168
I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171
My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
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