Happy new years

O death, where [is] thy sting?

O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:55-58)
Death defeated! The Law stripped of power! No longer crushed beneath the fell weight of the curse! Praise the Lord that the resurrection of Christ has secured your own resurrection, O people of the Almighty! Hell can hold no victory over you, O believer, for you are a child of the Most High, made into a new creation. Perfect! Righteous! Clothed exquisitely and adorned in beauty befitting the bride of Christ Himself! Christ has cleansed you unto righteousness, so go forth in that righteousness, steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the good work that all God's children desire!

My sheep hear my voice,

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)
If we are truly believers in Christ, then we will also be followers of Him. Because we believe in and follow Jesus, we will live eternally in heaven with Him. Once we have been saved, no one can take away our salvation!

Walking with Jesus .

Walking with Jesus the Way We Received Him As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him…Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? (Colossians 2:6 and Galatians 3:3) In this vital matter of relating rightly to the Lord, one common mistake is attempting to develop our Christian walk in a different manner than we began it. Our present verses point us to the proper outlook. We are to build our life with the Lord upon the very same terms that we began that life. "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." We are to walk with Jesus the way we received Him. We received the Lord and His great salvation as gifts of grace. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (2 Corinthians 9:15 and Ephesians 2:8). We must, therefore, walk in Him with a "grace-receiving" mentality. "And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for [upon] grace" (John 1:16). We must never attempt to treat the Christian life as something we can manufacture or earn. Sinful, earthly fathers were created with a desire to give beneficial gifts to their children. Even more so, our holy, heavenly Father has a heart to give all that is needed to those who are willing to ask and receive. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11). Galatians 3:3 reinforces the need to have the same pattern for beginning and developing a walk with God. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?" These rhetorical questions warn of the deadly danger of having our approach to Christian growth differ from how we found spiritual birth. The Holy Spirit alone was able to bring us spiritual birth. The flesh of man could avail nothing. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). The Holy Spirit must bring us spiritual progress. The flesh can contribute nothing. "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63). Any change in approach from birth to growth is foolishness. It is doomed to failure. We began by grace, so we must continue by grace. We began by the Spirit, so we must continue by the Spirit. Yes, we are to walk with Jesus the way we received Him. Any changes in approach are unacceptable, ineffective, impossible. Heavenly Father, You are such a generous giver. You gave me Your Son and His salvation as a gift of grace. You gave me new life by a work of Your Holy Spirit. Now, I want to walk in Christ these same ways, in His gracious name, Amen.

GOD IS

[[To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.]] God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...Psalms 46:1 Be assured, O believer, that the Lord your God is with you. He shall shelter your spirit in His mighty house forever. Never need you fear, for He is even now your aid against all manner of trouble. Rejoice, therefore, in His love and power!

But I say unto you,

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44-45


By God's compelling love, we have the honor of sharing kindness and compassion to others—including our enemies. For those who believe, the love of Christ abundantly pours forth and causes overwhelming joy and peace within our hearts. It is by His great compassion that we can love others and know of God's unfathomable adoration for us. How beautiful is salvation! It allows us to share unconditional love for others

For unto us a child is born,

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Reflection As Christ came as a child to live and die for His people, so too will He come again arrayed in victory, charging forth in holy righteousness to announce the final consummation of His heavenly kingdom! Great shall be that day! Great in sorrow! Great in joy! All authority is given Him: to judge and to save. Trust upon the saving lifeblood of the risen Lord and rejoice in His return! Mighty will be His host and unparalleled the joy that shall reign eternal upon all His people!

And call upon

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalms 50:15)
Trust ever upon the mercy, goodness, and overwhelming sovereign power of the Lord's might. He will always save His people in their day of trial and He will always keep His children from final judgment. Rejoice, then, in His majesty, for He is your God and you are His people!

[[[A Psalm] of David.]]

[[[A Psalm] of David.]] The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1)
The Lord is ever with the child of His right hand. Mercy, protection, grace, and love are ever the believer's company. By the precious blood of Christ, we are made partakers of the heavenly promise. Hide yourself in Christ, O believer, and embrace the true rest He so lovingly grants His children! Rest and do good!

The LORD [is]

The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. (Psalms 18:2)
Strong is the defense of the Lord and great the might of His sword-arm! And ever is He able to grant you His protection! No danger shall threaten His people and forever shall He lend aid to His sons. Rejoice in the strength of your high tower! Rejoice in your soul's shelter! Praise His name forever!

Much more than

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9)
You are made right, O believer, in the blood of Christ! The curse of Adam—that damnation unquenchable—has sloughed its hell-weight from upon your shoulders and its death-strike shall not fell your head! No, it has fallen upon another: the Christ! His righteousness is made yours, and more: so too His salvation! No simple justification is the believer's mere claim, but life—life eternal! Rejoice therefore, O believer, in the princely salvation made yours by the blood of God Himself!

Jaci Velasquez-On My Knees *~IHSGDF-Nourish your soul~*

When thou

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)
When Christ is our life, we have nothing to fear. Our rest can be sweet because we have a God who neither slumbers nor sleeps. And He is always watching over those whom He loves. May you be at peace while trusting in the arms of your Saviour.

FOR THE LORD

For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. (Lamentations 3:31-33)
Great is the faithfulness of the Lord. Sometimes it seems that He is at such a great distance, yet still He is near. And though it may seem that we are alone in our trials, yet still He is near. His kingdom is come—enter it by faith! Know that you are at His right hand, O believer, and know that He loves you!

I AM

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51)
Jesus speaks of Himself as the Living Bread of life. For those of us who are in Christ, we shall never again experience the spiritual hunger that existed before our conversion. Jesus Christ, the Living Manna, provides all that we need to live day by day with God.

For the mountains

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. (Isaiah 54:10)
God gives this promise to His people—that no matter what happens on this earth, God will always love us and walk beside us. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

My Prayer: Dear Jesus, I thank You for Your wonderful love for me! Thank you that no matter what happens, Your love will never leave me.

These things I

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Ours is a life of struggles, of hardship. Daily we feel the earthly futility of that curse brought low upon us by that first sinful act of Adam. Sorrow is the constant companion of all who dwell in the earth. The world is at odds with us and will ever seek to trample us under foot. If the world is against us, then who can possible be for us? Take heart, O believer, for the Lord is with you—and if the Lord is for you, how can anyone possibly stand against you? Christ has overcome the world and even now reigns upon the throne of His heavenly city. Rejoice in your citizenship in the kingdom of God and go boldly into the world proclaiming His peace making men of all tongues to be disciples of Him!

I, [even] I,

I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)
The Almighty God alone is our salvation and deliverer from all things! The earth trembles at His presence and the mountains smoke at His touch. He is slow to anger and great in power; for death has been destroyed for eternity! None can compare—and He alone is my Saviour!

But whosoever

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)
Never to be thirsty forever! How glorious this revelation! Ever more shall our soul's desires be quenched. God's spirit shall fill us to overflowing and our rest will be made full. Praise God for His mercy and lovingkindness!

I CAN

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)
When Paul wrote that he could do all things through Christ, we have to understand it in light of his circumstances. Paul declares that he could find contentment (and even joy) in every situation. Though we may not be in the most desirable place, we should find contentment and joy, knowing that Christ will give us the strength to get through anything.

And they that know

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. (Psalms 9:10)
Because of His amazing faithfulness to His children, we continue to trust in Him. As we place our faith in Christ, we come to know of His abounding goodness and mercy. Truly, His lovingkindness is visable in the life of the believer. For we serve such a wonderful and faithful God!

And that he

And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee [less] than thine iniquity [deserveth]. (Job 11:6)
How fortunate are we who have embraced the cross by faith! The mercy of the Lord is ever on our side. Through flood and fire, the mercy of the Maker of Heaven will make our road safe—neither righteous wrath nor villainous treachery shall stay our path, for the Lord has made it sure against such opposition. Rejoice that your way to heaven is guarded, O believer!

Hebrews 13:5-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Hebrews 13:5-6
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5Let your [a]character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] [b]Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor [c]give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [d][I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor [e]let [you] down ([f]relax My hold on you)! [[g]Assuredly not!]
6So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?

The LORD will

The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalms 138:8)
Absolutely everything that concerns His children is under His control! What an amazing comfort! For He is faithful to accomplish every good work within His people. He will never forsake us, but He will hold us in His right hand forever!

He brought them

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. (Psalms 107:14)
In the same way that God delivered His people in times of the Old Testament and broke their chains, He also delivers His people in the age of the church. For those whom God has saved, they have been eternally liberated from their enslavement to sin.

For This God

For this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death. (Psalms 48:14)
Indeed, all the earth knows of His righteousness and is filled with His amazing glory! All His splendor and might exceeds all imagination. Such is our God. And He will guide us into His everlasting glory!

Though I walk

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. (Psalms 138:7)
Fear not the troubled paths of your life. Give no concern to the sundry evils that press in upon you. Give your entire focus to the pursuit of the interests of the heavenly kingdom. Ever will the Shepherd protect His sheep. Ever will the King of all watch over the ways of His subjects. O believer, be not dismayed for neither shall you faint in weariness nor fall to the missiles of the enemy. Trust in Almighty God and proclaim the peace of His hand!

Because he hath

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Psalms 91:14)
God will protect His own. Love is the avenue in which we can minister to God and we can recognize who He is by acknowledging His name. At the same time it is God who rescues us and lifts us up higher than the dangers at hand.

Isaac and Jacob Viewing the Future,

Isaac and Jacob Viewing the Future, by Faith By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph. (Hebrews 11:20-21) Since we have previously considered Abraham's offering of Isaac (in the meditation on God's promises on August 9), let's move on to consider Isaac and Jacob. While pronouncing prophetic blessings upon their descendants, these two men became examples of viewing the future, by faith. The example of Isaac actually occurred in the midst of a deceitful plot by one of his own sons. Isaac wanted to pass on a blessing to his oldest son, Esau. "Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him…'Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die'" (Genesis 27:1, 4). Jacob (the supplanter or "schemer") disguised himself and lied to his father, attempting to steal the blessing. "And Jacob said to his father, 'I am Esau your firstborn…sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me'…And he did not recognize him…so he blessed him" (Genesis 27:19, 23). Although Esau later was given a blessing as well, the blessing for Jacob passed on the headship of the family to this younger son. "Be master over your brethren, and let your mother's sons bow down to you" (Genesis 27:29). When informed of the deceit, Isaac let the blessing stand. The Lord indicates this was an act of faith in the purposes of God. The example of Jacob also occurred in an unusual setting. Joseph was bringing his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father for a family blessing. "Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them" (Genesis 48:10). Joseph brought Ephraim (the younger) toward Jacob's left hand and Manasseh (the firstborn) toward his right hand. However, Jacob crossed his hands, thereby switching the primary blessing. "And Joseph said to his father, 'Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he'" (Gen 48:18-19). These actions may not seem significant to us. Yet, the Lord lists them as notable steps of faith in Him. Why? Because these blessings reflected and instituted aspects of God's sovereign plans, in spite of inappropriate scheming and established traditions. O sovereign Lord, I bow in faith to Your perfect plans and purposes. What a comfort to know that Your will cannot be thwarted by inappropriate schemes or established traditions. Teach me to view the future with faith in Your wisdom and Your sovereignty

the eyes

The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. (Psalms 34:15)
God recognized us. Often times we do not see any sign of God answering our petitions, yet He hears our cries and deals with them specifically in His own way. Though we might not be constantly thinking of God, we are always in His thoughts as He hears our requests for help.

Noah Building an Ark, by Faith

Noah Building an Ark, by Faith
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
At times, the Lord asks His people to engage in assignments that seem to make no sense at all. Perhaps, it is a task that we have never undertaken. Perhaps, it is preparation for a problem that we have never encountered previously. One of the most profound examples from such categories was Noah building an ark, by faith. His example is profound both in the circumstances that he faced and the extent of the impact of his faithful response.

The setting was the extreme wickedness of humanity. "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Mankind's deserved judgment was a worldwide flood. "So the LORD said, 'I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth…I Myself am bringing the flood of waters on the earth'" (Genesis 6:7, 17). Noah was an upright man who lived in close fellowship with the Lord. He would be graciously delivered. "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD…Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:8-9).

To build an ark for a monumental flood must have appeared absurd in a world that had never experienced such a phenomenon. Nonetheless, Noah fully accepted this divine admonishment, even though he had never witnessed what God was warning about. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen… prepared an ark." His faithful obedience was motivated by holy respect for the Lord and for all of His pronouncements: "moved with godly fear."

The consequences of his labor of faith were far-reaching. His own family was saved: "prepared an ark for the saving of his household." By Noah's godly trust, the rest of the world was condemned for their ungodliness and unbelief: "by which he condemned the world." Noah himself became numbered among those who illustrate that the Lord's righteousness is received by trusting Him: "and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." Additionally, he became a reminder of being ready for the return of the Lord. "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37).

Dear Lord, please teach me to respond in faith, as Noah did, whenever You call me to a perplexing assignment. Also, as impending judgment awaits those who indulge in growing worldwide ungodliness, help me to proclaim Christ as the present ark of rescue, while eagerly anticipating His return, Amen.

GOD IS

[[To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.]] God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (Psalms 46:1-2)
So strong is our victorious Lord that ever more can we, His people, trust in His promise to protect us. Fear not, O believer, for even now is the kingdom of God visible by your faith! Take up your heavenly reign! Rejoice in your seat at the Father's throne! God will be your sturdy defense and never will the enemy's darts pierce your hide, so go forth proclaiming the Lord's victory in boldness.

The Psalms

The Psalms
Psalms 128-130 Thursday: Ecclesiastes 5-6
Friday: Haggai
Saturday: Acts 13-14
Psalms 128

1
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
2
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
5
The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6
Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
Psalms 129

1
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:
2
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
3
The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
4
The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.
6
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
7
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
8
Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.
Psalms 130

1
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2
Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3
If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7
Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Which executeth judgment

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: (Psalms 146:7)
Whether oppressed, hungry, or a imprisoned, God will take care of His child. If it oppression that we are suffering, then we will be upheld by God. If we are plagued with hunger, then God will provide spiritual food for our souls. If we are bound, then we will be liberated from our sins. Truly, we are given tremendous freedom by God's love and grace!

And thine ears

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This [is] the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)
My Prayer: Father, I am so grateful for all Your splendid majesty and mercy! Thank You for dying on the cross and suffering my consequences. Yet more than anything, thank You for conquering death that I may be with you forever and ever! Help me to keep focused on You. May I never look right or left, but continue to faithfully walk on Your holy path. Continue to guide me in all my ways!

And being made .

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9)
Once Christ obtained His human perfection, He became the source of eternal life. Eternal life is given to those who obediently accept the gift given to them by God.

And this is

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:39-40)
God has promised us that Jesus will not forsake anyone that God has given Him. God has given us to Jesus, we are His prized possession and Satan will not be able to snatch any of us from His grasp. We have been granted eternal life in heaven with God! Praise the Lord! Exalt His name for He is full of grace and mercy!

Even More on the Source of Faith

Even More on the Source of Faith
Jesus Christ, the faithful witness…the Faithful and True Witness…And He…was called Faithful and True. (Revelation 1:5; 3:14; and 19:11)
Faith comes into our lives through the work of Jesus Christ: "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Faith develops in our hearts when the name of the Lord is revealed to us (that is, an understanding of who Jesus is and what He is able to do). "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong…Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness" (Acts 3:16). We grasp to some degree how great He is, so we trust Him to do great things. Thereby, faith comes into our spiritual experience through Him. Our present verses are related to this development of faith, for they depict Jesus as faithful and true.

He is the reliable witness, who tells us the truth: "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness…the Faithful and True Witness…And He…was called Faithful and True." As the ultimate witness, Jesus gives us testimony of the truths that are essential for every person. He tells us about the kingdom of heaven. "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). He warns us about the judgment of hell. "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:49-50).

He also tells us about the heavenly Father. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11). He warns us about the "father of lies." "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44). He tells us what true living is all about. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). We have faith in Him and all that He bears witness to, because He is "the Faithful and True Witness."

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for being the reliable witness. I trust in You because You are faithful and true. Your trustworthy witness has rescued me from hell and headed me toward heaven, protected me from the father of lies and made me a child of the heavenly Father. Your witness has brought me to life everlasting. I praise You with unending gratitude!

ALIVE IN CHRIST.

ALIVE IN CHRIST Ephesians 2:4-5 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+2:4-5 Dear Father, ruler of heaven and earth, When you raised up Christ, you raised me out of my dead state as well. You set me on a throne of honor with Christ in the heavenly places. What you did showed the immeasurable riches of your grace even to me - just as you showed your kindness to those called first - through Christ! Thank you for being so very, very gracious to me! Salvation by grace just by trusting in you! In the name of Jesus and by his authority I boldly ask you to make of us the completely holy people that you intend as your inheritance. Amen.

THE BOOK OF POETRY -

The Books of Poetry
Ecclesiastes 3-4 Friday: Zephaniah
Saturday: Acts 11-12
Sunday: James 4-5
Ecclesiastes 3

1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
16
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
17
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
18
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
19
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
20
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
22
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes 4

1
So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
2
Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.
3
Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
4
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5
The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
7
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
9
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11
Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
14
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
15
I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.
16
There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

For by grace

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We are saved through the grace of God and only the grace of God. There is no other way for us to get to heaven. If we think the good we do will earn us a hope in heaven, then we shall be deeply dismayed when Jesus says, "Depart from me, I never knew you." Let us not take pride in ourselves in thinking that our works will get us into heaven. Let us rather praise the Lord for His marvelous grace!

And God hath

And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. (1 Corinthians 6:14)
God has given us the incredible hope of the resurrection! The same power which raised Christ from the dead will also resurrect us in that final day. Christ was indeed raised! Fear not then, for we too, will indeed be raised!

Nevertheless I [am]

Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory. (Psalms 73:23-24)

My Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for continually being present within my life! Thank You for loving me with such unconditional adoration! Make me worthy of Your wonderful devotion toward me that I may give You honour and praise. Cause me to have a passionate desire toward Your word that I may please You in all I do and say. May I desire nothing on this desolate earth but the future glory with You!

And I will put

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Genesis 3:15)

This is the first promise of the remarkable salvation that would bridge the gap between sinful man and a gracious God. From the beginning of creation, God had a redemptive plan that would begin and end with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the promised Seed, entered the world with the purpose of bruising the head of Satan (Romans 16:20) and claiming God's children to be His own. Thus, Christ destroyed the power of the evil one and freed mankind from the tremendous bondage of sin. From this, His grace flows forth and draws us as believers to His side.

For ye shall

For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel [will be] your rereward. (Isaiah 52:12)

Never need the bride of Christ, when arrayed in her battledress, proceed anxiously to meet the enemy. Nor shall she flee from villainous hoards, defeated and brought low. She is the queen of God's right hand and ever shall He protect her comings and goings, guarding her both before and behind, and ever granting her sword arm the full measure of His omnipotent strength. Rejoice in the Lord! Rejoice in your strength!

CONFIDENT IN CHRIST

CONFIDENT IN CHRIST

Hebrews 10:26-39
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+10:26-39

Holy God, who has promised to return,

How foolish I would be to keep on sinning after coming to the
knowledge of your truth. Give me the strength to forsake whatever
sin I become aware of in my life. I submit myself to your
examination and ask to see myself as you see me.

In the face of suffering or ridicule, I want to stand strong in
truth, always aware that confidence and perseverence will be richly
rewarded in the life to come.

May I not be among those who shrink back and are destroyed, but
among those who hold on to faith and keep their souls.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

But of him

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)

"All we have we have from God as the fountain, and in and through Christ as the channel of conveyance. He is made of God to us all we need, or can desire. We are foolishness, ignorant and blind in the things of God, with all our boasted knowledge; and He is made wisdom to us. We are guilty, obnoxious to justice; and He is made righteousness, our great atonement and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt; and He is made sanctification, the spring of our spiritual life; from him, the head, it is communicated to all the members of his mystical body by his Holy Spirit. We are in bonds, and he is made redemption to us, our Saviour and deliverer."
—Matthew Henry

More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite

More on God Dwelling with the Humble and Contrite
The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap. (Psalm 113:4-7)

In our previous meditation, we considered the Lord's loftiness, coupled with His interest in man's lowliness. "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15). In our present verses, we again see the Lord's desire to dwell with the humble and contrite.

Our great God dwells in the heaven of heavens, ruling over all the nations of the world. "The LORD is high above all nations." His glory is even more majestic than the galaxies which He hung throughout the stellar heavens: "His glory above the heavens." There is no one in all the universe who could be likened unto Him. "Who is like the LORD our God?" Nevertheless, though He rightly inhabits the highest realms of existence, He is willing to consider our lowly estate and become involved in the affairs of humanity: "who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth."

From His high and lofty position, the Lord observes the family of man. He is not looking for the boastful and the arrogant. He is looking for the humble and the contrite. "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6). Although our God is the creator of all the universe, He is looking for the spiritually bankrupt and those whose hearts are crushed. "'For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,' says the LORD. 'But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word'" (Isaiah 66:2). This last phrase gives a key characteristic of those who are truly humble and contrite. They respond with reverence when hearing God's word.

What does the Lord desire to do for the humble and contrite? He wants to bring spiritual restoration: "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me" (Psalm 138:7). Our great God is a God of compassion. He wants to restore the crushed heart. "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit…He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 34:18 and 147:3). Our mighty, compassionate Lord "raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap."

Creator of heaven and earth, I am amazed that You are interested in me. I want to be numbered among the humble and contrite. I have nothing by which to commend myself to You. I only bring a heart that is broken by a multitude of agonies and impossibilities. Please revive me by Your grace, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.

A PERFECT SACRIFICE

A PERFECT SACRIFICE

Hebrews 9:11-14
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+9:11-14

Dear Father,

Thank you that when Christ appeared as a High Priest, he entered
into the Holy Place and took not the blood of bulls and goats, but
his own blood, thus securing eternal redemption for us.

How much more perfect and pleasing to you was his sacrifice than
that of animals, for he offered what was truly perfect-his sinless
body.

Thank you, Father, that through this offering he has purified my
conscience that I might serve you, the true and living God.

Infuse my body, soul, and spirit with your grace. Give me a soft
and obedient heart that yields readily to your will. Give me a
broken and contrite heart that despises sin and yearns for true
holiness.

Keep me from loving the things of this world. Make me willing to
surrender anything that I possess or could possess, that I may walk
with you.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen

Abide in me,

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)
We cannot do anything without the Lord. He is the vine; and just as the branches receive their life-giving nutrients through the vine, so we as Christians receive the things we need for life from Christ. When a branch is apart from its source of life, it is dead. And so it is with us—until we are grafted onto that eternal and life-giving vine of Christ. We abide in Christ by our faith in Him and the salvation he offers. By this faith, even we shall bear fruit.

As far as

As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)

God's forgiveness is immeasurable! Though we be drowned in sin—though we be true sons of Adam steeped in iniquity—God will ever draw His people into His fold and cleanse them from the death-stain of their corruption. Rest in the Lord's forgiveness and go forth in new righteousness!

But without faith

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
What is faith? It is trusting in the work of another. Therefore, we cannot please Him until we place all our trust and faith in Christ; for He is the author and finisher of our faith who will reward those who will seek His face.

For whosoever shall

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)
How bountiful the mercy of our Lord that He should not only allow salvation, but promise it to those who seek Him. Praise God for your everlasting life! Praise the Lord that He drew you to seek Him!

And they shall !

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)
One beauty of the Covenant of Grace is this: we are promised intimate and familial knowledge of our Lord. No longer is He a God far-removed, approachable by a chosen few. No, in the New Covenant we are all kings and priests and are granted, in Christ, the most intimate access to the Father's throne—indeed, even access to the Father's ear by our prayers!

For he shall

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Reflection

As we abide in the light of our Father, we are given protection beyond all comprehension. These heavenly angels are encamped all about us as they guard our every path throughout this life. Indeed, absolutely nothing shall ever prevail against us as we walk in the light! For He is our rock! He is our mighty fortress!

And ye shall seek me

And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
God promises to be found when sought after with our whole hearts. How wonderful then, that it is He who places that longing within us. It is He who gives our hearts of stone to be hearts of flesh. Glory to God that He is merciful to draw us near! Praise to the Lord that He first loved us! Live now as righteous, taking heart in the gospel joy of the Lord!

And wisdom and knowledge

And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, [and] strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD [is] his treasure. (Isaiah 33:6)

What a faithful God we serve! By His tender love for us, our incredible salvation is our strength and firm stability. His wealth of infinite wisdom and perfect knowledge affords us the privilege of trusting in God throughout our lives. Surely we worship an awesome and great Lord!

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

Here lies the unfathomable hope that all Christians share alike: By the blood of Jesus Christ, we pass out of death and despair and into eternal life full of joy.

Blessed [are] they

Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Your hunger shall be filled. Your thirst shall be quenched. Ever shall the child of righteousness be sated for the Lamb is his food and his drink. Christ is the living manna and the living water. The Christian feasts upon His body, broken for us, and His blood, shed for our sake. So go, O believer, in the power of the cross! Go forth and proclaim His life to all the nations until He comes again, that they too might taste the fullness of righteousness!

God [is] not a man

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

God is ever worthy of our trust. He is unchanging and uncompromising. His promises will always be kept and He shall always stand true to His word. Every promise shall find fulfilment in you who are Christ's workmanship. Rejoice therefore in Him and be filled!

EQUIPPED FOR GOOD WORK

EQUIPPED FOR GOOD WORK

2 Timothy 3:10-17
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Timothy+3:10-17

Dear Father,

Help me adhere to right teaching, proper conduct, the right aim in
life and faith. Help me hold on patience, love, and steadfastness,
even when I am opposed and persecuted for doing so. When evil
people and impostors go from bad to worse, keep me from giving up
in the face of their persecution and opposition.

May I continue in what I have learned and firmly believe, knowing
that your Word is able to instruct me for salvation through faith
in Christ Jesus. Thank you for these writings - breathed by your
holy breath - which are good for teaching, reproof, correction, and
training in righteousness, that I may be complete and equipped for
every good work.

Father, complete your work in me, may I be ready to do your work
in the world!

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

And shewing mercy

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)

God promises mercy to those who keep His holy commands, yet what man could ever see this promised mercy? Only one. Only One. Only Christ. And by His love for us, we too see God's mercy. Christ's infinitely valuable obedience bought mercy for all those who would seek it. Praise our Lord and Saviour for our bountiful access to His saving mercy!

And, behold,

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Reflection
The end is near! The time of our final victory in Christ is upon us! He is coming soon and with His coming, the doom of sin, the doom of evil, and the doom of death itself! Praise be! Praise be! Praise be!

An "Unpopular" Prophetic Promise of Apostasy

An "Unpopular" Prophetic Promise of Apostasy
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

As we continue to alternate between "precious promises" and "unpopular" promises, we come to a prophetic promise of apostasy. Among those who are actually drifting into apostasy, this promise is certainly "unpopular." Additionally, in a church world that wrongly accepts what sounds positive and rejects what sounds negative (instead of rejecting error and accepting truth), this promise is often met with disinterest or, worse, disdain.

"The faith" is the message of the word of God. It is the divine truth in which we are to place our faith, our trust. It especially includes the good news of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our present promise forewarns that there will be those who fall away from "the faith" as the days press closer and closer to the end of the church era. "In latter times some will depart from the faith." Since this is a departure, they seemed to adhere to the word of God for a season. Then they turned away from it. If they remain active in the church world, their message will no longer reflect the true content of the Scriptures. Peter gave a similar warning. "There were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them" (2 Peter 2:1). As sure as Israel had false prophets, the church would have false teachers.

Paul provided some insights into their path of apostasy. They would be "giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." Paying attention to concepts that were perpetrated by demonic deception would result in errors in their doctrine. The devil and his army of evil spirits are intent on confusing and distorting the teaching of the word of God. Typically, such errors feed man's fleshly desires to glorify self.

These apostates would also be "speaking lies in hypocrisy." Not only would their teaching be erroneous, their lives would be marked by falsehoods related to pretense. They would add untrue testimony to their inaccurate message. Perhaps the reports of their ministerial prowess would be grossly exaggerated.

They would also be "having their own conscience seared with a hot iron." They would teach errors and live lies until their consciences were no longer convicted of sin. We are forewarned. Such apostates undoubtedly abound in these last days.

Lord God of truth, thank You for lovingly warning of the danger of apostasy. Enlarge my appreciation of such "unpopular" promises. Please help me to cherish the truth of Your word. Give me a heart to know Your word. Sharpen my discernment concerning error. Keep my heart and my message anchored in the truth of Scripture, Amen.

A Precious Promise of God's Perfecting Work

A Precious Promise of God's Perfecting Work
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me. (Psalm 138:8)

Again, we look at one of God's "precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4). This one pertains to His perfecting work in the lives of those who know Him and humbly depend upon Him. This priceless promise is the Old Testament antecedent of the one we recently considered from Philippians 1:6. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it."
Think of the astounding implications of our present promise. "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." Our God has pledged to fully accomplish His will and His plan in every matter that pertains to our lives. Let's consider three important examples of "that which concerns [us]": development of biblical understanding, growth in godliness, and (for the married) spiritual progress in marriage.
God's word reveals that He wants us to develop in biblical understanding. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). If we will humbly feed on God's word, seeking Him for spiritual insight, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]" in this area of life.
God's word reveals His will for us to grow in godliness. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:11-12). If we seek the Lord and trust in Him for ongoing growth in godliness, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]" in this area as well.
God's word reveals His will with respect to spiritual progress in marriage. The Lord wants married couples to become mutually submissive servants, each serving the other out of reverence for the Lord: "submitting to one another in the fear of God" (Ephesians 5:21). The servant wife would follow the spiritual leadership of the husband. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). The servant husband would love His wife with sacrificial Christ-like love. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). As each seeks the Lord for His transforming grace, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]" in this vital area of life also.
Dear Father, I acknowledge many futile attempts to perfect myself. I easily forget that You have promised to attend to my perfecting. My vain efforts only quench the work of Your Spirit of grace. Lord, please carry out Your transforming work in my study of Your word, in my need to grow in godliness, in my relationships at home—as well as in my testimony on the job, in my service of You—yes, in my entire life, in Jesus' name, Amen.

DISCIPLINED FOR SERVICE

DISCIPLINED FOR SERVICE

2 Timothy 2:1-7
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Timothy+2:1-7

Dear Father,

Make me strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Help me pass
your word on to others who also will share it.

Help me take my share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ.
Help me avoid "civilian" entanglements that would dilute my loyal
obedience to Christ, my commander.

Help me be a disciplined athlete for you. Help me to be a
hard-working farmer who tills in your vineyard, patiently waiting
for the harvest that comes from you.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

Cast thy burden upon

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalms 55:22)
Trust in the Lord, O son of righteousness, for He is worthy of your esteem. He is infinitely capable of caring for your needs and will always work even the most difficult of situations for benefit. Cast all your cares upon Him for He will be faithful to deliver you. Stand ever in your righteous hope in Christ and you shall not be moved.

For he is our peace,

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; (Ephesians 2:14)
The unity in Christ is far beyond that which men might craft. It is promised that all Abraham's seed, both Jew and Gentiles alike, are truly of one body—a body of faith! Love your brothers in Christ. Leap to aid each other even as Christ Himself leapt to save you—at His own peril. This is the Gospel.

As many as I love.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Revelation 3:19)
Praise be to our ever-loving Father that He will always be faithful to chasten His children to correction. His discipline is of a caring love toward us—it is for our benefit, gracious and merciful. The Lord wants what is best for us and kindly prompts us to return to Him. Praise the Lord for His involvement.

And he said unto me,

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God's grace is greater than our weakness. When we admit our weaknesses then more of Christ's strength can be manifested in us. We are used more when we are made less.

CARING HEARTS, WORKING HANDS

CARING HEARTS, WORKING HANDS

1 Timothy 5:1-22
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Timothy+5:1-22

Dear Father,

Help me treat everyone in your family appropriately and with great
respect: older men like fathers, older women like mothers, younger
men as brothers, younger women as sisters.

Give us such caring hearts in our immediate families that we will
take care of widows, orphans, the sick, and the troubled. Give us
such caring hearts in your church that we shall supply whatever is
lacking in families.

Let us give honor to our elders appropriate to their work, whether
respect or material support.

In the name of Jesus we ask. Amen.

But God hath chosen

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (1 Corinthians 1:27)

It is simply breathtaking to contemplate the remarkable grace of God! Amazingly, He chose men of all trades, men of low stature, men from all walks of life—He chose you! He desired those dead in their sins to be resurrected and re-created to declare His infinite glory! What a privilege! What an incredible honor to preach the good news to a dark world! May we rejoice greatly and give praise to His glorious name!

The fear of man

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Trust God. He is infinitely able to provide your needs. Entrust your path to His mighty hands. He shall always protect you from the snares of the enemy. By His strength you are made much more than conquerors! Fear not, for He is infinitely better than your fears!

Morning Reading

Morning Reading
Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

—Proverbs 1:33
Divine love is rendered conspicuous when it shines in the midst of judgments. Fair is that lone star which smiles through the rifts of the thunder clouds; bright is the oasis which blooms in the wilderness of sand; so fair and so bright is love in the midst of wrath. When the Israelites provoked the Most High by their continued idolatry, He punished them by withholding both dew and rain, so that their land was visited by a sore famine; but while He did this, He took care that His own chosen ones should be secure. If all other brooks are dry, yet shall there be one reserved for Elijah; and when that fails, God shall still preserve for him a place of sustenance; nay, not only so, the Lord had not simply one "Elijah," but He had a remnant according to the election of grace, who were hidden by fifties in a cave, and though the whole land was subject to famine, yet these fifties in the cave were fed, and fed from Ahab's table too by His faithful, God-fearing steward, Obadiah. Let us from this draw the inference, that come what may, God's people are safe. Let convulsions shake the solid earth, let the skies themselves be rent in twain, yet amid the wreck of worlds the believer shall be as secure as in the calmest hour of rest. If God cannot save His people under heaven, He will save them in heaven. If the world becomes too hot to hold them, then heaven shall be the place of their reception and their safety. Be ye then confident, when ye hear of wars, and rumours of wars. Let no agitation distress you, but be quiet from fear of evil. Whatsoever cometh upon the earth, you, beneath the broad wings of Jehovah, shall be secure. Stay yourself upon His promise; rest in His faithfulness, and bid defiance to the blackest future, for there is nothing in it direful for you. Your sole concern should be to show forth to the world the blessedness of hearkening to the voice of wisdom.
Evening Reading
How many are mine iniquities and sins?

—Job 13:23
Have you ever really weighed and considered how great the sin of God's people is? Think how heinous is your own transgression, and you will find that not only does a sin here and there tower up like an alp, but that your iniquities are heaped upon each other, as in the old fable of the giants who piled Pelian upon Ossa, mountain upon mountain. What an aggregate of sin there is in the life of one of the most sanctified of God's children! Attempt to multiply this, the sin of one only, by the multitude of the redeemed, "a number which no man can number," and you will have some conception of the great mass of the guilt of the people for whom Jesus shed His blood. But we arrive at a more adequate idea of the magnitude of sin by the greatness of the remedy provided. It is the blood of Jesus Christ, God's only and well-beloved Son. God's Son! Angels cast their crowns before Him! All the choral symphonies of heaven surround His glorious throne. "God over all, blessed for ever. Amen." And yet He takes upon Himself the form of a servant, and is scourged and pierced, bruised and torn, and at last slain; since nothing but the blood of the incarnate Son of God could make atonement for our offences. No human mind can adequately estimate the infinite value of the divine sacrifice, for great as is the sin of God's people, the atonement which takes it away is immeasurably greater. Therefore, the believer, even when sin rolls like a black flood, and the remembrance of the past is bitter, can yet stand before the blazing throne of the great and holy God, and cry, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea rather, that hath risen again." While the recollection of his sin fills him with shame and sorrow, he at the same time makes it a foil to show the brightness of mercy—guilt is the dark night in which the fair star of divine love shines with serene splendour.

God's Promises to Abraham

God's Promises to Abraham
Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3)

These are some of the most strategic promises in the word of God. They are repeated to Abraham (Genesis 13:14-18; 15:5; 17:1-8; 22:17-18). They are confirmed to Isaac (Genesis 26:2-4, 24) and to Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14; 35:9-12). They are woven throughout the Old Testament (Nehemiah 9:7-8; Psalm 105:6-11; Isaiah 51:2). They are elaborated upon in prominent chapters of the New Testament (Romans 4 and 9; Galatians 3 and 4; Hebrews 6, 7, and 11). Ultimately, we will see that these promises are at the root of the new covenant of grace.
These promises to Abraham flow forth one upon another. This is so typical of our God of promises. He does not merely sprinkle His word with a promise here and there. He pours them out like a cascading waterfall. Included within these divine commitments are some of the monumental purposes of God; namely, a Promised Land, the nation of Israel, the Messiah, and worldwide missions.
First, God's promises included a Promised Land. "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you." This new land would be spacious, with bountiful provision: "a good and large land…a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). Then, in that land of blessing, God would develop the nation of Israel. "I will make you a great nation." Eventually, through that nation, Messiah would be birthed, fulfilling the promise to bring God's blessings to all who would believe. "In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." The Lord Jesus would be that specific, individual seed that would offer God's blessed salvation to all the world. "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ" (Galatians 3:16). This promise contained the gospel. "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, 'In you all the nations shall be blessed'" (Galatians 3:8). The gospel is the good news of God's saving grace. This good news is for all the world to hear.
Lord God of majestic promises, what a grand plan You have laid out in only a few sentences! Help me to read Your word with alertness regarding Your promises. Please shape my thinking and my expectations by Your mighty promises, in Jesus' name, Amen.

He giveth to the beast

He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which cry. (Psalms 147:9)

Our Prayer: O Lord, we praise you that we can rely on Your providence which feeds not only us, but supplies bountifully the wild animals in their mountain homes. We shall ever answer You with grateful praise for Your goodness!

And it shall

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. (Isaiah 25:9)

After the Lord has finally swallowed up the power of death, we, His people, shall rejoice with Him evermore! Be glad in your salvation, O people of God, for as the Lord will cast off death forever, so shall He also grant life to His servants!

Promises to God Based on Promises from God

Promises to God Based on Promises from God
He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Another acceptable category of promises to God involves those based on His promises to us. God has already promised to be with us every step of our pilgrimage here on earth. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Consequently, we can declare with great confidence: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
The Lord knows our vulnerability to fear, such as the fear of man. "The fear of man brings a snare" (Proverbs 29:25a). Many traps and entanglements await those who are afraid of man's opinions or actions. Abraham jeopardized his own wife, because he was afraid of the Egyptians. "Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you" (Genesis 12:12-13). King Saul sinned against God, because he feared the people. "Then Saul said to Samuel, 'I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice'" (1 Samuel 15:24). Of course, God's protection against such snares is to depend upon Him, when we are tempted to fear man. "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe" (Proverbs 29:25).
The Lord has given many promises of His presence with His people to protect them from man. To Joshua, God promised: "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). To Paul, the Lord promised: "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10). To every believer in Christ, He has promised: "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Therefore, "we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'"
When our promises are based on the promises of God, His faithfulness and His ability become the validation of our promises.
Dear Lord, You know my susceptibility to fear. At times, this fear concerns what others might say or do. When I am tempted to respond in this carnal manner, please remind me of Your constant presence. I want to trust You as my helper and not fear what man may do, Amen.

And the God

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen. (Romans 16:20)

Soon. Soon the end of the age. Soon the victory shall be won. Our great foe shall meet his end—this is assured! Nevermore shall we be assailed. We shall at last be at rest. It is promised. Alleluia!

But whosoever drinketh

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)
Take heart in the evident promise of your salvation: that always and forever shall your soul be filled to overflowing with abundant and eternal life! Never shall you thirst. Never shall you dry up. Never shall your soul be parched. Rather take joy in this: unto everlasting shall your heart's thirst be quenched as rivers of God's living water pour down from heaven as you bask in the glory of God's own Son: Christ Jesus.

GOD'S PERFECT POWER

GOD'S PERFECT POWER

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Corinthians+12:9-10

Dear Father,

Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power is made perfect in
weakness.

When I am weak, Christ's power can assist, shine through, lift me
up. Please let this happen!

For Christ's sake help me to be content with whatever you let come
my way - weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and
calamities - for when I am weak, then I am strong!

Let me be strong with your strength even when beset by my own
weaknesses.

In the name of him who is my strength, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Though he fall,

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand. (Psalms 37:24)

From His undying love and grace, God sustains us in all things as we continue to trust in Him. We were firmly established in His love when He removed us from our iniquity and securely planted our feet on the Rock. Even as we stumble in this life, the Creator of the universe is there to grab hold and bring us to His side. May we commit our way to Him and see His unfailing greatness and mercy each day.

MY PERFECT WEAKNESS

MY PERFECT WEAKNESS

2 Corinthians 12:1-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Corinthians+12:1-10

Dear Father,

Put your hand over my mouth to keep me from boasting about myself.
Even if I were to have visions and revelations about you or to be
caught up to Paradise and hear things too sacred to be told, let me
boast only of my weaknesses.

If you limit me, inflict pain on me, cause me to struggle and cry
out for relief, let me come back to trusting you.

Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power is made perfect in
weakness.

In the name of him who is my strength, Jesus Christ. Amen.

BOASTING IN WEAKNESSES

BOASTING IN WEAKNESSES

2 Corinthians 11:6-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Corinthians+11:6-10

Dear Father, whose power is made perfect in weakness,

Even though certain things are true, keep me from saying them if
they would not be received in the right way-if people would think
me out of place, perhaps mad, or if they might think more of me
than I deserve. Sometimes there are things that I want, but one
thing you have taught: Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power
is made perfect in weakness.

Help me therefore to boast in my weaknesses, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me.

For the sake of Christ, help me to put up with whatever I must
bear, for when I am weak in him, then I am strong. Let me live
according to your will, close to your heart of love.

In the name of Jesus I pray, seeking the strength that comes only
from being weak in you. Amen.

For as the heaven

For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him. (Psalms 103:11-13)

Believer rejoice! Though of your sin-stained self you could nowise enter the presence of the Lord Almighty, yet God loves to such a degree and extent that He sent His only Son to pay for your corrupted life. His promise—not only to forgive their sins but also forget them, if His people will but ask—stands an incredible offer of mercy and grace, and is of such magnitude that the only response His child can possibly muster is one of unbounded joy! For when you were forgiven, you became the very child of God, allowed entrance into His own throne room. Again, rejoice!

Prophecy Revelation

Prophecy Revelation
Ezekiel 19-24 Saturday: Luke 17-18
Sunday: Philippians 3-4
Monday: Leviticus 13-15

Ezekiel 19
1
Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
2
And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.
3
And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
4
The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt.
5
Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.
6
And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
7
And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.
8
Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.
9
And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.
10
Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.
11
And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.
12
But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.
13
And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.
14
And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.



Ezekiel 20
1
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
2
Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
3
Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
4
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
5
And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
6
In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7
Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
8
But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
10
Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11
And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
12
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
13
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14
But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
15
Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
16
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
17
Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
18
But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
19
I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;
20
And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
21
Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
22
Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.
23
I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
24
Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
25
Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;
26
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
27
Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
28
For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.
29
Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day.
30
Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
31
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
32
And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
33
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:
34
And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35
And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36
Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
37
And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38
And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
39
As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
40
For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
41
I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
42
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.
43
And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
44
And ye shall know that I am the LORD when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
45
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
46
Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field;
47
And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.
48
And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
49
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?



Ezekiel 21
1
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2
Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,
3
And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.
4
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
5
That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.
6
Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.
7
And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.
8
Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9
Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:
10
It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
11
And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
12
Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.
13
Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.
14
Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together. and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
15
I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter.
16
Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.
17
I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.
18
The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
19
Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.
20
Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
21
For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
22
At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.
23
And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.
24
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
25
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
26
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
27
I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.
28
And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering:
29
Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
30
Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
31
And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.
32
Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more remembered: for I the LORD have spoken it.



Ezekiel 22
1
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2
Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.
3
Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself.
4
Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.
5
Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much vexed.
6
Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood.
7
In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.
8
Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.
9
In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness.
10
In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution.
11
And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
12
In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
13
Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.
14
Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it.
15
And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee.
16
And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
17
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
18
Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.
19
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.
20
As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
21
Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst therof.
22
As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.
23
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
24
Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.
25
There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.
26
Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
27
Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.
28
And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.
29
The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.
30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
31
Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.



Ezekiel 23
1
The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
2
Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:
3
And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.
4
And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.
5
And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours,
6
Which were clothed with blue, captains and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses.
7
Thus she committed her whoredoms with them, with all them that were the chosen men of Assyria, and with all on whom she doted: with all their idols she defiled herself.
8
Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.
9
Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted.
10
These discovered her nakedness: they took her sons and her daughters, and slew her with the sword: and she became famous among women; for they had executed judgment upon her.
11
And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms.
12
She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men.
13
Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way,
14
And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men pourtrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans pourtrayed with vermilion,
15
Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity:
16
And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea.
17
And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.
18
So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness: then my mind was alienated from her, like as my mind was alienated from her sister.
19
Yet she multiplied her whoredoms, in calling to remembrance the days of her youth, wherein she had played the harlot in the land of Egypt.
20
For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.
21
Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth.
22
Therefore, O Aholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side;
23
The Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, and Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them: all of them desirable young men, captains and rulers, great lords and renowned, all of them riding upon horses.
24
And they shall come against thee with chariots, wagons, and wheels, and with an assembly of people, which shall set against thee buckler and shield and helmet round about: and I will set judgment before them, and they shall judge thee according to their judgments.
25
And I will set my jealousy against thee, and they shall deal furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sons and thy daughters; and thy residue shall be devoured by the fire.
26
They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels.
27
Thus will I make thy lewdness to cease from thee, and thy whoredom brought from the land of Egypt: so that thou shalt not lift up thine eyes unto them, nor remember Egypt any more.
28
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated:
29
And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.
30
I will do these things unto thee, because thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and because thou art polluted with their idols.
31
Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister; therefore will I give her cup into thine hand.
32
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt drink of thy sister's cup deep and large: thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.
33
Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.
34
Thou shalt even drink it and suck it out, and thou shalt break the sherds thereof, and pluck off thine own breasts: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
35
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.
36
The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations;
37
That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bare unto me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.
38
Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.
39
For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.
40
And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent; and, lo, they came: for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments,
41
And satest upon a stately bed, and a table prepared before it, whereupon thou hast set mine incense and mine oil.
42
And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.
43
Then said I unto her that was old in adulteries, Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them?
44
Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot: so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah, the lewd women.
45
And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands.
46
For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled.
47
And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.
48
Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land, that all women may be taught not to do after your lewdness.
49
And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.



Ezekiel 24
1
Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2
Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
3
And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it:
4
Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones.
5
Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein.
6
Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it.
7
For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust;
8
That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.
9
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great.
10
Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned.
11
Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the brass of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed.
12
She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire.
13
In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.
14
I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.
15
Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
16
Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.
17
Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.
18
So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
19
And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so?
20
Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
21
Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.
22
And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men.
23
And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.
24
Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
25
Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters,
26
That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears?
27
In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD