COME TO YOU, GOD

COME TO YOU, GOD

Hebrews 12:22-29
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+12:22-29

Dear Father,

I come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the city of
the living God. I join with the thousands upon thousands of angels
in joyful assembly, with the assembly of the firstborn ones, whose
names are written in heaven. I come to you, my God, the judge of
all the earth.

I come to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus
the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that
speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

I come to you, my God, thanking your for receiving a kingdom
which cannot be shaken. I am so thankful. And so I worship you with
reverence and awe. Receive me, I pray. You, my God, are a consuming
fire. Burn away all that is worthless in me, that I may be to you a
vessel of pure gold, useful and holy.

With awesome reverence and in the name of Jesus I come to you,
asking these things according to his will. Amen.

THE BIRTHRIGHT

THE BIRTHRIGHT

Hebrews 12:16-17
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+12:16-17

Dear Father,

Keep me from being immoral or irreligious and, like Esau, selling
the birthright you have for me. I want to inherit your blessing,
even if it comes to me through tears.

Hold me close to you. Fill my mind with thoughts of you. Fill my
heart with love for you. May I use my strength to perform acts of
care and love which you initiate.

I love you, Lord.

In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

More on Josiah Humbling Himself before the Lord

More on Josiah Humbling Himself before the Lord
Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Concerning the words which you have heard—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD…"your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants." (2 Chronicles 34:26-27)

King Josiah was a godly ruler, who purged the land of idolatrous activities. When the neglected word of God was discovered in the temple, he responded humbly as he heard it read. "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes." He thereby escaped the judgment that was deserved by the rebellious people. Also, this appropriate wrath was postponed until after his reign.
These blessings of grace came because of Josiah's humble response to God's word. His heart was soft when he heard the word of the Lord: "Concerning the words which you have heard—because your heart was tender." The attitude of the heart toward the Scriptures is pivotal if a person is to experience God's grace at work in his life. A hardhearted response to the word of God does not receive the grace of God. The Israelites in Zechariah's day were a sad example of this. The Lord sent His word to them, "But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 7:11-12).
Josiah's attitude was a vivid contrast. "You humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants." He did what James would later call God's people to do. "Receive with meekness the implanted word" (James 1:21). Josiah's humility was so evident. "You humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me." The result was that Josiah would enjoy the grace of God. His time of leadership would not have to go through the wrath that the people deserved from their previous rebellion and hardheartedness. "Your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants."
Dear Lord, I confess that I have not always responded in humility before Your word. I thank You for Your forgiving grace. Yet, even more, I hunger for Your transforming grace. Shape my heart into a tender vessel that will meekly receive Your holy word, day by day, for Your honor and glory, Amen.

" This May Be My Last Time "

Good Morning...

Devotion for September 28, 2010

"This May Be MY Last Time"

Wow, I haven't heard this song in many many years. The saints of old that I
went to church with used to sing it and the words came striking home this
week.

The words of the song:

"This may be my last time

This may be last time children

This may be my last time

May be my last time I don't know"

Life is indeed too short.

Many of us are still trifling around with things that are so temporal and
NON-important, NON-consequential, NON-earth shattering, NON-significant,
NON-major. This things take up too much of our "PRECIOUS time". Life is
INDEED too short.

This weekend I celebrated my 50th. I am and I have started realizing that
within 40-50 years I will be going home to be with the Lord. I am realizing
that the TRIVIAL has NO place in my world. DRAMA, NONsense and things that
can be pushed aside should not have any bearing on how I am living the rest
my "borrowed" time.

This Sunday my wife and I felt "the pressure" to visit my Brother *(brother
in law....but I don't believe in in-laws.) It was a awesome visit. I was not
ready for the demeanor of his health. I was used to seeing him more robust,
more active, more alive and just more into life... This day was a day of
calm and worry. We were the only men in the house and the house was filled
with women who commandeered the TV's remote, however when I came in the door
I switched channels to something more "manly" so we watched "Pearl Harbor".

One of his favorite films. He motioned for me to come closer and I began
talking to him, we went to the terrace area and he began to share his heart.
His voice was soft. I asked him "What's up Man...?" His response was "Danna"
Danna is his wife. *My sister. (My Diannette's blood sister)

He said "I Love Danna, I am concerned about Danna, I don't want to miss her,
What about Danna and my family."

I held his hand. I looked him in his eyes and I said to him. "Man, we got
you, We got Danna, We Got the Kids, I am here and will always be here. God
got us..." I shared with him that I knew he was ready to go. He shook his
head with a "YES!" He WAS INDEED in salvation and soul sense READY to go. He
held my hand, looked me in my eyes, took a deep breath and then we watched
the cars travel on the FDR for about 5 mins without saying a word. He shook
my hand, then said... "let's watch my movie".

Well, we were both exhausted, he from his life journey, me from my day's
journey. We both fell asleep on the couch while the movie watched us.

4 hours later, Tyrone NO longer needed a walker, wheelchair, nor was there
any more pain, nor was there any more cancer taking it's residence within
him. Tyrone went home to be with Jesus. It was Glorious.

What matters at the end of your LIFE journey is YOUR eternal destination.
Tyrone knew that his was intact because of his faith in Jesus. HIS heart was
concerned for his Woman and family.

Let go of the Temporal. Grab hold of the Eternal. The Eternal always has
that element of LOVE within it. Grab hold of it, let go of the other
stuff... Begin to LOVE again.

"This may be your last time.... WE DON'T KNOW"!

Elder JDH (c)

--
Posted By James Darren Hicks to "Today My Brothers and Sisters..." at 9/28/2010 09:17:00 AM

Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee:

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!

HOLDING FAST TO FAITH

HOLDING FAST TO FAITH

Hebrews 10:19-25
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+10:19-25

Dear Father,

Thank you for the confidence I can have to enter your sanctuary.
May I draw near to you in faith, full of assurance, with my heart
cleansed from a guilty conscience and with my body washed with pure
water.

Grant that I may hold fast to the confession of my faith, without
wavering, since I know that you, the one who promised, is
faithful. May my enthusiastic expression of faith stir up fellow
Christians to good works.

Let me not neglect meeting with my brothers and sisters or fail to
remember that we all will be gathered to meet the Lord. May we
encourage one another all the more as we see that glorious Day
drawing near.

I am looking forward to the return of your Son, and it is in his
name that I pray. Amen.

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)

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

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.

The Books of History

The Books of History
II Chronicles 16-20 Wednesday: Psalms 119
Thursday: Proverbs 29-30
Friday: Micah

2 Chronicles 16
1
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2
Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
3
There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
4
And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
5
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
6
Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
7
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
8
Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
10
Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11
And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12
And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
13
And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14
And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.



2 Chronicles 17
1
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2
And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
3
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
4
But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
5
Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
7
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8
And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
9
And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
10
And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
11
Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
12
And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
13
And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
14
And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
15
And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
16
And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
17
And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
18
And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
19
These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.



2 Chronicles 18
1
Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
2
And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.
3
And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.
4
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
5
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.
6
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
7
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
8
And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
9
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
10
And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.
11
And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
12
And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of their's, and speak thou good.
13
And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
14
And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
15
And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
16
Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
17
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
18
Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
19
And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
20
Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
21
And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
22
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
23
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
24
And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
25
Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
26
And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
27
And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
28
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.
29
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and I will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.
30
Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.
31
And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.
32
For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.
33
And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
34
And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died.



2 Chronicles 19
1
And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
3
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
4
And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
5
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6
And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
7
Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
8
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
9
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10
And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11
And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.



2 Chronicles 20
1
It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
2
Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.
3
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4
And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
5
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
6
And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
7
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
8
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
9
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
10
And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
11
Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
12
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
13
And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
14
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
15
And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16
To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
17
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
18
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
19
And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
20
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
22
And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
23
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
24
And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
25
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
26
And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
27
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
28
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.
29
And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.
30
So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
31
And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
32
And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.
33
Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.
34
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
35
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
36
And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.
37
Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

We must not simply believe that there is an all-powerful God, but we must also live a life of confidence in this hope. We must continually ask for His perfect guidance and immeasurable wisdom throughout our time on this earth. As Christians, we have a distinct honour: if we call upon His great name, He will make our paths straight. If we place ourselves to be under His wonderful direction, we will always benefit from His great kindness and goodness. What a wonderful promise to enjoy!

RISEN WITH CHRIST

RISEN WITH CHRIST

Hebrews 5:7-10
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+5:7-10

Dear Father, Eternal God,

Thank you for a high priestly Savior, who in the days of his
flesh, offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and
tears, to you who were able to save him from death.

Thank you that you heard him for his godly fear, but that you
answered him by raising him from death, rather than saving him from
dying. Otherwise we would have had no sacrifice for our sins.

Thank you for Jesus' sacrificial death. Thank you for his
resurrection, which has been passed on to us through him. For we
too have died and been raised through the great love with which you
loved us!

Thank you, Father, thank you, thank you! We cannot thank you
enough! There are not enough words, not even time, not enough
breath, not enough strength, to say what we owe you for your great
salvation!

In the name of Jesus, our High Priest, I pray. Amen.

Waiting on the Lord, Hoping in the Lord

Waiting on the Lord, Hoping in the Lord
I will wait on the LORD…and I will hope in Him…strong>Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!…Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. (Isaiah 8:17; Psalm 27:14; and 31:24)

Living by waiting on the Lord offers a helpful perspective on living by grace. Waiting on the Lord is the same spiritual reality as hoping in the Lord. "I will wait on the LORD…and I will hope in Him." Waiting on the Lord is not merely about waiting (that is, allowing time to pass). Rather, it is about humbly placing our hope and expectations in the Lord God as time is passing. This is what living by grace comprises (looking to the Lord to work on our behalf and within our hearts).
Waiting on the Lord (hoping in the Lord) is appropriate for every area of our lives. Furthermore, wondrous consequences result from hoping in our God. "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!…Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD." When we place our hope in the Lord (waiting for Him to work in our lives and circumstances), He brings us spiritual courage and spiritual strength within our inner man.
Those who wait on the Lord have a distinctively different destiny than the wicked, than the evildoers. "For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth…Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it" (Psalm 37:9, 34). Evildoers (the wicked, who have no interest in the way of salvation) end up "cut off." In attempting to develop their personal earthly kingdoms, they lose everything. They think they can take over a portion of this world, which belongs to our Creator God. Instead, they lose it all. They are cut off forever from their achievements, as well as from the God who made them. On the other hand, those who hope in the Lord inherit all of creation, as well as an eternal relationship with their Creator Redeemer.
Truly, "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him" (Lamentations 3:25). Therefore, let us "hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption" (Psalm 130:7). Yes, let us "hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever" (Psalm 131:3).
My Creator Redeemer, I want to live all my days waiting on You, hoping in You. What growing expectations You give me as I hope in You. I anticipate courage, inner strength, Your abundant goodness, an eternal inheritance, and (above all) an everlasting relationship with You. Praise Your name!

Prophecy Revelation

Prophecy Revelation
Jonah Saturday: Acts 3-4
Sunday: Hebrews 5-7
Monday: Numbers 33-36

Jonah 1
1
Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
4
But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
5
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
6
So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
7
And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
8
Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
9
And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.
10
Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him. Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
11
Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.
12
And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
13
Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
14
Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.
15
So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
16
Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.
17
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.



Jonah 2
1
Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
2
And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
3
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
4
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
5
The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
6
I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
7
When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
8
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
10
And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.



Jonah 3
1
And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2
Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3
So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
4
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5
So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6
For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7
And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8
But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.



Jonah 4
1
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
2
And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
3
Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4
Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?
5
So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
6
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.
7
But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
8
And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
9
And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.
10
Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:
11
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more then sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

But the salvation of the righteous

But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. (Psalms 37:39-40)

In simple eloquence, the psalmist describes the beauty and strength of our Almighty God. By His graciousness, God's everlasting righteousness is our refuge during times of grave trial and tribulation. What a wonderful comfort! It is breath-taking to consider His love! He is our unrelenting rock and the deliverer of all things! Let us rejoice forever in the knowledge of Christ's saving hand and His reassuring promise of deliverance!

LIVING BEFORE THE OMNISCIENT GOD

LIVING BEFORE THE OMNISCIENT GOD

Hebrews 4:13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+4:13

Dear Father, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent,

Help me to follow your teachings and live my life according to
your will even in unusual or seemingly unimportant circumstances. O
Lord, from you nothing is hidden; all things are open and laid bare
before your eyes, and to you we give an account of our actions.

Let my inmost thoughts and my most secret deeds, which you see and
judge anyway, be done in righteous adherence to your teaching, and
with a pure heart. And forgive me when I am forgetful or negligent.
And if there is rebellion in my spirit, turn me around through your
chastisement, that I may turn back to you.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

THE SABBATH REST

THE SABBATH REST

Hebrews 3:7-4:11
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+3:7-4:11

Dear Father,

I long to enter into your rest - into creative work that is
effortless, into joyous activity in which there is no fatigue, into
glorious praise of which I will not tire! Thank you for the Good
News that there remains a Sabbath Rest for the people of God.

Keep me from being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. May I not
focus on the glittering things of this world and lose sight of the
glorious eternity that awaits me.

Let me not fall away from you through faithlessness and
disobedience as did your ancient people in the wilderness
wanderings. Let no rebellion sprout in my heart against you. May I
walk steadfastly and patiently in your paths.

May I learn that to enter your rest I must surrender my will.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

Isaiah Warning against Worldly Counsel

Isaiah Warning against Worldly Counsel
"Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin. Who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice." (Isaiah 30:1-2)

Those who want to live by grace (living by God working in and through their lives) characteristically depend upon the counsel of the Lord. Correspondingly, they have a burden to warn against worldly counsel, which undermines, or substitutes itself for God's counsel. "'Woe to the rebellious children,' says the LORD, 'Who take counsel, but not of Me.'"
Everyone needs counsel consistently. We all need to find valid guidance and direction through the opportunities and challenges of life. The Lord is to be our constant resource for such counsel. "This also comes from the LORD of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance" (Isaiah 28:29). The counsel of the Lord is wonderful; it is excellent! In fact, when Messiah would come (Jesus, the Christ), one of His descriptive title names would be "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6). This wonderful counsel of God comes to us through the word of God. "Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors" (Psalm 119:24).
Consequently, those who turn elsewhere for counsel are rebelling (at least, inadvertently) against the Lord. "'Woe to the rebellious children,' says the LORD, 'Who take counsel, but not of Me.'" Our God of grace wants to counsel us down His path. He wants to teach us to live by His wisdom and His provision. When we are formulating our plans, He wants us to allow His Spirit to direct us through His word. The only other option is to lean on the counsel of the world: "who devise plans, but not of My Spirit… who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice." God strongly warned His children of the vanity of seeking the worldly wisdom of Egypt. "You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from these things that shall come upon you" (Isaiah 47:13).
The church world today frequently turns to the contemporary speculations of man. The wisdom of man is a vain help. We would do well to consider Isaiah's clear warning. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help…who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!" (Isaiah 31:1).
Lord Jesus, my Wonderful Counselor, forgive me for the many times that I have turned to worldly counsel. I see that such a choice interferes with Your work of grace in my life. Please remind me day by day to seek all of the counsel I need through the Holy Spirit unfolding the wisdom of Your word, Amen.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

God is all-powerful. He is able to provide for every need that meets a believer in his walk with Christ. As humans we often think of "needs" in the light of food, shelter, and physical amenities. However, our "real" needs are spiritual, for our spirit is eternal. Jesus has provided for all of our spirital needs. As the Apostle Peter says in his second letter:
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
The Philippians trusted in God's promises, and they gave to the Lord's work out of what little they possessed. Praise God that we can trust in Him for our daily provision of all our needs!

FOCUSED ON JESUS

FOCUSED ON JESUS

Hebrews 3:1-6
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+3:1-6

Dear Father,

Keep my eyes focused on Jesus. Help me carefully consider him.

Let me see his faithfulness. Let me see his worthiness to be
honored.

Let me see him as the apostle and high priest of my confession.

Let me see him as the one who has called me to a heavenly calling.

Let me see him as the very Son of God, faithful over God's
household, and let me see myself as part of that household of
faith, and let us hold fast our confidence and our pride in our
hope.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

The Books of the Law

The Books of the Law
Numbers 29-32 Tuesday: II Chronicles 11-15
Wednesday: Psalms 117-118
Thursday: Proverbs 28

Numbers 29
1
And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
2
And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish:
3
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram,
4
And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
5
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:
6
Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.
7
And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
8
But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish:
9
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram,
10
A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:
11
One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.
12
And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, and ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:
13
And ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; thirteen young bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year; they shall be without blemish:
14
And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto every bullock of the thirteen bullocks, two tenth deals to each ram of the two rams,
15
And a several tenth deal to each lamb of the fourteen lambs:
16
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
17
And on the second day ye shall offer twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
18
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
19
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering thereof, and their drink offerings.
20
And on the third day eleven bullocks, two rams, fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish;
21
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
22
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.
23
And on the fourth day ten bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
24
Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
25
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
26
And on the fifth day nine bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without spot:
27
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
28
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.
29
And on the sixth day eight bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
30
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
31
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
32
And on the seventh day seven bullocks, two rams, and fourteen lambs of the first year without blemish:
33
And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
34
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering.
35
On the eighth day ye shall have a solemn assembly: ye shall do no servile work therein:
36
But ye shall offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: one bullock, one ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish:
37
Their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullock, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner:
38
And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, and his drink offering.
39
These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.
40
And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.



Numbers 30
1
And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.
2
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
3
If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth;
4
And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.
5
But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
6
And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;
7
And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
8
But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.
9
But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.
10
And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;
11
And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
12
But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
13
Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.
14
But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
15
But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.
16
These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.



Numbers 31
1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2
Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.
3
And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian.
4
Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war.
5
So there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war.
6
And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand.
7
And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.
8
And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
9
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
10
And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt, and all their goodly castles, with fire.
11
And they took all the spoil, and all the prey, both of men and of beasts.
12
And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by Jordan near Jericho.
13
And Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and all the princes of the congregation, went forth to meet them without the camp.
14
And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.
15
And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive?
16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
17
Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
18
But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.
19
And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day.
20
And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' hair, and all things made of wood.
21
And Eleazar the priest said unto the men of war which went to the battle, This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses;
22
Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
23
Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.
24
And ye shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and ye shall be clean, and afterward ye shall come into the camp.
25
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
26
Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast, thou, and Eleazar the priest, and the chief fathers of the congregation:
27
And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:
28
And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:
29
Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD.
30
And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
31
And Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.
32
And the booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep,
33
And threescore and twelve thousand beeves,
34
And threescore and one thousand asses,
35
And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that had not known man by lying with him.
36
And the half, which was the portion of them that went out to war, was in number three hundred thousand and seven and thirty thousand and five hundred sheep:
37
And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen.
38
And the beeves were thirty and six thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve.
39
And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and one.
40
And the persons were sixteen thousand; of which the LORD'S tribute was thirty and two persons.
41
And Moses gave the tribute, which was the LORD'S heave offering, unto Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded Moses.
42
And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
43
(Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep,
44
And thirty and six thousand beeves,
45
And thirty thousand asses and five hundred,
46
And sixteen thousand persons;)
47
Even of the children of Israel's half, Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast, and gave them unto the Levites, which kept the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
48
And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near unto Moses:
49
And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us.
50
We have therefore brought an oblation for the LORD, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the LORD.
51
And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of them, even all wrought jewels.
52
And all the gold of the offering that they offered up to the LORD, of the captains of thousands, and of the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels.
53
(For the men of war had taken spoil, every man for himself.)
54
And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, for a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.



Numbers 32
1
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle;
2
The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,
3
Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon,
4
Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:
5
Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.
6
And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?
7
And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?
8
Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.
9
For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.
10
And the LORD'S anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying,
11
Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:
12
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
13
And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
14
And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel.
15
For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people.
16
And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones:
17
But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
18
We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance.
19
For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward.
20
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,
21
And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him,
22
And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.
23
But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
24
Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.
25
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth.
26
Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead:
27
But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord saith.
28
So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel:
29
And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession:
30
But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.
31
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do.
32
We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be our's.
33
And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.
34
And the children of Gad built Dibon, and Ataroth, and Aroer,
35
And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,
36
And Bethnimrah, and Bethharan, fenced cities: and folds for sheep.
37
And the children of Reuben built Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Kirjathaim,
38
And Nebo, and Baalmeon, (their names being changed,) and Shibmah: and gave other names unto the cities which they builded.
39
And the children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, and took it, and dispossessed the Amorite which was in it.
40
And Moses gave Gilead unto Machir the son of Manasseh; and he dwelt therein.
41
And Jair the son of Manasseh went and took the small towns thereof, and called them Havothjair.
42
And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

More on David Confessing the Lord as His God

More on David Confessing the Lord as His God
For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me…I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long…in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God…Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me! (Psalm 38:4, 6, 15 and 21)

When the battles raged with pain and cruelty, David drew upon God's grace by humbly confessing the Lord as his God. "I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side…But as for me…I say, 'You are my God'" (Psalm 31:13-14). Then David added, "My times are in Your hand" (Psalm 31:15). He knew that all of his times were in the hand of his sovereign God. David demonstrated this dependence upon the Lord in all types of situations (not only during the agonizing betrayals that he faced).
When David experienced times of personal sin and failure, he turned to the Lord, his God. "For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me." The guilt of David's sins overwhelmed him like mighty flood waters and crushed him like a massive weight. "I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long." This left David distressed, greatly pressed down, and continually grieving. Thus, with a broken and humble repentance, he confessed the Lord as his God. "In You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God…Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me!"
In other times, David confessed the Lord as his God. When he was sick and near to death, he turned to the Lord, confessing Him as his God. "O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You have healed me. O LORD, You have brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit" (Psalm 30:2-3). When David was humbly aware of his lack of innate goodness, he also confessed the Lord as his remedy. "Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You'" (Psalm 16:1-2). On the other hand, when David was joyously abounding in the goodness of the Lord, he also confessed the Lord as his God. "Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts which are toward us cannot be recounted to You in order" (Psalm 40:5).
Dear Lord, You are my God as well! Yet, I know that in many situations, I have not confessed You as my God. Lord, teach me to confess You as my God in every circumstance—when I have sinned, when I am sick, when I am abased, when I am abounding. Wherever I am, whatever comes my way, may I see You as my God, lovingly and powerfully handling my times, in Jesus' name, Amen.

For all the promises of God in him

For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

God keeps His promises. No matter what His promise may be, He will keep it—and it will be a "Yes" in Christ. Because of His faithfulness through Christ, our proper response should be "Amen," in order that we give Him glory. This should be the goal of all who believe—the further glory of God.

THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST

THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST

Hebrews 1:1-14
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+1:1-14

Dear Father, father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Thank you for speaking through the prophets of old, bit by bit, in
first one way, then another. Help me not to be slow of heart but to
believe all they have said. Thank you most of all for speaking to
us through your Son. You made him heir of all things and through
him you created the world. We give glory to you because this one
who shines forth with your glory and bears the very stamp of your
nature. He upholds the world by his power. Thank you for him, this
one who is our Savior, the one who purifies us from our sins. Thank
you for exalting him high above all angels, for giving him a name
more excellent than theirs, and for causing him to sit on your
right hand in your majestic splendor.

Our wonderful Lord wields a scepter of righteousness! His throne
is for ever and ever. Thank you for this changeless and faithful
Savior of ours! Thank you!

In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

David Trusting in and Praising the Lord and His Word

David Trusting in and Praising the Lord and His Word
In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust…In God (I will praise His word), In the LORD (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust…You have magnified Your word above all Your name. (Psalm 56:4, 10-11 and 138:2)

To live by grace, one must trust in the Lord. David urged others to trust in the Lord. "Trust in the LORD…feed on His faithfulness…Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him" (Psalm 37:3, 5). David himself trusted in the Lord. "In God I have put my trust." Part of trusting in the Lord involves holding His word in an exalted place (trusting in it, honoring it, praising it). David proclaimed, "I will praise His word." This is an inherent part of living by grace, since it is "the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance" (Acts 20:32).
God's word is so trustworthy, so praiseworthy. David proclaimed the unique character of God's word, which gives the word its incomparable effectiveness. "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7a). God's word is fully sufficient. The Lord has left nothing out of it that we need for spiritual development. Therefore, it can transform lives into what God wants them to be.
Furthermore, "The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7b). The Scriptures are absolutely reliable. They provide God's indisputable insights into life on earth, as well as necessary preparation for heaven. Consequently, they bring the Lord's wisdom to those who humbly admit that they need it.
Additionally, "The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart" (Psalm 19:8a). The Bible alone is irrefutably correct. Man's perspectives, opinions, systems, and theories are riddled with inaccuracies and fallacies. What a joy this brings to the inner man, knowing that there is a place to find the Lord's absolute realities..
Moreover, "The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes" (Psalm 19:8b). God's word is holy and untainted. Man's words are polluted with sin and self and all sorts of unrighteousness. When people feed on the contaminated words of humanity, their eyes become dull and lifeless. Contrastingly, when the words of the Lord are consistently taken in, one's eyes shine with heaven's light.
Upon consideration of the unparalleled character and ability of God's word, it is no surprise that the Spirit of God inspired David to exclaim, "You have magnified Your word above all Your name."
Dear Lord God, I see that the words from Your heart are to be treated just as You are to be treated. As part of my trust in You and my praise for You, I confess my trust in, and praise for, Your word. Please use the word of Your grace to transform and shape my life in every way, in Jesus' name, Amen.

The Psalms

The Psalms
Psalms 114-116 Thursday: Proverbs 26-27
Friday: Obadiah
Saturday: Acts 1-2

Psalms 114
1
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2
Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
3
The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
4
The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
5
What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6
Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
7
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8
Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Psalms 115
1
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2
Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3
But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
5
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6
They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7
They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8
They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
9
O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
10
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
11
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
12
The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.
13
He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.
14
The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
15
Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
17
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
18
But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Psalms 116
1
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
11
I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
19
In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

AN HEIR OF HOPE

AN HEIR OF HOPE

Titus 3:4-15
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Titus+3:4-15

Dear Father,

Thank you that your goodness and loving kindness have appeared.
Thank you for saving me, not because of my righteous deeds, but in
virtue of your own mercy, totally undeserved, by the washing of
regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit. You richly poured
it out on me through Jesus Christ, my Savior.

Thank you for doing all this so that I might be justified by your
grace and become an heir in hope of eternal life! Thank you that I
can be sure of all these things, because you said so.

Help me apply myself to good deeds, which are excellent and
profitable to me. Teach me to avoid stupid arguments that are
unprofitable and futile. Help me to be all that you want me to be!

May your grace continue with me and with all whose love arises in
faith.

In the name of Jesus, the all-wise and blessed Savior. Amen.

David Urging Others to Trust in the Lord

David Urging Others to Trust in the Lord
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:3-5)

Those who live by grace trust in God to work in their lives. We can see David's heart to live this way, as he urges others to trust in the Lord. "Trust in the LORD… feed on His faithfulness…. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him."
God wants His people to be characterized by goodness. "Trust in the LORD, and do good." Yet, David understood that no one does good on their own. "There is none who does good, No, not one" (Psalm 14:3). So, for anyone to do good, the Lord must do a good work in and through their lives. Those who trust in the Lord find the will and the strength to do that which is good in the sight of God. To be faithful in doing good, God's people must be nurtured in God's faithfulness. "Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." Those who place their trust in a faithful God become faithful servants of God.
Of course, the work of God in lives is centered in the heart of man. David prayed for an undivided heart of reverential trust toward the Lord. "Unite my heart to fear Your name" (Psalm 86:11). All who let the Lord become the fundamental joy of their lives will find that God Himself plants godly desires within their heart. "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." These implanted desires are then worked outward unto godly living.
As godly living develops, we experience a growing interest in walking in the ways of the Lord. David had such a yearning in his heart toward the Lord. "Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me" (Psalm 25:4-5). The Lord unfolds His will to those who entrust their lives to Him. "Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass." Those who do place their lives under the sovereign care of God enjoy the great privilege of having the Lord God Almighty governing the very steps that they take day by day.
Heavenly Father, I want to trust in You so that Your goodness will develop in my life. I want to embrace You as the ultimate joy of my heart so that You may plant Your desires deep within me. I entrust my life into Your hands so that You may control my daily path, through Jesus Christ, my Lord, Amen.

David Confessing God as His Refuge

David Confessing God as His Refuge
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us…You are my hiding place…You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 62:8 and 32:7)

David often confessed God as his refuge. This is another indicator that he typically lived by the grace of God (that is, by trusting God to work on his behalf).
The need or desire to find a refuge (a place of shelter or protection) is common among mankind. The storms of life can beat down relentlessly. Circumstantially, it can be as though Ezekiel's prophetic warning is being fulfilled toward us. "There will be flooding rain… great hailstones…and a stormy wind" (Ezekiel 13:11). We long for a shelter. At other times, threats and dangers seem to lurk around every corner. Experientially, it can be as though we are reliving the trials of David. "The pangs of death encompassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me" (Psalm 18:4-5). We long for a place of protection. David knew where to turn for refuge when troubles multiplied. "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Our place of shelter and protection is not a place, but a Person. When troubles come, we can turn to Him. He is totally available to help us ("a very present help"). Whenever we exercise our trust in Him, whenever we pour our heart out to Him in prayer, we can enjoy the Lord as our refuge. "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
At other times, we are not looking so much for a refuge (a place of shelter or protection), we are seeking a hiding place (a secret solitude). When this occurs, we easily identify with David's desire to flee. "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, And remain in the wilderness" (Psalm 55:6-7). Well, God has more good news for us. As David learned, the Lord is willing and able to be that hiding place. "You are my hiding place …You shall surround me with songs of deliverance." Whenever we turn to the Lord and allow Him to encompass us with songs of His delivering power, we can enjoy the Lord as our hiding place. Of course, one practical way to be surrounded by God's "songs of deliverance" is to spend time prayerfully reading in the book of Psalms. They are God's divinely inspired rescue songs.
Dear God, my refuge, I so often long to be sheltered and protected. I praise You that I can find that by running to You in prayer! Dear Lord, my hiding place, I frequently yearn to flee for a secret solitude. I rejoice that I can find that by allowing You to surround me by Your message of deliverance found in Your word!

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (Psalms 147:11)

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (Psalms 147:11)

A Prayer: Oh Lord, may there be in our hearts, at the same time, both a reverence of Your majesty and a resting in Your goodness, both a believing dread of Your wrath and a believing expectation of Your favour; not that we must hang in suspense between hope and fear, but we must act under the gracious influences of hope and fear. May our fear save our hope from swelling into presumption, and our hope save our fear from sinking into despair. May we hope in Your mercy, even when we cannot find a particular promise to stay ourselves upon!
—Matthew Henry

FURTHERING THE FAITH

FURTHERING THE FAITH

Titus 1:1-9
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Titus+1:1-9

Dear Father, the God who never lies,

Grant that my life will further the faith of your chosen people
and increase their knowledge of the truth that accords with
godliness, in hope of eternal life which you promised ages ago and
at the proper time manifested through the preaching of your word.

May the leaders of your people be blameless, good stewards of the
responsibility which you give them. May they hold firmly to your
sure word as taught by your apostles. May they love and demonstrate
everything that is good, and by word and deed refute the advocates
of evil.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

The Books of Poetry

The Books of Poetry
Proverbs 25 Friday: Amos 5-9
Saturday: John 19-21
Sunday: Philemon

1
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Joshua Leading the People in God's Victory

Joshua Leading the People in God's Victory
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my LORD say to His servant?" (Joshua 5:13-14)

When Moses pointed Israel to the Lord for battle, he was teaching God's people to live by grace (which involves God at work on behalf of His people). "The LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you" (Deuteronomy 20:4). Joshua demonstrated this same truth, when he led the people in God's victory.
Before the first battle at Jericho, God gave Joshua the opportunity to commit to the Lord as the Commander of the army of Israel. "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, 'Are You for us or for our adversaries'?" The Lord appeared in the form of an armed soldier. Joshua asked if the man was for Israel or against them. The Lord responded that it was not a matter of being for or against Israel, but that He was in charge of Israel. "'No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped." At this point Joshua fully yielded to the Lord as the leader of God's army. "What does my LORD say to His servant?" Any victories would have to be provided by this divine Commander.
At Jericho, this divine Commander would cause the walls to fall down, as His people would humbly trust Him, obediently marching around the city. "And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat" (Joshua 6:20). At Ai, the Commander gave Joshua a two-pronged ambush strategy. "We will flee before them. Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand" (Joshua 8:6-7). Against the Amorite kings, large hailstones and an extended day were used by the Commander to bring a mighty victory. "The LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven…So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day" (Joshua 10:11, 13). Whether by perplexing marching orders, by understandable strategy, by "natural phenomenon," or by miraculously extended time, the Commander brought victory.
Mighty God of Israel, I look to You to be the One Who is in charge of my battles, the One Who fights for me. Lord, bring forth victory by any means You desire—whether perplexing, understandable, "natural," or miraculous, Amen.

AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM

AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM

2 Timothy 4:9-22
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Timothy+4:9-22

Dear Father,

Help me not to be in love with this present world. Enable me to
live for the sake of your everlasting kingdom.

Help me come to the defense of those who are attacked wrongly or
who need defending for your sake.

Stand by us, dear God, and give us the strength to live for you
and to proclaim your word fully, as it deserves.

Rescue us from the lion's mouth. Rescue us from every evil and
save us for your heavenly kingdom.

Be with our spirits. Grant abundant grace to us in every way.

To you be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Please take this seriously

Listen-up:


Pass this on to everybody you know. Anybody that sees a plastic bottle in their yard would think nothing of picking it up to throw it away.
Looks like these things are starting to pop up around the U.S. Check the Snopes web site below, it's pretty scary.


Important warning! NOT A JOKE! Pay attention to this.


1. A plastic bottle with a cap (Like a normal water bottle).
2. A little Drano.
3. A little water.
4. A small piece of foil.
5. Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM (Less than 30 seconds)!!
6. No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.


People are finding these bombs in mailboxes and in their yards, just waiting for someone to pick it up intending to put it in the trash.
It takes about 30 seconds to blow after you move the thing.
See "SNOPES" below....it's true.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp