Tuesday, May 25, 2021

A Study of Hosea the Prophet

 

A Study of Hosea the Prophet

 

As I was meditating on the notes I had written that led to this study, I was almost in a doze when I heard this question and answer. “How do I stand in Your Presence LORD?” “Very, very honest!” I hear The LORD speaking to me to not pursue the natural life but to obey GOD!

 

The LORD called Hosea, like He called all the prophets, He spoke to them. The difference is that with none of the other prophets was His first Word to them a command to do something that was morally and spiritually repulsive. GOD ordered Hosea to marry a whore and have children. Isaiah and Jeremiah were ordered to do hard and repulsive things, Jonah was ordered to do something that caused him great fear so that at first he refused.

 

Hosea chose Gomer and they had three children, a son named Jezreel meaning: “in a short time I will punish the house of Jehu for having shed blood at Jezreel; I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. When that day comes, I will break the bow of Israel in the Jezreel Valley.” Gomer bore a second child, a girl named Lo-Ruhamah meaning: un-pitied, “for I will no longer have pity on the house of Israel. By no means will I forgive them. But I will pity the house of Judah I will save them not by bow, sword, battle, horses or cavalry, but by The LORD their GOD.” She bore a third child a son named Lo-Ammi meaning: not My people, “because you are not My people, and I will not be your GOD.”

 

At some point Gomer left and GOD told Hosea, “’…Go once more and show love to [this] wife [of yours] who has been loved by her boyfriend, to this adulteress – just as The LORD Loves the people of Israel, even through they turn to other gods and love the raisin cakes [offered to them].’ So I bought her back for myself with fifteen pieces of silver and eight bushels of barley.”

 

GOD was fed up with Israel’s disobedience and rebellion and through all the prophets in those days He kept warning them of His coming judgment. Hosea was just one of them that He not only spoke through but used to show their sin and His mercy and judgment. As Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 10 they are examples to us, GOD is just as fed up with The Church’s disobedience and rebellion today!

 

“Come, let us return to The LORD; for He has torn, and He will heal us; He has struck, and He will bind our wounds. After two days, He will revive us; on the third day, He will raise us up; and we will live in His presence. Let us know, let us strive to know The LORD. That He will come in as certain as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rains that water the earth. Ephraim, what should I do to you? Judah, what should I do to you? For your ‘faithful’ love is like a morning cloud, like dew that disappears quickly. This is why I have cut them to pieces by the prophets, slaughtered them with The Words from My mouth – the judgment on you shines out like light. For what I desire is mercy, not sacrifices, knowledge of GOD more than burnt offerings. But they, just like men, have broken the covenant, they have been faithless in dealing with Me.” Hosea 6:1-7

 

Most of Hosea’s prophesy is about GOD’s judgment on Israel, Judah and Samaria, but it is intermingled with the promise of salvation.

 

“For what I desire is mercy, not sacrifices, knowledge of GOD more than burnt offerings.” JESUS expressed this truth twice: “While JESUS was in the house eating, many tax collectors and sinners came and joined Him and His disciples at the meal. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your rabbi eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ But JESUS heard the question and answered. ‘The ones who need a doctor aren’t the healthy but the sick. As for you, go and learn what this means; “I want compassion rather than animal sacrifices.” For I didn’t come to call the “righteous” but sinners!’” Matthew 9:10-13. “One Sabbath during that time, JESUS was walking through some wheat fields. His disciples wee hungry, so they began picking heads of grain and eating them. On seeing them, the Pharisees said to Him, ‘Look1 Your disciples are violating Sabbath!’ But He said to them, ‘Haven’t you ever read what David did when he and those with him were hungry? He entered the House of GOD and ate the Bread of the Presence!’ – Which was prohibited, both to him and to his companions, it is permitted only to the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Torah that on the Sabbath the priests profane the Sabbath and yet are blameless! I tell you, there is in this place something greater than the Temple! If you knew what “I want compassion rather than animal sacrifice” meant, you would not condemn the innocent. For The Son of Man is LORD of Sabbath!’” Matthew 12:1-8

 

It was the religious leaders whom JESUS told “go and learn” and asked, “Haven’t your read?” or “If you knew what”.

Read (314) Matthew 12:3, 5: (from 1097) to know again i.e. read          

Learn (3129) Matthew 9:13: to learn (in any way)–learn, understand

Knew (1097) Matthew 12:7: to “know” in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):–allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.

 

Salvation is why JESUS came as the Son of Man, in obedience He did everything The Father gave Him to do, “So also CHRIST did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was HE who said to Him: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’ As HE also says in another place: ‘You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’; who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayer and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffer. And having been perfected, He became the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:5-9

 

If JESUS learned obedience by the things He suffered, who are we to try to avoid suffering. We should not look for it but we should not avoid it either. Obedience is the theme of The Last Days so we better start practicing it now so that when the time comes to obey instantly without question, we will!

Don't Grieve GOD's SPIRIT

 

“Being influenced, or in some cases being controlled by the opinion of others is a guaranteed way to miss GOD’s Purpose for your life!”

Mark 15:15 “Wanting to Satisfy (or Please) the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to then. He had JESUS flogged and handed Him over to be Crucified.”

“Someone once said, ‘I don’t know all the keys to success, but one key to failure is to try to please everyone!’ Be a GOD-Pleaser Today,” Pastor Bob Harris

 

“And grieve not The HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, whereby you are sealed unto The Day of Redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

“Whenever The SPIRIT checks, call a halt and get the thing right, or you will be grieving Him without knowing it.” Oswald Chambers

 

“Since it is through The SPIRIT that we have Life, let it also be through The SPIRIT that we order our lives day by day.” Galatians 5:25

It is easy to grieve The SPIRIT of GOD! Every time we resist The Father’s Will we grieve His SPIRIT who lives in us so that we can do The Father’s Will.

“For GOD is The One working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13

God Bless.

Food for Thought

 

Food for thought: “Whatever your heart is overwhelmed by, is the direct result of what you continually hear, watch and believe!”

Isaiah 26:3-4 “You O GOD Will keep in Perfect Peace all who Trust You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in The LORD always, for The LORD GOD is The Eternal Rock.”

“If you want to strengthen your spiritual diet – you need to change what you eat spiritually! Feed on The Word of GOD, Pastor Bob Harris

 

“If any man be a worshiper of GOD, and does His Will, him HE hears.” John 9:31

“When prayer seems to be unanswered you will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else.” Oswald Chambers

 

Obedience is the theme for The Last Days, so we better start practicing it so that when the time comes to obey instantly and without question, we will! GOD Bless, Bob & Charlene

Saturday, May 22, 2021

The Father's Love

 

The Father’s love

 

Familiar with the parable of The Lost Son, also called the Prodigal Son? In Luke 15:11-32 JESUS tells the story of a rich man with two sons, property and slaves. The younger son wants his share of the inheritance at an early age so he can live the good life. As soon as he can he moves to another country and enjoys his leisurely, party lifestyle until a famine hits the land and he runs out of money, he has to get a low paying job feeding pigs. One day he realizes that he could be a servant to his father and have a better lifestyle than his current situation, so he returns home to ask his father’s forgiveness and for a job.

The father, who loves his sons, has been watching every day since his younger son left for his return. One day he sees his son on the road and runs out to meet him, he greets him with a hug and kiss. The son starts asking his father for forgiveness but his father interrupts him and tells his slave to give his son a coat, a ring and shoes. Then he orders his fatted calf to be killed and prepared for a feast to celebrate his son’s return, not just because his son has returned, but because he returned with a repentant, humble heart.

The first born son who would inherit the majority of their father’s property and possessions was in the field overseeing the work when he heard the noise of the celebration. He asked a servant what was going on, when he was told his feelings were hurt and he felt rejected by his father, so he refused to go to the feast. When the father hears that his first born son is not coming to the feast he; like he did for the younger son; goes out to him to plead with him to join the celebration of his brother who had been lost to them as if he was dead but is now returned.

The son argues that his brother has wasted their father’s money to live as he pleased while he had obeyed his father’s wishes, and to make it worse his father had not even given him a goat to be able to party with his friends. The father reminds his son that all he has is the son’s but they had to celebrate his brother’s return because he was no longer lost to the family.

The thing that stands out to me is that the father went out to both his sons to restore them. His humbled and repentant son was glad for the father’s love and acceptance; but the first born son was self important and bitter that his wayward brother was treated as an equal. Our Heavenly Father’s Love is unconditional to all His Children, sinners and saints alike, the key is how we respond, is it about ourself or do we respond based on how we see Our Father deal with others? Do those who have ben saved a long time get jealous of the joy and release of GOD’s SPIRIT in those who are just coming into The Kingdom? Have we been doing the work of The Kingdom so long that we feel it is special to us and we feel rejected when we see new believers moving is ways we never have?

The message of Paul in Philippians is that our salvation is free, but we have to work at it daily to maintain it. In the Kingdom of GOD there is no sitting back and waiting for our reward, we are called and gifted to do the unending work of The Kingdom in the earth until we stand before JESUS! JESUS said several times that, “the first will be last and the last will be first”, do we understand what that means? It’s not about how long but about how obedient!

Friday, May 21, 2021

Self Will vs. GOD's Will

 

"A man's steps are ordered by The LORD, so how can a person understand his own ways?" Proverbs 20:24 This is our great conflict; we want to choose our path in life, we want to be in control of our future, we want...

But GOD forms, calls and gifts us in our mother's womb for His purpose - to do the works of His Kingdom in the earth as it is in Heaven - just as He did with JESUS! So it is not our will (desire or want) that is important, it is GOD's!

Our struggle is that we want the comfortable, good and prosperous life not the tried, tested and disciplined life of obedience. Obedience is better than sacrifice but sacrifice is easier if it allows us to maintain the good life.

"Delight yourself also in The LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 what are the desires of your heart? There are many who teach that the desire of our heart is to do the will of GOD, and that is true, but many also teach that GOD's will is that we live the good life. But the good life they proclaim is not the good life Paul is talking about in Philippians.

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is GOD who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, Children of GOD without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice in The Day of CHRIST that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason, you also be glad and rejoice with me."  Philippians 2:12-18

Seek GOD's Will over everything else and you will live the good life that He has for you!

Thursday, May 20, 2021

IS Wealth Equal to Robbery and Extortion?

 

Wealth and Riches

Is wealth equal to robbery and extortion?

 

Psalm 62:10(9)-11(10) “Ordinary folks are merely a breath and important people a sham; if you lay them on a balance-scale, they go up – both together are lighter than nothing. Don’t put your trust in extortion, don’t put false hopes in robbery; even if wealth increases; don’t set your heart on it.” CJB

Psalm 62:9-10 “Surly men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; if they are weighted on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor. Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” NKJV

(Proverbs 1:10-19, 4:14-19, 17:11) [Job7:18, Psalm 39:5, Isaiah 40:17, Job 31:25, Mark 10:24, Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:10]

 

Revelation 2:9 “I know how you are suffering and how poor you are (though in fact you are rich!), and I know the insults of those who call themselves Jews but aren’t – on the contrary, they are a synagogue of the adversary.” CJB

Revelation 2:9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of satan.” NKJV [Luke 12:21, Romans 2:17]

 

Revelation 3:17-18 “For you keep saying ‘I am rich, I have gotten rich, I don’t need a thing!’ You don’t know that you are the one that is wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. My advise to you is to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be dressed and not have to be ashamed of your nakedness; and eyesalve to rub on your eyes, so that you may see.” CJB

Revelation 3:17-18 “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked – I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” NKJV

(Proverbs 1:8, Psalm 19:7-14) [Hosea 12:9(8), Isaiah 55:1, 2 Corinthians 5:3]

 

Wealth, riches and treasure are well taught in The Bible, wealth in some form is mentioned in 27 Scriptures; some form of rich is used in 179 Scriptures and treasure in some form is used 100 times in Scripture. The teachings are mostly about the good and bad effects of riches.

There are the standards like, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where rust and moth destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-21) There are also numerous Scriptures that deal with the subject but do not use any form of those three words like, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (1Timothy 6:10)

 

Most of JESUS’ teachings on wealth, riches and treasure we negative; like Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31); how hard it is for the rich to get saved (Matthew 19:16-25, Mark 10:17-25, Luke 18:18-27); woe to the rich (Luke 6:24); the rich farmer (Luke 12:13-21).

Some of JESUS’ teachings reinforced sacrificing all for the Kingdom of GOD; giving up everything (Matthew 19:25-30, Mark 10:25-31, Luke 18:26-30); the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4); The Kingdom brings a change of heart and mind (Luke 19:1-10).

 

My point is that GOD does not want us to seek earthly riches or treasure, He Wills some to be financiers of His earthly Kingdom but not very many for the cost of wealth is hard on the soul of man.

 

Is my subtitle, “Is wealth equal to robbery and extortion?”, based on Psalm 62:9-10, answered in your mind?

 

Study these Scriptures and see what GOD shows you, take your time and study them in their context. Like the wise men who brought treasures to the child JESUS, Joseph and Mary were able to use them to support their family when they had to go to Egypt and then return to Nazareth where they had to start over (Matthew 2).

Wealth =

(1952) Psalm 112:8; Proverbs 10:15, 13:11, 18:11, 19:4

(2428) Genesis 24:29; Deuteronomy 8:17-18; Ruth 2:1; 1 Samuel 2:32; 2 Kings 15:20; Job 31:25; Psalm 49:6, 10; Proverbs 13:22; Zechariah 14:14

(2896) Ezra 9:12; Esther 10:3; Job 21:13

(3581) Proverbs 5:10

(5233) 2 Chronicles 1:11-12; Psalm 44:12; Ecclesiastes 5:19, 6:2

 (2142) Acts 19:25; 1 Corinthians 10:24

Wealthy =

(7310) Psalm 66:12

(7961) Jeremiah 49:31

Enrich =

(6238) 1 Samuel 17:25; Ezekiel 27:33

Enriched =

(4148) 1 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 9:11

Enriches =

(6238) Psalm 65:9

Rich =

(1952) Proverbs 28:22

(3513) Genesis 13:2

(5381) Leviticus 25:47

(6223) (24 times) Exodus 30:15; Ruth 3:10; 2 Samuel 12:1-2, 4; Job 27:19; Psalm 45:12, 49:2; Proverbs 10:15, 14:20, 18:11,23, 22:2, 7, 16, 29:6,11; Ecclesiastes 5:12, 10:6, 20 Isaiah 53:9; Jeremiah 9:23; Ezekiel 27:24; Micah 6:12

(6238) [13 times] Genesis 14:23; 1 Samuel 2:7; Job 15:29; Psalm 49:16; Proverbs 10:4, 22, 12:7, 21:17, 23:4, 28:20; Jeremiah 5:27; Hosea 12:8; Zechariah 11:5

(7771) Job 34:19

(4146) [28]Matthew 19:23-24, 27:57; Mark 10:25, 12:41; Luke 6:24, 12:16, 14:12, 16:1, 19, 21-22, 18:23, 25, 19:2, 21:1; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 2:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; James 1:10-11, 2:5-6, 5:1; Revelation 2:9, 3:17, 6:15, 13:16

(4147) [11] Luke 1:53, 12:21; Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 6:9, 18; Revelation 3:18, 18:3, 15, 19

(4148) 2 Corinthians 6:10;

Richer =

(6238) Daniel 11:2

Riches =

(1952) Psalm 119:14; Proverbs 8:18, 11:4, 19:14, 24:5; Ezekiel 27:12, 18, 27, 33

(1995) Psalm 37:16, 39:6

(2428) Job 20:15; Psalm 62:10, 73:12; Isaiah 8:4, 10:14, 30:6; Isaiah 61:6; Ezekiel 26:12, 28:4-5 (2633) Proverbs 27:24

(3502) Jeremiah 48:36

(4301) Isaiah 45:3

(5233) Joshua 22:8

(6239) [ 36 times] Genesis 31:16; 1 Samuel 17:25; 1 Kings 3:11, 13, 10:23; 1 Chronicles 29:12, 28; 2 Chronicles 1:11-12, 9:22, 17:5, 18:1; 2 Chronicles 32:37; Ester 1:4, 5:11; Psalm 49:6, 52:7, 112:3; Proverbs 3:16, 8:18, 11:16, 28, 22:1, 4, 16, 23:5, 30:8; Ecclesiastes 4:8, 5:13-14, 19, 6:2, 9:11; Jeremiah 9:23, 17:11; Daniel 62:39

(7075) Psalm 104:24

(7399) Genesis 36:7; 20:25; Daniel 11:13, 24, 28

(7769) Job 36:19

(4149)[22 times] Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14, 16:11; Romans 2:4, 9:23, 11:12, 33; 2 Corinthians 8:2; Ephesians 1:7, 18, 2:7, 3:8, 16; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27, 2:2; 1 Timothy 6:17; Hebrews 1:26; James 5:2; Revelations 5:12, 18:17

(5536) Mark 10:23-24; Luke 18:24

Richly =

(4146) Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 6:17

Treasure =

(214) [14 times] Deuteronomy 28:12; 1 Chronicles 29:8; Ezra 2:69; Nehemiah 7:70-71, 10:38; Psalm 17:14, 135:4; Proverbs 15:16, 21:20; Ecclesiastes 2:8; Isaiah 33:6; Daniel 1:2; Hosea 13:15

(1596) Ezra 5:17, 7:20

(2633) Proverbs 15:6; Ezekiel 22:25

(4301) Genesis 43:23

(4543) Exodus 1:11, 19:5

(1047) Acts 8:27

(2343) Luke 12:21; James 5:3

(2344) [13 times] Matthew 6:21, 12:35, 13:44, 52, 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 6:45, 12:33-34, 18:22; 2 Corinthians 4:7

Treasured =

(686) Isaiah 23:18

Treasures =

(214) [50 times] Deuteronomy 32:34; 1 Kings 7:51, 14:26, 15:18; 2 Kings 12:18, 14:14, 16:8, 18:15, 20:13, 15, 24:13; 1 Chronicles 26:20, 22, 24, 26, 27:25; 2 Chronicles 5:1, 8:15, 12:9, 16:2, 25:24, 36:18; Nehemiah 12:44; Job 38:22; Proverbs 8:21, 10:2, 21:6; Isaiah 2:7, 30:6, 39:2, 4, 45:3; Jeremiah 10:13, 15:13, 17:3, 20:5, 48:7, 49L4, 50:37, 51:13, 16; Ezekiel 28:4; Micah 6:10

(1596) Ezra 6:1

 (4301) Job 3:21; Proverbs 2:4; Jeremiah 41:8

(4362) Daniel 11:43

(6259) Isaiah 10:13

(8226) Deuteronomy 33:19

(2344) Matthew 2:11, 6:19-20; Colossians 2:3; Hebrews 11:26

Treasurest =

(2343) Romans 2:5

 

Friday, May 14, 2021

Don't Reject Salvation!

 

Don’t Reject Salvation!

 

“’I tell you that among those born of women there has not risen anyone who is greater than John The Baptist! Yet the one who is least in The Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!’  All the people who heard Him, even the tax-collectors, by undergoing John’s baptism acknowledged that GOD was right; but the Pharisees and Lawyers, by not letting themselves be baptized by him, nullified for themselves GOD’s plan.” Luke 7:28-30

 

How easy it is to reject GOD’s plan! So easy, that even religious leaders who are supposedly teaching it totally miss it. This was not just a phenomenon in JESUS’ day, it is still happening today. How else do you explain JESUS’ teaching in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me; ‘LORD, LORD!’ will enter into The Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what My Father in Heaven wants. On That Day, many will say to Me, ‘LORD, LORD! Didn’t we prophesy in Your Name? Didn’t we expel demons in Your Name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in Your Name?’ Then I will tell them to their faces, I never knew you, get away from Me you workers of lawlessness!”

 

“John said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we saw a man expelling demons in Your Name; and because he wasn’t one of us, we told him to stop.’ But JESUS said, ‘Don’t stop him, because no one who works a miracle in My Name will soon be able to say something bad about Me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Indeed, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you come in The Name of The Messiah – truly! I tell you that he will certainly not lose his reward.’” Mark 9:38-41

 

So how can those who are doing the works of GOD’s Kingdom, who believe they are GOD’s servants, not be saved? Those two passages seem to be at odds both parties are doing the works of the Kingdom of Heaven in JESUS’ Name. So why are the ones in Matthew rejected but the one in Mark is not? The fact is that we do not know if the man in Mark is a believer or someone using the Name of JESUS for his own purpose or gain. We see some of these in the Book of Acts, the seven sons of Sceva and others casting out demons in JESUS’ Name (19:13-17); the sorcerer in Samaria (8:9-25).

 

GOD uses those who are available – saved or not! In Romans 9:17 Paul speaks of how GOD raised up Pharaoh to set Israel free from slavery and demonstrate His Power to the nations. In Daniel we see how GOD used Nebuchadnezzar to judge Israel. All through the scriptures we see how GOD used nations and individuals to judge or bless Israel, individuals and other nations.

 

Motivation is very important, “The crucible tests silver and the furnace tests gold, but The One who tests hearts is The LORD.” Proverbs 17:3, GOD knows the heart of everyone and judges us accordingly. In the story of Ruth, Boaz is motivated by Ruth’s (a Moabite) love and dedication to her Hebrew mother-in-law, Naomi; even though both their husband’s were dead; to redeem Naomi’s husband’s family land for Naomi and Ruth. In Acts Cornelius, a Roman Centurion of the Italian Division, was sent an angel because he was a GOD fearing Gentile who blessed the people of Israel. The angel gave him directions which he followed and that led to Peter, who heard and obeyed The HOLY SPIRIT, to go and tell them about JESUS and Cornelian’s whole household was saved and filled with The HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 10).

 

That leads to obedience to the Will of GOD! “Samuel said, ‘Does The LORD take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying what The LORD says? Surely obeying is better than sacrifice, and heeding orders than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of sorcery, and stubbornness like the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected The Word of The LORD, He too has rejected you as king.’” This was spoken to King Saul of Israel because he did not obey GOD’s complete command about destroying the Amalekites and then blamed the people (1 Samuel 15:22-23). JESUS taught us the prayer that starts, “Our Father in Heaven, how Holy is Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done in the earth as it is in Heaven…” (Matthew 6:9-10) GOD’s Will was JESUS’ primary goal during His life as The Son of Man, “Everyone The Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will certainly not turn away. For I have come down from Heaven not to do My Own Will but the Will of The One who sent Me. And this is the Will of The One who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all those He has given Me but should raise them up on The Last Day. Yes, this is the Will of My Father: that all who see The Son and trust in Him should have eternal life, and that I should raise them up on The Last Day.” John 6:37-40

 

Differences of context –  Matthew 7 is the end of The Sermon on the Mount that started in chapter 5, it includes the Beatitudes, The LORD’s Prayer and Seek First The Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness. Matthew 7:13-29 are all on obedience and disobedience and their results.

 

In Mark 9:33-37 JESUS was teaching the Twelve about being a servant rather than being great, in verse 37, JESUS said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in My Name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me, welcomes not Me but The One who sent Me.” Then in verse 38, John tells JESUS that they stopped a man from casting out demons in JESUS’ Name because He was not one of His disciples. In verse 39-41 JESUS replies, “Don’t stop him, because no one who works a miracle in My Name will soon after be able to say something bad about Me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Indeed who ever gives you a cup of water to drink because you come in the name of The Messiah – truly! I tell you he will certainly not lose his reward.”

 

JESUS goes on in verses 42-48 to teach about those who ensnare the little ones and that if you sin it would be better to cut off the offending part of your body and enter into Heaven maimed rather then enter into hell whole. He ends this teaching with the statement, “Indeed, everyone is going to be salted with fire. Salt is excellent, but if it loses its saltiness, how will you season it? So have salt in yourselves – that is, be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:49-50

 

There is a lot in this statement that I am not going to comment on for this teaching. But, “Everyone is going to be salted with fire.” As seen in Proverbs 17:3 fire is used to refine silver and gold, removing the impurities by heat. GOD judges our heart and salts us with fire to remove the impurities, but we can resist and become hard hearted and therefore unable to hear GOD’s voice speaking His Will. Or, we can be religious and dogmatic about keeping rules rather than obeying GOD’s Will. JESUS continually corrected the religious leaders of His day for their error in understanding, obeying and teaching GOD’s Word. “Even though He had preformed so many miracles in their presence, they still did not put their trust in Him, in order that what Isaiah the prophet had said might be fulfilled, ‘O LORD, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of The LORD been revealed?’ The reason they could not believe was – as Isaiah said elsewhere–‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they do not see with their eyes, understand with their hearts, and repent, so that I could heal them.’ (Isaiah said these things because he saw The Glory of The Messiah and spoke about Him.) Nevertheless, many of the leaders did trust in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not say so openly, out of fear of being banned from the synagogue; for they loved praise from other people rather than praise from GOD. JESUS declared publicly, ‘Those who put their trust in Me are trusting not merely in Me, but in The One who sent ME. Also those who see Me see The One who sent Me.’” John 12: 37-45

 

Rewards – natural and eternal: Nowhere in JESUS’ teachings does He say that those who are saved have earned or completed the requirement of salvation! Nowhere in the New Testament does it say that we can earn our salvation it is a free gift from GOD by faith which He also gives us; study Galatians and Ephesians. GOD’s Will is for us to be saved and that only comes through trust in JESUS, John 1:6-14, 3:14-19, 12:44-50, 14:6-7, 17:1-5.

 

In Philippians 2:12-13, “So, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey now when I am away from you; keep working on your deliverance with fear and trembling, for GOD is The One working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases Him.” In some translations ‘salvation’ is used in place of ‘deliverance’ and this has confused some, Paul gives some further explanation in verses 14-16, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure Children of GOD, without defect in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the sky.” Our salvation is a gift from GOD by faith, and He gives us the initial faith to believe. Then we have to change our lifestyle to stop sinning and to live uprightly before GOD.

 

Salvation is not a reward, what JESUS was talking about in Mark 9:41, “Indeed, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you come in The Name of The Messiah – truly! I tell you that he will certainly not lose his reward.” He clarified in Mark 10:23-31 that in this life we do earn rewards for the present and for eternity. “JESUS said, ‘Yes! I tell you there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or fields, for My sake and for the sake of The Good News, who will not receive a hundred times over, now, in the present age homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands – with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30 Be sure to keep your free gift of salvation while doing GOD’s Will!

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Abandon and Let GOD!

 

Abandon and Let GOD!

 

“I Am the Vine and you are the branches, those who stay united with Me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit, because apart from Me you can’t do a thing.” John 15:5

 

“So my dear brothers, stand firm and immovable, always doing The LORD’s Work as vigorously as you can, knowing that united with the LORD your efforts are not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

 

“Are you prepared to let GOD take you into union with Himself, and pay no more attention to what you call the “important things”? Are you prepared to abandon entirely and let go?” Oswald Chambers

 

For many of us this is a lifelong struggle. We understand what is required, but for some reason we do not, we cannot or we will not let go and let GOD. This requires a lot of prayer, fasting and waiting on GOD. It also requires the trust to step out of the boat into the storm by keeping our focus on JESUS!

 

JESUS said we have to be united with Him; this is not making a confession, being baptized and going to regular Church meetings. This is dying to ourself – our own life and will! Then we have to live the resurrected life that GOD called us to from the beginning; by His SPIRIT and His Word.

 

Many (maybe most) of us will be nominal, happy, living the good life Christians. But, that is not what GOD calls us to be; we are called to be persecuted because we cannot stop telling people about JESUS and that without Him they are going to eternal judgment. We are called to not hate but to love; especially our enemies, loving and praying for them. We are called to lay down our life and take up our cross daily!

 

JESUS came to give us life in full measure because the devil is trying to kill and destroy us; just like he was with JESUS. And we have to do only what we see The Father doing and say only what we hear The Father saying, laying down our life (body and will) just as JESUS did.

 

If you want to just live the good life you will still get into Heaven, the only requirement is to believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that JESUS is The LORD! Stop sinning and tell people your testimony; you will receive The Crown of Life! But, if you want to store up treasures in Heaven, if you want to be rewarded and called “good and faithful servant” then you have to live for JESUS, in JESUS and through JESUS. Our life has to be only about JESUS!

 

All the writers of The New Testament called themselves servants and slaves, they had no choice but to obey GOD and do the works of His Kingdom in the earth no matter the cost! This is what we are all called to do! If you call yourself a Christian and you are not doing GOD’s will and purpose for you then you are not a Christian, study Matthew 7:13-29.

 

JESUS said it was the hard path that leads to the narrow gate and that only a few find it. For those who think I am being harsh or dogmatic, study what JESUS says in the Gospels, Revelation 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 19 and 20 and study the book of Acts.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

Comfort and Discomfort

 

Comfort and Discomfort

 

Comfort and discomfort are distractions from doing the Will of GOD! The reality is that when we are comfortable or uncomfortable we think more about our situation then we do about The Will of GOD and what we should be doing right now. That is the point that JESUS makes in the section in the Sermon on the Mount when He is says that if we seek GOD first and His Righteousness then He will provide all that we need in our natural life. And when He was talking about being The Good Shepherd and giving us life in abundance – when we know and follow His voice! That is what GOD has said to humanity from the very beginning – obey Him and He will take care of us.

 

The problem is not in GOD taking care of us, it’s in us telling GOD what we need and want rather than thanking Him for what He gives us. (Study Exodus and 1 Corinthians 10:1-22) The writers of the New Testament understood this and they taught us that we should rejoice in our troubles, trials, tests and tribulations, even our temptations; because these bring His greatest blessings, maturity, growth, trust and provision. Also in The Beatitudes JESUS said we should rejoice when we are persecuted for His Name’s sake.

 

In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur puts it plainly to The LORD, “Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die): remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty not riches – feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is The LORD?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane The Name of my GOD.” GOD actually commanded that to the Israelites in The Law, “…When you have eaten and are full then you shall bless The LROD your GOD for the good land He has given you. Beware that you do not forget The LORD your GOD by not keeping His Commandments, His Judgments, and His Statutes which I command you today, lest – when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied,  and all you have is multiplied, when you heart is lifted up, and you forget The LORD your GOD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;…then you shall say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth’…” study Deuteronomy 8.

 

It is human nature to avoid what is uncomfortable, it is also human nature to be so comfortable that we forget to obey GOD; because we do not like what His Will is for us. Many of us have missed GOD because we did not want to do what He called us to do, myself included; but if we ask Him to forgive us He is faithful and just to forgive us. Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11-12 Hebrews 13:5 tells us, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

 

Being uncomfortable is not a sign of GOD’s displeasure, it is most likely a sign of our disobedience; it could be the result of something that we said or did, did not do or say. It could be the result of some past behaviour of ours of someone else. It could be a trial, test, temptation or tribulation. Whatever the cause of our discomfort we must learn to be thankful for GOD’s provision and comfort, His peace in the midst knowing that He is working His Will in us to do His good pleasure.

 

Study Jabez’ prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, David’s prayer in Psalm 27:4-5 and the prayer JESUS taught us in Matthew 6:9-13.

 

Be obedient and seek The LORD first even when we are comfortable and uncomfortable! Discomfort causes us to complain and expect and being too comfortable causes us to be content and not what anything to change. Be careful, “Trust in The LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your way acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Selah

 

Selah

These are pause and think about it Scriptures!

 

1 celah; from calah; a prim. root; to hang up, i.e. weigh, or (fig.) contemn:–tread down (under foot), value. Suspension (of music), i.e. pause:–Selah.

Cela’; the same as cela’, from an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rook, lit. or fig. (a fortress):– (ragged) rock, stone (-ny), strong hold. Sela, the rock city of Idumea:–rock, Sela (h). 2 Kings 14:7 “He slaughtered 10,000 men of Edom in the Salt Valley and captured Sela in the war, renaming it Yokte’et, as it is today.” Isaiah 16:1 “Send lambs for the ruler of the land from the crags toward the desert to the mountain of the daughter of Tziyon.”

Cela’ hammachleqowth; from Cela’ and the plural of machaloqeth with art. Interposed; rock of the divisions; Sela-ham-Mach-lekoth a place in Pal.:–Sela-hammalekoth. 1 Samuel 23:28 “So Sha’ul stopped chasing David and went to fight the P’lishtim. Therefore they called that place Sela-Hammachlekot (“rock of division”).

 

2 selah – Pause in music accompanying a psalm or prayer.

 

Psalm 3:1-2-3-4, 5-8ADONAI, how many enemies I have! How countless are those attacking me;

how countless those who say of me, ‘There is no salvation for him in GOD.’

(Selah)

But you, ADONAI, are a shield for me; You are my glory, you life my head high.

With my voice I call out to ADONAI, and He answers me from His Holy Hill.

(Selah)

I lie down and sleep, then wake up again, because ADONAI sustains me.

I am not afraid of the tens of thousands set against me on every side.

Rise up ADONAI! Save me, my GOD!

For You slap all my enemies in the face, You smash the teeth of the wicked.

Victory comes for ADOANI; may Your Blessing rest on Your people.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 4:1-2-3-4-5 “O GOD, my vindicator!

Answer me when I call!

When I was distressed, You set me free; now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor, love what is vain, chase after lies?

(Selah)

Understand that ADONAI set apart the Godly person for Himself;

ADONAI will hear when I call to Him.

You can be angry, but do not sin!

Think about this as you lie in bed, and calm down.

(Selah)

Offer sacrifices rightly, and put your trust in ADONAI.

 

Psalm 7:3-5ANODAI, my GOD, if I have caused this, if there is guilt on my hands, if I paid back evil to him who was at peace with me, when I spared those who opposed me without cause;

Then let the enemy pursue me until he overtakes me and tramples my life down into the earth;

yes, let him lay my honor in the dust.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 9:15-16, 19-20 “The nations have drowned in the pit they dug,

caught their own feet in the net they hid.

ADONAI made Himself known and executed Judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

(Higgayon; Selah)

Arise! ADONAI! Don’t let mortals prevail!

Let the nations be Judged in Your Presence, strike them with terror, ADONAI!

Let the nations know they are only human.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 20:1- 3-4 “May ADONAI answer you in times of distress, may The Name of The GOD of Ya’akov protect you.

May He send you help from The Sanctuary and give you support from Tziyon.

May He be reminded of all your grain offerings.

(Selah)

May He grant you your heart’s desire, and bring all your plans to success.”

 

Psalm 21:1-2ADONAI, the king finds joy in Your Strength; what great joy he displays in Your victory!

You give him his heart’s desire; 1yuo don’t refuse the prayer of his lips.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 24:3-6, 9-10 “Who may go up to the mountain of ADONAI?

Who can stand in His Holy Place?

Those with clean hands and pure hearts, who don’t make vanities the purpose of their lives or swear oaths just to deceive.

They will receive a blessing from ADONAI and Justice from GOD, who saves them.

Such is the character of those who seek Him, of Ya’akov, who seeks Your face.

(Selah)

Lift up your heads, you gates!

Lift them up everlasting doors, so that The Glorious King can enter!

Who is He, this Glorious King?

ADONAI–TZVA’OT – He is The Glorious King.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 32:3-4-7 “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long;

day and night Your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought.

(Selah)

When I acknowledged my sin to You, when I stopped concealing my guilt, and said,

‘I will confess my offences to ADONAI’; then You, You forgave the guilt of my sin.

(Selah)

This is what everyone faithful should pray at a time when You can be found.

Then, when the flood waters are raging, they will not reach to him.

You are a hiding place for me, You will keep me from distress;

You will surround me with songs of deliverance.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 39:4-5-6, 10-11 “’Make me grasp, ADONAI, what my end must be, what it means that my days are numbered; let me know what a transient creature I am.

You have made my days like handbreadths; for You, the length of my life is like nothing.’

Yes, everyone, no matter how firmly he stands, is merely a puff of wind.

(Selah)

Humans go about like shadows; their turmoil is all for nothing.

They accumulate wealth, not knowing who will enjoy it benefits.

Stop raining blows on me; the pounding of Your fist is wearing me down.

With rebukes You discipline people for their guilt; like a moth,

You destroy what makes them attractive; yes, everyone is merely a puff of wind.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 44:5-8 “Through You we pushed away our foes, through Your Name we trampled down our assailants.

For I don’t rely on my bow, nor can my sword give me victory.

No, You saved us from our adversaries; You put to shame those who hate us.

We will boast in our GOD all day and give thanks forever.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 46:1-3, 7-11 “GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we are unafraid, even if the earth gives way, even if the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea, even if its waters rage and foam, and mountains shake at it turbulence.

(Selah)

ADONAI–TZVA’OT is with us, our fortress, The GOD of Ya’akov.

(Selah)

Come and see the Works of ADONAI, the astounding deeds Hw has done on the earth.

To the ends of the earth He makes wars cease – He breaks the bow, snaps the spear, burns the shields in the fire. ‘Desist, and learn that I Am GOD, supreme over the nations, supreme over the earth.’

ADONAI–TZVA’OT is with us, our fortress, The GOD of Ya’akov.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 47:1-4 “Clap your hands, all you peoples!

Shout to GOD with cries of joy!

For ADONAI ELYON is awesome, a Great King over all the earth.

He makes peoples subject to us, puts nations under our feet.

He chooses our heritage for us, the pride of Ya’akov, whom He Loves.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 48:1-8 “Great is ADONAI and greatly to be praised, in the City of our GOD, His Holy Mountain, beautiful in its elevation, the joy of all the earth, Mount Tziyon, in the far north, The city of the Great King.

In its citadels GOD has been revealed as a strong defense.

For the kings met by agreement; together they advanced.

They saw and were filled with consternation; terrified they took to flight.

Trembling took hold of them, pains like those of a woman in labor,

as when the wind out of the east wrecks the ‘Tarshish’ ships.

We heard it, and now we see for ourselves in The City of ADONAI–TZVA’OT, in The City of our GOD.

May GOD establish it forever.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 49:5-13-15 “Why should I fear when the days bring trouble, when the evil of my pursuers surrounds me, the evil of those who rely on their wealth and boast how rich they are?

No one can ever redeem his brother or give GOD a ransom for him,

because the price for him is too high (leave the idea completely alone!)

to have him live on eternally and never see the pit.

For he can see that wise men will die;

like the fool and the brute will perish and leave their wealth to others.

They think their homes will last forever, their dwellings through all generations;

they give their own names to their estates.

But people, even rich ones, will live only briefly; then, like animals, they will die.

 This is the manner of life of the foolish and those who come after, approving their words.

(Selah)

Like sheep, they are destined for Sh’ol; death will be their shepherd.

The upright will rule them in the morning; and their forms will waste away in Sh’ol, until they need no dwelling.

But GOD will redeem me from Sh’ol’s control, because He will receive me.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 50:1-6 “The Mighty One, GOD, ADONAI, is speaking, summoning the world from east to west.

Out of Tziyon, the perfection of beauty, GOD is shining forth.

Our GOD is coming and not staying slient.

With a fire devouring ahead of Him and a great storm raging around Him,

He calls to the heavens above and to earth, in order to judge His people.

‘Gather to Me My faithful, those who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.’

The heavens proclaim His Righteousness, for GOD Himself is Judge.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 52:3-5 “You love evil more than good, lies rather than speaking uprightly.

(Selah)

You love all words that eat people up, you deceitful tongue!

This is why GOD will strike you down, seize you, pluck you from your tent and uproot ypu from the land of the living.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 54:1-3 “GOD, deliver me by Your Name; in Your power, vindicate me.

GOD, hear my prayer; listen to the words of my mouth.

For foreigners are rising against me, violent men are seeking my life;

they give no thought to GOD.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 55:1-7-8, 16-19 “Listen, GOD to my prayer!

Don’t hide Yourself from My plea!

Pay attention to me, and answer me!

I am panic stricken as I make my complaint, I shudder at how the enemy shouts, at how the wicked oppress, for they keep heaping trouble on me and angrily tormenting me.

My heart within me is pounding in anguish, the terrors of death press down on me,

fear and trembling overwhelm me, horror covers me.

I said, ‘I wish I had wings like a dove!

Then I could fly away and be at rest.

Yes, I would flee to a place far off, I would stay in the desert.

(Selah)

I would quickly find me a shelter from the raging wind and storm.

But I will call on GOD, and ADONAI will save me.

Evening, morning and noon I complain and moan; but He hears my voice.

He redeems me and gives me peace, so that no one can come near me.

For there are many who fought me.

GOD will hear and humble them, yes, He who has sat on his Throne from the start.

(Selah)

For they never change; and they don’t fear GOD.”

 

Psalm 57:3, 5- 6 “He will send from Heaven and save me when those who would trample me down mock me.

(Selah)

GOD will send His Grace and His Truth.

Be exhaled, GOD, above Heaven!

May Your Glory be over all the earth!

They prepared a snare for my feet, but I am bending over [to avoid it].

They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it themselves.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 59:1-5, 11-13 “My GOD, rescue me from my enemies!

Lift me up, out of the reach of my foes!

Rescue me from evildoers, save me from bloodthirsty men.

For there they are, lying in wait to kill me.

Openly they gather themselves against me, and not because I committed a crime or sinned, ADONAI.

For no fault of mine they run and prepare.

Awaken to help me, and see!

You, ADONNAI ELOHEI–TZVA’OT, GOD of Isra’el,

arouse Yourself to punish all nations; spare none of those wicked traitors.

(Selah)

Don’t kill them, or my people will forget;

instead, by Your Power, make them wander to and fro;

but bring them down, ADONAI, our shield,

for the sins their mouths make with each word from their lips.

Let them be trapped by their pride for the curses and falsehoods they utter.

Finish them off, put an end to them, and let them know to the ends of the earth that GOD is ruler in Ya’akov.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 60:4-5 “To those who fear You because of the Truth You gave a banner to rally around,

(Selah)

so that those You Love could be rescued; so save with Your right hand, and answer us!”

 

Psalm 61:3-4-5 “For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the foe.

I will live in Your Tent forever and find refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

(Selah)

For You, GOD, have heard my vows;

You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your Name.”

 

Psalm 62:3-4, 7-8-10 “How long will you assail a person in order to murder him, all of you,

As if he were a sagging wall or a shaky fence?

They only want to shake him from his height, they take delight in lying –

With their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse.

(Selah)

My safety and honor rest in GOD.

My strong Rock and Refuge are in GOD.

Trust in Him, people, at all times;

pour out your heart before Him; GOD is a refuge for us.

(Selah)

Ordinary folks are merely a breath and important people a sham;

if you lay them on a balance-scale, they go up – both together are lighter than nothing.

Don’t put you trust in extortion, don’t put false hopes in robbery;

even if wealth increases, don’t set your heart on it.”

 

Psalm 66:1-4-5-7, 13-15 “Shout to GOD, all the earth!

Sing Glory to His Name, make His praise Glorious.

Tell GOD, ‘How awesome are Your deeds!

At Your Great Power, Your enemies cringe

All the earth bows down to You, sings praises to You, sings praises to Your Name.’

(Selah)

Come and see what GOD has done, His awesome dealings with humankind.

He turned the sea into dry land.

They passed through the river on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.

With His Power He Rules forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations.

Let no rebel arise to challenge Him.

(Selah)

I will come into Your House with burnt offerings, I will fulfill my vows to You,

those my lips pronounced and my south spoke when I was in distress.

I will offer You burnt offerings of fattened animals, along with the sweet smoke of rams;

I will offer bulls and goats.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 67:1-4 “GOD, be gracious to us, and bless us.

May He make His face shine toward us,

(Selah)

so that Your Way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.

Let the peoples give thanks to You, GOD; let the peoples give thinks to You, all of them.

Let the nations be glad and shout for joy, for you will judge the peoples fairly and guide the nations on earth.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 68:7-10, 19-23, 32-35 “GOD, when You went out at the head of Your people, when you marched out through the wilderness,

(Selah)

the earth quaked, and rain poured from the sky, at the presence of GOD.

Even Sinai [shook] at the presence of GOD, The GOD of Isra’el.

You rained down showers in plenty, GOD; when your heritage was weary, You restored it.

Your flock settles in it; in Your Goodness, GOD, You provided for the poor.

Blessed be ADONAI!

Every day He bears our burden, does GOD, our salvation.

(Selah)

Our GOD is a GOD who Saves; from ADONAI ADONAI comes escape from death.

GOD will surely crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who continue in their guilt.

ADONAI said, ‘I will bring them back from Bashan, I will fetch [those rebels] even from the depths of the sea; so that you can wash your feet in their blood, and your dogs’ tongues can get their share from your foes.’

Sing to GOD, kingdoms of the earth!

Sing praises to ADONAI,

(Selah)

to Him who rides on the most ancient heavens.

Listen, as He utters His voice, a mighty voice!

Acknowledge that strength belongs to GOD, with His majesty over Isra’el and His strength in the skies.

How awe inspiring You are, GOD, from Your Holy places, The GOD of Isra’el, who gives strength and power to the people.

Blessed Be GOD!”

 

Psalm 75:2-3 “At the time of My own choice, I will dispense justice fairly.

When the earth quakes, with all living on it, it is I who hold it’s support pillars firm.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 76:1-3, 7-9 “In Y’hudah GOD is known; His Name is great in Isra’el.

His tent is in Shalem, His place is in Tziyon.

There He broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.

(Selah)

You are fearsome, when once You are angry, who can stand in Your presence?

You pronounce sentence from Heaven; the earth grows silent with fear when GOD arises to judge, to save all the humble of the earth.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 77:1-3-9-10, 14-15 “I cry aloud to GOD, aloud to GOD; and He hears me.

On the day of my distress I am seeking ADONAI; my hands are lifted up; my tears flow all night without ceasing; my heart refuses comfort.

When remembering GOD, I moan; when I ponder, my spirit fails.

(Selah)

You hold my eyelids, [and keep me from sleeping]; I am too troubled to speak.

I think about the days of old, the years of long ago; in the night I remember my song, I communicate with myself, my spirit inquires: ‘Will ADONAI reject forever?

Will He never show His favor again?

Has His Grace permanently disappeared?

Is His Word to all generations done away?

Has GOD forgotten to be compassionate?

Has He in anger withheld His Mercy?’

(Selah)

Then I said, ‘That’s my weakness – [supposing] The Most High’s right hand could change.’”

You are The GOD who does wonders, you revealed Your strength to the peoples.

With Your arm You redeemed Your people, the descendents of Ya’akov and Yosef.

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 81:5b-7-10 “I heard an unfamiliar voice say, ‘I lifted the load from his shoulder; his hands were freed from the [laborer’s] basket.

You called out when you were in trouble, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud, I tested you at the M’rivah Spring [by saying,]

(Selah)

Hear, My people, while I give you warning!

Isra’el if you would only listen to Me!

There is not to be with you any foreign god; you are not to worship an alien god.

I Am ADONAI your GOD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.

Open your mouth and I will fill it.’”

 

Psalm 82:1-2-4 “ELOHIM [GOD] stands in The divine Assembly; there with the elohim [judges], He judges: ‘How long will you go on judging unfairly, favoring the wicked?

(Selah)

Give justice to the weak and fatherless!

Uphold the rights of the wretched and poor!

Rescue the destitute and needy; deliver them from the power of the wicked!’”

 

Psalm 83:4-8-9 “They say, ‘Come, let’s wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Isra’el be remember no more!’

With one mind they plot their schemes; the covenant they have made is against You – the tents of Edom and the Yishma’elim, Mo’av and Hagrim, G’val, ‘Amon and ‘Amalek, P’leshet with those living in Tzor;

(Selah)

Ashur too is allied with them, to reinforce the descendents of Lot.”

 

Psalm 84:4-8-10 “How happy are those who live in Your House; they never cease to praise You!

(Selah)

How happy the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are [pilgrim] highways.

Passing through the [dry] Baka Valley, they make it a place of springs, and the early rain clothes it with blessings.

They go from strength to strength and appear before GOD in Tziyon.

ADONAI, GOD of armies, hear my prayer; listen, GOD of Ya’akov.

(Selah)

GOD, see our shield [the king]; look at the face of Your anointed.

Better a day in Your courtyards than a thousand [days elsewhere].

Better just standing at the door of my GOD’s House than living in the tents of the wicked.”

 

Psalm 85:1-2-3 “ADONAI, You have shown favor to Your land; You have restored the fortunes of Ya’akov, taken away the guilt of Your people, pardoned all their sin,

(Selah)

withdrawn all Your wrath, turned from Your fierce anger.”

 

Psalm 87:1-2-6,7 “On the Holy mountain is [the City’s] foundayion.

ADONAI loves the gates of Tziyon more than all the dwellings in Ya’akov.

Glorious things are said about you, City of GOD.

(Selah)

I count Rahav and Bavel among those who know Me.

Of P’leshet, Tzor and Ethiopia [they will say], ‘This one was born there.’

But of Tziyon it will be said, ‘This one and that one was born in it, for The Most High Himself establishes it.’

When he registers the people, ADONAI will record, ‘This one was born there.’”

(Selah)”

 

Psalm 88:6-7-10-11-12 “You plunged me into the bottom of the pit, into dark places, into the depths.

Your wrath lies heavily on me; Your waves crashing over me keep me down.

(Selah)

You separated me from my close friends, made me repulsive to them; I am caged in with no escape; my eyes grow dim from suffering.

I call on You, ADONAI, every day; I spread out my hands to You.

Will You perform wonders for the dead?

Can the ghosts of the dead rise up and praise You?

(Selah)

Will Your Grace be declared in the grave, or Your faithfulness in Abaddon?

Will Your Wonders be know in the dark, or Your Righteousness in the land of oblivion?”

 

Psalm 89:1-4, 30-37, 38-45-46-48-52 “I will sing of ADONAI’s acts of Grace forever, with my mouth proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations; because I said, ‘Grace is built to last forever; in The Heavens themselves You established Your Faithfulness.’

You said, ‘I have made a Covenant with the one I chose.

I swore to My servant David, “I will establish your dynasty forever, build up your throne through all generations.”’

(Selah)

‘If his descendants abandon My Torah and fail to live by My rulings, if they profane my Regulations and don’t obey My Mitzvot, I will punish their disobedience with the rod and their guilt with lashes.

But I won’t withdraw My Grace from him or be false to My Faithfulness.

I will not profane My Covenant or change what My lips have spoken.

I have sworn by My Holiness once and for all; I will not lie to David – his dynasty will last forever, his throne like the sun before Me.

It will be established forever, like the moon, which remains a faithful witness in the sky.

(Selah)

But you spurned Your anointed one, rejected and vented Your rage on him.

You renounced the Covenant with Your servant and defiled his crown in the dust.

You broke through all his defenses and left his strongholds in ruins.

All who pass by plunder him; he is an object of scorn to his neighbors.

You raised up the right hand of his foes and made all his enemies rejoice.

You drive back his drawn sword and fail to support him in battle.

You brought an end to his splendor and hurled his throne to the ground.

You cut short the days of his youth and covered him with shame.

(Selah)

How long ADONAI?

Will You hide Yourself forever?

How long will Your fury burn like fire?

Remember how little time I have!

Was it for no purpose that You created all humanity?

Who can live and not see death?

Who can save himself from the power of the grave?

(Selah)

Where, ADONAI, are the acts of Grace that You once did, those which, in Your Faithfulness, You  swore to David?

Remember, ADONAI, the taunts hurled at Your servants, which I carry in my [heart] from so many peoples!

Your enemies, ADONAI, have flung their taunts, flung them in the footsteps of Your anointed one.

Blessed be ADONAI forever.

Amen. Amen.”

 

Psalm 140:1-3-5-6-8-13 “Rescue me, ADONAI, from evil people, protect me from violent people.

They plan evil things in their hearts – they continually stirrup bitter strife.

They have made their tongues as sharps as a snake’s; viper’s venom is under their lips.

(Selah)

Keep me, ADONAI, from the hands of the wicked, protect me from violent people who are tring to trip me up.

The arrogant hide snares for me; they spread nets by the sie of the road, hoping to trap me there.

(Selah)

I said to ADONAI, ‘You are my GOD, listen, ADONAI, to my plea for mercy.’

ADONAI, ADONAI, my saving strength, my helmet shielding my head in battle, ADONAI, don’t grant the wicked their wishes; make their plot fail so they won’t grow proud.

(Selah)

May the heads of those who surround my be engulfed in the evil they spoke of, themselves.

Mat burning coals rain down on them, may they be flung into the fire, flung into deep pits, never to rise again.

Let slanderers find no place in the land; let the violent and evil be hunted relentlessly.

I know that ADONAI gives justice to the poor and maintains the rights of the needy.

The righteous will surly give thanks to Your Name; the upright will live in Your presence.”

 

Psalm 143:5-6 “I remember the days of old, reflecting on all Your deeds, thinking about the work of Your hands.

I spread out my hands to You, I long for You like a thirsty land.

(Selah)”

 

Habakkuk 3:1-3-4-9-13-15 “This is a prayer of Havakuk the prophet (on musical instruments called shigyonot).

ADONAI, I have heard the report about You.

ADONAI, I am awed by Your deeds.

Bring Your Work to life in our own age, make it known in our own time; but in anger, remember compassion.

GOD comes from Teman, The Holy One from Mount Pa’ran.

(Selah)

His splendor covers the sky, and His praise fills the earth.

His brightness is like the sun, rays come forth from His hand – that is where His Power is concealed.

Before Him goes pestilence, and close behind, the plague.

When He stands up , the earth shakes; when He looks, the nations tremble, the eternal mountains are smashed to pieces, the ancient hills sink down; the ancient paths are His.

I saw trouble in the tents of Kushan and the tent hangings shaking in the land of Midyan.

ADONAI, is it against the rivers, against the rivers that Your anger is inflamed?

Is Your fury directed at the sea?

Is that why You ride on Your horses, and drive Your chariots to victory?

You brandish Your naked bow and order it filled with arrows.

(Selah)

You split the earth with rivers.

The mountains see You and tremble; a torrent of water steams by; the deep thunders forth, as it raises enormous waves.

The sun and moon stand still in the sky at the light of Your arrows speeding by, at the gleam of Your glittering spear.

In fury You stride across the land, in anger You trample the nations.

You come out to save Your people, to save Your anointed one; You crush the head of the house of the wicked, uncovering the foundation all the way to the neck.

3 (Selah)

With their own rods You pierce the heads of their warriors, who come like a whirlwind to scatter us, who rejoice at the prospect of devouring the poor in secret.

You tread down the sea with Your horses, churning up the mighty waters.”

 

Notes:

1 The Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible, James Strong, Mac Donald Publishing Co.

2 Complete Jewish Bible, David H. Stern, Messianic Jewish Publishers, 2016

3 The CJB does not have Selah after this verse, the KJV, NKJV and NIV do