9/30/14 Revelation 21: 6, 7 The Alpha and The Omega

Revelation 21: 6, 7 (NAS)

And He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Revelation 21: 6, 7 (Philips)

Then he said to me, "It is done! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the thirsty water without price from the fountain of life. The victorious shall inherit these things, and I will be God to him and he will be son to me.

Revelation 21: 6, 7 (NLT)

And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge! All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

On the cross Jesus declared, "It is finished!"  To the apostle John, in his revelation, the Lord declared the same thing. He completed everything that He intended when He took on human flesh. He was the beginning of Adonai's plan for salvation and He was its ending. He was and is the Alpha and He was and is the Omega.

Now Jesus, whose thirst was not quenched on the cross, tells those who thirst to come to Him for living water. Therefore, if you sense your need and eagerly long for it to be quenched, go to the Lord, who will refresh, support, and strengthen your soul. He will give you a well, a spring, or a fountain and you shall drink from the waters of life, giving you vitality and vigor. It is a gift that you do not deserve, but it is freely given.

You now are a conqueror and victor, for the Lord has won your case and maintains your cause before the throne of God. He has made you ready to receive your inheritance, to possess and own it. Since you have broken the bread of communion with Him, the Lord has given you the right to be His son, so that you could obtain your portion and lot. As you are His son, so He has become your Father. The Almighty God has adopted you into His very own family, bestowing on you all the rights and privileges of His only begotten Child.

(Originally written 1/4/08)

9/19/14 Job 10:12 God's Care For You Preserves Your Life

Job 10:12 (NAS)

 ‘Thou hast granted me life and loving kindness; And Thy care has preserved my spirit.

Job 10:12 (NLT)

You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care.

If it were not for the Lord, you would not exist. He gives you life and breath. He revives you day by day; He sustains and maintains you. He causes you to live prosperously and forever. He gives you health, preserving and refreshing you constantly. Through His loving care, you grow.

Adonai has extended His kindness and goodness to you. He is always faithful and He is a house of mercy for you. Healing and curing waters flow from His temple to you. He is your shelter and dwelling place.

Jehovah has custody and oversight of your life.  He cares for you and looks after your every need. He keeps and guards you, protecting and saving your life. He has reserved you for Himself; you are a special treasure to Him.  He watches over your spirit and your mind. He gives you courage and helps you maintain your temper.  Through His spirit, your spirit is taught patience. He fulfills the desires of your heart

(Originally written 1/2/08)

9/18/14 2 Corinthians 4:16, 17 Momentary Light Affliction

2 Corinthians 4:16, 17 (NAS)

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

2 Corinthians 4:16, 17 (Philips)

This is the reason why we never lose heart. The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength. These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.

2 Corinthians 4:16, 17 (NLT)

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!

The kingdom of darkness will use any means available to rob you of your faith in God's word.  One weapon that the enemy employs is to simply bring you to a state of weariness and exhaustion. Although these tactics are troublesome and can cause you injury and destruction, they can only ultimately be used against your outer, physical body, which is destined to perish.

However, your soul, your inner man is free from this corruption and depravity. Daily it is being made new, gaining strength and vigor. Your soul is always made fresh, as if it has been reborn daily; it is unused and not worn with age. Your new life is unprecedented, novel, and uncommon.

Therefore, if you are experiencing pressure, oppression, tribulation, and affliction, you should realize that it will only last for a short, brief moment of time. Although you may feel hard pressed and troubled, these wounds, according to Adonai, are light and small.  They will accomplish exceedingly more for you than you could ever imagine. They will cause you to excel and through them you will experience more of God's glory. These earthly trials are really preparing you for eternity.

(Originally written  1/1/08)

For those of you who might read this regularly, I apologize for posting for several days.  I had a long bout with a stomach virus, but the Lord has helped me through it and I am fine now. PTL!

9/8/14 John 9:31 God Does Not Hear Sinners, But He Hears Those Who Worship Him

John 9:31 (NAS)

We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing, and does His will, He hears him.

John 9:31 (Philips)

Everybody knows that God does not listen to sinners. It is the man who has a proper respect for God and does what he wants him to do—he’s the one God listens to.

John 9:31 (NLT)

Well, God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.

You know that God is love and His love extends to everyone who will receive it. You cannot imagine that there are people who do not want Adonai's love; however, some people reject God's love. These are the ones who are devoted to sin.  They are pre-eminently sinful and wicked. They have chosen to spurn the Lord's advances; they see themselves as the "lord" of their own lives. They have no honor and are not upright at all.

Therefore, Adonai does not listen to them. He does not attend to or consider anything that they say. It is almost as if He cannot even understand their words; they are totally foreign to His nature.

However, He is quick to hear His children, those who worship and revere Him. As His child, you are always ready to do all that He asks of you. You want to act rightly and to do everything well. You have set your will to His will. You try to choose what He desires and what would give Him pleasure. His intentions and purposes have become your intentions and purposes. So you can be assured that He listens attentively for the barest whisper from you lips.  You know that if He hears you, then you can have what you ask.

(Originally written 12/30/07)

9/7/14 Deuteronomy 33:3 God Loves You: You Are In His Hand

Deuteronomy 33:3 (NAS)

Indeed, He loves the people; All Thy holy ones are in Thy hand, And they followed in Thy steps; Everyone receives of Thy words from you.

Deuteronomy 33:3 (NLT)

Indeed, you love the people; all your holy ones are in your hands. They follow in your steps and accept your instruction.

Adonai, certainly, cherishes and loves you fervently. You may not realize how passionately and enthusiastically that He cares for you.  He may have seemed to withdraw and hide Himself from you, but that is only because He wants you to seek Him. His love for you has never diminished.

You are His child, one whom He has set aside for Himself. You are consecrated, sanctified, and dedicated to Him and His purposes. You are holy, sacred, and honored by your Lord. You are held secure in the hollow of His hand.  From His hand comes strength, support, fullness, and abundance. Jehovah has armed His hands against your enemies, so that you can accomplish and complete all that He has ordained for you. Then you shall be fully satisfied.

The Lord your God  has made the way clear for you to come into His presence.  He allows you to recline and lay down at His feet in rest.  When He speaks to you, His words lift you up and carry you.  Everything that He says supports and sustains you; you, therefore, are able to endure.  Adonai's promises and commands aid and assist you, so that you are exalted.

(Originally written 12/27/07)

9/2/14 1 Samuel 2:9 No One Will Succeed By Strength Alone

1 Samuel 2:9 (NAS)

He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail.

1 Samuel 2:9 (NLT)

He will protect his godly ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.

The Lord your God has called you to go about the land, exploring for His Kingdom and spying out the defenses of the enemy. As you walk the way Jehovah has taught you to go, you need have no fear; He is keeping and guarding each step you take.  He watches and observes you continually, protecting and preserving you. You have no problem keeping the pace He has set for you.

He has seen your faithfulness and how good and kind you are to others.  He knows you are godly and holy.  He calls you a saint and you know that He is not ashamed of you; nor does He reproach you.

However, those wickedly criminal and sinfully hostile to Adonai are not under His protection. He holds them guilty and condemned. They must remain silent and dumb before Him, for they have no defense. They will be cut off and perish. Destruction, darkness, and obscurity are their end. 

They have relied on their own strength and might. However, they shall not prevail, for the Lord has restrained them. They shall not prosper in their ways, but shall only grow weary and tired through their toil and labor

(Originally written 12/26/07)