Make a Difference Day! (October 22nd)

Everyone has visions of being great at something, because man was created in the image of God and there is no one greater than the Lord. However, in the garden of Eden man's perception of greatness was distorted through the lie that the serpent perpetrated. Instead of looking to the Almighty as the Only True God, man began to think of himself as the only "god" that needed to be obeyed. He grasped for the power and control to prove to himself and others that he was the "great one". He began to put himself above others and the concept of "Me First" was born.

However, the Lord's idea of greatness is directly opposed to this concept. Jesus Christ said, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." In God's eyes true Greatness is achieved through love and service to others. As Jesus laid down his life for you to save and deliver you from sin, you should lay down your wants, desires, and time in order to help someone else. So if you see someone with a need that you can help fulfill, then you should try your best to do so. Others may not notice these acts of kindness that you do, but you can be sure that God will not only notice, but will also reward you in due time.

Therefore, today, which is "Make a Difference" Day, look for ways to help and bless others. You could babysit for a young couple that needs some time alone. If you see someone who needs help with a heavy load, you could lend a good strong arm. Perhaps you could help with some gardening. Or maybe invite someone to go to the mall to get a pretzel, since it is also "Pretzel Day"

It does not matter which random act of kindness you choose; you will make a difference!

10-22-05 Acts 9:31

Acts 9:31(KJ21)
Then the churches throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had rest and were edified, and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied.

Acts 9:31(NAS)
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

Acts 9:31 (NIVUS)
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 9:31 (Philips)
The whole Church throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria now enjoyed a period of peace. It became established and as it went forward in reverence for the Lord and in the strengthening presence of the Holy Spirit, continued to grow in numbers.

Even though you may be going through a time of trial, you should not lose heart. Life brings us trials, which sometimes last for years; however, there are also better times coming, if you hold on and do not give up your faith. When the Church of Jesus Christ was first being birthed and established, it went through hard times of severe persecution. Periodically persecution comes and lasts for a season, but the Lord God knows that you cannot continue indefinitely in that state. He then brings you into a place of peace and rest.

Adonai's best for you is to possess tranquility, peace, harmony, and accord. He knows it is necessary to take you from the rage and havoc of war, whether national or personal, into a state of safety and security. He desires that you be happy and prosperous. Of course, even if your natural circumstances are not the most peaceful, the Lord can keep your soul tranquil, for you know that your salvation is assured through Christ and you do not need to be afraid of God.

Although you may be in a weakened state now, the Lord your God will build you up again. He will arrange situations and circumstances so that you will grow in wisdom and faith. You will become as strong and permanent as any of the most elegant edifices and temples. God will restore and repair you from your very foundation. You will be firmly established in His grace and holiness; soon you will realize a state of blessedness.

As you continue on your journey, following the Lord, you will walk through trials that may have destroyed you at one point. Soon you will be beyond them and on the other side. However, it is important during these times that you maintain your fear, reverence, and respect for your Lord Jesus Christ, for you belong to Him. He bought you with His very own blood.

Adonai called you and invited you to Himself because He wants to comfort, encourage, and strengthen you. Through His teaching and instruction, He will bring you refreshment. By the power of God's Holy Spirit you will always be increased and multiplied. He will fill you up and all of your dreams and desires will be fulfilled in Him.

October 21--Electric Light Day!

Today is

Electric Light Day!

How blessed we are to have light even in the darkest rooms!

"Be courageous! Whatever setbacks America has encountered, it has always emerged as a stronger and more prosperous nation.... Be brave as your fathers before you. Have faith and go forward! "--Thomas A Edison

In 1879 after many, many unsuccessful attempts, Thomas A Edison harnessed electricity and created the first electric light bulb, which changed life probably more than any other invention. All of today's technology evolved from Edison's and others' unrelenting work back in the late 1800's.

Most of us today take the electric light bulb for granted. We have lived with it all of our lives, but today take time to thank God for men like Thomas A Edison who dedicated their lives to making the lives of the fellow human beings better.

10-21-05 Romans 5:5

Romans 5:5 (KJ21)
and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us.

Romans 5:5  (NAS)
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:5 (NIVUS)
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:5  (NLT)
And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:5   (NRSV)
and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Romans 5:5 (Philips)
a hope that will never disappoint us. Already we have the love of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.

Most people want a glimpse into their futures to see if things are going to be good or bad for them.  That is one of the reasons that psychics and horoscopes are so popular. Using these avenues, however, are unreliable at best and can be dangerous, since such things are backed by Satan's kingdom of darkness. Those who place their hope and trust in these media will eventually find that they were misguided and abused.

There is only one source for true and lasting hope.  In Yeshua, the Messiah, you have confident expectation, for you have found favor with the Lord.  You can also be happy, as you anticipate only good from His hands.  In faith, you should expect a pleasurable end to all you ask and require of God.

The "hope" that Satan offers will only bring shame, dishonor, and disgrace.  His purpose is to bring you down, whereas Adonai, the Almighty God, desires to lift you out of the pit, where sin has dragged you.  Satan wants to disfigure your face, but God wants to bring out the beauty that He has hidden in you.

You know in your heart that God loves you, even though your thoughts and feelings do not always agree with this fact.  However, the true fact is that Adonai poured out His love to you through His Son.  God's love gushed forth in Jesus; blood on the cross of Calvary.  Through this red stream of His life shed abroad, you have received deliverance and salvation now and for eternity.  There is no greater love than this, that the Heavenly Father freely gave you through His Holy Spirit.

    

Shampoo Day--October 20th

You may have heard the expression that "cleanliness is next to godliness". Many people assume that it is taken from the Bible. However, although the Bible speaks extensively about cleansing, this particular expression is not a quote from the Bible.

For those of us who are born again, having received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, it is important for us to take care of our natural bodies, for they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, daily cleansing should be a habitual act. It is good for you and your friends, loved ones, and even your enemies will appreciate it.

Today is Shampoo day! Celebrate it by washing your hair (and your body! )

10-20-05 Zechariah 1:17

Zechariah 1:17 (KJ21)
Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts: ‘My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.’"

Zechariah 1:17 (NAS)
Again, proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, "My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem."

Zechariah 1:17(NRSV)
Proclaim further: Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity; the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1:17 (NIVUS)
Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’

Zechariah 1:17 (NLT)
Say this also: ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.’"

There are certain things that the Lord Jehovah makes certain that His ministers preach and proclaim. He especially wants His direct words to His people published and read, for He wants you to know that what He says will happen. It is through His word that you learn His commands, His desires, and His promises. Therefore, when the Bible says that the Lord said this or that, you should pay particular attention.

It has always been Adonai's will to bless those that are His, those who dwell intimately with Him. Through you, He wants His fame to become widely known and for unbelieving nations, tribes, and people to see how good and kind that the Lord is to you.

He has no desire to confine you within narrow limits and He does not want to be limited to the boundaries of cities or countries. He wants your personal boundaries to expand and spread out as a tree spreads its branches and roots with every new year of growth. He wants your life to be pleasant and sweet; He desires to give you an abundance of prosperity and wealth.

Jehovah, your God, is the Lord over vast armies and servants. He has all power and the best means to take care of you on any level. You have only to sigh and the Lord is near at hand to comfort and console you. You have no reason to pity or avenge yourself, for the Lord is your Defender and Avenger.

God has made you conspicuous to all, for you are His sign and you carry His title in the earth. You are a guiding pillar for those who have lost their way. He has sent you forth as one of His chief singers and He expects you to excel in al that you do. He has set His peace upon you because you are chosen and acceptable to Him.

10-19-05 1Thessalonians 4:1

1Thessalonians 4:1 (KJ21)
Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NAS)
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NIVUS)
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NRSV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NLT)
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more.

Perhaps you have come to a place of satisfaction in your Christian life. You may think that you have reached a summit and you cannot see anything higher. However, the Apostle Paul, who had more comprehension of the revelation of Jesus Christ than anyone else, admitted that he was still pressing on.

When writing to the Thessalonian church, Paul stated that there was something still remaining for them. In fact, he went so far as to beseech and entreat these believers to make a special note of his words. He emphasized that they needed to seek, investigate, and search out what he was telling them.

Like the Thessalonians, it is right and proper for you to search for more ways to be pleasing to the Lord. It is always good for you to accommodate yourself to Adonai's opinions, desires, and interests, for you have acknowledged and professed yourself to be His associate and companion. Therefore, you should not reject His word nor withhold your obedience. You should also give the Lord access to yourself and also receive everything that He offers you.

So far you have done your best to regulate your life in line with God's will. You have matched your steps to His and have walked in His way. You have taken advantage of the opportunities that Adonai, the Lord your God, has provided and you have made progress. However, you should strive always to excel even more in your advance. As you make your way, keeping your eyes on God, you will thwart Satan in his persecutions and you will circumvent every peril that you encounter. The Lord will abundantly furnish everything for your success and you will become superior and pre-eminent. Your life will go from being "good" to being "remarkable."

October 18 is Chocolate Cupcake Day and Watch a Squirrel Day. My suggestion is-- get yourself a cupcake, go to the park, and watch the squirrels, while you are dreaming of an Alaskan cruise. (It happens to be Alaska Day, as well.)

10-18-05 2 Corinthians 1:5

2 Corinthians 1:5 (KJ21)
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:5 (NAS)
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIVUS)
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

2 Corinthians 1:5 (NRSV)
For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:5 (NLT)
You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

No one can go through life without experiencing some hardship or pain. These afflictions come because of the curse placed on the earth through Adam's original sin. However, there are some afflictions and sufferings that come to you because you have affiliated yourself with the cause of Jesus Christ.

Yeshua, the Messiah, was sent to earth to suffer for the sins of all men. He, through His sufferings on the cross, bought your redemption and justification from sin. He freed you from both the power and the penalty of sin. His passion and love for you and for His Heavenly Father kept Him on the cross until His work was finished. It was also His and the Father's passion and love that brought Jesus out of the grave after three days.

You have experienced that passion and love and for God. You have committed your life to love and serve Adonai and His Son Yeshua. However, that commitment made you a target of the kingdom of darkness. Satan and his cohorts now do all that they can to vex you. He wants to cause you pain and suffering. As the Lord God desires to bless you exceedingly and abundantly, so too the devil desires to afflict you exceedingly and abundantly.

Even though the enemy wants to steal from, to kill, and to destroy you, Jesus came that you might have life and that more abundantly. When you seem to be under non-stop attack, be assured that the Lord your God hears your prayers and entreaties. His encouragement and consolation will overflow you. No matter what you encounter, the Lord will give you abundant comfort and refreshment. As you put your trust in Him, Yeshua will strengthen you and you shall overcome all of the onslaughts of the devil.

Sukkot:Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)

Today begins the eight day Hebrew feast of Sukkot, a time of rejoicing for the Hebrew people. It comes after Yom Kippur, the day of atonement for sins. There should always be rejoicing after one's sins are forgiven and the fact that this feast follows atonement is very appropriate.

Sukkot is also the harvest feast, rejoicing over how the Lord God has blessed the crops so that for another year provision has been made. Take time today to thank God for how He always provides your needs. Without His blessing, no one's harvest would be prosperous.

For more information on Sukkot, go to http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm.

Be blessed today!!

10-17-04 Psalms 45:7

Psalms 45:7 (KJ21)
Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness; therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.

Psalms 45:7 (NAS)
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee with the oil of joy above Thy fellows.

Psalms 45:7 (NIVUS)
You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Psalms 45:7 (NRSV)
You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

Psalms 45:7 (NLT)
You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.

When you decided to make Jesus the Lord of your life, your heart was changed. You used to love sin and darkness, but now your appetite and desire is for justice and righteousness. Because of the deliverance, victory, and prosperity that you now enjoy, you cannot let your thoughts dwell on any wicked or violent things. In fact, you hate anything that brings guilt and condemnation on another.

Adonai, the Almighty God, is pleased with your stance, for you are following His heart. Therefore, He consecrates you to Himself through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Like oil that was smeared and spread over the Old Testament priests, the Holy Spirit covers you completely. It is obvious to everyone, including your enemies, that you belong to the Lord. This anointing keeps you healthy and fruitful. Now your natural state is that of joy and gladness.

You cannot help rejoicing, for the Lord has tuned up your life, like the finest of stringed instruments. Your companions and associates, who still tolerate evil and wickedness, are not anointed like you, for they are not completely following the Lord's directives. Even if you are in the same band, the difference between you and the others is obvious, for they sing their own songs with their own voices. You, however, are God's minstrel and you sing His songs.

October 16--Dictionary & Oatmeal Day

What do dictionaries and oatmeal have in common? Well…hmm…not much really, except that they are both being honored today, October 16. So while you are eating your oatmeal for breakfast, crack open your dictionary and improve your vocabulary. You are eating something healthy for your body and keeping your mind sharp at the same time!!!

10-16-05 Psalms 97:10

Psalms 97:10 (KJ21)
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil! He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalms 97:10 (NAS)
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil! He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalms 97:10 (NIVUS)
Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalms 97:10 (NRSV)
The LORD loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalms 97:10 (NLT)
You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.

You have chosen to love Jehovah, the Lord your God because He first loved you. You have entered into a friendship with Him that is more satisfying than any other relationship that you have ever had. You desire and covet your time with Him.

Since you are made in the image of Adonai, you act according to His nature and His character. As He hates all that is evil, bad, and malignant, so too should you. The Lord despises everything that is hurtful and unkind. Anything that causes distress, misery, injury, and calamity does not please God in any way and you should find no pleasure in such things. Therefore, strive never to harm anyone. In this way, you will not shatter and break another and you, yourself, will not be broken.

You need not fear anything evil, for the Lord God always watches over you and guards your soul. You have given Him charge of your life and He protects and saves you from harm. You are His treasure and He celebrates your life, as any parent rejoices in his child. He looks at you as a saint and holy one. He sees you as faithful, kind, and good.

If a wicked man or criminal should try to attack you, Jehovah is quick to snatch you out of his hand. Those who are hostile to God and, thus, hostile to you do not have the strength or the power to hold you. God will always rescue and save you. He will strip and plunder your enemies, setting them up as a sign and monument of the power and strength of His hand. In His hand you will find abundance and He will make you complete and whole. He will always satisfy you with goodness