11-19-05 2 Corinthians 6:16

2 Corinthians 6:16 (KJ21)
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God. As God hath said: "I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

2 Corinthians 6:16 (NAS)
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

2 Corinthians 6:16 (NIVUS)
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

2 Corinthians 6:16 (NLT)
And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

2 Corinthians 6:16 (Philips)
What common ground can idols hold with the temple of God? For we, remember, are ourselves temples of the living God, as God has said: I will dwell in them and walk in them: And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

You have been made sacred and holy; you are a temple and sanctuary in which the Spirit of Adonai, the most Holy God dwells. You worship and serve the One who is eternally alive and He breathes that life into you. You have entered into agreement with Him to live according to His laws and precepts.

However, if you allow yourself to become distracted by the appearance, fashion, or shape of another 'god' and you begin to worship it, you depose the Most High God from the throne of your life. Instead of depositing God's word into your heart, you open eyes wide and gaze at things that cater to your flesh, that are of the world. Whatever you constantly attend to and consider is what you will serve. If you begin to serve another 'god', commonly known as an idol, then you will make an agreement with it instead of the Lord your God.

Therefore, strive to continue to keep company with Adonai. Consent to His will in all things; vote in favor of His purposes. Do not break your original contract and covenant with your God. As you do this, God said that He would dwell with you and you will enter a state of rest. God's Spirit will occupy you because you are His temple. You are a member of God's family and a vital part of His house. You can be assured that Adonai will continue to be your God and you will continue to be one of His own chosen people; for you are bound together by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ, your Lord and Messiah.

11-18-05 Titus 3:8

Titus 3:8 (KJ21)
This is a faithful saying, and these things I enjoin that thou affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:8 (NAS)
This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

Titus 3:8 (NIVUS)
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Titus 3:8 (NLT)
These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time. These things are good and beneficial for everyone.

Titus 3:8 (Philips)
This is solid truth: I want you to speak about these matters with absolute certainty, so that those who have believed in God may concentrate upon a life of goodness. Good work is good in itself and is also useful to mankind.

It is a true statement that you have faith in God through His Son, Jesus Christ. You have entrusted your spiritual and physical well-being to Adonai, your Heavenly Father. You are committed to and rely upon Him for your salvation. You have been convinced of the truth of the gospel through the evidence you see in others and through the authority of God's word.

Now that you are confident in what you believe, you should constantly affirm and confirm the Truth through your words. Not only will this establish your faith for others to see, but it will also make your steadfast, firm, and sure. You will build up yourself with your own words of faith. You will also build a fence around your mind and thoughts, as you exercise a life style in accord with God's word, ways, and purposes. Keeping your mind fixed on these things will silence and stop the enemy's attacks.

It is important that you practice good deeds. Such work and activity is beautiful in the sight of God. When you do this, you will stand before and rule over your enemies; for this proves that you are superior to those who act from purely selfish motives. As you continue to abide in God's covenant of love and mercy, Adonai will hold you up. Your rank will be evident to all.

When you maintain these attitudes and actions, not only will you be profited, but others also will be helped. You will prove yourself valuable in the Kingdom of God. Your service in the Master's use will be advantageous, bringing benefit and gain to you and your fellow men.

Home-Made Bread

Have you ever come home to a house filled with the smell of home-made bread? That is one of nicest and most comforting fragrances that could fill a home. Many people today have not gotten to experience this; our society now moves at such a fast pace that there is no time to make bread, or anything else, from scratch. (Although, some people try to create the same ambiance, using new technologies, such as an electric bread maker.) So generations are now growing up without these simple pleasures.

Although I am not great in the kitchen generally, I do make very good home-made bread and I make it from scratch with no recipe. My mother made bread on a weekly basis and when I was growing up, she taught me her secret. I do not make bread every week like my Mom did, but on special occasions, I get out my mixing bowl and take the time to put all of those ingredients together. And that is time is well spent. Not only do I have a sense of accomplishment after a batch of bread is baked, but others usually get to enjoy the satisfying, finished result.

Today is Home-made Bread Day! Whether you make it from scratch or use a bread maker, why not give your family some comfort and joy today with your home-made bread!

11-17-05 Proverbs 20:18

Proverbs 20:18 (KJ21)
Every purpose is established by counsel, but only with good advice make war.

Proverbs 20:18 (NAS)
Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

Proverbs 20:18 (NIVUS)
Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.

Proverbs 20:18 (NLT)
Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.

You have imagined many things. Some are good and some are bad. Some have come to pass and some you have yet to see. Some of these ideas come from God and some just come from your own wants and desires.

When you start to makes plans, following your thoughts and intentions, it is wise for you to seek advice and counsel. You should take time to deliberate on each purpose and ask Adonai, the Almighty, for guidance. Then as you begin your new project, you can go forward with confidence, resolve, and determination. As you seek God's guidance and counsel, you will find that your plans and purposes will be established, fixed, and sure.

You may think that you know "the ropes", but even those who manage and steer an organization need to have wise guidance and counsel. You need to be able to take those ropes to bind what would try to harm and destroy you. You can also use those ropes to measure how far you are from your goals. Those ropes are helpful in tying and banding your company together, but they can also be fashioned and formed into traps and snares for your enemies. Knowing the ropes and following good advice will enable you to wage a victorious war. You will overcome and prevail against your enemies. You will feed on the spoils and your battle will be prosperous.

11-16-05 Job 22:21

Job 22:21 (KJ21)
Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.

Job 22:21 (NAS)
Yield now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you.

Job 22:21 (NIVUS)
Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.

Job 22:21 (NLT)
Stop quarreling with God! If you agree with him, you will have peace at last, and things will go well for you.

You desire to be in a profitable and advantageous state. The best way to achieve this goal is to become familiar with Adonai, the Lord God. You should acquaint yourself with His word and learn His ways. As you spend time ministering to Him and placing yourself at His service, you will soon start adopting His characteristics and thoughts. When seeking God becomes your customary habit, you will find that you are imitating your Heavenly Father more and more.

Your Creator has made you with the ability to exercise self control and there are things that God commands you to do. Allowing yourself to remain at peace is one thing that you can achieve. You have put the control of your life in the hands of the Prince of Peace and you can rest tin the peace that He gives you. You know that you are safe and secure through His power and strength. He will make you perfect and complete in all things, as you trust. His nature is to bless and reward you. He wants to do good for you.

The more you become acquainted with your God, the more good will come to you. Not only will you receive the Lord's best for your life, but as you continue to abide in Him, His best will also abide and continue in your life. You will find yourself besieged with God's bounty. You will certainly have His favor and will enjoy His kindness, prosperity, and wealth.

Recycling Teddy Bears

I don't know how many of you had a teddy bear when you were growing up. Did it become one of your best friends and playthings? Do you still have it? And if you do, why do you hold on to it? Is it because it brings back warm, comforting memories for you?

I did not have a teddy bear, but I did have a stuffed cat that looked like that old cartoon character, Felix the Cat. I can remember that I loved that old cat and used to carry it around with me. Poor Felix is long gone, but I still remember the joy he brought me as a child.

So why am I speaking of "teddy bears" and "Felix"? According to two calendar sources that I checked, either today is or yesterday was "National Teddy Bear Day". These same sources report that today is also "Recycling Day". We know that recycling is a healthy habit to adopt for our environment; however, there is some recycling that may not be healthy.

We all have good experiences and bad experiences in life. Some of us dwell on the bad experiences; we recycle and replay them constantly in our mind, until sometimes everything else is affected by these negative things. This type of recycling is definitely a hazard to our health. We need to take these bad images and truly recycle them; we need to put them in the recycling bin and leave them there, instead of going back to dig them out again because we think we cannot live without them. We can and must live without them.

However, remembering our good experiences can be healthy, as long as we do not live in the "good old days". It is good to remember those times when we were blessed and felt safe and secure. Such memories should bring smiles and thanksgiving to our lips. It is like remembering our "teddy" when he got us through a scary night. Remembering days of blessing can still get us through those "scary" things we all face. We need to know that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. As we dwell on what He has already done for us, we develop more trust to know that whatever we face, He will be with us to guide, to comfort, and to bring us victory!

11-15-05 2 Chronicles 23:19

2 Chronicles 23:19 (KJ21)
And he set the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none who was unclean in any thing should enter in.

2 Chronicles 23:19 (NAS)
And he stationed the gatekeepers of the house of the LORD, so that no one should enter who was in any way unclean.

2 Chronicles 23:19 (NIVUS)
He also stationed doorkeepers at the gates of the LORD’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter.

2 Chronicles 23:19 (NLT)
He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the LORD’s Temple to keep those who were ceremonially unclean from entering.

God has a perfect plan for each of our lives; He has designed and created us individually with the gifts and talents to fulfill that plan. There are certain people that the Lord Jehovah has chosen to serve in His house.

You may be one whom the Lord God has called and appointed to be a gatekeeper or porter. He has fitted you to stand at the door; this, however, is not a position without prestige. You have been given the authority to act on the King's behalf; through your estimation, others are permitted to enter. You are a steward over His court and a watcher in His temple.

Although the Lord God extends an open invitation to come to Him, those who have decided to accept it must come with the proper garments, which Adonai, through His Son Yeshua, has already provided. You have received a robe of righteousness through the blood of Jesus. Now you can enter into and abide in the presence of God, since you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You are no longer defiled, polluted, or unclean.

Now as you stand at the gate of God's house you are alert to those who try to enter, but are still contaminated and foul. However, instead of standing in judgment over these, you should do all that you can to help them receive a robe righteousness as well. You are well equipped through the grace and power of God to life up these who have fallen into sin and to help to carry them before the throne of God.

11-14-05 Proverbs 28:27

Proverbs 28:27 (KJ21)
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack, but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Proverbs 28:27 (NAS)
He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

Proverbs 28:27 (NIVUS)
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

Proverbs 28:27 (NLT)
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing. But a curse will come upon those who close their eyes to poverty.

Adonai, the Lord God, is a giver at heart and as His child, He wants you to be a giver as well. When you see someone who is lacking, poor, or hungry, you should provide what you can to help him. As you do this, you will never be impoverished or lacking in anything. You will not decrease nor be diminished. The Lord your God will supply everything you need.

However, if you hide your resources, concealing them from those in need, you may find yourself receiving many curses, instead of blessings. If you turn away your eyes from the poor, you will lose the abundance and greatness that you have been expecting.

Therefore, open your eyes and your hands to the needs around you. Then you shall be strong and have more than enough for your own necessities.