Thank you!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have given me such positive affirming comments. Since you chose the anonymous route, I will take this public route to express my gratitude. :-) Thanks again!

7-15-06 Acts 13:32

Acts 13:32 (KJ21)
And we declare unto you glad tidings of the promise which was made unto the fathers: God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again,

Acts 13:32 (NAS)
And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus,

Acts 13:32 (NIVUS)
We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.

Acts 13:32 (NLT)
And now Barnabas and I are here to bring you this Good News. God’s promise to our ancestors has come true in our own time, in that God raised Jesus.

When people in our society think about God, they usually think of all of the religious rules that they have to keep to please Him. They have been taught the "do's" and mostly the "don’ts" to stay in good favor with the Almighty. Rarely have they heard that the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news.

You, however, have heard the joyful tidings of God's kindness extended to mankind through His Messiah. When the angels announced the birth of the Savior, it was the fulfillment of the promise of blessing and good that the Most High had given.

In Jesus Christ you have received salvation. You, therefore, should take the lead in telling others of how you are well off and prospering because of this salvation working in your life. You may have to lay hold of some people and bring them to the throne of grace and others may just need you to accompany them in their journey. The way you live your life will guide, direct, and influence others for Jesus Christ.

7-14-06 Acts 13:23, 26

Acts 13:23, 26 (KJ21)
Of this man’s seed hath God, according to His promise, raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus...Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

Acts 13:23, 26 (NAS)
From the offspring of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus...Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the word of this salvation is sent out.

Acts 13:23, 26 (NIVUS)
From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised...Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.

Acts 13:23, 26 (NLT)
And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also all of you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel—this salvation is for us!

Today people are looking for super heroes, men with super power and strength, who can right all the wrongs of the world. Superman and Spider Man movies are very popular. Video games often violently portray the battle of good versus evil. Many are looking for a savior. They do not realize that God has already sent one.

God the Father promised Israel a deliverer and redeemer who would come through the seed of David. For years He announced what He was about to do. He would send a Son of the lineage of David who would save and rescue God's people from destruction. God made Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world; He restores, heals, and preserves those who trust in Him.

Now the offspring of Abraham, the founder of the Hebrew nation, and all of those who fear the Most High God have access to this Savior. Because you reverence and fear God, you now have the Savior that was promised. God's word of salvation has become yours.

7-13-06 Acts 13:19

Acts 13:19 (KJ21)
And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He divided their land among them by lot.

Acts 13:19 (NAS)
And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took about four hundred and fifty years.

Acts 13:19 (NIVUS)
he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance.

Acts 13:19 (NLT)
Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance.

You may think you are surrounded by enemies and you know that there is no way to get away from them. The children of Israel faced many enemies, when they entered the land of Canaan. They were overwhelmed by the giants who lived there. They did not see how they could defeat them, for they felt like grasshoppers in their sight.

However, when Israel kept their trust in the Lord their God, He took down and demolished their adversaries. Even though the Israelites did not realize it, God had already prophesied the destruction of the Canaanites in their name. Canaan means to be humiliated and vanquished. The Lord knew that He would bring them down and put them into subjection. Not only did God destroy the Canaanites, but He also cast down seven other nations, so that Israel could possess her promised land. As the Lord God delivered and rescued Israel from her enemies, so too will He save and deliver you from your foes.

After Israel's enemies were defeated, they received their appointed inheritance from the Lord. Each received the portion assigned to them. And you will be given all that God has set aside for you, when your enemies are defeated as well.

7-12-06 Acts 13:17

Acts 13:17(KJ21)
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm He brought them out of it.

Acts 13:17(NAS)
The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it.

Acts 13:17 (NIVUS)
The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country,

Acts 13:17 (NLT)
The God of this nation of Israel chose our ancestors and made them prosper in Egypt. Then he powerfully led them out of their slavery.

Adonai is the Great and Almighty God, who chose the nation of Israel for Himself. He separated them from the other nations around them, making them unique and peculiar. He wanted to show them His favor and watch over them in His grace. He became their Father, who picked them to be His heirs. He infused them with His Spirit and wanted to govern their minds. The Most High is the Creator, who guards, preserves, and protects His people.

Like the people of Israel, you also are chosen and hand picked by your Heavenly Father. Through His Son Jesus Christ, you have received salvation and have been adopted into the family of God. You are now in a position to be lifted up and exalted. Opulence, prosperity, dignity, honor, and happiness is what you should expect.

For four hundred years, Israel lived in bondage and slavery in the land of Egypt, where they were in double straits. They were strangers and without citizenship. The Lord, therefore, lifted His mighty and powerful arm to lead them out of Egypt and into their promised land, where they were exalted and made eminent. God gave them influence and honor. These people who had no standing were given rank and a high station.

As the children of Israel, you were trapped and enslaved in the bondage of sin. You needed a Savior and Deliverer. The Almighty lifted His arm and raised His Son from the grave. When He did so, He saved and delivered you. When He exalted Jesus, He raised you up as well. You now have influence and honor, rank and a high station, for you are now a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, with all its rights and privileges.

7-11-06 Psalms 7:3-5

Psalms 7:3-5 (KJ21)
O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there be iniquity on my hands, if I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy), let the enemy persecute my soul and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the dust. (Selah)

Psalms 7:3-5 (NAS)
O LORD my God, if I have done this, If there is injustice in my hands, If I have rewarded evil to my friend, Or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary, Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life down to the ground, And lay my glory in the dust. (Selah.)

Psalms 7:3-5 (NIVUS)
O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe— then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. (Selah)

Psalms 7:3-5 (NLT)
O LORD my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground. Let my honor be left in the dust. (Interlude)

You sometimes do or say things that bruise and displease others; however, usually your intent is not to do harm. You are no longer morally evil and iniquity should not be found in you. Perverseness, injustice, and unrighteousness are not facets of your nature. You do not desire to sin with your hands.

You only desire to treat people well and to deal bountifully with those in your life. You do not want to afflict or harm anyone, but that all should be safe and at peace. You are friendly and do not cause misery. If you do hurt someone, you seek ways to restore your relationship. You have no desire to arm yourself against a friend and to undeservedly make them into an adversary; you, therefore, keep things open and not cramped in your friendships. Otherwise they are empty and worthless.

If you treat people in a loose manner, you can expect your enemies to persecute you. If you are hateful and hostile, you can expect to be treated with hostility. You will be hunted and pursued by those who want to do you harm. These may be able to take hold of your life and soul. Your oppressors will walk upon you and trample you under their feet. Your honor and glory will remain as dust and ashes. You will have nothing except burdens; your life will be severe and dull. Instead of God's abundant blessings, you will have more than enough grief.

Therefore, pause and think about your words and actions. Do they express value to others? If they do, then you will be blessed of the Lord Jehovah.

7-10-06 Psalms 7:1, 2

Psalms 7:1, 2 (KJ21)
(Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD concerning the words of Cush, the Benjamite.)
O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust. Save me from all them that persecute me; and deliver me, lest they tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces while there is none to deliver.

Psalms 7:1, 2 (NAS)
(A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.)
O LORD my God, in Thee I have taken refuge; Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me, Lest he tear my soul like a lion, Dragging me away, while there is none to deliver.

Psalms 7:1, 2 (NIVUS)
(A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.)
O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

Psalms 7:1, 2 (NLT)
(A psalm of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush of the tribe of Benjamin.)
I come to you for protection, O LORD my God. Save me from my persecutors—rescue me! If you don’t, they will maul me like a lion, tearing me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." You have probably heard this old saying and maybe even said it yourself. However, even though it sounds good, it is not true. One of the most effective weapons that the devil uses is words that tear down and demoralize. David, who was God's beloved, understood this. He knew that down-grading words had the ability to cause him to err and go astray; they could mislead him, taking him out of God's will. David also knew that one very effective way to counter the evil threats of the enemy was to sing praises or supplications to the Lord.

When David was being pursued by his enemies, he would always turn to Jehovah, the Lord for help and Adonai, the Most High, was quick to come to the rescue. Like David, you too should learn to seek refuge and flee for protection to the Lord Most High. When you put your trust and confidence in Him, He will restore your hope. He is the only one who can save you from those who persecute you. Though they harass and chase you, the Lord your God will deliver you, snatching you out their grasp. Troubles, death, and sin cannot hold you.

Your foes may want to tear and rend you to pieces. They may look at your soul as food, as a lion looks to its prey. They want to break you and snatch you away, but you need not fear. Jehovah the Lord will strip them of their power and plunder them. They will be spoiled, but you will be saved.

7-9-05 Psalms 6:9, 10

Psalms 6:9, 10 (KJ21)
The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sorely vexed; let them turn back and be put to shame suddenly.

Psalms 6:9, 10 (NAS)
The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they shall suddenly be ashamed.

Psalms 6:9, 10 (NIVUS)
The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

Psalms 6:9, 10 (NLT)
The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer. May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified. May they suddenly turn back in shame.

If you ask Jehovah the Lord for favor, He will hear your supplication. He will be gracious to you and show you consideration, for He pays attention to your pleas. He inclines His ears to your prayers and lays siege to what you want. He will take it into His hands and deliver it into yours. When you pray and intercede for others, the Lord will steal back what the enemy has stolen and take them captive.

Your enemies will be put to shame. They will find themselves disconcerted and disappointed. They will become greatly disturbed and alarmed. These who are used to terrifying others will have an abundance of fear and terror comes upon them. Their nerves will give way to anxiety and they will flee in haste before the Lord your God. They will return to the dying from which they came and relinquish their hold on you. You will be free, but they will be brought into bondage. They will be defeated, but you will have victory.