8-19-06 Revelation 22:14

Revelation 22:14 (KJ21)
Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14 (NAS)
Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14(NIVUS)
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14 (NLT)
Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.

The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America states that every man, woman, and child has the right to the pursuit of happiness. People pursue happiness in many ways, such as hobbies or relationships. Often this pursuit leads into sinful actions. Happiness obtained in this way is fleeting at best. Then it takes more and more sexual exploits, more and more drugs, and more and more alcohol to get the same "buzz". The pursuit soon seems futile, but people continue along this meaningless path, for it is the only way they know.

There is, however, a much better way to pursue happiness. The word of God says a man is happy and blessed when he does what Adonai, the Supreme God, says to do. Following His orders and commandments will cause you to do well and act rightly. Keeping yourself in line with these precepts will prepare you for anything.

The Lord God has given you the freedom of choice and the liberty to do as you please. You can choose to do as He wishes or you can choose to follow your own wants and desires. You should realize that the choices you make today will affect your future.

When you choose to follow God's way, He will give you rights and privileges in His Kingdom that others will not have. One of these is the right to the Tree of Life. By partaking of this tree, you will have a life that is real and genuine, and active and vigorous. Your life will be full and satisfying as you devote yourself to the Most High God. You will enjoy your life, for the Lord will keep you strong and fresh. And when you die, He will give you a new body that will last forever.

You will be a 'card carrying' citizen of Heaven and you will be able to go in through the gates of city. Because you chose to follow the Lord's commandments now, you will have access to everything God offers in the future.

8-18-06 Proverbs 1:3, 4

Proverbs 1: 3, 4 (KJ21)
to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give subtlety to the simple, and to the young man knowledge and discretion.

Proverbs 1: 3, 4 (NAS)
To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,

Proverbs 1: 3, 4 (NIVUS)
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—

Proverbs 1: 3, 4 (NLT)
Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in. These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people. Discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair.

There are certain things in life that you need to lay hold of and seize. When you are presented with an opportunity to receive discipline or correction, you should reach out and possess it for yourself. You should lead and conduct your life through the teaching and instruction of God's word. When you choose and accept the Lord's chastening, it will carry you further down the path that you should go and you will become more prudent and wise. It will teach you to be circumspect, careful, and cautious, but it will also show you how to prosper and succeed.

The insight and understanding that you gain will produce righteousness and justice within you, so that you treat others right and justly. The decisions that you make will be proper and fitting. You will find that your way is even and smooth, allowing you to walk straight and uprightly. Your life, which used to be chaotic and distressing, will become pleasant and agreeable.

Whether you need to be shrewd and crafty, or subtle and prudent, God's word will give you wisdom. If you are simple and naive, gullible and easily deceived, you will always receive the counsel of the Lord, when you need it. Perception and discernment will become yours. Nothing will be able to shake you, wear you out, or use you up. Your life will have purpose and you will enjoy it to the full.

8-17-06 Proverbs 1:1, 2

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (KJ21)
The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (NAS)
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (NIVUS)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;

Proverbs 1:1, 2 (NLT)
These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings.

Some people exalt in their mental superiority; they are always trying to impress people with their pithy maxims. They are quick to discourse on their latest discovery to show off just how intelligent they are.

There are others, however, who speak in poetry, parables, and proverbs to help someone else. They use similes and allegories to make something clearer and easier to understand. Jesus Christ was one such person, as was King Solomon of the Old Testament. Both demonstrated their power to rule through their speech. Solomon, the son of Israel's beloved King David, was a man of peace, who sought counsel to reign from Adonai, the Most High God. You, therefore, should pay attention to his words, for they come from Almighty God.

Solomon knew that he needed wisdom. He recognized that it was the only thing that could make him a skillful ruler, who could deal well and justly with his people. He was aware that God's instruction, chastisement, and reproof were necessary for him to be wise. He could only advise and instruct others through the discipline and correction that he received. As he was reformed, he could teach others the way to their reformation. Wisdom allowed him to more easily distinguish between what was right and wrong. Through the Lord's word, Solomon became cunning and discerning. He gained understanding from the promises that God gave. He left a legacy of being the wisest man that ever lived.

If you would like to have wisdom like Solomon, then you must do what he did. You must pay close attention to all of Adonai's words, instructions, and directions. As you choose to follow all of these, you will learn to rule and reign as one of Israel's greatest kings

8-16-06 Psalm 10:3, 4

Psalm 10:3, 4 (KJ21)
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous whom the LORD abhorreth. The wicked, in the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in all his thoughts.

Psalm 10:3, 4 (NAS)
For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD. The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God.

Psalm 10:3, 4 (NIVUS)
He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Psalm 10:3, 4 (NLT)
For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the LORD. These wicked people are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.

The wicked and the ungodly have hearts that are filled with lust and greed. They delight in disturbing Gods people and in violating God's law. They enjoy boasting and raving about their evil deeds. They do not understand that their foolish longings and rage are sending them right to their sepulchers and graves.

When the opponents of the Lord gather together, they congratulate each other on their wrong doing. They show off the plunder that they have gained through their covetousness and greed. Together, they blaspheme Adonai, the Most High God, for they are haughty and proud. In their distorted passion, they see themselves raised to great heights.

The Lord Jehovah, however, scorns these who have already condemned themselves. The Almighty abhors and despises these guilty ones. They have no life within and so do not bloom or blossom. They do not flourish, for they do not pursue or follow the Lord. They do not seek the Supreme God, but bow their knees to Satan, the "god" of this world. They are not diligent to inquire of God. In fact, their thoughts are far from God, but are centered on their evil and mischievous plans. They do not realize that these will only lead to their condemnation and punishment.

Therefore, do not be like the wicked, but diligently seek after the Lord your God. Keep your mind fixed on Him and you will be blessed.

8-15-06 Psalms; 10 1, 2

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (KJ21)
Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor; let them be caught in the devices that they have contrived.

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (NAS)
Why dost Thou stand afar off, O LORD? Why dost Thou hide Thyself in times of trouble? In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (NIVUS)
Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

Psalms 10: 1, 2 (NLT)
O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most? Proud and wicked people viciously oppress the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.

Has God ever seemed remote and far away? Does it seem that He has ceased to listen to your prayers? You think He is employed elsewhere or has gone abroad. He may have withdrawn and is a good way off. You are not alone in thinking and feeling as you do. Even the psalmist David found himself in these same circumstances.

When you face adversity, affliction, and trouble, you know to turn to the Lord Jehovah for help. However, sometimes when you find yourself in a tight place or are going through a sorrowful time, you may feel that God has hidden Himself from you. He has veiled Himself from your sight. The way out of your affliction is kept secret. At these times, you need to keep your faith strong in God and His word. You must believe that what He said He meant. He said He would never leave you nor forsake you. Whether you feel His presence or not does not change His word. He is with you to deliver you.

The actively wicked and ungodly man, in his arrogance and pride, will hotly pursue and persecute you, when you are depressed, needy, and poor. He wants to burn you, so that you will become inflamed against Adonai, the Most High God. However, when your enemy chases you with his flames, you should realize that the Lord will manipulate his plans and devices. Your adversary will be surprised and then captured in his own plots. What he conceived and imagined for you will stop him in his tracks.

Therefore, when God seems silent, you should remember that He is working against your foes. When the heavens are quiet, the Lord is laying traps of His own.

8-14-06 Psalms 9:18-20

Psalms 9:18-20 (KJ21)
For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O LORD, let not man prevail; let the heathen be judged in Thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD; that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah

Psalms 9:18-20 (NAS)
For the needy will not always be forgotten, Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever. Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged before Thee. Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.

Psalms 9:18-20 (NIVUS)
But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah.

Psalms 9:18-20 (NLT)
For the needy will not be forgotten forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. Arise, O LORD! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Let the nations be judged in your presence! Make them tremble in fear, O LORD. Let them know they are merely human. Interlude

Abuse seems more prevalent in today's society than in previous generations. Perhaps it is just that people talk more freely about it today.

Perhaps you are someone who has felt abused and oppressed. You always seem needy and poor. You see yourself as a member of the lowest class. You know that you need God to deliver you from your troubles. He is the only one who can make you strong and victorious. He will not ignore or forget you. No matter how poor and afflicted you have been, you always can have hope and expectation in the Lord your God. He will never let you go astray. You will not vanish from His sight. When you trust in His deliverance, you will not perish or be destroyed. You will live forever in the presence of Almighty God.

The Lord Jehovah will rise up on your behalf. No man will be able to prevail against you. Even though he is firm and strong, you are firmer and stronger still, for you are established in the Rock of your salvation. Though men swarm around you like locusts, they will not be able to rule over you. Adonai, the Most High, is the only one who can govern your life. If your opponent enters into controversy with you, the Lord will judge and vindicate you, for nothing is hidden from God's sight.

Jehovah the Lord will lay waste those who oppress and abuse you. They will stand before Him in fear and terror. When they finally see the Almighty, they will see that they are mere men. They will finally know that they are weak, sick, and frail. They will understand that they are desperately wicked and have no hope. In this you can exalt.

8-13-06 Psalms 9:16, 17

Psalms 9:16, 17 (KJ21)
The LORD is known by the judgment which He executeth; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. (Higgaion.) (Selah)The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:16, 17 (NAS)
The LORD has made Himself known; He has executed judgment. In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared. (Higgaion) (Selah.) The wicked will return to Sheol, Even all the nations who forget God.

Psalms 9:16, 17 (NIVUS)
The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. (Higgaion.) (Selah)The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:16, 17 (NLT)
The LORD is known for his justice. The wicked have trapped themselves in their own snares. (Quiet Interlude) The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.

When the rich and famous need to go to court, they always obtain the attorney that they know will win the case. To them the cost is no object. They are willing to part with some of their riches, so that they can keep the majority. Their lawyers are always top of the line, with the right connections and the most power.

You may not be in this elite class, but you have access to the best attorney and judge that ever existed. The Lord Jehovah is known for His righteous judgments. He is skillful in executing justice. When you give Him the authority to decide your case, you know that the decision will be right and proper. He will vindicate you if that is fitting. If punishment is what is needed, that is what the sentence will be.

Those who act wickedly will be struck down. If they are guilty, they will be ensnared in their own deeds. They will receive the wages of their sin, which is condemnation. They have raised hostile hands against the Lord God and He will bring them down. God will send the wicked and criminal to hell and the grave. The Lord will defeat and reject them. They will pay dearly for all of their wrong doing. They will eternally abide with the dead and will have no way to return to God. Those who forget the Lord their God will also be forgotten.

As a child of God, you need to muse and meditate on these things. When you imagine the end of your enemies, you will be exalted. As you speak of the justice of Adonai the Most High God, you will be lifted up. You can make light of their tauntings and reject their threats. You know that the Lord will weigh and balance everything and His righteous judgments will prevail.