8-26-06 Proverbs 1:12

Proverbs 1:12 (KJ21)
let us swallow them up alive as the grave, and whole, as those that go down to the pit

Proverbs 1:12 (NAS)
Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

Proverbs 1:12 (NIVUS)
let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

Proverbs 1:12 (NLT)
Let’s swallow them alive as the grave swallows its victims. Though they are in the prime of life, they will go down into the pit of death.

Do you feel like you are being swallowed up by your circumstances? Are you in the middle of family problems and strife seems to engulf you? Perhaps you are having trouble on your job? Maybe you have been stabbed in the back or walked on by a co-worker? Everywhere you turn, you see enemies who only want to end your life.

Do not despair. The Lord will not abandon you to those who can destroy your life. The Lord your God has made your life to be fresh and flowing. He will not allow others to squander your goods and prosperity. They have no power to take you down to hell with them. Adonai will revive and restore you. No matter what state in which you find yourself, God is your sustenance and your maintenance. His will is to for you to live prosperously. In Him you are whole and complete, sound and full of health. Your end is not death and the grave, as those who seek to finish you off. You will not be consumed, spent, or destroyed. No pit can hold you.

8-25-06 Proverbs 1:10, 11

Proverbs1:10, 11(KJ21)
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, "Come with us; let us lie in wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;

Proverbs1:10, 11 (NAS)
My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

Proverbs1:10, 11 (NIVUS)
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, "Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul;

Proverbs1:10, 11 (NLT)
My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say, "Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Let’s ambush the innocent!

Jehovah, the Lord, loves and cares for each and ever person, whether they are saints or sinners. He is especially protective of the innocent. These have His heart and He will defend and vindicate them. He has even suggested that someone who does harm to a little child should hang a millstone around his neck and throw himself into the depths of the sea. He knew that this fate would be preferable to falling into the hands of the Living God.

In man's natural state, sinning is normal. God, in His love and mercy, has done everything possible, through the shed blood of His Son Jesus, to deliver them and give them a new nature which desires to worship rather than sin. There are some people, however, who will never listen to God's voice and will remain offensive criminals. If they do not repent, they will be condemned, for they are guilty.

These sinners are not content in their own sin, but will try to lead stray Adonai's chosen people, if that is possible. Activated by their "father", the devil, they try to delude and deceive the godly. Through flattery and enticements, they persuade others to walk with them on their destructive course. They gather silly and weak followers to do their bidding. They love nothing more than to lurk and lie in wait for the innocent and blameless. They see them as "easy marks". They set ambushments, so that they will be the first to draw blood. It is their delight to see the guiltless perish. They think that if they get ride of all the people who trust God, then they will have free reign over the earth, for they know the godly hinder them.

Therefore, as a child of God called to build the Kingdom of the Lord, you should not acquiesce to these wicked ones. Do not consent to their evil actions or rest content in seeing them prosper. You should resist them at every turn, for the Lord your God may use you to save an innocent life from destruction.

8-24-06 Proverbs 1:8, 9

Proverbs 1: 8, 9 (KJ21)
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Proverbs 1: 8, 9 (NAS)
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, And ornaments about your neck.

Proverbs 1: 8, 9 (NIVUS)
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 1: 8, 9 (NLT)
Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor.

Parents...we have all found them exasperating at times. As children, when we were disciplined, we may have thought our parents were just being mean. As teenagers, we thought we knew better than the "old folks". However, as we grow older and become parents ourselves, we are often amazed at how much wisdom that our parents really had.

Your father knew that you needed his instruction and guidance, even if you did not. His chastisements, corrections, and rebukes were to build you and make you very fruitful. He knew if you would listen and obey, then you would become a valiant man, whose way would be sure and secure.

Likewise your mother set down some laws and precepts for you to follow. Her words were what bonded the family together. She knew that if you rejected them, then others could easily pound and smite you. If you forsook and cast off her statutes, you could be cast off and forsaken as well. She understood that you would suffer in your rebellion.

As you obey and regard the sayings of both your father and mother, you will be rewarded with Adonai's kindness, favor, and grace. You are precious in His sight and He will make your life pleasant. He will crown you with His mercy. You will come to the forefront as a ruler, captain, and chief. You shall be liberally furnished in all that you do.

8-23-06 Proverbs1:7

Proverbs1:7 (KJ21)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs1:7 (NAS)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs1:7(NIVUS)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs1:7 (NLT)
Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.

There are many things to fear in the world. Terrorism and its threat grow daily. The fears of getting sick, losing a loved one, or being homeless plague many people. These and things like them can paralyze and exhaust a person. Such fears are never productive and are often destructive.

However, there is one fear that is actually good for you to have. Adonai, the Most High God, is worthy of your respect and honor and you should fear displeasing Him. Even though the Lord God is abundant in loving-kindness, patience, and mercy, you do not want to see His wrath, for it is terrible. When you revere Jehovah, the Eternal God, you are building a future for yourself, a future in which you will rejoice.

Everything in your life should begin with God. He is the captain, chief, and head; every excellent thing comes from Him. If you need knowledge on a certain subject, you should start by inquiring of the Almighty. God, through His Spirit and His word, will instruct and advise you, which will help you comprehend His will. As you are diligent, you will discover all that you need to know and understand.

You do not want to be like the foolish man, who is disrespectful and despises the Lord. This man scorns God's wisdom and holds Adonai's chastisements and warnings in contempt. He is without restraint, and undisciplined. Since he will not receive the Lord's instruction and correction, he places himself to receive God's rebuke and punishment.

You, however, are in a place to receive blessing and provisions from the Lord. As you continue to honor and reverence Him, you will gain even more wisdom.

8-22-06 Proverbs 1:6

Proverbs 1:6 (KJ21)
To understand a proverb and the interpretation, the words of the wise and their dark sayings.

Proverbs 1:6 (NAS)
To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.

Proverbs 1:6 (NIVUS)
For understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Proverbs 1:6 (NLT)
By exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles.

You should make it your goal to understand each proverb and parable contained in God's word. Often the Lord speaks with similes and allegories, which you should diligently consider. Adonai has given you superior intelligence, so that you can discern and perceive all that He tells you. Even if others have put you down as lacking in the mental realm, God has given you the power to rule and have dominion in this area. He has given you the ability to learn and to receive instruction. You can distinguish between what comes from God and what does not.

Sometimes you may think that you do not understand what wise men are saying, but the Lord proclaims that you have the ability to interpret another's words, even if they sound like a foreign language to you. What you hear may seem to be a puzzle and a conundrum, but as you are diligent to study and meditate on these words, you will eventually know the interpretation. The Lord your God will give you the answer to any riddle or hard question that presents itself to you. Nothing you hear should tie you into a knot. As you trust God, He will show you the solution. He will not keep you in the dark, but will reveal the Truth.

8-21-06 Proverbs 1:5

Proverbs 1:5 (KJ21)
A wise man will hear and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsel

Proverbs 1:5 (NAS)
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

Proverbs 1:5 (NIVUS)
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—

Proverbs 1:5 (NLT)
Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance

Wisdom is not something that is spoken much of these days. For many years now, our society has been ruled by the concepts of "if it feels good, do it.", "do your own thing", or "look out for number 1". These are all very selfish ideas and are totally opposed to living your life guided by wisdom. Although living according to wisdom seems to have gone out of style, it is still the best way to live.

Wisdom is a difficult word to define. A man of wisdom is one who is shrewd, prudent, skillful, and ethical. He knows how to wisely administer his life and his business. He can be crafty and wily. He is usually well learned and is subtle in his actions. Although men of the world can have a form of wisdom, true wisdom only comes through the fear of the Lord. If you choose to live your life in fear of God, you will do what is right. Wisdom, which is open and honest, is exactly opposite to deception, which is closed and secretive.

If you are a wise man, you will hear and listen to the voice of wisdom, which comes from the Lord your God. When you understand what Adonai, the Most High God expects of you, you will quickly obey. Many may tell you that you are foolish to yield yourself to God, but you know that when you consent and agree to His will, you end up being happy and blessed. Wisdom adds to and increases you, whereas foolish ideas bring decrease and destruction.

If you are perceptive and discerning, you will be diligent to acquire godly counsel. You should seek good advice, which will help guide and direct you. Listening to what others have to say is a good measuring line, but it is not always the best way to go. However, receiving wise counsel from godly people, while you are bound closely to the Lord, will often lead you to the right decision. You will not be ruined or destroyed, but will live in the redemption that the Almighty created for you.

8-20-06 Jeremiah 7:23

Jeremiah 7:23 (KJ21)
But this thing commanded I them, saying, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people; and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Jeremiah 7:23 (NAS)
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.

Jeremiah 7:23 (NIVUS)
but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you that it may go well with you.

Jeremiah 7:23 (NLT)
This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Only do as I say, and all will be well!’

If you are a parent, you have probably found yourself repeating and repeating things to your children. Perhaps you think that they are not listening or perhaps even though they might be listening, they are not obeying. You, therefore, feel the need to reiterate your words. In this, you are no different than your Heavenly Father.

Here the Lord God declares that He has commanded and charged His people. He has told you what He requires. He wants you to know what He intends and what He has promised you. His word and His speech will either lead you or cause you to flee from Adonai's presence. What He says will either sound like beautiful singing in your ears or like threats and warnings.

Almighty God has commissions and appointments that He has ordained for you, but you will not receive them unless you choose to hear, listen to, and obey God's word. You must pay attention to and show an interest in what He says. As you consent, agree, and yield to His wishes, He will grant your requests. Once you hear His voice, then the Lord requires you to tell and proclaim His words to others.

As you do your part in Adonai's plan, He promises that He will be your God, who rules and judges your life. He will put His strength and power at your disposal, for in your obedience, you will become one of His chosen people, on whom He bestows nobility and wealth. In partnership with the Most High, you become prominent.

Now as you walk about as is your habit, the Lord will lead you along the way. Your path may take you right into the midst of the enemy's camp where you will tread them down in the strength of the Lord. Sometimes, however, God may take you around them or point you anther way. If you are listening to and obeying God's commands, you will always be headed in the right direction. Your life will be good and all will be well with you. You will find that you are well placed and your life will be pleasing, right, and beautiful. In this you can rejoice and be glad.