9-9-06 Luke 14:13, 14

Luke 14:13, 14 (KJ21)
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee. For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Luke 14:13, 14 (NAS)
But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

Luke 14:13, 14 (NIVUS)
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

Luke 14:13, 14 (NLT)
Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.

Although there are some people who tend to be recluses or hermits, avoiding contact with others, most people look forward to celebrations and parties. It is a special time when you are invited to someone's house for dinner, for you know the work and preparation that is necessary to pull it off. Unless you have a previous engagement, you gladly accept the invitation and the hospitality extended to you.

When people think of Adonai and His holiness, they often think that is synonymous with being a "stuffed shirt". They believe that the Almighty is always serious and does not approve of parties and celebrations, but that is not true. When Jesus first started His ministry, He performed His first miracle at a wedding. In fact, the nation of Israel, God's chosen people, had many established feasts and celebrations throughout the year. To establish how important this is, the Lord has especially endowed some people with the gift of hospitality. Gathering together around food and in fellowship with others is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind.

Therefore, if you are able, you should periodically plan a banquet or dinner party for your family and friends. However, the Lord does not want you to stop with those who are already close and intimate with you. You should also receive others-- those who are poor and lacking--into your home as friends. Although they have no influence, position, or power, you should embrace and not reject them. These who are disabled, maimed, and crippled often feel left out and rejected. They may be lame and blind, but the Lord loves them. He would like you to be His hands to extend that love to the outcasts of society.

And you should not think "What's in it for me?" God has already decided to bless you, if you do as He wishes in this. Even though the poor will not be able to repay or recompense you for your trouble, the Lord your God has already set aside your reward. As you give to others who cannot give back, you will find that you will still profit. If you do not see the benefits in this life-time, you can be assured that you will be repaid in the age to come, when you are raised up with the other righteous believers.

9-8-06 Psalms 10:10-12

Psalms 10: 10-12(KJ21)
He croucheth and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, "God hath forgotten; He hideth His face, He will never see it." Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Thine hand! Forget not the humble.

Psalms 10: 10-12 (NAS)
He crouches, he bows down, And the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. He says to himself, "God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it." Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Thy hand. Do not forget the afflicted.

Psalms 10: 10-12 (NIVUS)
His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees." Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

Psalms 10: 10-12 (NLT)
The helpless are overwhelmed and collapse; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked. The wicked say to themselves, "God isn’t watching! He will never notice!" Arise, O LORD! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not forget the helpless!

With the start of the NFL season, you may be hoping the defensive line of your team will crush the offense of your opponent. You want to see them take out the quarterback and their offense to collapse. You want the defense to do whatever it takes to win the game. Although men do get hurt in football games, it usually is not the goal to cause injury, but just to stop the other team.

In the game of life, there are wicked people who like nothing better than to crush and break those who are humble and weak. They want to lay their victims low, so that they despair. These poor ones cannot stand before the strength and force of their adversaries. With the power of an evil army against them, these unfortunate and hapless people can only tremble in anguish and travail in pain. They will fall before the violence, for it is too much for them.

Taking constant hits from the enemy, these poor ones begin to say things in their hearts against the Jehovah the Lord. They begin to believe that Adonai has forgotten them or is just ignoring their plight. They think that He no longer cares for them and they begin to wither, for they can no longer see His face. They forget that the Lamb of God was sacrificed for them and that His blood bought their freedom. It is through Him that they will endure forever.

If you are in this position, you should call upon the Lord and ask Him to rise up and come on the scene in His full power. He will station Himself before your enemies and raise His hand to sweep them away. He will give you the support and aid that you need, for He has not forgotten you and will not ignore your cries for help. He knows you are poor, needy and weak. Jehovah the Lord will exalt you, but He will take away your foes.

9-7-06 Isaiah 49:23

Isaiah 49:23 (KJ21)
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: They shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet. And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, for they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me.

Isaiah 49:23 (NAS)
And kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.

Isaiah 49:23 (NIVUS)
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.

Isaiah 49:23 (NLT)
Kings and queens will serve you. They will care for all your needs. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who wait for me will never be put to shame.

Have you ever wished that you had been born into a royal family? Did you know that since you received Jesus as your Lord, you are now a member of the family of the King of kings? Now you are in a position in which other kings act as your father. They are the ones who build you up; these, who are used to being served, will support and foster you. Like you mother, queens will nurse and nurture you.

The kings and queens in the earth require others to bow before them and to do obeisance. However, soon they will humbly bow in reverence before Adonai, the Most High God. They will be prostrate in worship. With their nostrils pressed into the earth, they will fall flat before the One True King. They will have to lick the dust that your feet stir up, as you walk past them to God's throne. You have full access to the throne room, for you are a child of Almighty God.

You know and recognize that Jehovah is the Lord. Since you acknowledge Him in all things, you need never feel ashamed. The Lord will never confound or disappoint you. His will for life will not be delayed. You have been bound together with Him and you can expect good things from God. Therefore, you should keep looking to and waiting for His blessings. Your patience shall surely be rewarded.

9-6-06 Psalms 10:8, 9

Psalms 10:8, 9 (KJ21)
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages; in secret places doth he murder the innocent; his eyes are privily set against the poor.He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lieth in wait to catch the poor; he doth catch the poor when he draweth him into his net.

Psalms 10:8, 9 (NAS)
He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate.He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.

Psalms 10:8, 9 (NIVUS)
He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

Psalms 10:8, 9 (NLT)
They lurk in dark alleys, murdering the innocent who pass by. They are always searching for some helpless victim. Like lions they crouch silently, waiting to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters they capture their victims and drag them away in nets.

Have you ever walked down a street and your skin began to crawl? You could feel fear trying to overtake your mind and you knew that there was evil lurking in the dark places, waiting to ambush you. Perhaps it seemed as if the place was haunted.

During the day this street may be a part of a quaint hamlet or village, but at night the children of darkness inhabit it. They wait in secret to kill, steal from, and destroy those who are innocent and blameless. These evil ones aim to smite others with deadly intent. They always keep their eyes open, looking for a way to come against those who are unhappy, wretched, unfortunate and poor. As a lion, they lie in wait to pluck them off, like they would pluck and gather grapes from the vine. They covertly hide in a thicket , screened by a hedge to catch and seize upon the weak, afflicted, and needy. They then drag them away into their net.

You do not need to be concerned about those who go about as lurking lions. They do not have the power to ensnare or trap you. Even if you are weak, the Lord God is your defense and champion. He will protect you from those who only have evil in their hearts. As you draw near to Him, He will give you the strength and power to resist the wicked.

9-5-06 Psalms 10:7

Psalms 10:7 (KJ21)
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud; under tongue is mischief and vanity.

Psalms 10:7(NAS)
His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.

Psalms 10:7(NIVUS)
His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

Psalms 10:7(NLT)
Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats. Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues.

Adonai the Lord has put power in the words that come out of your mouth. Your words can cleave, shatter, and break things or people in pieces. You can use it against the wiles of the enemy or you can use it to build and heal those you meet. You have a choice about what comes out of your mouth.

The mouths of the wicked are full of curses and swearing. They cannot speak anything except treachery and deceit. They cast out their evil words like an archer randomly shoots arrows. They do not care who is pierced and hurt by them. They want to mislead and trick others into doing their wishes and betrayal is their middle name. They keep injury, oppression, and fraud under their lips; they are always ready to slander and accuse someone. Trouble and sorrow are their constant companions.

Your mouth, however, is abundantly filled with praises and thanksgiving to the Lord your God. You speak honestly and forthrightly. You are concerned if you offend and hurt another. When you make a commitment, you stick with it. Goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life.

9-4-06 John 11:40

John 11:40 (KJ21)
Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee that if thou would believe, thou should see the glory of God?"

John 11:40 (NAS)
Jesus *said to her, "Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"

John 11:40 (NIVUS)
Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

John 11:40 (NLT)
Jesus responded, "Didn’t I tell you that you will see God’s glory if you believe?"

It is always exciting when God performs a miracle in your life and often you may be tempted to seek the miracle, instead of God. At those times, you should remember that Jesus is your salvation. He is the one who liberates and delivers you from any trouble. He is your victory.

From Jehovah the Lord, you receive your affirmation. You should listen to Him as He exhorts, advises, commands, and directs you. He has told you that if you believe and trust Him, you will behold the splendor, brightness, magnificence and glory of Almighty God. You know you can have confidence in Yeshua your Messiah, for you have seen His faithfulness in bestowing His eternal salvation to you. He is the Creator and Ruler of the whole universe, who provides everything that you will ever need.

Therefore, whether you see a miracle or the Lord's daily provision, both reveal His glory to you. He is always showing His preeminence and absolute perfection, through which He gives you dignity and grace. And you can do nothing less than praise and honor the One in whom you believe.

9-3-06 2 Chronicles 20:15

2 Chronicles 20:15 (KJ21)
And he said, "Hearken ye, all Judah and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou King Jehoshaphat! Thus saith the LORD unto you: ‘Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s."

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NAS)
and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s."

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIVUS)
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s."

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NLT)
He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s."

There are certain characteristics that should be standard for you, as one of God's people. First, you should be a person of praise, whose mouth is continually full of thanksgiving. The name of the Lord is usually on your lips. Secondly, you should dwell and abide in peace, for Adonai has established His covenant with you. He has promised to restore, complete, and make you whole. He has rewarded you with soundness; therefore, you should let His peace, His shalom to reign in your life. You should also understand that your sin has already been judged and you have not been condemned. Almighty God has punished His Son Yeshua in your place. You, therefore, should freely worship, as you stand before Him in peace.

As a child of the royal lineage of the King of kings, you are in a position to clearly hear, listen to, and obey His voice. Often you will hear Him say to not fear or be afraid. When you rest in His peace, you will find that you have nothing to dread. Even if your enemies try to terrify you, you have nothing to fear, for the Most High God is your Lord. You do not need to be dismayed, for He will not allow you to be shattered and broken. If a great and tumultuous multitude rises up against you, you should not let their roaring sounds confuse you. Even though they rush upon you, do not let fear take hold of you, for Adonai, the Supreme God, will fight the battle for you. He is your champion