9-16-06 Psalms 10:17, 18

Psalms 10:17, 18 (KJ21)
LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble; Thou wilt prepare their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear, to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Psalms 10:17, 18 (NAS)
O LORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble; Thou wilt strengthen their heart, Thou wilt incline Thine ear. To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth may cause terror no more.

Psalms 10:17, 18 (NIVUS)
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Psalms 10:17, 18 (NLT)
LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.

There are many people who go through life feeling mishandled, oppressed and afflicted. When they cry out in their pain and humiliation, they often think that no one is listening. Perhaps you have felt like this. However, someone, who has the ability and power to help, has heard you; Jehovah the Lord is always listening for your cry. Adonai is interested in your plight, for you belong to Him.

Since you are poor, needy, and weak, you may think that there is no hope, but God perceives and understands the longings of your heart. He knows that they have been a long time in coming and He has heard your sighs. He wants you to know that He has used this time to make you firm, stable and established. He has seen your endurance and steadfastness and is preparing you, making you ready to receive your desires. He has provided and furnished everything for their fulfillment; all is arranged in proper order. He has heard your prayers.

The Lord is the one who goes to court to plead your case and to execute judgment in your favor. He is your vindicator and your opponent-at-law will not prevail over you. Even though Adonai is your judge, He is also your Father; you may have been an orphan and fatherless, but not you are an adopted member of the family of God. You may have been crushed and oppressed, but now you are more than a conqueror. No man of the earth will be able to continue to oppress or terrify you. You need not tremble in dread before them, for the Lord your God has heard your cries and has rushed to help you.

9-15-06 Psalms 10:16

Psalms10:16 (KJ21)
The LORD is King for ever and ever; the heathen have perished out of His land.

Psalms 10:16 (NAS)
The LORD is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land.

Psalms 10:16 (NIVUS)
The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

Psalms 10:16 (NLT)
The LORD is king forever and ever! Let those who worship other gods be swept from the land.

We in America enjoy our freedom and independence. Sometimes we are so independent that we do not believe we need any outside help. Our attitude is "I can do it myself." Not living under the ruler-ship of a King, we do not realize that there is a King that has final authority in our lives.

Jehovah is the One True God, who has always existed. He is your Lord and Master, whether you acknowledge Him as such or not. In fact, He is Lord of the whole earth. Adonai is the King who reigns forever and none can dethrone Him. You are wise if you seek His counsel and advice.

There are people and nations who do acknowledge and serve the Lord as their King, but there are many others who are intent on going their own way. God has hidden and concealed Himself from them, for they refuse to seek His face. Like swarms of locusts, these will be destroyed and they will perish. Since they continue in their rebellion, Jehovah will give these up as lost, for they are under divine judgment.

You, however, have discovered the mercy and grace of the Most High God. You have acknowledged Him as your Lord and King. Since you have put your trust in Him, you need not fear His judgment. You belong to Him and are His child.

9-14-06 Psalms 10:15

Psalms 10:15 (KJ21)
Break Thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until Thou find none.

Psalms 10:15 (NAS)
Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, Seek out his wickedness until Thou dost find none.

Psalms 10:15 (NIVUS)
Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

Psalms 10:15 (NLT)
Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed!

A man's arm is a symbol of his strength and power. With his arm, a man can plant seed and bear its yield. He also stretches forth his arms to whom or what he worships. Therefore, if he breaks an arm, it is a very serious situation. A broken arm takes a long time to heal and if it is crushed, it is almost impossible to restore. It is no wonder then that Adonai speaks of breaking in pieces and crushing the arms of His enemies. He knows that when He does this, He is hurting and destroying the strength and power of wicked, ungodly men. The evil and adversity that they inflict on others will no longer produce; they can no long plant those seeds of trouble, sorrow, and harm. They cannot lift their arms to worship their greed and lust.

Jehovah, the Lord, seeks out iniquity and wickedness to destroy it. He will disturb and violate the enemy's camp and sentences him to condemnation. God will never stop until he finds every evil man, so that He can deliver you from them. Everything that they have started is doomed to failure and will come to nothing. They will wear out, waste away, and decay. The fire of the Lord of Hosts will consume them, so that they no longer exist. Nothing that the wicked touched will be left.

Your arms, however, will grow stronger and your seed will produce a bountiful harvest. The Lord your God has delivered you from wickedness and has made you righteous.

9-13-06 Hosea 14:5 6

Hosea 14: 5, 6 (KJ21)
I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

Hosea 14: 5, 6 (NAS)
I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. His shoots will sprout, And his beauty will be like the olive tree, And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

Hosea 14: 5, 6 (NIVUS)
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

Hosea 14: 5, 6 (NLT)
I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. It will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like those of beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedar forests of Lebanon.

You have probably seen grass covered with dew in the early morning, bringing life-giving moisture to the plant. Unlike rain, however, it is a gentle covering and does not cause damage to the leaves. The Lord God compares Himself to dew; He is a gentle covering of moisture and nourishment for His people. He is the Living Water and when you drink from Him, you will never thirst.

The water of God's word will cause you to bloom and blossom. When you partake of Jehovah's provision, you will flourish and abundantly grow like a beautiful white lily. Your countenance will remain bright and cheerful, as you spread your leaves toward the Son of God, and sink your roots deep into the One who bore stripes and wounds for your salvation. Like the white mountains of Lebanon, you will stand mighty and majestic.

Your young tender branches will grow strong and you shall prosper. You will exhibit beauty and grandeur. Excellence, glory, and honor will mark your way. Like the olive tree, you will produce illuminating oil that will guide others. Your sweet, savory fragrance will blow across the land; when others will breathe in your essence; they will perceive how Adonai has touched and blessed your life.

9-12-06 Jeremiah 30:19

Jeremiah 30:19 (KJ21)
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry; and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Jeremiah 30:19 (NAS)
And from them shall proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who make merry; And I will multiply them, and they shall not be diminished; I will also honor them, and they shall not be insignificant.

Jeremiah 30:19 (NIVUS)
From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.

Jeremiah 30:19 (NLT)
There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving, and I will multiply my people and make of them a great and honored nation.

Do you know one of the main things that Adonai looks for in His people? He wants to see you extend your hands toward heaven as praise, thanksgiving, and worship spring forth out of your mouth. He wants to hear your confessions of adoration to proceed to and fro across the land at any time. He enjoys hearing your voice raised in song and laughter. As any parent, it gives your Heavenly Father pleasure to see you, His child, at play. And rejoicing in His presence should be as play for you.

When Jehovah, the Lord, sees and hears these things coming forth from you, He wants to give you increase and abundance. He wants to enlarge your territory and to make you great. Soon you will have plenty stored up in heaps. You will not suffer decrease and will not be diminished in any way. You will be in a place in which you do not have to borrow, but you will be able to lend to others.

The Lord your God will make you rich and honorable. Others will see a noble man when they look at you. You will always see promotion coming your way. You are not small, ignoble, or of low esteem, for Almighty God has glorified you.

Moment of Silence Monday September 11, 2006 at 8:46 AM EST

In memory of those who died as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and in observance of Patriot Day, President George W. Bush has issued a Proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence, beginning at 8:46 a.m. EST on September 11, 2001, and asked the Governors of the United States and Territories to fly the United States flag at half-staff. Accordingly, in honor of the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in tribute to American soldiers fighting in the Global War on Terrorism, and in observance of Patriot Day, effective September 11, 2006, until sunset, Governor Bush, in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation, has asked that all state and local governments join him in honoring these patriots by flying their United States and State flags at half-staff.

9-11-06 Deuteronomy 24:10-13

Deuteronomy 24:10-13 (KJ21)
When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge. In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment and bless thee; and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 24:10-13 (NAS)
When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not enter his house to take his pledge. You shall remain outside, and the man to whom you make the loan shall bring the pledge out to you. And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 24:10-13 (NIVUS)
When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, do not go into his house to get what he is offering as a pledge. Stay outside and let the man to whom you are making the loan bring the pledge out to you. If the man is poor, do not go to sleep with his pledge in your possession. Return his cloak to him by sunset so that he may sleep in it. Then he will thank you, and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 24:10-13(NLT)
If you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter your neighbor’s house to claim the security. Stand outside and the owner will bring it out to you. If your neighbor is poor and has only a cloak to give as security, do not keep the cloak overnight. Return the cloak to its owner by sunset so your neighbor can sleep in it and bless you. And the LORD your God will count it as a righteous act.

Sometimes a friend or a neighbor may ask to borrow something from you. If it is something that you have and can lend, then you should do so, even if it is money. You should not try to deceive him or deprive him. You also should not regard him as blemished or stained if he asks for a loan.

If he promises and pledges to pay you back, you do not have permission to go into his house to retrieve your payment. You should remain where you are. Just stand still and wait until he brings you the agreed upon security for the debt.

If you know that your friend is poor and needy, you should not go into your house to rest and relax with his pledge in your possession. Instead you should take it back to him before the sun sets; for you know that he is already afflicted and bowed down. During the night the enemy may attack his mind. accusing him of wrong doing in asking you for a loan. If you restore his pledge, you will prevent him from being further humiliated and mishandled. He will be able to lie down to sleep in peace, wrapped in his own raiment.

You, however, should not think that you will not receive back what you need. If you choose to bless your brother in this way, you will be blessed and adored of Jehovah, the Lord your God. He will count this as a righteous and just act and you will be prospered. When you come into His presence, you will do so with confidence, for you are assured that you are in right standing with Adonai, the Most High.

9-10-06 Psalms 10:13, 14

Psalms 10:13, 14 (KJ21)
Why doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, "Thou wilt not keep account." But Thou hast seen it, for Thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with Thy hand. The poor committeth himself unto Thee; Thou art the helper of the fatherless.

Psalms 10:13, 14 (NAS)
Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "Thou wilt not require it." Thou hast seen it, for Thou hast beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Thy hand. The unfortunate commits himself to Thee; Thou hast been the helper of the orphan.

Psalms 10:13, 14 (NIVUS)
Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won’t call me to account"? But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

Psalms 10:13, 14 (NLT)
Why do the wicked get away with cursing God? How can they think, "God will never call us to account"? But you do see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans.

Have you ever been snubbed by someone important to you? Do remember how that hurt and how angry it made you feel? You would understand if someone you did not know did not pay attention to you; you have no relationship with them, but it is different with a friend or an acquaintance. You do not expect those who know you to turn away from you. The same is true of Adonai, the Most High God.

There are certain people who acknowledge that God exists, but they are hostile to Him. They will spurn Him, shaking their fists in His face. If you would ask them, they would tell you that they despise and abhor the Lord. They want to continue their wicked, criminal lifestyles. They actually convince themselves that they are getting away with their crimes. They tell themselves that God will not require them to pay for their evil deeds. They do not believe that He will investigate their sins.

In this, the wicked are mistaken, for Almighty God sees and knows everything that happens. He is always watching and observing. He regards and pays attention to those who cause trouble and mischief. The Lord knows those who act in anger to vex and provoke others; He sees the grief that they cause. He will avenge the innocent. He will requite these crimes and retaliate against them, by stretching out His hand toward the wicked. God will not forsake or abandon the poor and unfortunate, but He will restore and repair their lives. He will always support and help the orphans and the fatherless, for He knows that they cannot defend themselves.