11-18-06 Jeremiah 51:10

Jeremiah 51:10 (KJ21)
The LORD hath brought forth our righteousness; come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 51:10 (NAS)
The LORD has brought about our vindication; Come and let us recount in Zion The work of the LORD our God!

Jeremiah 51:10 (NIVUS)
The LORD has vindicated us; come, let us tell in Zion what the LORD our God has done.

Jeremiah 51:10 (NLT)
The LORD has vindicated us. Come, let us announce in Jerusalem everything the LORD our God has done.

Righteousness, except in the Church community, is a word that is rarely heard in today's society. Most people would not know how to define it, if they were asked. And yet, it is what you need the most. You need it more than the air you breathe and more than what you eat or drink. You need righteousness more than your family, your career, or anything else. It is important, therefore, that you understand what true righteousness is.

The Lord Jehovah has bought righteousness for you. He made you right in Almighty God's sight, when previously you were wrong. You were condemned and guilty, but Jesus the Lord provided the way for you to escape an eternal death sentence. God's justice demanded death, but you did not have to pay the price: Yeshua suffered the punishment for you and you were cleared of all charges. You were cleansed and made new.

Now you display virtue and are living prosperously, even though you were previously a debtor, living in sin. Wherever you go, you enumerate and recount all that Adonai has done for you. Your tally of blessings from His hand is much greater than your failures and mistakes. How can you help declaring God's goodness to others? Your words, whether spoken or written, are signposts showing others the way to righteousness. Your list of credit transactions is far greater than the debits. Jehovah your Lord is active on your behalf, for He wants you to be abundantly blessed. You are His handiwork, who brings Him glory through your words and deeds. Adonai governs and rules your life, so that you become fruitful in every good work.

11-17-06 Jeremiah 50:5

Jeremiah 50:5 (KJ21)
They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces turned thitherward, saying, ‘Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

Jeremiah 50:5 (NAS)
They will ask for the way to Zion, turning their faces in its direction; they will come that they may join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.

Jeremiah 50:5 (NIVUS)
They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.

Jeremiah 50:5 (NLT)
They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken.

Most people want to believe in something bigger than themselves. Since life is transitory and fleeting, many look for permanence in a person, a place, a thing, or a cause, but there is no actual permanence and security outside of Almighty God.

You, however, have learned to inquire for the way to Zion, the permanent and lasting capital of the city of God, on the mountain of Jerusalem. You seek counsel for your mode of action, as you pray during your journey. Even if your road leads through the wilderness, your path is bright and conspicuous, for you do not trust in yourself, but in the Lord your God. You always face toward Zion, where you find your purpose.

Now you are united and joined to Jehovah the Lord. Your life is so entwined with Adonai that it is difficult to separate you from Him. Your relationship to the Most High God mirrors the relationship of a husband who cleaves to his wife, separating himself from all others. You are His for all eternity. The Almighty has made a compact and covenant with you and you are in league with Him. You are His select and chosen child, who has been cleansed, polished, and made pure. Adonai will never forget you; you are a permanent part of His memory.

11-16-06 Micah 4:8

Micah 4:8 (KJ21)
And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

Micah 4:8 (NAS)
And as for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come—Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

Micah 4:8 (NIVUS)
As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.

Micah 4:8 (NLT)
As for you, O Jerusalem, the citadel of God’s people, your royal might and power will come back to you again. The kingship will be restored to my precious Jerusalem.

Some people, so it seems, were created higher than others. They seem to always rise above those around them. However, even though God did create everyone with different traits and characteristics, He helps anyone, who trusts Him, to rise.

As Adonai's child, you are seen as a high tower. You are a rostrum from which the Lord speaks. You are a place of honor since the Holy One dwells in you; He makes you great. Through His power, your estate is increased and magnified. Jehovah takes pride in promoting you, for you are a sheep of His flock.

Like your Lord, you are a fortress and stronghold that others look to for safety and security. As God lifts you up, you help to lift those you encounter. They see you as the apple of God's eye and a branch of the Vine. You help to build His Kingdom and His family. You dwell securely in His realm and guide others there.

Ever since you arrived in His Kingdom, the Lord your God has placed you in the first ranks as a captain and chief. The Lord has placed you at the forefront and there your excellency shines. You were created to rule and have dominion; you have the power to reign. You are a prince of the royal line and a leader among men. You keep company with the King in His Kingdom of peace, where all are perfect and complete.

11-15-06 Zechariah 9:16, 17

Zechariah 9:16, 17(KJ21)
And the LORD their God shall save them in that day, as the flock of His people; for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land. For how great is their goodness, and how great is their beauty! Corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.

Zechariah 9:16, 17 (NAS)
And the LORD their God will save them in that day As the flock of His people; For they are as the stones of a crown, Sparkling in His land. For what comeliness and beauty will be theirs! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.

Zechariah 9:16, 17 (NIVUS)
The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.

Zechariah 9:16, 17 (NLT)
When that day arrives, the LORD their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How wonderful and beautiful they will be! The young men and women will thrive on the abundance of grain and new wine.

Sometimes when you are confronted with trouble, you know the heat is on and it seems to last and last. You long for the evening when the heat will break and you will have a cool refreshing breeze. You need a new season in your life, but you do not have the power to make the seasons change. You need a Savior.

Fortunately for you, the Lord Jehovah, who is the Supreme God, has chosen that role for Himself. He has the strength and the might to cause the weather to break and to change the seasons. He has the power to deliver you and to set you in a wide, open space, where you will be safe. As a sheep in His flock, you will find green pastures, as you migrate under His watchful eye.

Adonai has set you apart for Himself and you are dedicated to Him. Because He finds no impurity in you, the Lord has set you as a precious and beautiful stone in His crown. He lifts you up as an ensign and a flag fluttering in the wind, so that you are conspicuous to others as a signal beacon. When others look at you, they see how much the Lord has blessed you, as you live on His land.

The Lord your God is good and has only your welfare in mind. He wants to cheer you up, so that you have constant gladness. He desires that your life be fair, bright and beautiful. In receiving what Jehovah has done, you will see an increase in all of your grain; your corn and wheat will grow and flourish. Your grapes will produce fresh and sweet wine. You shall bring forth much fruit from every seed that you plant. Joy will be yours in abundance.

11-14-06 Zechariah 9:14.15

Zechariah 9:14, 15 (KJ21)
And the LORD shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning; and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. The LORD of hosts shall defend them, and they shall devour and subdue with slingstones; and they shall drink and make a noise as through wine, and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9:14, 15 (NAS)
Then the LORD will appear over them, And His arrow will go forth like lightning; And the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, And will march in the storm winds of the south. The LORD of hosts will defend them. And they will devour, and trample on the sling stones; And they will drink, and be boisterous as with wine; And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin, Drenched like the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9:14, 15 (NIVUS)
Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 9:14, 15 (NLT)
The LORD will appear above his people; his arrows will fly like lightning! The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will go out against his enemies like a whirlwind from the southern desert. The LORD Almighty will protect his people, and they will subdue their enemies with sling stones. They will shout in battle as though drunk with wine, shedding the blood of their enemies. They will be filled with blood like a bowl, drenched with blood like the corners of the altar.

Jehovah the Lord approves of and respects you. As He gazes upon you, He discerns what you need and provides it. The enemy of your soul has seen the Lord's tender care for you; Jehovah has made His appearance known. You, therefore, can enjoy your experiences with God, for you know that He takes heed to you. You are constantly in His line of vision.

Adonai Himself takes up His arrows against your enemies. They go forth flashing like lightning and with the sound of a thunderbolt, to pierce and wound your foes. There is no escape when Almighty God throws His spear. When Adonai blows His trumpet, it is a clear sound that all can hear. Your enemies will have no doubt that the Lord your God is marching forth to battle. He will rush upon them, like a hurricane or a tornado comes from the south.

Jehovah is the Lord of hosts and is well organized to wage war. He has mustered His army to fight. He is your defender, who places a hedge of protection around you.

Then you shall devour and conquer your enemies. You shall tread them down and force them into subjection, for the Lord goes with you into battle. With nothing more than a slingshot and a stone, you will bring your adversaries into bondage. Soon you will celebrate like you were at a banquet; you will be intoxicated on the war you have waged. You will scatter your enemies and your bowls will be full. You will replenish your stores and be satisfied with your spoils. Your prominence will be known at the altar of the Most High.

11-13-06 Zechariah 9:12

Zechariah 9:12 (KJ21)
Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee,

Zechariah 9:12 (NAS)
Return to the stronghold, O prisoners who have the hope; This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.

Zechariah 9:12 (NIVUS)
Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

Zechariah 9:12 (NLT)
Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners, for there is yet hope! I promise this very day that I will repay you two mercies for each of your woes!

When a horse is harnessed to a wagon or carriage, it does not have freedom to run like it does in a pasture. It is held in place by leather straps and the wooden tongue of the wagon that protrudes from the front axle. The driver controls the horse with the reins, so that it cannot choose its own way. The horse is bound to the wagon until someone sets it free.

You were like that horse in that you were bound by the accuser of the brethren in sin and darkness. You were a prisoner, tied to the enemy's will. You, however, wanted to be set free and return to Adonai, your true Creator and Lord. You were ready to repent and surrender the reins of your life to Yeshua. He, therefore, released your bonds and brought you into His stronghold, a fortress inaccessible to the enemy's forces. There you were repaired, restored, and refreshed.

You now have hope and an expectation of good. As you wait on the Lord, you know that your outcome will be as you desired. You are no longer bound by cords of deceit, but you are joined together with Adonai. He desires to restore everything that was stolen from you; in fact, He will double His blessings in your life. As you continue to look to God, He will repeatedly bring double back to you. And you will be free to run in the pasture again.

11-12-06 Zechariah 9:11

Zechariah 9:11 (KJ21)
As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.

Zechariah 9:11 (NAS)
As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you, I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.

Zechariah 9:11 (NIVUS)
As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.

Zechariah 9:11 (NLT)
Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a waterless dungeon.

Have you heard the expression "written in blood"? Of course, you realize that if something is written in blood, it is very serious and binding. You know that very few people would cut themselves to write a contract in blood. They would be unwilling to suffer the momentary pain of that cut and asking them to give up their life-blood is almost impossible.

Jehovah the Lord, however, had a very different perspective on writing His contract in His blood. Yeshua, the Son of God, willingly went to the cross to shed His blood to ratify His covenant and alliance with you. He made a treaty and an agreement with His Father, so that your sins could be forgiven and you could be cleansed. The blood of His covenant will not be silenced or grow dumb. It will continue to purge and wash you. His blood has transformed and created you into a brand new creation, who lives to worship and glorify Adonai, your ruler and Lord.

You were a prisoner and a captive bound by the enemy, but the Lord has loosed you from the pit. Sheol, the place of the dead, is no longer your dwelling place. You have been set free from that dry place and have been brought into a place of abundant, refreshing Living water.