11-25-06 Isaiah 61:7

Isaiah 61:7 (KJ21)
For your shame ye shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess the double; everlasting joy shall be unto them.


Isaiah 61:7 (NAS)
Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs.

Isaiah 61:7 (NIVUS)
Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.

Isaiah 61:7 (NLT)
Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy.

Adonai, the Lord, never intended for you to be ashamed or confused. In the Garden of Eden, when man partook of the forbidden Tree, he set himself up as an idol. He put himself in place of God, but was often disappointed in this role. Shame and confusion were the results of his rebellious choice.

You, however, have acknowledged the supremacy of the Lord and you see Him on His rightful throne. Through this choice, you have been set free from living ashamed and confounded. The original atmosphere that was found in the Garden of Eden has been repeated and duplicated in your life. As Adam and Eve, before they succumbed to the temptation, walked unashamedly with the Lord in the garden, so too now are you able to walk with Him. In fact, you have received a double portion of what they had: your spirit has been born anew and God's Holy Spirit indwells you.

You no longer live in disgrace, reproach, and dishonor. The insults and taunts that you used to hear from the enemy are now silenced. Instead of the wounds and hurts that you previously received, you now walk in joy and triumph. Jehovah the Lord has laid up an inheritance for you and He has made your way smooth. The Most High God has given you a land and He wants you to occupy your inheritance. Even though the territory is yours, to possess it, you may have to drive out your enemies. You need to expel your foes who are trying to impoverish and ruin you. In this you will not be consumed and destroyed, but you shall utterly succeed. You shall receive twice as much as you originally had.

Once this is accomplished your future will be secure. In confidence you shall reach your goal, where you will find brightness and splendor. You will live in perpetual victory and everlasting joy and gladness shall be yours.

11-24-06 Isaiah 40:2

Isaiah 40:2 (KJ21)
Speak ye comfortingly to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received from the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:2 (NAS)
Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received of the LORD’S hand Double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:2 (NIVUS)
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:2 (NLT)
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned. Yes, the LORD has punished her in full for all her sins.

Even though you may have heard and believed contrary to this, Adonai the Most High God thinks about and looks upon you with care and kindness. He speaks from His heart to you, so that you will gain understanding and wisdom. He does not utter destructive words over you, but He declares promises of peace. The Lord's desire is to keep you safe until you fulfill and complete His plan for your life.

When you are in the midst of any hardship and warfare, if you listen attentively, you will hear Jehovah the Lord address you by name. If it seems that an army is massed against you, you should call out to God and He will bring that campaign to an end. He will fence you about with His presence, for you are His consecrated child. He will replenish what the enemy has taken from you and you shall be satisfied.

The Lord your God has made you whole and you are no longer caught up in perversity and mischief. You do not travel the crooked path of sin, but you are now on the straight road of righteousness. Adonai approves of you; you are pleasing to Him. His Son Yeshua has satisfied the debt of sin that you accrued and you have been pardoned.

Now the Almighty sets His affection on you. Jehovah's hand is full and you need only accept what He is holding for you. As you receive from His power and bounty, your dominion and strength will increase. You will obtain double blessings in place of the penalty of sin. The Lord Jehovah will give back twice as much as any offense has taken away from you. Sin only brought you forfeit and lack, but the Lord your God gives to you pressed down, shaken together and running over.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

Today is a day to count your blessings and thank God who made them all possible for you. In the midst of all the family, food, football, and fun, find time today to actually give thanks!

11-23-06 Psalms 69:18

Psalms 69:18 (KJ21)
Draw nigh unto my soul and redeem it; deliver me because of mine enemies.

Psalms 69:18 (NAS)
Oh draw near to my soul and redeem it; Ransom me because of my enemies!

Psalms 69:18 (NIVUS)
Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.

Psalms 69:18 (NLT)
Come and rescue me; free me from all my enemies.

As the TV series "Cheers" stated on a weekly basis, "Sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name." Everyone desires to be close to someone. The Lord God has created us to be close to each other. This actually originates in our need to be near to God. In closeness and intimacy with Adonai, there is emotional safety and comfort.

Out of your need, it is important that you invite the Lord to come near. He desires to approach and come nigh unto you. He wants to join His hand to yours and help you take a stand against your enemies. As He breathes His refreshing upon you, your soul will be redeemed. He is your next of kin who has bought you back from death.

Greed, discontent, and lust can no longer hold you; Jesus the Lord has severed their grasp. He has released you from prison; with His own blood He has paid the ransom. He has rescued, delivered, and preserved you from your enemies. Even though these foes hate you, you are safe and secure in the love of God.

Everyone may not know your name, but the God of the universe does. And He desires to show you His love and mercy. Welcome Him into your life and you will be blessed.

11-22-06 Isaiah 49:9

Isaiah 49:9 (KJ21)
That Thou mayest say to the prisoners, ‘Go forth,’ to them that are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ "They shall feed on the paths, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

Isaiah 49:9 (NAS)
Saying to those who are bound, ‘Go forth,’ To those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ Along the roads they will feed, And their pasture will be on all bare heights.

Isaiah 49:9 (NIVUS)
To say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.

Isaiah 49:9 (NLT)
Through you I am saying to the prisoners of darkness, ‘Come out! I am giving you your freedom!’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.

When someone is in prison, he longs to hear the words, “You have been pardoned and are free to go." He does not realize that Someone has already declared his freedom. Yeshua the Messiah, through His selfless sacrifice, provided pardon for every prisoner.

Once you were locked in a prison made by your sins and you had no way to be set free. You were held fast in satanic bonds and you daily battled to loosen them, to no avail. Then you became aware of and acquainted with the Savior. As you believed, He simply said that you could go free and liberty became yours. Jehovah became your way of escape.

Darkness, misery, and death used to be your lot, for you were a companion with the wicked, but then the Light of the world shined on you. Now you do not need to hide in the blackness of night, but can plainly reveal yourself to others. You are no longer covered in shame, but have been robed in the righteousness that Jehovah freely gives you.

Along the way that you have chosen, there is more than enough land on which to graze. You never lack for food and provision, as you travel with the Lord. You do not wander in a wasteland, but in a green and open pasture. The Good Shepherd has become your friend and He leads you to high places. Even if the path appears bare, He will always provide. You will suffer no lack, but will receive all that you need. You stick out to others as a blessed man of God.

11-21-06 Jeremiah 31:17

Jeremiah 31:17 (KJ21)
And there is hope in thine end," saith the LORD, "that thy children shall come back to their own border.

Jeremiah 31:17 (NAS)
And there is hope for your future," declares the LORD, "And your children shall return to their own territory.

Jeremiah 31:17 (NIVUS)
So there is hope for your future," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land.

Jeremiah 31:17 (NLT)
There is hope for your future," says the LORD. "Your children will come again to their own land.

When you think of the words "faith" and "hope", in the natural realm they seem to be ethereal concepts with no real substance. And yet Jehovah the Lord states emphatically that these abstracts do have substance and form. Faith and hope do exist and are, in fact, the currency of the Kingdom of God.

You may have had a bad beginning, but that does not mean you will have a bad ending. The door of your dungeon has been opened and you have been delivered from the prison of "no hope". Now you are attached with a cord to the One who is the Source of all hope and He tells you that you can expect a good future. That for which you have longed will come to you and your reward will be an inheritance for your posterity.

Your children, the sons and daughters of your loins, will not be turned away from their inheritance. The boundaries and borders of your territory will be honored and what you have built will be delivered to your descendants. Your diligent labor will recover your land, so that you can pass it on to your sons. Both you and your sons will be rewarded from one border to another.

11-20-06 Isaiah 38:18

Isaiah 38:18 (KJ21)
For the grave cannot praise Thee, death can not celebrate Thee; they that go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth.

Isaiah 38:18 (NAS)
For Sheol cannot thank Thee, Death cannot praise Thee; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Thy faithfulness.

Isaiah 38:18 (NIVUS)
For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.

Isaiah 38:18 (NLT)
For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to destruction can no longer hope in your faithfulness.

If you talk to some people about their eternal destiny, you might get the response that if they go to hell, then they will party with their friends. This is a foolish response and these people are misguided. Eternity away from God is not a big party. In fact it is a place of misery and isolation. Those who are in the grave are not able to give thanks to God. They cannot throw up their hands in praise. Those who go to hell are not able to ask anything of the Lord. Though they beg, their requests will not be heard. They have gone to a place of no return. Even though these made foolish boasts in life, in death they will not boast at all. There is nothing in which to glory in the grave.

Those who sink down into the pit are in a dungeon, where there is no escape. They have no hope and can expect nothing else throughout eternity. It is clear that they are waiting in vain for salvation. The faithfulness and truth of God's word is not heard in hell. Even though Adonai remains faithful, reliable, and true forever, those in the grave have been cut off from the Lord. They can no longer receive His security or nourishment. They are not able to trust and believe in the Most High God.

You, however, are not in the place of the dead. You are still alive and can choose to put your trust in God. You can still boast in and praise the Lord your God. You are free to believe. Therefore, make your requests known to the Almighty and rest in the assurance that He hears you and will answer, for you still have hope of His salvation.

11-19-06 Nahum 1:7

Nahum 1:7 (KJ21)
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.

Nahum 1:7 (NAS)
The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

Nahum 1:7 (NIVUS)
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

Nahum 1:7 (NLT)
The LORD is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him.

We are entering into the season of the year when people think about giving gifts to their loved ones and friends. In spite of the rush and scurry, people try to be nicer to one another. Goodness and kindness begin to come into play, even though during the rest of the year these traits are noticeably absent.

You, however, are exposed to goodness throughout the year. Jehovah your Lord is always good and kind to you. He is rich in pleasant delights that He wants to share. You are a part of His kingdom that is always filled with joy and happiness. You can partake of all of these good things on a daily basis, for they are always appropriate and becoming. As you receive from Adonai's excellence, your life becomes prosperous and bountiful. You begin to see the benefits that you receive in serving the Lord.

Jehovah is a place of safety for you. He is a stronghold of refuge and protection. When you sail into His harbor, tempestuous winds and gales can not harm you. As you face a day of trouble and distress, a day when your enemies are pressing in against you, you know that you are safe and secure in the Lord's sheltering presence. He is strong, firm, and well able to prevail against your foes.

You never need fear that God will not be able to distinguish you from your adversaries. The Most High God knows those who belong to Him. He is well acquainted with you, for you always run to Him for help and protection. As you trust and put your confidence in the Almighty, He comes to your aid and fulfills all of your hopes and dreams, for He is a good God.