Revelation 12:11

Revelation 12:11 (NAS)
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.

Revelation 12:11 (NIVUS)
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Yeshua, the Messiah, has made you more than a conqueror. You are victorious over sin and death. Jesus has conquered both of these through His death and resurrection and since you are in Him, you too are victorious.

Therefore, when your enemy, who roams about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, comes against you, you can stand firm against Him. To overcome him, simply remind Him of the blood of our Sinless Lamb. Even though Satan thought that he had destroyed the Lord through the violence of the cross, he soon discovered that he had actually fulfilled the plan of God. Jesus' shed blood has been sprinkled on the mercy seat and because of it, multitudes have been snatched out of the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Light!

If that does not stop in his tracks, then use the word of God against him. Speak God's word in the face of your adverse circumstances. Continue affirming and maintaining the truth of the Word. He who is a liar and the father of lies cannot stand up against the Truth As you draw near to God through His word, the enemy will flee from you, for you are a witness of Jesus' victory in your life and can freely testify to that at all times.

However, God calls some of His children to suffer death for the cause of Christ and His cross. Even though they love and enjoy the life that He has given them, they are willing to give it up instead of denying the faith which they have received. They know that if their lives on earth must be given up, they also know that their eternal life obtained through the cross of Christ can never be taken from them. They know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

You are covered with the blood of the Lamb and the Word of God, like a two edged sword, is in your mouth. So continue standing, for even if you must die, you will triumph!

4-20-07 Hebrews 13:20, 21

Hebrews 13:20, 21 (NRSV)
Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20, 21 (Philips)
Now the God of peace, who brought back from the dead that great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, by the blood of the everlasting agreement, equip you thoroughly for the doing of his will! May he effect in us everything that pleases him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord God is Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace. His peace gives us tranquility, harmony, security, safety, prosperity, and joy. We would have no peace if He had not brought His Son back from the dead. We would still be dead in our trespasses and sins, if our Lord, Master, Savior, and Messiah had not been brought back to a higher place.

He is the great Shepherd of the sheep. He is pre-eminent in rank, virtue, authority, and power. He cares, for His sheep, watching for any enemies who try to attack. He defends them, heals them and looks for them if they are lost. He loves them and shares His life with them. And they trust Him; because through the violence of sinful men, He shed His blood to establish a covenant that has no end. This covenant was established between the Father and the Son to redeem those same sinful men and to give them new lives--lives not given over to violence!

Once you too were a sinful man, but Yeshua, Jesus, our Shepherd, has changed your life. He desires to perfect you in everything. He wants to mend what was broken in your life; He wishes to make you complete, making you what you ought to be. He equips you and prepares you to accomplish what He has purposed for you to do, those good things that will bless others. He wants to make you and your life a celebration. When He looks at you, He is well pleased. You are acceptable to Him and He desires to prosper you in all things. So give Him the glory, honor, and praise He deserves. He is your King and His majesty is exalted forever. Amen!

4-19-07 Matthew 5:11,12

Matthew 5:11, 12 (NIVUS)
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You can be fully satisfied in Christ, regardless of the circumstances in which you find yourself. You are in the world, but are independent of the world. Your circumstances do not determine the level on which you are blessed; only God and you determine your level of blessing!

Even if people speak lies and other evil things about you, that does not mean you are not blessed. If they revile your reputation and reproach and shame you before others, be at peace. Even though hostile people trouble, mistreat, harass you, none of their persecutions can touch you. They may continuously and loudly proclaim things to cause you harm and pain. They may also lie and deliberately speak falsehoods against you. If they are attacking your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you should rejoice, for the Lord sees you worthy to suffer for His name's sake. You should meet their persecutions with rejoicing.

Yes, rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Shout for joy and let your exultation spring up and gush forth. The Lord has seen everything that has come against you and He has planned many great rewards for you. He will recompense you, giving you what He deems is your due for everything that you have suffered. He sees and compares your persecutions and sufferings to those endured by His prophets before you. They, like you, were His spokesmen and like you, were subjected to evil at the hands of wicked men.

Be glad for the wicked will not always triumph! Rejoice exceedingly for God has made you the triumphant one!

4-18-07 Zephaniah 3:17

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIVUS)
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NRSV)
The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing

We all need someone to love us. Perhaps you would like to have someone whose eyes light up when you enter the room. Are you looking for someone who sees you as a hero and is proud to be with you? Do you want someone who can give you unconditional love, who overlooks your weaknesses, but majors on your strengths? Finding such a person can be difficult at best and some people never find someone to fit this description.

There is Someone who does loves you in this way, but you have to change your focus. Jehovah the Lord and Most High God has focused His attention on you and is in the middle of everything you do. He has drawn near to you to save and deliver you with His strength and might. Through Him you have liberty and victory.

You are so special to Almighty God. He exults and rejoices over you. You give Him great pleasure, so that His heart is filled with joy, mirth, and gladness as He gazes upon you. And He is not afraid to express His deep feelings for you. He has ploughed a place in His heart where your image is engraved.

Although His heart is filled with joy at the very sight of you, sometimes His love over you is quiet. To you it may seem as if God is silent and not listening, but He has not turned a deaf ear to you. At other times, you may hear His love expressed in a ringing cry, a song of exaltation. No matter how He shows it, God's love towards you is everlasting and eternal.

Isaiah 30:18

Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)
But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.

Isaiah 30:18 (NRSV)
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

For many of us, waiting is one of the hardest things that we can do. We want what we want now. If we do not get what we want according to our time table, we can become angry, discouraged, and even depressed. This characteristic is not one that the Lord Jehovah possesses. He is able to wait with patience for what He wants to do for us.

Jehovah the Lord is waiting and longing to pour out blessings upon you. In fact, sometimes He waits so long that He carves out a place to wait until you are ready to receive all that He has for you. His greatest desire is to show you favor, consideration, and mercy. His Spirit encamps around you. Adonai inclines and bends down towards you to hear your first cry. He rises up from His throne to show you His compassion, for He loves you deeply, with tender affection. You are His child whom He is raising, so that you grow up into His image.

However, you should remember that the Most High God is also the Judge and Ruler of the universe. He is a God of justice and righteous judgment. He governs, vindicates, and punishes as needed.

You will be happy and blessed as you wait on and carve out a place for Him. He will help you to walk a straight path. You will always advance and make progress as you follow the Lord's leading.

4-16-07 Ecclesiates 8:12

Ecclesiastes 8:12 (NAS)
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.

Ecclesiastes 8:12 (NIVUS)
Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God.

Ecclesiastes 8:12 (NLT)
But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off.

Evil seems to be increasing and righteousness is decreasing. Sin is everywhere. As a child of God this may grieve your heart and you think things are going from bad to worse. However, even in Biblical times, people saw the same things happening.

Those sinners and unclean people were constantly doing bad, evil, and wicked things. They were continually looking for ways to cause misery and distress. In fact, they were capable of sinning a hundred times or even thousands of times a day or in their life times and yet their lives seemed to be prolonged. They lived just as long as those who were living righteous lives.

However, you can know that your righteous acts do not go unnoticed. No matter what the wicked do, you can expect good and happiness in your life. In many ways you will see prosperity and bounty. Your reverent attitude towards God will certainly bring you blessings. As you honor the Most High, your life will increase in value and excellence.

4-15-07 Matthew 5:10

Matthew 5:10 (NAS)
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 (Philips)
Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness,
for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!

Matthew 5:10 (BBE)
Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness:
for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs.

When you submit to the Lord’s dealings in your life, looking forward to the changes He is making in you, you are happy and blessed. Suffering for your faith may not seem a pleasant way to be blessed, but it is one of God’s highest blessings! If you are being pursued in a hostile manner, rejoice. If you are being harassed, molested, troubled or mistreated for your faith in Jesus Christ, rejoice! Look to the Author and Finisher of your faith and continue to run the race with patience. You will reach your goal!

You have already been approved by God and your life displays integrity, virtue, purity, rightness and correct thinking, feeling, and acting. The Lord has made you innocent, faultless, and guiltless. You are being wholly conformed to the will of God. Not only are you being conformed to His will, but you are being made into His likeness. You are looking like your Heavenly Father. That is why men who resist Him resist you. When they look at you, they see Him and they are condemned and judged for they are of the world.

You, however, are not of the world. You are an heir and a joint heir with Christ. When men persecute you, rejoice for your Father has given you the Kingdom. He has given you the right and authority to rule in His domain. He has given you royal power and dignity. You are a leader of men and believing men follow in your footsteps, as you follow Christ. All of Heaven takes notice of you for you are one of its’ own!