5-12-07 Psalms 18:6

Psalms 18:6 (NIVUS)
In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

Psalms 18:6 (NLT)
But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears.

Psalms 18:6 (NRSV)
In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Have you ever had a pebble in your shoe? That little thing probably caused you much discomfort. Your foot felt cramped and crowded. It was like a sharp knife cutting into your flesh. You could not wait to take your shoe off and shake out that small irritant.

Many times the attacks of the enemy are like the small pebble. He sets up opportunities for many little things that build up until you are in distress and afflicted. The Bible says it is the little foxes that destroy the vine. Your adversary sends those little foxes to push you into narrow and tight places that take away your freedom and liberty.

At the first sign of trouble, when you experience anguished feelings, you should call out to the Lord Jehovah. You have the freedom to cry aloud and shout to the Supreme God for His help. From His temple, Adonai the Almighty God will hear you. He always pays attention to your voice, for you are His well-beloved child. As a shepherd knows and understands the distinct bleats of each individual sheep, so too does the Lord recognize your voice from the midst of a multitude.

The Lord is the only one who has the power and might to come to your aid. He is able to overcome and prevail over even the smallest pebble that Satan puts in your path.

5-11-07 Psalms 18:4, 5

Psalms 18: 4, 5 (NIVUS)
The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.

Psalms 18: 4, 5 (NLT)
The ropes of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face.

Psalms 18: 4, 5 (NRSV)
The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of perdition assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.

When an animal is caught in a snare, often the more it struggles to get free, the tighter the bonds become. Since the beginning of time, Satan, the enemy of God and the souls of men, has thrown out ropes and snares of sorrow and destruction. Mankind has been caught. Even though each one twists and writhes in pain, seeking freedom, he is drawing the noose tighter. Ruin and destruction is always on the horizon.

Perhaps you feel that you are surrounded by death. Worthless and ungodly men have trapped you in a narrow valley that is flooded with winter torrents. And you are afraid and terrified. It may seem that hell and its inmates are at your very borders. Wickedness is revolving and whirling about you, trying to trap you in its snare and to put a hook in your nose. It seems that you are being prevented from following your course and you have faced many disappointments.

At these times, you should look to Jehovah the Lord, who is your Shield and Buckler. He will surround you with His favor and your enemies will not be able to breakthrough God's defenses. He will turn your fear into courage.

5-10-07 Isaiah 57:7

Isaiah 57:7(NRSV)
For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble in spirit,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.

The Lord, the highly exalted One, who is Holy and dwells in eternity, is the One who abides and resides in an elevated place, but has also chosen to settle down with those made of dust, those who have been crushed, those who are humble, those who are abased. It is He who breathes life into them, to sustain them and restore them. He revives their hearts and makes them alive forever!

Oh, man of humble spirit, rejoice! Your God has chosen you and abides with you! You are truly blessed!!

5-9-07 Psalms 18:3

Psalms 18:3 (NIVUS)
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalms 18:3 (NLT)
I will call on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies.

Psalms 18:3 (NRSV)
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies.

Growing up in our western society, you have probably been taught that you have to work to be rewarded in life. Your efforts are what count. You have seen that no one rarely gets anything "just because". In the Kingdom of God, however, you often see a totally different principle at work. You can receive the fulfillment of God's promises in your life with very little of your own effort. You simply believe and have faith.

Many people think that they will gain the Lord's attention through their many sacrifices. Perhaps they work in every department in the church or they may even go so far as to flagellate their flesh to become holy. They just know that the more they do the more the Lord Jehovah will look upon them with favor.

The Lord, however, has made it simple to gain His attention. He tells you to just call out His name and address Him as Lord. Then you should begin to boast of and praise Him. Celebrate the goodness and favor that He has already shown you. As you do this, the Lord your God will shine His light upon you. He will rescue and save you from your enemies. He will defend you against those who hate you and give you victory "just because" you cried out to Him in faith and trust. He will reward your faith.

5-8-07 Jeremiah 15:16

Jeremiah 15:16 (ASV)
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O Jehovah, God of hosts

Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.

Strive to find God's words and when you find them, consume them. His words bring joy, exultation, rejoicing and gladness. His words will encourage your heart, for you are called by His name; His name carries all of His reputation, fame, and glory.

As one who is called by His name, you also carry His reputation, fame and glory. That name is Jehovah, the Lord God of Hosts. He is the One who wages war against the enemies and He is victorious, for He has made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it!

Hallelujah!!!

5-6-07 Isaiah 44:3

Isaiah 44:3 (NAS)
For I will pour out water on the thirsty land, And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, And My blessing on your descendants;

Thirst is normal for any living being that needs water to stay alive. Spiritual thirst is normal for a son of God and only the Living Water can quench that thirst.

When you are thirsty, go to the Lord. He will pour out His refreshment upon you. His water will flow over you. If you are withered, dry and totally without moisture, look to heaven. If you are in a season of drought, seek El Shaddai. The All Sufficient One, who will send rivers of water to flood your parched land.

As an abundance of water relieves the land of drought, so the Lord's spirit poured out upon the weary soul restores his strength and vigor. Not only does the Lord breathe upon you, but the wind of His spirit also blows upon your offspring as well. And you and your sons are energized, allowing the scent of His presence to flow out from you to those around you. You are fruitful and all of your seed--spiritual and physical--yields an abundant harvest. Because He adores you, your Father blesses you and your descendants with prosperity and peace.

So drink deeply; your thirst will be abundantly quenched