5-19-07 1 Corinthians 15:10

1 Corinthians 15:10 (BBE)
But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10 (NAS)
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10 (Philips)
But what I am now I am by the grace of God. The grace he gave me has not proved a barren gift. I have worked harder than any of the others—and yet it was not I but this same grace of God within me.

It was by the grace of God, His good will and favor extended to you, that you were saved. And now His grace, His mercy and kindness, strengthens and keeps you, allowing your faith in Christ Jesus to grow and prosper. Daily you increase in knowledge and affection to Yeshua, your Lord. Your life is full of joy, delight, loveliness, and bounty. God's grace causes you to thrive. Your very existence depends on Him and His continual grace given to you.

It was not in vain that your Heavenly Father gave you such a precious gift. His grace has made you fruitful and not barren. Your life is full and not empty because of grace.

You are not destitute, with no purpose. You labor and toil in His Kingdom, but your labor does not make you tired or weary. Your work does not bring you sorrow or trouble. By His grace you receive exceeding abundance from your toils. God always gives you more reward than is necessary in your well doing. Your life is excellent and remarkable. He has made you pre-eminent and superior.

Those who labor by the sweat of their brows, not relying on God's grace, recognize that your life is extraordinary in comparison to theirs. They think that you have had uncommon advantages and do not understand that it is the Lord who has elevated you and blessed you.

You, however, know that without the grace of God operating in you, your life would be common, without measurable success and with a low rank. But He has exalted you in grace. Therefore, you must always be willing to extend that grace to others, so that they can give up their struggles and enter into His rest.

5-18-07 Psalms 18:11,12

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NIVUS)
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NLT)
He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. The brilliance of his presence broke through the clouds, raining down hail and burning coals.

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NRSV)
He made darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him there broke through his clouds hailstones and coals of fire

Psalms 18:11, 12 (NAS)
He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire.

Children often have secret clubs that have secret club houses. Here they can draw away from society at large and associate with a few special hand-picked friends. As these children grow older, they may seek other ways to draw apart from the crowds. Books or hobbies often become secret places, places to hide for just awhile from the stresses and pressures of life.

Adonai the Most High God also has a secret place. To many, that place appears dark; without God's light, illumination, and revelation, people cannot see into His secret place. These people have very little faith and when they think of the Almighty, they believe that they shall only receive misery and sorrow from His hand. Satan, the god of this world, has blinded their minds from seeing the truth.

God does seem to hide and conceal Himself behind thick and dark storm clouds that are filled with rain, for His home is in the heavens. However, God's throne room is really a bright and brilliant place. His tabernacle glitters and shines with His light and His glory. Those who know their God can see Him clearly, even when He seems to hide behind the clouds of the sky. They know that those clouds are transitory and will go away with the currents of the wind. Although the clouds may drop down hailstones and burning embers, the child of God knows he will escape their wrath. Instead of sulfur and burning brimstone, he will experience a swell smelling savor.

Therefore, child of the Most High, do not fear when God seems to hide in the darkness. If you remain steadfast, you will soon see His brilliant light once more. Momentarily, the clouds will pass by and you will have a clear sky once again.

5-17-07 Psalms 18: 9, 10

Psalms 18: 9, 10 (NIVUS)
He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.

Psalms 18: 9, 10 (NLT)
He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. Mounted on a mighty angel, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.

Psalms 18: 9, 10 (NRSV)
He bowed the heavens, and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub, and flew; he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind.

Psalms 18: 9, 10 (NAS)
He bowed the heavens also, and came down With thick darkness under His feet. And He rode upon a cherub and flew; And He sped upon the wings of the wind.

It is the season for the "boys of summer", in other words, baseball. For each games played, someone throws out the first pitch and then the game begins. Without a pitch, no one could score a hit. The men would just stand around the field with nothing to do. The game could not progress without a pitch.

Many times you may feel that you have a game scheduled, but the only one who is making hits is Satan. So you call upon Adonai, your manager, to help. Then God stretches out His arm and throws a pitch at the devil. The Lord's intention is to strike him out, so that you can win the game.

Even though your suffering may seem prolonged, you should not let yourself become discouraged, for the Lord is always inclining in your direction; He does not decline to help you. In fact, from His lofty place in the heavens, Almighty God is always watching over you. He will bring down your enemy, the one He originally cast out of heaven. The Most High God will subdue Satan and take him down. The gloom and darkness that your adversary inspires is already under the Lord's feet. He has already crushed Satan's head with His heal.

Now the Lord rides with the cherubim. His chariot flies across the heavens and He does not faint because of the darkness. He moves with the wings of the wind. As God's child, you too can be assured that darkness will not overcome you and the wind of God's Spirit will carry you to victory.

5-16-07 Deuteronomy 7:9

Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJ21)
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations,

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NAS)
Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIVUS)
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT)
Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands.

You know many things. From the time that you are born, you are continually learning new things. You see and observe your surroundings and recognize many things due to the knowledge that you already have. Through your acquaintances and relationships, you learn characteristics of human nature. You see how others are different from you and you acknowledge that those differences are what bring spice to your life.

Being instructed in the ways of the earthly realm is important to live successfully here, but you also need to learn the characteristics of the Kingdom of God. In fact, this knowledge is far more important. The best way to obtain this knowledge and understanding is to spend time with the King. The more you recognize and are aware that Jehovah the Lord, also known as Jesus Christ, is deity the better your life will become. He is the Supreme God, the Almighty, and the One who is strong and mighty. When you strive to know Him more intimately, you will find that He is firm and faithful. As you learn to trust Him, you will see that He always builds you up and supports you. In Him there is permanence and quiet. His steadfastness gives you assurance, for you know that He will establish you forever.

Your Creator has established a covenant with you. He feeds you and makes you fat and prosperous. He has hand-selected you to be in league with Him. Through God's mercy, you have been cleansed; you are pure and bright, for the Lord has hedged you around with His presence and His word. Because God extends His kindness and favor to you, you are learning to love Him with a deep affection. As a friend of God, you life has become beautiful.

Adonai the Almighty now expects you to keep His commandments and divine law. As you listen to His messengers and do as He charges you, you can expect Him to extend His faithfulness to a thousand generations. Through your obedience and God's mercy, your posterity will be blessed.

5-15-07 Psalms 18:7, 8

Psalms 18:7, 8 (NIVUS)
The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.

Psalms 18:7, 8 (NLT)
Then the earth quaked and trembled; the foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger. Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.

Psalms 18:7, 8 (NRSV)
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.

Usually the earth is firm and stable, for Adonai the Almighty holds it up and together. However, there are times when it is troubled and agitated and will begin to move and shake. It will tremble and undulate in fear. Sometimes the very foundations of the mountains and hills will quiver, fret, and quake.

Why does the earth react so violently? Sometimes it is because the Lord God is glowing in anger over the enemy's tactics against His children. When you call to the Lord for help, His jealousy and zeal for you is aroused, for He is displeased with the suffering you experience. It grieves Him to see how you are being attacked and He is ready to contend with Satan on your behalf.
The Most High is passionate for His children and His enemies see smoke rising from His nostrils. He shows them that He is a consuming, devouring fire. He blows flames upon all of the enemy's works and they are burned

5-14-07 Proverbs 4:5, 6

Proverbs 4:5, 6 (NAS)
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

Proverbs 4:5, 6 (NRSV)
Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.

Proverbs 4:5, 6 (NLT)
Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don’t forget or turn away from my words. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.

In a capitalistic society, in which everyone is free to buy and sell goods, people can develop an attitude of trying to get everything that they desire. In fact, as this "I want" attitude grows, so does greed and the love of money, which results in all sorts of evil.

However, the word of God does encourage you to try to get certain things that will actually benefit your life, things to which you should erect an edifice. One of these things is wisdom, which makes you skillful and artful. It also increases your intelligence so that you can be more productive in what Adonai the Lord God has asked you to do.

The Lord also wants you to gain knowledge and understanding. He has made your mind capable of separating and distinguishing good from evil. You are able to diligently consider what is put in front of you, so that you can make the right choice. When you gain wisdom and understanding, you become more teachable, perceptive, and prudent. Then you look well to all who observe you.

Once you are diligent in your pursuit of wisdom and understanding, you must also remain diligent not to mislay what you have learned. You should continue to pay attention to it and commit it to memory. You will prove yourself unwise if you forget.

You should never bend away from the words that come forth from the mouth of God. If your decline to hear what He says, you will be overthrown and perverted. However, if you do not forsake Adonai's commands and promises, in which you find wisdom and understanding, you will not fail and be left destitute, but you will be protected and preserved. God will hedge you about, guarding you from the enemy's onslaughts.

Therefore, choose wisdom as you would a friend. Love her and she will guard and maintain you. Wisdom will watch over you, so that you are not besieged. You will be hidden within the monument of God's word.

5-13-07 Isaiah 42:6

Isaiah 42: 6 (BBE)
I the Lord have made you the vessel of my purpose, I have taken you by the hand, and kept you safe, and I have given you to be an agreement to the people, and a light to the nations:

Isaiah 42: 6 (NIVUS)
I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,

The Lord Jehovah, the Lord Adonai, has had an encounter with you. He has called your name and invited you; He has commissioned, appointed and endowed you in righteousness for His purpose and you now enjoy His salvation.

He holds your hand; He makes you strong, sustains, and supports you. He guards you and watches over you. He has made you a gift; you are consecrated and dedicated to show the covenant, His treaty of friendship, that He has established between God and man. You were created, shaped and formed for this trust.

He has made you a light, shining and illuminated, for those who are held in darkness. You will bring enlightenment to the nations, Hebrew and Gentile!

"So let your shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven!"