7-28-07 Jeremiah 9:23, 24

Jeremiah 9:23, 24 (NAS)
Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, "declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23, 24 (NRSV)
Thus says the LORD: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the LORD.

"Wise" men of the world are shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, and subtle. They are skillful, learned, and often prudent. However, they should not boast in their wisdom, taking glory to themselves. In God's opinion, if they do this, they are acting foolishly, like mad men.

Likewise strong, mighty, and brave men think that because they are powerful, they are great. They boast in their strength and act proudly before and towards God. Worldly men who are rich and wealthy and even those who pretend to be rich often strut around flashing forth their own light. Instead of giving praise unto the Lord, they take it for themselves.

Jehovah, however, tells you that it is good if you boast in Him. You have come to understand and comprehend the Lord. You have started to know and recognize every detail of His being. You give your attention to Him, pondering the many facets of His character. This makes you wise and prudent, prosperous and successful.

You have seen the Lord's goodness, kindness, and faithfulness. You have experienced His mercy. You know He is a God of justice. He is the One Who passes judgment; He vindicates and punishes. He is the Lord of righteousness, justification, and salvation.

You know that God takes pleasure and delight in saving His people. Through Jesus Christ, He has bent down to man in love and mercy. He has declared the penalty for the sin of the world has been paid in full.
Therefore, let your praises rise before Him and boast of Him to everyone you meet. This is well pleasing to the Lord God.

7-27-07 Galatians 6:14

Galatians 6:14 (NAS)
But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14 (Philips)
Yet God forbid that I should boast about anything or anybody except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means that the world is a dead thing to me and I am a dead man to the world.

You have discovered the more you walk with the Lord the more you cannot trust in yourself. You know that ultimately in your own ability you have no power, even though in your natural man you may be capable, strong, and powerful. You cannot boast or take any glory from anything that you accomplish in yourself, because everything that you do will eventually turn to dust and ashes.

However, if you pray to God for His help, what you then do, you do in His strength and power. It is through the cross, the crucifixion of your Lord Jesus that anything stands, becoming fixed, firm, and established. In these things you can boast, giving glory to Jesus. It is in the cross of Christ, the Anointed of God, that the power of the flesh has been utterly destroyed. Although at times, you still feel intense pain coming from your fleshly nature, you must know that it has been crucified--a finished and completed act. The world and its pleasures no longer have a hold on you. Therefore, you do not have to succumb to the spirit of the age.

You are no longer a citizen of this world. You have been born again into the Kingdom of Heaven through the shed blood of Yeshua, the Messiah, who has saved you once and for all from your sinful, earthly nature. He is the One who will keep you intact until you see Him face to face. He delivered you and He will sustain you with His authority. In Him you are safe, sound, unharmed, ready, and prepared for whatever comes your way.

Therefore, give the Lord your God all of the glory. He has earned and deserves it.

7-26-07 Deuteronomy 28: 9, 10

Deuteronomy 28: 9, 10 (NAS)
The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you will keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in His ways. So all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of you.

Deuteronomy 28: 9, 10 (NIVUS)
The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.

Jehovah is your Lord and He has caused you to arise and become powerful. He has made you stand and be established. He has proven and has fulfilled your life. He has consecrated and sanctified you for Himself. You are dedicated and set apart for Him. You are holy.

The Lord has sworn by Himself, taking an oath to keep His promises to you. You, however, must carry out the orders that He gives you, for He is your commander and chief. You are under His commission and appointment to do as He wishes. Therefore, walk in the way that He shows you. Let your manner of life reflect Him always.

Then, those people, who know and observe you, will perceive that you have been called by God. His name is now your name. Therefore, you are on exhibit before the nations, revealing the Lord's fame, reputation, and glory. They are astonished and stand in awe of you; for you are holy as your Heavenly Father is holy. As they fear Him, so they fear you. They know they fall short of what God expects and are afraid.

So continue to let your light shine. You will persuade others to believe

7-25-07 1 John 5:3, 4

1 John 5:3, 4 (NAS)
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:3, 4 (Philips)
For loving God means obeying his commands, and these commands of his are not burdensome. In fact, this faith of ours is the only way in which the world can be conquered.

Because He first loved you, now you love Adonai the Lord with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength. He has made you content and well pleased with your life. You love Him dearly and have deep affection for Him. You are completely devoted to Him.

The most important way that you can show the Lord your God how much you love Him is to keep His commandments. You should carefully attend to His precepts, observing everything He says. You view His word with interest, taking note of each little detail. And you have discovered that keeping His laws are not burdensome or severe.

Because you are born of the seed of the word of God, you have received faith to believe Him and what His word says. He has told you that you are more than a conqueror and through Him you are victorious. You have held fast to your faith even in the midst of temptations, persecutions, and the fear of death. It is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that causes you to overcome and prevail over the world. It makes you persevere in trials without faltering. And your faith also lets you receive every promised blessing.

Therefore, continue to observe and keep God's word. As you do, your faith will continue to be strengthened and you will continue overcoming the world.

7-24-07 Deuteronomy 30:6

Deuteronomy 30:6 (NAS)
Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.

Deuteronomy 30:6 (NRSV)
Moreover, the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.

From the foundations of the world, Jehovah has existed as the Lamb that was slain. Through the sacrifice of His life, He became the Lord and Master over all. He is the leader and chief among men. He is mighty in nature and holds all power and strength. He abides and remains forever even as He is now.

Jesus is the One who has circumcised your heart, cutting you off from your old nature and separating you unto Himself. He has destroyed the works of the flesh and has established you as a citizen of His Kingdom. He has changed your heart and mind; your thinking and conscience now line up with His will.

Not only has He changed you, but He has also touched the lives of your seed, your offspring after you. Like you, their hearts have been circumcised. You have planted the seed of a spiritual heritage in your children, and that seed has produced a great yield. Even as the Lord has taught your heart to love Him, so you have taught your sons after you. They have seen your appetite for righteousness and the things of God and they have followed after you in the Truth.

Your soul--your will, desires, emotions, and passions--hungers after Yahweh. He is your very breath and He refreshes you with His own life. He causes you to be active and flowing; He revives you daily. He sustains and preserves you with His Word and with His Spirit. You and your sons belong to Him. In this you greatly rejoice.

7-23-07 Romans 14:9

Romans 14:9 (NAS)
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Romans 14:9 (Philips)
Christ lived and died that he might be the Lord in both life and death.

There was only one who could bridge the gaping chasm that existed between the Holy God and sinful man. Jesus, the Anointed of God, closed the gap. God the Father sent Him for that very purpose, to be the Messiah, the Savior, and Lord.

Jehovah voluntarily separated Himself from His Father to come to earth to die as an eternal seed planted for mortal men. Then even in death, God preserved and protected Him. After Yeshua laid down His life, God, through His power and might, raised Him and restored Him to life again.

Now Yeshua has the rule and dominion over death. Through His obedience He obtained power over the grave. He is now the Master and Lord both over the dead and the living.
He gives real life, which is active, blessed, and endless, to those who belong to Him. His followers receive vitality, strength, and power. He has made them spiritually alive unto God, freed from their trespasses and sins.

And you have made Him Lord of your life. He is your Savior and Deliverer. Therefore, glorify Him in all that you do.

7-22-07 Mark 11:22-24

Mark 11:22-24 (NAS)
And Jesus *answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.

Mark 11:22-24 (Philips)
"Have faith in God," replied Jesus to them. "I tell you that if, anyone should say to this hill, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea’, and without any doubt in his heart believe that what he says will happen, then it will happen! That is why I tell you, whatever you pray about and ask for, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

When Jesus cursed the fig tree, His disciples were amazed to see that it had withered from the root. Seeing the questions in their minds, Jesus took the opportunity to teach and instruct them. He encouraged them to maintain their faith in God. He knew that it was necessary for them to adhere and cling to what they believed. They needed to continue to trust in God, having their confidence in Him alone.

By His example, Jesus taught you that spoken faith-filled words can change things. He said that this was a firm, faithful, and sure statement. Therefore, if you have a mountain standing in your path, you can speak to it, telling it to move from its place and throw itself into the sea. However, you must keep your resolve and be determined in your thinking. You should not be at variance with your own heart, doubting your own opinion.

Instead you must believe what you think and say is true. You must have trust and confidence that what you say will come into existence. It will happen; you will see it to the finish. The mountain will move.

Therefore, call those things by name that you desire. Whatever you want and require, ask for them. Pray to your heavenly Father and He will give you your desires. You will receive what is your own. You will possess those desires