8-25-07 2 Corinthians 7:1

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NRSV)
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (Philips)
WITH these promises ringing in our ears, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from anything that pollutes body or soul. Let us prove our reverence for God by consecrating ourselves to him completely.

Adonai, the Lord your God, through His very own Son Yeshua, has already bridged the gaping chasm of sin that separated you from Him. Because of your belief in the Messiah's finished work on the cross, you have received many promises from the Lord. You are in possession now of those blessings and good things that He has announced to you. You adhere and cling to His declarations; for you know that in them you have abundant life. These promises uphold, preserve, protect and aid you; they have become your necessary food.

You are now God's beloved and one of His favorites. He esteems you and holds you dear. You are well-pleasing to Him. You are the apple of His eye.

Therefore, strive to maintain a clean and pure life. Stay free from sin and its defilement. Give no place to any corrupt desire or anything that is false. Do not let wickedness once again take hold of you; for you have consecrated yourself to Adonai. Maintain your unstained, blameless, and innocent state. Submit to the pruning of the Vine-dresser so that you will bear much fruit.

Separate yourself from anything that could defile your flesh. Do not let anything pollute and contaminate your spirit. Instead let the holiness of God be perfected in you. Allow God, through His word, to complete and fulfill you in every area. Cooperate with Him, so that your life lines up totally with His will, for you are His representative in this world. Reverence and fear the Lord at all times.

8-24-07 1 Peter 1:22

1 Peter 1:22 (NAS)
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
1 Peter 1:22 (NRSV)
Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.
.1 Peter 1:22 (Philips)
Now that you have, by obeying the truth, made your souls clean enough for a genuine love of your fellows, see that you do love each other, fervently and from the heart.

You have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb--Yeshua, your Messiah. He has made your soul pure and free from all impurities of the flesh. Now you are a most holy thing, a saint.

You have become obedient to Adonai, submitting yourself to His truth. You observe the requirements that He sets forth in His word. You listen and hearken to His voice, giving ear to His teaching and instruction.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit and in accord with God's word, you have developed a sincere love for your brothers and sisters in Christ. This love is not something that you pretend to have, but it is genuine. You have learned to esteem and prefer your brethren, as the Lord would have you do.

Now you must nurture that deep love, maintaining its purity and keeping it free from corrupt desires. In this way, you will remain blameless, innocent and unstained with the guilt of anything. However, even so, your love should be earnest, fervent and intense. Always be willing to stretch out your hands to others and to minister to them from your heart.

8-23-07 1 Thessalonians 2:13

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NAS)
And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (Philips)
And so we are continually thankful to God that when you heard the Word of God from us you accepted it, not as a mere human message, but as it really is, God’s Word, a power in the lives of you who believe.

It is to your credit that you have chosen to live according to God's will. Many of your spiritual leaders give unceasing thanks for your stand, for they see that you are well off and prospering. They know that you live by the grace of God and have obtained His favor and good will.

These same men are grateful for how you took hold of what they imparted to you. It pleases them that you received and did not reject what they said. You carefully considered and understood their words. You perceived that they were not the sayings of mere men, but you embraced them as the true word of God.

And those words, Adonai's words, are working in you, giving you power and aid whenever you need it. Because you have put your faith and trust in the word of God, you received salvation from and through Yeshua your Messiah. God's word has established your character, making you a faithful man. Others rely on your fidelity and are persuaded to put their confidence in the word of God themselves.

8-22-07 John 16:13

John 16:13 (Philips)
Yet when that one I have spoken to you about comes—the Spirit of truth—he will guide you into everything that is true. For he will not be speaking of his own accord but exactly as he hears, and he will inform you about what is to come.

John 16:13 (NAS)

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

When you chose to trust Yeshua as your Lord, you were blessed with salvation from your sins. That blessing certainly would have been sufficient, but the Lord also gave you much more. He sent His very own Spirit to help you in your walk.

The Spirit of Truth is you Helper and your Guide. He is the One who leads and directs you to the Word of God. He shows you what is reality and what is certain. He makes your religious and moral duties clear. He teaches you how to have personal excellence and also how to keep your mind free from pretense, falsehood, and deceit He influences what you think, feel, and decide. He helps you order your code of conduct according to God's will.

Although He has the power to do so, the Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself. As the messenger from Adonai, He restricts His speech to what He hears the Father saying. What He has perceived and understood is what He communicates to you. He reports on what is to come. In this way, He prepares you for your future. You can be assured that what He shows you is certain; it is an established fact.

Therefore, rest and be at peace. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, is standing by to help you. You need not fear today or tomorrow. Put your trust in God and let Him direct your steps. He will keep you from going astray.

8-21-07 Isaiah 10:27

Isaiah 10:27 (NAS)
So it will be in that day, that his burden will be removed from your shoulders and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be broken because of fatness.

Isaiah 10:27 (NRSV)
On that day his burden will be removed from your shoulder, and his yoke will be destroyed from your neck. He has gone up from Rimmon,

There was a time when you felt burdened by the load that you bore. It took all of your strength and will to just drag yourself along. However, a day came when that burden was removed. The Lord Jesus took away the weight that you carried on your back. He delivered you from the yoke that the enemy had thrust upon your neck. Adonai saved you from the severe and ruthless abuse that you suffered.

When the Lord God destroyed that yoke, it was completely broken and ruined. The enemy will never again be able to use it to bind and besiege you. Now the Lord keeps you secure; He is your mighty fortress. He has anointed you, pouring His Holy Spirit upon you. Through His anointing you are continually fruitful.

8-20-07 Isaiah 45:24, 25

Isaiah 45:24, 25 (NAS)
They will say of Me, ‘Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.’ Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel Will be justified, and will glory.

Isaiah 45:24, 25 (NRSV)
Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; all who were incensed against him shall come to him and be ashamed. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory.

There are men who burn in fury against the Lord. If possible, they would have their anger scorch and char the One they rail against. However, their anger will bring them nothing but shame and disappointment.

Instead of anger, you have spoken words of praise, boasting of all that Adonai, your Creator, has done for you. Through Jesus you have righteousness, justification, and salvation. Once you served the father of lies, but now you walk in the truthfulness of God.

Because you have come to Him, He has made you strong and firm. You prevail over those angry with the Lord. As you have come, so also have your offspring after you. They, like you, have been made righteous. Your sons have also received the power to contend against their enemies. They have learned to persist and persevere, even as you persisted and persevered in your battles. You and your family shine with the glory of God. The praise of Jesus Christ is always on your lips; for you know that He deserves your adoration.

8-19-07Judges 5:31

Judges 5:31 (NAS)
Thus let all Thine enemies perish, O LORD; But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might." And the land was undisturbed for forty years.

Judges 5:31 (NRSV)
So perish all your enemies, O LORD! But may your friends be like the sun as it rises in its might." And the land had rest forty years.

The Lord Jehovah is never concerned over His enemies. He knows that His foes, those that are hostile to Him, will ultimately perish. They will all come under His divine judgment; all will be exterminated and vanish from His sight.

However, those that love the Lord have a different destiny awaiting them. Jehovah's friends are like the rising of the sun. They shine with the glory of the Lord. They go forth in strength and power. Their bravery and valor show the mighty deeds of God.

Adonai gives His loved ones peace and tranquility. They are quiet and undisturbed, since the Lord God has already vanquished their enemies. His beloved live in safety. And you are His Beloved!