12-15-07 1 Kings 8: 44, 45

1 Kings 8: 44, 45 (NAS)
When Thy people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatever way Thou shalt send them, and they pray to the LORD toward the city which Thou hast chosen and the house which I have built for Thy name, then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

1 Kings 8: 44, 45 (NLT)
If your people go out at your command to fight their enemies, and if they pray to the LORD toward this city that you have chosen and toward this Temple that I have built for your name, then hear their prayers from heaven and uphold their cause.

There are certain times when you must gather together with your brethren to come against the enemy. Unless you are diligent to do this, you will not go forward or make any progress. In fact, many times the enemy will push you backwards and you will lose the ground that you have already gained.

Therefore, you must purpose to go forth into battle. You must move against your enemies, even taking the war into hostile territory. You should march forth by whatever road, way, or direction that the Lord your God shall send you.

However, if you find yourself in the heat of the battle with no way to turn, you must pray and intercede to Jehovah, the Lord. Look toward His city and His dwelling place, where the Light abides. It is there that He has established His name.

When you pray, Adonai will hear you and give attention to your supplication. Therefore, seek His gracious intervention on your behalf. Ask for His mercy and pray that He will direct His favor towards you. As He bends down to you, you know that He will act in justice. He will decide for your cause and execute judgment in your behalf. You will be vindicated and your enemies will be punished.

12-14-07 Psalms 34:15, 17

Psalms 34:15, 17 (NAS)
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry...The righteous cry and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalms 34:15, 17 (NLT)
The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help...The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

Jehovah, the Lord, always has you in His sight. You are before His eyes and He has complete knowledge of your life. What He sees in you brings Him pleasure. If you look to Him, you will likely see a favorable and approving countenance. A fountain of joy and gladness flows from His presence to fill your life. You are His righteous son and Adonai, your Father, is always listening for your prayers. When you cry for His help, He is quick to attend to you; His ears are open to you.

When you cry out from distress or need, you are summoning the Lord to your aid. He understands what you need and desires to grant your requests. God will snatch you away from your enemies and deliver you from all your troubles. You can be confident that He will rescue and save you from any distress or oppression. Sin, guilt, and death can no longer hold you in their grasp, for Jesus Christ is your salvation and deliverance.

12-13-07 Matthew 6:6

Matthew 6:6 (NAS)
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Matthew 6:6 (Philips)
But when you pray, go into your own room, shut your door and pray to your Father privately. Your Father who sees all private things will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 (NLT)
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

As a child of God, it is important that you pray with supplication and worship Adonai on a regular basis. You should bring all of your wishes and desires to Him, so that He has the opportunity to grant your requests.

However, when you pray, you must be sure that you are not doing so to impress others. Jesus instructs you to go a secret room where you can meet with Him alone. It could be a closet, a storage chamber, or the inner chamber of your heart. It is important that you shut the door to keep any distractions away. In your secret place, you should pray to your Heavenly Father, who is your Creator and Ruler. He is your guardian and protector. He is the One who has all that you need.

Because He loves you and has an intimate relationship with you, your Father always sees what you do in your secret place. Nothing is hidden and concealed from His sight. Nothing escapes His notice.

Since you have taken the time to separate yourself from the world and to separate yourself unto Him, the Lord your God is quick to deliver and restore you. He wants to supply and furnish all that you need and want. The reward He gives you will be plainly recognized by all who see you. Adonai will manifest His goodness and blessing in your life openly and without reserve

12-12-07 Proverbs 27:17

Proverbs 27:17 (NAS)
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)
As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.

If you have ever had to sharpen an axe or a knife, you know that the one of best ways to do so is to rub the edge of the blade against another iron or steel file. Even though both are made from the same substance, the file is able to even out the edges of the axe and take away any thickness that would impede the axe from performing as it was designed to do. The file removes part of the axe blade, but in the process, it makes it a better tool.

Friends can do the same for you, as the file does for the axe. Friends sometimes can see things in you that you do not recognize in yourself, things that need to be changed to make you better. A true companion and friend is able to face you and not fear telling you that you need to turn towards or turn away from something. He can clearly see, at times, what will or will not benefit your life. In this way, if you heed his advice, you will become sharper, keener, and able to discern more clearly.

Therefore, do not despise the friend that tries to file off your rough edges. He is only trying to make you a better person, a believer who is wholly conformed to the image of Christ.

12-11-07 Job 11:6

Job 11:6 (NAS)
And show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that God forgets a part of your iniquity.
of you less than your guilt deserves.

Job 11:6 (NLT)
If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom is not a simple matter. Listen! God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!

From the garden of Eden man has wanted to know everything that God knows. That is why Adam succumbed to the temptation to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Men today desire that God would make known His secrets. They want Him to bring out into the open those things that He has kept hidden. They do not realize that God's wisdom is so extensive that it doubles over on itself and keeps repeating. The Lord has folded it together and keeps it for His very own use.

You, however, are able to ask Jesus for the wisdom and understanding that you need, for you belong to Him and are of His family. He will give you wisdom and sound understanding to make you efficient and to give you abiding success.

You know that the Lord your God could demand that you pay for your iniquity, perversity, and depravity. You also know that you are guilty and deserving of punishment. However, God in His wisdom and mercy has decided to deal bountifully with you. He has recompensed and rewarded you, instead of punishing you. Though you used to be bent and twisted with your sin, the Lord has straightened you through the sacrifice of His very own Son.
You, therefore, are now free to seek God and His wisdom. You know that He will give it to you freely and generously

12-10-07 Deuteronomy 29:29

Deuteronomy 29:29 (NAS)
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT)
There are secret things that belong to the LORD our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we may obey these words of the law.

No matter how close you feel to Adonai and how intimate your relationship is, there will always be things that He keeps hidden and concealed. He has secrets that no man could ever understand.

However, there are many things that Jehovah uncovers for you. It is His delight to reveal His will both to you and your descendants. What you have discovered, through His word, now belongs to you and it will be yours forever. So observe and celebrate all that is disclosed to you. As you attend to what He says, you will receive direction.

12-09-07 Job 28:20, 28

Job 28:20, 28 (NAS)
Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?...And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding

Job 28:20, 28 (NLT)
But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?... And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.

You have heard men speak of having and using wisdom. However, the concept of wisdom often seems elusive and intangible. Where does it come from and how do you get it?

As a natural man, you can develop skill and life's experiences can make you shrewd and prudent. But is this the wisdom that you are seeking? You may have gained understanding and perception in this world's realm. You may be intelligent and have discernment and insight; however, when you die, can you pass this on?

You, however, have discovered the true source of wisdom, for Adonai, the Lord your God, has revealed it to you. You know that when you fear, revere, and respect the Lord, you find that for which you have been searching. Yahweh, Himself, is the wisdom that you seek.

He also instructs you in understanding; He teaches you to discern between what is good and what is evil. When you give heed to what He says, you will turn aside and depart from anything that is bad or wicked, for you know that such things cause pain, unhappiness, and misery. These things are totally opposed to God. Instead turn towards those good and blessed things that come only from the hand of God and you will discover that you will have all the wisdom and understanding that you could ever need.