Jesus Christ

Day Three Hundred Forty

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to draw nearer to God; and to resist the devil; for God has made access into His presence, through the cross of His Son Jesus Christ.

Will  you join me?  Call on the name of Jesus.  He will hear you and save you.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8 (NKJV)

“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:10

Day Three Hundred Forty and One

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the faith of Jesus Christ in me strong enough to stand with Him and for Him no matter what the circumstances of life may be; to stand with Him and for Him in comfort shows that He is my treasure in life; to stand with Him and for Him in trials and tribulations shows that He is my strength, and way of life and living.

You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10 (NKJV)

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

Day Three Hundred Forty and Four

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What do I want for Christmas?

Since this is the Lord’s Day, and millions of Christians will be going to their places of worship, and some are choosing to stay home in bed or going to play, or maybe something else:

I want the pastors of churches who have not been preaching the unadulterated word of God, and the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ – His death, burial and resurrection – to begin today preaching it with a heart aflame for Jesus Christ; and that those people who have decided not to attend Bible studies, or church this morning to get up, get dressed and attend worship with an ear ready to hear, a heart ready to receive, and feet and arms ready to do the work of faith for the glory and honor of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NKJV)
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 359

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What do I want for Christmas?

Like my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; I want to be a friend to the friendless, the oppressed, the fatherless, the poor, the hopeless, and the helpless, and by His grace and provision do what I can for them.

LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.”  Psalm 10:17-18 (NKJV)

Blessed New Year 2016

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I am writing this on January 01, 2015.  I am trying something new.  I have no guarantee that I am even alive at the time this  becomes a live post.  I also have no guarantee that the Lord Jesus has not come again for His Church in the rapture.

If you are reading this and 2015 has been a year when a cataclysmic event happened with millions of missing people, then you need to know that  you missed it.  You are now in the time of “Jacob’s trouble” or also called the Tribulation.  What ever you do find a copy of the Bible God’s Holy Word, read the Gospel of Matthew, John, and the Revelation; follow Jesus, and do not believe anything the new government says.  Do not trust them.  Trust the LORD Jesus Christ.

At the time of this writing. Barrack Obama is President of the United States of America, the world is at war with ISIS, a gross terrorist organization of radical muslim extremist.  Their intent is to destroy Israel and the U. S. of A., and take over the world and Sheriah Law rules.  A new Republican majority was voted into the Senate.  How have things gone since then.  The last I noticed the Stock Market was at or near 18,000.

I pray now, that if you did not know Jesus on January 01, 2015 you do now.  Whether the rapture of the Church has occurred or not you still need to know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 363

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the sins of every charlatan Christian leader (especially in the U. S. of A.) to be exposed; their false teachings to be exposed, and the rebellious hearts of all who profess Jesus Christ to be exposed; that God may show Himself strong among those who love Him.

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” Ephesians 5:11-13 (NKJV)

Since it is the ministry of every Christian pastor to preach the whole counsel of God’s word; to make God feel good; not themselves, and not any individual but the Lord Jesus Christ.

See also Psalm 119:126.

What Do I Want For Christmas? Day 364

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“Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)

What do I want for Christmas?

In the coming year I want to see many who are the enemy of God [Jehovah]; those who refuse the gift of God in His Son Jesus Christ; to have their eyes opened to the truth of who Jesus is; and that they will fall on their knees in repentance believing Him, trusting all that the Word of God says of Him, that He died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and that He rose from the dead, for our eternal salvation.

What Do I Want for Christmas? Day 365

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As I said on the previous post on this matter; this may be tedious, but I will do my best to keep it to the point.

What do I want for Christmas?  I want my life to be full of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; which is the Holy Spirit; so that others may see Him in me, and desire to know Him.

I am basing these wants on Scripture such as Psalm 37:4; Mark 11:24; and John 15:7

The Greatest Need the World Has; that You Have Today

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There is nothing new about evil. It has been in the world from the beginning of Creation. Since Adam and Eve fell in the garden of Eden there has been evil in the hearts of humankind.

We are a fallen race. We are born into the world separated from God; and our hearts are evil. The words of the prophet Jeremiah; “The heart is deceitful abouve all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The words of the apostle Paul, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But God has intervened, and sent us His Son.

The apostle Paul speaking to Jews in a synagogue said,

“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Acts 13:47-49 (KJV)

The Lord Jesus Christ was meant to be a light to the Gentiles; all the rest of the world; as well as to the Jewish people. The Gentiles of Paul’s day rejoiced in that.

O, people, the world needs Him today. We do not need our own conception of Him; we need the Biblical Jesus. The One who came to die for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose and came out of the grave alive.

We Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God, God the Living Son. You need Him today if you have not fallen on your knees and face before Him. Believe Him today.

In Order… That You Might Know the Certainty…

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It is not a rare thing; but Doctors in successful practices do not often leave their work to enter something else; such as to be a writer; a historian, in this case. Some have and do. When one leaves their medical practice to be a minister of Jesus Christ and His gospel that is a calling on them.

Luke was such a man; such a doctor. Luke is the Bible’s only Gentile author. He is thorough in his writing and record. He records what is known to be true. His history recorded is of the life and ministry of Jesus the Christ.

For a few days we will be looking at the historical account of Jesus Christ through the record of Luke. First let us hear what he says concerning his purpose for this record.

“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” Luke 1:1-4 (KJV)

There were some writings that had came out that were absolutely false; and he set out to correct them with a true account. Let me assure you that he is not speaking of, or writing about the three other Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark and John.

He was also set on the testimony of “eyewitnesses”, and he was very set on being truthful about the matter of Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Saviour, and the returning King. To “Theophilus” he wanted him to know “the certainty of those things” – the truth of it all concerning Jesus’s life – His birth, His life, His ministry, miracles, power, and His death, burial and resurrection.

The book of Acts is also a historical book written by Doctor Luke, and he addresses Theophilus in that writing as well.

My friend; Jesus is the Christ; Son of God and God the Son. Be sure you know and trust Him today.

The Tormented

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There are many tormented people in the world today. Some seem to be intelligent individuals, educated, wealthy, or maybe middle class, or poor who are tormented by their lives, and living.

These folks do things that are beyond themselves, that cause harm to family, friends, neighbors; even to themselves that a otherwise sane individual would not do. We send them to doctors who specialize in this sort of thing, yet these people are still tormented.

Jesus dealt with these people, and spoke to them, and in our case today delivers this man from his torment:

“And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him.” Mark 1:23-27 (KJV)

This man was demon possessed. Controlled by another being. He needed peace, and only Jesus could give it. Tormented souls need Jesus the Christ to set them free, and give them peace. Peace with God (Romans 5:1).

Are you a tormented soul? Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Call on His name, and He will save you.

Giving, Praying, Going, Doing, and Saying

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If you are born in a hospital, does not make you a doctor, nurse, or even a hospital bed. Neither, if you are born in a garage does that make you a car, truck or motorcycle. Those may seem to be somewhat pathetic thoughts, but the point will be made in a moment.

Hear the words of Jesus:

“Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name and in Thy name have cast out devils and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)

There are many morally good people in the world who would give you the shirt off their back, and maybe even more than that. Being morally good does not mean they are good in the eyes of God.

Just as Jesus says in the above text; just saying His name does not mean one knows Him. I hear people using His name all the time; but let me tell you they do not know Him; not the way they use His precious name. Then, there are those who claim to know Him, but do not trust His finished work on the cross.

They continue to live doing things to gain God’s favor. They may attend every Church service. They may pray. They might even read a chapter a day from the Bible or read a daily devotional guide; all trying to gain favor with God. Yet, they do not know Him.

In the gospel of Luke Jesus says,

“And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46

What must one do to be a Christian; a true follower of Jesus Christ? Believe on the One whom the Father has sent (John 6:29). He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again. He is returning.  Will He find you faithful; or in the world culture?

God Given Knowledge and Skill in Learning and Wisdom

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Whether we Christians would like to admit it or not we are strangers in a foreign land. That does not matter what part of the world we live in. We are both citizens and captives in our respective countries, and lands.

We are citizens of nations, because we are in the world. We are captives because we are in the world, but not of the world (1 John 2:15-16; 4:4). How is the Christian to live in a world of sin and darkness? As servants of Christ Jesus; as the light of Christ.

Please note these verses from Daniel:

“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Daniel 1:17-20 (KJV)

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were young people who had been taken captive from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. How were young men to live in a foreign land, and how were they to behave in a land that despised everything they had stood for before?

In the previous verses Daniel and his friends had challenged the drinking and eating of the young captives. They had shown that they were brighter, more intelligent, and wise in their youth because they were of God.

What is said of them in the verses above is due to the fact that they were a work of God. Nothing that Babylon or the world had contributed to them.

Christian, you are a captive in a foreign land. You are also useful to God in the land as the Light of Jesus Christ. Stand for Him. Stand on His promises, and the whole counsel of His Word.

“Curved in” on Self

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This blog is appropriate for all ages, male and female.

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girl looking in mirror

I am “curved in” on myself.” My curved-inward self lives “as if God did not matter and as if I mattered most” (LSB, p. 292). “The tug of our flesh is always and ever toward self-justification,” writes Rev. John T. Pless. “Self-centeredness is not just socially inappropriate; it is a matter of idolatry. It is the way of the flesh to fear, love and trust in the self above all things.”

Will things improve if I just forgive myself? No! This is “not only a cruel impossibility” writes Pless, “but blasphemy. Only God can forgive sin, and the self is not God! It is one thing to say that one must learn how to live by the promise that sin is forgiven. That’s faith. It is quite another thing to say, ‘You must forgive yourself.’ That’s idolatry because it makes the self the savior.”

In a world that celebrates…

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Back to the Smiters

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“The Lord GOD hath opened Mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:5-7 (KJV)

This is more dealing with the Servant prophecies. Isaiah writing of the Messiah who was coming, and came; and His name is Jesus, the Christ; or Messiah.

The prophecy above speaks of His coming in what is called the first advent. He was born as a baby in a manger. He came into the world just like the rest of us did, by human birth. He was, and is the Lamb of God, and it is quite fitting that He would be born in a manger where the animals fed.

Jesus was not rebellious to do the Father’s will. He said,

“I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29

Even at the age of twelve He told Mary and Joseph,

“How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49

As Jesus was tried in the unjust, early, trial He was beaten, and willingly gave His back to the whip, His cheeks to those who plucked off His beard, and spit in His face (Matthew 26:67; 27:26; Mark 14:65; Luke 22:64; John 19:1).

The Obedient Servant, Jesus the Christ obeyed the Father all the way to the cross so that those who believe, trust in Him might be saved from their sins. He went to the cross, in obedience and without shame; because He had a mindset for the glory of the Father.

Seek Out the Book

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“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for My mouth it hath commanded, and His Spirit it hath gathered them. And He hath cast the lot for them, and His hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.” Isaiah 34:16-17 (KJV)

The prophecy given in this chapter is toward Edom. They had not aided the people of Israel, but had been a sore to them. Thus God was going to destroy them and make their land desolate, a habitat for the wild beasts of the field and birds of the air.

The prophet calls on Israel to “Seek ye out the book of the LORD, and read…” This is one way of assuring God’s people that the Book of the LORD is sure, stedfast, and true. Though the words “None shall want her mate” may have to do with the animals not lacking their mates; rather, they are dealing with the word of God not lacking “her mate” meaning that Scripture is supported by Scripture; and is of no private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20).

Just as the land of Israel [Canaan] was divided to the tribes of Israel; so will Edom be divided to the animals and beasts of the field in the day when the Messiah comes back to earth and make things right.

Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel. They will turn to Him. You need to turn to Him today. He died for your sins, was buried carrying all your sins, condemnation, guilt, shame, and death away; and He rose bodily from the grave and is alive forever more (1 Corinthians 15:1-10). He is returning to put an end to sin, and to reign.

Also read Hebrews 4:12.

Hearing God: Repentance

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“Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath He covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.” Isaiah 29:9-12 (KJV)

At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy there was much religion, but little actual faith. There was a faithfulness to ritual religion, but no real faith. There was much repentance, but it was false repentance; because there was not real turning around.

The prophet says, “Stay yourselves” or “Stop” or “Pause” and “wonder” or “be amazed”. They talked of God, of the way of God, of their religion, and faith; but they only lived it on the Sabbath day.

Some of the more modern translations of where we read “cry ye out, and cry” read “Blind yourselves and be blind”. That is what happens when people hear the word of God and refuse to submit themselves to God and what He says. The crying out reminds me of what is said of Esau in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:17).

We can all be like the little boy who was caught taking the cookie from the cookie jar after his mother had made them, and clearly told him, “No cookies till after supper”. When he was caught with the cookies he says to his mother, “I am sorry momma”. She says “That is okay son. Just put the cookies back in the jar; and all will be fine.” “But momma”, the boy says, “I want to keep the cookies”.

The boy was not sorry for taking the cookies. He was only sorry he got caught. That is how the unrepentant are with God and sin. Too many times we are not sorry for our sin; we are only sorry we got caught. Too many times in our culture, and with society today there are many, even professing Christians who do not even acknowledge sin.

Christian; when God speaks, calling for repentance we best hear Him. When we refuse to hear Him we will receive discipline if we are His (Hebrews 12:7-8). When we are disciplined, then we need to know to repent; turn away from our sins; and believe the LORD. When we cease hearing God He can be silent to us as well.

If you have not heard from God for awhile; maybe you need to check your life, and judge it.

An Unpleasant Threshing

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“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” Isaiah 27:12-13 (KJV)

The title of this lesson comes from “The LORD shall beat off…” in verse 12. It is dealing with the chastisement of Israel over many years of time in the Assyrian, and Babylonian captivities.

The prophet Jeremiah calls it “The time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7); and it deals with much more than the discipline through Assyria and Babylon. It has to do with a yet future time when judgment will come upon all the world, for the purpose of bringing Israel to the faith of Christ Jesus as their Messiah.

I can remember hearing parents say to their children, “You’re going to get a threshing, if you do not straighten up”. Threshing was a process that was used after bringing in the grain along with the stalks. They would bring it to a threshing floor, then take instruments for beating the grain stalks; then taking a rake, tossing the stalk and all into the air. On a good day the wind, or a breeze would blow the chaff (the straw, and junk) away leaving the grain.

The discipline of God for His children is like that. It is not without love, or thought. Just as the threshing of the grain brought forth the worth of the work, and the grain; so too does God’s discipline bring forth the good produce of a disciplined life.

The verses for today are God’s promise that “In that day” Israel will come out of the places of their exile; Assyria and Egypt, and will worship in Jerusalem again.

In that last day the people of Israel will “Look upon Him whom they have pierced” and bow before Him as their Lord and Messiah (Zechariah 12:10;  John 19:37). This is speaking of the One who died on the cross, was buried and rose again. The One is coming again. Jesus the Christ Son of the Living God, God the Son.

Being Happy

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“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” Psalm 144:15 (KJV)

Just recently I seen a news item, I believe, was on NBC news doing a study on Happiness, and where to find it. I never watched the series, or the study, but what I heard showed me that there was one item missing. That item was the Person who gives us happiness.

That person is not a wife, or a husband. It is not having the favorite job. It is not a new car, or a new house. It is not even volunteerism where you spend some or much of your time volunteering for a charitable cause. Are you one who is still searching for Happiness?

Your search can end when you have the LORD as your God. He offers you peace through His Son Jesus Christ; and being at peace with God is tremendous happiness just by itself (Romans 5:1-2). When the LORD is your God you have no more condemnation from Him, His Word; and the condemnation of others just will not matter any more (Romans 8:1).

The verses previous to verse 15 tell us of family; sons and daughters who live for and glorify the LORD; that when you are happy in and through the LORD your cattle (livestock) prosper; you prosper. John the apostle wrote, “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospereth” (3 John 2).

Just a word of caution. You can have happiness now, and that happiness is your prosperity. A note from the Believer’s Bible Commentary says,

“Actually these conditions will not be fully realized until the Lord returns, crushes all rebellion, and establishes His Millennial Reign.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

Until then, trust in the LORD, believe Him. Live for Him trusting His work in you, and He will bring it to pass. Be happy in the LORD.

GOD Does Not Turn Away My Prayer

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“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: but verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.” Psalm 66:18-20 (KJV)

Have you ever noticed a time when it seems as though you are not getting through to God, as you pray? It just seems to feel as though your prayers are not even getting past the ceiling? That is; should I say; a painful, sorrowful feeling.

When God hears our prayer it is due solely to His mercy and grace. He hears your prayer, my prayer every time we pray. Yet, it seems as though He does not.

Part of the problem is addressed by the Psalmist when he writes, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me…” To “regard iniquity” is to hold on to it; refusing to let it go; even to the point of rejecting God, His word and His direction for our lives.

There are things which is within the realm of “regarding iniquity” which hinders our prayers. One is for the husband not to treat his wife well (1 Peter 3:7), and I am almost certain that that would include the wife not treating her husband well. Another thing is praying with lustful desire which would include greed for things (James 4:3).

The prayers God hears are those we pray in His name. Jesus said, “What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24). Also, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7. When we have received the change which comes with receiving Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour our heart’s desire changes too. We desire what God desire, and so pray accordingly “In His name”.

Jesus said, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

God hears the prayer of His people whose hearts are directed toward His heart by the cross of Jesus Christ.

Greatness of the One

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“I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations. For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the clouds. Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Thy glory be above all the earth.” Psalm 57:9-11 (KJV)

The Psalmist David was hiding from King Saul in a cave when he wrote this Psalm; or possibly shortly there after. You can see by this Psalm that he was still trusting in the LORD his God.

He was praising the Lord, and he would praise Him among the people of his nation. He would sing unto Him among the Nations of the world around him.

He recognized the greatness of the mercy of God, and proclaimed it. He bragged about God. We can, and we get to brag about His greatness as well; when we know Him.

The LORD God is exalted above all the earth. He is the most glorious of all. Even the stars in their astrological signs cannot hold candle, or light to the glory of their creator. Above the heavens [stars, planets, etc]; above the earth; that is the Lord our God.

He came as a Man.  His name is Jesus.  He bled and died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and He rose again.  He is returning some day soon.  Believe Him. Trust Him with your whole being.  There is no life apart from Him.  He is the One who holds all things together (John 1:3;  Colossians 1:17).

Spend time today in contemplation of the greatness of the One who is above all things; and exalt Him.

The Reign of God in the Earth

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“God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted.” Psalm 47:8-9 (KJV)

God not only reigns over the heathen; He also reigns over the hearts of all men, all the people of the earth. It may not appear to be so at times but He does.

The name of God given three times in the above verses is “Elohim” representing the whole of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the only one qualified, worthy and able to sit on the throne of His holiness.

These verses do seem to point to the time when the Messiah [Jesus Christ] comes, and reigns from His throne in Jerusalem. The “Princes” could be all those who have been redeemed through the ages, and are gathered together to do His bidding in all the earth.

The “Shields of the earth” are those given kingdom power and authority to carry out the word and will of God in the earth.

Even those in the earth in our world today who have been given authority to rule, have been given that authority by God; and this is what the apostle Paul says of that;

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.” Romans 13:1-6

If you will notice this authority has been given them for the “Good”, not to be a terror to the people.  When the authorities rebel against the good laws of God, and bring terror on the people the people of God must stand up, and stand against the tyranny.

However, God still reigns, and is directing the course of this world; preparing for the day He rules and reigns righteousness in the earth.

Participate in Righteousness – Inherit the Earth

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“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.” Psalm 37:8-10 (KJV)

Many times when I see an evil deed done, my first thought is; “Death to the evil one”. If you have any righteous thought in you at all then when you see evil done you will have the thoughts too.

Defining evil in our day has gotten a bit complicated to many though. What used to be evil is now good; and what used to be good is now evil. The complication has come in due to evil itself.

Evil through the lies of Satan has been confused by what is deemed as love, which is actually tolerance mixed up with hatred. If someone is genuinely loved those who love them will correct them when they are in error; and endeavor to aid them, and direct them the right direction. The new idea of “love” is just let them be who they are; and they continue on in their self lies and affliction, misery and sin. What would you think of a doctor who discovers a cancer in your body, but does not tell you of the cancer because he “loves” you and is willing to let you continue as you are?

The Psalmist says to us. “Relax! Don’t React!” at least not with anger. We ought always be angry with evil, and the outcome of it; but let us also realize that in the end days evil will be judged, and those who practice it will be judged, and it shall be done away.

To “Wait upon the LORD” is not sitting idly by, but to keep on believing, trusting, doing those things we know we are to do. Be busy about the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We cannot change evil, but evil will be judged. They that wait upon the LORD shall inherit the earth, they shall also “renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Those who “Wait upon the LORD” are the meek who inherit the earth (v. 11; Matthew 5:5), as well.

Part of living a righteous life through Jesus Christ is living a life that confronts evil with the power of the word of God, and the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the strength against evil in our world. The Psalmist believed evil would lose in the end. So do we.

Put an end to the evil in your life by trusting Jesus Christ and His work on the cross, His burial and resurrection. He removes the evil, and gives you His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Joyous, Glorious Salvation

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“Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.” Nehemiah 12:43 (KJV)

The rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, and their return to Jerusalem was cause for great joy. It was celebrated by the sacrifices; great numbers of lambs, bulls and the bringing of the first fruits of the fields were offered. There was much music and singing.

The celebration was filled with joy. It was the “joy of Jerusalem”. The people had returned after 70 years of captivity.

Everyday the Christian should celebrate the deliverance which Jesus Christ has provided for us through the sacrifice of His own blood. There were many sacrifices offered that day in Jerusalem, but all that blood was only a portrayal of the blood of the one sacrifice that could eternally take away sin.

When an individual trust in Christ as the sacrifice for sin we can rest assured that our salvation; our redemption is secured for all eternity. There is “Great Joy” in the heart of the follower of Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus will never occur again.

See these verse: 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 7:17 – 27

In the Depths

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“Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O LORD.” Psalm 130:1 (KJV)

The Psalmist is making it clean in whom he places his trust; and it is in the LORD [Jehovah; YHWH].

It is when we are in the dark despair of the dungeon that our faith shines.  “Out of the depths” he cried unto the LORD.  In our dark depths we cry unto Him, because He is always where we have turned before.

The apostle Paul taught us, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17); and that means even in “the depths” and despairs, discouragements, and darkness of our lives.

When you are trusting Him in the light; you will trust Him in the dark.  When you are praying, trusting Him when things are good; you will pray and trust Him when things are bad as well.

Begin this type of life by trusting God’s only way of salvation; and that is through God’s Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave and still lives today.  Call upon Him today.