Good Morning Thursday...
Father Thank You for this NEW Day. Please grant us TRUTH, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING, and KNOWLEDGE. Father we ask this so that we will not be conformed to this world, but TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our MINDS. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST'S Name. Amen. - God Our Father’s Promises: Freedom, Not Fear. Did you know that “fear not,” “be not afraid,” or other variations about “not having fear” are given 365 times in The Bible? One for each day of the year. Isn’t that amazing? Our Father and Savior gave us amazing little clues and treasures in The Bible, just to let us know The Word Is Divine And Is Written By Him. This is just one of the seemingly infinite ways Our One True And Living Savior affirms us in our faith. Today, let’s talk about that. As we have discussed before, the way we think can “make us or break us.” Our thoughts can lead us in many directions. One of the directions our thoughts can lead us in is fear. In Genesis 31:31 we see a great example of Jacob’s thoughts leading him to fear. Let’s take a look: “Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’” Genesis 31:31 Now, let’s answer two questions for ourselves: 1.) Do you have a problem you are currently facing where you have fear? 2.) Are you feeling anxious or desperate about something? Well, if you answered yes to either of those questions, Our Kind and Loving Father tells us: “Seek The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to The LORD (God, Yahweh, YHWH), And He will have mercy on him; And to Our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh). “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My Word be that goes forth from My Mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:6-11 I was going to just quote verse eight in the above Scripture, but couldn’t resist giving you verses 6-11. Firebread I tell you! Let’s highlight verse 8. Our Father tells us that His Thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His Ways our ways. He Loves us enough to let us know He Has A Way! Redemption is available for anyone who would seek Him. If we make this choice, He is also letting us know, “Fear not.” We aren’t going to figure everything completely out, because we can’t think like Him. He’s Got This! Have faith and remember His Promises. After all, He Is... El Shaddia (God Almighty). 🔥 Back to our questions. Are you thinking in patterns that cause you fear? Are you feeling desperate? Think about this: Your Father Is The God of Your Destiny. Your Father, God In Heaven, Is The God of The Promise. Our Father Can, and Will, Bring You Into Victory. We are Jacob, therefore, we are children of The Promise! Today, if you are facing difficulties, fear, or really anything else, may I suggest grabbing your Bible, finding a quiet spot, and spending some time in thought. Think about the MANY Promises of Our Father. The Bible is chock-full of His Promises and He is ready to fulfill them for His Children. Learn them, remember them. If you let Him, He Will Put His Ruach Ha’kodesh, His Holy Spirit, In Your Heart and Make His Word Come Alive. After that... your thoughts will never be the same. As Our Father wrote it through His servant Paul, “Be Transformed.” May we all direct our thoughts towards Him Who Sits On High, Our Father, The God of All Creation, and think thoughts that never bring us to fear, but “Life, and Life more abundantly.” We are called by The King of All Things to walk in freedom, not fear. God Bless Everybody. May The Grace and Peace of YHWH, Our Father In Heaven, and His Son, Our LORD and Savior, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, Jesus Christ, be upon you all. The Word of The Most High aka Our Daily Bread: “For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 LEB “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV “Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) has done marvelous things!” Joel 2:21 NKJV “Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, because Yahweh has done great things.” Joel 2:21 LEB “For I, The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13 NKJV “For I, Yahweh your God, am grasping your right hand; it is I who say to you, “You must not fear; I myself, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 LEB “You must not fear them, for The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) your God Himself fights for you.’” Deuteronomy 3:22 NKJV “You shall not fear them, for Yahweh your God is the one fighting for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22 LEB “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV “Did I not command you? Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 LEB “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NKJV “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 NKJV “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” Galatians 4:28 NKJV “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as The Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39 NKJV
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Good Morning Wednesday...
Father, be with us when the only thing we can even ask for is peace. Be in the big moments, the little moments, the in-between and uncertain moments. Thank You that You Are, “…not a God of disorder but of Peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33) and that Your Peace, “Transcends All Understanding, (and) Will Guard (our) hearts and (our) minds in Yeshua, Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). In Yeshua, Jesus Christ’s Name we pray. Amen. - Speech: Using Wisdom, Grace, and Sensibility With All - Seasoning Our Words With Salt “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:5-6 When we first read this text it would be easy to assume Our Father is telling us through Paul to "season with salt" our speech only to those who haven't heard The Good News. While in verse 5 it does speak of "walking in wisdom towards those who are outside," we need only look in the next sentence where it says let your speech "Always" be with grace. Therefore, we must accept that this is also applicable when speaking to those whom we know have heard and accepted Yeshua, Jesus Christ, as their Savior. It is a fact, none of us has all the answers, and who is to say that one of our Brothers and Sisters doesn't need to hear something wonderful that Our Father has shown us along our journey. With that said, this may be the exact place where we need a little extra "salt seasoning" of our speech. While that Brother or Sister we are speaking with may need to hear a word which we have been given, it is all about how you say it as to whether they will accept it or not. We can't force anyone to accept that which we have been shown, but we can present it, or "plant the seed," and let that seed soak into the good soil we know is there. Then that seed will grow. Often we can be careless with our words. It is just so easy, especially when we assume someone has picked up on the particular revelation we have received. But sometimes, if not presented wise, the revelation can lead to an intense battle within that person which could have been avoided with a little "salt seasoning" of our words and just a little mindfulness. You never know, you might have just the right answer for a Brother's or Sister's question, but it may do no good if not presented with Love and Mindfulness of where our Brother or Sister are at in their walk. May we all be mindful of those in need of The Word whether they are lifetime followers of Yeshua, Jesus Christ, or those hearing The Good News for the first time. We all have an opportunity everyday to make a difference, and we can all produce a bountiful fruit crop for Our Heavenly Father and Our King if we but use Wisdom, Grace, and Sensibility With All. May we all "Season Our Words With Salt." Prayer: Dear Father God, please be with others as we share Your Knowledge, and help us to make the most of the opportunities You place in front of us. Help us to share Your Good News with Love, Kindness, Meekness, and an attitude of Humility where all may accept it. Help us to also see when we are wrong and accept the correction of our Brother's and Sister's who are bringing us Truth. Help us to choose our words with Wisdom, Grace, and Sensibility to all whom we speak to; those who haven't been introduced to Your Salvation, as well as those Brother's and Sister's who are already Walking With You. We ask this in The Name of Your Mighty Salvation Himself, Yeshua, Jesus Christ Our King. Amen. Extra Fuel For The Soul: “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. The eyes of The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:1-3 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:7-9 “Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:9-11 “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Good Morning Tuesday...
Father thank You for this NEW day, please continue to fill our HEARTS & MINDS with Your LOVE & TRUTH and TRANSFORM our ordinary day into an extraordinary day. Shine Your light in us, through us, and over us. May we make a difference in this world, for Your Glory and Purposes TODAY. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ's, Name we pray. Amen! - Yeshua Speaks: The Red Letters Yeshua, Jesus Christ Our Savior, didn't always say the things everyone wanted to hear. In fact, the majority turned from what He said the moment they thought they might have to "give up" something. Unfortunately, too few know how much we truly get in return when we “hear” The Word. What Our Messiah tells us is necessary. What He tells us is sometimes downright uncomfortable IF we don't understand what He is saying and IF we aren't listening. There is always a Greater Message With Jesus. There is always Growth and Shalom (Peace) in Our Savior's words if we "hear" what He is saying. This makes putting His Word into practice much more simple and without burden. As we look at The Scriptures today, let us dig in and try to truly understand what The Savior of The Whole World is speaking to us. There is a group message for all of us, and there is also a personal message for each one of us. May we all open our hearts and minds and take a deeper look at the words Our Savior Speaks. These Scriptures are,"The Red Letters,” and that is to identify that The King, Yeshua, Is Speaking. What is He Saying to you? Yeshua, Jesus Christ Our King, said: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye. “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on The Rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on The Rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:27-49 Good Morning Monday...
Father thank You for this NEW DAY. Please impart in our hearts YOUR WILL. We ask for Patience, Kindness, Humility, and Truth so we may show You and Your Son's Light in this fallen world. In Yeshua, JESUS CHRIST's Name, Amen. - Patience: Waiting On Our Father's Promises “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: ” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Are you currently waiting on a miracle from God? Trust me, this will not be the last time and I am sure it isn't the first, lest you are a new believer. Our lives as believers require that sometimes...we wait. Throughout our lives there will inevitably be many "seasons" of waiting. What should we do while we wait? Let's look to The Word of Our Father to find that answer. “Yes, in THE WAY of Your judgments, O LORD (YHWH, Yahweh), we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your Name And for the remembrance of You.” Isaiah 26:8 Isaiah tells us that we should wait for Our Father "in The Way of" His Judgments. We should follow His Instructions, "desire" Him, and remember Him. I mean, after all, does it really make sense to ask Him for something and then not follow Him while He makes "The Way of His Judgements?" Of course not. Our Father desires for us "Hope, Faith, and Love, and The Greatest is Love." The more we read Our Father's Word, the more we can see that The Bible is full of stories with our Brothers and Sisters waiting. Just to name a few accounts of God's People waiting are: Abraham waiting on Our Father to be the "father of nations," Sarah waiting on Our Father to be blessed with a child, Noah waiting on Our Father to stop the rain, David waiting on Our Father to place him on the throne of Israel, Ruth waiting on Our Father for her "Boaz," and that is just a few of the long list of those who waited for Our Father to decide the right time for His Promises to take place. Waiting is part of Life. It may not be our favorite part, but if we knew the good things Our Father is doing in that waiting, maybe it would be. The one thing we must be careful of is not to press forward without Him, Our Father and Savior, leading. Remember Saul? No bueno. The enemy will try during this time to discourage us and slowly "beat us down." Fortunate for us, we have God's Word and know the more we are beaten, the stronger we grow. Like the forging of a sword, Our Father is making perfect blades of unbreakable material, and just as with a sword, there will be heating, shaving, banging, and... waiting. While we do have to wait, it is always prudent for us to remember and exercise what we know to be True: 1.) Our Father Is Faithful “Therefore know that The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) your God, He is God, The Faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who Love Him and keep His commandments;” Deuteronomy 7:9 NKJV 2.) Our Father Keeps His Promises, Always... All Of Them: “Yahweh gave them rest on every side, according to all that he had sworn to their ancestors, and nobody from all their enemies withstood them, for Yahweh had given all their enemies into their hand. And nothing failed from all the good things that Yahweh promised to the house of Israel; everything came to pass.” Joshua 21:44-45 LEB 3.) Our Father Gives Purpose In Our Waiting: “So, my dear brothers, stand firm and immovable, always doing the Lord’s work as vigorously as you can, knowing that united with the Lord your efforts are not in vain.” 1 Corinthians (1 Co) 15:58 CJB Prayer: Dear Father God, we know that You have a wonderful purpose in our waiting. Father, strengthen us in our pain as we wait. We know that you are fulfilling promises as we wait, thank You and bless You. We thank You for the hidden things because you know we are not ready to see them and we thank you for the revealed things, allowing us to discover Your ultimate purpose. Thank you for molding us during our wait and bringing us closer to you. Father, help us to look and find You in the midst of our wait and help us to discover Your "good and perfect" will that You are fulfilling for us. Bless you Father. We Love You and pray these things in Your Mighty Son and Our Savior's Name Yeshua, Jesus Christ. Amen. The Word of Yah: “But The Fruit of The Spirit is LOVE, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22 LEB “And now abide Faith, Hope, LOVE, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.” I Corinthians 13:13 LEB “Then Samuel said to Saul, “You have behaved foolishly! You have not kept the command of Yahweh your God which he commanded you. For then, Yahweh would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now, your kingdom will not endure. Yahweh has sought for himself a man according to his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him as leader over his people, because you have not kept what Yahweh commanded you.” 1 Samuel 13:13-14 LEB “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 LEB “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:4 LEB Good Morning Sunday...
Father Thank You for this NEW Day. Please grant us TRUTH, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING, and KNOWLEDGE. Father we ask this so that we will not be conformed to this world, but TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our MINDS. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST'S Name. Amen. - David: The Anointed King Of Israel (Day 9) While studying, and trying to figure out how to end this devotion series, something occurred to me. David really had his childhood cut short. At age 15 he became a national hero. He had, at this point, killed a lion, a bear, and now an actual giant. As we find out, David was immediately put into “rock star” status after killing Goliath. That is some heavy stuff for a teenager. This would be a quick change of life for an adult to adjust to, much less a 15 year old teen. To put this into perspective, David became the most famous person in Israel, and soon the world, as a freshman in high school. Wild, right? Can you imagine defending your nation's honor and killing a giant at 15? Not only did he walk out to fight Goliath, but he also was staring down the line of a Philistine army behind Goliath. I can only speak for myself, but... in no imaginable reality could I see me at 15 walking out to a battlefield to meet an army full of enemies by myself... Not to mention one of them was 9.5 feet tall! Now we know David was not alone. The Invisible and Living God, The Creator of All Things, was with him, but still... David's story is more than impressive. Impressive enough that David's story has and will live throughout all generations. Baptized in blood at 15 when he cut off Goliath's head, David's life would never be the same after leading Israel to victory that day. In the "twinkling of an eye" David's childhood was gone, and now he would have to grow up in a manner none of us can imagine. His life would now change, forever. Before we wrap this series up tomorrow, let’s spend some time today giving thought to the Biblical concepts David learned at a very young age. Let’s meditate on the things that the man “after God’s own heart” would have to learn, and trust, at a very early age. Some good questions that we should all ask ourselves are: 1.) Do we take these things into account in our lives? 2.)Are we trusting Our Father to guide us along The Way? 3.) Finally, when The One True and Living God, Our Father, calls upon us... will we be ready? The things Young King David would experience and “live out” at a very young age: Our Father and Savior didn't say following Him would be a walk in the park, He said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:25 The verses above were a stark, living reality for David, for he would live them out, and on a world stage. David’s life would go through many stages, it was very bloody, and there never seemed to be a dull moment. Yet, we really don’t hear David complain in The Word. If he did complain, it was about his own failures and in repentance before the nation. If David complained at all, he wouldn’t complain to others, he did what we all should do and brought it straight to The One True and Living God, Our Father. “Yahweh, how many are my enemies; many are rising against me. Many are saying about my soul, “There is no deliverance for him from God. Selah But you, Yahweh, are a shield around me, my glory and the one who lifts up my head. With my voice I call to Yahweh and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke up because Yahweh sustains me. I am not afraid of the ten thousands of people who all around have set themselves against me. Rise up, O Yahweh; deliver me, O my God; for you strike all my enemies on the cheek. The teeth of the wicked you break. To Yahweh belongs deliverance; may your blessing be over your people. Selah” Psalms 3:1-8 “My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you far from helping me, far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I call by day and you do not answer, and by night but I have no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted you; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; they trusted you and were not ashamed.” Psalms 22:1-5 LEB David thoroughly knew, before it was written that he was to: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 LEB Again, before some of these things were even written in God Our Father’s Word, David knew: “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.” II Timothy 2:4 “Bless those who persecute, bless and do not curse them.” Romans 12:14 “Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares Yahweh.” Jeremiah 1:8 Finally, while David was young, and while he was old, He always trusted in The Rock: “Yahweh lives! Blessed be my Rock! May God, The Rock of My Salvation, be exalted!” 2 Samuel 22:47 “Blessed be Yahweh, my Rock, The One Who Trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war—” Psalms 144:1 “Yahweh is My Rock and My Fortress and My Deliverer, My God, My ROCK in whom I have taken refuge, My Shield and The Horn of My Deliverance, My Stronghold.” Psalms 18:2 “For you are My Rock and My Fortress. So, for the sake of Your Name, lead me and guide me.” Psalms 31:3 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your presence, O Yahweh, My Rock and My Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 Have a wonderful beginning to your week everyone! May The God of King David, The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Our Father, Bless you as you go out into a world and face your own giants. And may the Peace of Our Eternal King and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ, be with you all! Good Morning Sabbath...
Thank you Father for the blessing of this NEW day. Please continue to fill our HEARTS & MINDS with your TRUTH & LOVE so we stay FOCUSED on The TRUTH of “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" TODAY! In Yeshua, Jesus Christ’s Name we pray. Amen! - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Day 8: A Berean Handoff) It never ceases to amaze me how Our Father In Heaven works. As we talked about yesterday, He has “The Way of Perfect Timing.” Well, as I was meditating on the life of David, and trying to think of a “witty” way to wrap up this series, Our Father must have decided I need a day break, because the devotion you are about to read expresses almost “to the t” what I was trying to convey in the next part of the series. I just couldn’t seem to “get it all out.” Not only did Our Father have the late John C. Ritenbaugh from berean.org write almost exactly what I was trying to convey in the next part of this series, but... Our Father had him do it better. Studying David’s life, words, and actions very closely during this series, there is something I noticed about David... he wasn’t afraid to accept help, seek wise council, and he knew when to let someone else “take the reigns,” so to speak. His submission was worthy of Our Father’s Promise to make him successful wherever he went. It is in that spirit of submission today that I give a Big THANK YOU to: #1. God Our Father and Our LORD and Savior, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, Jesus Christ, for making this possible #2. Our Late Brother, King David, for allowing Our Father to compose such beautiful words through him #3. Our late Brother John Ritenbaugh whom Our Father used to write this beautiful piece, and finally #4. berean.org for there submission to God Almighty and their faithfulness in always “searching out The Scriptures.” Without further ado, I give you... David: The Anointed King of Israel (Day 8: A Berean Handoff): (10) Therefore David blessed The LORD (Yahweh) before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD (Yahweh) God of Israel, Our Father, forever and ever. (11) Yours, O LORD (Yahweh), is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD (Yahweh), And You are exalted as head over all. (12) Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your Hand is power and might; In Your Hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. (13) "Now therefore, Our God, We thank You And praise Your Glorious Name. (14) But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You. (15) For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, As were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope. (16) "O LORD (Yahweh) Our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your Holy Name is from Your Hand, and is all Your Own. - 1 Chronicles 29:10-16 NKJV This is part of King David's final prayer of thanksgiving, a portion of his benediction preceding the building of the Temple, as he had made provision for it so that Solomon could begin construction with everything in order. The words should be meaningful, coming to us from the heart of one we admire, of whom even God said was a man after His own heart. It schools us in how David felt about God. It touches on His greatness, power, glory, majesty, rulership, headship, and strength. How puny we are by comparison! We are nothing, aliens and pilgrims in a world that gives us no recognition. Compared to His, our days are but a shadow, and despite this, we are able to make an offering to Him because He has given us all we have. Who is this One to whom we pray, calling Him "Father," "Lord," or "God"? Who is this One whom we refer to as our Creator, Healer, Savior, or Sustainer? Who is the One who is referred to as the Almighty Ruler, Life-giver, and Forgiver of our sins? He is the sovereign Ruler of all that He has created. The term "sovereignty" first speaks of supremacy of authority, but with the exception of personal evil, God reveals Himself in His Word as supreme in every aspect of life. He is the Most High. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in heaven and earth; none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will. Thus, Psalm 115:3 asserts, "But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases." Can we accept this? Is this merely a listing of grandiose titles of One who is great in His being but distant and remote in the actual operations of our lives? Do we relate to Him merely as most people in this world do, or is His greatness truly personal to us, as it was to David, because we know Him personally? — John W. Ritenbaugh Shabbat Shalom (Sabbath Peace) my Brothers and Sisters! May your Sabbath be filled with The Grace and Peace of Our Eternal King Yeshua, Jesus Christ! Good Morning Friday...
Father thank You for this NEW day. As You walk with us today, keep us focused on Your TRUTHS. Please continue to fill our HEARTS & MINDS with Your PEACE, so there's no room for fear or doubt. We ask this in Our Mighty Savior's Name, Yeshua, Jesus Christ. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Day 7) The Way of Perfect Timing: Yesterday we looked at "The Patience of David”. Today, let’s take a look at “The Way of Perfect Timing.” Most of the time David was very good at waiting on The One True and Living God before he made a move. This served David well throughout his life. When he didn't wait on Our Father, he acknowledged his mistake to all, and repented. He waited on Our Father to instruct his path. He waited until it was the right time to burst onto the scene and make himself known. It just so happens that the right time would come not too long after David was playing music for Saul, soothing the evil spirit that the current King of Israel received for disobedience. David, the secretly anointed King of Israel, was about to be introduced to the world... and in stunning fashion. At this point in David’s story, he was back home, doing just what he had done before the anointing by Samuel, tending the flock. Jesse, David's father, has just sent David to check on his older brothers while they were off at battle. David showed up at the battlefield, heard Goliath spouting obscenities against Israel, and watched his kinsmen and brothers do nothing. This is where things start to get interesting. Remember, as Scripture tells us: "Our God Is A Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:29)." Our Father put His Fire down in David's belly... David got "Fired Up" and he spoke these words: “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of The Living God?” I Samuel 17:26 NKJV Our Father's Word prophesied about Someone who would be "zealous" for His House. Of course, this Scripture may bring instant pictures of Our Savior grabbing whips or "cords" and spanking money-changing sinners in The Temple (John 2:15-17).This was Our Messiah fulfilling prophecy. Yeshua (Jesus) was using Our Father's Perfect Timing, which is... The Way of Perfect Timing. Well, David was a "picture" or "shadow" of Our Messiah. David facing this giant was part of that Messiah "picture" and "zeal" for The Nation of Yahweh. Needless to say, “zeal” was bubbling like an eternal spring inside David. He was young, he was faithful, and he was filled with The Spirit of The Living God. Needless to say, David was angry with what was happening. No one insults The Living God's People! David was about to make an example of this nine-foot-tall pagan giant, and he was about to do it in style. Our Father was using the seemingly most "foolish" and "weak" warrior on the battlefield, and He was going to use him to slay the mightiest warrior on the battlefield. No armor, no shield, no sword, but with a stone. The use of the stone was pretty cool, but what was even more fascinating than that... No one even saw THE ROCK that actually won the fight, Yahweh, God Almighty Himself. We all know what happened next. While romanticized by twentieth century authors, this scene certainly would be hard to imagine in its authenticity. It is hard to grasp the reality of this situation for those of us who have grown up in a modern age. Regardless, David had waited patiently for “The Way of Perfect Timing,” Our Father in Heaven's Timing. David knew it was "that time." Just as he knew when he faced the lion and the bear, while protecting his father's flock in the wilderness, David knew he would taste victory facing this "uncircumcised" giant Philistine. David was protecting Our Heavenly Father's Flock now, he knew victory would be Our Father's, and... everyone else was scared. The rest of Israel, every warrior there at the battlefield, did nothing. David's brothers were about to find out he wasn't lying about killing that bear, or that lion. They were about to see why their “little brother” was anointed... King of Israel. David scooped up five smooth stones. He grabbed one for Goliath, and four more in case the uncircumcised Philistine's four older brothers showed up. He was no dummy, he had heard the stories. Our Father was about to immortalize the man "after His own heart" for all generations to come. The Way of Perfect Timing was now. David followed The Living God down to the battlefield and "feared no evil." It was a "small gate" to enter and a "narrow path" that no one else was willing to walk, except... David: The Anointed King of Israel. After this day, nothing would ever go back to “normal” for David. After this day, everyone for thousands of years to come would know who David was. The young, ruddy shepherd boy was about to shock the world and give the entire nation of Israel hope. Whether it was divine intervention, or part of the training Our Father had given David in the wilderness, he knew Our Father's Way, The Way of Perfect Timing, and that “Perfect Timing” was now. The Word of Yahweh, The One True And Living God: “I waited patiently for Yahweh, And he inclined to me and heard my cry for help.” Psalms 40:1 LEB “So whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the stringed instrument and play it with his hand. Then it would bring relief for Saul; he would feel better and the evil spirit would depart from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23 LEB “Now David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed the sheep of his father in Bethlehem.” 1 Samuel 17:14-15 LEB “Now the Philistine came forward early and late, and he took his stand for forty days. Then Jesse said to his son David, “Please take for your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and bring them quickly to the camp for your brothers. And these ten portions of cheese you will bring to the commander of the thousand; find out how your brothers are doing, and take their pledge.” 1 Samuel 17:16-18 LEB “For indeed our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29 LEB “And he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, both the sheep and the oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. And to the ones selling the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it is written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” John 2:15-17 LEB “Then David said to the Philistine, “You are coming to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I am coming to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have defied!” 1 Samuel 17:45 LEB “But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong,” 1 Corinthians 1:27 LEB “Then he took his staff in his hand, picked out for himself five smooth stones from the wadi, and he put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch. And with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:40 LEB “Yahweh lives! Blessed be My Rock! May God, THE ROCK of My Salvation, be exalted!” 2 Samuel 22:47 LEB “Your servant has struck down both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he defied the battle lines of The Living God.” 1 Samuel 17:36 LEB “Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.” PSALMS 23:4 AMP “But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.” MATTHEW 7:14 AMP “And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king: of him He testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART [conforming to My will and purposes], who will do all My will." ACTS 13:22 AMP Good Morning Thursday...
Father Thank You for this NEW Day. Please grant us TRUTH, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING, and KNOWLEDGE. Father we ask this so that we will not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our MINDS. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST'S Name. Amen! - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Day 6) Patience Like David's: Imagine what it was like the day Samuel arrived in Bethlehem to anoint a new king from the House of Jesse. The Prophet Samuel was likely the most famous person in Israel at this time other than Saul, and Saul was fairly new to the scene, while Samuel had been working for Our Father since a young child. Through Our Father, Samuel had become a mighty prophet and servant of God. Everyone knew him, knew the story of his divine conception, and knew the powerful works Our Father had used Samuel to accomplish. We can only imagine the Israelites of Bethlehem getting excited when he strolled into town with his entourage of younger prophets. They were either excited or fearful, because The Prophets of God sometimes brought Our Father's judgement. It was probably a little of both. Nonetheless, we can be sure everyone was talking about the event. As we know, Samuel went on to anoint David. The dirty shepherd boy who had just come out of the field, with all seven of his older brothers being passed over for the honor, was Anointed King of Israel. The youngest were commonly the more despised of the family by siblings. We see this very thing with Joseph in The Bible. If David's Brothers had any disdain for him before, which we get hints of, we can be sure they did now. We read about this in The Scriptures when David showed up at the battlefield while going to see his brothers, just before he faced off with Goliath. Let's take a look: “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” I Samuel 17:28 Strange as it may sound, after David was anointed king, everything just went back to normal. Again, we don't know what Our Father was doing with David while he was out in the wilderness tending sheep, but David surely went back to doing just that after the dramatic anointing by The Prophet Samuel. He was patient. He continued learning from Our Father and honing his skills in many places. Some time would pass before David would go to play harp music to alleviate King Saul's distress. David was the only one who could comfort King Saul from the distressing spirit Our Father sent on him for disobedience. Do you think David was plotting his take over of The Kingdom of Israel while he was there? Of course not! He knew that Our Father had put Saul in power and he knew Our Father would take him out of power at the right time. Much later, after Saul would try to kill David, and David having multiple chances to exact his revenge, even then he respected Our Fathers decisions with an obedient and loving spirit. Saul hated David, but David loved Saul. Do you think David knew Yeshua, Jesus Christ? I do. After all, David was following one of His Commandments. He was blessing the man who persecuted him, and he prayed for Saul, his enemy. Sounds like he knew Our Messiah to me 🔥. David was patient and continued learning what Our Father was teaching him. David would continue in his patience until the right time. It was his patience, and waiting on Our Father to give His Command, that would prove to be David's saving grace again and again, until many years later when he would walk into the capital crowned...The Anointed King of Israel. Have we been practicing patience and waiting on Our Father to instruct us in our next move? Many times we can feel a strong calling on our lives, but lack the patience to wait and let Our Father accomplish these things for us, and through us. Our Father gives us a strong picture of restraint and "submitting to our authorities" through David's life. There is a time to be patient, and a time to act, just as David's son Solomon would write about many many years later. Certainly Solomon was drawing, in part, from stories he had heard about his father David. Today's society, especially the younger generation, are being goaded into believing they can "take things into their own hands." Without Our Father and Savior's Blessing, we are merely practicing vanity. We cannot allow ourselves to accept this line of thinking. After all, who wants to end up like Saul? May we all strive to learn when Our Father wants us to act and when Our Father wants us to be patient. May we all wait on Him to work things out. May we all practice...Patience Like David's. God Bless Each and Every One of You On The Other Side of This Screen. Have a wonderful Father-and-Son-Led Day! Until tomorrow, May The Peace and Grace of Our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ, be with you all! 😃🙌🔥. The Word of The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and... David: The Anointed King of Israel: “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with The LORD (God, YHWH, Yahweh) and men.” I Samuel 2:26 “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” Genesis 37:5 “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for The Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” I Peter 2:13-17 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” I Corinthians 13:12 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14 Good Morning Wednesday......
Father thank You for this NEW DAY. As we rise to meet this new day, please let us be filled with Your Spirit. Wherever we go, let us SPREAD LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GOODNESS, and FAITHFULNESS. Let us desire to become more like You and to worship You IN ALL WE DO. Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ's Name we pray. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel (Day 5) God Uses The Foolish And The Weak Things Of This World: Saul was king, but didn't know how to conduct himself. Saul's son Jonathan was proving to be more kingly, courageous, and faithful to Our Father than his dad Saul. Saul didn't listen, he was selfish, and he didn't take care to do all that Our Father told him. He had to go. Enter David, son of Jesse. A young shepherd boy, the runt of the family, despised by his brothers, and relegated to the duties of tending the sheep, David's family, and David himself, had no idea the events that were about to take place. Now, Saul was a big man, a head taller than any Israelite. He looked powerful, handsome, and kingly. This was a giant contrast to the ruddy, fifteen year old shepherd boy that Samuel The Prophet would anoint to be the next king. As a matter of fact, David wasn't even considered to be anointed at first when the family meeting took place with Samuel. The prophet came to look at Jesse's sons and anoint the next king and David wasn't even called to be present. Let's take a look: “Then Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn about Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel! Fill up your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for myself among his sons.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears, he will kill me.” Yahweh said, “You must take a heifer from the herd with you, and you must say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.’ You will invite Jesse to the sacrifice and I will make known to you what you must do. You will anoint for me the one whom I tell you.” 1 Samuel 16:1-3 Samuel had his orders and he headed to Bethlehem. When he arrived and met Jesse's seven older son's, this was the scene: “When they came, he saw Eliab and said, “Surely his anointed one is before Yahweh!” But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For God does not see what man sees, for a man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel, and he said, “This one also Yahweh has not chosen.” So Jesse made Shammah pass before Samuel, but he said, “Yahweh also has not chosen this one.” And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” And he said, “The youngest still remains, but look, he is shepherding the flock.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we cannot sit down until he comes here.” So he sent and brought him. Now he was ruddy with beautiful eyes and of handsome appearance. And Yahweh said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. Then the Spirit of Yahweh rushed upon David from that day on. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.” 1 Samuel 16:6-13 Can you imagine the surprise of everyone at the family meeting! Seven grown, powerful, and mighty warriors from the house of Jesse were passed over only to choose the forgotten little brother who was off tending the sheep. If his brothers thought he was a liar and despised him before, certainly they were jealous now. It didn't matter, Our Father made His choice and David was anointed to be the king of Israel. At present, no one would know but Samuel, David, and David's family. This would all change very soon. If you have ever felt forgotten, alone, unimportant, or looked over, take heart! Our Father doesn't look at what man sees. He doesn't look at outward appearances. Our Father looks at the heart. You may feel unimportant today, but being faithful to God, seeking His Heart, and following His Instructions can land you in a position of success. No matter how you feel, look, or who is noticing your faithfulness, Our Father and Savior see... everything. Stay faithful, keep your thoughts on God, seek His Face, and stay humble. Remember, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and He uses the foolish and the weak things of this world to confound the wise. Certainly this was the case with David. We will continue on this journey tomorrow. God Bless everybody and have a Great Father-Filled day. The Word of The King Maker, Our Father In Heaven: “Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” 1 Corinthians 1:20 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25 “But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong,” 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For God does not see what man sees, for a man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 Good Morning Tuesday.......
Thank You Father for this NEW DAY! Help us to live aware, to choose wisely, to stay close to You, and anchored in Your TRUTH. Thank You for your Great Love and Mercy. Thank You that You Wait For Us and You Strengthen Us. We come to You today, choosing to walk in Your PRESENCE AND LIGHT! In Yeshua, Jesus Christ Name we pray. Amen. - Thinking Like David: An Interlude Let's take some time today to read David's last words and think about what it takes for each of us to be people after "God's own heart." Remember, the heart is “deceitful above all things and who can know it,” but the “transforming of our mind” with the “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” are precious in the sight of Our Father. God Bless everyone and have a wonderful Yeshua, Jesus Christ-Filled Day. The Word of Our Father In Heaven: “Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.’ “Although my house is not so with God, Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; Will He not make it increase? But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with hands. But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.” II Samuel 23:1-7 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 “rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4 |
SERVANT OF YESHUA 7
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