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Have a good day!
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Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
(John 4:14) |
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And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev 22:1) |
For His Glory!
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Righteousness To some, obedience to God (called righteousness), may invoke visions of trying to earn one’s salvation, or being a legalist, or living under the law. Then why is it mentioned so many times in Scripture (both the Old and New Testaments)? How does Scripture define righteousness? What does it mean to be righteous? Is righteousness required to obtain salvation? What does righteousness have to do with our relationship with YHVH (The LORD), The Father and the Son? Yeshua (Jesus) said: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. (Matt 6:33)What is His (God’s) righteousness? What does it mean to be righteous? A few definitions and quotes in regard to right, righteous, and righteousness: Webster 1828 (edited for subject)RIGHT, a. rite. [L. rectus …] (according to the will or law of God) In morals and religion, just; equitable; accordant to the standard of truth and justice or the will of God. That alone is right in the sight of God, which is consonant to his will or law; this being the only perfect standard of truth and justice. RIGHTEOUS , a. ri'chus. (doing what is right)Just; accordant to the divine law. … one who is holy in heart, and observant of the divine commands in practice…as a righteous act. The righteous, in Scripture, denote the servants of God, the saints.
RIGHTEOUSNESS, n. ri'chusness. (State of being righteous) Purity of heart and rectitude (correctness) of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law.
**** (From and article titled ‘Justification’: Stewarton Bible School) [Edited] "[Therefore] Righteousness is holy and upright living, in accordance with God’s standard. "It is important to understand that Scripture (both Testaments) teach that obedience to the commandments of God is required in order for an individual to be considered righteous. "In the Old Testament the term "righteousness" is used to define our relationship with God (Ps. 50:6; Jer. 9:24) and with other people (Jer. 22:3). The Ten Commandments and related laws defined Israel’s relationship with God. To obey those laws was to act righteously, because such obedience maintained the covenant relationship between God and His people. "Numerous commands in the Bible imply that believers also have a responsibility in the process of sanctification. We are commanded to "be holy" (Lev. 11:44; 1 Pet. 1:15-16); to "be perfect" (Matt. 5:48); and to "present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness" (Rom. 6:19). [A jarring, but true, statement :] "If you do not live rightly you have not been saved." (SBC - Elder: David B Loughran) **** (Judaism… by Philip Neal) (Matt 23:23 "…the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness…)"The spiritual principles behind God’s Law-such as love, mercy, outgoing concern, giving-have always existed, as they are integral aspects of God’s own character. "The point here is that God had established His Law as a righteous way of life long before the first Jew was born… "…[God’s will is] the pure way of life defined by the commandments, statutes and precepts of God as originally delivered to the children of Israel through Moses" **** ["Hebrew Roots" Issue 99-4: Vol. 4, No. 3. Oct/Nov/Dec, 1999] Why would we do righteous works then?
To lead a righteous life means to avoid sin at all cost. We are to become holy as He is holy. To live according to His will, to be righteous. And God’s Word defines His will. The standard for righteousness is established by God. It consists of keeping the commandments, which He set forth in the entirety of His word. This includes keeping the Spirit of the Law, for it addresses how a person should feel in his heart about obeying. There are two righteousness’ Righteousness is that which is in accord with the nature and will of God. God reveals His nature and will in His Word. Faith righteousness is believing in the faithfulness of Yeshua, to save us completely. Works righteousness is acting upon the written Word of God, by the grace of God empowering us to become like Yeshua, walking in His steps. We show our love to Him by keeping (all) His Commandments. **** [Alan Gilman - torabytes.org] Right standing with God cannot be achieved by anything we do. God is the one who justifies us. Trusting in him and what he has done through Yeshua the Messiah is what makes us right with him. Good works and religious activities are the necessary fruit of real faith. Works don't produce right relationship with God, but those who claim right relationship with God yet lack the resulting fruit are most likely hypocrites. [Ouch!] **** Faith an integral part of Righteousness: Gen 6:9 … Noah was a righteousH6662 man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.H6662 - just, lawful, righteousGen 15:6 Then he (Abram) believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness H6666.H6666 - justice, righteousnessTWOT: (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) (edited) Righteousness H6666 ṣedeq, refers to an ethical, moral standard; in the OT that standard is the nature and will of God.- Gen 15:6 teaches that Abraham received Isaac as his heir because his trust in God’s promises was accounted as righteousness. - The forensic aspect of ṣedeq applies to the equality of all, rich and poor, before the law.- “The Lord is righteous (ṣaddı̂q) in all his ways and holy in all his works” (Ps 145:17).- Righteousness is exhibited only through conformity to standards set out in the word of God. - The man who is righteous tries to preserve the peace and prosperity of the community by fulfilling the commands of God in regard to others. - In the supreme sense the righteous man ( ṣaddı̂q) is one who serves God (Mal 3:18).- The ṣaddı̂q gives freely (Ps 37:21), without regard for gain.- The presence of this kind of people is the exaltation of the nation (Prov 14:34), and the memory of the righteous man is a blessing. - When men follow God, righteousness is said to dwell in the city (Isa 1:21). - To rule on behalf of the wicked for a price is perversion of righteousness, for it takes away the righteousness (decency, Godlikeness) of the righteous (Isa 5:23). - The source of all this righteous conduct is the bestowal of God’s judgments (or laws) and righteousness on his people (Ps 72:1-2). **** Abraham not only believed, (trusted, had faith) he obeyed YHVH: Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.Abraham had a relationship with the Creator of the universe, the Righteous One.Ps 11:7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.Ps 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne…Ps 119:172 … For all Thy commandments are righteousness.For a relationship with YHVH - live by faith; as Abraham did: Rom 1:17 ... the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.Rom 10:10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation … 13 for "Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved."The problem: Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Rom 10:3 For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.Isa 64:6 (KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.The solution: Phil 3:9 … be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own … but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,Phil 1:11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.Eph 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.Rom 6:13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.Yeshua is our Righteousness - We are to be like Him - Walk in Righteousness: Jer 23:6 "… And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.'Ps 15:2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.1John 3:7 … the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;Heb 1:9 "Thou hast loved righteousness and hated lawlessness...."Rev 19:8 … for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.Rom 8:10 And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.Beware: Matt 6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.Jas 1:20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.Matt 5:20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.Remember Yeshua’s words - Believe them - Live them: …. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matt. 19:16-22)Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets … (Matt. 5: 17-19)But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness … (Matt 6:33)Paul confirms the righteous way: Therefore the law (Torah) is holy and just (righteous) and good. (Romans 7:12)All Scripture is given … for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)Peter … that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness … (1Peter 2:24-25) James … that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only … faith without works is dead also (James 2:24-26) And John: …when we love God and keep His Commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments (1John 5:2-3) Never forget Salvation is the result of faith righteousness: …You have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. [However we are created in Messiah for good works;]For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)**** Remember: Righteousness refers to an ethical, moral standard - that standard is the nature and will of God. Matt 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.Thy Kingdom come… Amen (* editing is done to shorten length - you are encouraged to read the full commentary(s)) |
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Proverbs 13:12 To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;Is righteousness or being righteous important? In the NASB version it is mentioned 89 times in the Proverbs alone.Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.Proverbs 10:24 … And the desire of the righteous will be granted.Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life…Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless…Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer…Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD rather than sacrifice.Proverbs 29:7 The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor…Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.Almighty YHVH - we look to Your word for our moral compass in paths of righteousness. |
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"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving." O. W. Holmes At the time we come into this world we do not have much to say about the circumstances of our birth. At some point we need to realize that we are responsible for the outcome of the rest of our life. The Creator of all life offers us a choice - Life or Death. He encourages us to move in the direction of eternal life. He, the Creator, gives us the guidelines of the straight path of righteousness in His Word. What direction are you moving? **** Awesome Creator thank You for Your Word that defines Your will - the path of righteousness. |
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In our pursuit of humility: (Lessons from humility and sin.) "In the very nature of things, in the whole relationship of the creature to the Creator, in the life of Jesus as He lived it and imparts it to us, humility is the very essence of holiness. It is the displacement of self by the enthronement of God. Where God is all, self is nothing. " Andrew Murray **** Self and pride are the source of our sin (lawlessness 1Jn 3:4). When the self is displaced and YHVH is seated on the throne of our heart we are empowered to holiness. Holiness is living the will of the Father thru the indwelling of Yeshua. By His Spirit we can walk the walk and talk the talk of righteousness as spelled out in Scripture. 1Pet 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness…Rom 6:13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.**** YHVH we beseech You to cleanse us of lawlessness and replace it with thy lawful righteous ways. |
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Understanding the precepts of prayer. David, a man after God’s own heart, received this Messianic promise from Nathan the prophet: 2Sam 7:12 "When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (Messiah Yeshua)David then went humbly before YHVH in prayer: 2Sam 7:18 Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me this far? 19 And yet this was insignificant in Thine eyes, O Lord God, for Thou hast spoken also of the house of Thy servant concerning the distant future…20 And again what more can David say to Thee? For Thou knowest Thy servant, O Lord God!David prayed, greatly concerned that YHVH’s will be done and His Righteousness be exalted: 2Sam 7:21 "For the sake of Thy word, and according to Thine own heart, Thou hast done all this greatness to let Thy servant know. 22 For this reason Thou art great, O Lord God; for there is none like Thee, and there is no God besides Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And what one nation on the earth is like Thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for Thee and awesome things for Thy land, before Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed for Thyself from Egypt, from nations and their gods? 24 For Thou hast established for Thyself Thy people Israel as Thine own people forever, and Thou, O LORD, hast become their God.David asked for the blessing of YHVH to carry out His promise: 2Sam 7:25 "Now therefore, O LORD God, the word that Thou hast spoken concerning Thy servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as Thou hast spoken, 26 that Thy name may be magnified forever, by saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel'; and may the house of Thy servant David be established before Thee. 27 For Thou, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, hast made a revelation to Thy servant, saying, 'I will build you a house'; therefore Thy servant has found courage to pray this prayer to Thee.2Sam 7:28 "And now, O Lord God, Thou art God, and Thy words are truth, and Thou hast promised this good thing to Thy servant. 29 Now therefore, may it please Thee to bless the house of Thy servant, that it may continue forever before Thee. For Thou, O Lord God, hast spoken; and with Thy blessing may the house of Thy servant be blessed forever."This was a promise to David 1000 years before Messiah arrived. The Almighty was faithful to His promise - Yeshua’s first coming is history - now we await His return; to sit on the throne of David and reign in justice and righteousness. ( Luke 1:32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." Rev 19:11 …and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.)**** Yeshua, son of David, Son of God we also await Your awesome promise - Thy Kingdom come. |
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How does God feel about issues we face today? Something to consider: Tis the season… Deut 18:9 When you are come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.As time rolls on, memories fade, stories change, and much is lost or forgotten. Such is the case with Christmas. With the advances in information and the internet it is not too difficult to learn about the origins of this holiday and how it had nothing to do with our Messiah. But those pagan practices, false god worship etc. are as a long forgotten past, or is it? God is outside of time, scripture tells us a day for Him is as a thousand years. It is as if these pagan customs are still in His face today. But now many celebrate Christmas for Him and baby Jesus right? All the symbols and traditions like cutting down a tree and decorating it, putting presents under it. Where did that all come from? Isn’t it just like the children of Israel, shortly after leaving Egypt built a golden calf (pagan tradition) and held a feast unto God? Was God pleased? We need to stop doing what is right in our own eyes and start following our heavenly father and doing what he says. Exod 32:4-8a And he received them from their hand, and fashioned it with an engraving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get you down; for your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them…How does God celebrate Christmas? To find out more, read this article from biblestudy.org: http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/how-does-god-celebrate-christmas.html Material in this section is based on various prayer diaries. |
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Möebius Strip Question: Using a piece of paper, what structure can you make that has only one side? If you cut it down the middle, what happens? And what if you then cut it down the middle again? Answer: The structure is referred to as a "Möebius strip" (or Möebius band), named for A. F. Möebius (1790-1868), a mathematician and astronomer. To construct a Möebius strip, take a strip of paper, twist it 180° and fasten the two ends together. There is only one side to this structure. If you then cut it down the middle, it changes from single-sided to double-sided. And cutting this double-sided structure down the middle results in two double-sided loops. Try it! (Or have your kids try it.) Editor: This really works - using a strip of paper about 2-1/2" wide worked well. ****** Some of the material contained in this section is for informational purposes only and has not been verified by us. |
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95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church by Greg Gordon - (founder of SermonIndex.net) 35. There is an epidemic of a "mock" salvation message. It is correct in doctrine, but false in reality. (2Cor 3:6; 1Jn 5:11-12; Rom 8:9) 36. A salvation that does not make men holy is trusted in by a deceived multitude. (Jude 4; Rom 8:1; Rom 6:17-18) 37. There is a needed perseverance in the truths of the Gospel without unbelief. (Eph 1:1; Heb 6:11-12; Heb 10:26-27) |
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Scribbles (By Michael Boldea Jr.) We have been fed a lie for so long that when we hear the truth it unnerves us, it shocks us, and compels us to choose what to believe… The stark, uncensored truth is that we are pulling pins on grenades faster than we can lob them, not only as a nation but the world in its entirety, and eventually, given enough time, when our arms get tired one of those grenades is liable to blow up in our faces. …It’s one thing to withstand economic downturns, recessions, and negative outlooks on future earnings; it is something wholly different when God removes His hand of blessing from a nation. What so many fail to understand is that what we are seeing is not the judgment, or the wrath of God poured out upon mankind, it is merely the removal of His blessing. Judgment hasn’t started yet! |
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Pain is inevitable, misery is optional. The noblest dog of all is the hotdog…it feeds the hand that bites it. Enthusiasm with error is more acceptable than indifference with perfection. Blaming your faults on your nature doesn’t change the nature of your faults. You can knock the chip off the other person’s shoulder simply by patting him on the back. We don’t know where we are or where we are going until we understand where we have been. Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone to do it. |
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How Blind Is Your Leap? And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness . (Genesis 15:6; ESV)One of the most important issues in the Bible is how one finds acceptance with God. For some Jews and Christians, acceptance with God is assumed based on ethnicity or religious affiliation. However popular these views may be, they have no biblical basis. Neither birth nor affiliation has any bearing on establishing or maintaining a right relationship with God. As we see modeled in the lives of people such as Abraham, it was their faith that connected them with the Master of the Universe. Right relationship with God demands first and foremost an acceptance and understanding of his existence. The performance of religious rituals is completely useless unless we first believe God - the true God - the God of Israel - exists. But that's not all. Real relationship with God depends on an awareness that God responds to our lives. He is not a concept, but a living being who "rewards those who seek him." Faith, especially faith in God, is often misrepresented as a blind leap into the unknown. …true faith in God has far more to do with what is knowable than the unknowable. Having a vital relationship with God is not about throwing away our minds and going against our understanding. Rather it is committing ourselves to a view of life based on clear evidence of the truth and reality of God. Blind faith is not able to discern when the things we trust are wrong. Blind faith overlooks abuse, ignorance, and falsehood. True faith depends on reality. While it doesn't require complete and thorough knowledge, it must be based on what really is. Deciding to trust in God through Yeshua is a most reasonable act based on clear, tried and true evidence. Are there elements of the unknown involved? - absolutely! - just as there is in anything in life. But blind? Far from it! There are few life decisions you will ever make that will be based on better evidence than this. And the result? Right relationship with God. By: Alan Gilman |
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Psalm 25:2-3 Psalm 25:2 O my God, in Thee I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. 3 Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously (transgress) without cause will be ashamed. 4 Make me know Thy ways, O LORD; Teach me Thy paths.The promise is that " none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed". Why? Because they trust in YHVH. Therefore beseech Him to teach us His ways, His paths - which are righteous.Ps 11:7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness…Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…) |
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1. All ten - Luke 17:12-17 2. Deuteronomy 3. Babylon - 2Kings 24:1 4. Satan - 2Corinthians 4:4 5. Roasted lamb, bitter herbs, and Bread made without yeast - Exodus 12:7-8 6. Jethro, priest of Midian - Exodus 3:1 7. John the Baptist - John 1:23 |