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)


(LIVING WATER)
ISSUE: #108

MEM

(Messianic Email Message)
Psalms 119:97 - 104
Seeking The Truth
MEM Index
Article Index

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!

Message

Study Notes

We are admonished to study - What does it mean to study?

2Tim 2:15 (KJV) Study (G4704) to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

G4704 - Transliteration: Spoudazo - Definition: to hasten, make haste, to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence

The New American Standard Bible (NAS or NASB) says: Be diligent G4704 to present yourself approved to God...

Webster (1828):

STUDY, v.i. [L.]

1. To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to muse; to dwell upon in thought.

2. To apply the mind to books. (He studies eight hours in the day.)

3. To endeavor diligently. (That ye study to be quiet and do your own business. 1 Th 4.)

Study the Scriptures Because:

2Tim 3:16 (NAS unless indicated) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

Why should we study?

Phil 2:12 So then, my beloved… work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

YHVH (the LORD) will assist when we seek the truth:

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

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When we look to spiritual leaders and commentators for additional insight it must conform to the truth of Scripture. This month’s MEM will feature a variety of entries taken from my "Desktop Study Notes" (ideas, thoughts, quotes, questions, comments, Scripture). No real pattern, read each as a separate entry, one of them might stir you to study further or spark insight into the love of our Creator; that you may know Him better; YHVH bless you in your studies.

Desktop Study Notes

Because they do not know ME!

Isaiah 5:13 (Think!)

Ps 119:29(NLT) Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law.

"Admit to the sufficiency of God and the insufficiency of self and learn to serve one another in love." Andrew Murray’s Humility Book Pg 58

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Consider the events orchestrated by Messiah and the Father; they are being used to purify us - to humbly believe Yeshua can shine thru us, for my good and the good of others.

Wisdom - Extracting God’s principles (God’s Worldview) from His Word and applying them to our everyday situations.

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A Primary Question:

Job 7:17 "What is man that Thou dost magnify him, And that Thou art concerned about him, 18 That Thou dost examine him every morning, And try him every moment?

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HUTCH CHURCH (Parsha Lesson 49)

But we have seen that numerous laws cannot control sin, or change bad habits, once they have been allowed out of their box and leavened a culture. The Mosaic Law showed wisdom. Severity for the individual was actually mercy to the home and community.

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STPAS (Acrostic) Compiled from a journal:

    • Seek God
    • Trust God (Obey)
    • Be Productive
    • Be Accountable
    • Share your Blessings

If we seek:

Proverbs 2:1-6 My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her (wisdom) as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.

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Ps 91:4 (NLT) His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Peace of mind.)

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On the Hebrew YHVH (The LORD) by James D. Tabor

Ye-Ho-Ah’ - The I Am - The Eternal One - The ever-living One.

Ye = Who Will Be; Ho = Who Is; Ah = Who Always Was. (shall be/is/was)

Popularly pronounced Ye-ho-vah’

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The holiness of YHVH is displayed by His Righteousness.

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TorahBytes (Alan Gilman):

The good news is not just a message of individual salvation. That's included, but more fully it is the grand announcement that the long-awaited Messiah, through whom God would establish his reign, as foretold by the Jewish prophets, has come. In Yeshua the expectation of Abraham is fulfilled, Israel's oppression under foreign control is over, and God's reign as King over all the earth is established. (#419)

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On Forgiveness of sin:

Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

(Redeemed - brought back from the brink of destruction by the forgiveness of sins.)

Clarke: The forgiveness of sins] The taking away of sins; all the power, guilt, and infection of sin. All sin of every kind, with all its influence and consequences. (Praise YAH!)

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The Good News… Isaiah 52:7 "The God of Israel reigns."

Psalm 119:54 (NLT) Your decrees have been the theme of my songs wherever I have lived.

Ps 119:48(NLT) I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your principles.

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Humility (By Andrew Murray - Bethany House) :

"And where God has come in His power and revealed Himself, the vessel becomes nothing." (Page 64)

"Through trials and failures and troubles, He seeks to bring us to the place where His grace is everything." (page 93) [Think of Paul’s thorn in the flesh.]

"Jesus is our Salvation: Jesus Himself is our humility. His grace is sufficient for us to meet the temptation of pride. (page 94)

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The cause of our brokenness is alienation from God!

Fear is a predominate outcome of our alienation for God.

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You were Born for This: "Beliefs determine behavior." (Enough said, Period.)

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Yeshua (Jesus) said:

John 15:5 (ESV) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. Explanation point!

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Right Song, Wrong Side by David Wilkerson: (Thoughts on his [this] article.)

When Israel was led to the Red Sea, they complained because the Egyptians were bearing down on them. (How are we doing?). When they were delivered and the Egyptian armies destroyed in the Sea they rejoiced in song and dance (well should we). David W. is saying they sang the right song joyously but why did they not do that on the other side of the Sea?

Where is our faith, our trust, our belief? We sing songs of deliverance today, but will we do it when the enemy bears down on us? Will we sing songs of deliverance on the testing side? Or are we singing songs we really do not believe in? (Beliefs determine behavior)

The world needs us to sing songs of deliverance now and in time of trials. They are hurting and in need of the mighty witness of YHVH. All of our doubts have to be dealt a death blow now - we must be witnesses to our God in good times and in times of testing; be a witness of His faithfulness.

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How real is our joy - our praise - our peace - our faith - our witness - our obedience? Make it Extra-ordinary!

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Planting a seed: When I was planting the corn I looked at the seed and meditated; what a wonder it is - a kernel of life that has the potential to reproduce itself a hundred times over. All I ever do is prepare the soil, plant, maybe water, and then harvest. However there are also weed seeds that I did not plant and they seem to vie for the same soil as that kernel of corn. Our words are like seeds, once spoken (or written) they are out there doing their work. The question is; are they seeds for good or just weed seeds? Each word has a life of its own and is vying for space in our mind and the mind of others. Sifting out the weed seeds first is a better approach to life.

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Thy Kingdom come… Amen

(* editing is done to shorten length - you are encouraged to read the full commentary(s))


Proverbs

Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Proverbs 2:3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD, And discover the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 15:14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge…

Study: - in the Proverbs we find diligently seeking for discernment, wisdom, understanding and knowledge will lead to a relationship with the Almighty - the source for all good.

Almighty YHVH - source of life grant our desire to know You. Without You we are nothing.


Saying (s)

"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win of lose; we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand."

Vince Lombardi

Looking at the definition of study we see similarities to the above quote:

STUDY: - To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to muse; to dwell upon in thought. - To apply the mind to books. - To endeavor diligently.

2 Peter 1:15 (ESV) And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

2 Peter 3:14(ESV) Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

2 Peter 1:10 (ESV) Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (We will not fail when YHVH is our coach)

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Thank You Father for Your faithfulness. Help us to enthusiastically seek You until the very end.


Bible Quiz
  1. The Pharisees criticized Yeshua (Jesus) for eating with which people?
  2. Quote the first verse in the Bible?
  3. Where did the confrontation take place between Elijah and the prophets of Baal?
  4. Who shows no favoritism?
  5. What god did Ahab and Jezebel worship?
  6. Who predicted that a severe famine would spread over the Roman world (in Acts)?
  7. Who said, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

Humility

In our pursuit of humility:

(Lessons from humility and sin.)

"God’s grace had saved Paul; God remembered his sins no more: But never could Paul forget how terribly he had sinned. The more he rejoiced in God’s salvation, and the more his experience of God’s grace filled him with joy unspeakable, the clearer was his consciousness that he was a saved sinner and that salvation had no meaning or sweetness except that his being a sinner made it precious and real to him personally. Never for a moment could he forget that it was a sinner God had taken up in His arms and crowned with His love." Andrew Murray

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How precious is the salvation Yeshua purchased for you? Probably Paul could greatly appreciate the forgiveness of sin more than most but it matters not - sin is sin - if it is not repented of and forgiven by the grace of YHVH we are eternally doomed. There is no other way into the Kingdom of God and eternal life except through the atonement made by the Messiah. Thus each of us owes a debt of gratitude for the forgiveness and the release of our bondage to sin; therefore rejoice. Humility does not come by dwelling on sin but on the love of our Savior.

Praise God and stand in awe of His love:

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved (Yeshua).

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

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YHVH, may we never forget we are but sinners saved by Your awesome grace - thank You.


Prayer

Understanding the precepts of prayer.

2Samuel 21:14 And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin … thus they did all that the king commanded, and after that God was moved by entreaty H6279 (prayer-KJV) for the land. [H6279: to pray, entreat, supplicate]

What happened, why was God moved by prayer (entreaty) for the land? This is an interesting event that might give us insight into some of our personal and national issues today.

2Sam 21:1 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of the LORD. And the LORD said, "It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death." 2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them (now the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites, and the sons of Israel made a covenant with them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the sons of Israel and Judah).

2Sam 21:3 Thus David said to the Gibeonites, "What should I do for you? And how can I make atonement that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?" 4 Then the Gibeonites said to him, "We have no concern of silver or gold with Saul or his house, nor is it for us to put any man to death in Israel." And he said, "I will do for you whatever you say." 5 So they said to the king, "The man who consumed us, and who planned to exterminate us from remaining within any border of Israel, 6 let seven men from his sons be given to us, and we will hang them before the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the LORD." And the king said, "I will give them."

Here we see there was a severe famine in the land (3yrs). David sought (prayed to) YHVH for an answer to this situation. It was revealed that Saul had broken the covenant with the Gibeonites. When atonement was finally made "… God was moved by entreaty for the land", by breaking the famine.

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YHVH how often we pray for relief from our problems when we need to be seeking why and repent; be merciful toward Your people and reveal to us what displeases You.


Heart of God

How does God feel about issues we face today?

Stumbling Block

Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

We know we are not to sin ourselves, but we also need to love our brother and not do things that would cause him to stumble and sin.  Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:12-13 says he would not eat meat again if it would cause a brother to sin.  Are we concerned to that level, or are we only looking out for ourselves and doing what we think is right, not thinking how it would affect others.  This coming month, think about your words and actions and how they affect those around you.  Are we judgmental, causing others to stumble, or are we being our brother’s keeper? 

1John 2:10 He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

Material in this section is based on various prayer diaries.


Did you know:

Kate Smith, God Bless America

Some of you are too young to remember, so for your information and edification, I send this on to you.  Some do remember and for you it is a bit of nostalgia no less pertinent today than it was 70+ years ago!

 In early 1940, Kate Smith, a fiercely patriotic American, and the biggest star on radio, was deeply worried about her country.  She asked Irving Berlin if he could give her a song that would reignite the spirit of American patriotism and faith.  He said he had a song that he had written in 1917, but never used it.  He said she could have it.  She sat at the piano & played it and realized how good it was.  She called Mr. Berlin and told him that she couldn't take this from him for nothing.  So, they agreed that any money that would be made off the song would be donated to the Boy Scouts of America.  Thanks to Kate Smith and Irving Berlin, the Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties.  This clip is from the movie "You're in the Army Now".  You will see a familiar face in this--one that we are all very proud of.  Frank Sinatra said that when Kate Smith, whom he considered the greatest singer of his age, first sang this song on the radio, a million guys got 'dust' in their eyes and had to wipe the tears the 'dust' caused. If you can watch and listen without 'dust' getting in your eyes, you have no soul. Sit back and enjoy a real star.

           

Copy and paste into your internet browser. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnQDW-NMaRs

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Lighter Side

If you ever felt a little bit stupid by what you said, just dig this up and read it again; you might not feel so bad.

Names have been removed …

"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."

______________________

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life,"

During an interview to become spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign.

______________________

"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,"

______________________

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country,"

______________________

"That lowdown scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it,"

--A congressional candidate.

______________________

"Half this game is ninety percent mental."

______________________

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it…"

______________________

"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix "

______________________

"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"

______________________

"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football.

A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."

______________________

"We don't necessarily discriminate. We simply exclude certain types of people."

ROTC Instructor

______________________

"Your food stamps will be stopped effective March 1992 because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you.

You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances." (Think resurrection!)

--Department of Social Services

______________________

"Traditionally, most of Australia's imports come from overseas."

______________________

"If somebody has a bad heart, they can plug this jack in at night as they go to bed and it will monitor their heart throughout the night. And the next morning, when they wake up dead, there'll be a record."

FCC Chairman

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Have a good day!


The Modern Church

95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church

by Greg Gordon - (founder of SermonIndex.net)

 

41. Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke. (Jeremiah 6:14; Pro 1:23; 1Tim 5:20)

42. Run from gospels that focus on our success and prosperity in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 2:16; Acts 20:33; Jeremiah 6:13)

43. Run from gospels that focus on self-improvement. (1Tim 6:5; Heb 12:14; Jam 4:14)


Cause and Effect

Scribbles

(By Michael Boldea Jr.)

…The purpose of knowing future events as presented in the Word of God is not for our fear, but for our encouragement; not for our restlessness, but rather for our rest; not for our despondency but rather for our peace. God knew the future then, He knows the future now and He will know the future tomorrow. If He is our Father, what have we to fear?


Consider

The finest forgiving is forgetting

Don’t judge… you can’t tell how far a frog can jump just by looking at it

Whatever good you want to do, do it … there are only so many tomorrows

Today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a visit of hope

A real friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be on your way down

Dedication and determination yield success and satisfaction

To share with a friend is to see twice the beauty


Bytes

Fearing God

If the concept of "fearing God" is unfamiliar to you, it refers to having great respect, the kind of respect that strongly evokes an obedient response. - True faith in God proves itself through our actions. - Abraham's willingness to obey God's unusual and drastic directive outwardly demonstrated the inner reality that had been at work in his life for years. When God says, "Now I know"(Genesis 22:12) he is affirming the reality of Abraham's faithfulness. True faith in God proves itself through our actions.

By:

Alan Gilman
TorahBytes Communications


Psalm Promise

Psalm 27:1, 3

 

Ps 27:1 A Psalm of David . The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

Ps 27:3 Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

If we can say with David, YHVH is "My Light" - "My Salvation" - "My Life" then we can surely say "I shall be confident". Are you without fear? If not, then go to the Scriptures and find the promises you need. Then go to your knees and entreat the Creator for the assurance, the peace and the Spirit of power to have victory over every (host) fear; because of His faithfulness, He will hear and answer if you are earnest.

For great is YHVH’s Faithfulness:

Ps 143:1 Hear my prayer, O LORD (Yehovah), give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

Ps 89:5 … thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

Ps 92:2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Because He Promised:

Ps 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

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Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…)


Quiz Answers

1. Tax collectors and sinners Matthew 9:11

2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1)

3. Mount Carmel 1Kings 18:19

4. God Romans 2:11

5. Baal 1Kings 16:31

6. Agabus Acts 11:28

7. John the Baptist Luke 7:1-20



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