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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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Consider Ahaz – King of Judah He did not what was right Scripture is given for us to learn, to be instructed; it is an example for us to consider our own lives and motives. We often read Scripture and look at it as applying to others – It may be YHVH’s way of instructing you personally. Rom 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction…1Cor 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.Prov 24:32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.In 2 Chronicles 28 is a short story of Ahaz, king of Judah (it is for our benefit). Consider if his actions and faulty reasoning applies to anything we might be doing. Are we deliberately provoking our Master and bringing dire consequences on our own head, or on the head of others? We might not be a king over a nation – yet each of us has influence over others, whether it be few or many. This is an amazing instance of the high cost of sheer rebellion and refusing to learn, to yield, to repent, to seek wise counsel, to change ones course. Young or old the results will be the same. You might call it being stubborn, or stiff-necked or just contrary. There comes a time in each of our lives when we must decide whether or not to abandon our rebellious nature against YHVH. It all began like this (NAS version unless indicated, Bolding by MEM staff.): 2Chr 28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. 3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. (Ahaz chose to worship gods other the YHVH.)The result of forsaking YHVH (The LORD):2Chr 28:5 Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus.The rebellious Northern ten tribes of Israel also ravaged Judah: 2Chr 28:5b …And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. 6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their father. …8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.YHVH warns Israel – will they listen? Will they change their mind? Consider: 2Chr 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God? 11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you.Even these unrighteous began to reason properly: 2Chr 28:12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, …13 …said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.They repent of their evil intent: 2Chr 28:14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation.An act of Mercy and Restoration: 2Chr 28:15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.But where did Ahaz turn? And where do we turn when things are going wrong? 2Chr 28:16 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. 17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. 18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Bethshemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there.Consider the source of our problems: 2Chr 28:19 (NLT) The LORD was humbling Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah, for he had encouraged his people to sin and had been utterly unfaithful to the LORD.(Ps 50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.)Do we take of YHVH’s resources and give them to the enemy and expect help? 2Chr 28:20 And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. 21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.(Jer 4:22 "For My people are foolish, They know Me not; They are stupid children, And they have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know.")Can you relate to these foolish reasoning’s? 2Chr 28:22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz. 23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.(Rom 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,)More reasoning: Maybe take YHVH’s tithes and offerings to bail ourselves out? 2Chr 28:24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers.Now he is done – even the people would not bury him with the other kings: 2Chr 28:27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.The Mighty One asks us to consider our ways: Hag 1:5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways! 6 You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; … you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes."Consider : – rebellion is not the way to go. It will not only be our own ruin but our family as well. The more influence one has the more there are to be affected by our actions.There is hope for Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, who considered his way and was a good king. The Apostle Paul was right when he told us to pray for those that have rule (influence) over us; so that we may worship in peace. Learn the lesson of being properly influenced by the voice of YHVH – like Israel, repenting, being kind and making restitution when influenced by a righteous man. How much better to have the righteous influence of the Spirit of God to lead us; to repent of our rebellious ways and be transformed that we might walk in the ways of our Master Yeshua. Thy Kingdom come… Amen (* editing is done to shorten length – you are encouraged to read the full commentary(s)) |
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Here is the problem – Ahaz behaved as the fool spoken of in the Proverbs: Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool…Proverbs 26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of man subverts his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.Proverbs 27:22 Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his folly will not depart from him.Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.My (self) check list: Proverbs 17:24 NJB …the eyes of a fool range to the ends of the earth.Proverbs 14:9 Fools mock at sin…Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes…Proverbs 13:19 … it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.Proverbs 14:16 … a fool is arrogant and careless.Proverbs 15:5 A fool rejects his father's discipline…Proverbs 15:20 … a foolish man despises his mother.Proverbs 18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.Warning for all of us: Proverbs 13:20 … the companion of fools will suffer harm.Proverbs 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.Proverbs 17:12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.Good advice: Proverbs 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.**** Master let us not play the role of the fool – be merciful – grant us your wisdom. Amen |
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"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." - George Washington We might learn from the proverbs about this one: Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is counted prudent.**** Righteous One; sometimes we do not exercise wisdom – teach us to be patient; to wait on You. |
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In our pursuit of humility: (Lessons from humility and sin.) "The more abundant the experience of grace the more intense the consciousness of being a sinner. It is not sin, but God’s grace showing a man and ever reminding him what a sinner he was that will keep him truly humble. It is not sin but grace that will make me know myself as a sinner." Andrew Murray **** It is the grace of God that reveals to us our rebellious, sinful nature. It is the grace of YHVH that empowers us to walk righteously before Him; and to acknowledge the need for His grace. This should keep us truly humble. Be not like Ahaz; cry out to the Almighty God for His wisdom, His power, His grace, and to realize our absolute need for Him; not only to reveal to us our human nature but to give us His nature. **** Yeshua, may we praise You. Deliver us from our foolish nature daily – that is Your grace. |
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Understanding the precepts of prayer. The working of a mighty miracle. The miracles Elijah performed are awe-inspiring, how is that? YHVH heard Elijah and answered him. The event of the great famine called for by Elijah and how the Almighty provided for him is one that should be vividly implanted in the mind of every child of God. Here is YHVH conversing with Elijah – how humbling to have a widow provide for this tough prophet of YVVH (learn a lesson) – yet it was also provision for the widow and her son. She was a Foreign Woman – picture this: 1Kgs 17:8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."1Kgs 17:10 So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, "Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink." 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, "Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand."A tough situation: 1Kgs 17:12 But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die."Faith is required: 1Kgs 17:13 Then Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first, and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. 14 For thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.'"She Listened, Obeyed and the Miraculous: 1Kgs 17:15 So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.No one said it would be easy? 1Kgs 17:17 Now it came about after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became sick; and his sickness was so severe, that there was no breath left in him. 18 So she said to Elijah, "What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance, and to put my son to death!"The tenderness of a tough, hard-hitting, assertive Prophet: 1Kgs 17:19 And he said to her, "Give me your son." Then he took him from her bosom and carried him up to the upper room where he was living, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he called to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, hast Thou also brought calamity to the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?" 21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called to the LORD, and said, "O LORD my God, I pray Thee, let this child's life return to him."And YHVH Heard the voice of Elijah – Oh our God hear our voice: 1Kgs 17:22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down from the upper room into the house and gave him to his mother; and Elijah said, "See, your son is alive."1Kgs 17:24 Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."
**** Eternal One, grant us the love of Yeshua to rightly pray as Elijah did – for one or for all – Amen. |
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How does God feel about issues we face today? Gratitude 1Thess 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.When you pray do you just drop your laundry list off at God’s feet with a, "thanks for taking care of that", and walk off to do your plans for the day. That is not thanking Him or giving Him proper acknowledgement for His part in your life. You get upset when He "drops the ball" on one of the tasks you have assigned Him to keep afloat but do not thank Him while it is afloat and okay in your mind. Why? What happened to an attitude of gratitude? Do you have it? Does the snowplow that dumps snow in your driveway inspire gratitude (for clearing the road) or annoyance for making you get some exercise? Does the full parking lot and lots of people at the store inspire gratitude that all these people are able to eat food and get food or annoyance that you are inconvenienced? Same with the slow driver in front of you – the screaming child – the grumpy man, the jerks who mess around. How can you bring gratefulness into every situation? That will dust off the layer of complaining on your light bulb so it can shine bright for Him. The world is not grateful. It expects to have everything it wants and feels put out when things are not exactly as they want it to be. You should be grateful even in the worst of times so that your light will shine bright. That is the difference between God’s people and the world. Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;**** Material in this section is based on various prayer diaries. |
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WD-40 Well, Who Knew? I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do -- probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his Water Displacement #40 The product began from a search for a rust preventive solvent and degreaser The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. When you read the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. Then try it on your stovetop... Voila! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed. Here are some of the uses: 1) Protects silver from tarnishing. P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL. |
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Better than Nothing??? Two friends met on the street. "How are you doing since you lost your job?" asked one. "Great!" said the friend. "I’ve taken up meditation." "Meditation? You can’t make a living doing that." He shrugged. "It beats sitting around doing nothing." **** Some resolutions:
**************** Have a good day! |
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95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church by Greg Gordon - (founder of SermonIndex.net) 56. "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!" has hindered true evangelism. (Rom 3:19; Acts 26:18; Phil 3:18-21) 57. A Gospel of love and grace only, without the law of God being preached. This is a doctrine of Satan. (2Tim 4:3-4; Rom 2:4-5; 3:19) 58. There has clearly arisen a careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation. (Col 2:8; Rom 1:25; Gal 1:6) |
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Scribbles (By Michael Boldea Jr.) "We can have rest in a restless world precisely because the One we serve, the One who has saved us from the mire of sin and darkness has the power to speak to the storm and still it. We can have rest in a restless world because the One we serve is omnipotent and omniscient, all knowing and all powerful, and He promised His beloved that He would watch over them, protect them, and let no harm come to them." Amen |
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When you fail, call it learning and move on Do what you can with what you have, where you are To gain success, starve your problem and feed your opportunities Word processors should be combined with food processors in case we have to eat our words What you are is God’s gift to you; what you make of yourself is your gift to God An empty heart is a far greater misfortune than an empty purse Courage is the mastery of fear |
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God's Story/Our Story/Your Story (edited for length) For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. (Exodus 12:23; ESV) The Bible tells us that God's story is one of rescue. God created a good world and filled it with life. Our first parents rebelled against God's direction and thrust the creation into death and decay. But from those earliest days, the Scriptures tell us that God's intent was to resolve our terrible predicament by destroying evil - both its source and effects. The outworking of God's plan … focuses on Abraham and his descendants, the people of Israel… God in his wisdom through Israel would raise up a King, the Messiah, as Rescuer of all - all who trust in him. In order to truly understand what it was that King Messiah came to do, we need to see his life, death, resurrection, ascendancy, and promised return against the backdrop of the story of Israel. Passover… is a foundational part of Israel's story and therefore a foundational part of God's story. For through what God did for Israel long ago, we have a glimpse of God's intention for all people everywhere. The desperate bondage of Israel under the oppressive control of Egypt illustrates the plight from which we all need to be rescued. The slavery to which Israel succumbed, as awful as it was, pales in comparison to the servitude to sin and evil to which we all are bound. The powerful hand of God which rescued Israel in their helplessness reaches out to rescue us today from our oppressive bondage. Just as Israel was set free to serve God in the Promised Land, so through the Messiah all people can be free to serve the God of Israel anywhere in the world. This is God's story; this is Israel's story; it can be your story. By: Alan Gilman |
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Psalm 27:1, 5, 14 Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-- so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger-- so why should I tremble?Psalm 27:5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.Our question, our faith, and our part. YHVH is our provider, our protector, He is our hiding place so trust Him – it requires faith, to be courageous and to wait patiently for YHVH. How hard it is to be patient in an impatient society – take courage and wait! **** Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…) |
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Spiritual gifts are to be used for the benefit of the body of Messiah and for His glory. |
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1. "I have sinned against heaven and against you I am no longer worthy to be called your son." - John 14:6 2 Isaiah - Isaiah 37:36 3. Greece - Daniel 8:21 4. to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world . - James 1:275. Make him a slave - Genesis 44:10-17 6. John Mark - Acts 15:37-38 7. Samson - Judges 14:14 |