Encouragement and Instructions to Judges

 

After reading these few paragraphs this morning, hopefully this note will encourage and instruct our Judges.

2 Chronicles 19:6, 7, 9, 10

He [King Jehoshaphat] said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment.

“Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”

Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the LORD, and wrath may not come on you, and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty.”

 Judge, may this encourage you to look to God for wisdom and knowledge, PRAY!!!

 Psalm 82:

A psalm of Asaf:

⁽¹⁾ Elohim [God] stands in the divine assembly;
there with the elohim [judges], he judges:
² “How long will you go on judging unfairly,
favoring the wicked? (Selah)
³ Give justice to the weak and fatherless!
Uphold the rights of the wretched and poor!
⁴ Rescue the destitute and needy;
deliver them from the power of the wicked!”

⁵ They don’t know, they don’t understand,
they wander about in darkness;
meanwhile, all the foundations of the earth
are being undermined.

⁶ “My decree is: ‘You are elohim [gods, judges],
sons of the Most High all of you.
⁷ Nevertheless, you will die like mortals;
like any prince, you will fall.’”

⁸ Rise up, Elohim, and judge the earth;
for all the nations are yours.

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) © 1998 by David H. Stern. BibleGateway.com

May ALL Americans come together and pray for our country and our leaders!!! May we pray that our judges and leaders will seek wisdom, knowledge and integrity!! This was my heart after reading from The CharlesF. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible, July 12. The daily reading also includes Life Principle 10, “If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will, 2 Chronicles 20:12. God always wants the best for us, and He is committed to showing us how to follow the specific plan He has designed for each of our lives….” Dr. Stanley continues with nine ways God may help us to take notice of His will.

May this be a blessing and encouragement to us ALL to pray and seek integrity in our individual life.

FOCUS . . . RELATIONSHIPS

  Matthew 6:33

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  New King James Version   www.biblegateway.com

"JEHOVAH the relational God: You rule over all, yet You also seek a Relationship with your creation. You are worthy of ALL Praise and Worship." 1 John 4:10.*

Where is my focus? Where is your focus? May we encourage each other to focus on what is important to each of us RELATIONSHIPS. For me, I have finished reading Life Principles Daily Bible and look forward to reading in again starting tomorrow. Send me a note to let me know what is important to you, what is your focus?

The following examples of a few of the pages that have helped me through the year:

In Habakkuk, the prophet, we read about  violence, iniquity, plagues, pestilence and dissapointments. Yet, in Habakkuk 3, we read his prayer, "LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear, O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years..." This same day, 23 December we read, Psalm 146. "PRAISE the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!...Do not trust in princes, in mortal men,.." To continue on the depravity of mortal man, in Revelation 13 we read what will happen to people :18 "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate..."

December 27, Psalm 147:12-18, reminds us to Never Give Up. 

Revelation 22:12, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, To render to every man according to what he has done..."

How will you or I respond to the Lord's challenges upon life? Will we respond with anger, strife, hate or love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galations 5:22)? Let us focus on building relationships!!!

*Evans, Tony. Experience the Power of God's Names. Eugene, Oregon, Harvest House Publishers. 2017. page 14.

Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible: Bilical Principles for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Thomas Nelson. 2011. pages 1596-1640.

Molded by the Master

 

Romans 9

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?  NIV BibleGateway

When the potter takes the lump of clay, he knows what he wants to do with it-whether he wants to create a beautiful vase, bowl, or pitcher. He already knows what it is going to become. He takes the lump of clay, places it on the pottery wheel, and begins to shape it. However, the only way the potter can form this piece of clay into something beautiful is by getting it to the center of the wheel...

   One of the reasons God is not able to make us into the people He wants us to be is because we rebel against Him-we insist on doing things our way and get out of the center of His will. If we insist on questioning and contradicting Him, we'll never experience God's best.

   Romans 9:20, 21 warns, "Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?"

   God is daily molding us through our circumstances, and we need to trust Him-our faith in Him is absolutely crucial. To follow are six words to describe our Master Potter that will help us when our faith falters:

1 Power.

   God has power in our lives because He is omnipotent... He allows our free will up to a certain point; however, the Master Potter has the ultimate power over the day.

2. Purpose.

   God has a specific purpose in mind for each of us...

3. Plan.

   ...to conform us into the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ...

4. Patience.

   God never hurries...  because becoming like Jesus Christ involves a lifetime process of learning the ways of God.

5. Perseverance.

   ...God never discards us... our Father has the power to overcome any obstacle in our lives...

6. Personal.

   God forms each one of us individually...

   Therefore, trust the Master Potter!  Trust the One who is powerful, who has a purpose and a plan for you, who is patient with you, who perseveres with you, and who loves you deeply and personally. As He molds you, learn from Him... You're a masterpiece waiting to happen, so submit to His touch.

read the rest of Dr. Stanley's notes on page 1013. Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible: Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Yea. Thomas Nelson publishers, Nashville. 2011.

The Narrow Way

 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Luke 13:24 NIV, BibleGateway.com suggestion, read rest of chapter

   Martial artist Morihei Ueshiba once philosophized., "There are many paths leading to the top of Mount Fuji." His statement reflected the idea that many people believe, which is that there are many ways to find God. Life is a journey, and people are free to choose their own path to the deity of their choice.

   However, Jesus completely refuted that idea. In Luke 13:24, He said, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." In other words, there are people who will spend their entire lives pursuing a deity that cannot save them, and they will not realize it until it's too late. It's a horrifying thought.

   So why do so many people think there is more than one way to find God?

   Generally, the belief that there is more than one path to God stems from the fact that in every society in the world (it doesn't make any difference how civilized or uncivilized), there are always people who believe in some kind of deity. Therefore, many anthropologists and sociologists reason there is no one true religion-everyone simply worships the deity which best reflects their environmental influences.

   Such scientists conclude everyone is entitled to his or her own idea of God-including believing there is no such thing as a supreme being. Unfortunately, that's human reasoning. It sounds logical, but the problem is it's a complete contradiction to the way the one true God has provided for us to know Him (John 3:16-18).

   Why are there so many cultures with so many deities? Romans 1:20 explains, "Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." People are without excuse in knowing God exists. Every culture has a concept of God-He's clearly seen throughout nature. However, it's not up to us to imagine who He is or to create Him out of our own reasoning or culture. Rather, we must look to the way He's revealing Himself to us, which is through the person of Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:27; John 14:7).

   Unfortunately, people are sometimes offended when Christians say Jesus Christ is the only way to God because they say God wouldn't exclude from heaven all the people who don't believe in Christ. However, their reasoning is completely wrong. It's not that the one true God is exclusive. In face, He is completely inclusive, Jesus said in John 12:32, "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." Jesus offers salvation to everyone. Jesus would never turn away someone who put his or her faith in Him (Rom. 10:9-13).

   Though life may be a journey, and though there may be a multitude of roads to the earthly Mount Fuji, there's only one way to God-by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Christ offers the only road that leads to salvation. Though the world may offer an abundance of choices, they'll never lead to what you're really looking for (Prov. 14:12). The only right choice is the road God offers through Jesus Christ. Though that path is the narrow one, it's always wide open to you. Trust Him.

Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible, Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Year. Nashville. Thomas Nelson Publishing, page 485.

We don’t know when; are YOU ready?

 

Matthew 24:36
36 But of that day and hour, knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. KJV BibleGateway

Matthew 25:1, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. KJV BibleGateway

How do we prepare for something that we know WILL happen, yet do not know when?  Always be alert, focus, focus, focus! Just as in the time of Noah, God gave Noah specific instructions. Noah had never seen rain nor floods, so how could he prepare without God’s leading? Moses led the people of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. How could he? How could Moses accomplish this overwhelming task without the guidance of God? Both of these great leaders talked with God. Today, we talk with God by prayer, meditation and obedience. 

As I read the LifePrinciples Daily Bible reading for February 7 pages 164-169, my God demonstrate how much He wants to be involved in my life. In Exodus 25:1-26:37, God specifically calls and equips us for His service.  In Exodus God provided plans to build a physical tabernacle for Him to dwell amount His people. Now, this tabernacle is our body. God in the form of the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer in Jesus Christ. Am I following His plan for His tabernacle? Psalm 19:7-14 starts with “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul…” and ends with “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.”  In Proverbs 6:32-35, I read about lacking sense, Jealousy enrages, and destroying self.  Matthew 24:1-28 compares the temple buildings with the kingdom of Christ. Read 24:12-13 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Again in Matthew 25:13, we read “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour."

God wants an intimate relationship with YOU and ME! We were created for this purpose. Is your or my rebellion halting this intimacy? God wants to be intimate and LORD, involved in every aspect of your and my life. The world system is attempting to direct us to think globally; God directs us think individually. Is this my goal? EVERY person is important! EVERY person was created in the image of God to fulfill His individual purpose. What is this individual purpose? First accept Jesus Christ as personal LORD and SAVIOR. Allow Him to guide and direct your life moment by moment.
Are YOU ready, prepare now, read John 3:16. Read, study, meditate, and focus on Jesus Christ as YOUR personal LORD and Savior.

God’s Pattern for Success

 

Have you ever read through the Bible in a year? Would you like to read through the Bible in a year? Many options are available to read through the Bible in a year such as front to back, some chapters from the Old Testament and some chapters from the New Testament, read some in the morning and some in the evening or check out Life Principles Daily Bible:Biblical Principles For Each Day of the Year.

Each day includes readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament. This process starts from the beginning of each area and does not skip around. The amount of reading in each area will vary; the length of time to cover the reading stays about the same. After talking with several people who read this daily for study or devotion, we came to the same conclusion; all of the readings are coordinated.

 In order to explain this, I will use January 26 as an example. The Old Testament scripture is Exodus 1:1- 2:25 Pharaoh’s attempt to eliminate the Hebrew baby boys, God’s plan to save the Hebrews through Moses. Moses went through difficult times; many of us go through difficult and devastating experiences. Read 2:23 “…and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.”

 The Psalms scripture is 15:1-5, A Psalm of David asking who may abide in God’s tent, or may dwell on God’s holy hill. David contrasts walking with integrity, doing works of righteousness and speaking the truth in his heart with evil that speaks slander, does evil to neighbors, and is a reprobate.

 The Proverbs scripture is 4:25-27

²⁵Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. ²⁶Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. ²⁷Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. New International Version, Copyright 2011-2019 Biblica

The New Testament scripture is Matthew 17:1-27, God speaks to Peter, James and John in :5 …a voice out of a cloud said “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” In this same section of reading after a failure we read :20, “Because of the littleness of your faith….”

 Life Example, page 112, “MOSES: God’s Pattern for Success” Exodus 1:22-2:25 “One of the greatest differences between the world’s message about success and God’s message is this: The world seeks a single formula to produce one set of results for all people, while God’s plan is far more creative, far more individualized, and far more personal….”

 God has an individual plan for each one of his creations. The first part of the plan for humans is to acknowledge that He is God! Acknowledge that He is creator and controller of the universe. Acknowledge the depravity of humans, this includes me and you! God offers me and you the free gift of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as God’s plan for success is individual, I must, as an individual, accept this free gift of spiritual life, not spiritual death. After accepting spiritual life, I can call God, “Abba” father.

Now on to the rest of the plan for success as explained in the example above:

Examples of attempting to make life work my way

God’s mercy and grace of repeating the same message again and again

Focus, focus, focus on Jesus Christ

When I feel like I have failed, it is because of my lack of or littleness of faith. Am I wanting God’s will “Thy will be done” or my will? Am I willing to wait for God’s time? Where is my focus? Am I looking straight ahead? God has an individual plan for my success, your success!!!