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Saturday, February 25, 2017

Parenting For The Launch - Book Review

Raising Teens To Succeed In The Real World.


The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility & the wings of independence. Denis Waitley


It's not easy raising teenagers, especially in our cultural climate that sends so many mixed messages (many destructive), offers innumerable distractions, & poses any number of potential perils for young people.


Are you ready, to release an eagle to soar?


Keep Your Eyes On The Goal: If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else. Lawrence J. Peter


Our "destination," in this case, is the millstone launch into adulthood & the knowledge our children will require to do it successfully. This involves:

1. covering the bases with the wisdom our children need for "real world" independent (i.e., what do they need to know?)

2. instilling the principles & values for honorable living (i.e., how they should live?)

3. helping our children discover their unique assets they bring to the world (i.e., "who am I, what do I have to offer, & what are my opportunities?")


Try This: A Parenting Mission Statement

Mission
To inspire, equip, & empower our future adults who are admired for their character, respected for their gifts & talents, & remembered for the love & service they gave to others.

Vision
We will raise future leaders of excellence who will purposefully & honorably, who will understand & passionately offer their unique assets, who leave a legacy of significance & joyful service, who will value relationships & faith, who will exude gratitude & courage, & who will live with the confidence of knowing they are loved unconditionally & believed-in emphatically.


During this time, it pays to get to know the other voices in your teens life, both the good & potentially not-so-good. Some "voices" you want to be paying attention to are:

Other adults

Friends

Media/internet

Your home

Their inner voice (conscience)


Other Adults: have been especially valuable during the teen years, when our children didn't want to hear so much from Mom & Dad. These voices have included:

their grandparents & extended family members,

long-time family friends,

friends from our faith community; youth group leaders/mentors,

teachers & coaches who took a special interest in our kids & invested in them, &

parents of some of their friends.


Try This:

1. Consider having a "No Screen/No Tech Day" in your household once in a while. (This can be as difficult for parents as it is for teens!) Make an effort to lesson the influence of the technology & entertainment on all of you.

2. Make a list of the five most influential people in your teen's life.

3. Do they align with your family values?


Moving From Driver To Passenger:

The most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them. Frank A. Clark


What They Need From Us

In order to accomplish a successful launch, we need to provide them with:

our unconditional love & understanding

our belief & encouragement,

preparation & practical wisdom,

our perspective of their uniqueness & value,

full acknowledgement that it's their live & their dreams, not ours

a healthy & enduring relationship based on trust,

an open door 24-7, &

realistic expectations.


The authors are Dennis Trittin & Arlyn Lawrence. Authors/Publishers/Writers. Dennis penned "What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead.


Friday, February 24, 2017

Friday - Practice Mutal Discipline - Matthew 18:15-20 - 2/24/17

These are Jesus' guidelines for dealing with those who sin against us. Jesus' words are not a license for a frontal attack on every person who hurts or slights us. They are designed to reconcile those who disagree so that all Christians can live in harmony.

By contrast, we should go to the person first, as difficult as that may be. Then we should forgive that person as often as he or she needs it.


Ideally, the church's decisions should be God-guided & based on discernment of his Word. Handling problems God's way will have an impact now & for eternity.


Jesus looks ahead to a new day when he will be present with his followers not in body, but through his Holy Spirit. Two or more believers, filled with the Holy Ghost, will pray according to God's will, not their own; & thus their requests will be granted.

Reference summary used from Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Thursday - Wholeness by Prayer & Action - James 5:13-20 - 2/23/17

James refers to someone who is incapacitated physically. Thus oil can represent both the medical & the spiritual spheres of life. Jesus Christ is Lord over both the body & the spirit.


The elders should be on call to respond to the illness of any members & the church should stay alert to pray for the needs of all its members.


"And the prayer of faith," does not refer to the faith of the sick person, but to the faith of the church. God heals, faith doesn't, & all prayers are subject to God's will. That is why God often waits for our prayers of faith before intervening to heal a person.


"Confess your faults" can be translated "Confess your sins." Christ has made it possible for us to go directly to God for forgiveness, but confessing our sins to one another still has an important place in the life of the church. In Christ's Kingdom, every believer is a priest to other believers. We must help others come to Christ & tell them of Christ's forgiveness.


The Christian's most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. Since God's power is infinitely greater than our own, it only makes sense to rely on it - especially because he encourages us to do so.


For more about the great prophet Elijah (Elias), read his Profile in I Kings 18.


Clearly the person who has slipped away is a believer who has fallen into sin - one who is no longer living a life consistent with his belief. Christians disagree over whether or not it is possible for people to lose their salvation, but all agree that those who move away from their faith are in serious trouble & need to repent. James urges Christians to help backsliders return to God. By taking the initiative, praying for the person, & acting in love, we can meet the person where he is & bring him back to God.


The book of James emphasizes faith in action. Right living is the evidence of result of faith. The church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly & truthfully, live in obedient to God's commands, & love one another. The body of believers ought to be an example of heaven on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God & one another. If we truly believe God's Word, we will live it day by day. God's Word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do. Belief, faith & trust must have hands & feet - ours!

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Wednesday - Gifts that Lead to Faithfulness - I Peter 1:3-9 - 2/22/17

The term "begotten again" or "born again" refers to spiritual birth - the Holy Spirit's act of bringing believers into God's family. Jesus used this term when he explained salvation to Nicodemus (John 3).


Our hope is not only for the future: eternal life begins when we believe in God & join his family. No matter what pain or trial we face in this life, we know it is not our final experience. One day we will live with Christ forever.


Christians now look forward to a family inheritance in the eternal city of God.


God will help us remain true to our faith, whatever difficult times we must face.


Peter mentions suffering several times in this letter 1:6,7,; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9. When he speaks of trials, he is not talking about natural disasters or God's punishments, but the response of an unbelieving world to people of faith. All believers face such trials such trials when they let their light shine into the darkness. Trials teach us patience & help us grow to be the kind of people God wants us to be.


As gold is heated, impurities float to the top & can be skimmed off. Likewise our trials, struggles, & persecutions strength our faith & make us useful to God.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illionis

Tuesday - The Sower & the Seed - Luke 8:4-15 - 2/21/17

Jesus often communicated spiritual truth through parables - short stories or descriptions that take a familiar object or situation & give it a starting new twist. By linking the known with the hidden & forcing listeners to think, parables can point to spiritual truths. A parable compels listeners to discover the truth for themselves, & it conceals the truth for themselves, & it conceals the truth from those too lazy or prejudiced to look for it. In reading Jesus' parables, we must be careful not to, read too much into them.


Why would a farmer allow precious seed to land "by the way side," upon rocks, or among thorns? He is using the acceptance method of hand-seeding a large field - casting it by handfuls as he walks through the field. That some of the seed produced no crop was not the fault of the faithful farmer or the seed. The yield depended on the condition of the soil where the seed fell. It is our responsibility to spread the seed (God's message), but we should not give up when some of our efforts fail. Remember, not every seed falls on good soil.


God told Isaiah that people would hear without understanding & see without perceiving, & this is what happened to Jesus. The parable of the soil was an accurate picture of the people's reaction to the rest of his parables.


Wayside people, like many of the religious leaders, refused to believe God's message. Hard-rock people, like many in the crowds who followed Jesus, believed his message but never got around to doing anything about it. Thorn-patch people, overcome by materialism, left no room in their lives for God. Good-soil people, in contrast to all the other groups, followed no matter what the cost.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishing, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Monday - Walk in Newness of Life - Romans 6:1-11 - 2/20/17

This section deals with sanctification - the change God makes in our lives when we become Christians. Chapter 6 discusses the continuing struggle believers have with sin.


God forgiveness does not make sin less serious. The availability of God's mercy must not become an excuse for careless living & moral laxness.


In the church in the apostle Paul's day, immersion was the usual form of baptism - that is, new Christians were completely "buried" in water. They understood this form of baptism to symbolize the death & burial of the old way of life. Coming up out of the water symbolized resurrection to new life with Christ.


We can enjoy our new life in Christ because we are united ("planted") with him in his death & resurrection.


The power & penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. Our "old man," our sinful nature, died once & for all, so we are freed from its power. The "body of sin" is not the human body, but our rebellious sin-loving nature inherited from Adam. The apostle Paul has already stated that through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, "not guilty" before God.


Because of Christ's death & resurrection, his followers need never fear death. This will affect all our activities - work & worship, play & Bible study, quiet times & times caring for others.


We are fully fenced off (because of our union & identification with Christ) from all the old ways of believing & behaving. We have a new start & the Holy Spirit will help us become in our daily experience what Christ has declared us to be.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible, KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois


Sunday, February 19, 2017

Sunday - Freedom in Christ - Galatians 5:1-17 - 2/19/17

Christ died to set us free from sin & from a long list of laws & regulations.


Trying to be saved by keeping the Law & being saved by grace are two different approaches.


We are saved by faith, not works, but love for others & for God is the response of those whom God has been forgiven.


It only takes one person to infect all the others by persuasion.


Persecution proved that the apostle Paul was preaching the true Gospel.


The "flesh" is not a reference to the body, but to the sinful nature that attempts to use our bodies to lead us into sin.


At the same time, you must beware of confusing your feelings with the Spirit's leading. Being led by the Holy Spirit involves the desire to hear, the readiness to obey God's Word, & the sensitivity to discern between your feelings & his promptings.


The Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger, but we are weak. Our only way to freedom from our natural evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Saturday - Produce the Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-16 - 2/18/17

The "fruit of the Spirit: is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. They are the by-products of Christ's control, & we can't obtain them by trying to get them. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his. We must know him, love him, remember him, imitate him.


A person who is rich in the fruit of the Spirit fulfills the Law for better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his heart.


In order to accept Christ as Saviour, we need to turn from our sins & willingly nail our natural evil desires to the cross. As Christians we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin's power over us & no longer have to give in to it. We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God's control, daily crucify them, & moment by moment draw on the Spirit's power to overcome them.


As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our lives to God - emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so walk with him.


Those who look to God for approval won't need to seek it from others.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Tuesday - The Lord is God Alone - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - 2/14/17

Monotheism - believing only one God - was a distinctive feature of Hebrew religion. Many ancient religions believed in many gods. But the God of Abraham, Issac, & Jacob is the God of the whole earth, the only true God. This was an important insight for the nation of Israel, because they were about to enter the promise land filled with people who believed in many gods. Both then & today, there are people who prefer to place their trust in many different "gods." But the day is coming when God will be recognized as the only one. He will be King over all the earth.


We are to love God, think constantly about his commandments, teach his commandments to our children, & live our daily lives by the guidelines in his Word. God emphasized the importance of parents teaching the Bible to their children. The church & Christian schools cannot be used to escape from the responsibility. Eternal truths are most effectively learned in the loving environment of a God-fearing home.


Jesus said that loving God with all your heart, soul, & mind is the first & greatest commandment. This command, combined with the command to love your neighbor, on compass all the other Old Testament laws.


The Hebrews were extremely successful at making religion an integral part of life. The reason for their success was that religious education was life-oriented, not information-oriented. They used the context of daily life to teach about God. The key to teaching your children to love God is stated simply & clearly in these verses. If you want your children to follow God, you must make God a part of your everyday life. You must teach your children to see God in all aspects of life, not just those that are church related.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Monday - Christ, the Wisdom of God - I Corinthians 1:18-25 - 2/13/17

God's way of thinking is not like the world's way (normal human wisdom), but God offers eternal life while the world cannot. We can spend a lifetime accumulating human wisdom & never learn how to have a personal relationship with God. We must come to Christ to learn this important truth.


Many Jews thought the Good News of Jesus Christ was foolish because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering King accompanied by signs & miracles. Jesus had not restored David's throne as they expected. Greeks, too, considered the Gospel foolish; they did not believe in a bodily resurrection, they did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods; & they thought no reputable person would be crucified.

The Good News of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many. Our society worships power, influence, & wealth. Jesus came as a humble poor servant, & he offers his Kingdom to those with faith, not works. This looks foolish to the world.


The message of Christ's death for sins sounds foolish to those who don't believe. Death seems to be the end of the road, the ultimate weakness. But Jesus did not stay dead. His resurrection shows his power even over death, & he will save us from eternal death, & give us everlasting life if we trust him as Saviour & Lord. This sounds so simple that many people won't accept it. They try other ways to obtain eternal life (being good, being wise, etc.), but their attempts will not work. The "foolish" people who simply accept Christ's offer are actually the wisest of all, because they alone will live eternally with God.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Sunday - New Birth Brings Freedom - Galatians 4:8-20 -2/12/17

The apostle Paul commended the Galatians for not rejecting him, even though his condition was revolting (he doesn't explain what was wrong with him).


Such caring was what Jesus meant when he called us to serve the homeless, hungry, sick, & imprisoned as if they were Jesus himself. Do you avoid those in pain or facing difficulty - or are you willing to care for them as if they were Jesus Christ himself?


If you feel guilty & inadequate check your focus. Are you putting your faith in Christ or in rule-keeping?


The apostle Paul did not gain great popularity when he rebuked the Galatians for turning away from their first faith in Christ. Human nature hasn't changed much - we still get angry when we're scolded. But don't write off someone who challenges you. There may be truth in what he says. Receive his words with humility, carefully think them over. If you discover you need to change an attitude or action, take steps to do it.


"They" in verse seventeen refers to false teachers who claimed to be religious authorities, experts in Judaism & Christianity. Appealing to the believers' desire to do what is right, they drew quite a following. The apostle Paul said, however, that they were wrong & that their motives were selfish. False teachers are often respectable & persuasive. That is why all teachings need to be checked with the Bible.


The apostle Paul led many people to Christ & helped them mature spiritually. Perhaps one reason for his success as a spiritual father was the deep concern he felt for his spiritual children; he compared his pain over their faithlessness to the pain of childbirth. We should have the same intense care for those to whom we are spiritual parents. When you lead people to Christ remember to stand by them to help them grow.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Saturday - Led by the Spirit of Christ - Romans 8:12-17 -2/11/17

"Mortify the deeds of the body" in verse thirteen means to put to death or regard as dead the power of sin in your body.


The apostle Paul uses adoption to illustrate the believer's new relationship with God. In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family & gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father's estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he gains all the privileges & responsibilities of a child in God's family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit. We may not always feel like we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are & encourages us with his love.


Because we are God's children, we share in great treasures as joint-heirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his Son, forgiveness, & eternal life; & he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need.


There is a price for being identified with Jesus. Along with the great treasures, the apostle Paul mentions the suffering that Christians must face. In many parts of today's world, Christians face pressure just as severe as those faced by Christ's first followers. Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged Christians must not become complacent. Nothing we suffer however, can compare to the great price Jesus paid to save us.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Friday - The Spirit Brings Life - Romans 8:1-11 - 2/10/17

The "flesh" as used throughout this chapter refers not to our human bodies, but to the principle & power of sin. Sin is present & often operating in our body, not to be equaled with the body.


"Not guilty; let him go free"- what would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God's holy Law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He has delivered us not guilty & has offered us freedom from sin & power to do his will.


The Spirit of life is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world, & he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life.


Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. In Old Testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the Temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin: blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned. But animal blood could not really remove sins. The sacrifices could only point to Jesus' sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sins.


Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives lives on God. Use the Bible to discover God's guidelines, & then follow them. When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.


A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for for your salvation & acknowledged him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life, & you are a Christian. When the Holy Spirit is working within you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son & that eternal life comes through him; you will begin to act as Christ directs; you will find help in your daily problems & in your praying; you will be empowered to serve God & do his will; & you will become part of God's plan to build up his church.


The Holy Spirit is God's promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. He is in us now by faith, & by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Thursday - The Cost of Being a Disciple - Luke 9:23-27,57-62 - 2/9/17

Christians follow their Lord by imitating his life & obeying his commands. To take up the cross means to obey selfish desires to use our resources of time & money our own way, & to choose our own direction in life. Following Christ is costly now, but in the long run it is well worth the pain & effort.


Nothing material can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Jesus' disciples are not to use their lives on earth for their own pleasure, but to spend them serving God & people.


Luke's Greek audience would have found it difficult to understand a God who could die, just as Jesus' Jewish audience would have been perplexed by a Messiah who would let himself be captured. Both would be ashamed of Jesus if they did not look past his death to his glorious resurrection & Second Coming. Then they would see him not as a loser but as the Lord of the universe who through his death brought salvation to all people.


When Jesus said some would not die without seeing the Kingdom, he was referring to (1) Peter, James, & John, who would witness the transfiguration eight days later, or in a broader sense to (2) all who would witness the resurrection & ascension, or (3) all who would take part in the spread of the church after Pentecost. Jesus listeners were not going to have to wait for another, future Messiah - the Kingdom was among them, & it would soon come in power.


What does Jesus want from us? Total dedication, not half-hearted commitment. We can't pick pick & choose among Jesus' ideas & follow him selectively; we have to accept the cross along with the crown, judgment as well as mercy. We must count the cost & be willing to abandon everything else that has given us security. With our focus on Jesus, we should allow allow nothing to distract us from the manner of living he calls good & true.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois


Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Wednesday - Power & Strength through Weakness - II Corinthians 12:7b-10 - 2/8/17

We don't know what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was because he doesn't tell us. Whatever it was, it was a chronic & debilitaling physical problem, which at times kept him from working. This thorn was a hindrance to his ministry, & he prayed for its removal; but God refused. Paul was a very self-sufficient person, so this thorn was difficult for him. It kept Paul humble, reminded him of his need for constant contact with God, and benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life.


Although God did not remove Paul's physical affliction, he promised to demonstrate his power in Paul. The fact that God's power shows up in weak people should give us courage. We must rely on God for our effectiveness rather than on simple energy, effort, or talent. Our weakness not only helps develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship, for in admitting our weakness, we affirm God's strength.


God does not intend for us to seek to be weak, passive, or ineffective - life provides enough hindrances & setbacks without us creating them. When they come, we must depend on God.


Paul was not merely revealing his feelings; he was defending his authoring as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was hurt that the church in Corinth doubted & questioned him, & he defended himself for the cause of the Gospel, not to satisfy his ego.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Monday, February 6, 2017

Tuesday - A Faithful Heir Will Succeed - I Kings 2:1-4 - 2/7/17

God's conditional promise was that David & his descendants would remain in office as kings only when they honored & obeyed him. When David's descendants failed to do this, they lost the throne.


God's unconditional promise was that David's line would go on forever. This was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David who was also the eternal Son of God.


David, whose life exemplified obedience, gave well-seasoned advice to his son, the next king. It would be up to Solomon to follow it.

Reference summary used from the Life Application KJV Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Sunday ... Re-Created To Live In Harmony - Galatians 3:26-4:7 -2/5/17

In Roman society, a youth coming of age laid aside the robe of childhood & put on a new toga. This represented his move into adult citizenship with full rights & responsibilities. Apostle Paul combines this understanding with baptism. By becoming Christians & being baptized, they were becoming spiritually grown up & ready to take on the privileges & responsibilities of the mature. You have laid aside the old clothes of the Law, & now you are putting on Christ's new robe of righteousness.


Jewish males greeted each new day by prayer, Lord, I thank you that I am not a Gentile, a slave, or a woman. The role of women was enhanced by Christianity. Faith in Christ transcends these differences & makes all believers one in Christ.


The original covenant with Abraham was intended for the whole world, not just for his descendants. All believers partake of this covenant & are blessed as children of Abraham.


The apostle Paul uses the illustration of slavery to show that before Christ came & died for sins, people were in bondage to the Law.


Thinking they could be saved by it, they became enslaved to trying - & failing - to keep it. The Good News is that we who were once slaves are now God's very own children with an intimate relationship with him. Because of Christ, there is no reason to be afraid of God. We can come boldly into his presence, knowing he will welcome us as his family members.


True Christianity: Christians are those who believe inwardly & outwardly that Jesus' death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness & eternal life as a gift. They have accepted that gift by faith & are seeking to live a life of obedient gratitude for what God has done for them.

Christianity is both private & public, heart-belief & mouth-confession. Our relationship to God & the power he provides result in obedience. Having received the gift of forgiveness & eternal life, we are now daily challenged to live that life with his help.


When the fulness of the time was come "God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins. For centuries the Jews were wondering when their Messiah would come - but God's timing was perfect.


Jesus was born of a woman - he was human. He was born as a Jew - he was subject to God's Law & fulfilled it perfectly. Thus Jesus was the perfect sacrifice because, although he was fully human, he never sinned. His death bought freedom for us who were enslaved to sin so we could be adopted into God's family.


Under Roman law, an adopted child was guaranteed all legal rights to his father's property. "Abba" is an Aramaic word for father. It was used by Christ in prayer in Mark 14:36. As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God's resources. As God's heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us - our full identity as his children.

Reference summary used from the Life Application Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Purpose - Love for God - Living for Jesus

Romans 12:1 & I Corinthians 15:58

When sacrificing an animal according to God's Law, a priest killed the animal, cut it in pieces, & placed it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the OT God make it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important. God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices - daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy & resources at his disposal & trusting him to guide us.

Paul said that because of the resurrection, nothing we do is wasted. But if we maintain a heavenly perspective, we understand that we don't see the good that results from our efforts. Do the good that you have opportunity to do, knowing your work will have eternal results.

Reference summary used from the KJV Life Application Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Tuesday - All Peoples are Blessed Through Abraham - Genesis 22:15-18 -1/31/17

Abraham received abundant blessings because he obeyed God. First, God gave Abraham's descendants the ability to conquer their enemies. Second, God promised Abraham children & grandchildren who in turn the whole earth would be blessed. People's lives would be changed as a result of knowing Abraham & his descendants. Most often we think of blessings as gifts to be enjoyed. But when God blesses us, his blessings are intended to overflow to others.

Reference summary used from the KJV Life Application Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Monday - The Spirit Made You a Believer - Galatians 3:1-5 - 1/30/17

The Galatian believers had become fascinated by the false teachers arguments, almost as thou they had been bewitched. Magic was common in the apostle Paul day. Magicians used both illusions & Satan's power to perform miracles.


The believers in Galatia, many of whom may have been in Jerusalem at Pentecost & received the Holy Spirit there, knew they didn't receive God's Spirit by obeying the Jewish laws. We must realize that we grow spiritually because of God's work in us, not by following special rules.


The Galatians knew they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, not when they obeyed the Law.


The Holy Spirit gives Christians great power to live for God. Some Christians want more than this.

Reference summary used from the KJV Life Application Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Sunday - All Creation Praises God - Psalm/Tehillim 148 - 1/29/17

The psalmist exhorted the celestial, the terrestrial, & the rational creatures praise God.

Psalm 148:1 ... (Hallelujah.) PRAISE ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.


Psalm 148:2 ... (Reference scriptures: Psalm 103:20,21) Bless the LORD, ye his angels, (mighty in strength:) that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.


Psalm 148:3 ... Praise ye him, sun & moon: praise him, ye all stars of light.


Psalm 148:4 ... (Reference scriptures: II Corinthians 12:2 & Genesis 1:7) I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I can not tell: God knoweth;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.

Genesis 1:7 ... And God made the firmament (between the light & between the darkness.), & divided the waters which were under the firmament from the midst of the waters of the waters which were above the firmament: & it was so.


Psalm 148:5 ... (References scriptures Genesis 1:1,6,7 ...In the creation of heaven & earth, & of the firmament. Genesis 1:7 above.) IN the beginning God created the heaven & the earth.

And God said, Let there be a (between the light & between the darkness.)firmament in the midst of the waters, & let it divide the waters from the waters.


Psalm 148:6 ... (Reference scriptures 119:90,91) ... Thy faithfulness is (to generation & generation,) unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, & it (standeth) abideth.

They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all thy servants.


Psalm 148:7 ... (Reference scripture: Isaiah 43:20 ... God's promises to his chosen people to deliver his people.) The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons & the (ostriches) (daughters of the owl) owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, & rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.


Psalm 148:8 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 147:15-18 ... The psalmist exhorteth to praise God for his care of the church, his power, his goodness, his mercy;)


Psalm 148:9 ... (Reference scripture: Isaiah 44:23 ... An assurance to Israel of deliverance.)


Psalm 148:10 ... Beasts, & all cattle; creeping things, & (birds of wings) flying fowl:


Psalm 148:11 ... Kings of the earth, & all people; princes, & all judges of the earth:


Psalm 148:12 ... Both young men, & maidens; old men, & children:


Psalm 148:13 ... Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is (exalted) excellent: his glory is above the earth & heaven.


Psalm 148:14 ... (Reference scripture: Ephesians 2:17) And came & preached peace to you which were afar off, & to them that were nigh.

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville,TN

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Saturday - God's Gracious Ways - Psalm/Tehillim 145:13b-21 - 1/28/17

The psalmist praiseth God for the glory of his kingdom, & for his saving mercy. David's Psalm of praise.

Psalm 145:13 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 146:10) ... The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zi'on unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.


Psalm 145:14 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 146:8) ...The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth righteous:


Psalm 145:15 ... (Reference scriptures: Psalm 104:27 & Psalm 136:25) (The dependence of all creatures upon God)These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

Psalm 136:25 ... Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.


Psalm 145:16 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 147:9) To execute them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.


Psalm 145:17 ... The LORD is righteous in all his ways, & (merciful, or bountiful.) holy in all his ways.


Psalm 145:18 ... (Reference scriptures: Deuteronomy 4:7 & John 4:24) For what nation is there is so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

John 4:24 ... God is a Spirit: & they that worship him must worship him in spirit & in truth.


Psalm 145:19 ... He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, & save them.


Psalm 145:20 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 97:10 ... An exhortation to hate evil & rejoice in the Lord.) Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.


Psalm 145:21 ... My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: & let all flesh bless his holy name for ever & ever.

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Monday, January 23, 2017

Monday - Praise the Lord! - Psalm/Tehillim 150 - 1/23/17

An exhortation to praise God with all kind of instruments.

Psalm 150:1 ... (Hallelujah.) PRAISE ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary. praise him in the firmament of his power.


Psalm 150:2 ... (Reference scriptures: Psalm 145:5,6 & Deuteronomy 3:24)

(The psalmist praiseth God for his greatness.) I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, & of thy wondrous (things or words) works.

And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: & I will (declare it.) declare thy greatness.

(Moses prayer to enter into the land.) O LORD God, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, & thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, & according to thy might?


Psalm 150:3 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 81:2 An exhortation to praise God.) Take a psalm, & bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.


Psalm 150:4 ... (Reference scriptures: Exodus 15:20 & Psalm 33:2

(Moses song.) And Mir'i-am the prophetess, the sister of Aa'ron, took a timbrel in her hand; & all the women went out after her with timbrels & with dances.

(An exhortation to praise God for his goodness,) Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery & an instrument of ten strings.


Psalm 150:5 ... (Reference scripture: I Chronicles 16:5) (David appointed a choir to sing the praises of God.) A'saph the chief, & next to him Zech-a-ri'ah, Je-i'el, & She-mir'a-moth, & Je-hi'el, & Mat-ti-thi'-ah, & El-li'ab, & Be-na'iah, & O'bed-e'dom: & Je-i'el (with instruments of psalteries & harps.) with psalteries & with harps; but A'saph made a sound with cymbals;


Psalm 150:6 ... Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Saturday - Do Not Worry, God Wil Provide - Matthew 6:25-34 - 1/21/17

Anxiety about worldly things forbidden. The kingdom of God to be first sought.

Matthew 6:25 ... (Reference scripture: Philippians 4:6) Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.


Matthew 6:26 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm/Tehillim 147:9) He giveth to the beast his food, & to the young ravens which cry.


Matthew 6:27 ... Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?


Matthew 6:28 ... And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:


Matthew 6:29 ... And yet I say unto you, That even Sol'o-mon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.


Matthew 6:30 ... Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, & to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?


Matthew 6:31 ... Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?


Matthew 6:32 ... (For after all things do the Gen'tiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.


Matthew 6:33 ... (Reference scripture: Luke 12:31 ... The kingdom of God to be first sought.) But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; & all these things shall be added unto you.


Matthew 6:34 ... Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Friday - God Gives Humanity Its Dignity - Psalm/Tehillim 8 - 1/20/2107

God's glory manifested in his works, & in his goodness to man. To the chief musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. An exhortation to praise God.

Psalm 8:1 ... (Reference scriptures: Psalm 148:13 & Psalm 113:4.) Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is (exalted) excellent; his glory is above the earth & heaven.

(An exhortation to praise God for his excellency & his mercy.) The LORD is high above all nations, & his glory above the heavens.


Psalm 8:2 ...(Reference scriptures: I Corinthians 1:27 & Psalm 44:16) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; & God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

For the voice of him that reproacheth & blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy & avenger.


Psalm 8:3 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 111:2 ... The psalmist exhortheth men to praise God for his wonderful works.) The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.


Psalm 8:4 ... (Reference scripture: Job 7:17) What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? & that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?


Psalm 8:5 ... For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, & hast crowned him with glory & honour.


Psalm 8:6 ... (Reference scriptures: Genesis 1:26,28 & Hebrews 2:8) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: & let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, & over the fowl of the air, & over the cattle, & over all the earth, & over every every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

And God blessed them, & God said unto them, Be fruitful, & multiply, & replenish the earth, & subdue it: & have dominion over the fish of the sea, & over the fowl of the air, & over every living thing that (creepeth) moveth upon the earth.

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.


Psalm 8:7 ... (Flocks & oxen all of them.) All sheep & oxen, yea & the beasts of the field;


Psalm 8:8 ... The fowl of the air, & the fish of the sea, & whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.


Psalm 8:9 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 8:1) O LORD our LORD, how excellence is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Thursday - Joy & Wish for Perfect Harmony - Psalm/Tehillim 104:31-35 - 1/19/17

The Lord's glory is eternal.

Psalm 104:31 ... (Reference scripture: Genesis 1:31 ...) And God saw everything that he had made, & behold, it was very good. And the evening & the morning were the sixth day.


Psalm 104:32 ... (Reference scriptures: Habakkuk 3:10 & Psalm 144:5 ... ) The mountains saw thee, & they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, & lifted up his hands on high.

Bow thy heavens, O LORD, & come down: touch the mountains, & they shall smoke.


Psalm 104:33 ... (Reference scripture: Psalm 146:2 ...) While I live, will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.


Psalm 104:34 ... My meditation of him shall be saved: I will be glad in the LORD.


Psalm 104:35 ... (Reference scriptures: Proverbs 2:22 & Psalm 104:1 ...) But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, & the transgressors shall be (plucked up) rooted out of it.

(An exhortation to bless the LORD for his mighty power, & wonderful providence.) BLESS the LORD O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour & majesty:

Reference scriptures used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Wednesday - Divine Power - 1/18/17 - Bible Study

Romans 4:16-22 ...The promise was through the righteous of faith. The strength of Abraham's faith.


Ephesians 3:20 ... Wherefore the apostle Paul desireth them not to faint at his tribulations, & prayeth that they may be able to comprehend the great love of Christ towards them.


Jude 24-25 ...God is able to keep you from falling.


II Samuel 22:33 ... David's psalm of the thanksgiving to God for his deliverance, & manifold blessings. (God is my strength & power; & he maketh my way perfect.)


Matthew 9:1-8 ... (Jesus healeth one sick of the palsy.)


Ephesians 2:2 ... (Ephesians 6:11 - to put on the whole armour of God, Ephesians 6:11-17) Ephesians 6:12 ... For we wrestle not against (blood & flesh) flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.


John 5:8 ... (An impotent man healed on the Sabbath.) (Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, & walk.)


Ephesians 1:18-19 ... Paul's prayer for the Ephesians believers. The world fears the power of the trouble in the world, we belong to the God of the universe who has all power but also raised Jesus Christ from the dead. God's incomparable power is available to help those who believe.

Reference scripture used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Sunday - Praise God the Provider - Psalm/Tehillim 65:1-2, 9-13 - 1/15/17

Verses 1-2 ... The psalmist praiseth God for his grace.

(Isaiah 6 ... Isaiah's vision of the Lord in the temple. His confession & preparation for his work. His commission, & the predicted result of his labours.

Ezekiel 1 & 2 ... The date of Ezekiel's prophecy at Chebar. His vision of 4 living creators, of the 4 wheels, & the glory of God. Ezekiel's commission. His instructions. The roll of a book spread before him.

Revelation 4 ... John's vision of the throne of God in heaven, & of the four & twenty elders around it. The elders worship him that sitteth on the throne.



Psalm 65:9-13 ...

Genesis 1:28 ... And God blessed them, & God said unto them, Be fruitful, & multiply, & replenish the earth, & subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, & over the fowl of the air, & over every living thing that (creepeth) moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:15 ... And the Lord God took the (Adam) man, & put him into the garden of E'den to dress it & to keep it.

Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Monday - Rejoice During the Festival of Booths - Deuteronomy 16:13-15 - 1/9/17

The feast of tabernacles. The Religious Life of the Holy People. Also called the feast of Ingathering.

Verse 13 ... Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy ... (floor & thy winepress) corn & thy wine:

Numbers 29:12 ... (The offering during the eight days of the feast of tabernacles.) And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work, & ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days:


Deuteronomy 16:14 ... And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, & thy son, & thy daughter, & thy manservant, & thy maidservant, & the Le'vite, the stranger, & the fatherless, & the widow, that are within thy gates.

Nehemiah 8:9 ... And Ne-he-mi'ah, which is (the governor) the Tir'sha-tha, & Ezra the priest the Scribe, the Le'vites that taught the people, saith unto all the people, This is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn nor, nor weep.


Deuteronomy 16:15 ... Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, & in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.

Leviticus 23:39,40 ... (The feast of tabernacles.) Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, & on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.

And ye shall take you on the first day of the (fruit) boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, & the boughs of thick trees, & willows of the brook; & ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN; & The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Thursday - Salvation is for All People - Isaiah 49:1-7 - 1/5/17

The Messiah & the object of advent. God promiseth his protection & success.

Verse 1 ... LISTEN, ... O isles unto me; & hearken, ye people, from far'

Isaiah 41:1 ... (God calleth upon idolaters to consider his power to aid his people.) KEEP silence before me, O island; & let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.


Isaiah 49:1 ... The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Galatians 1:15 .. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, & called me by his grace.


Isaiah 49:2 ... And he hath made ... my mouth like a sharp sword;

Hebrews 4:12 ... (the power of God's word.) For the word of God is quick, & powerful, & sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul & spirit, & of the joints & marrow, & is a discerner of the thoughts & intents of the heart.


Isaiah 49:2 ... in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, & made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Isaiah 51:16 ... And I have put my words in thy mouth, & I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, & lay the foundations of the earth, & say unto Zi'on, thou art my people.


Isaiah 49:3 ... And said unto me, ... Thou art my servant, O Is'ra-el, ...

Isaiah 42:1 ... (The servant of Jehovah.) BEHOLD my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gen'tiles.


Isaiah 49:3 ... in whom I will be glorified.

John 13:31 ... (The Son of man glorified.) Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, & God is glorified in him.


Isaiah 49:4 ... Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, & in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, & (my reward) my work with my God.


Ezekiel 3:19 ... Yet if thou warn the wicked, he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delievered thy soul.


Isaiah 49:5 ... And now, saith the LORD ... that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Ja'cob again to him (That Is'ra-el may be gathered to him, & I may)


Isaiah 49:5 ... be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, & my God shall be my strength.

Matthew 23:37 ... (Jesus' lamentation over Jerusalem.)


Isaiah 49:6 ... And he said, (Art thou lighten than that thou shouldest,) It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Ja'cob & to restore the preserved of Is'ra-el: I will also give thee for a ... light to the Gen'tiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Acts 13:47 ... (The Jews opposing & blaspheming, Paul & Barnabas turn to the Gentiles.) For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gen'tiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.


Isaiah 49:7 ... Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Is'ra-el & his Holy One, (to him that is despised in soul) to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorrent, to a servant of rulers,Kings shall see & armies, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, & the Holy One of Is'ra-el, & he shall choose thee.

Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Sunday - All Creation Overflows with Praise - Psalm/Tehillim 96:1-6, 10-13 - 1/8/17

An exhortation to praise God, for his goodness, & for the establishment of his kingdom in the world.

Verse 1 ... O SING unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

I Chronicles 16:23-33 ... (The psalm of thanksgiving.)


Psalm 96:2 ... Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.


Psalm 96:3 ... Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.


Psalm 96:4 ... For the LORD is great, &

Psalm 145:3 ... (The psalmist praiseth God for his greatness,) Great is the LORD, & greatly to be praised, (and of his greatness there is no search.) & his greatness is unsearchable.


Psalm 96:4 ... greatly to be praised:

Psalm 18:3 ... (The psalmist praiseth God for wonderful deliverances.) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.


Psalm 96:4 ... he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 95:3 ... (An exhortation to praise God for his greatness,) For the LORD is a great God, & a great King above all gods.


Psalm 96:5 ... For all the gods of the nations are idols.

Jeremiah 10:11,12 ... (The people warned not to learn the way of the heathen.)


Psalm 96:6 ... Honour & majesty are before him: strength & ... beauty are in his sanctuary.

Psalm 29:2 ... Give unto the LORD (the honour of his name.) the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD (in his glorious sanctuary.) in the beauty of holiness.


Psalm 96:10 ... Say among the heathen that ... the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved:

Psalm 97:1 ... (The majesty & power of God.) THE LORD reigneth; let the (many, or great isles) multitude of isles be glad thereof.


Psalm 96:10 ... Let the heavens rejoice, & let the earth be glad; ...

Psalm 69:34 ... (The psalmist praiseth God with thanksgiving. A Psalm of David.) Let the heaven & earth praise him, the seas, & every thing that (creepeth) moveth therein.


Psalm 96:11 ... let the sea roar, & the fulness thereof.

Psalm 98:7 ... (An exhortation to praise God for his salvation. A Psalm)


Psalm 96:12 ... Let the field be joyful, & all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.


Psalm 96:13 ... Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: ... he shall judge the world with righteousness, & the people with his truth.


Psalm 19:11 ... (The Word of God with his armies.) And I saw heaven opened, & behold a white horse; & he that sat upon him was called Faithful & True, & in righteousness he doth judge & make war.

Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Sunday - Praising God the Creator - Psalm/Tehillim 33:1-9 - 1/1/17

An exhortation to praise God for his goodness, his power,

Verse 1 ... REJOICE ... in the LORD, O ye righteous:

Psalm 97:12 ... (An exhortation to hate evil & to rejoice in the Lord.) Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; & give thanks (to the memorial) at the remembrance of his holiness.


Psalm 33:1 ... praise is comely for the upright.

Psalm 147:1 ... (The psalmist exhorted to praise God for his care of the church, his power, his goodness, his mercy;) PRAISE ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; & praise is comely.


Psalm 33:2 ... Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery ... and an instrument of ten strings.

Psalm 144:9 ... (The psalmist prayeth for grace & deliverance from enemies.) I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery & an instrument to ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.


Psalm 33:3 ... Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

Psalm 96:1 ... (An exhortation to praise God) O SING unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.


Psalm 33:4 ... For the word of the LORD is right; & all his works are done in truth.


Psalm 33:5 ... He loveth righteous & judgment : ...

Psalm 11:7 ... (The psalmist's reply to those who advised him to flee for safety. To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.


Psalm 33:5 ... the earth is full of the (mercy) goodness of the LORD.

Psalm 119:64 (The psalmist sheweth the excellence of God's word, & prayeth for grace to profit by it.) The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statues.


Psalm 33:6 ... By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; &

Genesis 1:6,7 ... And God said, Let there be a (between the light & between the darkness.) firmament in the midst of the waters, & let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, & divide the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: & it was so.


Psalm 33:6 ... all the host of them

Genesis 2:1 ... (The first Sabbath.) THUS the heavens & the earth were finished, & all the host of them.


Psalm 33:6 ... by the breath of his mouth
Job 26:13 ... By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.


Psalm 33:7 ... HE gathered the waters of the sea together as a heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Job 26:10 ... He hath compassed the waters with bounds, (until the end of light with darkness.) until the day & night come to an end.


Psalm 33:8 ... Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of world stand in awe of him.


Psalm 33:9 ... For he spake, & it was done; he commanded, & it stood fast.

Psalm 148:5 ... Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, & they were created.

Scripture reference used from The KJV Bible, SouthWestern Co., Nashville, TN