I listened to a sermon on CGNKorea (Christian Global Network) based upon the book “Finding Favor With The King’ by Tommy Tenney. This book, which is written about Queen Esther, reveals ways in which we can approach the King and rest in the surety that we are leaving the battle in the King’s (Jesus’)hands. Tommy Tenney was preaching from his own book and there were many profound things said that I want to share with you. I hope for a strong degree of accuracy in the paraphrasing. No copyright infringement is intended.
“Once you become a believer, it does not mean that you discontinue to practice what made you become a believer”(what brought you to your knees) (insert mine).
“To ask the right question at the wrong time does no good”.
“Learn to worship with the enemy at your table”.
“Worship the King while obstacles are in your way” You cannot overindulge the King in Worship”.
‘I will not allow my enemy to dictate my destiny”.
“The presence of the enemy does not mean that God is not there”.
“Refuse to let the pressure of problems cause separation from GOD”.
Depression and other problems–“I’m going to take you to worship with me” (and there you shall be defeated) (insert mine)
“Satan will try to defeat you by making you fight the right battle on the wrong battlefield”. (A lesson in futility).
“If your enemy becomes the King’s enemy, the battle then becomes the LORD’s”.
“Cleanse your heart; cleanse your life”. (Prepare your life as a banquet table for Christ).Your worship is an incredible feast for GOD.
“I love you, Jesus” is a banquet table”.
“My worship controls my destiny”.
I pray that what I have shared here has helped you. I believe that Evangelist Tenney would hope for the same. Rev. Charlene
Psalm 83 is a heart-felt plea to GOD for deliverance. The people of the Old testament viewed GOD as existing in the tabernacle and only extending to the borders of their land. This is why Jonah felt that he could flee from GOD and resist His instructions to go to Nineveh.
Many tribes were coming against their brother tribes in an age-old quest for supremacy over the wealth of the land. We see this attitude acted out many times with one example in Genesis. When Abram consulted with Lot as to which parcel of land he would choose to take–Lot responded by asking for the richest parcel.
Mankind has greed as a central trait. This does not come from the Father, but from the deceiver. It is not necessary to have the best of everything to be an effective worker in Christ. Why? We have all of needs met in Him. If you are concerned about provision in any area, trusting that GOD will see to you will bring the food to your table, the clothes to your back, and the money into your purse.
Jesus stated in Matthew 6:25-34 GNB, “This is why I tell you do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds; they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth more than birds? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? and why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow; they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all of his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is GOD who clothes the wild grass–grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won’t he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have.
So do not start worrying: Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?(These are the things that pagans are always concerned about)
Your Father in Heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned about everything else with the Kingdom of GOD and what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.”
Isn’t GOD our Jehovah Jireh? He extends to the heavens and to the whole earth. he sees all that we need and he provides according to his riches in glory. GOD is not limited by the things of this world. He cannot be limited by His own creation.
Psalm 83 is a plea for help in a time when mankind did not have the Savior as we do. GOD saw to their needs and sent them a deliverer. He has done the same for you.
GOD’s Blessings, Charlene
Copyrights for Good News Bible; Thomas Nelson Inc. Publishers
1 O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. 2 See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. 3 With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. 4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
5 With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you— 6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, 7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. 8 Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot’s descendants.[b]
9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 10 who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.”
13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. 14 As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. 16 Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name.
17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. 18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Footnotes:
Psalm 83:1 In Hebrew texts 83:1-18 is numbered 83:2-19.
Psalm 83:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Scripture Taken from the New International Version; Bible Gateway: www.biblegateway.com
Psalm 145[a] A psalm of praise. Of David. 1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.[b] 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.[c] 14 The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Footnotes: a.Psalm 145:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which (including verse 13b) begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. b.Psalm 145:5 Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint); Masoretic Text On the glorious splendor of your majesty / and on your wonderful works I will meditate c.Psalm 145:13 One manuscript of the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text do not have the last two lines of verse 13.
“My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn[a] is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; on them he has set the world. 9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the LORD will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the LORD under Eli the priest.
GOD PROVIDES
I Samuel 1 & 2 feature the story of a barren woman, Hannah, who receives a son from the Lord because of her diligent prayer, humbleness, and sacrifice.
Hannah had lived for many years in the shadow of her husband Elkanah’s first wife, who had borne many sons. It was important in this time in Israel’s history for a woman to produce children to bless her home, as it has been important for all time. Hannah was barren, therefore she was subject to the teasings of her sister, and while Elkanah worked in the temple as a priest, Hannah prayed to ask GOD for a son. She covenated with GOD that if he would grant her desire for a son that she would give him to the temple priests to raise in the House of The LORD.
In due time, GOD gave Hannah a son whom she named Samuel, and when she had weaned him, she presented him to Eli, the Head Priest,as a gift before GOD, to live his life in the temple and to serve GOD all of his days.
My concentration today is on 2 Samuel 2:1-11. This is called ‘Hannah’s Prayer’ much like we find the ‘Song of Mary’ in the Book of Matthew. In this prayer, Hannah teaches us about the fruit of longsuffering and how diligence in petitioning the LORD will bear Godly fruit. She speaks of overcoming her enemies through God’s intervention, and how those who seem to prosper will be brought to accountability in Him. She acknowledges the Sovereignty of the LORD GOD, and how he who owns all things will be the one to raise up and to put down.
In our everyday lives, we are bombarded by many plots and ploys of Satan to bring us down and to destroy our dedicated work in Christ. If we can just take the advice and example of Hannah, who GOD truly blessed, we will stay the course through many trials, and emerge victorious on the other side. We can only be defeated by our own inability to lean and depend on Jesus.
Scripture is for edifying the body of Christ, and fellowship and community are there to shore us up and to support us through the hard times. Time is running out, and if we do not gain an understanding of the Holy Trinity, we will be lost.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
What is being led by God’s Spirit? It is a state of awareness in which we are constantly approaching The Throne of Grace with questions and trusting God for answers. Jesus came to earth to sacrifice His life so that we could have a direct line to Heaven to help and strengthen us. In a modern world that is becoming more unstable every day we have more reason than ever to approach God’s Spirit for comfort and guidance.
Recently, I was watching Fox News when the story about Campus Crusade For Christ was aired. We have to ask as a Christian community, “Is this name change a sell-out or is it a true means to win others to Christ? How many decades have gone by with the name Campus Crusade For Christ representing an organization whose focus is on winning young souls for Christ. Whether on campus or around the world–the name has represented the spirit of those who were a part of it, laborers in God’s Vineyard.
How sad it is to see Christians back down from a full out effort to proclaim Christ as LORD of this world. The world is plunging headlong into apostasy and change of every imaginable kind. This is not the time of compromise, especially to a name such as “Cru’. This name has no relationship in the mind of the masses to the wonderful work that Campus Crusade For Christ has done. To remove Christ from the name will set a precedent that cannot be reversed.
Today’s Christians are usually either fanatical or complacent. True Christians are neither one of these. True Christians keep a steady pace with a goal in mind. They do not waver to the right nor to the left, their faith is strong and their guide is The Word of GOD. John 1:1. What has been in the past still has validity. We cannot compromise our faith.
Does this mean that we do not seek ways to bring other converts into the Kingdom? No, this is still Jesus’ goal through the Great Commission. It is by consistency and sticking to what is truth that others are led to Christ. It is standing and having done all to still stand. Cru? What does that mean to you?
DAVID, the shepherd boy and future King who became one of the most memorable and influential people in history, penned this Psalm as a testimony of his continued trust in GOD. Even though David was as human as you or I , he had the ability through God’s Spirit to see His mistakes and to correct them with God’s help.
Reliance on Christ is what will get you through the hard times–when it seems as if everything you put your hands to is foiled or deflected.
David lived through some of the most challenging circumstances a person could face, but because of his faith he was able to overcome and to be a living example of humility and obedience. Check out his story in the Books of First and Second Samuel and first Kings 1 and 2. King David is still a Christian model for us all.
Hebrews 1: 1& 2 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report.”
Faith is what holds you steady and trusting that what GOD says He will do He will perform. Have patience and wait upon the LORD. Jesus intercedes for you and will heal your wounds. God’s Blessings, Charlene
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 91 is the favorite Psalm of many people. It is a Psalm of Comfort, a Psalm of Joy, and a Psalm of Deliverance. It speaks to us about trusting and resting in the shadow of God’s wings. We are assured that disease will not defeat us and those we love, and that the plotting of evildoers will be foiled.
Also, the most important lesson to learn is that you cannot logic all that God is and represents.
Trust is the key to understanding this Song from the Scriptures. Trust will allow you to relax in Christ, knowing that he has your interests and your welfare covered. Jesus’ blood covers all circumstances. Charlene
PSALM 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a] 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
The Book of Zephaniah is a truly prophetic book that speaks of God’s jealousy and anger against the nation of Judah and over Jerusalem. He speaks of His wrath against those who would destroy His people and steal their inheritance. We will be studying this prophetic book together to explore its truths and apply them to our own day and time. Charlene
Zephaniah 1
1 The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, during the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah: Judgment on the Whole Earth in the Day of the LORD
2 “I will sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD. 3 “I will sweep away both man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds in the sky
and the fish in the sea—
and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.”[a]
“When I destroy all mankind
on the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD, 4 “I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all who live in Jerusalem.
I will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place,
the very names of the idolatrous priests— 5 those who bow down on the roofs
to worship the starry host,
those who bow down and swear by the LORD
and who also swear by Molek,[b] 6 those who turn back from following the LORD
and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.”
7 Be silent before the Sovereign LORD,
for the day of the LORD is near.
The LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.
8 “On the day of the LORD’s sacrifice
I will punish the officials
and the king’s sons
and all those clad
in foreign clothes. 9 On that day I will punish
all who avoid stepping on the threshold,[c]
who fill the temple of their gods
with violence and deceit.
10 “On that day,”
declares the LORD,
“a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,
wailing from the New Quarter,
and a loud crash from the hills. 11 Wail, you who live in the market district[d];
all your merchants will be wiped out,
all who trade with[e] silver will be destroyed. 12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.’ 13 Their wealth will be plundered,
their houses demolished.
Though they build houses,
they will not live in them;
though they plant vineyards,
they will not drink the wine.”
14 The great day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter;
the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. 15 That day will be a day of wrath—
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness— 16 a day of trumpet and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the corner towers.
17 “I will bring such distress on all people
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”
In the fire of his jealousy
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth.
Footnotes:
Zephaniah 1:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
A. Hebrew: In Hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning “Yahweh hides” perhaps reflecting the terror of the days of Manasseh when Zephaniah was born, or meaning “Watchman for the Lord,” or even “Zaphon [a Canaanite deity] is Yahweh”1
This was a common name in the Hebrew Scriptures (cf. a Levite, 1 Chron 6:36-38; a second priest under the high priest 2 Ki 25:18-21; cf. Jer 52:24–27; the father of Josiah–a returning exile, Zech 6:10, 14)
B. Greek: In Greek the book is titled SOFONIAS, a transliteration of the prophet’s name in Hebrew
II. AUTHOR:
A. The author, Zephaniah, traces his ancestry back four generations; this is unique among the prophets:2 1:1
1. Son of Cushi
2. Son of Gedaliah
3. Son of Amariah
4. Son of Hezekiah, (possibly the famous Judean king [c. 716-687 B.C.])
B. The author places himself during the reign of Josiah, son of Amon, king of Judah (c. 641-609 B.C.)
III. DATE: between 641 and 612 B.C. (possibly 641 and 621 B.C.)
A. The superscription places the prophet during the time of king Josiah of Judah (c. 641-609 B.C.) 1:1
B. The prophecy anticipated, but preceded the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C. (Zeph 2:13-15)
C. Many would date the book prior to Josiah’s reforms (622-621 B.C.) which dealt with much of the nation’s idolatry (cf. 2 Ki 22–23) since there are implications of idolatry in Zephaniah’s Judah (cf. 1:4-6, 11-12; 3:1-4)3
D. Conclusion: The book was written some time between 641 and 612 B.C. and possibly between 641 and 622 B.C.
There may have been some overlap with Jeremiah since he began to prophecy in 627 B.C. Zephaniah would have been the first prophet to Judah in the 60 years since Isaiah (Nahum was about Assyria)
IV. AUDIENCE: To the people of Judah and the nations around her
V. HISTORICAL SETTING:4
A. Manasseh’s and Amon’s reigns were dark times in Judah’s history:
1. Manasseh rebuilt the high places that his father, Hezekiah, tore down
2. Manasseh was eclectic making altars to Ashtoreth (Canaanite), Chemosh (Moabite), Milcom (Ammonite), and Baal (Canaanite)
3. Manasseh restored child sacrifice (2 Ki 21) even sacrificing two of his own sons in the Valley of Hinnom
4. Worship of the heavens (stars, sun, moon, astral bodies) was common
5. Amon was named after an Egyptian god unlike most kings who were named after Yahweh
B. Manasseh paid tribute to Esarhaddon to keep Assyria from invading Judah
C. Josiah brought about the final spiritual revival for Judah when during the eighteenth year of his rule in 622 B.C. (2 Ki 22-23)
D. The Assyrian Empire Fell
1. The Assyrian power rose with Ashurnasirpal II (884-859 B.C.) and Shalmaneser II (859-824 B.C.)
2. Tiglath-pileser III (Pul in the Scriptures) began a group of conquerors who took Syria and Palestine including Shalmaneser V (727-722 B.C. who began the deportation of Samaria), Sargon II (722-705 B.C. who completed the deportation of Samaria), Sennacherib (704-581 B.C. who attacked king of Judah, Hezekiah [Josiah’s father]), and Esarhaddon (681-669 B.C. who led campaigns against Egypt)
3. Esarhaddon’s son, Ashurbanipal (669-631) ruled much of the upper Egyptian city of Thebes, but his decline and that of Assyria’s soon followed
4. Nineveh, the capital, was destroyed in 612 B.C.
VI. MAJOR THEME–THE DAY OF THE LORD:
The Day of the Lord is a major theme in Zephaniah occurring 23 times in this short book (as well as in Obadiah, Joel, and Ezekiel). It describes a time when Yahweh will come to His people and necessarily destroy evil as a means to delivering them. While Zephaniah and Joel obviously had “local” aspects in view of this coming Day of Yahweh’s presence among them (with the judgment of Assyria and Babylon), those judgments/deliverances only mirrored, or foreshadowed, the ultimate deliverance (and thus necessary judgment) which would come in the eschaton.
VII. PURPOSE:
A. To proclaim judgment on the entire world
B. To proclaim the Day of the Lord as a time when Yahweh will come to judge the wicked (including the wicked of Judah) and deliver His own5
C. To proclaim judgment on the nations which surrounded Judah (Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Assyria, Ethiopians/Egyptians
D. To proclaim hope for the remnant of Judah
E. To expose the unfaithfulness of Judah’s rulers
F. To encourage Judah to accept correction by hearing of the judgment on her neighbors
G. To expose Judah’s unwillingness to accept correction from Yahweh
H. To describe the ultimate changes which Yahweh will bring about as the nations become worshippers of Him and He becomes Judah’s King/Defender
The Book of Philemon is a book unexplored by some, and overlooked by others. What is the difference?
To be unexplored means to be aware of The Book of Philemon but unwilling to invest time and patience into reading and understanding it. To be overlooked means sifting through the Books of the Bible and disregarding this small treasure just because it is so small. Or is it?
Great insights can be gained from few words. The Book of Philemon gives us a glimpse into the mind of Paul, but especially into his nurturing personality. Paul’s personality is like that of the mother hen who gathers her baby chicks underneath her wings. He is a teacher, philosopher, and a mighty preacher of GOD–but Paul is also a loving parent. His bold approach toward those he has mentored, counseled, and guided is to feel free to call back favors, thus ensuring that the right actions will come forth. Paul is a force to be reckoned with, and his strong leadership skills are what GOD has put to use in Paul to lead his church in the right direction. Paul is fighting here for his new convert to be received back into the arms of his former master. He values those who have already come to Christ, and he also values those who are new and fresh in GOD’s Spirit.
We can take Paul’s example as we minister to GOD’s people. We need to be holy bold to call people to accountability in the faith. Without their cooperation, the new converts will not get fed or encouraged in GOD’s Kingdom. Charlene
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
3 Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Paul’s Plea for Onesimus 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus,[b] who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Footnotes:
Philemon 1:3 The Greek is plural; also in verses 22 and 25; elsewhere in this letter “you” is singular.
Reposted on July 10th, 2012 God’s Word is Timeless
Psalm 4
New International Version (NIV)
Safety is in The LORD. he is our rock and our hiding place. When it seems as if this world would crush you with all of its demands and expectations, look to the author and finisher of our faith for support and encouragement. Stand strong in those things that you know to be true, stand steadfast and do not move. GOD looks down from above and sees your affliction. He will heal you. He will set your feet on straight paths, and his mighty outstretched arm will sweep all opposition away. Trust, I say, in the LORD.
Charlene
Psalm 4
Psalm 4[a]For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods[b]?[c] 3 Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
4 Tremble and[d] do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. 5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.
6 Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. 7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Footnotes:
Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
The Psalms, especially King David’s songs, are such an aid to all of us who seek peace in time of trouble. As GOD delivered David from the hands of Saul, and from other enemies, He (GOD) will do the same for you. So do not despair that all is lost–you have a Father in Heaven who loves you beyond measure, Jesus, your Saviour, who intercedes on your behalf, and The Holy Spirit who dwells in you, counsels you and comforts you. Take Heart and rise with the Son who has healing in His wings. Charlene
A shiggaion[b] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.
1 LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me, 2 or they will tear me apart like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
3 LORD my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands— 4 if I have repaid my ally with evil
or without cause have robbed my foe— 5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.[c]
6 Arise, LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice. 7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high. 8 Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High. 9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts.
10 My shield[d] is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge,
a God who displays his wrath every day. 12 If he does not relent,
he[e] will sharpen his sword;
he will bend and string his bow. 13 He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.
14 Whoever is pregnant with evil
conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. 15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit they have made. 16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads.
17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.
Footnotes:
Psalm 7:1 In Hebrew texts 7:1-17 is numbered 7:2-18.
Psalm 7:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
Psalm 7:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Satan walks around seeking who he can devour. We have to continually look to Jesus, our Savior, for strength, guidance, and Godly relationship. When it seems as if all things are coming against you, remember whose child you are and let God’s Holy Spirit bring comfort into your life.
1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers. 3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. 4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.
5 They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares;
they say, “Who will see it[b]?” 6 They plot injustice and say,
“We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
7 But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down. 8 He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. 9 All people will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
10 The righteous will rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him!
Footnotes:
Psalm 64:1 In Hebrew texts 64:1-10 is numbered 64:2-11.
Our lives are dependent on many things. It takes a brush with death to help us to see how much we are all dependent on God to show His love, His support, and His tender mercy.
By the grace of God I sit writing this today. I thank Him for His deliverance not just for myself, but for those around me.
Charlene
Jude 1 (New International Version)
Jude 1
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,
To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for[a] Jesus Christ:
2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
The Sin and Doom of Ungodly People
3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about[b] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord[c] at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”[d]10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.
11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.
12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”[e]16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
A Call to Persevere
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.[f]
Doxology
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
1 O God, do not remain silent;
do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God. 2 See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads. 3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish. 4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
5 With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you— 6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites, 7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre. 8 Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants.[b]
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 10 who perished at Endor
and became like dung on the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 who said, “Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God.”
13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
like chaff before the wind. 14 As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm. 16 Cover their faces with shame, LORD,
so that they will seek your name.
17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace. 18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Footnotes:
Psalm 83:1 In Hebrew texts 83:1-18 is numbered 83:2-19.
Psalm 83:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
