March 24: Hope against hope

Hello everybody,
How are you doing on this fine day? I hope well. So we see in Romans 4v18, about the faith and hope of Abraham:

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.”

Initially, it wasn’t easy for Abraham to accept this word and like most of us now, he first offered the Ishmael option. That is, God must be talking about what is possible—surely God will make me a father of many nations through Ishmael. Or we give the Isaac original—that is laugh in our hearts. We see this in Genesis:

“Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before Thee!” Genesis 17v17&18

But we all know the end result. God is very faithful and true to His word.
Hallelujah.

Have a great day.

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“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” Numbers 23v19
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6v12

March 23 – On Praising God

The Psalmist wrote:

“The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.” Psalm 115v17

A chorus of a song I truly like says:
”The birds of the air, they sing unto You
The trees of the field, they clap their hands
The hills and the mountains burst into song
So why shouldn’t I praise Your name.

Jesus once exponded, that if these people cease to praise Me, the stones themselves would begin to cry out. May stones not take our place in Jesus name. But for us, it is all the more worthwhile, because we can say, LORD, regardless of what we are feeling, we will praise You, because You are worthy, You are holy, You are faithful… I may not see anything now, but I know that You have done it.

In church on Tuesday, we had spoken on how man had choices and how one wouldn’t be too pleased with a computer programmed to say “I love you.” It has no choice and besides it’s just a program … just like a Barbie doll I had that always said – you’re my best friend.

But the relationship between God and man is all the more lovelier, because while we were yet sinners, He loved us, and manifested this love, by giving. And given that all is His anyway, we can reach in deep within us and give Him what only we can – praise from our hearts.

Have a great day.
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“But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD.” Psalm 115v18
HALLELUJAH!!!

“And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19v40
THANK YOU JESUS!!!

March 22 – On Giving

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6v38

We can give of different things, the biggest of all, is our own lives. Remembering the verses:

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because HE laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3v16-18

Have a wonderful day.

March 21 – Who He is.

There are a group of people, who would deny that God exists, who would have nothing to do with the Holy One of Israel – although they see around them those things which manifest that God is true, that He is real, that He is present, yet they continue to deny it. They are those, who in Romans 1v25, are written as those:

“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” (King James Version)

“Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it).” (Amplified Bible)

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” (New Living Translation)

One example is seen in the lives of the children of Israel wherein:

“They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molten image.

Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.” Psalm 106 v 19&20

Let’s be careful that we do not grieve God and put other things before Him, or liken Him to other things, for indeed there is none as holy as our God, and there is none besides Him, neither is there any rock like our God. Indeed, He is worthy to be praised and adored.

Have a glorious day.

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Verses for praise:
“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” Psalm 104v33&34

March 20 – A detour

Hello everybody,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well. It is a day that the Lord has made, He is in control, He is on the throne, it shall be well with us and so indeed we can rejoice and be exceedingly glad in it.

In Genesis chapter 12, we see about the life of Abraham, when God had told him to leave His country, His kindred and His Father’s house, to go to a place which He, that is God, will show Him. However, verse 10 says:

“And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.”

We can see two things from this verse. The first being that God doesn’t necessarily tell you the process. That is, He wouldn’t necessarily say, Abram, leave your country, your kindred, your father’s house, to go to a place that I would show to you, … and on the way, there would be a grievous famine in the land, so be prepared, take rice, and corn, and flour… None of this was recorded.

The second is that it wasn’t recorded that Abram asked God whether or not He should go down into Egypt. The Word says, something happened, and so Abram did … Previously, we see that after Abraham gets to a certain place, he would build an altar to the Lord his God, and call upon the name of the Lord. Or, the Lord will appear to Abram and give him certain instructions.

In this case of going down into Egypt, Abram was the one instructing Sarai, his wife, to lie on his behalf, lest he be killed when the Egyptians, looking upon Sarai’s fairness (beauty) decide to kill him and take Sarai to be Abram’s wife.

May we always walk only where the Lord is leading in Jesus name Amen. Listen and ask first and I, that is God, will answer.

Have a great day.

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Verses for praise:
“MOREOVER, the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is His name;

Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33v1-3

March 19 – On Hypocrisy

In the Bible I am currently using, on top of Isaiah 58v3-5, the words Tenfold hypocrisy is written. And Isaiah 58v3 says:

“Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.”

Here, the Israelites are wondering why God is not responding according to the fast they are carrying out, but God is answering them that, they are doing their own thing, even though they are carrying out the “motions.” Today too, we may be carrying out the “motions,” but do we know why God wants us to do a particular thing for instance pray or fast, and are we doing it to that end?

Have a pleasant and joy-filled day.

Verse for praise:
“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.” Isaiah 61v7

Verse for thought:
“The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” Proverbs 19v23

March 18 – How time flies!!!

A few minutes ago, I sat in a chair, in a room, in a library in which I had sat in about 3 months ago, making plans with a friend, about work abroad. Now that time has come and gone, the work, came and went, the trip came and went, but God is still the same. He is still faithful and still very true and no matter what we are going through and where we are going through it, don’t let go of Him. He won’t of you, and He will see you through.

“But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.” 1 John 2v27

“He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12v48

Have a blessed day!

March 17 – An answer

Hello everyone,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well. I am fine, and learning lessons about life and relationships, both with God and others.

Now, we saw Moses’ reluctance to go on the assignment that God had for him. On the other hand, we also see God’s answer to Moses’ doubts beginning with one word I truly love, “certainly.”

“And He said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.” Exodus 3v12

And we see some lessons from this verse like:
i. God does not leave His own alone to go the going themselves. He goes through it with us, let alone when He is the one who sent us to fulfill the given task.
“BUT now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43v1&2

ii. He usually gives us a sign, by this ye shall know…. Now the sign may not necessarily be a fleece sign (remember Gideon) e.g. this is the sign that I am sending you, but a confirmation which may not be realized until the deed is accomplished, or we have started to act on it.
iii. In God’s eyes, the deed is done, He trusts so much in the abilities of what He can do through us, if we allow Him … when thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt…
iv. All the glory, goes to the LORD … ye shall serve God upon this mountain
v. Certainly – let no doubt be in your mind. Of a truth, I have said it, and I will bring it to pass.

March 16: A question

So in today’s Open Heaven’s bible devotional, the text was from Exodus 3v1-12, and in verse 11, there was a question:

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3v11

And in this verse, one can see:
i. Inadequacy: Moses feeling inadequate
ii. Unworthy: Not worthy perhaps to be sent by God & also to stand before the “great” Pharaoh
iii. Perhaps fear: Afterall, he already had a history in Egypt and he was a wanted man
iv. Discomfort: He had to go out & move out of his comfort zone
v. Servant hood: Afterall, his profession for the last couple of years was to lead sheep, that of Jethro. How then could he lead people?
vi. Pull back: Remembering how his fellow Israelite spoke to him when he once tried to help
vii. Looking at his abilities: 3 “I”s in the verse. How can I do it? No es possible!!!
viii. Pride in some form: Previous verse records Moses hiding his face so that he would not look upon God, for he was afraid… and now 4 verses later, he replies God – Who am I
ix. Something normal: Remember Jeremiah, remember Gideon … often not easy to embark upon a task when God hands it over to you
x. Egypt: not even Canaan, or Midian, Egypt. Even the name can bring a chill to the heart of him who mentions it, for Moses knew Egypt and what it was capable of doing to people. Afterall, he once was a prince there.

But remember:
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13 v 5

~ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. ~
Hebrews 13v8

March 15 - Watch and Pray

Jesus knew that Peter was going to be tempted and would succumb to denying Him. It was terrible for the former, but todo saldra bien – all will be well, Jesus told him. God knows what would come to pass before it does. So it is therefore no coincidence that between Luke 21 and 22 alone, prayer, especially with regards to falling into temptation was mentioned at least 3 times. And so we see in

1) Luke 22v40
“And when He came to the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not [at all] enter into temptation.” (Amplified Bible)

“And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” (King James Version)

2) Luke 21v36
“Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.” (Amplified Bible)

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (King James Version)

3) Luke 22v46
“And He said to them, Why do you sleep? Get up and pray that you may not enter [at all] into temptation.” (Amplified Bible)

“And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” (King James Version)

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint, taught Jesus with the parable of the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18. A man of God once said our prayers were short, because we were selfish. Some practical things are, if we run out of things to pray about, pray for family, friends, the homeless person on the street, Christians who are suffering persecution around the world, the stranger that just passed by you, offer prayers of thanksgiving…

I remember once in Minnesota, they were talking of prayer walking, for your neighbourhood i.e. walk around a neighbourhood, maybe yours, and pray for the residents, or maybe even those passing by.

Also, sometimes instead of taking a bus, you could use that time to walk and pray to your Heavenly Father, in between meals or functions, 5 minutes here and there, in the bathroom, in your classroom before others come, at your work place before heading out, at the train station, in your car or while waiting for the bus.

MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT.

Have a blessed day.

March 14 - Psalm 15 - On being ensnared

"LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?" Psalm 15v1

"In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not." Psalm 15v4

Yesterday, I had made an appointment to meet up with some friends for dinner, and then realized that I had another engagement. And then this verse came to mind that... ah, would it really be wrong to change my mind on this decision, given also that it is said that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

But we see too in other translations, that a person who sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not, is one who:

"...keeps his oath even when it hurts," Psalm 15v4 (New International Version)

"...keeps their promises even when it hurts." Psalm 15v4 (New Living Translation)

Have a great day.

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Verses for thought:
"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matthew 5v37

"Thou are snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go humble thyself, and make sure thy friend." Proverbs 6v2&3

March 13 – Psalm 15 – Honouring God fearers

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15v1

“In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. …” Psalm 15v4 (King James Version)
“… but honours those that fear the LORD, …” Psalm 15v4 (New International Version)
“… and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, ...” Psalm 15v4 (New Living Translation)
“… but he who honors those who fear the Lord (who revere and worship Him); …” Psalm 15v4 (Amplified Bible)

The opposite of honouring those who fear God, is to despise them, discourage, dissuade them. To be a dweller in God’s presence, one cannot afford to be one of those who do such. You have to be on the same page as God. A house divided cannot stand.

Have a blessed day.

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Verses for praise:
“Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father, should walk before Me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from Me; for them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2v30

“He that rejected Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12v48

March 12 – Psalm 15 – Avoiding sin

March 12 – Psalm 15 – Avoiding sin

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15v1

“In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; …” Psalm 15v4 (King James Version)

“who despises a vile man …” Psalm 15v4 (New International Version)

“In whose eyes a vile person is despised, …” Psalm 15v4 (Amplified Bible)

“Those who despise flagrant sinners, …” Psalm 15v4 (New Living Translation)

“He looks down upon a sinful person, …” Psalm 15v4 (New Life Version)

A person who will dwell in the tabernacle of the Lord, and abide in His presence, is not one who would exalt sin and iniquity, instead, he is one who cannot stand the deeds of the sin. While it is not the Christian’s place to judge anyone under any circumstance, for who are we to judge another man’s servant, afterall it is Christ that died for us all, yet, we should hate to have even our garment stained by sin.

In 1 Corinthians 13v6, we see that love:

“Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;”

Have a glorious day.

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Verses for thought:

“Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning.

Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” 1 John 2 v 7-11

March 11 – Psalm 15 – On taking up a reproach

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15v1

“He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” Psalm 15v3

Taking up a reproach implies an action word, of actually doing something. Something that you can choose to do actively or refuse to do.

“….and casts no slur on his fellowman, …” Psalm 15v3 (New International Version)
“… or speak evil of their friends.” Psalm 15v3 (New Living Translation)
“… or bring shame to his friend.” Psalm 15v3 (New Life Version)

We see the Psalmist in Psalm 44, talk about reproach. Of God, he says:

“Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.” Psalm 44v13-16

The feeling of being reproached is not a pleasant one at all. It makes one wonder that what have I done so bad to be on the receiving end of this. We should never be the source of reproach for others. It certainly isn’t loving.

Have a wonderful day.

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Verses for thought:
“THOU shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.” Exodus 23v1

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11v23

March 10 – Psalm 15 – On doing evil

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15v1

“He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour,…” Psalm 15v3
“…who does his neighbor no wrong …” Psalm 15v3 (New International Verse)
“…or harm their neighbors…” Psalm 15v3 (New Living Translation)

Evil has been around in the world for a long time. It was first mentioned in Genesis 2v9 in the King James Bible, in the form of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: …” Genesis 3v22

And we may think, evil in what sense, it seems relegated to Satan and his cohorts. Yet with a question that Jesus asks in Luke 6v9, we see that it is very possible for us to do evil… sometimes without even knowing it.

“Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?”Luke 6v9

And we know too the verse Romans 13v9:

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt no commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13v8-10

March 9 – Psalm 15 – On backbiting

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15v1

“He that backbiteth not with his tongue,…” Psalm 15v3 (King James Version)

Ouch, yeah, help. Something feels funny on my back and I really do not know what it is. Don’t be a backbiter. It is known to be said that the words of the mouth are powerful, don’t use your tongue to speak bad of others behind their backs.

“and has no slander on his tongue,…” Psalm 15v3 (New International Version)

“He who does not slander with his tongue,…” (Amplified Bible)

“Those who refuse to gossip…” (New Living Translation)

Some synonyms for backbiting, include - belittle; disparage; deprecate; slander; libel; defame.

One dictionary defines slander as words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another; an abusive attack on a person’s character or good name

Hmmm. It is well.

Have a wonderful day.

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Verses for thought:

“I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.” Psalm 39v1

“I WILL bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34v1

March 8 – Psalm 15 – truth speaking

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” Psalm 15v1&2

Speaking the truth in our hearts, is something I often grapple with and often times you notice, if you do not speak the truth … especially with God, you feel really funny.

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3v3&4

Have a great day.

March 7 – Psalm 15 – Working righteousness

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness…” Psalm 15v1&2 (King James Version)

“…and who does what is righteous,…” Psalm 15v2 (New International Version)
“…act right, …” Psalm 15v2 (The Message)
“…who works rightness and justice…” Psalm 15v2 (Amplified Bible)
“… and do what is right, …” Psalm 15v2 (New Living Translation)

And we know that our righteousness is as filthy rags before God. And yet, through Jesus, we can work righteously, as we see in Romans 3v22&23:

“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

And also in Philippians 1v11:
“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

Have a wonderful day.

Verses for thought:
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54v17

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4v3

March 6 – Psalm 15 – On walking uprightly

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15v1

“He that walketh uprightly, …” Psalm 15v2 (King James Version)
“He whose walk is blameless…” Psalm 15v2 (New International Version)
“Walk straight, …” Psalm 15v2 (The Message)
“He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, …” Psalm 15v2 (Amplified Bible)
“Those who lead blameless lives…” Psalm 15v2 (New Living Translation

But how do we walk uprightly, or walk blamelessly?

Have a glorious day.

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Verses for thought:
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” Psalm 119v9

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119v11

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Galatians 5v14&15

March 5 – Psalm 15 - Dwelling in His Presence

“… who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?” Psalm 15v1 (King James Version)
“… Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill?” Psalm 15v1 (Amplified Bible)

To dwell on His holy hill. To be permanently in His presence. The Dakes Concordance Bible, had an excerpt, for the word “dwell.” In Hebrew, the word for dwelleth, is yashab. This means
- to sit down
- to dwell
- to remain
- to settle in the sense of taking up a homestead or staking out a claim and resisting all claim-jumpers
- to possess a place and living therein

Basically, being unmovable from a place. Regardless of external influences. How can we get to the point where we sit down, dwell, remain, to settle in the sense of taking up a homestead or staking out a claim and resisting all claim-jumpers, possess and live therein, in the presence of the LORD. For the opposite is not dwelling in His presence, which is not as delightful as this.

Psalm 15 speaks of the person who will not be moved and over the next few days, we will consider the qualities of these people.
Have a very lovely day.

With love,
Banke

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Verses for praise:
On Jonah:
“And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray Thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil.” Jonah 4v2

“Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

And should I not spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six-score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” Jonah 4v10-11

March 4 – Psalm 15 - This one thing

The Psalmist prayed that one thing he desired of the LORD, and that one thing would he seek for – which was to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of his life, and to inquire in His temple.

Now at times we feel, o no, I don’t feel the presence of the LORD, although He is Omnipresent. We see this reflected in Psalm 15 where David asks:

“LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? …” Psalm 15v1 (King James Version)
“LORD, WHO shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle?...” (Amplified Bible)

But we know that he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under te shadow of the Almighty. But how do you stay there?

Have a blessed day.

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“But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel .” Psalm 22v3

“This is My rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” Psalm 132v14

March 3 – To what end?

Day before yesterday, I reminded a friend of the words of this verse:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” Proverbs 18v21 (Amplified Bible),

And of late, I have had to reconsider it myself. Thus the question: to what end? To what end do we speak? Are they words of grace, words of encouragement, words of love, or … do they make others cringe and get hurt. Remember:

“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12v37 (King James Version)

Have a great day.
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Verse for thought:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4v29

Verse for praise:
“I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34v1

March 2 – Heavenly Father

God is our Father, our Father God who loves us dearly.

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1v12&13

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but that all should come to eternal life. The lie the devil often uses for people, is that – oh, you have been too bad, God doesn’t want you anymore; … But remember that God has the future in mind. The life we have here on earth is so little compared to eternity, and yet, it can affect all of eternity.

Jesus paid the price. It is already done. Don’t turn away from God’s love, when the time of salvation is so near, is so now… Tomorrow may be too late. God bless.

Have a glorious day.

March 1 – Who is your companion?

“And Enoch walked with God …” Genesis 5v22

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5v24

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1v1

.. who is your companion? … and where are you going?

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“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke 21v34&35

February 28 – There is none like You

Hello everybody,
How are you doing on this day? I hope well. There is none like unto our God, He is strong, He is mighty, He is a great God, and He is very dependable. Two verses of encouragement:

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8v9

And:

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 3v21

Have a blessed day.