JERUSALEM!    Play song  # 7: “On your walls  Oh Jerusalem”

Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Ps 137:By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" 4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget [its skill]. 6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy. 7 Remember, O LORD, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell."Tear it down," they cried,"tear it down to its foundations!" 8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us —  NIV

In the END, the Lord will establish Jerusalem!

Ps 50: 2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,God shines forth. 3 Our God comes and will not be silent;

a fire devours before him,and around him a tempest rages. 4 He summons the heavens above,

and the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 "Gather to me my consecrated ones,who made a covenant with me by sacrifice." 6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,for God himself is judge.NIV

Ps 132:13 For the LORD has chosen Zion,he has desired it for his dwelling: 14 "This is my resting place for ever and ever;here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it —  15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;her poor will I satisfy with food. 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,and her saints will ever sing for joy. 17 "Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,but the crown on his head will be resplendent." NIV

Because the Lord has chosen Zion for His throne, the devil – Lucifer – wants it for his place of rulership:

Isa 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven,O morning star, son of the dawn!You have been cast down to the earth,you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart,"I will ascend to heaven;I will raise my throne above the stars of God;I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.   14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;I will make myself like the Most High." 15 But you are brought down to the grave,to the depths of the pit. 16 Those who see you stare at you,they ponder your fate:"Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, NIV

Jesus Christ is the King who will make His throne in Zion:

Ps 110:2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion ;you will rule in the midst of your enemies.

Ps 48:Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,in the city of our God, his holy mountain. 2 It is beautiful in its loftiness,the joy of the whole earth.Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,the city of the Great King. NIV

Ps 45:  6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. NIV

Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Ps 2:1Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.   3 "Let us break their chains," they say,"and throw off their fetters." 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." 7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:He said to me, "You are my Son;today I have become your Father.   8 Ask of me,and I will make the nations your inheritance,the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter;you will dash them to pieces like pottery." 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way,for his wrath can flare up in a moment.Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Rev 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." NIV

Dan 7:13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Zech 14:9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. NIV

Ps 145: 10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD;your saints will extol you. 11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all men 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 enerations.The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.   NIV

Isa 9: 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Luke 1: 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." NIV

Ps 22: 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD,and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD

and he rules over the nations. 29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;all who go down to the dust will kneel before him — those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him;future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn — for he has done it. NIV

Ps 72:1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,the royal son with your righteousness. 2 He will judge your people in righteousness,your afflicted ones with justice. 3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4 He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy;he will crush the oppressor. 5 He will endure as long as the sun,as long as the moon, through all generations. 6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field,like showers watering the earth. 7 In his days the righteous will flourish;prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. 8 He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.   9 The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him;the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. 11 All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,the afflicted who have no one to help. 13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. 14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,for precious is their blood in his sight. 15 Long may he live!May gold from Sheba be given him.May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. 16 Let grain abound throughout the land;on the tops of the hills may it sway.Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon;let it thrive like the grass of the field. 17 May his name endure forever;may it continue as long as the sun.All nations will be blessed through him,and they will call him blessed. 18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,who alone does marvelous deeds. 19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;may the whole earth be filled with his glory.Amen and Amen. 20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. NIV

Ps 86: 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord;they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God. NIV

Rev 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,and he will reign for ever and ever."

Rev 17: 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." NIV

Rev 19: 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Ex 15:11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD?Who is like you — majestic in holiness,awesome in glory,working wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. 13 "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. 14 The nations will hear and tremble;anguish will grip the people of Philistia. 15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,the people of Canaan will melt away; 16 terror and dread will fall upon them.By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone — until your people pass by, O LORD,until the people you bought pass by. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance — the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling,the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. 18 The LORD will reign for ever and ever." 19 When Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them:"Sing to the LORD,for he is highly exalted.The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."

Isa 16: 5 In love a throne will be established;in faithfulness a man will sit on it — one from the house of David — one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. NIV

Isa 24: 23 The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed;for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,and before its elders, gloriously. NIV

Lam 5:19 You, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. NIV

He reigns; we reign with Him!

Dan 7: 18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.'

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. NIV

Matt 6: 10 your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Ps 87: 1 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain; 2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion

Ps 102:12 But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;your renown endures through all generations. 13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion ,for it is time to show favor to her;the appointed time has come. 14 For her stones are dear to your servants;her very dust moves them to pity. 15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD,all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. 16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. 17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;he will not despise their plea. 18 Let this be written for a future generation,that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: 19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,from heaven he viewed the earth, 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death." 21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem 22 when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.

Ps 149:2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. 4 For the LORD takes delight in his people;he crowns the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. 6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters,their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them.This is the glory of all his saints.Praise the LORD. NIV

Isa 2:1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains;it will be raised above the hills,and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say,"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,to the house of the God of Jacob.He will teach us his ways,so that we may walk in his paths."The law will go out from Zion ,the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.Nation will not take up sword against nation,nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, O house of Jacob,let us walk in the light of the LORD.

There will be , at the end, a time of vengeance and a day of favor:

Rev 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,

and he will reign for ever and ever." 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power

and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name,

both small and great — and for destroying those who destroy the earth." 19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,   2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the LORDfor the display of his splendor. ………………

10 I delight greatly in the LORD;my soul rejoices in my God.For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow,so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

The year of His favor:

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,   19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."   

The time of vengeance

Luke 21:20 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Both the vengeance and the favor of God are spoken of here in 2 Thess 1:5 :

All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. NIV

I did read this passage on Wednesday – It is about God’s vengeance:

Isa 30: 25 In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. 27 See, the Name of the LORD comes from afar,with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke;his lips are full of wrath,and his tongue is a consuming fire. 28 His breath is like a rushing torrent,rising up to the neck.He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction;he places in the jaws of the peoples a bit that leads them astray. 29 And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival;your hearts will rejoice as when people go up with flutes to the mountain of the LORD,to the Rock of Israel. 30 The LORD will cause men to hear his majestic voice and will make them see his arm**** coming down with raging anger and consuming fire,with cloudburst, thunderstorm and hail. 31 The voice of the LORD will shatter Assyria;with his scepter he will strike them down. 32 Every stroke the LORD lays on them with his punishing rod will be to the music of tambourines and harps,as he fights them in battle with the blows of his arm. 33 Topheth has long been prepared;it has been made ready for the king.Its fire pit has been made deep and wide,with an abundance of fire and wood;the breath of the LORD,like a stream of burning sulfur,sets it ablaze. NIV

****His arm: Jesus!

Isa 53: 1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,and like a root out of dry ground.He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men,a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,yet we considered him stricken by God,smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,and by his wounds we are healed.

2 Peter 3: 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.   11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

2 Thess 2: 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.KJV

Isa 33:5 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;he will fill Zion with justice The day of vengeance is destruction to the ungodly; however, the righteous will survive:

and righteousness. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times,a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.   7 Look, their brave men cry aloud in the streets;the envoys of peace weep bitterly. 8 The highways are deserted,no travelers are on the roads.The treaty is broken,its witnesses are despised,no one is respected. 9 The land mourns and wastes away,Lebanon is ashamed and withers;Sharon is like the Arabah,and Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves. 10 "Now will I arise," says the LORD."Now will I be exalted;now will I be lifted up. 11 You conceive chaff,you give birth to straw;your breath is a fire that consumes you. 12 The peoples will be burned as if to lime;like cut thornbushes they will be set ablaze." 13 You who are far away, hear what I have done;you who are near, acknowledge my power! 14 The sinners in Zion are terrified;trembling grips the godless:"Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" 15 He who walks righteously and speaks what is right,who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil —  16 this is the man who will dwell on the heights,whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.His bread will be supplied,and water will not fail him. 17 Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. 18 In your thoughts you will ponder the former terror:"Where is that chief officer?Where is the one who took the revenue?Where is the officer in charge of the towers?" 19 You will see those arrogant people no more,those people of an obscure speech,with their strange, incomprehensible tongue. 20 Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals;your eyes will see Jerusalem,a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved;its stakes will never be pulled up,nor any of its ropes broken. 21 There the LORD will be our Mighty One.It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams.No galley with oars will ride them,no mighty ship will sail them. 22 For the LORD is our judge,the LORD is our lawgiver,the LORD is our king;it is he who will save us. 23 Your rigging hangs loose:The mast is not held secure,the sail is not spread.Then an abundance of spoils will be divided and even the lame will carry off plunder. 24 No one living in Zion will say, "I am ill";and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven. NIV

Isa 34:1  Come near, you nations, and listen;pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! 2 The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies.He will totally destroy them,he will give them over to slaughter. 3 Their slain will be thrown out,their dead bodies will send up a stench;the mountains will be soaked with their blood. 4 All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll;all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine,like shriveled figs from the fig tree. 5 My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens;see, it descends in judgment on Edom,the people I have totally destroyed. 6 The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood,it is covered with fat — the blood of lambs and goats,fat from the kidneys of rams.For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in Edom. 7 And the wild oxen will fall with them,the bull calves and the great bulls.Their land will be drenched with blood,and the dust will be soaked with fat. 8 For the LORD has a day of vengeance,a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause. NIV

 Isa 59:15    The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no one,he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;so his own arm worked salvation for him,and his own righteousness sustained him. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,and the helmet of salvation on his head;he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. 18 According to what they have done,so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes;he will repay the islands their due. 19 From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD,and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along.   20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion,to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD. 21 "As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD. NIV

Hag 1: 8 Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them — all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger. 9 "Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder. 10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings. 11 On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. 12 But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid." 14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." 18 "The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you.   19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,"       says the LORD.

Hag 2:6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 8'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty.   9'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty." ….

Jer 33: 10 "This is what the LORD says: 'You say about this place, "It is a desolate waste, without men or animals." Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither men nor animals, there will be heard once more 11 the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying,"Give thanks to the LORD Almighty,for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD. 12 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In this place, desolate and without men or animals — in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks. 13 In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,' says the LORD. 14 "'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 15 "'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety.This is the name by which it will be called:The LORD Our Righteousness.' 17 For this is what the LORD says: 'David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, 18 nor will the priests, who are Levites, ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices.'" 19 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 20 "This is what the LORD says: 'If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer come at their appointed time, 21 then my covenant with David my servant — and my covenant with the Levites who are priests ministering before me — can be broken and David will no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. 22 I will make the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who minister before me as countless as the stars of the sky and as measureless as the sand on the seashore.'" 23 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 24 "Have you not noticed that these people are saying, 'The LORD has rejected the two kingdoms he chose'? So they despise my people and no longer regard them as a nation. 25 This is what the LORD says: 'If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed laws of heaven and earth, 26 then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his sons to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and have compassion on them.'"

Zeph 3:8 Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them — all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger. 9 "Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder. 10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings. 11 On that day you will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. 12 But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD. 13 The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid." 14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." 18 "The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you.   19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,"       says the LORD. NIV

Zech 14: 2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. 6 On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. 7 It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime — a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. 8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. 9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. 10 The whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. 11 It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure ….

Ezek 36:1 "Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, 'O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD. 2 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The enemy said of you, "Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession." '  3 Therefore prophesy and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because they ravaged and hounded you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people's malicious talk and slander, 4 therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign LORD: This is what the Sovereign LORD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you— 5 this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.' 6 Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations. 7 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn. 8 "'But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, 10 and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. 11 I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 12 I will cause people, my people Israel, to walk upon you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children. 13 "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because people say to you, "You devour men and deprive your nation of its children," 14 therefore you will no longer devour men or make your nation childless, declares the Sovereign LORD. 15 No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer .

Joel 3: 11 Come quickly, all you nations from every side, and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD! 12'Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. 13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow — so great is their wickedness!' 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.  17'Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. NIV

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword , that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Isa 11: 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. NIV

Isa 63:2 Why are your garments red,like those of one treading the winepress? 3 "I have trodden the winepress alone;from the nations no one was with me.I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath;their blood spattered my garments,and I stained all my clothing. 4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart,and the year of my redemption has come. 5 I looked, but there was no one to help,I was appalled that no one gave support;so my own arm worked salvation for me,and my own wrath sustained me. 6 I trampled the nations in my anger;in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground." NIV

Rev 14:17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.   NIV

Ps 9: 5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. 6 Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,you have uprooted their cities;

even the memory of them has perished. 7 The LORD reigns forever;he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness;he will govern the peoples with justice. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,a stronghold in times of trouble.    10 Those who know your name will trust in you,for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. 11 Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;proclaim among the nations what he has done. NIV

Ps 21: 8 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies;your right hand will seize your foes. 9 At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace.In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up,and his fire will consume them.

Isa 35:1Come near, you nations, and listen;pay attention, you peoples!Let the earth hear, and all that is in it,the world, and all that comes out of it! 2 The LORD is angry with all nations;his wrath is upon all their armies.He will totally destroy them,he will give them over to slaughter. 3 Their slain will be thrown out,their dead bodies will send up a stench;the mountains will be soaked with their blood. 4 All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll;all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine,like shriveled figs from the fig tree. ………………………8 For the LORD has a day of vengeance,a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause.

Rev 6:12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.  14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

Dan 2:44 "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands — a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. "The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy."

receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Rev 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE TO ALL THIS?

Col 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

River of Life Leadership and Word Ministry School : Baptism study sheet

1.  What should be clearly understood by a person before he or she is  baptized?

2.  Can a person be too young to be baptized? Include in your answer whether or not it is all right to baptize an infant.

3.  Does a person have to be baptized to be a Christian? What possible reason would someone have (if they have the opportunity) to NOT be baptized?  What would you say to a believer who was hesitating to be baptized?  State clearly what you would say to someone who just became a Christian regarding the need to be baptized.

4. Be crystal clear concerning the following:   Is baptism a command the believer must  obey?

5.  Does the actual act of baptism  cause a person to be MORE “born again” than before they got baptized?

6.  Thoroughly explain what it is a person is doing when they get baptized.

7.   I am being baptized into a NAME .  What NAME should I be baptized into? I.e., “The Lord Jesus Christ” or “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit"?  Or, another name?

 What does the word “name “mean?  If I am being baptized into a “name” and it is the name of the Lord, then perhaps I should find EVERY name written in the Word that refers to the Lord and quote them all?  OR, should I know what His NATURE is and get baptized into it without even mentioning an actual name?   If I was baptized into the name of “the everlasting Father” or  the “I AM” or “Jehovah-jireh”, or “ Jehovah-shalom”, would those names be all right to use? If it is not all right , should I do it all over again if it turns out I should have used a better name (or title)?

8.   I am also being baptized in identification with some actions: What are those actions?

After I am baptized, I rise up into a new life.  What is the nature of my new life?  What should my new life look like?

9. Does it matter if I am sprinkled with water rather than  being immersed into the water? If I was sprinkled (and I am told that was not “right”), should I now be immersed?

10.  If I have been baptized one time but since then I backslid, should I be rebaptized? Or, even if we determine that this  is not mandated by God, MAY I be rebaptized?  Or, if I should be rebaptized after I backslide, then how badly would I  have  to backslide to make it necessary for me to be rebaptized?  What if I ended up being rebaptized 30 times over a period of 60 years – would that be all right? 

11.  If I was baptized by someone who turned out to be a fake Christian, does that in any way lessen the validity of my baptism?

12.  Is getting baptized in the Jordan River like Jesus was any more meaningful to God than getting baptized in my bathtub? Is getting baptized in the presence of  my local church more meaningful than getting baptized by my spouse in my bathtub?   Should baptism be something we all share together or can it be privately done?

13.  May any believer  baptize  someone or does it have to be a recognized minister? 

14.  Are we free to establish some baptism “customs” that are not strictly Biblical? E.g., River of Life has no baptismal pool so we do it in someone’s pool in the summer. And then we have a pot blessing as long as we are all together anyway. And then we let people swim if they want to.   So kids probably associate baptism time with both the Bible and with summer fun – is that ok?

Should baptism be a time of celebration and laughter or a time of somber reflection – or both?

15. Would it be better if ROL had a way to baptize year round?

16. What does the word “baptism” mean?

17. Before Jesus came John the Baptist preached repentance and baptized people. Why? Does this action correspond to anything we must experience today?

18.  Why do you suppose Jesus got baptized by John?  

19.  There are other “baptisms” referred to in the New Covenant writings? What are they?  Do we experience those too? 

20. Is learning about baptism an advanced topic or “elementary”? What does the Word say is  the topic we must move towards?

21. State if this is true or false and then make a comment on what the truth of this matter is:  John begged people to get baptized when he was baptizing people because it was really important to him that – if people asked “Are you growing in your ministry?” – he would be able to have high numbers of baptisms to report to people.

Here are some scriptures to assist you on answering the above items.  When one here  is from the NIV,  please also read the scripture from the KJV.

If while reading cross references and/or other corresponding scripture you discover more passages to include in your responses, great!

They are not in any particular order.  Every passage is there because of one of the above items; however, it may not always be immediately apparent to you which item the scripture corresponds to. We will discuss this on 9 5 09. Meanwhile, you have this   puzzle here to sort through. Have a happy and blessed adventure in doing so!

Also, some questions have no direct corresponding scripture and are meant for you to put together principles of the Word rather than precise “proof texts”. And perhaps some questions may take some more years for us to formulate and absolute answer. 

Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." 36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." 38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"  39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."  NIV

Luke 3: 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"   7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Luke 3:7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 "What should we do then?" the crowd asked.

11 John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" 13 "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"

He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely — be content with your pay." 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.   16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. NIV

Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. KJV

Acts 13: 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.NIV

Acts 18:24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. NIV

Acts 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism ," they replied. 4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all. NIV

Rom 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey — whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eph 4: 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism ; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. NIV

Col 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.   NIV

1 Peter 3: 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand — with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.KJV

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.KJV

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.KJV

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. NIV

Acts 8:34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"   38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

Acts 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. NIV

Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. NIV

1 Cor 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. NIV

2 Cor 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. NIV

John 10: 30 I and the Father are one."  NIV

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.NIV

Acts 18:7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. NIV

Gal 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Eph 1: 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. NIV

2 Tim 2: 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." NIV

Heb 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. NIV

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature  KJV

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature : old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.KJV

Acts 2:38

38 Peter Then unto them, Repent, said and  be baptized every one

                  4074  1161 4314 846   3340    5346 2532 907         1538     

of you in   the  name of Jesus Christ for  the  remission     

     5216   1909 3588 3686 2424     5547   1519 9999 859       3588

of sins,      and  ye shall receive the  gift of the Holy Ghost.

     266      5216 2532 2983             3588 1431 3588   40   4151 

(Interlinear Transliterated Bible. Copyright © 1994, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc.)

baptizo

NT:907 baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of NT:911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:

KJV - Baptist, baptize, wash.

NT:908 baptisma (bap'-tis-mah); from NT:907; immersion, baptism (technically or figuratively):

KJV - baptism.

NT:909 baptismos (bap-tis-mos'); from NT:907; ablution (ceremonial or Christian):

KJV - baptism, washing.

NT:910 Baptistes (bap-tis-tace'); from NT:907; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner:

KJV - Baptist.

NT:911 bapto (bap'-to); a primary verb; to overwhelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the N. T. only in a qualified or specially, sense, i.e. (literally) to moisten (a part of one's person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye):

KJV - dip.  (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:3686 onoma (on'-om-ah); from a presumed derivative of the base of NT:1097 (compare NT:3685); a "name" (literally or figuratively) [authority, character]:

KJV - called, (+sur-) name (-d).  (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

From online dictionary regarding the word  “name”:

Name:  Synonyms:1. Name, title both refer to the label by which a person is known. Name is the simpler and more general word for appellation: The name is John. A title is an official or honorary term bestowed on a person or the specific designation of a book, article, etc.: He now has the title of Doctor. Treasure Island is the title of a book. 4. repute, character, credit. 5. note, distinction, renown, eminence. 6. personality.

   We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Women Messenger's this year.   

The Women Messengers' first convention was in Brussels at the Hotel Stephanie in 1999.

     My first one was the first one that was at the Ardennes  in Belgium, in 2000. 

      I had visited Nestor and Domie's church first in 1999 along with my husband, Robert , and our friends, John and Karen Roark. Their church was the last one we ministered in after having ministered in several churches, a convention , and a prayer meeting in France.

     I have continued to minister at this convention each year since 2000.  Robert has come a few times too.

The stated vision of WM:

"The Association , Women Messengers, is a movement within the body of Christ. Its call is to lift up, through inner healing and deliverance, those who are hurt, wounded and depressed because of suffering (illness, solitude, divorce, demonic possession, depression, drugs, alcoholism, etc.).  Its purpose is to help them find their identity as Christ's witnesses in their homes, at work, in their churches and countries.

The associations, Women Messengers , is not a church, but a ministry that gathers women and men from all churches and that carry the same visions.

The Woman Messenger is foremost an intercessor and a warrior. She identifies with Queen Esther from the Bible who was not indifferent to the fate of her people but who fasted so that things could change for them.

The Woman Messenger is also a watchman called to pray for the salvation of Israel, for the peace of Jerusalem, for the Nations, and especially for her country.

The Woman Messenger visits the sick in hospitals, in mental institutions, and in prisons. She prays for the needs of the people she visits, and her vision is to help destitute orphans, beaten women, and single mothers."

end of quotation from Women Messenger literature

Depicted in the next 2 pictures are Women Messengers from Belgium, France, Africa,  and Germany. The President , Domie Kamuanga, and her husband, Nestor Kamuanga, are standing at the microphone.  They have a Full Gospel church they pastor in downtown Brussels.

The dresses you see in the pictures were especially made for this special anniversary. They have the Women Messenger logo and message on them . They gave one to all of us speakers as well -- they gave shirts of this material to the men speakers.

Discussed lots of "issues" with fellow leaders ; e.g., the treatment of women ministers, ideas for conventions,"relational evangelism" -- I love bouncing ideas off peers...

Here is the boat excursion picture...I took the picture so I am not in it with the rest

On the first row to the right are the fellow American women ministers, Wilma Berry, Josephine Norwood, and Norma Albright.  Josephine and Norma are with Kingsway (so they know the Doorns and many others with whom Robert and I are acquainted).

     Here are my shopping buddies, Henrietta and Wilma (the 2 on the left) -- and I am sorry to say that I don't know the other sister's name -- her husband was our driver. She was a quiet, sweet, precious sister who spoke French... The other 2 spoke English - so that is the reason I related more to them. I don't speak French.

Well, there you have some trip highlights......

I could go on...but, I think you get the general idea of how things went, no?

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

Wisdom

* = informal/non-formal usage

1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

1. The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral obligations; practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.

Justice and judgment are the haditation of thy throne. -- Ps. ixxxix. 11.

The king-becoming graces, As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, . . . I have no relish of them. -- Shak.

2. Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality; as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.

3. The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert; merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.

This even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. -- Shak.

4. Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.

Usage: Justice, Equity, Law. Justice and equity are the same; but human laws, though designed to secure justice, are of necessity imperfect, and hence what is strictly legal is at times far from being equitable or just. Here a court of equity comes in to redress the grievances. It does so, as distinguished from courts of law; and as the latter are often styled courts of justice, some have fancied that there is in this case a conflict between justice and equity. The real conflict is against the working of the law; this a court of equity brings into accordance with the claims of justice. It would be an unfortunate use of language which should lead any one to imagine he might have justice on his side while practicing iniquity (inequity).

SUBTILTY:1. The quality or state of being subtile; thinness; fineness; as, the subtility of air or light.

2. Refinement; extreme acuteness; subtlety. 3. Cunning; skill; craft.

Note: In senses 2, 3, and 4 the word is more commonly written subtlety.

Synonyms:1. Prudence, calculation, foresight, forethought imply attempted provision against possible contingencies. Prudence is care, caution, and good judgment, as well as wisdom in looking ahead: sober prudence in handling one's affairs. Calculation suggests a disposition to get a large return for as small an outlay as possible and willingness to benefit at the expense of others: cold calculation. Foresight implies a prudent looking ahead rather far into the future: clear foresight in planning. Forethought emphasizes the adequacy of preparation for the future: Careful forethought helped him deal with the emergency. Antonyms:1. rashness.

1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Counsel=

Synonyms:1. aphorism, apothegm. Proverb, maxim are terms for short, pithy sayings. A proverb is such a saying popularly known and repeated, usually expressing simply and concretely, though often metaphorically, a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of humankind: “A stitch in time saves nine.” A maxim is a brief statement of a general and practical truth, esp. one that serves as a rule of conduct or a precept: “It is wise to risk no more than one can afford to lose.”

Personality and ways of wisdom:

Prov 1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Benefits of listening to wisdom:

1:33  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Prov 2::1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

SOURCE OF WISDOM

6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

2:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Prov 3:21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Prov 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

BENEFITS OF KEEPING THE LAW OF GODAND OF YOUR PARENTS:

Prov 3:1  My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

6:20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

BENEFITS OF MERCY AND TRUTH

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

BENEFITS OF TRUSTING GOD MORE THAN TRUSTING SELF:

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

BENEFITS FO GIVING GOD YOUR SUBSTANCE AND FIRSTFRUITS:

2:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Fools : What they are like; what they get

3: 35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

KJV

Prov 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame

CHARACTERISTICS , BEHAVIOR , REWARDS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Prov 4: 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WICKED WOMAN TO BE AVOIDED – THE RESULTS OF BEING WITH HER

Prov 5: 3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! 14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.6: 25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many  gifts

Prov 7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.11(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Prov 9:13 A foolish woman is clamourous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.KJV

Flattery: the act of pleasing by artiful commendation or compliments; adulation; false, insincere, or excessive praise.

Adulation, Flattery, Compliment. Men deal in compliments from a desire to please; they use flattery either from undue admiration, or a wish to gratify vanity; they practice adulation from sordid motives, and with a mingled spirit of falsehood and hypocrisy. Compliment may be a sincere expression of due respect and esteem, or it may be unmeaning; flattery is apt to become gross; adulation is always servile, and usually fulsome.

FINANCES, WEALTH, WORK

Prov 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.3 Do this now, my son, deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

A SURETY IS A CO SIGNER:  One who has contracted to be responsible for another, especially one who assumes responsibilities or debts in the event of default.

6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:11 S o shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Prov 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Prov 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Prov 27: 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Prov 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

Prov 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

Prov 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Prov 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Prov 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Prov 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Prov 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Prov 20:13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

Prov 21:3 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

Prov 21:17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

Prov 22: 9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Prov 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets…..16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

22:26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Prov 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

Prov 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Prov 23: 20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Wine bibbers: 

Prov 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise,and keep your heart on the right path. 20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor,and drowsiness clothes them in rags. NIV

OT:5433 caba' (saw-baw'); a primitive root; to quaff to satiety, i.e. become tipsy:

KJV - drunkard, fillself, Sabean, [wine-] bibber.

OT:3196 yayin (yah'-yin); from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication:

Prov 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house…..30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Prov 26: 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

Prov 28: 19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent…..22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender

Body language reveals a wicked person

6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

What God HATES

Prov 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Prov 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Reproof,instruction – whom to give it to

Prov 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Prov 15:10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

Prov 15:12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

Prov 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Prov 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

–verb (used with object)

Synonyms:1. contumely. See contempt. 4. disdain, contemn, despise, detest. Antonyms. praise.

contempt, disdain, scorn imply strong feelings of disapproval and aversion toward what seems base, mean, or worthless. contempt is disapproval tinged with disgust: to feel contempt for a weakling. disdain is a feeling that a person or thing is beneath one's dignity and unworthy of one's notice, respect, or concern: a disdain for crooked dealing. scorn denotes open or undisguised contempt often combined with derision: He showed only scorn for those who were not as ambitious as himself.

Nature of Hatred

Prov 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins……….

18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

26:24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

Prov 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Dissemble:

A GOOD WOMAN

Prov 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Prov 31: 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Disciplining children

Prov 22: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Prov 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Contention, quarrels, anger

Prov 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Prov 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Prov 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Prov 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Prov 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Prov 16: 27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Froward=

Prov 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Prov 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Prov 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.KJV

Prov 20: 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Prov 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Prov 21: 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Prov 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Prov 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

Prov 29:8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

Wise ways to walk in:

3: 27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

Prov 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Prov 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Prov 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Prov 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Prov 14: 7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

Prov 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Prov 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Prov 17: 4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

 Prov 17: 9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Prov 17: 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Prov 17: 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Prov 17: 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

 Prov 18:55 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Prov 18: 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Prov 18: 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Prov 18:23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Prov 20: 11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Prov 20: 18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Prov 21: 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will

Prov 22:22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Prov 23: 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Prov 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

Prov 24: 10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

Prov 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

Prov 24:23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

Prov 25: 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Prov 25:6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Prov 25: 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

Prov 25:20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Prov 25:26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.KJV  Prov 25:2626 If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring. NLT

Prov 25: 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Prov 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

……6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Prov 27: 9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Prov 27: 12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Prov 27: 14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike……………..

Prov 28: 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Prov 28: 13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

Prov 29:1

29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Prov 29: 15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Prov 29: 25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

He will show us the hope we may have and the power which is working in us

Eph 1: 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, NIV

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. NIV

He keeps us strong to the very end of our lives here

Giving above and beyond the expected (the “expected” being tithes and offerings).

Tithes are what God expects us to give to Him:  The  mandate to tithe  has been in effect since the Old Covenant days. Never was it annulled in the New Testament.

Luke 11:42 "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.NIV

Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. NIV

The Old Covenant people lived off the land in the old days.  So they tithed accordingly:

Lev 27:30 "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. NIV

2 Chron 31: 6 The men of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the LORD their God, and they piled them in heaps.

The tithes went to those who did the work of the ministry

Ezek 44: 30 The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household. NIV

Num 18: 21 "I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.

Paul stated that those who do the work of the ministry were to be paid by the ministry

1 Cor 9:3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don't we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? NIV

Giving generously will result in receiving generously

Prov 11:25 A generous man will prosper;he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. NIV

2 Cor 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver  NIV

There were times in the Word – for special reasons – the people were ASKED to give special offerings (not on an ongoing mandatory basis; however, it was to be above and beyond their tithes). In the following passage, it says “Tell” which, if you hear that from the Lord, sounds close to a command, doesn’t  it?

This is the request for what was needed to make the sanctuary of the Lord:

Ex 25:1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give. 3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 8 "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. NIV

David also looked for the people to give offerings when the temple things were being prepared  -- and he saw their being able to “generously give” as an honor! And, he recognizes in verse 16 that it all came from God in the first place.:

1 Chron 29: 29:1 Then King David said to the whole assembly: "My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. 2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God — gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble — all of these in large quantities. 3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: 4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, 5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?" 6 Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly. 7 They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. 8 Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. 10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided." 20 Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king. 21 The next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and presented burnt offerings to him: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22 They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day. Then they acknowledged Solomon son of David as king a second time, anointing him before the LORD to be ruler and Zadok to be priest. 23 So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the officers and mighty men, as well as all of King David's sons, pledged their submission to King Solomon. 25 The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before. We are not expected to give what we don’t have. We should never EXPECT another person to go into debt on our behalf!  We should not make demands on others to give in such a way that would leave them wanting and the other comfortable!

2 Cor 8: 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. NIV

Deut 16:16 Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. NIV

Ezra 2:68 When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.NIV

He did praise the one who gave EVERYTHING and apparently went on her way in complete faith and dependence on the Lord!

Luke 21: 21:1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.   3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."  NIV

Special offerings are given from a willing heart

Ex 35:20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. NIV

People with a lot more than others could pray for a heart even more willing to give and to  seek the Lord about giving way above and beyond tithes and offerings from time to time!  Josiah was greatly blessed and choose to give out of his own possessions:

2 Chron 35:7 Josiah provided for all the lay people who were there a total of thirty thousand sheep and goats for the Passover offerings, and also three thousand cattle — all from the king's own possessions. 8 His officials also contributed voluntarily to the people and the priests and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah and Jehiel, the administrators of God's temple, gave the priests twenty-six hundred Passover offerings and three hundred cattle. 9 Also Conaniah along with Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, provided five thousand Passover offerings and five hundred head of cattle for the Levites. NIV

God is well able to “move our hearts” if He is asking us to give in a very special way – note in this passage from Ezra that when God touches our hearts and we get excited to give to Him, sometimes even unbelievers around us want to join in on the fun of giving!

Ezra 1:5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites — everyone whose heart God had moved — prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. 6 All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings. 7 Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god.   8 Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. 9 This was the inventory: gold dishes              30 ;  silver dishes     1,000;  silver pans ;  29 ,10 gold bowls        30matching silver bowls   ;  410  other articles      1,000 11 In all, there were 5,400 articles of gold and of silver. Sheshbazzar brought all these along when the exiles came up from Babylon to Jerusalem. NIV

Honoring the Lord with our Body

Remembering what our body is and who it belongs to

1 Cor 6: 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. NIV

Overcoming denial:    Whatever we do will show up –corruption results from fleshly behavior

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.9 And let us not be weary in well doing : for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. KJV

About a week ago, I sent the following prayer request to the saints at ROL:

. Having looked at the wonderful pictures Tasha and others have taken at the wedding (on Facebook), I am feeling repentant (AGAIN!!!) for my weight issues (seeing pictures of myself is a further wake up call!) ....I need God's help and ...even more...I need to be obedient when He does nudge me daily about what to and what not to do -- this is MY fault and mine alone that I am where I am.

.  My doctor says my cholesterol is very  high (surprise , surprise) -- I love butter, cheese, sweets...uh....this may be somewhat related to # 3... ' ya think???

Anyway...this is not really funny. I want to treat the temple of the Lord as I should and I am sorry I have not been.  But, "sorry" alone does nothing.   Please pray for me.

Restoring hope although things seem impossible to us! Basilio preached yesterday that we should not be discouraged by what appears to be impossible!

We cannot afford to resign ourselves to our current state. To resign is to give in to what we are deceived into thinking is inevitiable!  To resign is to say “uncle” to the devil! It is DEFEAT.

  Share the need with friends.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.KJV

 Let them take your need to Jesus with  you!  Know He is able to help! He can forgive us from the sin that got us into trouble and he can heal from all problems.

Luke 5: 18 Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."  21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."  25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." NIV

When we resign ourselves to our bodies being weakened through our having overeaten and not properly cared for them,  sometimes we begin to weary of the Lord’s work too. Actually, this is no doubt the enemy’s plan!!

1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

For many of us…even in the ministry…overeating IS our greatest “sin that so easily entangles”. We MUST “throw it off”. It is a warfare! Daily!!

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: NIV

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,KJV

Heb 12:Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. 3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. 5 And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said,"My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you,and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. 6. For the Lord disciplines those he loves,and he punishes those he accepts as his children."7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? 8 If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. 9 Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? NLT

We must daily put our sin to the cross and die to it!

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily , and follow me.24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?KJV

What we put in our bodies is more important than what we put into anything else!    I heard a  preacher say on TV that when he was putting premium gas in his car, God asked him why he was putting in the most expensive gas. The man said because he valued his car. God then asked him why he would take such trash into the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Oouch.

That is the question, isn’t it? WHY?   Why do we do it?

I once listed the pro’s and cons of eating or not eating too much or the wrong thing. Here is that list:

Reasons to be victorious ,i.e., eat properly:

Pleasing my Best Friend

Being able to be His colaborer without huffing and puffing (e.g., through endless ailes of airport).

Pleasing my husband.

Pleasing all I love.

Not being a reproach.

Not having to buy a new, bigger wardrobe!!!!!!!

Reasons to be eat improperly, to be rebellious regarding food…to SIN in this area

The taste of that dairy queen pecan/hot fudge/caramel sundae sends a rush of pure pleasure through body and soul

The times I am eating are like islands of rest in the midst of huge busyness:

It became obvious once more that it was a simple question of whether I would give into fleshly , foolish desires  or Godly wisdom in my eating choices.

Flesh vs Spirit...

To have my mind set on fleshly desires is HOSTILE TO GOD

Rom 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba,  Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. NIV

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. NIV

Father, help me never again to give the enemy the opportunity to sarcastically laugh at my resolutions to overcome overeating. Help me to bring forth fruits of repentance each and every day.

Help me not to partake of festivals, restaurants, events that are geared towards enticing gluttony.

Ps 141: 4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil,to take part in wicked deeds
with men who are evildoers;let me not eat of their delicacies. NIV

Help to to go in and out of situations I am in without being caught up in demonic swirls intended to bring me down as Delilah did Samson!

Dan 1: 8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. NIV

Help me to walk in the new nature in me, the born again in Christ nature

Eph 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV

Lord, change my thinking about food. The sense of "entitlement" during the endless times of "this is a special event so dieting is not in order"!!!

Help me to keep your face ever before me. When you smile and say , "yes". Great. If you as much as say, "Be CAREFUL!" Help me to faithfully respond with a circumspect walk!!!!

o    public

o    2:25 PM

First lesson in James:  Wednesday, 5 27 09      My Response to Problems 

A  Count it all Joy

 B  Let Patience have her Perfect Work

Definition of patience from online dictionary:

Patience:/ –noun 1.the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.2.an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay: to have patience with a slow learner. 3.quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence: to work with patience.

…..6.Obsolete. leave; permission; sufference.—Synonyms 1. composure, stability, self-possession; submissiveness, sufferance. Patience, endurance, fortitude, stoicism imply qualities of calmness, stability, and persistent courage in trying circumstances. Patience may denote calm, self-possessed, and unrepining bearing of pain, misfortune, annoyance, or delay; or painstaking and untiring industry or (less often) application in the doing of somehing: to bear afflictions with patience. Endurance denotes the ability to bear exertion, hardship, or suffering (without implication of moral qualities required or shown): Running in a marathon requires great endurance. Fortitude implies not only patience but courage and strength of character in the midst of pain, affliction, or hardship: to show fortitude in adversity. Stoicism is calm fortitude, with such repression of emotion as to seem almost like indifference to pleasure or pain: The American Indians were noted for stoicism under torture. 3. indefatigability, persistence, assiduity.

The Thesaurus:

Patience: 

C.  What is all the joy about?  Problems offer me an opportunity to move closer  into being patient – when Patience works in me fully , I will be “perfect, entire, wanting nothing”

D.  What is my Goal in life? Maturity in Christ!

Is it to be happy, comfortable, and wealthy?  Or, is it to know the Lord and to be conformed to His image?

If the first, then problems are annoying; if the second, then problems are exciting.

James 1: 1:     James , a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.  2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Other translations:  James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. NLT

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.NIV

Joy here:   NT:5479 chara (khar-ah'); from NT:5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:KJV - gladness, greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:5463 chairo (khah'-ee-ro); a primary verb; to be "cheerful", i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:KJV - farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy (-fully), rejoice.

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Temptations here =NT:3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos'); from NT:3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:KJV - temptation, try.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:3985 peirazo (pi-rad'-zo); from NT:3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:KJV - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.

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Patience here:  NT:5281 hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay'); from NT:5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:  KJV - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).

NT:5278 hupomeno (hoop-om-en'-o); from NT:5259 and NT:3306; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:  KJV - abide, endure, (take) patient (-ly), suffer, tarry behind.

NT:5259 hupo (hoop-o'); a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither [underneath] or where [below] or time (when [at]):  KJV - among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In comp. it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specifically, covertly or moderately.

In the list of the fruit of the Spirit,

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.KJV

 A word closely related to  “patience” occurs in the lists of the fruits…it is “longsuffering” ,

NT:3115 makrothumia (mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah); from the same as NT:3116; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:  KJV - longsuffering, patience.

NT:3116 makrothumos (mak-roth-oo-moce'); adverb of a compound of NT:3117 and NT:2372; with long (enduring) temper, i.e. leniently:KJV - patiently.

 (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Matthew Henry Commentary:  James 1:34   We now come to consider the matter of this epistle. In this paragraph we have the following things to be observed:-I. The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed.1. It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet endure very grievous afflictions. As good people are liable to be scattered, they must not think it strange if they meet with troubles.  2. These outward afflictions and troubles are temptations to them. The devil endeavours by sufferings and crosses to draw men to sin and to deter them from duty, or unfit them for it; but, as our afflictions are in God's hand, they are intended for the trial and improvement of our graces. The gold is put into the furnace, that it may be purified.

Rm note: I think here of Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

3. These temptations may be numerous and various: Divers temptations, as the apostle speaks. Our trials may be of many and different kinds, and therefore we have need to put on the whole armour of God. We must be armed on every side, because temptations lie on all sides.4. The trials of a good man are such as he does not create to himself, nor sinfully pull upon himself; but they are such as he is said to fall into. And for this reason they are the better borne by him.II. The graces and duties of a state of trial and affliction are here pointed out to us. Could we attend to these things, and grow in them as we should do, how good would it be for us to be afflicted! 1. One Christian grace to be exercised is joy: Count it all joy, v. 2. We must not sink into a sad and disconsolate frame of mind, which would make us faint under our trials; but must endeavour to keep our spirits dilated and enlarged, the better to take in a true sense of our case, and with greater advantage to set ourselves to make the best of it. Philosophy may instruct men to be calm under their troubles; but Christianity teaches them to be joyful, because such exercises proceed from love and not fury in God. In them we are conformable to Christ our head, and they become marks of our adoption. By suffering in the ways of righteousness, we are serving the interests of our Lord's kingdom among men, and edifying the body of Christ; and our trials will brighten our graces now and our crown at last. Therefore there is reason to count it all joy when trials and difficulties become our lot in the way of our duty. And this is not purely a New-Testament paradox, but even in Job's time it was said, Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth. There is the more reason for joy in afflictions if we consider the other graces that are promoted by them.  2. Faith is a grace that one expression supposes and another expressly requires: Knowing this, that the trial of your faith, v. 3; and then in v. 6, Let him ask in faith. There must be a sound believing of the great truths of Christianity, and a resolute cleaving to them, in times of trial. That faith which is spoken of here as tried by afflictions consists in a belief of the power, and word, and promise of God, and in fidelity and constancy to the Lord Jesus.  3. There must be patience: The trial of faith worketh patience. The trying of one grace produces another; and the more the suffering graces of a Christian are exercised the stronger they grow. Tribulation worketh patience, Rom 5:3. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;          Now, to exercise Christian patience aright, we must,

(1.) Let it work. It is not a stupid, but an active thing. Stoical apathy and Christian patience are very different: by the one men become, in some measure, insensible of their afflictions; but by the other they become triumphant in and over them. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience and not passion, be set at work in us; whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it: let us not allow the indulging of our passions to hinder the operation and noble effects of patience; let us give it leave to work, and it will work wonders in a time of trouble.  (2.) We must let it have its perfect work. Do nothing to limit it nor to weaken it; but let it have its full scope: if one affliction come upon the heels of another, and a train of them are drawn upon us, yet let patience go on till its work is perfected. When we bear all that God appoints, and as long as he appoints, and with a humble obedient eye to him, and when we not only bear troubles, but rejoice in them, then patience hath its perfect work.(3.) When the work of patience is complete, then the Christian is entire, and nothing will be wanting: it will furnish us with all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare, and will enable us to persevere to the end, and then its work will be ended, and crowned with glory. After we have abounded in other graces, we have need of patience,

Heb 10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."   39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. NIV end of Hebrews passage.

 Continuing in James:  James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.    James 2 2:1 My, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  James 31 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.   James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

River of Life  Leadership and Word Ministry School , 5 23 09

Attendance, offering

n       Immersing ourselves in music  and corresponding  Word  --- being willing to respond with appropriate gestures , expressions, etc.

n       In what way was I impacted Spiritually by doing this?

Holy Hunger track 3: I’m Hungry for You

Chorus:

I’M HUNGRY FOR YOU 2X

Need your touch….seek your face;    Need your presence

When I wake up in the morning I call your name.

When I lay my head to rest I need you there.

To live in your presence is where I need long to be.

Lord draw me closer, so much closer to Thee.

Add to chorus this time:

Jesus, Jesus, need your touch….seek your face…need your presence

I’m desperate for you 2x

Need your touch…seek your face; Need your touch 2x

Seek your face;   Need your presence

We really need your presence3 3x

Ps 63:1  O God, you are my God,earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. ….5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Ps 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Ps 36:7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house;you give them drink from your river of delights. NIV

Ps 119: 103 How sweet are your words to my taste,sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Selah  -- Hiding place

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart   With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid  I will trust in You   I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong In the strength of the Lord
You are my hiding place You always fill my heart With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid I will trust in You

I will trust in You  --  Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord I will trust in You

Ps 56: 3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you . 4 In God, whose word I praise,in God I trust; I will not be afraid.What can mortal man do to me?

Ps 17: 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

9 From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.

Ps 27: 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.KJV

Ps 31: 20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Ps 64:1Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

 Ps 143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

Ps 61: 3 For you have been my refuge,a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Ps 32: 7 You are my hiding place;you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Selah track one   You raise me up

When I am down, and oh my soul, so weary When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence Until You come and sit awhile with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders You raise me up?to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders You raise me up?to more than I can be

There is no life?no life without its hunger Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come and I am filled with wonder Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders You raise me up?to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders You raise me up, to more than I can be

Ps 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Ps 18: 16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.

19 He brought me out into a spacious place;he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Ps 71: 20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,you will restore my life again;from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

Ps 86: 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.  

Ps 116: 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:"O LORD, save me!" 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

Ps 27: 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Ps 61:2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,I call as my heart grows faint;lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge,a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Selah track 9 includes missionaries  We’ll understand it better by and by….

Words & Music: bio("Charles A. Tind­ley","t/i/tindley_ca") Charles A. Tind­ley, 1905

We are tossed and driv’n on the restless sea of time; Somber skies and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine;
In that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away, We will understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes,When the saints of God are gathered home,
We’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome,For we’ll understand it better by and by.

We are often destitute of the things that life demands,
Want of food and want of shelter, thirsty hills and barren lands;
We are trusting in the Lord, and according to God’s Word,
We will understand it better by and by.

Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand
All the ways that God could lead us to that blessèd promised land;
But He guides us with His eye, and we’ll follow till we die,***
For we’ll understand it better by and by.

Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares,
And our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed;
And we wonder why the test when we try to do our best,
But we’ll understand it better by and by.

 “Later you will understand.” John 13:7; Charles A. Tindley (1851-1933)

***Ps 32:8   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.

Ps 6:6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies . Ps 25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.19 Consider mine enemies ; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

 Ps 37:18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away…..22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Daystar arise   Track 8   The Shadow of Your Wings

Ps 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Ps 36: 7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

Ps 63: 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Ps 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Jewish Gospel Favorites , Track 2 , I’ve seen  You in the Sanctuary

Ps 63: 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life,my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live,and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Michael W Smith ….Freedom   ,Thy Word   track 11 

CHORUS:

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  (2x)

VERSE 1:

When I feel afraid,think I've lost my way,

still you're there right beside me.

And nothing will I fearas long as you are near.

Please be near me to the end.

VERSE 2:

I will not forget your love for me and yet

my heart forever is wandering.

Jesus be my guide, and hold me to your side,

I will love you to the end.

ENDING:

Nothing will I fear as long as you are near.Please be near me to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,

and a light unto my path.You're the light unto my path.

Ps 119: 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Ps 43: 3 Send forth your light and your truth,let them guide me;let them bring me to your holy mountain,to the place where you dwell. 4 Then will I go to the altar of God,to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp,O God, my God.

Ps 18: 28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;my God turns my darkness into light.

Ps 119:24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Ps 119: 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Ps 119: 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;let no sin rule over me.

Show me your Face   ,Juanita Bynum

Ps 27: 8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me,do not turn your servant away in anger;you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,O God my Savior. NIV

Ps 67:1May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,

Ps 24:3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?Who may stand in his holy place ? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.   5 He will receive blessing from the LORDand vindication from God his Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him ,who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

1 Chron 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

Ps 15:LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue,who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, 4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD,who keeps his oath even when it hurts, 5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.He who does these things will never be shaken.

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir   Because of who you are  # 1 This is Your House  disc 2

Because of who you are I will lift my hands I will lift my heart

and sing a song of love to you  because of who you are 

I offer you my life surrendering my all, a living sacrifice to you

because of who you are everything you are

Chorus:

I give you all the glory   I give you all the praise

I pledge to you each moment for the length of all my days

my rock and my redeemer my savior and my strength

Oh I will ever praise you Yes I will ever praise you

Yes I will ever praise you Lord because of who you are

Ps 146: Praise the LORD , O my soul. 2 I will praise the LORD  all my life;I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Ps 135: 3 Praise the LORD , for the LORD is good;sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.

Ps 134: 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD .

Ps 106:48 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,from everlasting to everlasting.

Let all the people say, "Amen!"Praise the LORD .

Ps 106:1Praise the LORD . Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;his love endures forever.

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The Psalms regarding  praise, worship, and prayer

The Psalms speak of many expressions of praise and worship. These expressions are not given as suggestions .  The Spirit of God, the Author of the Bible, tells us exactly how to worship and praise.

Lift up your hands

Ps 134: 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. Ps 141: 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Use your words to praise Him; Use instruments to praise Him; Dance in praise to Him;

EVERYONE is to praise Him.

Ps 1501 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance : praise him with stringed instruments and organs.5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Shout with joy to the Lord; Sing to the Lord; Blow the shofar to Him

Ps 66:Shout with joy to God, all the earth! 2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! 3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."

Ps 71:22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre,O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you….

Ps 98:4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; 5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, 6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn —shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Give thanks to Him

Ps 100: 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

Bow to Him; Kneel to Him

Ps 95:6  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Worship Him  Ps 132: 7 "Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool — 

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Praying and crying:   Often in the midst of praise and worship the presence of the Lord is so strong that we also include a time of prayer.

Just as we are exhorted to engage our whole being in praise and worship, there is also mention in the Psalms of strong prayers accompanied by tears:

Ps 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Ps 28:22 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

Ps 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry ; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

Ps 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Ps 61:1Hear my cry , O God; attend unto my prayer.2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

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Worship and Praise Leader Test and Discussion Sheet: I am including this because music is POWERFUL. When we minister music, we need to make sure we are keenly aware of the sacred responsibility that the Lord entrusts to us and that we conduct ourselves accordingly!

We all  can be praise leaders – both up front and from our seats.

     Whether we are the “up front” worship leader or at our seats participating, we need to be aware of the things on this test so we can be enthusiastic praise leaders who influence many to praise.

.    Because the fact is that we influence people strongly by our example of worship and praise involvement  both as leaders up front and as “leaders” at our seats. 

     Over the years I have  both watched congregations be either stirred to get more involved in worship because of the behavior of just one or more among them and  I have been disappointed to see some about to be involved and then quit when they realized their friends were not actively praising. E.g., I have seen young people raise their hands and then quickly lower them when they realized they were the only young person doing so.

     I have seen some courageous souls who freely praised  no matter who else was or was not praising the Lord. even if no one around was responding.   That is true leadership! Followers wait to see what others are going to do; leaders are in touch with what the Lord wants them to do and they just do it.

David is a great  example of a praise leader

2 Sam 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart…………….20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21 And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

The test:

     As you go through this “test” , you will see that many of the points have one main thing  in common:  The recognition of when we are being self conscious versus being God conscious.   Michal’s issue was “what are people thinking?”; David’s issue was “I am doing this for God, not man”.

Many items  reflect “self consciousness” as it shows itself in pride, seduction, laziness, selfishness, vain glory, “running the show myself” rather than hearing the Lord; etc.

     The question we must ask ourselves is this:  “Do I need more dying to self in order to be able to freely and effectively praise and worship  the Lord?”

Put a T by the true statements, put an F by the false statements . Remember, the test is geared towards the worship leader; however, we are ALL worship leaders whether we are “up front” or not.

 Appearance:

A___ If the temperature is uncomfortably hot , l should be able to wear my very short shorts when l lead worship .

B___ There is no way that my appearance could distract from others being able to worship freely.

C___ If a girl is leading worship and bends over, it is fine if a whole lot of her bare back shows.

D___ How I dress says nothing about whether or not I love or do not love other people.

E___ If the current fashion is wearing skulls, I should be able to wear a t-shirt with a great , big skull on it while l lead worship.

F___ It is very important that l dress in the latest styles when I lead worship.

2. Voice Clarity:

A___ Everyone should feel sorry for that person who is scared to speak directly into

the microphone when they lead worship - after all some people are just naturally shy.

B___It takes effort and concentration to project my voice when I am leading worship; however, it is very important that I do it.

C___ I need to consciously slow down and make sure I speak very clearly when I am leading worship (if I must explain something or exhort the people)

D___ If I have a problem with my voice projecting, I should practice at home until I am comfortable with projecting my voice when I lead others

3. Connection with God

A___ I just need to memorize a few good praise and worship songs and lead them as well as I can. It does not matter if I have been faithful in my quiet time with God as long as I remember the words and sing them well.

B___I and l alone decide when to start or stop songs. l’ve got it down to a science

C___ have it planned to the minute when I will go from praise to worship and I always stick to my plan-- I know because l am the leader and I know what the people like

D___If I sense that someone wants to prophesy, l need to give a signal for the others on the praise team to quiet down so we can all hear the prophesy

E___ Sometimes I pause during praise when I am leading so that people can pray for one another because l sense the Lord is pouring out a spirit of prayer

F___ If I have made a plan for praise and worship, it is fine if I don't allow anything to stop what I planned to do. I always make a plan the night before church.

G___ I will dance when I think it would please the Lord.

H___ I will encourage others to dance too.

I___ l will look at the group to see if they are pleasing the Lord with how involved they are physically in the praise expressions and I will encourage them to "step it up"

J___ If half the church would fall to their knees and start weeping during worship, I would be happy that they are being so touched by the Spirit of the Lord.

K___ If half the church would fall to their knees and start weeping during worship, I would have no idea what to do next and would be extremely uncomfortable standing up there trying to keep singing.

4. Connection with others

A___ It is none of the business of the praise leader as to whether people are pressing into worship and praise with all of their heart and might or whether they are all foggy looking  and bored. The praise leader should just keep on praising without paying any attention to that.

B___ lf they don't get the words of a song and it is not on the overhead, that is their problem. I would just keep singing to the Lord and ignore them.

5. Enthusiasm

A___ Sometimes I just don't FEEL very enthused when I am leading worship and l know it shows on my face that I'd rather be doing something else. But, deep in my heart, I know am sincere about the words I am singing so how my face looks does not matter.

B___ It is important to listen to the words that are in the song and to fully express their meaning on my face. E.g., If I am singing about the joy of the Lord, I should smile. If it is a victory song, I can shout loudly.

6. Familiarity with the  songs being presented

A___ It is important for the praise leader to have put prayer and planning into what songs to lead so s/he is very familiar with the words and the meaning before presenting the songs to others.

B___ It does not always matter what the exact words are, the leader can just make them up if a/he does not remember.

7. Choice of songs

A___ Ideally the praise leader should get a sense of direction from the Lord for the service (as s/he prays and prepares)  -- this will result in harmony with what the Lord will be doing in that entire service.

B___ l think it is fine to choose an extremely complicated song to lead others into praise. Then l might have a chance to do a solo and display my great talent.

C___ If a song says "Jesus is in everyone's heart whether they know it or not”, it would be a great song for a city-wide praise meeting in a downtown park.

D___ It does not matter if my voice sounds horrid when l go to high A, my favorite song demands that note and that is the way I am going to sing it when I lead praise.

E___ I really like a certain song. Well, actually, l like the melody and the beat. I have no idea what the words mean. I have read it over and over and it is obviously way over my head. But, I am going to lead praise with that song any way.

8. If a person aspires to become a regular worship leader, that person must know the responsibility to keep his life pure and his relationship with others loving.

A___ I could care less whether or not a certain popular praise leader is committing adultery, I want them to be the one to lead in the next area wide praise gathering.

B___ A person who leads others into the presence of the Lord who is out of contact with the Lord himself is in danger of becoming a hypocrite and of receiving severe judgment from God.

C___ A person who leads praise and is in a serious sin is in danger of being a target of the enemy and losing the battle

9. Familiarity with God's Word

A___ To be able to lead people into God's presence through praise and worship means I must know His voice.

B___ It does not matter if I don’t know God s Word, I trust that Christian songwriters are all going to have lyrics that are true.

C___ It is easy to distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of our own soul

10. The leader must be or actively, passionately endeavoring to be filled with

the Spirit:

A___ It takes boldness to be the one taking responsibility to lead others into praise and worship. To attain this boldness as fully as possible, we need to be baptized in the Spirit.

B___ It is during praise and worship that the Spirit of God is most likely to move in the gifts of the Spirit. For the leader to be able to lead well during the flow of these gifts, s/he needs to both be able to move in the gifts him or herself as well as discern the flow of the Spirit as the gifts come forth.

C___ One goal of leading worship and praise is to usher in the manifest presence of the Lord, to enjoy Him, and to be happy when He is enjoying us too.

D___ Another goal of leading worship and praise is to simply magnify and adore Him, to let Him know we see who He is.

E___ The utter lack of self-consciousness and the freedom it takes to bask in His presence boldly is absolutely magnified when a person receives the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

F___ The worship leader whose main ambition is to make a best-selling worship CD is the best kind-- that person will make sure every song sounds really great.

G___ We should be looking for a young, good looking, energetic person to lead worship. That would draw a crowd. That, after all, is our main goal.

H___ When the congregation is able to sense the presence of the Lord in a special way, the people are filled with joy and thanksgiving.

If time:  We will have you make your own Psalm of praise to the Lord from an existing Psalm and you can lead us in praise with what you have written…you can sing it or speak it….or , ask someone else to make a song from your words.

Keep growing in the knowledge of the power  of the Holy Spirit to minister in a special way when the Word of God  and music are combined!

Prayer, Sabbath, 5 16 09 – Topic: Israel

Israel:

1.    That the Lord continue to bring more and more Jews into Israel: Ezek 11:17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel……

Isa 11:12 He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.

2.    That the Jews be born again:Ezekiel 11: 19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.KJV

Jer 32: 37 I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.

Zechariah 12: 10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Rom 10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.   3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. NIV

Rom 11:13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

3.     That the world wide Christian community be FOR Israel and not join the nations in trying to make Israel  divide Jerusalem with her enemies :Zech 12: 2 "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. 3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. ……6 "On that day I will make the leaders of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. They will consume right and left all the surrounding peoples, but Jerusalem will remain intact in her place. .... 9 On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

Zech 14:2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. …..9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. …12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. 13 On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other.

Ps 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem :"May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." 8 For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you." 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity. NIV

4.    That we pray for Obama to have wisdom from God  in his meeting with Netanyahu this coming Monday! That Netanyahu stands FIRM in refusing to give any ground to the enemies of Israel and refuses to divide Jerusalem!

This prayer request was in the End Time Handmaiden’s newsletter on 5 15 09, written by Gene and Marylois Little who live in Jerusalem, Israel:  Prime Minister's Netanyahu's visit to Washington D.C.   Next Monday, May 18th Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with President Obama in Washington D.C.  This first formal meeting between the two leaders promises to be anything but rosy.  The Obama administration is seeking to force Israel into a peace agreement that favors an Arab "solution."  According to media reports, National Security Adviser James Jones told a European foreign minister that the US is planning on building an anti-Israel coalition with the Arabs and Europe so as to compel Israel to surrender Judea , Samaria and Jerusalem to the Palestinians.