Tag: righteousness

Posted in Hiding His Word

And Whether One Member Suffer, All the Members Suffer with It

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Esther 4:1–7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22

Concerning Spiritual Gifts
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. – 1 Corinthians 12:1-3

Diversities of Gifts, But the Same Spirit
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Dividing to Every Man Severally as He Will
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. – 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

As the Body is One, and Hath Many Members
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? – 1 Corinthians 12:12-17

God Set the Members Every One of Them in the Body
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. – 1 Corinthians 12:18-25

And Whether One Member Suffer, All the Members Suffer with It
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. – 1 Corinthians 12:26

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Think Not With Thyself That Thou Shalt Escape
In today’s reading of Esther, Haman devised a plan to destroy the Jewish people, and he convinced the king to go along with it. Neither knew that Esther was a Jew. In agony, Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther, pleading for her to intervene for her people. She said she couldn’t because going before the king without invitation could mean death. Mordecai sent this familiar and powerful message to Esther. It is a message that is for us even today in our current world situations.

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? – Esther 4:13-14

And Esther responded:

Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. – Esther 4:15-16

Is this not a message to us all for today? It is not coincidental that these verses are in our reading today. Should we not respond in this very same way? Should we not fast, pray, and raise our voice against evil to save our people (our brothers and sisters in Christ)? Should we not know that if we hold our peace now that they will see great deliverance but we set ourselves up to be destroyed? Should we not see and know that God has us at this place at this time for such a time as this? Should we not be willing today to do whatever it takes…and if we perish, we perish???

Heavenly Father, Help our family!!! As we have seen through Your Word today, when one member suffers, we all suffer. It affects us all. Help our brothers and sisters that stand face-to-face with evil today. Protect and deliver them, Lord. Help our family here to use our power, authority, voice, and our lives to stand in the gap and fight (in prayer and in the natural), no matter the costs. God help us all to see You brought us into our place in Your Kingdom for such a time as this. Please help us, Holy Ghost! Help me…In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!

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In Thy Light Shall We See Light
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; And thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; Thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; And thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light. – Psalm 36:5-9

He That Followeth After Righteousness
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy Findeth life, righteousness, and honour. – Proverbs 21:21

Posted in Hiding His Word

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Righteousness

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Esther 1:1–3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Righteousness 
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. – Psalm 35:18

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness And of thy praise all the day long. – Psalm 35:28

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The King Asks for Counsel
The book of Esther begins with king Ahasuerus throwing a banquet to show off his wealth. He requests queen Vashti to come so that he can show her off, and she refuses. The king is furious and asks his wise men for counsel regarding Vashti and her disobedience.

And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.

If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: – Esther 1:16-21

Search for a New Queen
The king did as counseled. Over time, his anger waned, and he became lonely. His counselors suggested that he find a new queen, and they suggested he bring in the fair, young virgins of the kingdom to prepare them for his search. The king was pleased with this and the search began and Esther was brought to the palace.

So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. – Esther 2:8-9

Esther was brought to the palace and gained favor with Hegai, the keeper of the women. But as her Uncle Mordecai instructed her, she didn’t let anyone know that she was Jewish.

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. – Esther 2:10

Esther Becomes Queen – Mordecai Overheard a Plot
When it was her turn to meet the king, Esther didn’t ask for special privileges or gifts. She went before the king, and the king was pleased and loved her. He selects her the new queen. A grand celebration begins.

Meanwhile, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate and overheard two eunuchs plotting to assassinate the king. He lets queen Esther know of the plot. She tells the king and lets him know this information came from Mordecai. The men were found guilty and hanged, and all the details of this specific event were written in the book of the Chronicles.

Haman is Promoted – Mordecai Refuses to Bow to Him
King Ahasuerus promoted Haman and commanded his servants to bow before this man. Mordecai refused, and when the people questioned him, he let them know he could not bow to anyone because he was a Jew. It got back to Haman that Mordecai not only refused to bow but that he was a Jew, and Haman was enraged. He developed a plot not only to kill Mordecai but all of the Jewish people.

Justification to Kill the Jews
Haman goes to the king and justifies why Mordecai and all Jews needed to be killed. The king agrees, gives Haman his signet ring (his authority), and he also gives him the funds to do as he pleased. In others words, the king tells Haman to make it happen.

And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. – Esther 3:8-11

The People Mourn – The King and Haman Celebrate
Haman sends letters out to all the provinces that on a certain day of the twelfth month, all Jews will be killed. Confusion and mourning cover the land as the king and Haman sit down and have a drink together.

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In Remembrance of Me
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Let A Man Examine Himself
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.. – 1 Corinthians 11:27-340

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Precious Treasure and Oil
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man spendeth it up. – Proverbs 21:20

There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it. – Proverbs 21:20 AMP

The Words of the LORD are Pure Words

1 Chronicles 22:1–23:32; Romans 3:9-31; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs 19:13-14

The Words of the LORD are Pure Words
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. – Psalm 12:6

There is None that Doeth Good, No, Not One
What then? are we [Jews] better than they? [Gentiles] No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. – Romans 3:9-12

The children of Israel believed the law that God gave to Moses was the way to perfection. If a person could obey all of God’s laws, then they could be righteous before God. The problem was that no one could abide by all of God’s laws. So, Paul revealed the truth that – no man is perfect. No, not one. No Jew or Gentile. But God is perfect, and God is perfectly righteous.

By the Law is the Knowledge of Sin
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. – Romans 3:20

For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin]. – Romans 3:20 AMP

We are righteous because we do the “deeds of the law.” The law, however reveals our sin and makes us aware of it.

Unto All and Upon All Them That Believe
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. – Romans 3:21-26

No one can achieve perfection before God on their own. We need God and become perfect through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross in our place. He took our sins and imperfections and paid the price of them on the Cross, giving us His righteousness – His perfection…that we might stand pure before the Lord.

When I think about His sacrifice, I am reminded of the verse in Philippians 2:12 where Paul writes – work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Every sin that I committed was placed on Jesus on that cross. Jesus never sinned – I did. Every sin that I committed. But also, the sins of this day were placed on Jesus on that cross. How much then should I consider my sin and mourn for my sin and repent for my sin? He paid the price that we would stand blameless. Philippians 12:13 then reminds us of the truth in our Scripture passages today, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do his good pleasure. We can do nothing. He has done everything.

In light of all that, am I working out my salvation that He might have the reward for His suffering? Am I taking His sacrifice for granted?

Oh, Father, I come before You and thank You for sending Your Son to die for me. Thank You, Jesus, for paying the price for me. Help me, Lord, to always mourn over my sin, repent of my sin, and then to leave it at the cross with a thankful heart for all You have done…and then help me, Holy Ghost, to always remember the sacrifice and empower me today to “go and sin no more.” I love You, and I ask all of this in Jesus’ Holy and precious Name. Amen!

The House Builded for the LORD Must Be Exceeding Magnifical
And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel. And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. – 1 Chronicles 22:5-13

Set Your Heart and Your Soul to Seek the LORD
Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD. – 1 Chronicles 22:19

Stand Every Morning to Thank and Praise the LORD
and to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even. – 1 Chronicles 23:30

A Prudent Wife is From the Lord
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. – Proverbs 19:14

Prudent – wise or judicious in practical affairs; discreet; sober; careful in providing for the future

 

 

Posted in Hiding His Word

The Upright Shall See His Face

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

1 Chronicles 19:1–21:30; Romans 2:25–3:8; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 19:10-12

The Upright Shall See His Face
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. – Psalm 11:7

For the Lord is [absolutely] righteous, He loves righteousness (virtue, morality, justice); The upright shall see His face. – Psalm 11:7 AMP

What a great promise….for the upright!

It is Your Honor and Glory to Overlook a Transgression or an Offense
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. – Proverbs 19:11

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment]. – Proverbs 19:11AMP

Unto Them (the Jews) were Committed the Oracles of God
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. – Romans 2:28-3:2

Satan Provoked David
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword. But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them: for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. – 1 Chronicles 21:1-6

Things were going well for David, but as we have all experienced, when things are going well, Satan tries to get in there. Satan incited David to number the people of Israel. In other words, David wanted to take a census. David put that task on Joab. Joab was totally against David’s plan but did as he was ordered. Joab counted everyone except the tribes of Levi and Benjamin. The Bible doesn’t say why he didn’t count these two tribes.

God is not pleased. David admits to God that he’s done a foolish thing and begs for forgiveness. God sends a message to David and tells him to pick a punishment. 1. Israel has to suffer three years of famine. 2. Israel has to have three months of enemy attacks. 3. There will be three days of God’s wrath and pestilence. David’s choice was number 3. So, God plagues the entire country, and 70,000 people die. Then God sends an angel to destroy Jerusalem. At the last minute, God reconsiders.

God ordered the angel to stop right as the angel is standing with sword drawn and ready to smite at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David sees the angel and begs God to spare the people since he was the one who sinned. God’s angel tells David to make an altar there. So David asks Ornan to sell him the property. Ornan sees the angel too and tries to give David the land and everything we would need, including the sacrifice.

But king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. – 1 Chronicles 21:24

So David paid 600 shekels of gold, and he built the altar. God was pleased, and God told the angel to put away his sword. Because of all that happened in that place, David decides this is the place to build a temple. But the Bible ends the chapter saying that because of the fear David felt at seeing the angel’s sword, he was afraid to worship there.

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What is the lesson here? Even if (or especially if) things are going well for you, listen to good counsel and inquire of the Lord before you act. Every action we take affects the Body as a whole. Every action!

Please help us all, Lord, to stop and inquire of You…and then listen to Your voice or the voice of those You send to speak into our lives and situations.