He Will Be Our Guide Even Unto Death We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of thy temple. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of righteousness. Let mount Zion rejoice, Let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: Tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; That ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death. – Psalm 48:9-14
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The Poor Man’s Wisdom is Despised Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. – Ecclesiastes 9:16-17
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Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. – 2 Corinthians 7: 8-10
What Carefulness it Wrought in You For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. – 2 Corinthians 7:11-12
Comforted in Your Comfort Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. – 2 Corinthians 7:13-16
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Bow Down Thine Ear, and Hear the Words of the Wise Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; They shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. – Proverbs 22:17-19
How Are the Dead Raised Up? With What Body Do They Come? But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. – 1 Corinthians 15:35-41
Sown in Corruption, Raised in Incorruption So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. – 1 Corinthians 15:42-45
Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit the Kingdom of God And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. – 1 Corinthians 15:45-50
We Shall Not All Sleep, But We Shall All Be Changed Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
O Death, Where is Thy Sting? O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
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In Whose Hand is the Soul of Every Living Thing? But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these That the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind. Doth not the ear try words? And the mouth taste his meat? With the ancient is wisdom; And in length of days understanding. With him is wisdom and strength, He hath counsel and understanding. Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: Also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. With him is strength and wisdom: The deceived and the deceiver are his. He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, And maketh the judges fools. He looseth the bond of kings, And girdeth their loins with a girdle. He leadeth princes away spoiled, And overthroweth the mighty. He removeth away the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the aged. He poureth contempt upon princes, And weakeneth the strength of the mighty. He discovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death. He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again. He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. They grope in the dark without light, And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. – Job 12:7-25
Hold Not Thy Peace at My Tears 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. O spare me, that I may recover strength, Before I go hence, and be no more. – Psalm 39:12-13
No Wisdom Nor Understanding Nor Counsel There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the LORD. – Proverbs 21:30
There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord. – Proverbs 21:30 AMP
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 Voice of the LORD is Full of Majesty The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. – Psalm 29:3-9
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He that Planteth and He that Watereth are One Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
A Wise Masterbuilder According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Ye are the Temple of God Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Ye are Christ’s and Christ is God’s Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. – 1 Corinthians 3:18-23
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For the LORD Had Made Them Joyful And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. – Ezra 6:19-22
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A Wise King Scattereth the Wicked A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. – Proverbs 20:26
A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good] And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain]. – Proverbs 20:26 AMP
Searching All the Inward Parts The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. – Proverbs 20:27
The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being. – Proverbs 20:27 AMP
Hidden Wisdom Howbeit we [Paul and his coworkers] speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. – 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
The Mind of Christ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:10-16
For Ye are Yet Carnal And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? – 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
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The Ancient Men Wept with a Loud Voice And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. – Ezra 3:10-13
The ancient men wept with a loud voice. As I look at the world today and see what my world looked like as a child and young adult and what the world of my children was like as they grew up…sometimes I want to weep. Then, I look at what my heart was like in those days. I look at how God saved me and delivered me and filled me with His Holy Ghost and then lit a fire under me in these days. I know that I wouldn’t go backward in my life for anything. And yet, I weep because it took many hardships, trials, and significant loss to take me to the place of surrendering to Jesus as my Lord and Savior in 2006. It took much for me. It will take much for some of this generation. So while we weep, we also are those that walk with peace and with joy. If even one soul is saved because of the hardships of this present world…then I, with the angels, will REJOICE!
Be Not Silent To Me Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. – Psalm 28:1
How Can a Man Then Understand Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? – Proverbs 20:24
Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord. How then can a man [fully] understand his ways? – Proverbs 20:24 AMP
It is a Snare It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry. – Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a man to [speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!” And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it]. – Proverbs 20:25 AMP
The Foolishness of God is Wiser Than Men For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. – 1 Corinthians 1:18-29
Who is There Among You of All His People? Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. – Ezra 1:2-4
Wait on the LORD Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. – Proverbs 20:22
I think it is safe to say, whether in good times or bad, whether with easy decisions or difficult decisions, whether smooth roads or a bumpy path, whether at work or play…that it is always best to seek the LORD and then to wait on the LORD and allow Him to direct every step both on the path and in the timing. Allow Him to fight your battles.
Teach Me Thy Way, O LORD, and Lead Me in a Plain Path Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. – Psalm 27:11-12
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Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me a brand new day! Thank You that Your mercies are new and that You have a mission for me for this new day, in this place, that only I can do. Lead, guide, and direct each step and each word that comes out of my mouth. Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit in me, I pray!
Please help me to wait on You in all things!
Would you please teach me Thy way, LORD? I can go and sit under the teaching of anointed women and men, and I know that You have gifted them to teach and preach, but there is no better teaching than being taught Your Word directly from You. Teach me Thy way, Holy Ghost!!!
Father, I ask that You touch each person that is reading this prayer today. I ask that You show Yourself mighty in their lives at the place of their greatest need. Heal the sick. Deliver those that are captives to addictions, depression, anxiety, and imaginations. Teach the hungry. Comfort the grieving. Draw the backslidden and prodigals back to You and their spiritual and natural families.
I ask this all in Jesus’ precious and holy Name. Amen!
His Servants Ye Are To Whom Ye Obey Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness? – Romans 6:13-16
Servants to God For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:20-23
Give Me Now Wisdom and Knowledge In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? – 2 Chronicles 1:7-10
Wisdom and Knowledge is Granted Unto Thee And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. – 2 Chronicles 1:11-12
I Will Bless the LORD, Who Hath Given Me Counsel I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. – Psalm 16:7
Counsel – Purpose; advice given especially as a result of consultation
Purpose – Something set up as an object or end to be attaineD
The Counsel of the LORD Shall Stand There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. – Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). – Proverbs 19:21 AMP
One Year Bible Passages :Exodus 37-38; Matthew 28; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 9:9-10
He Will Teach Me the Fear of the Lord Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. – Psalms 34:11
The Beginning of Wisdom The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10
Obedience to God’s Commands And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses. – Exodus 38:22
Be Not Afraid And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. – Matthew 28:9-10
But Some Doubted Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Matthew 28:16-17
Go Ye Therefore And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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. – Matthew 28:18-20
Oh, Father, I come before You tonight with Your Words on my heart. You are a good, good Father, and I praise You and worship You; I love You! I love Your Son, Jesus. Father, I thank You for sending Your Holy Ghost that teaches me to fear You. I know the Holy Fear of You will bring wisdom and knowledge and understanding. I ask for wisdom so teach me wisdom by bringing great revelation of Holy Fear into my life. Lord, Help me to be obedient to everything that You command me to do in the coming days. Help me to Go Therefore wherever You say to go. Help me to teach all nations all that You have commanded. Help me to remember that You are with me always, even when others can’t be or won’t be. Lord help me not to be afraid. Help me not to doubt You and Your Words. Help me to be open to the new things that You have prepared especially for me in this new and different season. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen! Amen!
Bible passages from One Year Bible – Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 23:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6
The Lord’s Way is the Way of Understanding Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. – Proverbs 9:6
The enemy’s way is foolish. Forsake him. The way of the Lord is the way of understanding. Follow God’s way, and you will live.
Forsake – to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert Follow – to come after in sequence; to go or come after; to conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey; to imitate or copy, to move forward
God Reveals Himself And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. – Exodus 34:5-7
I have never seen something in today’s passages of Exodus. The Lord stood with Moses, and the Lord proclaimed His Name and who He was to Moses…and so to us. Yes, we should declare His Names back to Him and this dying world, but first, He has declared them to us. He is the Lord God, Merciful, Gracious, Longsuffering, abundant in Goodness, abundant in Truth, Forgiving, Just.
Proclaim – to announce or declare officially or formally; to make known publicly or openly
God Warns Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: – Exodus 34:12
God instructs the children of Israel to be careful entering into new lands; to be careful not to come into agreements with the inhabitants of the land in ways that might change their beliefs of the laws God gave them. This is a good warning for us as well. We should be careful when establishing core relationships. Whether it sounds “politically correct” or not, those we spend the most time with have the most influence on us…whether that group is a work group, a social group, or family.
Heed – to give careful attention to Snare – anything serving to entrap or entangle; a device for capturing small game; to catch or involve by trickery or wile.
God’s Presence Changes Us And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. – Exodus 34:29-30
God was concerned that the Israelites would spend time with the inhabitants of the land and be changed. In the same type of way, when we spend time with others, we are changed. When we spend time in the Presence of God, we are changed. He changes us, and the people around us can see the change, just like the children of Israel could see Moses face shining with the Glory of God. There is only one way we can truly be carriers of the Light and that is to spend time in the Presence of the Light of the World. His Name is Jesus!
Envy Killed Our Lord Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. – Matthew 27:17-18
When we allow envy into our hearts, when we accuse without the proper course, when we harbor jealousy in any form, we will enable the spirit of envy to grow within. The same spirit that took over the Jewish religious leaders and ultimately led to the death of Jesus, our Lord.
Instead of replaying things in our mind that leads to “no good thing,” how much better had the accusers of Jesus and if we would take a breath, intentionally step away from jealousy, and allow ourselves to hear and receive what we need from the Lord Himself. If we don’t stop the enemy right there in his tracks, we will receive a seed of envy that will grow and, if not rooted up, will produce the seed of murder. It says in this verse that “for envy, they had delivered him.” What killed Jesus? It started with envy.
Getting envy out of our lives is not easy, but from what we see in the scripture above, it is necessary. Here are a few more verses to hide in our hearts to keep us vigilant about noticing and cutting off jealousy and envy in our lives. What other verses would you add to this list?
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. – Proverbs 14:30
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. – James 3:16
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:21
Jealousy – feeling resentment against someone because of that person’s rivalry, success, or advantages Envy – the feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another’s advantages, success, possessions. Covetousness – eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions
The Lord Sees and Knows Each of Us The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considerth all their works. – Psalm 33:13-15
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. – Psalms 33:18-22
The Lord is watching and sees not only what we are doing but what is in our hearts and the actions we take.
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. The question now is, do you hope in the Lord? If we are as faithful to hope as He is merciful, what a change we would find in our lives.
Father, I come before You on bended knees thanking You for Your presence that changes me in so many great ways. Thank You Lord for Your warnings and Your Way of Knowledge. Place me on that path Lord and don’t let me stray. I want to live a life abundant in faith, and joy, and love. I want to know You. Lord forgive us when we allow foolish things to grow in our lives. Things like Jealousy, envy, pride. These things You hate because they lead only to eternal death. Show us the areas that we’ve held on to and that we need to surrender. I know that I have spent way more time than I should being jealous of others. Forgive me, Father. I want to live a life of holiness following You. Help me today! Plant Your Word in my heart and plant a life of prayer within me! Set my spirit on FIRE, Lord. I ask in Jesus Name. Amen! Amen!
One – Year Bible passages for today Exodus 32-33; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36
If I have Found Grace in Thy Sight And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. – Exodus 33:11-14
Oh God, You know me by name, and You have extended grace to me over and over. Oh Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight today, will You extend Your grace once more and teach me Your ways? Will You tell me what You would have me to know so that I may know You, Lord? I want to know You, and I want to know Your ways and continue to find grace in Your sight. God, I am lonely in this place, and I need You to go with me. If not You, who will go with me? My family is leaving, my husband suddenly can’t hear (Heal him, Jesus!), I don’t have the large group of friends I once did, and some of my assignments that fed me so well seem to have dried up. It is hard, Lord, to have Your call dry up and not know the next step. Oh Lord, draw me close to You and help me through this day. Give me FIRE and help me to live a HOLY life and a life free of regret and offense. Oh Lord, can You go with me through this day. There is no one else.
And God says to me as He said to Moses – My Presence shall go with thee (Melissa), and I will give thee (Melissa) rest.
Thank You, Father. I love You, my Good, Good Father, and Your beautiful Son Jesus. I adore You, wise and comforting Holy Ghost. Thank You for teaching me Your ways this morning through prayer and Your Word and Your still small voice. Thank You for Your rest.
His Words are Truth Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. – Matthew 26:69-75
Bewrayeth – To reveal or expose; to betray
Well, regarding Peter, I’ve been there and done that. I have been the one weeping bitterly. Sometimes we forget what the Lord has spoken as a prophecy or warning. We think we will go down the right path, and then we find that we didn’t. What a hard truth – that we have the capacity within us to deny Him unless He guides every Word.
Today, I am so thankful for a merciful and forgiving Father. Yesterday a situation came, and with it, the temptation came to use my words for the cause of evil. To curse, to speak doubt, to dishonor. These are temptations, but that is where it all starts. In the temptation, I felt as though the Lord put His mighty hand over my mouth and kept me silent. Oh yes, the Lord’s hand is all that held me back. Without Him, I would mess up my life every day. This morning I am so thankful that I surrendered to His hand.
Thank You for Your mighty Hand, Father. Please continue to put it over my mouth, eyes, and heart that all my life and every word and action would be pleasing to You. In Jesus Name, I pray!!!
The Goodness of the Lord For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. – Psalms 33:4-5
God allowed Moses to see His glory, and the scripture describes His glory as His goodness.
Lord, will You show me Your glory today. Would You stop everything, even this morning, in this prayer room and pass by as I sit in the “cleft of this rock.” This rock of prayer, worship, and the Word. This little crevice on my own “Mountain of God.”
Hear Instruction and Be Wise Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his soul: all they that hate me love death. – Proverbs 8:33-36
Oh my God, You are altogether wise. Would you speak to me today? Father, would You help me to surrender to Your wisdom and knowledge of You and Your ways? Help me watch for Wisdom, for there I find You…and I find LIFE and favor. If I have found favor, Father, touch me today and change me today and send me forth today in Your world. Send me as a light in the darkness—a light in the gross darkness that covers the earth. Lord, if warring in the Spirit in this little prayer room and learning more of Your Word and ways… is my assignment, for now, help me be content. If there is more that You would have me to do, please open Your doors and windows wide. In Jesus Name, I yield and come before You with these requests. Amen. Amen.
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