Friday Morning Scripture (Wk44/2021) – Psalm 3

Morning Prayer of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David. When he fled from Absalom his son.

1 O Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me.

2 Many are saying of me, “There is no help [no salvation] for him in God.” [a]Selah.

3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.

4 With my voice I was crying to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.

5 I lay down and slept [safely]; I awakened, for the Lord sustains me.

6 I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah.

Psalm 3:1-8 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 3:2 Selah may mean: Pause, Crescendo or Musical interlude or may have some other unknown meaning; and so throughout.

Thursday Morning Scripture (Wk44/2021) – Psalm 2

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.

1 Why are the [a]nations in an [b]uproar [in turmoil against God], and why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand; and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying,

3 “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] and cast away their cords [of control] from us.”

4 He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; The [Sovereign] [c]Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them].

5 Then He will speak to them in His [profound] anger and terrify them with His displeasure, saying,

6 “Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son; This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You.

8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Your possession.

9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, act wisely; be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth.

11 Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling.

12 Kiss (pay respect to) the [d]Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame.

How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!

Psalm 2:1-12 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 2:1 Or Gentiles.
  2. Psalm 2:1 I.e. a confusion of voices.
  3. Psalm 2:4 Heb Adonai.
  4. Psalm 2:12 The word in the original is bar, taken to be the Aramaic for “son.” But it is surprising that an Aramaic word would be used here. The ancient rabbis maintained that a different word with the same spelling in Hebrew was intended, whose meaning is “pure.” They claimed that it is a reference to the Torah, on the ground that all the words in the Torah are pure.

Thinking out LOUD – Grief

A fortnight ago, I lost my grandad. He was almost 97 years old. It would have been his birthday on Thursday 16th December. Many condolences were received, but some thought it ok for the first thing to be said that he lived to a good age. That may be so but, it doesn’t replace the grief or mean you feel none because he has lived to a ripe old age. You still feel pain that a loved one has gone. This is especially if you spent the day with him before he died, albeit with him being in hospital. He was admitted in the hospital on Sunday and the worst was to be expected: the worst is expected every time someone is admitted to hospital and they are of a certain age. However, I can now say he has lived to a ripe old age, because time has passed; he is soon to be laid to rest.

The last I had seen him was at some point in 2020 or the early part of this year. It was the usual case that I would go with my sister to visit him, but we didn’t do it during the lockdown; or at least, I didn’t. The fact there was a lockdown I didn’t dare go, because I am considered vulnerable, as I have Sickle Cell Disease. I stayed confined to my home, because I was a little hesitant to go there, even when lockdown had lifted. However, I did go with my Mum, at some point towards the end of the year, to do a little cleaning. Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today. I am thankful that I wasn’t ill on the day before he died and was able to go and see him because if I was, I would have been feeling a lot differently right now. He died only a couple of hours after I left. He died minutes after midnight and I left after 21.00hrs; I had been at the hospital for the majority of the day.

Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today.

Thomas Jefferson, 1825

In preparation for his funeral, whilst assisting my Mum with creating the Eulogy, it is then I found out a bit more about the beginning of his life, and character. I even learnt a little more about my Grandmother. She died in 2012. It left me feeling hurt that I hadn’t asked him a bit more about his life. The last in-depth conversation I had with him was in 2019 and I had asked him quite a bit; in fact, I was quite pleased with the conversation, because it had been the first of its kind, where he had opened up to me. My Grandad was a quiet man, but apart from his ill health, there was so much more about him, which I regret not knowing. I would usually ask him about his later life but he wasn’t always very forthcoming. Things he said on the aforementioned visit in 2019, escape me right now, and I hope they return. I don’t know why I can’t remember things when I really want or need to…

This morning, I received a link to an article dating back to 2013, called What Does The Bible Say About The Cremation Of A Dead Body. It was very interesting, as I’ve always thought to myself that I wouldn’t want to be buried and take up space. I would no longer be there. My spirit would have vacated! What captured my attention the most was the importance of making the most of our time alive.

“By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:19 (AMP)

We know not how long our time is on this earth but it should be our goal to touch as many lives as possible. This is the same whether you are a believer in God Most High, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, or not. If you do not have a belief, you should be aware that there is a life after death and there is a choice to be made.

We are to make the most of life. Everything we do should be done with purpose. If you are a Christian/Ambassador of Christ you should live with meaning.

Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (AMP)

Many think that living a life as a Follower of Christ is boring and that there is no excitement involved. However, there is much joy, excitement and pretty much the same as everyone else but we live a life that is guided, protected and focused on God Most High. We acknowledge the Maker of Heaven and Earth. We know and commune with the One Who threw the stars into space. He knows the beginning from the end and holds our very lives in His hands; whether or not you acknowledge it, doesn’t change a thing. Don’t get me wrong, there are changes to be made BUT you only have to turn yourselves to Him and He will do the rest. You become a new creature.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)

When you have turned your life around, have looked towards The Great I Am that I Am, YHWH or Jehovah, you will find there is a great work to do. It’s no longer about you, but it’s all about Him. Don’t get me wrong, we receive the things I mentioned before, and additionally abundance, prosperity, hope, peace, purpose and so much more (which is a bonus). However, there is so much that we have to do, as well as fulfilling our assignment, which I will touch on in another piece. Once our lives have been touched, we need to touch others; and spread the Good News. I’ve done my part, now it’s left to you.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few.

Matthew 9:37 (AMP)

“Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 3:2 (AMP)
Prayer of Repentance

Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, I believe you are the Son of God Most High, that You died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Heavenly Father. I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please You. I choose You. I give myself to You. Amen

If you have said the above from the depths of your heart, buy yourself a Bible and begin to attend a Bible believing Church. If you do not have a Church near you, there are many Church services that you can link to on YouTube or Facebook. It is also possible to access the Bible online via www.biblegateway.com, which is in an excess of 90 translations and a variety of versions. Another one is www.biblehub.com, which is roughly the same. You can either begin at the start, Book of Genesis, which opens your eyes to the creation of the world OR the Book of John, in the New Testament. The Book of John is approximately halfway into the hardcopy, the fourth book in of the New Testament. The Holy Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament and go hand in hand, telling you about before and after the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach). Happy reading!

As I previously said, I’ve done my part and spread the Good News. It’s now left to you.

Wednesday Morning Scripture (Wk44/2021) – Psalm 1

I will meditate on Your law day and night

Book One

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

1 [a]Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of [b]scoffers (ridiculers).

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

4 The wicked [those who live in disobedience to God’s law] are not so, but they are like the chaff [worthless and without substance] which the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand [unpunished] in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows and fully approves the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 1:1-5 (AMP)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 1:1 This has been called “The Preface Psalm” because in some respects it introduces the complete book of Psalms as a godly message. It opens with a benediction, “Blessed,” as does the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3).
  2. Psalm 1:1 i.e. shallow thinkers who are quick to mock or disdain.

Christ-centred Living

Whoever finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].

Matthew 10:39 (AMP)

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 (AMP)

And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me [as My disciples, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk], and I will make you fishers of men.”

Mark 1:17 (AMP)

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’

Mark 12:30 (AMP)

Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people hate you, and exclude you [from their fellowship], and insult you, and scorn your name as evil because of [your association with] the Son of Man.

Luke 6:22 (AMP)

Jesus said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; or about your body, as to what you will wear.

Luke 12:22 (AMP)

In Him was life [and the power to bestow life], and the lifewas the Light of men.

John 1:4 (AMP)

so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life [after physical death, and will actually live forever].

John 3:15 (AMP)

Tuesday Morning Prayer (Wk44/2021)

Almighty Father, I give You all glory, honour, thanks and praise. I thank You for waking me up in my right mind and ready to face another day: a day which I know is where You are the Author and Finisher, so I put all trust in You.

Today, as I observe this week unfold, I put my full focus on the meaning of being blessed and knowing You. I am aware that all I ever need is within You; hope, peace, joy, love, comfort, forgiveness, refreshing and so much more. All is freely given and freely received. I, therefore, pray in the name of Your Son, Yeshua HaMashiach, that every thought, word and deed will be directed by You and a revelation received. Once received, I pray that I will be empowered to share Your gospel, which is the Good News that all should know. Many of us do not know what true love is, so find it hard to comprehend, but my prayer is that we will truly know You, Your love, what You have done and the full power of Your resurrection; from the depths of our hearts, spirits and souls. Once we understand the complexities of true love we can show it to our fellow man; husbands, wives, brothers, sisters and colleagues and make this world a much better prepared place. May we remember that we are sometimes the only representation of You, that a person may come across. Ignite us within, so we may know, and tell others, that we cannot be without You to survive. May the things You plant in our spirits today, remain rooted within and help us as we go forward; strengthened to do Your will. May each step we take be always pointed forwards and upwards to You, covered by Your grace.

But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works [that I do—admit that they are the works of God], so that you may know and keep on knowing [clearly—without any doubt] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [that is, I am One with Him].”

John 10:38 (AMP)

And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];

Phillipians 3:10 (AMP)

20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),

21 Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).

Amen (So be it)

Hebrews 13:20-21 (AMPC)