If you are stepping on others in order to climb a ladder of self-promotion, then you are forfeiting grace as it would otherwise apply to you in that area of your life. We know that scripture says the Lord promotes a person:
Psa 75:6-7 MKJV
(6) For lifting up comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
(7) But God is the judge; He puts down one and sets up another.
If you climb into a prominent position by illegitimate means, you have not done so by circumventing God's will. You have done so by His allowance, and by your chosen path have removed yourself from the safety net of His grace.
This might be akin to jettisoning the parachute on your dragster in order to lighten your load and to win the race. You cross the finish line first, but then crash and burn because you have no means to stop. Rely on God for promotion - His discretion - His timing - His will.
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Friday, August 13, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Psalm 110
Psalms 110:1-7 HNV
(1) The LORD says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet."
(2) The LORD will send forth the rod of your strength out of Tziyon. Rule in the midst of your enemies.
(3) Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
(4) The LORD has sworn, and will not change his mind: "You are a Kohen forever in the order of Malki-Tzedek."
(5) The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.
(6) He will judge among the nations. He will heap up dead bodies. He will crush the ruler of the whole earth.
(7) He will drink of the brook in the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
There are scholars who believe Psalm 110 coincides with the year 2010. Whether true or not, it's a captivating Psalm - full of Prophecy. The Psalms 110-116 could indeed describe a 7-year period of rejoicing in Heaven, and not-so-good times on earth. Let's just examine it briefly.
Vs1: We know that Jesus will sit at the right hand of the Father until the Father says... GO, Get your children. I will now make your enemies my footstool.
Vs 2: The Rod of Strength out of Zion - a name for Jerusalem - is a picture of the rule of Jesus from the holy city. This is a future reference that would begin during Millennial Reign of Jesus. Yes, He will reign in peace, but that does not mean He will not have enemies. Even though Satan will be bound, people will still harbor evil thoughts.
Vs 3: This is quite captivating. I can't tell you dogmatically what it means, but I know what it says to me: God's people will be with Jesus during His day of Power. In Holy Array - means dressed for the task at hand, which is to return with the King, voluntarily, to watch the General reclaim what the enemy thought he would never lose - the world. "You have the dew of your youth." Perhaps this speaks of a glorified army following the King. An army who now has eternal youth and strength.
Vs 4: The beauty of the scriptures and the Hebrew language is that it is living, so may or may not say many things at once. This verse apparently is speaking of Jesus - the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. But it was just speaking of His people, who are... guess what... high priests in the order of Melchizedek because we are descended from Jesus!
Vs 5: Once again... the Lord is at your right hand. Yes, He is!
Vs 6: He will crush the ruler of the earth - this is the devil. His time is short.
Vs 7: This is a cryptic verse: He shall drink of the brook in the way. The Good Shepherd always finds water. The brook is the water and replenishment of the Holy Spirit. He shall lift his head; or He will lift His head in victory. The lifting of one's own head is a tout of victory.
The entire Psalm seems to indicate that the Father sends the Son to do a new thing. War. With Him are His holy ones... and the war is marked by total victory. This does seem to indicate an Armageddon reference. We'll study the following Psalms further.
(1) The LORD says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet."
(2) The LORD will send forth the rod of your strength out of Tziyon. Rule in the midst of your enemies.
(3) Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
(4) The LORD has sworn, and will not change his mind: "You are a Kohen forever in the order of Malki-Tzedek."
(5) The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings in the day of his wrath.
(6) He will judge among the nations. He will heap up dead bodies. He will crush the ruler of the whole earth.
(7) He will drink of the brook in the way; therefore he will lift up his head.
There are scholars who believe Psalm 110 coincides with the year 2010. Whether true or not, it's a captivating Psalm - full of Prophecy. The Psalms 110-116 could indeed describe a 7-year period of rejoicing in Heaven, and not-so-good times on earth. Let's just examine it briefly.
Vs1: We know that Jesus will sit at the right hand of the Father until the Father says... GO, Get your children. I will now make your enemies my footstool.
Vs 2: The Rod of Strength out of Zion - a name for Jerusalem - is a picture of the rule of Jesus from the holy city. This is a future reference that would begin during Millennial Reign of Jesus. Yes, He will reign in peace, but that does not mean He will not have enemies. Even though Satan will be bound, people will still harbor evil thoughts.
Vs 3: This is quite captivating. I can't tell you dogmatically what it means, but I know what it says to me: God's people will be with Jesus during His day of Power. In Holy Array - means dressed for the task at hand, which is to return with the King, voluntarily, to watch the General reclaim what the enemy thought he would never lose - the world. "You have the dew of your youth." Perhaps this speaks of a glorified army following the King. An army who now has eternal youth and strength.
Vs 4: The beauty of the scriptures and the Hebrew language is that it is living, so may or may not say many things at once. This verse apparently is speaking of Jesus - the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. But it was just speaking of His people, who are... guess what... high priests in the order of Melchizedek because we are descended from Jesus!
Vs 5: Once again... the Lord is at your right hand. Yes, He is!
Vs 6: He will crush the ruler of the earth - this is the devil. His time is short.
Vs 7: This is a cryptic verse: He shall drink of the brook in the way. The Good Shepherd always finds water. The brook is the water and replenishment of the Holy Spirit. He shall lift his head; or He will lift His head in victory. The lifting of one's own head is a tout of victory.
The entire Psalm seems to indicate that the Father sends the Son to do a new thing. War. With Him are His holy ones... and the war is marked by total victory. This does seem to indicate an Armageddon reference. We'll study the following Psalms further.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Extend The Olive Branch
Pro 16:7
(7) When a man's ways please Jehovah, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
I don't have a lot to say about this that it doesn't say for itself. This precept is profoundly apparent in my life today. Most of us have enemies. Some are people we have done wrong. Some are people who make everyone their enemies. Whether justified or not, God works this miracle of peace into our existence.
Make an effort to show God's love to someone whom you love, but don't like, today. Blessed are the peacemakers.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Worrying For Nothing
There are many people concerned about world peace right now. It falls right in line with what Luke wrote about the status quo in the last days:
Luk 21:25-26 LITV
(25) And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with bewilderment, roaring of sea and of surf,
(26) men fainting from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
This is the beginning of a great 'shaking'. Truly, it does feel as though things have been shaken up greatly since the 90's. The 90's seem like 50 years ago, don't they?
The world is worried - for good reason. Those who aren't tend to be those in denial or the totally naive. Or there is the group that knows what the Bible says about it all.
One of the focal points of all this unrest is the tiny nation of Israel. Several times this week I have seen news or opinion writers portray Israel in a precarious position. I would like to address this briefly. Israel, the land, the people, the temple, the mosque, the mountain, the goats, the oranges... everything... belongs to the God of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). He made certain promises regarding His land, about His plans for it, about who would live in it temporarily and permanently, and about when all this would happen.
Something should be understood amongst Christians and Jews alike. Israel's existence is in no danger. She will never again be a non-entity. Israel, as a nation, is as sure as God Himself. She is infinitely more sure than the United States, Russia, and Iran. Is there danger to the Jewish people? Sadly, yes. These are an oppressed people, but that is what it is - oppression. Will they survive? Yes. Will there be sad times? Absolutely.
One of the mightiest angels in God's heaven stands as protector of the nation of Israel - Michael.
Dan 12:1 LITV
(1) And at that time, Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of distress, such as has not been from the being of a nation until that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the Book.
Satan has warred with Michael over the body of Moses. Michael prevailed. If Satan himself cannot prevail over the protector of Israel, we should all realize that Israel is not going anywhere. That is not to say that God's word alone isn't protection enough.
We can muse and distress over the events of the Middle East, but it is in vain. Those who threaten God's chosen people are cursed from the beginning, according to Gen 27:29. Have you ever observed the actions of the cursed? Nothing goes their way. Even small victories are hollow and temporary. They are never fulfilled, and their rage drives them to their next defeat. This is the path of the enemies of God and His people.
Psa 2:1-12 ASV
(1) Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
(2) The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,
(3) Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
(4) He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.
(5) Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:
(6) Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
(7) I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.
(8) Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
(9) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(10) Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
(11) Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
(12) Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.
Luk 21:25-26 LITV
(25) And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with bewilderment, roaring of sea and of surf,
(26) men fainting from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
This is the beginning of a great 'shaking'. Truly, it does feel as though things have been shaken up greatly since the 90's. The 90's seem like 50 years ago, don't they?
The world is worried - for good reason. Those who aren't tend to be those in denial or the totally naive. Or there is the group that knows what the Bible says about it all.
One of the focal points of all this unrest is the tiny nation of Israel. Several times this week I have seen news or opinion writers portray Israel in a precarious position. I would like to address this briefly. Israel, the land, the people, the temple, the mosque, the mountain, the goats, the oranges... everything... belongs to the God of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). He made certain promises regarding His land, about His plans for it, about who would live in it temporarily and permanently, and about when all this would happen.
Something should be understood amongst Christians and Jews alike. Israel's existence is in no danger. She will never again be a non-entity. Israel, as a nation, is as sure as God Himself. She is infinitely more sure than the United States, Russia, and Iran. Is there danger to the Jewish people? Sadly, yes. These are an oppressed people, but that is what it is - oppression. Will they survive? Yes. Will there be sad times? Absolutely.
One of the mightiest angels in God's heaven stands as protector of the nation of Israel - Michael.
Dan 12:1 LITV
(1) And at that time, Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of distress, such as has not been from the being of a nation until that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the Book.
Satan has warred with Michael over the body of Moses. Michael prevailed. If Satan himself cannot prevail over the protector of Israel, we should all realize that Israel is not going anywhere. That is not to say that God's word alone isn't protection enough.
We can muse and distress over the events of the Middle East, but it is in vain. Those who threaten God's chosen people are cursed from the beginning, according to Gen 27:29. Have you ever observed the actions of the cursed? Nothing goes their way. Even small victories are hollow and temporary. They are never fulfilled, and their rage drives them to their next defeat. This is the path of the enemies of God and His people.
Psa 2:1-12 ASV
(1) Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
(2) The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,
(3) Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
(4) He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.
(5) Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:
(6) Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
(7) I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.
(8) Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
(9) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(10) Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
(11) Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
(12) Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Ramez
In Hebrew, the word for 'hint' is ramez. It was a widely used method by rabbis to their disciples or followers, but Jesus used it to frustrate those who antagonized Him. It means 'hint', but a better word might be 'implication'.
Here is a for-instance:
Matthew 21:15-16 ASV
(15) But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation,
(16) and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise?
This would have infuriated the chief priests and the scribes because of the hidden implication. Jesus was quoting Psalm 8, only He didn't quote the entire verse - on purpose.
Psalms 8:2 CEV
(2) With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.
The priests and scribes, naturally, had this memorized. They were not happy at being labeled 'enemies' of God, which is what Jesus did. Watch for the ramez in scripture.
Here is a for-instance:
Matthew 21:15-16 ASV
(15) But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were moved with indignation,
(16) and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise?
This would have infuriated the chief priests and the scribes because of the hidden implication. Jesus was quoting Psalm 8, only He didn't quote the entire verse - on purpose.
Psalms 8:2 CEV
(2) With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless.
The priests and scribes, naturally, had this memorized. They were not happy at being labeled 'enemies' of God, which is what Jesus did. Watch for the ramez in scripture.
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