God Protects His People

I love the many scriptures that God has given us regarding His protection!  It is absolutely amazing that we can worry and be consumed with fear over the future when Almighty God has given us such tremendous promises.  And then He adds that He always keeps His promises.  Look at these two verses and be blessed.

“How blessed are those who care for the poor!  When calamity comes, ADONAI will save them.  ADONAI will preserve them, keep them alive and make them happy in the land.  You will not hand them over to the whims of their enemies.”  Psalms 41:1-2  Complete Jewish Bible


God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind.  When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it.”  Numbers 23:19 Complete Jewish Bible

Living Free From Love of Money

I love the Complete Jewish Bible that Ken bought me last year.  I have compared it with the King James and, so far, have found the meanings in the King James but just not as vivid and clear as in the CJB.  I was blessed during my devotions this morning as I prayed the following Scripture from the CJB version.

Help me to keep my life free from the love of money; and help me to be satisfied with what I have; for You, Adonai said, I will never fail you or abandon you.’  Therefore it is with confidence that I declare: 

‘Adonai is my helper;
I will not be afraid
What can a human being do to me?” 
Hebrews 13:5-6

Wow!  How important to understand that God wants us FREE from the Love of Money!  He wants us to be SATISFIED with what He has given us.  In such an insecure world that we are currently living in, when we are in Christ, we are safe, secure, loved and protected by Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth!

Praying Scripture

This is the confidence we have in his presence: if we ask anything that accords with his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – then we know that we have what we have asked from him. 1Jn 5:14-15

I have spent a number of years now praying Scripture.  I love the confidence inspired by claiming the Scripture for the need we are bringing to our Lord.  This year I received as a Christmas/Birthday gift a book by Beth Moore “Praying Scripture.”  What an awesome gift!  I have SO enjoyed it!  She has inspired me to write Scriptures out in the form of a prayer and pray them.  I want to share with you here a couple of my Scripture prayers that have encouraged my faith.  My hope is that you will write out some prayers to the Lord and be blessed as well.

“Thank you for forgiving all my offenses.  Thank you for healing all my diseases.  You have redeemed my life from the pit.  You surround me with grace and compassion.  You content me with good as long as I live so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  Psalm 103:3-5

“Help me Abba to behave wisely toward outsiders, making full use of every opportunity.  Abba let my conversation always be gracious and interesting so that I will now how to respond to any particular individual.”  Col. 4:5

When did Man Start Eating Meat?

God spoke to Noah after the flood and gave him instructions.  One very interesting thing was regarding food.  He had already specified to Noah which animals were clean and which were unclean when He had Noah load up the animals onto the boat.  Look at this from the Complete Jewish Bible.

“Every moving thing that lives will be food for you; just as I gave you green plants before, so now I give you everything — only flesh with its life, which is its blood, you are not to eat.”  Genesis 9:3

I thought this was interesting as I have begun reading my bible through this year again from the beginning.  Before the flood, they ate plants.  After the flood, they needed meat.  It is also in the King James Version but is much clearer in the CJB.  I will probably ask Jesus when I get to Heaven if the reason we had to start eating meat had anything to do with the drastic changes brought about by the flood.  Suddenly the sun’s rays got through to mankind and mankind’s life span went from almost 1000 years to 120 years.  Interesting.

Submission Is God’s Gift

Wives should submit to their husbands as they do to the Lord; because the husband is head of the wife, just as the Messiah, as head of the Messianic Community, is himself the one who keeps the body safe. Just as the Messianic Community submits to the Messiah, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5:22-24) Complete Jewish Bible

As I was reading this passage this morning, I was blessed by what a marvelous God we serve!  He arranges things so beautifully.  What is one thing a woman likes to feel?  Safe.  We like to feel safe!  What did God do?  He arranged marriage so women could not only be safe but feel safe.  Notice in this passage that Jesus keeps the Messianic Community — Body of Christ — Church — SAFE.  In the same way the godly, loving husband provides safety for his wife.  Ladies, it is truly awesome to do things God’s way!  Men, how awesome to be able to do this loving thing for your wives!  I think we are all blessed when we follow God with joy in our hearts.

What Should I wear?

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col. 3:12 Complete Jewish Bible.
We are accustomed to putting on the whole armor of God and most of us are very familiar with the parts of the armor. It is interesting that God has other things for us to wear as well. What should I wear today? God says I should clothe myself with specific feelings!

“Wow! I thought we were all taught not to wear our feelings on our shirtsleeve!” we exclaim in astonishment!

God says, “No I want you to wear feelings today — put them on for everyone to see!”

“What kind of feelings, Lord?”

“Wear feelings of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” God responds.

I wonder what would happen in our world were all of us as God’s people to respond, “Yes, Lord. Please put on me this day, feelings of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Maybe revival would finally come!

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Calm Down

“Adonai will do battle for you. Just calm yourself down.” Ex. 14:14. It is incredible how we worry about things over which we have absolutely NO CONTROL! Have you noticed that? My stomach will ache with tension and stress. What is that? Worry and anxiety. God says, “Calm Down!” Paul said “Don’t be anxious” (Phil. 4:7). John 14:27 Jesus said, “Don’t let yourself be upset or frightened.” I love Exodus 14:14 though where God puts it so simply. “Calm Down.” Well, I guess I am going to do that today. How? By allow God’s Shalom to fill my anxious heart!

Abba, I lay my anxious thoughts at the foot of the cross.  I ask you to fill me with Your Shalom.  Guide and direct my steps so that what I do, say or think will bring glory and honor to you.  You are an awesome God!! Thank you.”

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Shalom

I love the meaning of the Hebrew word for Peace “Shalom.” It means: “absolute wholeness, full, harmonious, joyful, flourishing life.” Wow that brings a whole new thinking to Yeshua’s words in John 14:27 “What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves by upset or frightened.” Think about it. Jesus is saying “What I am leaving with you is Shalom (absolute wholeness, full harmonious, joyful, flourishing life). I am giving you My Shalom…” How cool is that!!! What a Glorious, Awesome, Savior we have!

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Get More Room!

“From my being hemmed in I called on Yah; he answered and gave me more room.” Psalms 118:5 (Complete Jewish Bible). Don’t you love it! When you feel ‘hemmed in’ you can call on God and He will give you more room. Even if … it means just not feeling crowded. Our God is a Wonderful God!