A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
Comments
#If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 Agree with God
The Greek word for confess is Homologeo, meaning to assent, i.e., covenant and acknowledge. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. Agree with God, because there is no darkness in God. When we acknowledge we have sinned, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. God knows our hearts, and whoever covers his sin shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall receive mercy. Just as King David was confronted by Nathan about his sin with Bathshebah, he acknowledged his sin after Nathan told the parable and thou art the man. Psalm 51: David confessed to God Restore unto me a clean heart, and put a right spirit in me. Agree with God and He will restore the joy of thy salvation. There is not a just man on the earth who sins, not. Whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and no chastening at present is joyous, but it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to all those who are exercised thereby. Agree with God, for He will forgive you and plant your feet on solid ground. David never repeated that sin again and yet he did suffer the consequences of his sin. How could a man after God's heart commit adultery and murder? Well, he did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit as we do today. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. When we walk in the Spirit, we will not yield to the desires of the flesh. Allow the Holy Spirit to crucify that flesh and put on the righteous man that is baptized into Jesus. Agree with God, for He desires fellowship with us, and when we fail to confess our sins, we lose fellowship with God. So walk as children of the light and have no fellowship with darkness. God wants to restore us, and when we allow the Holy Spirit to put to death that old man, we can walk in newness of life with God our Father. Agree with God, for He is faithful and just to forgive us when we repent and turn away from our sins. May the Lord bless you today, and confess all your sins of commission and omission. Great peace have they that love His law, and nothing shall offend them.
#And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luke 21:20 Jesus is coming soon
The Greek word for desolation is Eremosis, which means despoliation. Jesus is coming soon, as all the synoptic gospels teach. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls. Then let them who are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them who are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. Jesus is coming soon, as He taught on the Mount Olivet Discourse of the times of the end. Jerusalem shall be compassed with armies, for God is going to put a hook into the mouth of all the nations, drawing them to Jerusalem, to fight the battle of Armageddon. All nations will hate Israel, for they are the people of God. These signs include wars, rumors of wars, famine, inflation, and earthquakes in diverse places. These are the birth pains that tell us that Jesus is coming soon. We must not set dates, for no one knows when the Lord shall return except the heavenly Father. Jesus said we could know when it is at the door. The weather patterns will be changing as there will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, distress of nations with perplexities. All these are the beginnings of sorrow. Israel will sign a seven-year peace treaty with the Antichrist, who will have charm and shall deceive all people into receiving the mark of the beast, which is 666, which is the number of man. This is called the abomination of desolation in Daniel's prophecy, and then there will be great tribulation. This period will last for seven years, and the first three and a half years will be prosperous. Then the book of Revelation tells God will purge sin from the world with twenty-one judgments. The seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls of wrath. Angels will be administering these judgments as men will refuse to repent of their murders, sorceries, thefts, and fornications. So God will judge man for all these sins, as the sun will be so hot, that men will blaspheme God, and women will have a difficult time giving birth, and they are to pray that they do not give birth in the winter. There shall be weeping and but the gospel of the kingdom of God will be preached by 144,000 Jewish evangelists, and the two witnesses that God will send to warn people to repent. We are told that except those days will be shortened, there will be no flesh saved. But for the Elect's sake, the people of Israel, God will shorten those days. Therefore, be ye also ready, for Jesus is coming soon, and we must occupy until Jesus comes in the Rapture to call the Church home.
#I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalms 37:25 Stop begging
The Hebrew word for begging is Baqash, meaning to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer. To strive after, or beseech, desire, and make inquisition and seek after. For such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of Him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. He is ever merciful, and lendeth, and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved forever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. Stop begging is a term that has negative connotations and should never be seen in righteous people. King David wrote this Psalm, and he lived a righteous life, for he was a man after God's heart. Though he stumbled, he was not cast out, and the Lord God upheld him in all his ways. Trust in the Lord and do good, and so shall thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. The righteous will always lend because they know that lending to the poor is lending to the Lord, and God always repays. Stop begging should be your modus operandi, and just know that the Lord will provide for His own. Though they stumble, they will not be utterly cast out. I have seen this in my life, and if a righteous man falls seven times, he will always get back up. If you are afraid of falling, then you are afraid of succeeding. Success is preceded by failure many times. If you find yourself at the wrong end of the spectrum, look at how God worked in the lives of some of His great saints. Elijah had just seen a great victory over the prophets of Baal, and then he ran for his life when Jezebel said she was going to kill him. God had to tell him that there are seven thousand who did not bow down to Baal. So never fear failure, and give all the glory to God, for He is the one who upholds us from falling. This is why King David could say I have been young and now old, and not once have I seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread. I praise God that when my bank account gets low, I am about to see a great blessing, and I give thanks to God for that. Stop begging and seek the Lord while He may be found.
#BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalms 119:9 Fortify the young
The Hebrew word BETH is Naar, meaning a boy from infancy to adolescence. It means a servant. In the interchange of sex, a girl or a similar age is also a babe, child, damsel, or lad. Happy Summer, today is the first day of Summer, the longest day of the year. The Psalmist is giving parents the wisdom to train up children in the way they should go. My father, as a Pastor, used this passage to teach a series of sermons on fortifying the young. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. Children need all the guidance they can get in their youth. We do very childish things and need a lot of training on how to live life. It is incumbent that parents have a grasp on the word of God to train up children. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart. Fortify the young so that they can avoid the pitfalls of life. Many children will do evil at an early age in life, and it takes the rod of reproof to correct them. If you spare the rod, you will spoil the child. Teaching them the Word of God at an early age is the key. Bible doctrine in the frontal lobe will guide them all the days of their life. Oh, let me not wander from thy commandments. Hiding the word of God in your heart is the key to a successful life. I have raised two daughters, and this was the key to their success in life. One is an Anesthesiologist, and the other a pediatric registered nurse. I praise God for the word of God, for it teaches us how to live and navigate the trials of life. Children left to themselves will bring their parents to shame. So both parents must be involved in the child's training. Fortify the young so that they can grow up shielded from the negative effects of life and have a bright future. It is my prayer that parents will use this passage in the Bible to fortify the young and give all the glory to God.
#Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 Happy Juneteenth
The Greek word for yoke is Zugos, meaning a coupling, figuratively of servitude. The beam of the balance connects the scales. From the root of Zeugnumi, meaning to join a pair of balances. Thank God for President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, eliminating slavery. In the same way, the Lord Jesus gave us freedom from the Mosaic Law when He died on the cross for our sins, and completed the law of Moses. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. If you are trying to be saved by keeping the law, you are obligated to keep the whole law. For if you offend in one point in the law, you are guilty of violating the whole law. We are like the Slaves in Galveston, Texas, who did not know the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed into law until two years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed it. Therefore, let us now walk in the liberty that Christ Jesus has set us free, not being connected to the scales of slavery again. Stand in the liberty that grace gives us. What shall we continue to sin? God forbid, grace is not a license to sin. Walk in love, for love is the completion of the law. God so loved the world that whosoever believes in Jesus Christ shall not perish, but have everlasting life. This is the freedom that we are enjoying as the slaves who have been liberated from the bondage of slavery. May the Lord inspire you to pass this legacy of freedom to your children so they can never be bound by the law, but walk in the freedom that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So go out and celebrate, with your family, this wonderful Holiday and tell your children to pass it down to their children. Enjoy the balance of Justice that we are all endowed by our Creator in the Constitution to seek life, liberty, and happiness for all men. May the Lord Bless the United States of America
#I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 2 Samuel 1:26 David's love for Jonathan passing the love of women
The Hebrew word for love is Ahabah, meaning love; Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death, they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet. With other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! David's love for Jonathan, passing the love of women, is one of the most touching scriptures in the Bible. It does not mean anything unholy, such as inordinate affection, but it speaks of two friends in life who were parted by death. Jonathan had saved David from King Saul, who was trying to kill him, and David knew not to touch God's anointed. It is special to love a man more than a woman, as God said it is not good for man to be alone. The Hebrew Ezer Kenegdo, a term in Genesis 2:18, has two root meanings, which are to rescue and to save. That is what Jonathan had done for David many times. This is why it was so distressing for David, because Jonathan had been pleasant unto me, and his love to me was wonderful. We may never really comprehend this love that David and Jonathan had, and we will have to wait until we get to heaven to find out how. David's love for Jonathan, passing the love of women, tells us there is no love any higher for a man than the love of women. I played with women as a child, and I had a friend also, we were like brothers, but I could not say, as David said to Jonathan, thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. Death brings out the longing in us in relationships. It is why God loves us with an everlasting love, such that He gave us His only begotten Son, who died on the cross for our sins, so that we could love Him. The scripture says we love God, because He first loved us. It is my prayer that we can learn to love one another as David's love for Jonathan passed the love of women. For there would be fewer divorces and separations if we could have this type of love for one another. David's love for Jonathan was more real in his death than it was in his life. David took care of the son of Jonathan, who was lame, and this was an example of how powerful the love that David had for Jonathan was.
#For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 2 Corinthians 10:3 Put on the whole armor of God.
The Greek word for war is Strateuomai, meaning to serve in a military campaign. To execute the apostolate and to contend with carnal inclinations. Paul has challenged us in Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God to fight against the wiles of the devil. Now I, Paul myself, beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you. But I beseech you that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds) Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, and having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Put on the whole armor of God, for this is the only way we can be successful in spiritual warfare, to contend with the carnal inclinations. Ephesians 6:12 for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. This is how we serve in a military campaign spiritually. Do not think that people are your problems, Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with the truth, and having the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. This is how we put on the whole armor of God, and do not strive in the flesh, but war in the Spirit and obey the word of God. Then we will stop fighting against people and realize that it is spiritual wickedness in high places. Obey the word of God, and then, when the time is ready, God will avenge all disobedience when our obedience has been fulfilled. It is my prayer that you will do this today, and the next time someone crosses your pathway. For God does not want us to make enemity but to live a righteous life. So when they accuse you, they will be ashamed of themselves.
#Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. Romans 10:1 Israel is the Apple of God's eye
The Greek word for heart is Kardia, meaning the thoughts or feelings in the heart's mind. Paul is a Jew, and he desires and prays for the salvation of Israel, for I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. We are commanded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for they shall prosper who do so. God is calling out a people for His name, and that is the Church, which consists of Jews and Gentiles. We are all baptized into Jesus Christ by faith, and it is primary for the salvation of Israel. For Israel as a whole is blind to the gospel of Christ, and their blindness has led to the salvation of the Gentiles. Israel will be a troublesome stone for all those who contend with them. Once the Church age is complete, God will turn His entire attention to the salvation of Israel. They are going to go into a time of Jacob's trouble, which is seven years of tribulation. God is going to seal 144,000 Jewish evangelists to preach the gospel of the coming kingdom, and many will be saved. Then God will send two witnesses for three and a half years to preach to them, and fire will come out of their mouths if anyone tries to harm them. Revelation 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. These have the power to shut heaven, so that it does not rain in the days of their prophecy and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. For three days, people of all nations shall rejoice over their dead bodies for three and a half days. And after three and a half days, the Spirit of life from God entered them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither, and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Jesus will come and save Israel when they say Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
#For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: Mark 7:10 Happy Father's Day!
The Greek word for Honor is Timao, meaning to prize, i.e., fix a valuation upon and to revere. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups; and many such like things ye do. And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition. But ye say, if a man shall say to his father or mother, it is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by Me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother. Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such things do ye. It is time to put away the traditions of men and put a true value on Father's Day. Some say Mother's baby, Father's maybe. It is blasphemous not to honor your Father as you do your Mother. Do not be like the Pharisees who kept the traditions of men. Honoring your father and mother will give you a long life, and it will be good with you all the days of your life. Do not make excuses for why your father does not deserve to be honored. We are made in the image of God, and to curse your father or your mother is to curse God, and you will die the death. Our Lord has given us the examples of the traditions of men so that we will learn not to keep them. Honor thy father and thy mother, as the fifth commandment tells us. Instead, give the same honor to both parents as God has commanded. It is my prayer that you forgive your father or your mother, because it is the hardest job that we have to do. So take Dad out for lunch, or cook him a good meal, and tell him that you love him. Put yourself in his shoes and understand that God will bless you for doing so.
#Thus saith Cyrus, king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; He hath charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Ezra 1:2 God rules in the affairs of men
The Hebrew word for house is Bayith; for a house, temple, palace, and by a steward. God rules in the affairs of men and had vouchsafed to Cyrus, king of Persia, now modern day Iran, to build a house, as He did to Nebuchadnezzar and Darius. Now in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing and saying. So that all the rulers of the world can know that Jehovah God rules in the affairs of men and sets up the bases of men to lead them. Who is 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, besides the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. All the silver and the gold belong to God, and we must use them for His glory. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. There is going to be built a third temple in Jerusalem, and sacrifices and offerings will be restored for the Messiah. We must pray for all leaders, because God turns the hearts of the rulers of this world to accomplish His will on the earth. So, pray for Donald Trump, as he is about to celebrate his birthday, that God will bless him as the Army celebrates 250 years in the military parade. Truly, Jehovah God is good, and we must pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king, and God will prosper all those who do so. Just as God prospered Cyrus, king of Persia, to build the house of the Lord God of heaven. Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the Lord to His anoited, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have hidden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; When Jehovah God opens a door, no man can shut it, and when He shuts a door, no man can open it. Promotion comes neither from the east nor the west, but promotions come from the Lord. So Cyrus understood the prophecy as a command and proceeded to obey it. We would do well in our lives to obey the commands as we prepare to celebrate Father's Day weekend. Let us honor all dads and pray for them as well.