Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 29 December 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "God's Wrath on His Enemies"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Nahum 1:1-15
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Nahum 1:7 "The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows hose who trust in Him."

"God is jealous" in verse 2, is a positive emotion in God and is a deep, emotional concern for the well being of those whom He cares,  It is this passion for His own people who have been injured by Assyria which has filled Him with the anger about to be expressed in the judgment of Nineveh.

"Slow to anger" in verse 3, indicates the patience of the Lord.  However God's patience is not a reason to disbelieve His final judgment.  

Nahum had made statements about God.  Now he resorts to imagery to bring home the impact of what he has seen.  The images in verses 4-6, is that of an armed soldier on the march, stirring up  the dust as he treads across the ground.  This soldier is so powerful that nature itself draws back in awe, and the earth "trembles at his presence."  

In verses 5-8, the LORD is pictured pouring out Judgment "like fire."  "The mountains quake" and "the earth is burned at his presence."  Yet, He is a "stronghold in the day of trouble" to all  those who "trust in Him."  Like all the prophets, Nahum predicts both judgment and hope conditioned on man's response to God.

In plotting evil against the Lord, in verses 9 and11, two thoughts are expressed: evil, which is not simply wrong action but the intent to harm, and wickedness, which is a lawless disregard for what is right.  Not only have Assyrians affirmed their independence from the moral constraints imposed by God on all mankind, but they have determined to harm God by harming His people.  Wicked is one of the harshest terms in Biblical language, nearly a curse word.  The term speaks of someone who is utterly worthless.

In verses 12-13, God again addresses His people.  The domination of Assyria will end.  God's vengeance not only punishes the guilty, it brings freedom to God's own.

In verse 14, the speaker shifts again and addresses Nineveh.  the command for its destruction has been given.  "I will prepare your grave" reminds us that what God says is certain and sure.  

In verse 15, the thought that we have seen before is given clear expression here.  Israel and Judah literally, joyfully, triumphantly, celebrate the destruction of Nineveh.  Fear is gone, and the prospect of peace opens before God's people.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Various Scripture Writing from Part 2 of "SEVEN REASONS WHY YOUR PRAYERS MAY NOT BE ANSWERED."

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T" Listen to the Sweet, Soft, and Tender Voice of God as He WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."   

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!! May God's Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 28 December 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Writing is on "JESUS" and who He is and what He does for us.  This is perfect for this Christmas Season in which is why, that we as Christians, celebrate Christmas.

                                          "JESUS"

He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of ALL!
He is the Architect of the Universe, and the Manager of ALL times.
He ALWAYS Was, He ALWAYS Is, and He ALWAYS Will Be
He is UNMOVED, UNCHANGED, UNDEFEATED and Never UNDONE
He was BRUISED and brought HEALING!
He was PIERCED and EASED Pain!
He was PERSECUTED and brought FREEDOM!
He was DEAD and brought LIFE!  He is RISEN and brings POWER!
He REIGNS and brings PEACE
The world can't UNDERSTAND Him, the armies can't Defeat Him,
The schools can't EXPLAIN Him, and the leaders can't IGNORE Him,
Herod couldn't KILL Him, the Pharisees couldn't CONFUSE Him,
The people couldn't HOLD Him, the rulers couldn't CRUSH Him,
Dictators couldn't SILENCE Him, the new age can't REPLACE Him, 
Talk show host can't EXPLAIN Him away!
He is LIGHT, LOVE, LONGEVITY, and He is LORD.
He is GOODNESS, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, and He is God.
He is HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, MIGHTY, POWERFUL, and PURE
His ways are RIGHT, His Word is ETERNAL, His Will UNCHANGING.
His Mind is on me, and He is my REDEEMER, and my SAVIOR.
He is my GUIDE, My PEACE, My JOY, My COMFORT 
He is my Lord, and He RULES my LIFE
I SERVE Him because His BOND is LOVE, His BURDEN is Light,
And His GOAL for me is ABUNDANT, and ETERNAL LIFE
I FOLLOW Him because He is the WISDOM of the wise,
The POWERFUL of the powerful, the ANCIENT of Days,
The RULER or rulers, the LEADER of leaders,
The OVERSEER of the over-comers, and the SOVEREIGN Lord,
Of ALL that WAS, IS, and IS to COME
If that seems impressive to you, try this:
His Goal is a RELATIONAL with ME!
He Will NEVER LEAVE ME, NEVER FORSAKE ME, NEVER MISLED ME
NEVER FORGET ME, NEVER OVERLOOK ME and,
He WILL NEVER cancel my appointment in His APPOINTMENT BOOK!
When I FALL He LIFTS me up! 
When I FAIL He FORGIVES!
When I am WEAK, He is STRONG!  
When I am LOST, He is the WAY!
When I am AFRAID, He is my COURAGE! 
When I STUMBLE, He STEADIES me! 
When I am HURT, He HEALS me!
When I am BROKEN, He MENDS me! 
When I am HUNGRY He FEEDS me!
When I face TRIALS, He is WITH me! 
When I face PERSECUTION, He SHIELDS me! 
When I face PROBLEMS, He COMFORTS me! 
When I face LOSS, He PROVIDES for me!
When I face DEATH, The angels will CARRY me into His PRESENCE!
He is EVERYTHING for EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE, EVERY TIME and
EVERY WAY.
He is God, He is FAITHFUL, and I am His and He is MINE!
My Father in HEAVEN, can WHIP the father of this world.
So if your wondering why I feel so SECURE, understand this:
He said it, and that SETTLES it.  God is in CONTROL and
As a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords, I am on His SIDE which means
"That All is Well with my SOUL."
Everyday is a BLESSING for God is in it!
As Christians we NEED to KEEP these things in the forefront
Of our MINDS and Hearts.
Don't ALLOW the things of this world to BLIND you
To the RICHES of His LOVE, MERCY, and GRACE.
In Jesus we have it ALL and that should be the reason,
That we are on fire for Him, for He is EVERYTHING we NEED,
In EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE of our LIFE'S.

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Part 1 Writing from Various Scripture Reading on the "Seven Reasons Why Your Prayers May Go UnAnswerd."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

   
  
  

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 15 December 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "Introduction into the Book of Nahum"

The prophecy of Nahum is dominated by a single idea, the doom of Nineveh.  In describing this doom, Nahum writes lyric poetry of the highest quality.  Is has been called the most poetical of all the prophetic writings, and certainly is the most severe in tone of the Minor Prophets.

Little is known of the Prophet Nahum, or of his home.  Most believe it was located in Galilee, which experienced the brunt of the initial Assyrian invasions.  His writing can be place with some accuracy: He wrote before the collapse of the Assyrian Empire in 612 B.C. and after the destruction of Thebes, which took place in 662 B.C.  It is not unreasonable to assume that the book was written shortly after the overthrow of the Northern Kingdom and the exile of its population. 

NAHUM AT A GLANCE

KEY THEMES

Causes of the fall of Nineveh: 

(1) Opposition to God (2:2-3, 8-9, 11, 13, 15)
(2) Decadence (3:12-133, 15-18)
(3) Cruelty (3:1, 14, 19)

Descriptions of the fall of Nineveh:

Disaster (1:10; 2:9-10; 3:11,13)
Flood (1:8; 2:6,8)
Dispersal (1:8; 2:1, 7-8; 3:7,10-11,16-18)
Fire (1:5, 10; 2:3-4,13; 3:3,13,15)

THEOLOGICAL OUTLINE OF NAHUM

I.  THE LORD  Chapter 1
II  THE CITY    Chapter 2 and 3

CONTENT OUTLINE OF NAHUM

I. The God of Israel (1:1-15)
   A. God's Greatness (1:1-6)
   B. God's Actions (1:7-11)
   C. God's Intent (1:12-15)
II. Nineveh's Fall (2:1-3:19)
   A. A Warning (2:1)
   B. A Promise to Israel (2:2)
   C. Its Destruction (2:3-3:19)
        1. Destruction Described (2:3-13)
        2. Destruction reviewed (3:1-6)
        3. Destruction celebrated (3:7-11)
        4. Nineveh ridiculed (3:12-19)

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Romans 8:22-25.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More today.  When you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN," Listen to the Sweet, Soft and tender Voice of God as He WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!! May God's Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi


  

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 14 December 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings."

Today's Blogs Title: "Sorrow for Israel's Sins"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Micah 7:1-20
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Micah 7:18-19 "Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?  He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.  He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities.  You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea."

In this last Chapter of Micah, he imagines himself going out in an orchard at harvest time and finding NO fruit.  He is hungry for fellowship, but feels TOTALLY isolated.  He know no one else who HONESTLY seeks to SERVE God.  Elijah in 1st Kings 19:14 experienced similar feelings.

In verses 3-4, the people were pursuing evil with gusto.  The leaders of Israel were leading the way in evil.  "The day of your watchman" in verse 4, refers to a time when people needed to be alert for the approach of an enemy army.  In this context, judgment was imminent.  

"Therefore I will look," are words that a a pun on the words of verse 4.  While there world be a need to be "watchman" for the "coming of an enemy army," Micah was going to be the "watchman" for the advent of the Lord.  Micah's solution to the problem is practical. "Look to what God will do, not to what others are doing around you. The word "hope" in the Old Testament, indicates both a willingness to WAIT and a settled CONFIDENCE that what God has for us in the FUTURE is good. 

The speaker in verses 8-9, is the Nation of Israel after she comes to repentance.  "I have sinned" is the confession of the people in SAVING FAITH. In verse 9, "He pleads my case," is the Lord speaking on behalf of the people.  As God had DELIVERED Israel in the PAST because of His RIGHTEOUSNESS, so He would deliver a REPENTANT Israel in the FUTURE.

In verse 10, the people of Israel knew that they would suffer indignities at the hands of their enemies in the period of the divine judgment.  However, God's JUDGMENT of His people was designed to bring about their REPENTANCE.

In verses 14-15, Micah prayer the God the "Shepherd" would care for His flock. 
The shepherds staff was used to drive off wild animals and protect the sheep. Micah REQUESTED that the GREATEST wonders of the RELATIONSHIP between God and His people at the time of the Exodus would be REALIZED anew. 

The response of the "wicked nations" to the renewed mercies of God on the Nation of Israel would be "terror."  At last the enemies of Israel will have an appropriate awe (fear) of God, and so will turn to Him.  It is important to remember that the HURTS that HUMBLE us, are also meant to HEAL us and TURN our hearts back to God.

"Who is a God like you?" in verse 18, speak of the incompatibility of God.  What sets our God apart? His WILLINGNESS to PARDON sinners and to FORGIVE our transgressions.  Even when we fail Him, He remains FAITHFUL to us.  In FAITHFULNESS He will CLEANSE and TRANSFORM us and KEEP EVERY PROMISE He has made.

The concluding verse of Micah, is a reminiscent of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12; 15; and 22, and His promises to Jacob in Genesis 32.  The Lord had sworn to fulfill His promises to the patriarchs, and He WOULD NOT, He COULD NOT, leave His PROMISES unfilled.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Psalm 8:3-5.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, and financial dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," Listen to the Sweet, Soft, and Tender Voice of God as He WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!!  May God Peace, Strength, and Grace be with all of you.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 9 December 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "God Pleads With Israel"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Micah 6:1-16 
Today's Key Verse: Micah 6:8 "He has shown you, O man what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

In verse 1 and 2,God (the Judge) calls for the people (the defendants) to "plead" their "case." The "mountains" and "hills" were among the witnesses to the covenant that God made with His people, Deuteronomy 4:26; 32:1; and Isaiah 1:2.  "He will contend:" If the people were silent before the "mountains" the Lord Himself would speak against their sin.

In verse 3, God asked, "What have I done to you? And how have I burdened you?" Does a relationship with God place a load on the believer? Do we carry Him? God's answer is to remind Israel of ALL He did to CARRY THEM in verses 4-5.  In fact, a relationship with God LIFTS our burdens as He FREES, GUIDES, PROTECTS, and TEACHES us.

Israel's first implied response to God's case against them was, "It to hard to serve God."  Their second is, "What does God want anyway?"  If we take this as a sarcastic reaction then we might be able to rephrase their response as "Does God want to ruin us? Would 10,000 sacrifices be enough? Does He want our children as well?"  These questions are a conscious distortion of known truth, for the answer to their question is found in Deuteronomy 12:10, where ALL that god is asking of any child of His is to:

(1) Respect Him
(2) Walk in His Ways
(3) Love Him Completely

Verse 8, is an unforgettable verse in that it speaks of the underlying attitudes that MUST accompany all TRUE WORSHIP.  This verse which in simple and beautiful terms sums up the way our walk with the Lord should be.  We are to: 

(1) Do Justly: A commitment to fairness in interpersonal relationships and in our social institutions  
(2) Love Mercy: Which goes beyond fairness, to a hearts response to the needs of others which compels a person to help when this is possible
(3) Walk Humbly: means to remain responsive to God, submitting gladly to His Will

In verse 10-12, the people of Judah were abusing others with false measures, with "violence" and with "lies."  Such practices were far removed from the description of true worship in verse 8.  This is the divine vindication of the Lord's determination to bring judgment on Jerusalem, despite the fact that His holy temple was there.  The worship that was being offered, although it followed the form of the Law, DID NOT come from TRUE BIBLICAL attitudes and practices of piety.

In conclusion to Chapter 6, when God judges the land, its productivity will e destroyed.  What irony that the very thing that motivated the rich to do evil, "wealth and plenty" will be lost because in their pursuit of it, they oppressed others.  The end NEVER JUSTIFIES the means.  Evil will ACTUALLY keep a person from gaining his or her ends.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord or God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," Listen to the Sweet, Soft, and Tender Voice of God as He WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from 1st Peter 5:6-11 

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!!  May God's Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

   

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 8 December 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "The Coming Messiah"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Micah 5:1-15
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be ruler in Israel, Whose coming forth are from of old, From everlasting."


The reference "gather yourself in troops," in verse 1, seems to refer to the assaults of the enemies of Judah on the people of God before their final defeat. "They will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek," is a reference that one day the enemies of the Savior would strike Him, Mark 15:19, but on a future day, He will strike ALL of His enemies, Revelation 19.

This well known prediction of he birthplace of the Messiah in verse 2, who is destined to be Israel's King, illustrates how prophecy is fulfilled: literally and accurately.  When King Herod in Matthew 2:3-6, was told by the visiting wise men that the destined "King of the Jews" had been born, he asked the scribes where.  They turned to this passage from Micah and told King Herod that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem.

The future of Israel is pictured in verse 3, in the birth, life, and ministry of the Savior King.  The two advents of the Savior are seen as one event by Micah.  Whereas verse 2 speaks of the birth of the Savior in His First Coming, verses 3-5, speak of the time of the rule of Jesus in His Second Coming (Praise God).

"And this One shall be Peace," in verse 5, whereas Isaiah 9:6 refers to Jesus "as the Prince of Peace." The Assyrians, Israel's major foe in Micah's day, is probably best understood as representing ALL of Israel's enemies particularly those of the end times.

Verses 7-9, concerns God's Blessing on the remnant of Jacob. The wickedness of the people would bring about God's judgment, but He would not cast them off completely  "In the midst of many peoples," describes the spread of the Jewish people throughout the earth in the time of God's judgment.  Verse 7, describes the Jewish people as "dew" and "showers" that is, "Blessings from God on their neighbors."  Verse 8 describes the Jewish people as a "lion," that is, a powerful force that eventually would triumph.

In verses 10-15, God systematically destroys everything His straying people might rely on: their military, verse 10, their walled cities, verse 11, and especially their idols.  This is both punishment and preparation.  How often God MUST destroy the empty things that we rely on before we TRUST FULLY in Him.

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Hebrews 12:28-29.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," Listen to the Sweet, Soft, and Tender Voice of God as He WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
  

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 1 July 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords"

Today's Blogs Title: "Zion's Future Triumph"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Micah 4:1-13
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Micah 4:6-7 "In that day," says the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast And those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever."

The phrase "in the last days" as well as a comparison with other prophecies like Isaiah 2:2-4, indicates that the prophet is looking beyond the restoration from the Babylonian captivity to the days of the Millennium when everything given to Abraham and to Israel will be ultimately be fulfilled.  In God's vision of the future, prophecy tells us what the world should be like, as well as what it will be like.  We are each to evaluate present realities against what God's prophet's should be.

In verse 4, the "vine" and "fig tree" are both native to Israel.  They flourish into luxuriant, natural arbors under which people can sit and enjoy fellowship while being shaded from the heat of the day.  Both were used symbolically to represent the basic covenant between God and Israel in all its potential fruitfulness. 

One major element of the world foreseen by the prophets is its utter peacefulness.  Disputes will be resolved by appeal to God's Word, not war.  But peace is an idea that can only be realized when God sets up His kingdom on earth.  Until then man's passions will generate wars and rumors.  Peace will be the dream of all, but every dreamer will be awaken to the reality of strife.  The fact of war in our present world, and the vision of a world without war, drive home the fact that humanity is lost in sin.  The world as well as the individual desperately needs a Savior.
,
In the Old Testament, "Horns in iron" in verse 13, generally symbolize power, and iron horns, dominant power.  The people whose sins makes them easy prey for the nations will one day be exalted above them, after they have been redeemed, verse 10.

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from Galatians 5:22-23.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go In Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," Listen to the Sweet and Soft Voice of God as He WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 21 July 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Bible Verse: Isaiah 46:9-10 "Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; For I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times that are not yet done, saying "My counsel shall stand, and I will do my pleasure."

Wow!! God makes it clear in these verses that He is GOD and that there is NO ONE like Him.  The future is a mystery to us, for we can make educated guesses on what the next few years may hold, but to accurately predict what may lay ahead 20, 100, or thousands of years into the future is beyond our ability.  That is why the stunning accuracy with which God's prophets predicted the future, is one of the most convincing evidences of the supernatural origin of God's Word.

Isaiah in today's verses, explains God's ability to predict the future.  God is God!! He is able to "make known the end from the beginning" and "from ancient time" to predict "what is still to come."  He established purposes for the universe, and He is POWERFUL enough to guarantee that His PURPOSES will STAND.

The attributes of God in verse 10, describe Him as "Omniscience" and "Omnipotent."  These Latin terms affirm that God knows all and that He is ALL POWERFUL.  We as Christians shouldn't be surprised that the Bible contains accurate predictions of future events.  God, who KNOWS ALL and CONTROLS ALL, is the source of what truly is the Word of God.

The rhetorical question, "To whom will you liken to Me?" is one in which the obvious answer is: "NO ONE!!!"  "I Am God and there is NONE LIKE ME."  Yahweh is the unique and incomprehensible God.  His uniqueness is His declaring "the end from the beginning."  His singular distinctiveness is his ability to predict the future with complete accuracy.  Since He alone knows the future, the SALVATION of the Lord shall not tarry, Hebrews 2:3 and 10:37.  In the timetable of God, "ALL THINGS" are proceeding on schedule.  So the question for us today as Christians is: If our Almighty God knows the future, why do we insist on worrying about the future, in which we do not know what it will hold? Jesus in Matthew 11:28 tells us, "Come to me ALL who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you REST." 

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Proverbs 9:1.  

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Love, Peace, and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus for 27 June 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "Wicked Rulers and Prophets"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Micah 3:1-12
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Micah 3:4 "Then they will cry to the LORD, But He  will not hear them; He will even hid His face from them; He will hide His face from them at that time, Because they have been evil in their deeds."

In context "Justice" in verse 1, is honest government which is fair to rich and poor alike.  The image of tearing flesh from the poor graphically, communicates the prophets point: corrupt and evil government officials use their position for personal gain rather than to serve the people.

In verse 4, the wickedness of the people was so great that last minute repentance would not suffice.  Peace in verse 5, means much more than the absence of war.  It also means health, wholeness, and security.  While the other prophets lied to Israel about its spiritual condition, Micah spoke out powerfully for "justice" and "declared to Jacob (Israel)" its sins. 

Today when religious leaders turn a blind eye to corruption and evil in society, they too become partly responsible for it.  The motives and lies of religious leaders of the prophet's day are described in verses 9-12.

The covering of their lips in verse 7, means that they will be put to shame and will show this shame openly by covering their lips, which was an oriental gesture to indicate shame and mourning.

The wicked leaders and prophets of Israel "worked" only when the could gain something from it.  Needless to say, if justice had to be paid for, it would not be justice.  Many people of Jerusalem believed that they would not be affected by God's judgment, because God Himself dwelled in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.  They reasoned that despite their evils, as long as God was in His temple, they were safe, even from "divine judgment."

What the people refused to believe was that God "might leave" His temple because of the sinfulness of the people.  In the Book of Ezekiel, Ezekiel describes a vision of the Glory of God leaving the temple as a prelude to His judgment on the city of Jerusalem.  

Verse 12, was quoted by Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 26:18.  While the false prophets and the wicked rulers believed that they were untouchable and that Mount Zion was inviolable, the prophet Micah announced that Zion (Jerusalem) would "be plowed like a field," indicating complete devastation of the city.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control. May God's Peace and Grace be with you all.

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi


 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ for 17 April 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "The People In Nineveh Believe"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Jonah 3:1-10
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Jonah 3:10 "Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, and God relented from the disaster that He said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it."

Jonah's new commission in verse 1, was essentially that same as the one that he had received in 1:1-2.  In contrast  to 1:3, Jonah obeyed the command of the Lord the second time and made the journey to Nineveh. 

The city wall of Nineveh had a circumference of about 8 miles, which indicates Nineveh was an exceeding large city for those times.  The reference to "three day" in verse 3, likely refers to the larger administrative district of Nineveh made up of several cities, with a circumference of about 55 miles.

Jonah in verse 4, proclaimed that they were only "forty days' before the destruction of Nineveh.  Both the announcement and the specified delay show God's Mercy.  It was this Mercy that bothered Jonah.

The term used for God in verse 5 is the general term for deity.  In contrast the sailors who threw Jonah into the ocean in chapter 1, claimed faith in the Lord, using the personal, covenant, name for God.    

The reversal of the threat to destroy Nineveh depended solely on the grace and mercy of the Lord.  At times, the announced judgment of God is "not" His real intent.  Such announcements usually include offers of mercy and forgiveness.  The people of Nineveh, in verse 10, repented and moved the Lord to extend Grace and Mercy to them.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."  

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be, in Complete and Total Control.  May God's Love and Grace be with you all!!!  

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 26 June 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "Israel Restored"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Micah 2:1-13
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Micah 2:12 "I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, Like a flock in the midst of their pasture; They shall make a loud noise because of so many people."

The social injustice emphasized in verses 1-5, is that of the wealthy who defrauded the poor of their ancestral lands to build great estates.  in most of Israel's history, agriculture was the basis of prosperity.  When families were driven from their land, a poverty class was created.  The exploitation of these newly poor by the rich characterized the mid eighth century.

In verses 6-11, even those who were supposed to be prophets, rebuked Micah, and urged him not to preach.  This despite the fact that the greedy rich treated passersby's as enemies to be stripped of loot, and even drove widows from their homes.  Why would the prophets rebuke a man who so clearly was doing God's work?  Because they wanted to share in the financial prosperity  of the wicked who paid their salaries.  We as Christians need to be careful not to mimic false teachers.  We must seek God's truth boldly, not considering possible personal financial loss.

Verses 12 and 13, is a reference to Israel's Messiah, Jesus Christ, who will break down every obstacle between the people and their God.  He will restore them, forgive their sins, and implant within them a new heart.  Jesus will gather Israel's survivors and personally lead them to an era of rest.

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from Psalms 34:4-7.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T, GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control.  May God's Love and Grace be with you all!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 26 April 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of King and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "The Coming Judgment of Israel"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Micah 1:1-16
Today's Blog Key Verse: Micah 1:3-4 "For behold, the LORD is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth.  The mountains will melt under Him, and the valleys will split, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place."

Micah means, "Who is like the Lord?"  This question presents a major Biblical theme, the idea that God is incomparable.  Micah's ministry centered on the Assyrian threat to Samaria, the  capital of Israel that was destroyed in 722 B.C., and Jerusalem, the capital of Judah.   

In verse 2, all the earth was to know that God was witnessing against His people.  The announcement of judgment is based on the people's breach of the covenant.  The faithlessness of the people provoked the "Lord God" to enter into a judicial dispute with them.

"The Lord is coming," is the language of epiphany, the dramatic coming of God to earth, here in a solemn procession of judgment.  The expression "high places" is ironic.  Jerusalem and Samaria were the "high places," or "evaluated capitals" of Judah and Israel; but "high places" were also sites of idolatrous worship.

"Jacob," in verse 5 is used to refer to the northern kingdom, Israel, whose "transgression" was centered in its capital Samaria.  Judah's sins were centered in its capital Jerusalem.  In this verse, the intent of the term "high places," is made plain.  Jerusalem, which was once "beautiful in elevation," was nothing more than another platform of pagan worship, like the "high places" of the Canaanites.

God's judicial decision was to destroy Samaria so thoroughly that it would be a place fit only for vineyards among the rubble.  Idolatry is often described in the Hebrew Bible as spiritual adultery.  Israel is pictured as a wife who is unfaithful to her husband.

Micah's immediate response to God's message was an overwhelming sense of dread.  Micah's words in verse 8, describe mourning rites in which the outer garments were laid aside in deep humility  The mourning person thought no longer about himself but the calamity that had overcome his senses.

The name "Shaphir" in verse 11 means, "Beautiful."  Ironically, its inhabitants would be shamed by their nakedness.  The name "Zaanan," speaks of "sheep" who "go out on their own."  However, this would be longer the case for the citizens  of Zaanan, who would no longer go out because of their fear.

"Maroth" in verse means "Bitterness."  The name "Jerusalem"  suggests "Peace."  Thus the inhabitants of the town of "bitterness" would be sickened with dread and the inhabitants of the town of peace would experience God's judgment.

In verse 13, Lachish, the famous guard city to Jerusalem was judged as being among the first places in Judah to adopt the sins of Baal worship.  The words "heir" and "the glory of Israel" might lead one to assume that this is a messianic verse, a promise of hope in the midst of despair, yet in verse 16, the context is judgment.  The point here may be that the situation would be so bad that the proper heir and glory of the nation, the members of the royal family, would have to flee in terror to remote hiding places. 

In verse 16, in a culture in which a man's hair was highly valued, to "cut off" one's "hair" was the ultimate sign of mourning.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your  life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Scripture Reading from Romans 8:38-39.

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be, In Complete and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi



 

  

 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 20 April 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings, and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction into the Book of Micah"

Today, we will begin with an Introduction to the 5th Book of the Minor prophets, the Book of Micah.  Old Testament Prophets are often thought of as providing not much more than "doom and gloom" predictions, but the Book of Micah presents an impassioned and artistic interplay between oracles of impending judgment and promises of future blessing on Israel and Judah, for the peoples of both nations had broken covenant with God.  Through His messenger Micah, God confronted His people, but He also promised to bring future blessing through the One who would be coming.  This One would be the true Shepherd of God's flock. 

Much of Micah's prophecy is very severe in tone, though it does contain much beauty similar to that of Isaiah.  In many ways the Book of Micah is a "sister-book" to Isaiah.  It has been called "Isaiah in shorthand."  The theme of the prophecy is sin, judgment, and restoration.  This can be seen by the fact that the book consists of three discourses, each of which sets forth: the sins of the people (2) God's Judgment and (3) God's ultimate restoration of His sinning people.

The author of this prophecy is identified as "Micah the Morasthite."  He was a native of Moresheth-gath in Judah where he prophesied against his own city which did not help in his popularity with the local population.  Micah's name means, "Who is like Yahweh?"   In Chapter 7, verse 8, he apparently plays upon the meaning of his name as he asks the question, "Who is a God unto Thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression?"

The purpose of the Book of Micah, and his prophecy, is to face the people with their sins and to speak the word of God's judgment that must fall because of their persistent sinning.  Micah completes the purpose of his book by ending each discourse with a word about restoration.  Micah pictures the restoration in two phases: (1) immediately, after the Babylonian captivity and (2) ultimately, at the Millennium.

The key Themes in the Book of Micah are:

Social Sins (Micah 2:2; 3:1-3, 9-12; 6:8): God cannot tolerate corruption in society or in individuals.

The Promised Ruler (Micah 5:1-5): A king to be born in Bethlehem will rule Israel's future kingdom.

God's Moral Requirements (Micah 6:8): Perhaps the Old Testament's simplest, clearest statement of God's expectations of a believer.

Israel's Ultimate Restoration (Micah 7:8-20): A fresh vision of the coming day when God will personally Shepherd His people and exalt them.

The theological Outline of Micah is:

JUDGMENT: Chapters 1-2
PURIFICATION: Chapters 3-5
VICTORY: Chapters 6-7

The Prophet Micah is remembered more for his stunning prediction of the birth of Jesus, and his warm and positive description of a live lived in fellowship with God.  So sit back and get ready for an interesting study into the Book of Micah.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from Philippians 4:6-7.


Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your live, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 15 April 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Jonah's Anger and God's Kindness
Today's Blog Scripture Reading" Jonah 4:1-11
Today's Blog Key Verse: Jonah 4:10-11 "But the LORD said, "You have pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.  And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand an their left--and much livestock?"

In verses 1-3, Jonah still maintains a false Jewish nationalism and hatred of all non-Jews, especially Assyrians.  Jonah had experience God's Grace when he had been rescued and given a second chance to obey.  But he objected to God's acting in character in withholding judgment when Nineveh repented.  We who are undeserving ourselves of God's Mercy can hardly object
when God showers His Mercy on others who may be undeserving too.

In verse 3, Jonah says, "Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live."  We need to look at the request of Jonah and that of Elijah.  Jonah's death wish came from disgust at the people's repentance, while Elijah's came from a yearning for the people's repentance in 1st Kings 19:4.  Only a few days, Jonah had screamed for God to keep him alive.

Jonah, in his steadfast and continuing stubbornness and lack of compassion, held out hope that God would judge Nineveh, and this was God's chief complaint against Jonah. In verse 6, the nature of the pant mentioned is unknown.  Some have speculated that it was a castor-oil tree or a bottle-gourd vine.  It may have been a species that grew especially fast.  The Lord had rescued Jonah from drowning, now He wished to relieve His prophet from the misery of the sun.  The reach of God's Mercy to the undeserving is a theme that continued to elude Jonah even as he experienced it from God.

In verse 7, and throughout the Book of Jonah, depicts the Lord as both sovereign, and free to act in creation.  God placed the worm in the plant to serve as His agent in Jonah's life.  The scorching "sirocco wind" blows in from the desert draws moisture from plants, causing them to wither. Jonah then pitied himself more than the plant.  Jonah's anger in verse 1 did not rise from a desire for justice, but from his own selfishness, for he continued to justify his rebellious attitude. 

"Pity" is the same word used to describe Jonah's feeling toward the plant in verse 10, is also used by God and His feelings toward the people of Nineveh. People are of more value than animals, and animals of more value than plants, but the Lord has a concern that extends to all His Creation. The Lord's "pity" comes from His character.

If Jonah could take "pity" on a plant, which is even less important than an animal, it only made sense that God would take "pity" on human beings, who are made in God's image.  The Book of Jonah ends, on this note of contrast between Jonah's ungracious heart, and the kind heart of the Lord.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi   

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for Monday 8 April 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog's Title: "Jonah's Prayer and Deliverance"
Today's Blog's Scripture Reading: Jonah 2:1-10
Today's Blog's Key Verse: Jonah 2:10 "So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land."

Jonah is often called the "gospel of the second chance."  God is gracious and will not let us run away from obedience, even if He has to place storms and great fish in our pathway.

In verse 1, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God and acknowledges God's help and thanks Him for it.  The phrase "the LORD his God" shows that Jonah, even though he was disobedient, was a true believer in God.

In verse 2, "I cried...I cried" are terms that come from two different verbs.  The first is a more general term meaning "to call aloud," with a wide range of usage in the Bible.  The second is a term that means a "cry for help," particularly as a scream to God.  Jonah was terrified.  When the sailors threw Jonah into the sea, he seemed  to be "as good as dead."  The use of the pronouns "You" and "Your" in verse 3, are not accusations, but acknowledgments of the Lord's sovereign control of his life.

The man who had run from God's Presence was alone, yet he clung to the hope that God would not abandon him.  "The deep" in verse 5, is the same term used in Genesis 1:2, to describe the mysterious and terrifying sea.  In the Bible, the sea is described as a part of God's creation that bring Him joy, but it also appears as a symbol for hostile forces, which the Lord nevertheless holds in His firm control.

In verse 7, Jonah reaffirms his faith in the Lord and renews his commitment to Him.  Mercy (loyal love), is the term that so often describes God's faithfulness to His covenant and to His people.  God acts on behalf of His creation and the redeemed  community to insure a relationship with them.

The focus in the story of Jonah is on the Lord's sovereign control over creation to bring about His purpose.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be, in Complete and Total Control!!! 

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi      

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 April 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Jonah Flees From God"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Jonah 1:1-17
Today's Blog Key Verse: Jonah 1:12 "And he said  to them, "pick me up and throw me into the sea, then the sea will become calm for you.  For I know that this great tempest is because of me."

"Jonah, the son of Amittai," nothing further is known of the prophet's identity except the reference made to him in 2nd Kings 14:25.  "Nineveh" which was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, was east of Israel and located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River.  "Tarshish" was situated westward of the Mediterranean Sea.  "Joppa" which was later known as Jaffa, is located just south of modern day Tel Aviv.

The name "Tarshish" means "to smelt," and which the city was associated with metal trade.  The furthest known metal producing in the 8th century B.C. was Tartessus, in Spain.  Most believe this port was Jonah's destination.  The identification is not vital, however.  What is key is that metal producing areas along the Mediterranean were in the opposite direction of Nineveh.

In verses 6-16, Jonah even when out of fellowship with God had an evangelistic impact on the sailors.  His admission that he was the reason why God brought the great storm; his demand the sailors throw him overboard; the sudden stilling of the storm as soon as Jonah left the ship; all these witnessed to God's greatest and led the crew to greatly fear "the Lord" and to make "vows to Him."

It's a mistake to assume just because God is using someone  in other's lives that, that person  must be godly. The Lord uses imperfect agents and even some who are actively disobeying Him at the very time they serve as channels of grace!  Out of fellowship, Jonah was God's agent to bring knowledge of God to a boatload of sinners.  Later we will see that when Jonah was in fellowship of God, he became God's agent of deliverance for a great city.

There are several "miracles" in the passage, not just one.  God's control of the sea by bringing a great storm, shows He controls nature.  When lots were cast to determine who had offended God and had brought down the unusual storm, Jonah was chosen.  When Jonah was thrown overboard the storm stopped. Why then be surprised when the text tells us God "provided" a "great fish" to swallow Jonah, or that he was preserved alive in its belly?  Either God is fully capable of controlling all events in this world, or He is not.  It is not the miracles of Scripture that are questionable, but the critics limited view of God.

We as Christians need to live in fellowship with God, and be clear channels through which His grace can flow unimpeded.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will be in Complete, and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

 

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus for 25 March 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction of the Book Of Jonah"

Today, is the Introduction into the 4th of the 11 Minor Prophets, the Book of Jonah.  The Book of Jonah is unique in that the entire prophecy is written in the third person.  The fact that the prophecy ends with the prophet  in discouragement and under God's rebuke would leave the reader discouraged, but because it is written in the third person, the reader knows that the prophet wrote it after he had returned from his mission to Assyria and had favorably responded to God's rebuke.  He leaves behind a record of God's dealings with him as an individual and with Assyria as a nation, and in this unique form he magnifies the power of God and obscures himself behind his message.

What the Book of Acts is to the New Testament, the prophecy of Jonah is to the Old Testament.  It shows that God has always had concern for the heathen, who are without hope apart from Him.  It also shows God's concern for His people, Israel.  As a result of Jonah's ministry to Assyria, the Assyrian captivity of Israel was postponed some 130 years. 

While the prophecy makes no specific mention of Israel, it abounds in its clear testimony to the supernatural working of God in behalf of the prophet, who's life He preserved and whose desires He modified.  The prophecy also shows God's working in behalf of the heathen Assyrians, whom He brought to national repentance, and in behalf of the nation of Israel, whose security He guaranteed and whose captivity He delayed for an additional 130 years.

The purpose of Jonah's prophecy is to show the sovereignty of God at work in the life of an individual (the prophet Jonah), and his concern for a heathen nation (Assyria).  The prophecy also shows, in an oblique way, his concern for his own people and that the way to avert national catastrophe is  a concentrated missionary effort toward all people. 

The theme of the Book of Jonah is God's mercy to the individual (Jonah, a Jew), a group (the heathen sailors), the heathen world power (Assyria, a Gentile nation), and His people (Israel).

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN." 

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Scripture Reading from Luke 12:22-26.

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for Monday 18 March 2013, from Cindi, a Daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "Israel's Ultimate Triumph"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Obadiah 1-21
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Obadiah 21 "And saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's."

Edom in verse 1, refers to the territory settled by Esau's descendants.  It is a mountainous desert extending for about one hundred miles from the wadi Zered to the Gulf of Aqaba.  The Edomites enjoyed the security the security of their mountain stronghold and the prosperity obtained by taxing caravans traveling through their territory.

"Rock" is the name of the Edomite capital, Sela.  The name emphasizes the security the Edomites enjoyed because of the narrow canyons that led in and out of Edom.  "Though thou set thy nest among the stars" is a figure of speech that emphasizes the inaccessibility and national security of their city.  However, their natural security is no match for God's determination.

As a general rule, when thieves or grape gatherers work, they do not search out and take everything, they merely take their fill.  However, God will so thoroughly judge Esau that He will make it bare.

A specific attack on Jerusalem in which Edom delighted and thus participated is the proximate cause of Edom's judgment.  Edom did not necessarily actually loot the fallen city, but God knows the attitudes of our heart, and we are as responsible for them as our overt acts of sin. 

The "Day of the Lord" in verse 15, is that predicted time when God will intervene actively in the affairs of humanity and all creation, in both blessing and judgment.  This period will begin with the Rapture of the Church and ends following the kingdom age with the purging of heaven and earth.  Throughout the Old Testament, this "day" was a recurring twofold theme of the prophets, identifying that time when the enemies of Israel would be defeated and God would bless the nation under the Davidiac covenant.  But this "day" also covered the tribulation and punishment of Israel, as it is sometimes characterized by judgment and wrath.  For Christians, whose sins have already been judged on the Cross, the day of the Lord is mainly a time of hope and blessing.

"Saviors," in verse 21, is better read "those saved."  The closing verse looks forward to that time when the Lord's people will come to "Mount Zion" and "judge the Mount of Esau" during the "kingdom age."  Many people are tempted to consider themselves beyond the reach of God.  But God will bring them low, just as He will lift those who humble themselves before Him.  One great day, He will establish His just rule over all.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi