Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 26 January 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "Introduction to the Book of "Habakkuk"

Today we start with number 8 of the 12 Minor Prophets, with an introduction into the Book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk, who calls himself "the prophet" may have also been a Levite who eagerly participated in Josiah's reforms, but was troubled by the moral laxity that he continued to observe.  While his work is not dated, his reference to the unexpected emergence of Babylon as a great power even then taking place, Habakkuk 2:5-6, persuasively suggests he ministered reign the of Josiah. 

The prophecy of Habakkuk, is unique among all prophetic literature.  Overall, it contains a high caliber of Hebrew poetry.  The first two chapters of his book constitute a dialogue between the prophet and the Lord concerning the invasion of the Chaldeans, Habakkuk 1:1-11 and their destruction, 1:12-2:20.  Chapter 3, is a psalm with instructions given to the musicians for its rendering, 3:1,19.  In the first two chapters of this Book, the prophet contends with the Lord, and then in the third chapter he submits to the Lord, just as we as Christians should do each and every day that we live here upon this earth. 

We will note that God did not strike Habakkuk down for the two questions that he asked in Chapter 1, instead He answered.  The Lord Himself will establish His kingdom.  He will hold all people and nations accountable.  The present may be filled with wickedness and chaos, but the future belongs to the righteous, the truly righteous.  God will bring in His kingdom, give rest and salvation to His people, and judge His people's adversaries. 

OUTLINE TO THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK

I. The prophets dialogue with the Lord Habakkuk 1:1-2:20
    A. The First Cycle Habakkuk 1:1-11
         1. The Prophets First Question, Habakkuk 1:1-4
         2. The Lord's First Response, Habakkuk 1:5-11
    B. The Second Cycle Habakkuk 1:12-2:20
         1. The Prophets Second Question Habakkuk 1:12-17
         2. The Lord's Response 2:1-20
II. The prophets deference of the Lord Habakkuk 3:1-19
     A. His Prayer to God Habakkuk 3:1-2
     B. His Praise of God Habakkuk 3:3-15
     C. His trust in God Habakkuk 3:16-19

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from Hebrews 4:15-16.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. God 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, Love, and Grace be with you all.  May we as Christians reach to heaven with on hand and to the lost and dying of this world with the other.  May we like John at the end of the Book of Revelation say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

Your Sister in Christ
Cindi

Bible Scripture Writing

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus for 5 January 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blog Title: "The Woe of Nineveh."
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Nahum 3:1-19
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Nahum 3:5 "Behold I am against you," says the LORD of hosts, "I will life your skirts over your face, I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame."   

Chapter 3 of Nahum is a woe oracle explaining the reasons for the siege and destruction of Nineveh.  Nineveh is called the "bloody city" and is pictured as a "harlot" whose "witchcraft" and "whoredoms" shall be brought down to the dust.  "Discover" means to "uncover."  Thus, Nineveh shall be exposed for what she is, "the mistress of the nations."

In verse 6 and 7 the Lord described the fate of Nineveh as comparable to a person on whom unspeakable "filth" was cast.  When Nineveh would lay in ruins, no one would "bemoan " her.  The nations would be glad that she was gone.

Nahum predicts the ultimate destruction of mighty Nineveh in the prophetic present: "Nineveh is laid waste."  Nineveh would be like a helpless drunk hoping for refuge, but finding nowhere to turn for it.  

In verse 12, Nahum satirically describes the "strongholds" of Nineveh as being so easily defeated that they would be like fruit trees that drop their "figs" into waiting mouths.  In verse 14 and 15, Nahum taunted Nineveh by telling the people to prepare for their siege.  The actual siege of Nineveh continued over two years.

Despite the great economic and military strength of Nineveh, there was nothing lasting in the cities power.  The people of Nineveh would be like nocturnal insects that disappear at daylight.  "Your shepherd slumbers" means that when shepherds are not alert, the sheep CANNOT be saved from danger.

In the concluding verse of Nahum the statement "All who hear" means,  that every nations and people that had suffered under the abusive power of Nineveh, would SHOUT and CLAP upon hearing of the city's destruction.  There would be NO mourning for Nineveh.

Click on this link www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Reading from 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4.

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 Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.  May you with one hand reach toward Heaven and with the other reach out to the lost and dying of this world.  May we as John say, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come."   

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 4 January 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lord."

Today's Blogs Title: "The Destruction of Nineveh"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Nahum 2:1-13
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Nahum 2:13 "Behold, I am against you," says the LORD of hosts, " I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more."

"Man the fort" in verse 1, were sarcastic words to the people of Nineveh and its leaders, as if they would be able to protect themselves against the wrath of God.  Nineveh's armory of over 40 acres, contained all the weapons that had made the Assyrian Empire great: bows, arrows, spears, armor, and chariots.  Yet the Prophet Nahum's call to arms is mocking, for what ever the Assyrians may do will futile, for God has determined that the city WILL fall.

"The LORD will restore" in verse 2, means that the WRATH of God against the enemies of His people will one day be DESTROYED, and the people of God will be restored.  "Excellence," in the same verse means "majesty," "beauty," or "wonder."  Both Israel and Judah needed to be restored because both kingdoms were devastated by the massive Assyrian army. 

The passages of verses 3-13, describe the siege of Nineveh.  The fall of Nineveh that was predicted by Nahum took place only a few years after this prophecy in 612 B.C. and was followed by the final destruction of the Assyrian Empire in 609 B.C. 

The words, "red, scarlet, flaming torches," in verse 3 speak of blood, violence and warfare.  The "chariots rage" refers to the fact that the Assyrians used chariots as formidable war machines.  The proficiency of the chariot drivers underlies the imagery of this verse.  BUT as in the case of the shields and spears in verse 3, the chariots of Nineveh would not prevail no matter how fast they drove, for the people of the city would be so stunned to be under attack that they would appear helpless in their actions.

"Gates of the rivers are opened" is how it is believed the destruction of the city of Nineveh happened.  It is believed that the attackers entered the city of Nineveh through its flooded waterways.  The attack came at flood time when rivers undermined the walls and defenses of the city.    

"Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold!" in verse 9, is a reference that Assyria had despoiled many nations, including Samaria and the cites of Israel.  There seemed to be no end to the loot that could be found within its walls.  Nevertheless, even Nineveh, was exhausted of its treasures and at long last it was "empty."

Nineveh was the "city of lions" verse 13, yet despite all the horrors that the "lion of Nineveh" had brought to other nations, it would no longer feared by ANYONE.  Although the Babylonians had conquered the city, they were used by God to do it, for Nineveh's GREATEST FOE was the "LORD of host" himself.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from Psalm 17:5-8.

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."

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.  May you with one hand reach out to heaven and with he other reach out to the lost and dying of this world, and as John say, "Come Lord Jesus, Come."

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi