Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 March 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."

Today's Blogs Title: "The Prophet's Question and the Lord's Reply"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-17
Today's Blogs Key Verse:  Habakkuk 1:12 "Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One?  We shall not die.  O Lord, You have appointed them for judgement; O Rock, You have marked them for correction."

The Hebrew concept "listen" means more than simply hear.  Habakkuk knows that God listens to his complaint.  What he cannot understand is why God does not act in response to his pleas.  In this case, God explains to the prophet "for our instruction."  You and I typically will not know why there seems to be no answer to our prayers.  But we as Christians can be sure that God does hear and has reasons for any apparent delay.

 When the words "violence" "injustice" and "wrong" as in the Old Testament as they are use in verse 3, without reference to some specific foreign enemy, they typically characterize conditions among God's people.  Despite Josiah's religious reforms, there had been no moral and social transformation.  Habakkuk has been driver to a conclusion that we as a child of God should remember: "Conversion with transformation is imitation." 

God's Law was locally administered by elders, who heard civil as well as as criminal cases.  To work, this system required honest judges and witnesses who would not lie.  What Habakkuk is saying in verse 4,  is that there are so many more wicked than righteous persons that justice "never prevails" in the courts.

In verses 6-11, Habakkuk describes the mighty Chaldean's who ruled Babylon from 625  to 539 B.C.  These verses graphically describe the military strategies adopted by the Babylonian forces, featuring swift, slashing cavalry attacks, verses 8-9, and sieges which featured construction of great earthen ramps that over topped the highest walls and permitted an assault on a city's forces.

In verses 13-17, Habakkuk raises the question, "Tolerating the treacherous."  If the wicked "succeed" they will exalt their power as their god.  Even worse, it will seem to all, that mankind is like a fish in the sea, with no moral governor supervising human affairs.  How can God permit the wicked to prosper and thus raise questions, not only about His moral governance of the universe, but also His very existence?

How many times have you and I wondered how God could also the wicked to prosper.  In Chapter 2 we will have an answer.

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, Love, Strength, and Grace be with you all.  May we a Christians reach to heaven with one hand and with the other reach out to this lost and dying of this planet.  May we as John at the close of the Book of Revelation 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 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

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