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¹ May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. (Yes Lord, Amen!)
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion. (Yes Lord, Send us Help!)
³ MAY HE REMEMBER ALL YOUR SACRIFICES
    and accept your burnt offerings. Psalm 20, of David

David wrote at least half of the Psalms, the longest book in the Bible. He continually cried out to God for help from his enemies and that is reflected in his writings. But David’s psalms were also written encourage all the others who would read them to call out to God in their own times of distress. ‘May the Lord answer you, may He send you help and may He remember your sacrifices.’ MAKING OFFERINGS TO THE LORD IS LIKE AN INVESTMENT, but not in the things of this world. (Personally, I think we should NEVER GIVE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FROM THE LORD. WRONG MOTIVES MAY BLOCK BLESSING, GOD DOESN’T NEED OUR SACRIFICES, BUT HE DOES REMEMBER THEM!) The offerings we give to the Lord here are recorded in heaven and may be returned to us in future blessings.

⁴ Cornelius stared at him in fear. ‘What is it, Lord?’ he asked.

The angel answered, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a MEMORIAL OFFERING BEFORE GOD. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. Acts 10

Cornelius, like David, was a military man, a centurion in the Italian Regiment. Cornelius’ prayers and offerings had come up as a memorial before God and an angel came and told him to send for Peter. Cornelius, his family and friends were the first recorded gentiles to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (It’s interesting that David was not allowed to build God’s temple in Jerusalem because of bloodshed, but Cornelius, another soldier, WAS CHOSEN to receive the Spirit).

⁷ SOME TRUST IN CHARIOTS AND SOME SOME IN HORSES,
    BUT WE TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
⁹ Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call! Psalm 20

David concludes the psalm with a reference to the military weapons of the day, but like Cornelius he saw beyond this physical realm. Both men, separated by centuries in time, looked beyond mere military might to an all knowing and all powerful God. In the final verse, David, as is often the case in his psalms, calls to God for complete victory over the enemy. We so need this mentality in the days ahead, God wants to help us take down our enemy and His enemy. David often felt overwhelmed, but then rose up in faith to declare complete victory.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

³⁴ ‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; TAKE YOUR INHERITANCE, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”. Matthew 25 

Chapter 25 is the end of Jesus’ teachings in Matthew’s Gospel, after that He moves on towards the cross and His sacrifice for mankind. He gives three teachings in this chapter and they all reach a defining moment , when the Lord appears. They also focus upon the deeds of those involved and how their deeds determine their destiny.

The first parable, which we touched on yesterday, dealt with the ten virgins waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. Five of them were called wise (Five is the number of Grace and we all need Grace from God) because they had brought additional oil and the others were declared foolish, as they had no reserves of oil. Both were prone to drowsiness, but the wise rose up and greeted the bridegroom when He arrived.

¹⁰ ‘But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut’. Matthew 25

That moment when the wait is over and we will all stand before the Lord!

The second is the parable of the talents, given in differing amounts to three servants. Likewise, we’ve all received different talents, some greater than others. The tragedy of the one talent servant was that he didn’t try to DO ANYTHING with his talent. How many ‘one talent servants’ are in this position today, not using anything they have for the good of the Kingdom here and now. Look for opportunities to serve and do something for the Lord and His people, He gave up everything for us.

^{28 “}So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance”.

The third and final parable is very shocking because of its finality, the ultimate separation of all people into two categories, SHEEP OR GOATS (Only two categories!) This distinction will come when the Lord sits on His judgement throne and all mankind passes before Him. The determining factor will be our treatment of others, especially those who belong to the Lord.

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” 

⁴⁰ ‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, YOU DID FOR ME.” Matthew 25

Once again those who didn’t help others in need are placed on the Lord’s left hand. There are only two destinations, no middle ground for any of us. We must be sure to live as the Lord’s now in order that we can ENTER INTO OUR INHERITANCE IN ETERNITY.

The summary of Jesus final words of teaching recorded in Matthew 25. Stay vigilant, use what’s been given you and care for the needy, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. You’ll be glad you did when the Lord appears.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

⁴² “THEREFORE KEEP WATCH (Be Watchful), because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24

Jesus was speaking to His disciples at the Temple, where they’d drawn His attention to the impressive buildings and no doubt His answer shocked them to the core.

² “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “TRULY I TELL YOU, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Matthew 24

The Romans would eventually come in AD70 and ransack the religious centre of the city of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation. The Jews couldn’t imagine such a terrible thing would happen, but it did. However, by then a new dispensation had begun, that was centred on the person of Christ and not on a religious edifice. It’s easy to become focused on magnificent man made objects and systems here and miss out the truth, which is often more elusive. (God is shaking many things around us in these days)

At the end of Matthew 24 and the beginning of chapter 25, the Lord gives us three examples of people who should have been watching for His coming, but were in danger of being caught out.

⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24

The house owner had no idea when the thief was coming and was therefore liable to be robbed of his valuables. Derek Prince said that he believed that people (church members) who weren’t awaiting the Lord’s return could never be truly holy. They were distracted by other things.

⁴⁵ “Who then is the FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Matthew 24

The Lord gave the servant a trust, but because he was away a long time this servant neglected his duties and ‘Lived it up’, enjoying the things of this life.

⁴⁸ But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ ⁴⁹ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. Matthew 24

Chapter 25 continues with the account of the five wise and five foolish virgins. They all became drowsy and were sleeping when the bridegroom arrived, but five were completely caught out, because they had ‘No additional oil for their lamps’. Oil usually represents the things of the Spirit, they had no spiritual resources to call upon in the hours of darkness.

¹¹ ‘Later the others also came. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!”

¹² ‘But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”

¹³ ‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25

WAITING WILL OFTEN EXPOSE WEAKNESS! We can’t afford to become slack in our daily walk, we need to keep the Lord in the forefront of our lives. He waits to see how we’ll react when He doesn’t come to our expectations. He is faithful, but there will be times when we’re left to wait alone, we mustn’t give up but stay watchful until He makes Himself known.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

²⁶ “There is no one like the God of JESHURUN,
    who rides across the heavens to help you
    and on the clouds in his majesty. Deuteronomy 33

²⁶ There is none like God, O Jeshurun [Israel], Who rides through the heavens to your help and in His majestic glory through the skies. Deuteronomy 33, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC

JESHURUN means “upright one” or “blessed one” and is used to express affection for Israel, maybe like a “pet name” God has for His children. This chapter is when Moses spoke the Lord’s blessings over the twelve individual tribes, but this section speaks of a blessing over all the people of God.

²⁶ “THERE IS NO ONE LIKE THE GOD OF JESHURUN,
    who rides across the heavens TO HELP YOU (US)
    and on the clouds in his majesty.
²⁷ The eternal God is your (OUR) refuge,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your (OUR) enemies before you (US),
    saying, ‘Destroy them!’ Deuteronomy 33

The above two verses were used as a proclamation by Derek and Ruth Prince and they personalised the verses by declaring ‘US and OUR’. Declaring scripture is powerful because we’re quoting God’s words back to Him and He says ‘His word can never return to Him void/empty but always achieves His purpose’. Isaiah 55:11

THERE IS NO ONE LIKE OUR GOD AND THE GOD OF ISRAEL, NO ONE. The most powerful person in the universe is on our side and He comes to help us when we need Him most, TODAY!

The final words of Moses’ blessing are reassurance of God’s love for His people and wanting the best for them. Proclaiming His word daily will remind us of His goodness towards us and that His desire is to bless us greatly.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

23 Then Jesus said to THE CROWDS AND TO HIS DISCIPLES: ² ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. BUT DO NOT DO WHAT THEY DO, FOR THEY DO NOT PRACTISE WHAT THEY PREACH. Matthew 23

Jesus spoke to the masses AND to His own disciples about the ‘Flaws of Failings’ of the Religious establishment in Israel in His day. He addressed in the strongest terms where the religious hierarchy were wrong and how they were enticing others along the wrong paths. I believe that many decent people with good hearts are liable to be drawn away from THE FREEDOM OF THE KINGDOM AND INTO RELIGIOUS BONDAGE. We often here today about celebrities who have joined this or that religion, trying to add credibility to the false.

4 But the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some in the church will turn away from Christ and become eager followers of teachers with devil-inspired ideas. (Doctrines taught by demons) ² These teachers will tell lies with straight faces and do it so often that their consciences won’t even bother them. 1 Timothy 4, The Living Bible 

So the enemy has planted people within the Church whom he will use to deliberately lead others astray. Jesus warned the crowds and His disciples to be wary of such. This is a time when we must be very cautious about accepting things at ‘FACE VALUE’ and not asking for God’s validation on what’s before us. I had an incidence recently where the Lord told Anne, ‘My feet were being derailed!’ The enemy can and will use even people we know to draw us away from God’s path for our own lives.

The greatest deception in the day we live in has come through mainstream media. We have become a society of news consumers and the enemy has used this to great effect to manipulate people’s minds, including many believers. Much of society and the Church have been drawn away from the Lord and from TRUTH. It’s a sad fact that so many today are actually opposing God’s rescue plans for mankind at this time and even calling them wicked.

Matthew 23 recounts what Jesus called the ‘Seven Woes’, seven judgments that were going to fall upon those who were harming the people, God’s people. We have entered a season when God’s judgment is coming upon the wicked, but we must be careful not to side against God in these matters. Christians are often told we must be compassionate, which is true as God forgives us much, but Jesus didn’t overlook corruption in His day and a holy God cannot tolerate it now. The phrase, ‘Judgement onto Justice’ is coming to pass now and we mustn’t interfere with it, no matter the consequences. Ask the Lord for His perspective on what’s happening and be prepared to wait until He speaks.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

³⁵ She (Leah) conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. Genesis 29

JUDAH, whose name sounds like and can be derived from the Hebrew for PRAISE, was Leah and Jacob’s fourth born son. In human terms he was some way from the front of the line but because of life’s events and the failures of his elder brothers, Judah became a leader in the family and eventually the major tribe in the nation of Israel.

Judah comes to the fore when Joseph was captured by his brothers. Reuben pleaded with them not to take his life but to throw him into a cistern and he planned to rescue him and return him to his father, but that wasn’t God’s plan.

²¹ When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said. ²² “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. Genesis 37

Reuben intended to rescue Joseph and somehow get him back home to Jacob. However, it was Judah who spoke up and determined Joseph’s fate by suggesting that they spare his life and sell him to passing traders. (Slavery has been around for a very long time)

²⁶ Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? ²⁷ Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed. Genesis 37

We understand from what Joseph later said that it was the Lord who initiated all this, but Joseph’s brothers were unaware of it until they met him again in Egypt.

It’s interesting that a younger brother has given us some wise advice this very morning regarding an outstanding legal matter. Judah was the fourth eldest, but he had wisdom from the Lord to help his family. The Lord chose Judah’s descendants to bring blessing to the world and rescue it’s people.

God’s purpose for our lives will prevail as we continue to walk with Him and I believe His callings on many lives are going to come about rapidly in the days we’re entering. We all need to tread carefully before the Lord and pray that His purposes for our lives will come to fruition and that nothing will derail them.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.

 

⁵ YOU, O LORD, ARE FORGIVING AND GOOD,
    ABOUNDING IN LOVE TO ALL WHO CALL TO YOU.
⁶ Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
⁷ When I am in distress, I call to you,
    because you answer me. Psalm 86

Just some scriptures to close out this week, the first two are psalms of David, fleeing from his enemies and praying for God’s mercy upon his life.

Psalm 18

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

(It’s interesting that though Saul sought David’s life he wasn’t counted among his enemies.)

This beautiful scripture from Job was quoted by Andrew Whalen recently on Elijahstreams. He spoke of the Change that is coming, a Change for good and blessings for the people of God. Declare it over your own life, speak God’s future over yourself.

May the Lord bless and keep you this weekend. Immanuel, God is with us.

³ Commit (Literally ROLL) your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance]. Proverbs 16:3, Amplified Bible

² A person thinks all his ways are pure,
but the Lord weighs motives. (Check your motives, wrong motives can be a hindrance)
³ Entrust your efforts to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16, God’s Word Bible

The same verse in three different versions of the scripture, perhaps God will speak to some of us more through one of these different texts. We all do something and of course we want it to be successful, but perhaps we should involve God more in what we’re doing. God may be calling some today to give over the reins to Him and allow Him to direct the coach for a while. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything but to make sure that He’s the one directing and we’re following His lead. The Father always knows best, although the Flesh strives to remain in control. Take some time today to ponder these scriptures and affirm to God that you need His input in every area. He is more than able to help us when we’ll let Him.

^5-8 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life! Proverbs 3 The Message Bible 

May God bless and guide you today as you seek His direction.

²³ Then you will know that I am the Lord;
    those who hope in me will not be disappointed.’ Isaiah 49

Immanuel, God is with us.

 

⁸ Keep me as THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings
⁹ from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me. Psalm 17

Psalm 17 is a Prayer of David for deliverance from his enemies and he uses an unusual little phrase in his prayer, ‘Keep me as The Apple of Your Eye’. David was continually pursued by enemies from within his own people (Saul) and by the Philistines and many others. David doesn’t just send up another prayer to God for His help, but speaks to Him in an intimate way.

⁸ Keep me as the APPLE OF YOUR EYE;
    hide me in the SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS Psalm 17

David didn’t just ask for God’s help again and again, he wanted to know God’s presence with him. He felt the need to be CLOSE TO GOD in all the trials and tribulations he faced in his life. The Scripture tells us that, ‘God is Love’, 1 John 4:8 and Love needs find someone to confide in. God is a God of Relationships and each of us can move beyond just asking for our needs to be met, to asking God to know His love in a personal way for ourselves. Relationship always takes time, but good relationships are so rewarding, some of the most precious and important things here on earth.

Some other scriptures which speak of ‘US’ BEING THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE.

God told Israel (who never had His indwelling Spirit) how they should live so that He could bless and care for them.

⁸ For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches THE APPLE OF HIS EYE— ⁹ I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Zechariah 2

A warning for all those today who seek to hurt and harm the people of God.

³⁷ ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, HOW OFTEN I HAVE LONGED TO GATHER YOUR CHILDREN TOGETHER, AS A HEN GATHERS HER CHICKS UNDER HER WINGS, Matthew 23

Some of the Lord’s words as He drew near the time of His crucifixion, once again an expression of Love for His people before His ultimate sacrifice and such a cruel death.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.