Devotional: Psalms 1

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper....
Psalms 1:1-3

God's Word is full of promises of blessings. Great blessings for our families, even generations to come are promised. The greatest promise is fulfilled in Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah. His Blood and our belief and acceptance of its atoning work bridges the gap between man and God forever. The Bible is sometimes called the law of the Lord, and it is our guidebook. But even more amazingly it spells out the character of God and explains His infinite Mercy and Love for us. As you read the Bible you can meet the Almighty God Himself as a real, responsive, intimate person. It says in the Gospel of John that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Jesus is the Word of God in tangible form.

Psalms 1 begins with a blessing for a godly person. This does not mean we all must become religious and follow every letter of the law. It means that we hold God's Word above the logic of the world, and the opinions of man. But the key that I want to bring forth here is the phrase: "his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

What does it mean to delight in the law of the Lord? I know people who delight in Starbucks, or ice cream, or perhaps in their grandchildren. Things I could definitely delight in. I love reading the Word of God, to me it is always alive and relevant. But I have heard others, even pastors and leaders--godly men and women--who speak of seasons where the Word is dry and difficult to read. But that doesn't mean that they would place God's Word lower than other sources of counsel. There is simply a special blessing for those who have pursued God and find His law their delight.

I am one who delights in the law of the Lord, but have found myself in busy seasons where my day and my life is so full of other things that I am not meditating on the Word. I thank God that He has so imparted His Word to my heart that it is there at the tip of my tongue when someone is in need of encouragement, or wisdom--including myself. But again, this Psalm is promising a special blessing.

How can we attain God's richest blessings in our busy world? To begin with we must realize just how precious His Word is. Read Psalm 119, it gives the best overall picture of how valuable the Word of God is. There are many people in this world who don't have access to a Bible, yet they would consider it very precious if they could obtain one. Many of us have heard stories of those in China who have torn a New Testament into individual pages, so that they could share pieces among house churches. Others dedicate their lives to translating it into new languages, to reach more people. It seems to me those who have perhaps several Bibles are the ones who use it more for a reference book than as something precious. The people who read the Word regularly are those who seem to know the heart of God the best. Those who come to us and ask for prayer because they can't hear God and need his direction, are the ones who spend little time reading, let alone meditating on His Word.

The word for meditate is a word that indicates chewing, like a cow chews its cud. Bring it back into your mind as you drive or do chores, and turn it over in your mind. Pray and ask God for His Revelation on a subject or specific scripture. Perhaps you can begin by memorizing these 3 verses, or choose one that is your favorite from anywhere in Bible. Perhaps God would have you pray a portion of scripture for a season over a loved one, or yourself. These are different ways to bring the Word into the forefront of your mind. Your life will begin to change, because your perspective will begin to change. This isn't a formula, and you won't see results overnight. But God's promises are true. I would love to see more of God's people prosper so that the Gospel can go forth in greater measure.

THE TIME OF WRATH by Mary Clark

This is a repost by Mary Clark. I don't often do this, but parts of this really resonated with my spirit. It has been my heart to call people to read the Word of God and have an intimate relationship with the Lord in this day and in this hour. We cannot be deceived and we will not fear if we develop our absolute trust in Him, Jesus our Messiah, now. "O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:2

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Daniel 11: 36 & 37 The king will do as he pleases.  He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods.  He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.  He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all.

I tell you, beloved, that perilous times are ahead for those who have not chosen to follow My course – perilous times.  Be comforted in knowing that I am well aware of what is coming forth, and My arm is not short.  For those who have turned away from Me, there will be a day of reckoning the likes of which the world has never seen.  I want you to regard these words as truth, taking them into your heart, and looking to Me, keeping your focus on Me, the Holy One Who is well able to deliver you from the wrath of the wicked one.

I am your God.  The gates of hell shall not prevail against My will.  My will shall shine forth as the noonday sun.  Be that it may, the evil one is releasing all of his tormentors as a last-ditch effort to pull as many as possible from My loving grasp.  As you see his work,  know that no matter what he pulls in the way of evilness, the Beloved's strength and might will prevail - will prevail to the end.

I am looking forward to seeing all come to a grand finale.  I am looking forward to seeing My very own children dance in the face of conflict, and focus on the Beloved for all of their needs.  I will deliver in ways you never dreamed possible.  Yes, I am your God, and I am well able to supply all of your needs during this time of catastrophe when the evil one takes his position on earth, telling the world words of lies – words that many will digest, taking them into their hearts.  But My very own beloved will pay his words, his lies, no mind, focus on Me, and follow My course into all of the wonder that I have planned.

So know this:  I am a God of great truth, My truth shall prevail, shall live on forever.  The enemy speaks lies.  He has one to fit every situation, but know that My truth can take his lies and topple them, sending them to oblivion.  So follow My course.  See the tides swell and know that just as surely as the waves touch the shore, I am with you, I am giving you My signals of love and devotion and you will conquer in the end, dear one.  Yes.  You will walk in My truth, My strength, and know the real value of serving the One Who is Almighty. 

The enemy is about to make a pronouncement on earth.  When he does, I want you to be prepared, beloved, prepared to launch an all-out attack on him and his lies.  I want you standing straight and tall.  I do not want to see you cowering.  I want to see you upright, poised for action.  Get ready to move out of your places of complacency, dear one.  Get ready to move into the delight of My heart, for this is the place where you will gain strength and know that My deepest desire is to see you walking free of the enemy and his cohorts. 

This is the hour for new understanding, revelation so deep, dear one, that it will boggle your mind. This is the hour to stand fast in all that I have for you.  For just as I came to earth as a baby to show Myself meek and mild, I will now come in My strength and awesome power, presenting My heart to those who have served Me.  And just what is My heart presenting to you, My beloved?  It is presenting a new hour replete with the knowledge of My love for you.  It is presenting a catching away into a place of wonder, a place where you will be so captivated by My love that the intruder will have no access to you, no access whatsoever.

Know that I have a wonderful plan for those who serve Me.  The enemy may be touting his lies of dissention, but they will get him nowhere, because the King of glory is making Himself known in a mighty way, and My beloved will realize the rich quality of My love and worship Me unconditionally.  That is all that I ask, beloved, for you to worship Me unconditionally.

Oh!  We will have a grand old time when we are united in that place of wonder that I have prepared for those who have offered their time and love to Me – a grand old time – a time of great wonder the likes of which you have never seen.  So get ready to identify My will in your life in an extraordinary way, and know this:  The evil one will do as he pleases just as long as I let him, but not a moment longer, beloved, not even a fraction of a second longer!!!

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Mary Clark

OUR WORLD: WELCOME TO PALISTINE by Caroline Glick, Jerusalem Post

The Jerusalem Post one of the main sources of media in Israel. I am posting this, not because I don't love Muslims who have been terribly deceived and brainwashed, but because most Americans don't have a clue what it's like here. We have friends in ministry in Gaza, and in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). It is utter insanity that the US is putting $ and weapons in the hands of Fatah, who has taken credit for the suicide bombing last week in Eilat. I think all US politicians should be required to go visit some of these places for a few days to open their blind eyes. The Bible says the "Truth will set us free."  Please continue to pray fervently for Jesus to invade these areas in dreams and visions and sending believers as witnesses--AND for protection for those brave believers. Nothing is too hard for God. If you are interested in reading a perspective of Israelis in the aftermath of the bombing in Eilat please visit my friend Christine's blog: http://christine-theview.blogspot.com/

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The Jerusalem Post Internet
Edition

Our World: Welcome to Palestine
by Caroline Glick
THE JERUSALEM POST Jan. 30, 2007
________________________________

In the world of international diplomacy few issues receive
more wall-to-wall support than the notion that it is
essential to establish a Palestinian state. Leaders
worldwide are so busy speaking of how essential it is for a
State of Palestine to be founded that none of them seems to
have noticed that it already exists.

This state was officially founded in the summer of 2005,
when Israel removed its military forces and civilian
population from the Gaza Strip and so established the first
wholly independent Palestinian state in history. Israel's
destruction of four Israeli communities in Northern Samaria
and curtailment of its military operations in the area set
the conditions for statehood in that area as well.

And so it is that as statesmen and activists worldwide
loudly proclaim their commitment to establishing the
sovereign State of Palestine, they miss the fact that
Palestine exists. And it is a nightmare.

In the State of Palestine 88 percent of the public feels
insecure. Perhaps the other 12 percent are members of the
multitude of regular and irregular militias. For in the
State of Palestine the ratio of
police/militiamen/men-under-arms to civilians is higher than
in any other country on earth.

In the State of Palestine, two-year-olds are killed and no
one cares. Children are woken up in the middle of the night
and murdered in front of their parents. Worshipers in
mosques are gunned down by terrorists who attend competing
mosques. And no one cares. No international human rights
groups publish reports calling for an end to the slaughter.
No UN body condemns anyone or sends a fact-finding mission
to investigate the murders.

In the State of Palestine, women are stripped naked and
forced to march in the streets to humiliate their husbands.
Ambulances are stopped on the way to hospitals and wounded
are shot in cold blood. Terrorists enter operating rooms in
hospitals and unplug patients from life-support machines.

In the State of Palestine, people are kidnapped from their
homes in broad daylight and in front of the television
cameras. This is the case because the kidnappers themselves
are cameramen. Indeed, their commanders often run television
stations. And because terror commanders run television
stations in the State of Palestine, it should not be
surprising that they bomb the competition's television
stations.

SO IT WAS that last week, terrorists from this group or that
group bombed Al Arabiya television station in Gaza. And so
it is that Hamas attacks Fatah radio announcers and closes
down their radio station claiming that they use their
microphones to incite murder. Because indeed, they are
inciting murder. What would one expect for terrorists to do
when placed in charge of a radio station?

And so it is that in the State of Palestine, journalists -
whether members of terror groups or not - are part of the 88
percent of their public who are afraid. Sunday they
protested outside the offices of one terror faction or
another that controls the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, reporter Ala Masharawi
explained, "No one goes outside, no one moves without
thinking twice. Gaza's streets have become terrible streets,
especially at night. Gaza is a ghost town."

As the Post's Khaled Abu Toameh reported last week, in the
State of Palestine, Christians are persecuted, robbed and
beaten in what can only be viewed as a systematic campaign
to end the Christian presence in places like Bethlehem. As
Samir Qumsiyeh, owner of the Beit Sahur-based private
Al-Mahd (Nativity) TV station lamented, "I believe that 15
years from now there will be no Christians left in
Bethlehem. Then you will need a torch to find a Christian
here."

MANY GOVERNMENT ministers and commentators seek strategic
meaning in the strife in the State of Palestine. Foreign
Minister Tzipi Livni, for instance, goes on and on about the
need to strengthen the "moderates" - that is, the Fatah
terror group - over the "extremists" - that is, the Hamas
terror group.

Helping her to propound this nonsense is PA Chairman and
Fatah chief Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas and his men tell Westerners
how pro-Western they are at the same time as they name
streets and schools financed by US aid after Saddam Hussein
and build sports facilities on the American taxpayers' tab
in memory of terrorists who killed American soldiers in
Iraq.

For the umpteenth time, on Sunday Fatah spokesmen in PA
Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's office blamed Iran and Syria for
the escalating violence in Gaza and Judea and Samaria that
has killed 29 people, including two children, in four days.
"Iran and Syria are encouraging Hamas to continue fighting
against Fatah," they alleged.

And yet, just last Thursday the Shin Bet arrested Omar
Damra, a Fatah terrorist in Nablus. Damra is accused of
manufacturing suicide bomb belts and attempting to smuggle
them into Israel. He also stands accused of plotting to
place explosive devices along roads in Judea and Samaria
with the intention of blowing up IDF patrols.

Damra and his partner and fellow Fatah terrorist Mahmad
Ramaha, who was arrested a month ago, were working under the
instruction of Hizbullah - that is, under the direction of
Iran. According to the Shin Bet, Hizbullah - that is, Iran -
has taken over Fatah operations in Nablus. Since Israel's
withdrawal from northern Samaria in August 2005, the Shin
Bet has noted that, like Gaza, the Nablus area has become a
mini-Afghanistan.

So not only are Hamas terrorists operating under Iranian and
Syrian direction today, Fatah terrorists are as well. Yet
this doesn't stop the US and Israel from pouring guns and
money into the hands of Fatah terror chiefs. They fail to
recognize that what you see is what you get.

These guns are not used to encourage moderation. These guns
are used against Israelis and Palestinians alike in a turf
battle between terror groups over money, guns and power that
will never end. And it will never end because fighting and
killing for money, guns and power is what terrorists do.

FOR THE past 13 years, since the Palestinian Authority was
established in 1994, the contours of the State of Palestine
have taken form in front of our eyes. Starting with Yasser
Arafat's abrogation of the rule of law and murderous
campaign against land dealers and journalists, with each
passing year and with each move to further empower the PA,
the situation has only grown worse. And yet, international
pressure on Israel from Arabs, Europeans and the US to
surrender more territory, curtail its authority, abrogate
its claims to the areas set for Palestine, and finance the
Fatah terror group have only grown in intensity.

And with each passing year, as the reality of Palestine has
become clearer, the Israeli leadership's will to resist this
pressure is increasingly eroded.

So it is that last week Defense Minister Amir Peretz
announced that he supports negotiating with Hamas. Peretz
laid out his "vision" for the reinstatement of the so-called
peace process with the Palestinians, and stated that, to
"empower" the Palestinians, he supports extending the ban on
IDF operations from Gaza to Judea and Samaria. It should go
without saying that such IDF operations are aimed at
preventing massacres of Israeli civilians like the one that
happened in Eilat Monday morning.

LIVNI, FOR her part, has become the international champion
of Fatah. Gushing to an audience of international peace
processors in Davos, Switzerland, last week, Livni said, "In
order to achieve peace and in order to promote a process, we
must stick to this vision of a two-state solution and
examine what the best steps to take are."

Of course, neither Livni nor Peretz, who insist that
Israel's most urgent priority is to establish Palestine, is
willing to recognize that Palestine exists already. They
refuse to acknowledge what we already know: Palestine is a
terror state and an economic basket case fully funded by the
international community. Indeed, over the past year since
Hamas won the Palestinian elections, international
assistance to the Palestinians has increased dramatically.

As Ibrahim Gambari, the UN under-secretary-general for
political affairs, noted last Thursday, official Western aid
to the Palestinians, not including Arab and Iranian support
for Hamas and Fatah, increased by 10 percent in 2006 over
2005, and stood at $1.2 billion.

The Palestinians, who receive more aid per capita than any
people on earth, are needy not because they lack funds. They
are poor because they prefer poverty, violence and war to
prosperity, peace and moderation. So it is that 57 percent
of Palestinians support terror attacks against Israel.

The multitude of protesters worldwide who demand an end to
the so-called "occupation" and the establishment of
Palestine should be made aware of the fact that Palestine
already exists. The hordes of political leaders mindlessly
squawking about "visions" and "two-state solutions" should
know: This is Palestine. Enter at your own risk.

The Jerusalem Post Internet
Edition article

Face to Face

I was standing on the sidewalk just outside the Old City of Jerusalem in prayer, looking toward the ancient city of David and the Mt of Olives. There was a fair amount of traffic, tour buses and cars passing by. A small narrow tractor used to deliver goods down the narrow walking streets in the Old City passed me, then stopped, blocking traffic. An Arab man walking on the side walk walked up and with a warm greeting, reached for the other Arab man's hand who was driving the tractor. They proceeded to shake with one hand, and embrace with the other--while kissing each other on both cheeks--not once--but twice! By this time about 5 cars were honking with all their might--Israeli style. Working men, embracing like this share much more than words. Their smells, their sweat, their lives become intermingled in those moments.

The man was so cheered by this greeting that as he left the tractor, which began to slowly move, he waved heartily, with a huge smile at the Jewish man in the first car, who was of course blowing his horn the loudest. And the Lord immediately spoke to me.

In America, men shake hands. I was a woman in corporate America for a time, so I did some of that ritual handshaking as well. It is a brief clasp of the hand, the pressure and length of the handshake tells you something about the person's personality. In any case, it is a brief encounter. At church, sometimes you may get a hug along with the handshake--church is more like family in that regard.

In the Middle East, this type of greeting I saw is more common. In fact I have often seen people stop whatever they are doing to embrace in a warm and sincere greeting similar to this. This time was a pretty extreme case, stopping traffic and all. But hospitality, close friendships and relationships in general are more meaningful in this culture.

What kind of greeting would God desire? Jesus was born and raised in the middle eastern culture. I imagine he would greet the disciples much like these two men did. With hearty, sincere joy of their encounter. Of course, the Lord is well aware of the different cultures we were all brought up with. Some families don't do much "touching" at all. Others are very "touchy-feely". The Lord has indicated that He will always meet us where we are at.

But what is His desire? The Bible tells us that our Lord is an intimate, passionate God. He desires intimacy with us. Read the Song of Solomon! He gave us His Word so that we could get to know Him, see Him as He is. We can get glimpses of His personality, His heart, His desires and His love--from reading the Word and meditating on it. If we only open our Bible's at a church service, it is like greeting your friend without even a handshake. If you open your Bible occasionally, perhaps this is like a handshake--you are genuinely happy to spend this short time with Him. And so-forth, until you come to the place where you spend enough time with Him that you desire to see Him face to face. You spend time reading the Bible and praying, then while you work, play and worship--you are meditating on the Word of God and His character. When you pray and when you speak of God with your family, friends and acquaintances--you know He is there with you. If He were to walk into the room at any moment during your day you would jump up, run to Him and greet Him. Maybe you would even stop traffic! That greeting would be like the one I witnessed yesterday. A handshake, an embrace, kisses on both cheeks--twice--a meeting Face-to-Face. May our lives become intermingled with the Life of the Living God frequently!

Treasure in Earthen Vessels

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6

I have heard many prophets and ministers lately, giving the examples from the Bible about our lives being like clay in the Potter's Hand. Over the years I've contemplated that God has indeed shaped and moulded my life to be a fit vessel unto His honor. I have been cracked and broken and the Master Potter has skillfully mended me better and stronger than I was originally, even though it was my own mistakes that caused my brokenness. I remember meditating on this at least 20 years ago and I nod my head in agreement, our God is Amazing.

Today I received a new perspective of us as clay pots. Clay pots can be fashioned by hand, or turned on a wheel, some are poured into molds and other are fashioned from coils of clay pressed and moulded together. Small children take clay and just press the lump into a bowl or pot type shape. In some countries clay is left in the sun to dry. As it dries it hardens, but if not properly conditioned it can become brittle. I had the opportunity while growing up to take ceramic classes at a relative's home. She was a talented teacher and artist, so I learned a lot from her.

She used clay 'slip' to pour into molds, which were then dried on shelves in the warm room. The art students would carefully smooth the edges created by the molds and then the clay vessel is 'fired'. This would harden and strength the clay. Afterwards a glaze is applied and the piece is 'fired' again, at a higher temperature. Glaze seals the porous clay, or ceramic, making it lustrous and waterproof. If the piece is to be preciously detailed with 'china paint', the artist carefully mixes powdered paint with lavender oil and medium(another oil substance). This 'china paint' (usually reserved for fine china) is fired at a very high temperature to seal the vivid colors of the details into the glazed piece. Finally, if a gold or silver trim is desired, they use some a real precious metal mixture and tiny, thin brushes to carefully place the treasured trim. Then the piece is again 'fired' yet again, causing the brilliant gold or silver to come forth for all to admire.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

James 1:2-12 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations[fiery trials]; Knowing that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower thereof falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Clay pots have the ability to pass through very high temperature firing. If a piece of paper or something should get stuck to the bottom, it will burn up in the kiln (oven). This reminds me of how the Bible tells us, that all that is not of God in our lives, will burn as wood or stubble. I am reminded that our life trials are strengthening, and beautifying our lives to make us not only fit but beautifully decorated vessels, that reflect the glory of God and are useful for His intended purposes. The number of times we find ourselves in the furnace can vary according to our purpose and decoration. A plain earthen pot that requires no glaze, may only take a single firing. Whereas one who is to glisten with the beauty and artistry to give glory to the Master, may take many, many firings. Both are according to His purposes.

Then I am also reminded that our God is a consuming fire. (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29)Those which are our own works, or those done by the will or strength of man will either burn up completely, or the firing will show the forgery, and the need for the Master to do some corrective work on the piece. Those most intricate glazings, and delicate hand paintings done by the Master, take special oils mixed with the paint. The oils always speak of the Holy Spirit's anointing on our lives. God never takes over our lives, but gently guides and leads us, so that it is our own will that chooses God's will and purpose for our lives.

As believers, we have no need to fear that when we stand in God's presence, even face to face, we will be consumed. Because in His wonderful wisdom he made us earthen vessels. The simplest earthen vessel can contain the treasures of God's salvation freely given to us. He planned it that way! We don't have to become perfect and mature to become His treasure chest. Yet our Heavenly Father, The Master, has a beautiful plan for each vessel--and He sees each of us as simple unfired pots and our full potential at the same time. And He adores each and every one that He has formed(or created). For we are each created to carry His glory!

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7