Lamentations 3:60-61

60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me

 61 Thou hast heard their reproach, O Lord, and all their imaginations against me;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

60. imaginations—devices (Jer 11:19).

Their vengeance—means their malice. Jeremiah gives his conduct, when plotted against by his foes, as an example how the Jews should bring their wrongs at the hands of the Chaldeans before God.

Geneva Study Bible

Thou hast heard their reproach, O LORD, and all their imaginations against me.

Thanks for coming by, Friends. Have a great rest of your day. God bless you!

Lamentations 3:59

59 O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.

Verse 59. - Thou hast seen my wrong. Here the speaker returns to the present. This is clear from the following words: Judge thou my cause

(King James Bible)

60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against me.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Thou hast seen all their vengeance,.... The spirit of revenge in them; their wrath and fury, and how they burn with a desire of doing mischief; as well as their revengeful actions, carriage, and behavior:

and all their imaginations against me; their secret contrivances of mischief, their plots and schemes they devise to do hurt unto me.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day. God bless you

Romans 8:31,35,,38-39

 What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8;31

Verse  35: Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulations? Or calamity and distress?  Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?

Verse 38-39: For I am persuaded beyond doubt that neither death nor life,  nor angels,  nor principalities,  nor things impending and threatening,  nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height,  nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Good evening friends.  I am so sorry to be late again tonight.  It's been a busy day. But I'm so thankful for what we see in this passage.  That nothing can separate us from God's love! Amen!

Have a blessed night. I will be back in Lamentations again tomorrow,  Lord willing.

 

Thou drewest near in the day that I called : thou saidst, Fear not.O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:57-58

Matthew Poole's Commentary

There was a time when I was in distress, and called upon time, and thou didst draw near unto me. God is never far off from any of us, as to his essential presence; nor is it possible that he should, for he filleth all places. But he is said to be near us or far off from us, as he manifests, or doth not manifest, his goodness to us by acts of gracious providence: of that drawing near the text speaketh. God being infinite in goodness and mercy, is spoken of as absent from those persons and places where he is not showing mercy, and present only there where he showeth forth his goodness, and to be drawing nigh to them to whom he beginneth to show mercy.

Thou saidst, Fear not; thou didst encourage me formerly upon my prayer. upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

(verse 57)

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Thou hast been wont to take my part against my enemies, not like a lawyer by word of mouth, but actually and really pleading my cause. Thou hast redeemed my life; thou hast saved me from many a danger which looked fatally upon me.

(verse 58)

My notes:

God is always just a whisper away. In the darkest of night, the sunlight of day. He is ready to hear from us. Ready to be a help in time of trouble. Ready to comfort us in times of sorrow. 

And ready to bless us. We just need to call on Him.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Take care and God bless the rest of your day!

John 14:2-3

 In My Father's house are many homes. If it were not so, I would have told you;  for I am going to prepare a place for you. And when I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:2-3

Are you looking for that day to come, Friends.  I know I am.  This is a promise we can count on. 

Thanks for coming. I will be back in Lamentations tomorrow. 

God Bless!

1 Timothy 2:5

 For there is only one God, and only one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.  1 Tim. 2:5.

There are no other gods whereby we can be saved.  There is no other that can forgive our sins. 

To enter the Kindom of God, we must accept Jesus Christ

I apologize for posting this late. It has been a long but wonderful day with my family.  

God bless you!

Lamentations 3:55-56

55 I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon.

56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry   Lamentations 3:55-56

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:55-66 Faith comes off conqueror, for in these verses the prophet concludes with some comfort. Prayer is the breath of the new man, drawing in the air of mercy in petitions, and returning it in praises; it proves and maintains the spiritual life. He silenced their fears and quieted their spirits. Thou saidst, Fear not. This was the language of God's grace, by the witness of his Spirit with their spirits. And what are all our sorrows, compared with those of the Redeemer? He will deliver his people from every trouble and revive his church from every persecution. He will save believers with everlasting salvation, while his enemies perish with everlasting destruction.

Thanks for stopping by today, friends. Have a blessed day!

Lamentations 3:42-54

 

42 We have transgressed and have rebelled: thou hast not pardoned.

43 Thou hast covered with anger, and persecuted us: thou hast slain, thou hast not pitied.

44 Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.

45 Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people.

46 All our enemies have opened their mouths against us.

47 Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation and destruction.

48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

49 Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission.

50 Till the Lord look down and behold from heaven.

51 Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.

52 Mine enemies chased me sore, like a bird, without cause.

53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon and cast a stone upon me.

54 Waters flowed over my head; then I said, I am cut off

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:42-54 The more the prophet looked on the desolations, the more he was grieved. Here is one word of comfort. While they continued weeping, they continued waiting; and neither did nor would expect relief and succour from any but the Lord.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. I pray you will have a wonderfully blessed day even though todays passage isn't what we would call joyful. Still, no matter what we go through, we wait on God to take care of us. 

Psalm 31:24

 Be strong and take heart, all of you that hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:24

 Hello Friends, 

I will be back tomorrow for more of Lamentations 3.

I hope all of you that leave in states that are cold, are staying warm.  And praying for those that are still waiting for help with the rebuilding of homes after the floods. And don't forget the People dealing with the CA fires!

God bless!

Lamentations 3:39-41

 39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?40 Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord.41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens. Lamentations 3:39-41

a. Let us search out and examine our ways and turn back to the LORD: Even under the great sense that God was their opponent and adversary (Lamentations 3:1-18), Jeremiah recommended the proper and humble approach.

b. Search out and examine our ways: Sins must not be casually and superficially confessed and dealt with. We don’t live constantly focused on our sins and failings, but there are appropriate times to carefully, deliberately search out and examine our ways.

c. And turn back to the LORD: All the self-examination in the world does little good if it does not lead us back to this place. We should, we must, turn away from sin and self and turn back to the LORD.

(source: Enduring Word) 

 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a wonderfully blessed day!

,

Blessed Be The Name of The Lord!

Hello Friends, I have two scriptures for you today. (I will continue with Lamentations soon. Perhaps even tomorrow?)

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

Do you remember all the days in 2024 that we were concerned about the way our nation was going?  Good reports and bad. We weren't sure how it would end for us. We weren't sure what polls to believe. 

But then. people started waking up. Many that had believed the lies of Washington, were seeing just how evil things were and the democrat party gave us all the fodder we needed so finally see the truth. 

We were as Christians forced to look evil in the face. And then we got on our knees.

There was a man that completely came in and even though he probably wasn't a Christian, he does love this country. Yes, he might have been arrogant sometimes. He wasn't afraid to say what he thought. And yes...

Yes, he was probably conceded. But it took that kind of man to be able to step up to the plate and say, enough is enough. 

And whatever his beliefs are, the one thing that should stand out above that is, he acknowledges that God saved him from a bullet to the head, and other attacks and helped to bring this nation to the victory we witnessed today.

Folks, God can use anyone for His purpose. Even someone like Donald J. Trump.

But let's not forget, that at the same time, Christians everywhere ran into God's tower to declare His name and ask for something that truly looked impossible. 

And yet, don't we quote scripture that says that He is the God of the impossible?

He proved it to it in this election as He has over and over through time. It seemed too much to ask of Him and yet we did, and He answered us. 

And so, I want to proclaim these next verses today as we go on through this new year:

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

 2Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.  

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.

4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 

5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Psalm 113:1-5

Truly, we give all thanks and honor to our Most High God for this day!  Who is like our God. He is more powerful than anyone and any group on earth and sadly a lot of people miss it about Him. 

But thank God, we as believers have not missed it because we know better. Right?

One last thing before I go for today, please keep all those in Trumps family, and his cabinet that he has chosen in God's protection. And don't forget to pray for unbelievers' that they will come to know Jesus. No matter who they are or what party they belong to. 

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. God bless you today and always

A Message of Peace

 Hello Friends 

I want to encourage you today with the following scripture. 

Peace I leave with you. My Peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your heart be troubled  neither let them be afraid.  John 14:27

As we know, the long awaited inauguration of Donald J Trump will be held tomorrow. 

But there are many that have fought against this day for a long time because they do not want him to hold this office. 

They have done everything they can to stop him. And I believe it's not just a battle with flesh but a battle of spiritual darkness in high places as Ephesians 6:12 tells us.

We need to be in prayer for him and all of those associated with him that God's protection will be over them. 

But at the same time, do not be afraid. We have,  as Believers the peace that passes all understanding.  

What ever takes place tomorrow,  God has the backs of those that love Him.

Thanks for coming by. Have a blessed Lord's Day!!!

God's Perfect and Permissive Will

 

What is the difference between God's perfect and permissive will?

God's Perfect Will

We often want God to give us specifics about His will for our lives—where to work, where to live, whom to marry, what car to buy, etc. These decisions are important and need to be made with godly wisdom and prayer, and some worry that, if they make a wrong decision in such matters, they will miss God’s “perfect will” for their lives. God reveals a different approach to determining His “perfect will.”

While God does have specific, intentional plans for each person (Jeremiah 1:5), His perfect will is really the same for all people. God’s perfect will includes His desire for “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3–4). Also, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). Doing good as a result of our faith is also God’s will for us (1 Peter 2:15–16). And we have 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which also reveals God’s perfect will: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God has made His “perfect will” clear to us.

What about other, less “spiritual” decisions that need to be made? Does God have a perfect will for specifics in our lives like what to study or whom to marry or where to go for lunch? God knows all things, yet He has also given us the ability to make choices. Making decisions is more about committing our ways to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3) and glorifying Him in everything we do (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17) than about finding that “one thing” He wants us to do. Ordering brisket for lunch instead of fried chicken is not going to mess up God’s perfect will for a person.

Proverbs 16:1–9 describes the heart’s intention to make plans and the Lord’s sovereignty over that planning. The Lord has a purpose for everything He created (1 Timothy 4:4). Seeking the Lord and reverently committing one’s ways to God is the wisest way to make plans. A person can plan out every aspect of his life, yet God is the One who ultimately decides the outcome. Paul (Romans 9:20–21) and James (James 4:13–15) reinforce this idea. Nothing we intend can override God’s sovereign will (Psalm 33:10; Job 42:2). That does not mean planning is wrong, but what we plan must be prepared in a spirit of humility and obedience. Keeping that spirit, we need not fear missing God’s perfect will.

At the same time, there is a sense in which someone can miss God’s perfect will; that is, he or she can fail to benefit from the best God has to offer. When we make an ungodly, unwise, or sinful decision, we must deal with the consequences. Making a decision apart from considering what God wants can lead to missing God’s perfect will in a situation. King Jehoash seems to have missed God’s best for him: because of his incomplete obedience, he was only able to defeat the enemy three times instead of five or six (2 Kings 13:18–19). Moses seems to have missed God’s “perfect will” when he struck the rock and failed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:10–13). Godly King Jehoshaphat seemingly missed God’s perfect will when he allied himself with wicked King Ahaziah to make ships to go to Tarshish, and the Lord destroyed the fleet (2 Chronicles 20:35–37).

These examples reveal that our sinful actions can indeed cause us to miss God’s perfect will, or God’s best, for us. At the same time, the Bible tells us that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even through “the sufferings of the present time” (Romans 8:18), God is working in everything to sanctify us for our good and His glory (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:2–4). This is true even when our troubles are a consequence of our sinful, foolish actions.

What do we do when we miss God’s perfect will? We must do the next right thing. Proverbs 24:16 says, “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” When we’ve messed up and seem to have missed God’s perfect will, we should trust God and do the following:

1. Confess all known sin, knowing that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
2. Ask God to show us where went wrong and to reveal what was in our hearts. As Psalm 139:23–24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
3. If our actions involved a sin against someone else, seek forgiveness and make restitution. Zacchaeus, in repenting of his sin, promised the Lord, “If I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount” (Luke 19:8). This is part of the “fruit in keeping with repentance” that John preached (Luke 3:9).
4. Return to the Lord and seek to glorify Him in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).
5. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us (John 14:26; 16:13).

God is omniscient, and He knows what He will accomplish in and through us. He has made clear His perfect will for our lives. God’s plans and purposes for every believer are for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). We may not have every little detail in advance, but we always have enough information to obey the Lord. When we sin, God calls us to return to Him (Jeremiah 15:19; Zechariah 1:3). Even if we have “messed up” what we perceive as God’s plan for us, we can be forgiven. We can still know and follow the truth as we live in obedience from that point on.

God's Permissive Will

Within God’s sovereign will, He chooses to permit many things to happen that He takes no pleasure in. God’s allowance of certain things—even sinful things—that indirectly accomplish His will is often called God’s permissive will.

In the beginning, God created a perfect world (Deuteronomy 32:4) as part of His perfect plan. God also created spiritual beings and humans with a will and the ability to make decisions. This was all “very good” (Genesis 1:31). As God’s moral creations exercised their free will, however, they chose disobedience, and sin entered the world. God’s perfect world did not include death, suffering, disease, and other consequences of sin, yet God allowed these things as part of His permissive will.

God is omniscient and sovereign over all things. Because God is omniscient, He knows everything that has occurred and all that will occur until the end of time (Isaiah 46:9–10). Because God is sovereign, He must at least “permit” all events and happenings. God does not make mistakes. He intentionally made humans with the ability to make decisions, and He placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden, even though He knew Adam and Eve would choose to sin. Within God’s sovereign will, He chooses to permit many things to happen that He takes no pleasure in. The fall of man is one of those things God permitted.

God does not force us to carry out His commands (His preceptive will). Rather, in His permissive will, God allows us to make decisions—even sinful decisions that are not God’s best for our lives. At the same time, not following God’s preceptive will comes with consequences. In 1 Samuel 8, the Israelites demanded Samuel give them a king. This was not God’s will for them, and He warned them that their decision would bring negative consequences. “But the people refused to listen to Samuel. ‘No!’ they said. ‘We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles’” (1 Samuel 8:19–20). So, God, in His permissive will, allowed them to have what they demanded. He gave them a king like the other nations.

We experience God’s permissive will every day. God allows us to make decisions: what we eat, how we spend our time, where we work, whom we marry, and much more. Some of our choices will have lifelong consequences, but some won’t. Some choices other people make affect us negatively, and sometimes unpleasant circumstances come our way. We should remember that whatever is happening is part of God’s permissive will. God is still on the throne. He has not lost control.

In God’s permissive will, evil is allowed a certain amount of freedom, but that freedom is curtailed. For example, Satan was allowed to torment Job, but God placed strict limits on how far Satan could go (see Job 1—2).

In God’s permissive will, evil is allowed to function, but God’s perfect plan triumphs every time. For example, God allowed the kidnapping and enslavement of Joseph. At every mistreatment of Joseph, God had the power to intervene, but He “permitted” the evil and, in that limited sense, He sovereignly “willed” it to happen. It’s important to note that God’s permissive will never counteracts His sovereign will or His overarching plan. God allowed the sins of Joseph’s brothers in order to bring about a greater good (see Genesis 50:20).

When Jesus was arrested, He told His enemies, “This is your hour—when darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53). Jesus’ statement suggests that evil had been granted a window of opportunity, and evil men were taking full advantage of it. That was indeed a dark night, but the end result was the salvation of mankind. All things work “for the good of those who love [God], who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). God only permits that which will lead to His sovereign will being accomplished.

(Source: gotquestions.org )

My notes: God does is not make us do anything. If He did, we would not have free will. He lets us choose our paths which much of the time is the wrong way to go. But its through these times we can grow. And sooner or later see we chose the wrong way. It's at that time we can turn back to Him to change our direction and follow Him.

I hope this is helpful to those that perhaps have never know the difference or that there is even the two wills of God. Thanks for coming today. Have a blessed afternoon or whatever it is where you live. God bless