Nahum 1 ~ Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows +

Where was Ninevah? This was the laugh of the Biblical critics - Ninevah was so destroyed, it was not uncovered until the 1980s. Today Ninevah is known as Mosul, Iraq. 

Today Iraq sells off ruins to be used as military posts.

Nahum 1


1 An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.


2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord is avenging and wrathful;
the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.


3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
he dries up all the rivers;
Bashan and Carmel wither;
the bloom of Lebanon withers.
5 The mountains quake before him;
the hills melt;
the earth heaves before him,
the world and all who dwell in it.

6 Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
7 The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.

8 But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

9 What do you plot against the Lord?

He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.

10 For they are like entangled thorns,
like drunkards as they drink;
they are consumed like stubble fully dried.
11 From you came one
who plotted evil against the Lord,
a worthless counselor.

12 Thus says the Lord,
“Though they are at full strength and many,
they will be cut down and pass away.
Though I have afflicted you,
I will afflict you no more.
13 And now I will break his yoke from off you
and will burst your bonds apart.”

14 The Lord has given commandment about you:
“No more shall your name be perpetuated;
from the house of your gods I will cut off
the carved image and the metal image.
I will make your grave, for you are vile.”

15 Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him
who brings good news,
who publishes peace!
Keep your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows,
for never again shall the worthless pass through you;
he is utterly cut off.


Where was Ninevah? This was the laugh of the Biblical critics - Ninevah was so destroyed, it was not uncovered until the 1980s. Today Ninevah is known as Mosul, Iraq.

Well - we encounter the wrathful God of the Old Testament. And perhaps this is a good day to point out to those who don't like the Word of God - um. He tends to be right. 

The Authority of God is in all of His Word.



The Attributes of God are many. And as we read we learn about Father God in our lives.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

And now Nahum - Nahum prophesied at the beginning of the reign of Ahaz (740s BC). Others, however, think that his prophecies are to be referred to the latter half of the reign of Hezekiah (8th century BC). 

Nahum could tell about Scripture because Nahum understood the Word of God Jesus proclaims.

Luke 4
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives."

Man lives by every Word of Scripture. We need to do like James, the Brother of Christ proclaims to have wisdom to apply the Word of God to our lives.










I don't know a lot about the minor Prophets, but let me tell you, I am thrilled with this verse. Love it and hold on to this - Let's start with the explanation and go with the complete zinger.

7 The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

This explains Trouble in the World - the Lord overcomes and the DAY OF THE LORD -

9 What do you plot against the Lord?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.



There are times the Lord utterly removes the ability to rise up against Him. The season if over. The time is complete.



Some Trouble shines a Light to send more help. 


And then you get Nahum 1 ~ The Ships of Tarshish - are gone. Tyre is gone. Nineveh - gone. Sodom and Gomorrah - Bitumen - and gone for ever. Try to find Bethsaida Julias; 2 Bethsaida of Galilee; 3 Were there two Bethsaidas? Archaeology is still wondering.  


Chorazin - located up the hill from Capernaum. Maybe. Was ripped apart. Why? Well, rich fields caused the armies to destroy Chorazin for the food supplies. And the archaeology? Practically non-existent. The culture there was seen to be pagan and have disagreements.







 

When God helps...

Romans 5:4 perseverance, character; and character, hope

Capernaum. Jesus' adult hometown - archaeology is rich and flowing showing the city of Jesus prospered even during war. Sheltered from harm - needed for the rich fields and fishing. Going without harm to make first rate archaeological finds of Peter's house and the Synagogue. Beautiful. Continuing on until 600 A.D. and again until 1100. A bounty of the goodness of a land flowing with milk and honey - beginning ? About the time of Jesus. 



The Hittite Empire? Was also a joke, completely missing the Empire, the whole Empire, before the Hittite Library echoed the battles shown where - The Word of the Lord.

Now you might wonder, if they repented???? Abraham begged the Lord eyeball to eyeball for mercy. God was merciful. After all Assyria never invaded? (Yes, its a miracle because Hezekiah quit paying the puppet/tribute to the Assyrian Empire.) Evidently the LORD saw...



Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him
who brings good news,
who publishes peace!
Keep your feasts, O Judah;
fulfill your vows,
for never again shall the worthless pass through you;
he is utterly cut off.

And when our Strength is from the Lord God Almighty - we rest in Him and rise up.


Seasons arrive and depart. The steadfastness of mankind, even in the Life of Jesus Christ has expands and narrows. We have to Trust Abba in Jesus Christ.


Isaiah 49:25
Surely, thus says the LORD, "Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away, And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued; For I will contend with the one who contends with you, And I will save your sons."

We put our hopes on God.

1 Samuel 30:6
Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.



Israel exists 2,000 years later. Jesus rises from the Victory of Death to Live. He goes to prepare us a place.

Peter explains.

John 6:68
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Jesus explains this:

John 12:50
"And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say."

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 


Father God,

God did not fly the Children of Israel to the Promised Land. He provided a way for them every day to Trust God some more.

Help us each day to rely upon You, Abba and in the Name of Jesus for ourselves and the ones we Love. Covering them with the Name of Jesus, to provide His Way, Truth and Life.

We will look to Life in the Light of Jesus for these cares. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 91 ~ For He will deliver you

 

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”


3
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.


7
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.


9
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.



11
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.



14
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

If we want a Christian equivalent for the storms we face in life. The times when life has reached a point, we never even knew existed. Then we have something to hold on to. With Strength.


John 14:13
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Matthew 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.


KSBJ, Christian Radio in Houston has been praying for the safety of those in the city. For the storms to cease.


Father God,

When Storms in Life arrive.

Be our Shelter. Carry us through the storms. We rely upon You, Abba.

In Jesus. Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Philippians 2 ~ every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

First Amendment to the United States Constitution - Freedom to Assemble.  

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind!

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Richard Mellon Scaife, the Mellon banking and oil heir, left his largest bequests to two foundations directing $758.9 million in bequests to two private foundations, a museum, and an environmental group.

John Santikos, head of a large Texas movie-theater chain, who gave an estimated $605 million from his estate to the San Antonio Area Foundation.

Walmart heirs Alice Walton (No. 7 on the list), Jim Walton (tied for No. 25), and Robson Walton (tied for No. 25), who collectively donated $407 million

Bill and Melinda Gates (No. 6), who gave $272 million to their foundation. Last year, the Gateses topped the list. giving $1.9 billion.

Warren Buffett, George Soros ($733 million), Michael R. Bloomberg ($462 million), Charles F. Feeney ($434 million), James and Marilyn Simons ($331 million), Hansjörg Wyss ($228 million), Gordon and Betty Moore ($220 million), and Eli and Edythe Broad ($202 million).

+ I am still applauding the Late John Kennedy (John John) for his stone soup ability to achieve team activation - hearts unite to give of their time, talents and funds in his endeavors.

Like a son from our Church Family, Military Man, Buck, he collected $3,000 for charitable health giving. Telling people in their donations to his Iron Man Triathlon - vote if he got to be superman. Noooo, he got to wear the clown suit. In turn "Inspiring others to run faster! Not to be beaten by the guy in the nose and multicolored clown suit and wig!"

Who else do you know is going to go in a darkened home where the husband is armed and the wife is in danger?



4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
 in heaven and on earth and under the earth,


11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,
so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

16 holding fast to the word of life,

 So like my Grandmother's hands...

 so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.

Camden, Arkansas ~ We Applaud You for Your Idea for our National Motto!!!

18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me,

 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.


27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.


 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men,

30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ,
risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Father God,

So many opportunities to be Thankful. So many opportunities to pray. Blessings for the lady at Home Depot, her help in getting me a paint can opener and being so patient. The man and wife next to me, getting ready to paint his Church office.

The family who cut down my tree that had half died, providing an example of family goodness. Thank God.

We lift up this Nation, in just such a crossroad. A great time to pray and be grateful for what so many people have given to this Nation.

We look in expectation to You, we have had a surprisingly huge storm with flooding and have rain in the forecast. We ask the Mercy of Jesus, here.

Jesus the Lord, Thank You for this time. Enabling me to survive childhood with medications. Enabling my first born to survive, when the Kennedy's lost a baby in the White House. Thank You for the Miracles these eyes have seen, witnessing to Your Salvation.

To know each day, as Your Mercies Renew ~ Jesus is Joy, Love, Peace, Goodness, Gentleness, Encouragement, Endurance, Character, Dignity, Self Control, asking Mercy over Sacrifice.

Jesus our Hero. Our Savior. His Willingness. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †