Blessings for Building on the Foundation

Monday, April 25, 2011: 1 Kings 6:37 – 38 (NKJV)

In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, in the month of Ziv. And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.

Which King laid the foundation? Solomon built the foundation of the first Temple and on it, the Temple itself. The children of Israel went far from God in the next 500 years. This Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011: Haggai 2:17 – 19 (NKJV)

I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord. ‘Consider now from this day forward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid—consider it: Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’”

Who laid the foundation of this Temple? The second Temple’s foundation was laid by the exiles returned from seventy years of captivity. The Lord poured out temporal blessings on His people for their labor and zeal.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011: 1 Corinthians 3:11 – 13 (NKJV)

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

Is this a real foundation? No, it is an individual foundation for each believer’s life. Without Jesus Christ as foundation, good (or bad) works mean nothing.

Thursday, April 28, 2011: Hebrews 6:1 – 2 (NKJV)

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Is this a real foundation? No, it is the foundation for a local assembly of believers or a Church. The elements of being part of this assembly are repentance, faith, baptism, blessing, resurrection and judgment. Building on this foundation is its purpose.

Friday, April 29, 2011: Ephesians 2:19 – 22 (NKJV)

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Is this a real foundation? No, it is the foundation for the Church, made up of all believers over the earth, past, present and future. The Apostles and the prophets have left the foundation, the Holy Bible (New and Old Testaments) for us. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone for the entire foundation.

Scepter

Monday, April 18, 2011: Hebrews 1:8 (NKJV)

But to the Son He says:

      “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;

      A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Psalm 45:6 –7 (NKJV)

      Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;

      A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

      You love righteousness and hate wickedness;

      Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You

      With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.

Who is the Son greater than? Angels. This is a passage in Hebrews 1 where a reference is made to Psalms.

Tuesday, April 19: Numbers 24:15 – 17

So he took up his oracle and said:

      “The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,

      And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;

      The utterance of him who hears the words of God,

      And has the knowledge of the Most High,

      Who sees the vision of the Almighty,

      Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

      “I see Him, but not now;

      I behold Him, but not near;

      A Star shall come out of Jacob;

      A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,

      And batter the brow of Moab,

      And destroy all the sons of tumult.

Who is the subject of this prophecy? It is the One born King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011: Genesis 49:10

      The scepter shall not depart from Judah,

      Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,

      Until Shiloh comes;

      And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

Who’s Shiloh? It is the Lord Jesus Christ who will be a descendant of Judah.

Thursday, April 21, 2011: Ezekiel 21:8 – 10

Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ Say:

      ‘A sword, a sword is sharpened

      And also polished!

      Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter,

      Polished to flash like lightning!

      Should we then make mirth?

      It despises the scepter of My son,

      As it does all wood.

Who is the subject of this prophecy? The nation of Judah would soon go into captivity under Babylon.

Friday, April 22, 2011: Esther 8:3 –4 (NKJV)

Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews. And the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king

What was the rule of the scepter during Esther’s time? If the King did not raise the golden scepter to the supplicant, immediate execution followed!

Not Dissapointed

Monday, April 11, 2011: Romans 5:5 – 6 (NKJV)

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Why is this hope without disappointment? The Holy Spirit floods our hearts with God’s love. We know true love because Christ died for us when we were sinners and not lovable to God.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011: 1 Peter 2:6 (NKJV)

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

      “Behold, I lay in Zion

      A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

      And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

What does being put to shame mean? The word thus translated is the same as being disappointed.

 Wednesday, April 13, 2011: Romans 10:9 – 11 (NKJV)

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

What does your salvation rest on? If it rests on belief that Christ Jesus, who died for your sin is risen from the grave and you tell someone that you believe it, you are saved!

Thursday, April 14, 2011: Isaiah 28:16 (NKJV)

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD:

      “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,

      A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;

      Whoever believes will not act hastily.

What is not acting hastily mean? It means not being disappointed. This is the verse in Isaiah that is quoted in the New Testament references above.

Friday, April 15, 2011: Hebrews 9:27 – 28 (NKJV)

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

So much for not being disappointed: what about an appointment? There is one that all will be on time for: death. Scripture adds that this is not the end. A judgment will surely follow.

Time Of The End

Monday, April 4, 2011: Daniel 12:1a (NKJV)

      “At that time Michael shall stand up,

      The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;

      And there shall be a time of trouble,

      Such as never was since there was a nation,

      Even to that time.

Who and what is this prophecy aimed at? Israel (Jacob) and a Time of (Jacob’s) Trouble.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011: Daniel 12:1b – 4 (NKJV)

      And at that time your people shall be delivered,

      Every one who is found written in the book.

      And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

      Some to everlasting life,

      Some to shame and everlasting contempt.

      Those who are wise shall shine

      Like the brightness of the firmament,

      And those who turn many to righteousness

      Like the stars forever and ever.

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

What are the books and the inference here? One is a book of names: those found in it will resurrect to reward. The other is the revelation implied in Daniel 10:21 as the ‘Scripture of Truth’

Wednesday, April 6, 2011: Daniel 12:5 – 7 (NKJV)

Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”

Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

What does ‘above the waters of the river’ imply? It could be One who is Lord over time!

Thursday, April 7, 2011: Daniel 12:8 – 10 (NKJV)

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”

And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

If Daniel said that he did not understand, was he among the wicked who didn’t understand? No, this could be the Church which is unchained from sin’s penalty, power and presence.

Friday, April 8, 2011: Daniel 12:11 – 13 (NKJV)

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.

“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”

What is the significance of ‘he who waits?’ Like Daniel, we cannot understand all things: we just wait for the end time. We try NOT to make unretractable statements about what days, years or times mean.

Daniel is visited by an angel

Monday, March 28, 2011: Daniel 10:1 – 3 (NKJV)

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

What was Daniel’s attitude before the revelation? For three weeks Daniel mourned. He neither ate nor drank anything that was savory or pleasant, nor did he use perfumed oils.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011: Daniel 10:4 – 6 (NKJV)

Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

Who did Daniel see? Daniel saw a vision of a powerful Angelic being, possibly Gabriel.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011: Daniel 10:7 – 9 (NKJV)

And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

What happened to Daniel and the men with him? Daniel retained no strength and fell with his face to the ground. The men with him were overcome with terror and ran to hide themselves.

Thursday, March 31, 2011: Daniel 10:10 – 11 (NKJV)

Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

What were the words that Daniel was greeted by? “Greatly beloved of God!”

Friday, April 1, 2011: Daniel 10:12 – 14 (NKJV)

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

What was told to Daniel that was not known by him? Daniel was told that from the first day of his mourning, when he set his heart to understand and humbled himself before God, the angel was sent! Daniel was given an understanding of what was to happen to Israel, his people. (not the Church!)

Lovingkindness

Monday, March 21, 2011: Psalm 103:2, 4 (NKJV)

      Bless the Lord, O my soul,

      And forget not all His benefits:

   Who redeems your life from destruction,

   Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who redeems our life out of the pawnshop of destruction? The Lord, not our good works.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011: Titus 3:4 – 5 (NKJV)

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Who saves us through the washing of a new life? God our savior’s mercy, not our works of goodness.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011: Jeremiah 9:23 – 24 (NKJV)

Thus says the Lord:

      “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

      Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

      Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

      But let him who glories glory in this,

      That he understands and knows Me,

      That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

      For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

What is ours to glory in? Not wisdom, might nor wealth, but knowing God.

Thursday, March 24, 2011: 1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

How are we begotten (born) again? It is God’s mercy through Christ’s resurrection.

Friday, March 25, 2011: Hosea 2:19 – 20 (NKJV)

      “I will betroth you to Me forever;

      Yes, I will betroth you to Me

      In righteousness and justice,

      In lovingkindness and mercy;

      I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,

      And you shall know the Lord.

What is knowing the Lord in faithfulness compared to? It is nothing short of accepting his betrothal (engagement) awaiting the marriage of the Lamb to the Church.

Revenge?

Monday 3/14/11: Psalm 94:1 – 4 (NKJV)

      O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs—

      O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!

      Rise up, O Judge of the earth;

      Render punishment to the proud.

      Lord, how long will the wicked,

      How long will the wicked triumph?

      They utter speech, and speak insolent things;

      All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.

Does the Psalmist take revenge? No, it belongs to God.

Tuesday 3/15/11: Psalm 94:5 – 7 (NKJV)

      They break in pieces Your people, O Lord,

      And afflict Your heritage.

      They slay the widow and the stranger,

      And murder the fatherless.

      Yet they say, “The Lord does not see,

      Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”

Who are vulnerable? Widows, orphans and strangers.

Wednesday 3/16/11: Psalm 94:8 – 11 (NKJV)

      Understand, you senseless among the people;

      And you fools, when will you be wise?

      He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?

      He who formed the eye, shall He not see?

      He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,

      He who teaches man knowledge?

      The Lord knows the thoughts of man,

      That they are futile.

Why is God called living? He sees, hears and knows.

Thursday 3/17/11: Psalm 94:12 – 15 (NKJV)

      Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord,

      And teach out of Your law,

      That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,

      Until the pit is dug for the wicked.

      For the Lord will not cast off His people,

      Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

      But judgment will return to righteousness,

      And all the upright in heart will follow it.

Why is God’s instruction blessed? The saved learn His ways.

Friday 3/18/11: Psalm 94:18 – 23 (NKJV)

      If I say, “My foot slips,”

      Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.

      In the multitude of my anxieties within me,

      Your comforts delight my soul.

      Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,

      Have fellowship with You?

      They gather together against the life of the righteous,

      And condemn innocent blood.

      But the Lord has been my defense,

      And my God the rock of my refuge.

      He has brought on them their own iniquity,

      And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;

      The Lord our God shall cut them off.

What does God provide? Refuge when attacked.