Allure

 

    Allure means the power to attract, fascinate, or charm.  In Hebrew, allure is kasam (קֶסֶם).  It means magic, charm, spell, fascination, enchantment, or witchcraft.  In Greek it is Deleázo (Δελεάζω).  In Latin it is allicere.  The English word allure derived from the French word allure.  It was first recorded in 1375-1425.

    Allure was not used much in the Bible maybe because of the broad spectrum of the word.  My guess is that they used better words to narrow down the specific purpose.  In Hosea it was used because the word allure is becoming for his wife.  Hosea's wife as adulterous and beautiful.  She basically could do whatever she wanted.  When she ran off, God had Hosea pursue her to bring her back home.  We are the depiction of the wife and Hosea is what represents what God does for us.

    Hosea had a plan.  He went to his wife and spoke tenderly to her.  He planned on being alluring instead of being harsh.  He was going to be her husband instead of her master.  She would not have to live in fear, but feel his peace and safety.  He made her righteous through his justice of unfailing love and compassion.  He was faithful to the point that she became faithful.  God does the same with us.

    People that are doomed are useless.  They are prideful, but empty.  They boast about their foolishness.  Their allure has twisted their sexual desires luring others into sin.  It is a lifestyle of deception.  They promise freedom when they are slaves to sin and corruption.  If people escape their wickedness it highlights who Jesus is.  

    If you know who Jesus is and choose this life, then you are worse off than before.  It would be better to have never known righteousness than to understand and reject Jesus.  It is to live a cursed life of covetness, unstable soul, and eternally separated from God.  However, if you learn the truth and accept Jesus, then all that wickedness is removed.

Hosea 2:14-20 & 2 Peter 2:17-22

Alpha

 

    Alpha is in the Greek alphabet.  I is the equivalent of the English A or a.  It symbolizes the beginning or the starting point of something.  In Hebrew alpha is aleph (א).  You see this in Psalms.  It comes from the Phoenician word alp (𐤀).  Alpha in Aramaic is Ālaph.  In Latin it is Ɑ in uppercase and ɑ in lowercase.  

    You will only find the word alpha in one place in the Bible: Revelations.  This is where you find that God declares Himself the Alpha and the Omega.  He is saying he is the beginning and the end.  He is the one that always was, still is, and will always be.  He is the Almighty One.  

    John had been exiled to Patmos for preaching about Jesus.  It was here that he fell into a trance and had a vision about everything written in Revelations.  It was on the Lord's Day and he was worshipping God in his spirit when suddenly it began.  

    A loud voice called out to him declaring himself the Alpha and the Omega.  God ordered John to write a book about everything he was about to see.  Then he was to send it to the seven churches in Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  

    God was sitting on his throne and told John to look at what He made new.  John was ordered to write it all down with the promise that what He was telling John was trustworthy and faithful.  It was finished.  God is the alpha and the omega (the beginning and the end).  We all thirst for Him even if we are not aware of the fact that He is what we long for.  He is the source of what gives living a life.  Those that are victorious in following Jesus will inherit blessings and have God as their father.

    God told John to look.  He is coming soon.  His time frame of soon is not linear, so it can feel like we are waiting forever, but we are still to be prepared.  I could be today.  When He comes it will be with His reward to repay everyone according to their deeds.  God is the Alpha and the Omega.  He is the first and the last.  He is the beginning and the end.  When He comes with His rewards it will be quick.  The waiting will be over.  Be patient.  This is what we are waiting for.

Revelations 1:8-11, 21:5-7, & 22:12-13

Alone

 

    To be alone is to be separated or isolated.  In Hebrew it is levad (לְבַד).  In Aramaic alone is Xa b'noshi or b'noshi which means "by myself".  In Greek it is mónos (μόνος).  In Latin alone is solus.

    When God was creating everything, He said that it was no good for man to be alone.  God knew Adam needed a helper that was on the same mental level as he was.  God gave Adam animals for companionship, but that was not enough.  He had Adam name them to give him an occupation, but that was not a partner in life.  God then gave Adam his wife to have a partner, companion, and friend throughout life.

    God warned his people to be careful to obey His commands.  God's way brings a thriving life.  Remember how God has delivered you.  He has fulfilled every promise except the final one.   If you become prideful, then He will humble you.  He does this to teach you a lesson like a good parent.  He is fighting to save your soul.  You can't live on bread alone.  You need Him to provide for all your needs.  You may be amazed at how what He provides will last.

    God's unfailing love holds mercy.  His compassion removes sin.  He has the power to clean your from your guilt of sin.  He purifies your soul when you recognize your rebellion against him and repent.  You alone have sinned against God and have done evil.  No one else made you do it.  You chose to sin.  See the truth by seeing He is right and that his judgment is just.  You were born a sinner, but you desire honesty.  God is teaching you wisdom.  All you have to do is accept it.

    Satan comes to tempt.  God provides a way out so that you do not have to sin.  Satan tempted Jesus, but Jesus used scripture to tell Satan no.  There is power in God's Word.  There is enough power to have Satan removed from your presence.  People do no live on bread alone.  We all need the words that come from God's mouth.  

    Jesus was not liked by religious leaders for several reasons.  Some saw him a threat to their way of life.  Some thought they were righteous and he was blasphemous.  None of those that oppose Jesus see the truth.  Only God can forgive sins.  That is true.  What they didn't understand is that Jesus is God.

    It is good to remember your history.  It is good to remember God's people's history.  Your history teaches you where you have come from and how you have become the person you are.  God's history teaches you faith and how to take action in your life.  They work together to make you complete.  Faith in action is how you are a friend of God.  God has shown you how to be righteous.  You can't be right with God by faith alone.  Your faith has to be lived out for the world to see.

Genesis 2:18-20, Deuteronomy 8:1-5, Psalm 51:1-6, Matthew 4:3-4, Mark 2:6-7, & James 2:21-24

Allowance

 

    Allowance is a word that is similar to permission, admission, ration, and forgiveness (making allowances for others).  In Hebrew the word is hapyrashaa (הַפרָשָׁה).  In the Greek terminology it is daily allowance ("ημερήσια αποζημίωση φρ ως ουσ θηλ".  The word allowance is epídoma (επίδομα).  We get the English word allowance from the Latin word annonas.

    King Jehoiachin had been exiled 37 years.  At this time Evil-Merodach became the king of Babylon.  He was kind to Jehoiachin and released him from prison.  He spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and gave him a place of honor in Babylon.  Jehoiachin was given new clothes and dined with the Evil-Merodach for the rest of his life.  Jehoiachin was given a daily allowance of food, for when he was not eating with Evil-Merodach, for the rest of his life too. 

     God's chosen holy people have responsibilities in how they conduct themselves.  To follow Jesus means that you are to act holy.  You are to be tender hearted, show mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowances for each other's faults by forgiving those who offend you.  Choose charity over perfection because forgiveness is a sign that you remember what God did for you.  Cloth yourself in love that binds harmony.  Allow Jesus' peace to rule your heart by being thankful.

2 Kings 25:27-30 & Colossians 3:12-15

Allow

 

    To allow in Hebrew is lehatir (לְהַתִיר).  It derived from Mishnaic root for authority and permission, ר. ש. ה (r. sh. h).  The Greek word is Epitrépo (Επιτρέπω).  It means to let, allow, permit, or give permission.  In Latin allow is patitur.

    Allow your heart to be glad.  Permit your heart to rejoice because you are safe.  God will never leave your soul among the dead if you are a part of His family.  He will never allow the holy souls to rot.  He has given you life to enjoy His presence.  Take pleasure in the life that He has given you.  He has given you hope.  He has not left you to corruption and evil, so take pleasure in the small things He gives you everyday.     

    King David declared that God was always with him.  He was not shaken by all the horrible events that happened to him in life because God was always with him.  His heart was glad and he verbalized his praises because God gave him rest and hope.  God never left David's soul or destroyed it.  Instead, God showed him life that gave David joy in His presence.  David was allowed to live a full life with peace in his heart.  God allows you to live with peace in your heart no matter how bad life gets.

    Jesus sought out John the Baptist to be the one to baptize him.  John knew it was an honor and felt unworthy, so he tried to decline/  Jesus declared it would be done to carry out the prophecy, so John agreed.  John humbled himself to allow God's word to be fulfilled.  After the baptism, Jesus came out of the water and the heavens opened up.  The Holy Spirit descended as a dove to settle on Jesus.  Then God spoke "this is my dearly loved son, who brings me great joy".  

    The religious law that is enforced brings sorrow because it crushes people's spirits with unbearable demands.  People will never lift a finger to ease that burden.  They build monuments and recognize long dead prophets, but are not witnesses.  Jesus is the only way.  He allows your spirit to have freedom to discover what it right and act accordingly.

    God's law does not bring trouble because it is good for the spirit.  It is when people get involved in deciding how God's law should work that we get into trouble.  When we try to control things we become slaves to sin.  We may want to do good, but we do evil instead.  It can make it where you feel defeated, angry, or even hate yourself.  God's law is spiritual, but we are carnal.  Pray over it and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your heart to gently reveal where you are going wrong.  Only then can you can change and start living the life God intended.

    When you feel strong, be careful.  You are setting yourself up for a fall.  Temptation is all around you.  It sometimes waits until you allow pride into your heart to really attack.  Allow God to live in your heart, so you can see how He is always faithful.  The Holy Spirit will teach you how to be faithful in return.  When you are being tempted, the Holy Spirit will show you a way out of the situation.  You don't have to give into it.  You can endure.  You can bare what Satan throws at you.

Psalm 16:9-11, Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 11:46-49, Acts 2:25-28, Romans 7:14-17, & 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Alliance

 

    An alliance is a union between two or more people to work together toward a common goal.  An alliance can be a marriage, political, or religious.  It normally comes around through a treaty.  Christians are in alliance with God through salvation.  Anyone who goes against God's people who are serving Him, go against God Himself.

    Alliance in Hebrew is beerit (בְּרִית).  It is a covenant, pact, treaty, confederation, or testament.  In Aramaic it is salimatu.  In Greek it is symmachia (συμμαχία) which means an agreement between states to fight against a common enemy.  We get the word alliance from the Latin word alligare which means "to bind to".

    King Solomon made an alliance with the Pharoah (King of Egypt).  In this affinity Solomon was given a wife from the Pharoah's daughters.  Solomon brought his bride to the City of David (Jerusalem).  There she stayed until he finished his palace, God's Temple, and a wall around Jerusalem.  Solomon was still devoted to God at this time, but had many wives.

    An alliance was formed by the king of the north and the south.  The King of the south's daughter was given to the King of the north's son to marry.  Marriage was a way to secure the alliance.  It is an uncomfortable alliance because anything can shift in a political marriage.  In her case she lost influence which left her father vulnerable.  She ended up alone until a relative became king of the south.  He raised up his army and defeated the northern king.  

    Alliances are tricky.  It has to be a win win for it to succeed.  Most alliances are temporary.  Some can get you into more trouble.  That is why they need to be taken seriously and thought through.  To align yourself with God is different.  It is permanent.  He gives far more than you ever can.  It really does benefit you to choose Him.

1 Kings 3:1-2 & Daniel 11:6-8

Alleluia

 

    Alleluia is a Hebrew liturgical expression.  It means "praise the Lord".  It is only used in one place in the Bible.  It derives from the Hebrew word hallelujah which is a combination of two words hallel meaning "praise" and jah meaning "Yahweh" or "Lord".  In Hebrew hallelujah is hallū yāh (הַלְלוּ יָהּ).

    There will be a the sound of a very large crowd coming from Heaven.  The crowd is shouting alleluia.  They are praising God for their salvation and His glory and power,  His judgment has been true and just.  He will avenge all His saints that became martyrs.  In response the voices will ring out alleluia because they have their eternal home in Heaven.  

    The 24 elders in Heaven will fall face first to worship God shouting alleluia along with the four beast.  From the thrown a voice will say alleluia.  Jesus praises God and commends His servants who loved and feared Him in their lives.  Everyone's voices in heaven will lift to sound like a roar of a might ocean wave crashing with thunder.  They are all yelling alleluia,  

    This alleluia is the victory cry.  The living war for each of out souls is over and this will be the beginning of eternity.  It is believed to be Jesus' second coming.  It is the time that all Christians are waiting for.  When it happens we will all be elated.

Revelations 19:1-6