Do nothing out of selfish ambition…

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition….

My version of the day….

 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Phil.2.3-4

How appropriate…when reading Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9…

“He prayed to the Lord and confessed “ not for himself but for his people…and then for himself…looking out for them first and then himself…speaking scriptures back to God on their behalf because he knew that their time in Babylon was coming to an end…having understood the words of Jeremiah …

 “But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” declares the Lord, “and will make it desolate forever. I will bring on that land all the things I have spoken against it, all that are written in this book and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the nations. They themselves will be enslaved by many nations and great kings; I will repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.”

Jer.25.12-14

Daniel pulls out the character of God …

Great and mighty God…

Promise keeper…

Righteous….

Merciful and forgiving…

Truthful…

Hearer of prayers and petitions…

Forgiver…

  “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Dan. 9:17-19

This man who was brought to a foreign nation as a slave, but chosen to be educated in a foreign nation, who rose to leadership , respected by kings and leaders, even though he remained true to God through much turmoil….he knew why he was here…the rebellion of his people…but he chose to pray for them and himself …to the God who keeps his promises from ages past to present to ages future …and we can still count of that …

Thank YOU…

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Heb.13.8

 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Heb.13.14-15

The name of God…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-6gwssX0Y&pp=ygUbc29uZ3MgYWJvdXQgZ29kJ3MgY2hhcmFjdGVy

You are God alone…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOargNFiDd4&pp=ygUbc29uZ3MgYWJvdXQgZ29kJ3MgY2hhcmFjdGVy

God is not mocked…

 God is not mocked….

I play “words with friends…” with a friend…we many times chat as we play..(we live in different states)..good for brains and down time before bed…

Confession-words, I was taught over the year that are bad ,disrespectful, swear, etc., I cannot write down…every time I try,   I am checked in my Spirt and can’t do it..I feel as though I am mocking God…

This is a very simplified example of a huge story in the Word about one of the kings of Babylon…

When you think of  the history of the gold used in the tabernacle and the temple, the amounts used and the meaning of each, their specialness to worship…wow…

God spoke, he was not taking this king’s mocking anymore…nor his attitude…this was it and it was the beginning of the time for the   Israelites to return to their land…

Thank YOU….

 “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. 

But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 

Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. “This is the inscription that was written:mene, mene, tekel, parsin “Here is what these words mean:

Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. 

Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 

Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. 

That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.

Dan.5.22-31

 And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings. Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.

Exod.25.29-30

 “Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold. “Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.

Exod.25.31-40

 These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant law, which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. (Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses; with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan—an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.) The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel. one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more, a total of 603,550 men. The 100 talents of silver were used to cast the bases for the sanctuary and for the curtain—100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent for each base. They used the 1,775 shekels to make the hooks for the posts, to overlay the tops of the posts, and to make their bands. The silver obtained from those of the community who were counted in the census was 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel— The bronze from the wave offering was 70 talents and 2,400 shekels. They used it to make the bases for the entrance to the tent of meeting, the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all its utensils, the bases for the surrounding courtyard and those for its entrance and all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and those for the surrounding courtyard.

Exod.38.21,Exod.38.22,Exod.38.23,Exod.38.24,Exod.38.26,Exod.38.27,Exod.38.28,Exod.38.25,Exod.38.29,Exod.38.30,Exod.38.31

 He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace. He also took hostages and returned to Samaria.

2Kgs.14.14

 and Jehoiachin the king of Judah gave himself up to the king of Babylon, himself and his mother and his servants and his officials and his palace officials. 

The king of Babylon took him prisoner in the eighth year of his reign and carried off all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold in the temple of the Lord, which Solomon king of Israel had made, as the Lord had foretold.

2Kgs.24.12-13

 How long will the enemy mock you, God?Will the foe revile your name forever? Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! But God is my King from long ago;he brings salvation on the earth.

Ps.74.10-12

 Lord, you understand;remember me and care for me.Avenge me on my persecutors.You are long-suffering—do not take me away;think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.

Jer.15.15

 The Lord is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Ps.145.8

 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…

Nah.1.3

Psalm 145…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AhOUSFgvJnc&pp=ygUOUHNhbG0gMTQ1IHNvbmc%3D

80 years old…

 80 years old…

Moses led the Israelites at 80…

Daniel is in the lions den at 80…

Anna at the temple at 84…

I Thought of these three, devoted followers of God in their own right, in the paths that God had for them…

A leader of a nation…a Jew in a foreign land who was counted trustworthy to foreign kings….a widow who “ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Luke.2.37,Luke.2.38

I have friends and relatives who are 80…what a delight each one of them are…

 Moses said …”The years of our life are seventy,or even by reason of strength eighty;yet their span is but toil and trouble;they are soon gone, and we fly away.”

Ps.90.10

My husband used to say,,there is no retirement in the Bible…we serve the Lord as long as we can…

Erma Bomveck ..”when I stand before God at the end f my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say “ I used everything You gave me”…

Whether we lead a nation, face a den of lions or worship in the temple or whatever God has in store for us….find us faithful…

Thank YOU…

 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 

My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 

So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Dan.6.10,Dan.6.11,Dan.6.22,Dan.6.28

Find us Faithful…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKT5BCmvmq0&list=RDMKT5BCmvmq0&start_radio=1

Almost persuaded…

 Almost persuaded….

 There are times in our lives when the truth is so close and we still can’t believe it…we test it, argue it, until we either accept it or reject it all together…

Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged “Daniel’s God”  several times, but he did not say “my”God…we won’t know until we get to heaven if he ever had a personal faith in the God of the universe…

It reminded me of Paul speaking over and over before people, Festus, Agrippa in the New Testament…did his words fall on deaf ears, as well?

Or in our everyday life, with our neighbors, friends, family….how deep do the words we speak dwell in the hearts of others…only Holy Spirit knows ….but speak and live we must, as Daniel did…

God knows the hearts of others…

 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

Dan.2.47

 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”

Dan.3.26,Dan.3.28,Dan.3.29

  King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs,how mighty his wonders!His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,and his dominion endures from generation to generation. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Dan.4.1,Dan.4.2,Dan.4.3,Dan.4.37

Thank YOU….

 “‘This people honors me with their lips,but their heart is far from me;

Matt.15.8

 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

 Acts.26.24-32

Majesty…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNnTFDNPT3U&list=RDSNnTFDNPT3U&start_radio=1

Acorns ….pride..

 Acorns….pride….

For several years before the end of my dad’s life, he propagated acorns…trying to replenish areas that once had a “forest” of oak trees…some he was successful with, others not so much…

So, anywhere I went that had oak trees and acorns, I would pocket a few acorns and send them to him…Ming tombs in China, the 911 memorial in New York City, pastures along the way….(the oak trees at the Ming tombs have leaves the size of a plate, so big and beautiful). Those acorns have grown into trees now, not needing fencing from the cattle which range there.   I wish my dad could see the fruit of his labors now and tell  the stories of each tree and where they came from…he would be so proud….(he was a story teller)…

In Daniel 4 , King Nebuchadnezzar tells of his dream of a tree…

 “I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.“‘

Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. 

Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” 

Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ 

“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. 

Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” 

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” 

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.His dominion is an eternal dominion;his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.No one can hold back his hand-or say to him: “What have you done?” 

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Dan.4.9,Dan.4.10,Dan.4.11,Dan.4.12,Dan.4.13,Dan.4.14,Dan.4.15,Dan.4.16,Dan.4.17,Dan.4.18,Dan.4.22,Dan.4.23,Dan.4.24,Dan.4.25,Dan.4.26,Dan.4.27,Dan.4.28,Dan.4.30,Dan.4.34,Dan.4.35,Dan.4.37

Pride…. Exaggerated self-esteem, conceit…Merriam Webster…

Pride takes us down a road of “me” and what “I “ accomplished…leaving out the real creator and His control…we can look at all we have acquired, all the good things we have done, the “trees” we planted, but, they were only given as gifts from the One who controls all…

Thank YOU…

 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Ps.10.4

 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with humility comes wisdom.

Prov.11.2

 Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall..

Prov.16.18

 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbledand human pride brought low;the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. The arrogance of man will be brought lowand human pride humbled;the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,     and the idols will totally disappear.

Isa.2.11,Isa.2.17,Isa.2.18

Humble thy self…

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=humble+thyself+to+walk+with+god+hymn

The Story of the 9/11 Survivor Tree and What It Means

Binding…

 Binding….

When Reading Daniel 3, there are so many lessons, thoughts..but my heart kept focusing in on “bind, tied up, firm tied, bound”….

What am I bound by, what are my thoughts tied up with…who controls those bindings…

These men in were willing to die for their worship of the true God…their hearts were bound with the love, not fear of dying…they had made their stand for God…they knew the Word would save the no matter what…

The kings bindings had no power over them….it was another instance of…”choose whom you will serve”…

Thank YOU….

 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 

So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

Dan.3.16-29

 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Deut.6.5-8

 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deut.11.18-19

 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,I will not forget your law.

Ps.119.61

 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart. 

My son, keep your father’s commandand do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 

Bind them always on your heart;fasten them around your neck.

Prov.3.3,Prov.6.20,Prov.6.21

 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Col.3.12-14

Bless be the tie that binds…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RUu93KoX-0&list=RD_RUu93KoX-0&start_radio=1

Pray for one another…Praise is the voice of faith…

 Pray for one another….

Praise is the voice of faith….

With this new round of cancer, I get notes, phone calls, texts, cards, etc saying that they are praying for me…in turn I am doing the same for others…the circle of prayer, concern, praise continues on…

I thought of this while reading Daniel 2…when finding out distressing news, he went to his friends, who in turn prayed with him for answers…he praised God who is in charge of all things…wisdom, power, times, seasons, knows all, sees all, etc…

The chapter may seem to be about the king’s dreams, but it is so much more…it is about the faithfulness of God, the faithfulness of Daniel to God…faithful friends…in the rough times….

Thank YOU….

 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. 

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

Dan.2.15-19

 and said:“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons;he deposes kings and raises up others.He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things;he knows what lies in darkness,and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:You have given me wisdom and power,you have made known to me what we asked of you,you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Dan.2.20-23

 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

2Thess.1.3

Faithful One…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PjSO5Ihl0M&list=RD7PjSO5Ihl0M&start_radio=1

The King’s table…

 The King’s table….

I was reminded the other day of one my grandson’s comments when he had fresh corn in Mongolia. It was such a treat, grown fresh and actually ripened to eat….” We are eating like kings!”….the climate in that part of the world is not usually conducive to longer growing crops…so it was a wonderous  thing to have corn, even short  cobs…

“The term "King's Table" in the Bible refers to the dining table of a monarch, symbolizing not only the abundance and luxury associated with royal banquets but also the power and authority of the king. It is a place of honor and privilege, often mentioned in the context of feasting and fellowship with the king.”

https://biblehub.com/topical/k/king%27s_table.htm

One commentary remarks …” king’s table shows…

Provision, abundance, favor, acceptance, faithfulness, fellowship, covenant fellowship.”…

https://biblehub.com/topical/k/king%27s_table.htm

We read about David in 2 Samuel 9, when he kept his promise to Jonathan by bringing the young man, Mephibosheth to seat  at the king’s table in an act of kindness…

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” 2 Samuel 9:7…

Then again, in 2 Kings talks the king of Babylon, the son of Nebuchadnezzar , releasing Jehoiachin, giving him a seat of honor at his table, putting aside his prison clothes, to eat regularly at the king’s table…

 In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He did this on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table.

2Kgs.25.27-29

These are just reminders of God’s kindness as well…

Pslam 23 holds its promises for each of us…He is our king and prepares a table for us as well…

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.     He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters,     he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right pathsfor his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff,they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows. 

Surely your goodness and love will follow me-all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Ps.23.1-6

Not only that there is a wedding feast awaiting us, as written about in the book of Revelations…

 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:“Hallelujah!For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be gladand give him glory!For the wedding of the Lamb has come,and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean,was given her to wear.”(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” 

And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Rev.19.6-9

 

We will truly be “eating like kings.”

Thank YOU….

At the table…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peeqJ1bmT_w&list=RDpeeqJ1bmT_w&start_radio=1

The Lord goes before you…

 

The Lord goes before you….

One sad commentary of our country happened when children were taken from their parents by well meaning people and put into schools to change their culture…this happened in Canada, the US …it has happened over centuries of time and happened again within the last few years in the war between the Ukraine and Russia…”re-education” or whatever some would call it…

heartbreaking for parents, earth shattering for children….

God used these circumstances to build Godly men…

Daniel and his friends…who became leaders in a foreign world…advisors to kings…men who walked in the fire with Jesus…withstood the lion’s den…even in a foreign land, God was with them…

There are times we may feel the same…alone in a foreign land…whether physically, emotionally…through illness, pain, and so much more…there are times to be courageous because God is with us, we are not forsaken…left alone…

Thank YOU…

 He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. 

Only the poorest people of the land were left. The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans. 

Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the rest of the populace and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon. 

But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.

2Kgs.24.14,2Kgs.24.16,2Kgs.25.11-12

 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. 

He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 

The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. 

They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 

Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. 

And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Dan.1.3,Dan.1.4,Dan.1.5,Dan.1.8,Dan.1.9,Dan.1.17

 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deut.31.6

“Part of growing in our Christian walk is learning  how to cope with life’s problems and letting Christ  carry our burdens when the load is too heavy to carry.” Lauralee Bliss…

Sparrows…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=15PH7qGvs9k&t=76s&pp=2AFMkAIB

A place to lay your head…

 A place to lay your head…

Last night I slept in a “taco” bed, you know, one of those which sinks and you are in the  middle trying to get out or turned over…

It made me reminisce of beds I have slept in over the years…

Blowup beds…

  Ones which slowly leak during the night…

  Ones which immediately leak upon blowing into…

  Ones which squeak when moving …

  Ones which are too short …

  Ones which have weird blowup pattern …

Ground…

 Plain dirt..

 Dirt with a few rocks…

Gravel..

Dirt with twigs…

Mattresses….

Taco…

Hard as rock…

Thin pad  on cement…

Water bed..

Thermo, cooks you while you try to sleep…

Sponge…

Kapok…

Down…expensive or cheap…can feel each feather end or not…

Mattresses that you slide to the middle or off the side…

Old, smelly….

Tent city/forts made of pillows and blankets…

The bathroom floor when I was sick or a child was so sick…

Comfortable mattresses….😊😇

A fun exercise of remembering those odd little pieces of time….sleeping or trying to sleep

Jesus, the Son of God, left heaven to first sleep in a manger…I am sure his parents made it as comfortable as they could…

Then later …

 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Matt.8.20

Thank YOU…

No place to lay my head…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfxnLJpRXY4&list=RDRfxnLJpRXY4&start_radio=1

A cloud without color cloaks the dawn

As I cling to my earnest resolve

With faltering footsteps and fire in my heart

I fight to stand up when I fall

Though the drone of defeat drums a deafening roar

And mocks each advance that I make

I refuse to retire or relinquish my hold

On the righteousness I undertake

I'm a pilgrim of Heaven

This world's not my own

I may walk by myself but I'm never alone

No place to lay my head

Like my Lord who came before

Though the birds have their nest

I have nowhere to rest

And there is no place, no place

No place to lay my head

Like My Lord

Though the birds have their nest

I have nowhere to rest

And there is no place to lay my head

The struggle is sweetness and pleasure the pain

As I walk where the Savior has been

Adversity howls down the mountains I climb

With the fury of Golgotha's wind

The rendering of pride is the sword in my side

And surrender the nails in my hands

Down my own way of sorrows I carry my cross

On a journey that's just as He planned

Dem b9nes, dem bones , dem dry bones…

 

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones…

Having lived in Nevada for most of my married life, dryness was a way of life. Average rainfall was under 10 inches a year….moisture cream, hand lotion, chap stick were staples….

My children grew playing in the sagebrush, salt grass.

Two of them have ended up still close to that environment and two have moved to more moisture…interesting God works.

When we would take to the hills, it was likely that there would be dry bones of some animal or another, deer, cow, bleached white in the hot sun, a bit of fur here and there, maybe an anthill nearby…the sage brush thriving from the nutrients fed into the ground by the decay.

Even in death the animal gave some life to its surroundings….

We may have dry times, times when we need the breath of God to bring new life to our bones, our heart…to build us up, repair us, heal us, bring back the joy we once knew… bring peace… comfort…

And He is just  breath away…

Thank YOU…

Rereading passages about the exile of the Israelites to Babylon is hard and hopeful at the same time. Their rebellion toward God brought about punishment after many many years of a “slow to anger”God.

But, the hope in these times as well…

He shows Ezekiel the  valley of dry bones, reviving them to life…in Ezekiel 37…

He promises new life…even in their pain…

https://biblestudyforyou.com/bible-verses-about-dry-bones/

https://www.gotquestions.org/valley-dry-bones.html

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tl3GrkRHsvk

 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.

Isa.41.10

Come alive….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF6HlhGy3LM&list=RDuF6HlhGy3LM&start_radio=1

Blood power…

 Blood power…

Interesting…..

https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/circulatory/blood.htm

I had forgotten the pain that it takes to make my body fight off cancer… in the making of good blood to ward off the cancer that has invaded…the deep ache in the blood-making bones…so here I am at midnight+ thinking about this process…even in the  pain thinking about the body as a “magnificent machine”, (there is a family devotional we read to our children about our bodies as “magnificent machines”)…God made us so incredibly complex, each part having a particular role…each working synergisticly

 to combat the enemy, cancer…and it is automatic…the doctors add some chemicals to increase the pace…but God knows the outcome and proceeds in that direction…He has given the intellect to even make the chemicals…make the right decisions…

He is the ultimate Controller of ALL things…our blood flows, works at his command….

When you think about how blood is used throughout the Word, it is so fitting…it is a sacrifice of a lamb’s blood to save the Israelites In Egypt…a sign the save those who put their trust in God to pass them by…

It is used at the tabernacle, to be placed on the alter…for sacrifice as well…

 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

Exod.12.21-23

 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.

Exod.24.6-8

Jesu speaks to Nicodemas about being born of the blood and the Spirit…

 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” 

Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John.3.1-6,16

 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

Rom.3.23-25

 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”says the Lord.“Though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson,they shall be like wool.

Isa.1.18

 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Luke.22.44

 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. 

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Col.1.19-23

Our blood is part of the process of our healing, physically…but, Christ’s blood is our eternal healing…both perfectly planned by a Creator…we can’t do without either to Live…

Thank YOU…

Power in the blood…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQjfYbeGtbA&list=RDOQjfYbeGtbA&start_radio=1

Be sure to read about the author..under the song…under “more info”….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr_PS_qe6Ks&list=RDTr_PS_qe6Ks&start_radio=1

Nothing but the blood of Jesus…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9mN4ydRpFk&list=RDOQjfYbeGtbA&index=2

 

Once so full of people…

 Once so full of people…

I enjoy going to estate sales…not the beginning of them, but in the middle or maybe at the end…they used to remind me of my grandparents, then later-my parents and now they are my generation…

At the end of the sale, as you walk through, the place is hollow sounding, empty…you can’t hear the laughter of people past…the fun had there, the clatter of dishes in the sink, grandchildren running from one end to another, nor  the jokes and stories told, the hugs  good bye for the day...hollowness, empty…people have come and gone for the sale, excited about their bargains not knowing what  it meant  to the residents…the stories, maybe the sacrifice…they had collected items that had personal significance to them…how we value our treasures gathered over time…they each have a story…and then leave the sale as an “item” rather than a treasure…

Jermaiah 52 speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem…how the army took and took of the temple, the wealth, the people…piece by piece , bit by bit, not necessarily of the objects but amount of the wealth, gold, silver, bronze…and took it back to Babylon…the meaning of the handcrafted pieces had no meaning to them…just the value in precious metals…

 How deserted lies the city,once so full of people!

Lam.1.1a

 On the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 

He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. 

Every important building he burned down. 

The whole Babylonian army, under the commander of the imperial guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem. 

But Nebuzaradan left behind the rest of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields. 

The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the movable stands and the bronze Sea that were at the temple of the Lord and they carried all the bronze to Babylon. 

They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and all the bronze articles used in the temple service. 

The commander of the imperial guard took away the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, dishes and bowls used for drink offerings—all that were made of pure gold or silver. The bronze from the two pillars, the Sea and the twelve bronze bulls under it, and the movable stands, which King Solomon had made for the temple of the Lord, was more than could be weighed. 

Each pillar was eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference; each was four fingers thick, and hollow. 

The bronze capital on top of one pillar was five cubits high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. 

The other pillar, with its pomegranates, was similar. 

There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; the total number of pomegranates above the surrounding network was a hundred.

Jer.52.12-23

Our treasure is in Christ alone…his life, his death, his resurrection, his Salvation…a gift beyond comprehension…

Thank YOU…

Treasure…

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-C4xU9eQVE&pp=ygUXdHJlYXN1cmUgY2hyaXN0aWFuIHNvbmc%3D

 Prediction…truth…seeking…

When the doctor sits across from you and says you have about 2-5 months left, it gets your attention…he is guessing by past experience, odds of medical information…

But, when God says what the time will be, you can be sure that he is right…after all he is all knowing, he alone knows the times…the beginning fro the end, our make up…he knows our plan…

I am going back to the 70 years…as spoken in the psalms, Jeremiah…

 Our days may come to seventy years,or eighty, if our strength endures;yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 

Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,for as many years as we have seen trouble. 

May your deeds be shown to your servants,your splendor to their children. 

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

Ps.90.10,14, Ps.90.14-17

God gave the Israelites 70 years in exile in Babylon…he sent them to build houses, grow gardens, marry, have families, multiply…just as they did in Egypt…they are to prosper, learn…maybe even be contented I the place that He planted them…then he would take them back to their land…

And just as he listened to them  in Egypt, He brought them  out of Babylon brought them to the promised land …

 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Jer.29.10-14

Jesus’ words in Matthew…

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

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matt.7.7-8

God has his promises to us…are they predictions, truth?….

God is truth and we can count on that…no matter what man may predict…

Thank YOU…

God said it…

…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJPLaCwPOYo&list=RDpJPLaCwPOYo&start_radio=1

Psalm 91

  Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most Highwill rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.” 

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 

He will cover you with his feathers,and under his wings you will find refuge;his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

You will not fear the terror of night,nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,nor the plague that destroys at midday. 

A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you. 

You will only observe with your eyesand see the punishment of the wicked. 

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you,no disaster will come near your tent. 

For he will command his angels concerning you-to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands,so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

You will tread on the lion and the cobra;you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble,I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him-and show him my salvation.”

Ps.91.1-16

Prophecy of 70 years…

 Prophecy of 70 years…

As I walking this morning, I was listening to 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul was entreating the people about testing the prophecies…

I really  am in Jeremiah,  though, in my reading…he was talking about the 70 years of the Jews in Babylon… God’s promise of bringing the Israelites back to their homeland as he promised….

We get promises from all kinds of things, people…testing our faith…but the Promises of God are faithful, true, everlasting…we may not going into exile for 70 years…or sojourn in a foreign country, but where ever we are, He is with us …guiding, comforting, speaking truth….

Thank YOU…

 Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: “Because you have not listened to my words, I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. 

I will completely destroy them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin. I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. 

This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

“But when the seventy years are fulfilled, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation, the land of the Babylonians, for their guilt,” declares the Lord, “and will make it desolate forever. 

I will bring on that land all the things I have spoken against it, all that are written in this book and prophesied by Jeremiah against all the nations.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer.25.8,Jer.25.9,Jer.25.10,Jer.25.11,Jer.25.12,Jer.25.13&version=NIV

 Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. 

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. 

May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1Thess.5:20-24

 My comfort in my suffering is this:Your promise preserves my life. 

I have sought your face with all my heart;be gracious to me according to your promise. 

May your unfailing love be my comfort,according to your promise to your servant. 

Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;do not let my hopes be dashed. 

Your promises have been thoroughly tested,and your servant loves them. 

May my supplication come before you;deliver me according to your promise.

Ps.119.50,Ps.119.58,Ps.119.76,Ps.119.116,Ps.119.140,Ps.119.170

 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke.1.45

 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Rom.4.18-21

 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Gal.3.14

God of promises…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G26HDdqCyGw&list=RDG26HDdqCyGw&start_radio=1

Figs..3..

 Figs…3…

I know…figs again, but couldn’t help it…was walking this  am before heat hit again…listening to Jeremiah 24,25…”two baskets of figs, 70 years of captivity “…

The Lord showed Jeremiah two baskets of figs…

 One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. And the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten.” Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. 

“But thus says the Lord: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they shall be utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.”

Jer.24.2-10

My Bible study notes were so good on this passage…

“…We may assume we are blessed when

life goes well and cursed when it does not.  But trouble Is a blessing when it makes us stronger and prosperity is a curse if it entices us from God. If you are facing trouble, ask God to help you grow stronger for him. If things are going your way , ask God  to help you use your prosperity for Him…”

It seems we make a lot of assumptions about good and bad things happening in our lives.  But, God is always working for our good if we love him.

 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Rom.8.28-30

 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Phil.1.6

Thank YOU…

A song and singer from my childhood…

His eye is on the sparrow …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOwgQq70XBE&list=RDvOwgQq70XBE&start_radio=1

Really interesting article…

https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/figs-in-the-bible/

Oh Lord…

 Oh Lord…

I used to listen to Sandi on an LP record all the time…then cassette, sing along with her..made the chores so much lighter, the day brighter….so I give you a tune to carry us through today…

Blessings,

Oh Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIgeisMkJjw&list=RDUIgeisMkJjw&start_radio=1

 Lord, our Lord,how majestic is your name in all the earth!You have set your glory in the heavens. 

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies,to silence the foe and the avenger. 

When I consider your heavens,the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars,which you have set in place, 

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,human beings that you care for them? 

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;you put everything under their feet: 

all flocks and herds,and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky,and the fish in the sea,all that swim the paths of the seas. 

Lord, our Lord,how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Ps.8.1-9

Thank YOU…

Walking on water…

 Walking on water…

I was awakened by  the picture of picture of Peter walking on the water this morning…but not only that but the picture of Jesus reaching out to him, catching him…comfortingly…

 “Come,” he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matt.14.29-33

As I approach another season of chemotherapy, I really don’t want to get out of boat as Peter did…I want to sit comfortably in the boat with no risks, no trials, no problems, no tests…no jumping out of the boat to see if I can walk on water…but, no, apparently that is not the plan…I am compelled to get out of the boat, keep my eyes on Jesus because his holding my hand is the only thing that will keep me safe…in the boat or out of the boat…I need to keep my eye’s focused on Him to not sink….and if I start to sink, he is there to reach out and catch me…

Thank YOU….

 

 Walking on water….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh49C6vxB40&list=RDxh49C6vxB40&start_radio=1

Planning…

 

Planning…

I was reading about a bride and groom whose wedding was quickly arriving…obstacle after obstacle came their way, snow storms, lost clothing, unexpected business trips, health issues…until,the bride almost gave up…both and bride and groom were reminded that the man makes a plan, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail…

 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Prov.19.21 NIV

This devotion came  up this morning from Cancer Companions…

 

“Cast all your cares on Him…..

Written by Elvin McLin

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).

It’s two in the morning! You haven’t been able to sleep. Anxiety has crept into your every thought. For some of you, the voice of your doctor telling you his findings plays over and over in your head like a bad Seventies disco song. For others, the lingering pain of chemotherapy burns every fiber of your being. Still another grapples with the gnawing thought, “How am I going to pay for an immunotherapy pill costing more than six months of my salary?” Or, “How long before I die?” The list goes on and on for those in various stages of a cancer journey. 

Through the tears of a prolonged night of constant anxiety that soak our pillows, the self-assuring words from today’s verse, 1 Peter 5:7, leap off the pages of the Bible! Strong. Definitive. Like the anchor of a massive cruise ship securing its tons of sheet metal to the dock of the anticipated port, so too the words of our Lord find their way to the depths of our heart, grabbing hold of a secure place, bringing our anxieties to a screeching halt. We come to a complete rest, allowing His words to gently calm our anxiety. Taking a deep breath, you allow yourself to hear your heavenly Father saying, “Cast all your anxiety on Me because I care for you.” The key words are “all” and “care.” Give the Lord all of it! What is it? Cancer and everything that comes with it. Why? Because He cares for you! Trust Him! 

Pray: Lord, thank You for Your promise to never leave me or forsake me in my pilgrimage through this life. Help me to be anchored tightly to the security of Your Word. Amen.

Your Turn: Make a list of the times anxiety affects you the most. Middle of the night? Before a scan? In a group of people? When you’re alone? In the car? Place today’s verse, 1 Peter 5:7, in your phone as a screensaver, on a card, or in your wallet, and read it at these difficult times.”

We have plans, we have anxieties and their best place in is God’s hand…they may not look like we thought , but they are the best…and we (I) have to rest in that…I am not saying this is easy …no…not for me…I like plans…my plans…but, I am still learning to let him lead, plan…

Thank YOU…

Cast all of my cares…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKM4NoTKLzo&list=RDKKM4NoTKLzo&start_radio=1

Power outage…

 Power outage…

My power and several neighbors’ power went out about 40 minutes ago…so I walked outside while it was cool instead of computer work I had planned… it is still out, but iPad is working, yay!

“Power outage alert….An unplanned outage may be impacting your service”…power company…

It makes one realize how much we depend on flipping the switch, being able to open a garage door, cook in the microwave, etc..

But, worse still…what if we got that message from God…no truth, World in disarray, we would have no one to rely on, no answers to prayer, no comfort, no one to talk to in the nighttime watches, no air to breath, darkness would descend…no hope…

I was reading through psalm 91…

None of what I read would be true…

No rest in His shelter,

No trust,

No saving …

No faithfulness…

Fear…

No refuge..

Harm and disaster…

No love, no protection…

No one to call upon…

No salvation….

We have Gods’s eternal power…no “unplanned” power outages…

Thank YOU…

Praise to the Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo-P6Qkkq9g&list=RDvo-P6Qkkq9g&start_radio=1

Ah ha..it just came on….thank YOU…

Jeremiah l..

 Jeremiah…

Years and years ago, I remember I read Jeremiah for the first time…my notes in that Bible were like, “this is happening now”…”he could be writing about today’s news”….

And each time I read through his words  written hundreds of years ago, I say the same thing…”he is writing about today”…we haven’t changed much…we still sin, we still need the Lord’ comfort, we still need Him…

David wrote…

“ My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God!How vast is the sum of them!

Ps.139.15-17

Jeremiah wrote…

  The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart;I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jer.1.4-5

As much as I don’t like trials, I appreciate what God said to Jeremiah…

 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Jer.1.8

“God   promised to “rescue” Jeremiah from troubles, not keep him from jailings, deportation, or insults..

God does not keep us from encountering life’s storm, but will see us through them. In fact, 

God walks through these storms with us…”Bible study notes…

 When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned;the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;….

Isa.43.2,Isa.43.3a

 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” 

So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Luke.8.22-25

Thank YOU…

My God fights for me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JezG-ZNQXfE&list=RDJezG-ZNQXfE&start_radio=1