Buying a Phone, iPad…

The other day, I spent a chunk of time replacing my IPad…I use my iPad all the time…so my former iPad was getting slower and slower…and I would impatiently wait for  various programs to load, taking longer and longer to write each morning, answering mail, etc…oh, I have. Big computer on which I do business with, but it is not portable…and I have an iPhone as well, but the iPad is a mainstay…

My first iPad was purchased with points from my husband’s accounts that I closed down after his death…those points, which he never used, were spread far and wide. I was able to give a bunch to Make a Wish, some were actually transferred to my accounts…others given away to various charities, etc…it was like spending someone else’s money…which it was…I knew he would have had fun doing it…

But, back to buying  a new one…it takes a lot of time doing it…waiting time…like buying a car…paperwork, signatures, basic instruction, transfer of more information, etc…this world information, nothing eternal, except the Bible programs included, which I didn’t want to lose!

For simple things, our lives seem complicated…but, the Gospel is simple….thank YOU for that…

 Acts 16: . 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

The Apostle Paul was good at instructing…he wrote letters of instructions , he visited many places and taught…he relied on the Holy Spirit to further instruct …so that people were fully engaged in The Word…Jesus…

Much better than buying a car or an iPad…the opportunity of living eternity with the Creator….

1 Thessalonians 4: As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Thank YOU…

Your Words…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqaA8XBI15o

Lavish….

 Lavish…

1

: expending or bestowing profusely 

2

a

: expended or produced in abundance

b

: marked by profusion or excess

Merriam Webster online Dictionary….

I thought of this word this morning as I was taking my shower…in wonderful hot water…pouring down on sore muscles…. was sooooo thankful…and later reading about the hundreds of firefighters struggling day after hot day to get some control of the fires we are having.   Wouldn’t they love to lavish in a shower to wash the grime and sweat away…a huge SHOUT OUT TO THEM….

But the word appears in the Word as well…the riches of God’s grace…lavished on us….his love lavished on us…doesn’t that  just warm your heart…thrill your soul…

Think YOU….

Ephesians 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he-made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

1John 3:1See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

God of every grace…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SARNm0M8A

Overcomer

 Overcomer….

I opened my devotional ….first sentence-“ I am teaching you to be an overcomer, to find joy in the midst of circumstances that previously would defeat you” Sarah Young…

I guess I didn’t know I wanted to learn that lesson…

Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Psalm 145:18 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.

Numbers 6:24 24 “‘“The Lord bless you

    and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you

    and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you

    and give you peace…

Thank YOU, you know what I need…

The blessing…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ55mDL7dA0

R

A. Place….

 

A place….

Is there a place that just seems like home…a place that you go to get yourself centered again with God? I realize that God is everywhere that we can talk with him anytime night or day…but, some have a special place that is just comfortable…

I was reading about Mount Moriah…its history goes from Genesis to now…

Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac there…

David built an alter there…

Solomon built his temple there…

The temple was destroyed…

The Jews built a temple again…

Herod expanded the temple…

Jesus confronted the money “makers” there…

Roman armies destroyed it again…

Then in the 600’s, the Muslims built another temple, which stands today awaiting the end times…while the Jews use the West wall as their place for prayer, the Wailing Wall…

THe meaning of the word,Moriah, is provision…God provided a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac…testing both Abraham and Isaac’s faith…a place they could look at and say “God provided… “, He kept his promises…

There are places in my life, I can stand upon and say “ God did this or this here” in my life…He proved himself faithful…

Thank YOU…

Everyday Relevance of Moriah

“The significance of the name Moriah extends beyond its historical and scriptural references; it has practical implications in the lives of believers today. The call to faith exemplified by Abraham serves as an encouragement for individuals facing their own trials and challenges. When confronted with uncertainty, believers can draw inspiration from the story of Moriah, reminding themselves that God is aware of their struggles and is capable of providing solutions and guidance.

Moreover, the concept of Moriah as a place of divine revelation encourages  spiritual seekers to remain attentive to God's voice. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, taking moments to pause, reflect, and seek God's guidance can lead to profound insights and clarity. The meaning of the name Moriah in the Bible serves as a reminder that God desires a personal relationship with His followers, inviting them to trust in His provision and timing.”

https://bibledictionarytoday.com

Faithful…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSy4zC2_ztg

 Provision…

I wonder at these scenes of Jesus taking the bread and giving it out to others, if the disciples ever thought of the manna that God provided for the Israelites in the  desert, daily….enough that everyone was provided for…and were satisfied….and then in the last supper he gave them bread as a symbol of his body…He was enough …Jesus was what they/we need…and He is enough for us as well on a daily basis…He is our bread…and we should be satisfied with him…

Matthew 15:36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

37 They all ate and were satisfied.

Mathew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

John 21:3 we’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.fn

9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

Exodus 16:15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat…

Thank YOU….

The Lord will Provide..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-29gTlsdCZ8

 Picky eaters..

I had a friend several years ago who, when feeding her children, would say, “you won’t like this, but you have to eat it anyway “…

Lo and behold, this family were all picky eaters…to which this mother, later bemoaned the fact that her children were such picky eaters she hated taking them anywhere because they complained so much…

Talk about a double whammy….

When my husband and I or our family travelled, the highlight is tasting new foods…trying new recipes…the Mediterranean  shakshuka, the Chinese foods, the Uruguayan barbecue beef, the Mongolian dishes…or even various American regional delicacies. They may not be my favorites, but they are worth trying…

I thought of God providing the manna in the dessert…or the quail…the locusts for John the Baptist, fresh cooked  fish waiting the disciples cooked by Jesus..or the small fish and loaves given to Jesus by the little boy…fresh grain in the  fields….feasts at various homes… even the liquid given to Jesus on the cross…all “choice foods” for which people were thankful..

Fresh veggies and fruits are now available at the local farmers markets….it is fun the peruse the food venders to,see what they are selling…fresh melons, corn, beans, honey, breads, peaches, plums, etc…

Here God is such a wonderful provider…food for the body and through his Word, food for the soul…

Thank YOU…

Exodus 16: 21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.

Mark 1: 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey

Thank YOU…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdPcSXnsZ-I

 Take heart…courage…

There are times when we just loose courage….times when things are really rough, times when our heart just fails us, our souls are down and depressed and nothing is going “right”….

We are told to wait…be strong…listen…let  go of our sin…be faithful …not be afraid…take heart …take courage…and the Acts verse says that the Lord stood by Paul…and those who believe have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit with us….

Just because we are down doesn’t mean that God isn’t standing near or that he is finished with us…he has lots of life lessons …

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD

Ezekiel 3:10 And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you

Matthew 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

14:27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Thank YOU….

Take courage…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwvkLYJkOkk