Comfort verses #?

“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 3:16 NIV‬). 

In His time…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3A5-89pY9

“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples” (Psalm 77:1-2, 14 NIV).

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). 

You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear’” (Lamentations 3:57 NIV).

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NIV).

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV)

“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” (Matthew 7:7-8)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18 NIV). 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

“‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’” (Mark 14:36 NIV).

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23a NIV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

God of all my days…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkZE8AogDE&list=RDZYkZE8AogDE&start_radio=1&pp=ygUhZ29kIG9mIGFsbCBteSBkYXlzIGNhc3RpbmcgY3Jvd25zoAcB

Pain management…

 Pain management….

After spending some time with doctor the other day discussing pain management, I was a bit discouraged…”same ol, same ol”…we have discussed before, but this was the final discussion…unless wanting to progress to opiates…there are so many ads about the best pain meds on tv….am finding out why my parents medicine cabinet had so many kinds of medications that they tried for their ailments…

 Was encouraged reading by Reading Max Lucado’s book, “ what happens next, a traveler’s guide through the end of this age”…one more thing we can look forward to is not more pain…a small thing in the grand scheme of his plans for the believers…I knew that, just needed reminding…

He talks of the “ pearly gates”…”all other precious gems are metal or stones, but a Pearl is a gem formed within an oyster….the only one formed by living flesh. The humble oyster receives an irritation or wound, and around the offending article that has penetrated or hurt it, the oyster builds a Pearl.  The Pearl …the answer of the oyster to that which injured it….the Pearl is born out of pain…”

Job 6:2 “If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!
3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous.
4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me,
    my spirit drinks in their poison;
    God’s terrors are marshaled against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass,
    or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
    or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow?
7 I refuse to touch it;
    such food makes me ill.

8 “Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,
9 that God would be willing to crush me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!
10 Then I would still have this consolation—
    my joy in unrelenting pain—
    that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

David…

Psalm 38: 5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
    because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain;
    there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
    I groan in anguish of heart.

Isaiah …

Isaiah 21: 3 At this my body is racked with pain,
    pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor;
I am staggered by what I hear,
    I am bewildered by what I see.

Isaiah 53: 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Revelations 21: . 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Thank YOU…

Heaven is a wonderful place…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_u1rGs7sLA

 Cancer center…various views…

The first time i had to go to the cancer center for an infusion, I was shaking, I was so filled with anxiety…then all of the sudden such a peace settled in around and in me, that I was okay and faced those various needles, plastic packages of meds, sat down in the recliner and let them do their thing…the after effects weren’t so hot, but, we were fighting cancer…for that instance the phrase “ no pain , no gain” was applicable…

Each time I go there I observe the people…we sit the required distance between us, hoping not to get another bug, so visiting is hard…I would love to hear their stories, bit for reason we don’t share much…but we probably all view the center differently…

I was reading a short summary of the comparison of the four gospels this morning…all of them center on Jesus, but they see him through their own eyes, experiences….and how God want them to write…

Jesus is…

Matthew-the promised King..

Mark-the Servant oof God..

Luke-the Son of Man…

John-the Son of God…

Themes….

Matthew-Jesus is the Messiah …

Mark-Jesus backed up his words with action…

Luke-Jesus was God but also fully human…

John-Belief in Jesus was required for salvation l..

Emphasis…

Matthew-Jesus’ sermons and words…

Mark-Jesus’ miracles and actions…

Luke-Jesus’ humanity…

John-the principles of Jesus’ teaching…

Bible study notes…

Those disciples were no different from us…they viewed Jesus from different angles…I have a favorite book, favorite verses because they speak particularly to me…I am drawn to various people for various reasons, not that I don’t see others or am against others, but, certain traits speak to my own heart…

But, the whole Bible, the whole group of Gospels is put there for all of us to feed upon…

Thank YOU….

God of my days..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkZE8AogDE

 

Weddings…

 Weddings

There are so many weddings this summer and fall for some of my family to attend… all those friends and family who are reaching marriageable age…( another 2-3 years, there will be a plethora of baby showers😊)…

I was reading “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young this morning and she was writing about the brides getting ready for their weddings…how much prep work there is to do…

 When you think that Christians as Christ’s bride, are we doing as much prep work? Are we excited each day thinking of the groom?Are we getting ready as much as an earthly bride does? Checking off our lists…

The thing is , He is preparing for us, a feast, an eternal home with joy, even a wedding garment…are we as joyful in our preparations? Are we growing everyday to be more conformed to His image…are we waiting, keeping our lamps burning for his appearance? Are we ready to sing and praise?

What thoughts…it puts a smile on my face…just thinking about that concept…that reality…

Isaiah 62:5 As a young man marries a young woman,
    so will your Builder marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
    so will your God rejoice over you.

Matthew 25: 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Revelations 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

9 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.”

Thank YOU…

Bridal music…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaTQ5-XfMM&list=PLjWbcvsmNv07czv1lNufh3Sb2OroNIi_l&index=1&pp=iAQB8AUB

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pccyrZ0Wp_4&list=RDpccyrZ0Wp_4&start_radio=1&pp=ygUWY2hyaXN0aWFuIGJyaWRhbCBtdXNpY6AHAQ%3D%3D

What is right…

 What is right…

Elections are always a source of news…who will run, who will not run…what are their beliefs, what are their backgrounds, what do they stand for…etc…and while this is important as we want people who do the right things…

What is our personal stand? What is our reputation, what do we stand for? Who do we stand for? 

These questions guide our everyday lives, personal, business, family…what are we known for? 

I have asked these questions when looking for a church body, a neighborhood, a business…you can find  the demographics of neighborhoods that are safe or not…you can look up a business to see their ratings by others or even a product to see if it works well or not…

What ratings would we get? Where do we stand???

Exodus 18:9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”

1 Peter 2:2Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us….. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 

1 Peter 3: 3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Esther 9: 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces…

1 Timothy3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Thank YOU…

Well done…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZu7mfYS_VY&list=RDlZu7mfYS_VY&start_radio=1

What about him?….

 What about him?….

Comparisons…ugh…they rob us of our joy…when we see others living their lives and it is different from what we think we should be doing, acquiring, etc…there we sit, wondering why they get to do that and we don’t….

Maybe you haven’t done that…look at others and wonder why…why do they have it so good…or I really want what they have, etc…

Toddlers do it, a lot of social media is based on it, adults do it…

Lack of contentment with what we have..and we see it in Peter in these verses….”Lord, what about him?”…

Jesus said in no uncertain terms, it really wasn’t Peter’s business…

We are to do what we are called to do and don’t worry about what others are doing…don’t compare…be available to our calling…

Thank YOU….

John 21:19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 

23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

2 Corinthians 10:13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 

Psalm 37:1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Exodus 20: 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

I will follow…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFna4pEF7M8

https://vividmaps.com/apostles/

https://bibleask.org/how-did-the-twelve-disciples-die/i

Thank YOU…comfort verses…

 

Thank YOU….comfort verses…

Two years ago I was in a hospital bed after 4 or 5 abdominal surgeries and a doctor came in and said, “ I think we’ve finally  turned a corner”. Lying there, no hair, weak , in pain, I was glad to hear that …then the work started…rehab living for almost 4 months, open wounds to change every 3-4 days, beginning to walk again, exercise to build up again…first a wheelchair, then a walker, then steps on my own, holding onto the wall…slowly making progress, another surgery and home…I felt so blessed to sleep in my own bed, shower in my own shower, wear different  clothes…

God’s Word sustained me…family and friends didn’t forget me..

Thank YOU

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

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

“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 ASV).

We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NIV).

“My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:2 AMPC).

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3 NIV). 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalm 103:1-5 ESV).

I will comfort you…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2r4mwab5O8