A check off list for taxes prep....
A check off list for travel....
A bucket of food rations for emergencies....
A box of stuff stashed in the back of a car/truck, flares, chains, water, rags, food....
Spare tire...
Duct tape...
A credit card...
Batteries...
Snow chains ...
Goals and objectives...plans...
Diaper bag...
All these items have a commonality....Preparedness.....
I thought of them as I watched my police officer son undo his vest with all of its tools and gear, which weighs about 25 pounds....he is prepared for a lot of events...some good and some not so good...
We have a choice each day to prepare...putting on the full armor of God...prayer prep...attitude adjustments...smiles...rest...worries and plans...daily schedules, etc...
For me, I awaken early...saying hello to the day and God...thanking Him for the new day...think about prayer requests I know about...lay those out...Bible reading...blog or not...
Preparing as much as I can for the day ahead...many times there are changes, but preparedness helped...attitude preparedness helped...thank YOU...that You light my path, preparing the day for me...
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 6:10-18
Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
2 Timothy 2:21
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Friday, December 28, 2018
50 years...December 28, 2018...
50 years ago....December 28...
50 years ago today, I was getting married...nervous, sooo mature, ready to be a bride, ready to be a wife...naive...
Looking back, I wouldn't have traded it for anything...we had 43 great years until that dreaded 6 letter word entered our lives with vengeance to change our expectations, our "timing", our "plans"...our life's chapters had a different ending, but still by God's grace...it is still happily ever after...
And, Today I finished reading through the Bible again...there are "hallelujahs and hallelujahs", "it is done" repeated over again...a glorious ending to a glorious beginning for millions whose name is found in the Book of Life...a glorious feast...eternity...
Every time I read the Word, I find something new, a bottomless, endless treasure trove ...
Our marriage was rarely predictable...oh, we had the day in day out habits, but we were still learning about one another, our children, our grandchildren...life...God...everyday was precious and still is...a treasure as well...our family was blessed with long marriages...my grandparents, parents-in-law, my parents all passed the 50 year mark plus several more...what a heritage...
thank YOU for Your Word, Yourself, the gift of marriage...the celebrations we had, those to come...
"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 glad and 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.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."
Revelation 19:6-9,21:6-7
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
Ephesians 5:21-33
50 years ago today, I was getting married...nervous, sooo mature, ready to be a bride, ready to be a wife...naive...
Looking back, I wouldn't have traded it for anything...we had 43 great years until that dreaded 6 letter word entered our lives with vengeance to change our expectations, our "timing", our "plans"...our life's chapters had a different ending, but still by God's grace...it is still happily ever after...
And, Today I finished reading through the Bible again...there are "hallelujahs and hallelujahs", "it is done" repeated over again...a glorious ending to a glorious beginning for millions whose name is found in the Book of Life...a glorious feast...eternity...
Every time I read the Word, I find something new, a bottomless, endless treasure trove ...
Our marriage was rarely predictable...oh, we had the day in day out habits, but we were still learning about one another, our children, our grandchildren...life...God...everyday was precious and still is...a treasure as well...our family was blessed with long marriages...my grandparents, parents-in-law, my parents all passed the 50 year mark plus several more...what a heritage...
thank YOU for Your Word, Yourself, the gift of marriage...the celebrations we had, those to come...
"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 glad and 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.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."
Revelation 19:6-9,21:6-7
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
Ephesians 5:21-33
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Those tiny hands...
There is currently an advertisement (not sure what it is for) with a new mother holding her newborn baby on her chest...
The baby's eyes are looking intently toward the mother and its tiny hand is resting on her neck...
When I see this advertisement, I am so reminded of my own children or grandchildren as newborns, entering the world of light and darkness, sound, color, small focusing eyes taking in a new world after living in the womb forming into the individuals they have become...
How God the Father must have watched over his son in Mary's womb with delight...he knew the process...he did the miracle of cells each turning into an organ, fingernail, brain, bone...etc...but, this baby was so very special...the Messiah, the Prince of peace, Wonderful Counselor to name a few...
Those tiny hands which curled around a finger would heal a blind man, the leper, feed thousands, touch the unclean, calm the sea, hold children....and finally be nailed to a cross...still responding to the needs of others...
Those tiny hands, so small, so innocent, so dependent, so soft, so reaching for the world...became hands of purpose, healing, caring, loving...thank YOU
that You reached those hands to the world, for me...as You reached for your mother, the shepherds, the wisemen...to all who come to you...
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
Psalm 145:16
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Matthew 8:3
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:20,27
Friday, December 21, 2018
Walking in a winter wonderland....
Walking In A winter wonderland....
As I look out my window, to a layer on new snow on the trees which yesterday were bare, temperature a cozy 28 degrees, adding inches of snow on top of the 18-24 inches of accumulated snow....I am thankful for a warm house, family around, friends, blessings I can't begin to count...but are so abundant...
I am again reading 2 Timothy, Paul's last letter....an encouraging letter to keep the faith...
I kept finding myself thinking of how I could add my families names into the script...not all but some...we haven't known the persecution or hardships that they endured...but we each needed those last encouraging words from a "parent" to their "heirs"...
The years are closing in, generations moving forward...advise/counsel given ...each has their gifts that God has so graciously given...talents, vocations evident/chosen ...grandchildren growing/maturing, sowing and reaping...
Reflections of the past and plans for the future...a variety of choices and roads to travel both literally and figuratively....
But through it all, God remains the same, His word is eternal, His Love constant ....thank YOU....
2 Timothy....
As I look out my window, to a layer on new snow on the trees which yesterday were bare, temperature a cozy 28 degrees, adding inches of snow on top of the 18-24 inches of accumulated snow....I am thankful for a warm house, family around, friends, blessings I can't begin to count...but are so abundant...
I am again reading 2 Timothy, Paul's last letter....an encouraging letter to keep the faith...
I kept finding myself thinking of how I could add my families names into the script...not all but some...we haven't known the persecution or hardships that they endured...but we each needed those last encouraging words from a "parent" to their "heirs"...
The years are closing in, generations moving forward...advise/counsel given ...each has their gifts that God has so graciously given...talents, vocations evident/chosen ...grandchildren growing/maturing, sowing and reaping...
Reflections of the past and plans for the future...a variety of choices and roads to travel both literally and figuratively....
But through it all, God remains the same, His word is eternal, His Love constant ....thank YOU....
2 Timothy....
Monday, December 17, 2018
Super imposed...Creator/Kingahip in a manger...
Super imposed....
Christmas is almost here...the time of the celebration of the Christ child's birth...
The whole Bible pictures Jesus...in various roles, times, His infiniteness, His humbleness, His names...
I was imagining those as I read...
Just pictures played out one on top of another...if I were an artist, how I would begin to create a tableau of impressions....I have seen an artist who uses smoke to create art work, layers upon layers...
First there would be an empty canvas,
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2
Then an open book...
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5
A garden...a people....
Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:8,15
A love...
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
A tiny baby in a manger...
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:7,16
A servant...
so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:4-5,12-17
A man walking on water...
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
John 6:19-20
A teacher...
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
Luke 5:3
A cross...
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:35,37,50-54
A mighty warrior ....
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS
Revelation 19:11-16
A throne...
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
Revelation 20:11
As I picture these pictures one after another, I hear the "Hallelujah Chorus" ( which is as close to heaven singing that I can earthly imagine) with a full orchestra filling the air with its triumphant praise...
I can add picture upon picture, as John says in John 21:25...filling the world with books...
We all have in our minds impressions of Jesus...how He works in our lives and those around us...from that void to the manger to the mighty King and all inbetween...each filling our souls...if we believe...thank YOU...for the celebration of Christmas... Creator/Kingship in a manger...
Christmas is almost here...the time of the celebration of the Christ child's birth...
The whole Bible pictures Jesus...in various roles, times, His infiniteness, His humbleness, His names...
I was imagining those as I read...
Just pictures played out one on top of another...if I were an artist, how I would begin to create a tableau of impressions....I have seen an artist who uses smoke to create art work, layers upon layers...
First there would be an empty canvas,
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2
Then an open book...
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5
A garden...a people....
Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Genesis 2:8,15
A love...
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18
A tiny baby in a manger...
and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:7,16
A servant...
so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:4-5,12-17
A man walking on water...
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
John 6:19-20
A teacher...
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
Luke 5:3
A cross...
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:35,37,50-54
A mighty warrior ....
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS
Revelation 19:11-16
A throne...
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
Revelation 20:11
As I picture these pictures one after another, I hear the "Hallelujah Chorus" ( which is as close to heaven singing that I can earthly imagine) with a full orchestra filling the air with its triumphant praise...
I can add picture upon picture, as John says in John 21:25...filling the world with books...
We all have in our minds impressions of Jesus...how He works in our lives and those around us...from that void to the manger to the mighty King and all inbetween...each filling our souls...if we believe...thank YOU...for the celebration of Christmas... Creator/Kingship in a manger...
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Serving Mac and cheese...
Serving Mac and cheese...
Yesterday I had the fun opportunity of serving a Christmas dinner to about 250 people. My job was scooping Mac and cheese on styrofoam plates with the ham, green beans, salad, cranberry sauce, butter and a roll... dessert was served separately ...this was a meal was given out along with food boxes, clothing, toys, a visit with Mr and Mrs Santa Claus, and a gospel message and as well as info about the services of a local valley mission...the expectation was 1500 people during the several meal seatings....
There were children of all ages, parents, grandparents, singles, families, many ethnic groups, all shapes and sizes....all getting a taste of service on both sides of the tables...
It was cold outside, barely topping freezing...cloudy and a bit breezy ..
This was such a small portion of what this organization does...they serve thousands of meals weekly to a huge variety of people... One of the local grocery stores sponsored this meal...blessings to many...
I was reminded that our family has been so blessed with material as well as spiritual blessings...we have the opportunity to give, to serve, to respond, to so many around us...out of humility and love...not showing paritiality, but genuine love...smiles...
Reading in Titus this am,
"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives."
Titus 3:14
I was reminded not to live unproductively...do what is good, serve when I can...even scoops of Mac and cheese on styrofoam plates... Seeing Jesus in those faces...thank YOU ....
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Ephesians 6:7
A short video about service...
http://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=407ec792b
Yesterday I had the fun opportunity of serving a Christmas dinner to about 250 people. My job was scooping Mac and cheese on styrofoam plates with the ham, green beans, salad, cranberry sauce, butter and a roll... dessert was served separately ...this was a meal was given out along with food boxes, clothing, toys, a visit with Mr and Mrs Santa Claus, and a gospel message and as well as info about the services of a local valley mission...the expectation was 1500 people during the several meal seatings....
There were children of all ages, parents, grandparents, singles, families, many ethnic groups, all shapes and sizes....all getting a taste of service on both sides of the tables...
It was cold outside, barely topping freezing...cloudy and a bit breezy ..
This was such a small portion of what this organization does...they serve thousands of meals weekly to a huge variety of people... One of the local grocery stores sponsored this meal...blessings to many...
I was reminded that our family has been so blessed with material as well as spiritual blessings...we have the opportunity to give, to serve, to respond, to so many around us...out of humility and love...not showing paritiality, but genuine love...smiles...
Reading in Titus this am,
"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives."
Titus 3:14
I was reminded not to live unproductively...do what is good, serve when I can...even scoops of Mac and cheese on styrofoam plates... Seeing Jesus in those faces...thank YOU ....
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
Ephesians 6:7
A short video about service...
http://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=407ec792b
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Trees....
Trees....
Okay, we have brought the trees inside now for this season...either fake or real, big or small...various kinds to decorate.
My first recollection of a "Christmas" tree was a manzanita with its coin like leaves and beautiful curvy red limbs...that is what was available where I lived...so pretty with bubbly lights and ribbon candy, real glass ornaments...
Later, we had spindly redwood trees with lots of room between the limbs for decorations ....
My husband family later rented out their foothill land for Christmas tree plantations. But, those trees were just too perfect and didn't have the "character" of the earlier ones...
Anyway, memories of trees...I was honking if that as I look out now and see the barren deciduous trees nearby, void of leaves this time of year...some with their limbs reaching skyward....others, like the giant weeping will drooping toward the ground...so many kinds...in our world..so many uses around the world...from ones used to make boats, masts, arrows, carvings of wood, to simple fuel to warm us, fruits to feed us, or simply enjoy their beauty...
There are some which droop their limbs as they grow thirsty, lifting their limbs as refreshing water is provided...these same ones lose their needles if cut before fall rains fill their cells...the commercial Christmas trees...
I was thinking of these as pictures of people, we droop when not watered by the life giving water of the Word...we lift our praise when we are filled ...ever needing that refreshment...from the True Water...
Thank YOU that we can come to You for refreshment, filling, lifting our hearts in praise...
He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
Psalm 104:13,16
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:10,13-14
This story came to mind...
Story of the Three Trees
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I’ll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!”
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!”
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.
The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell.
“Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest. I shall hold wonderful treasure!” the first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell.
“Now I shall sail mighty waters!” thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!”
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven.
But the woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me,” he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter’s shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals.
The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail on an ocean, or even a river; instead, she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard.
“What happened?” the once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God...”
Many, many days and night passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.
But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox.
“I wish I could make a cradle for him,” her husband whispered.
The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said.
And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake.
Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain.
The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, “Peace.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.
And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her.
She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth tremble with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’s love had changed everything.
It had made the third tree strong.
And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.
That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The next time you feel down because you didn’t get what you want, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.
Source unknown
Okay, we have brought the trees inside now for this season...either fake or real, big or small...various kinds to decorate.
My first recollection of a "Christmas" tree was a manzanita with its coin like leaves and beautiful curvy red limbs...that is what was available where I lived...so pretty with bubbly lights and ribbon candy, real glass ornaments...
Later, we had spindly redwood trees with lots of room between the limbs for decorations ....
My husband family later rented out their foothill land for Christmas tree plantations. But, those trees were just too perfect and didn't have the "character" of the earlier ones...
Anyway, memories of trees...I was honking if that as I look out now and see the barren deciduous trees nearby, void of leaves this time of year...some with their limbs reaching skyward....others, like the giant weeping will drooping toward the ground...so many kinds...in our world..so many uses around the world...from ones used to make boats, masts, arrows, carvings of wood, to simple fuel to warm us, fruits to feed us, or simply enjoy their beauty...
There are some which droop their limbs as they grow thirsty, lifting their limbs as refreshing water is provided...these same ones lose their needles if cut before fall rains fill their cells...the commercial Christmas trees...
I was thinking of these as pictures of people, we droop when not watered by the life giving water of the Word...we lift our praise when we are filled ...ever needing that refreshment...from the True Water...
Thank YOU that we can come to You for refreshment, filling, lifting our hearts in praise...
He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
Psalm 104:13,16
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:10,13-14
This story came to mind...
Story of the Three Trees
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I’ll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!”
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!”
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.
The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell.
“Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest. I shall hold wonderful treasure!” the first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell.
“Now I shall sail mighty waters!” thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!”
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven.
But the woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me,” he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter’s shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for animals.
The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail on an ocean, or even a river; instead, she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard.
“What happened?” the once tall tree wondered. “All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God...”
Many, many days and night passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.
But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox.
“I wish I could make a cradle for him,” her husband whispered.
The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful,” she said.
And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake.
Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain.
The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, “Peace.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.
And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her.
She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth tremble with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’s love had changed everything.
It had made the third tree strong.
And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.
That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The next time you feel down because you didn’t get what you want, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.
Source unknown
Saturday, December 8, 2018
How long?...
How long?....
The pastor paced back and forth, back and forth, calling out loud, "why, how come, how long....this pain is too deep to bear..." For all the congregation to see...
We sat rooted to our pews watching this man go through the same anguish we all bear from time to time...he was reacting in the same way, not the model of decorum we "expect"....during hard times...
Thus was my dream, it was so vivid.....sometimes our expectations of others restrain them from acting "normal"... They can't break down because of their station, or profession...they can't exude too much joy, pain, or laughter, grief because we need them to be strong through it all, ....after all, they are to be the example...the perfect mom, Christian, dad, parent, merchant, servant...the perfect everything...Christ is the only "perfect" and he wept, confronted, sweat blood in anguish, forgave...
Reading through one of the "minor" prophets, Habakkuk, he asked those hard questions and God, in turn, answers...
"How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted."
And again he asks...
Habakkuk 1:2-4
"Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Lord , have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?"
Habakkuk 1:12-17
Hard questions...David, in the Psalms, asks as well...
We do, as well... Pacing back and forth either in our minds or physically...the whys, the how come...the pain, the griefs pouring out for others, for ourselves, for our nation, our world...
Until we are calmed as Habakkuk was in final verses of his book...
"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments."
Habakkuk 3:16-19
The Lord is our strength in times of trouble...we may pace and question, but we come back to this bottom line...thank YOU...that Your strength lifts us up to the heights...
The pastor paced back and forth, back and forth, calling out loud, "why, how come, how long....this pain is too deep to bear..." For all the congregation to see...
We sat rooted to our pews watching this man go through the same anguish we all bear from time to time...he was reacting in the same way, not the model of decorum we "expect"....during hard times...
Thus was my dream, it was so vivid.....sometimes our expectations of others restrain them from acting "normal"... They can't break down because of their station, or profession...they can't exude too much joy, pain, or laughter, grief because we need them to be strong through it all, ....after all, they are to be the example...the perfect mom, Christian, dad, parent, merchant, servant...the perfect everything...Christ is the only "perfect" and he wept, confronted, sweat blood in anguish, forgave...
Reading through one of the "minor" prophets, Habakkuk, he asked those hard questions and God, in turn, answers...
"How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted."
And again he asks...
Habakkuk 1:2-4
"Lord, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, Lord , have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler. The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food. Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?"
Habakkuk 1:12-17
Hard questions...David, in the Psalms, asks as well...
We do, as well... Pacing back and forth either in our minds or physically...the whys, the how come...the pain, the griefs pouring out for others, for ourselves, for our nation, our world...
Until we are calmed as Habakkuk was in final verses of his book...
"I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments."
Habakkuk 3:16-19
The Lord is our strength in times of trouble...we may pace and question, but we come back to this bottom line...thank YOU...that Your strength lifts us up to the heights...
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Lights...
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Lights...
I took one of my grandsons to our local light parade the other night. Thousands of lights covered trucks, boats, motor homes, cars, horses, people with added tossed candy and music...what a "bright" time!
Then Last night I watched one portion of "the great light fight", contestants vying for the greatest light displays...so very beautiful and so much dedication to their craft...
This time of year, December, lights are displayed everywhere...they shine in the darkest of nights...the lights in the skies in the north are busy as well, crackling, dancing...
Such a reminder of Christ, the true light, whose birthday we celebrate this month...amid the gifts, the Santas, the giving, the ice and snow...help us not to lose sight of His free gift of salvation to all the world...He is the Light... Who can light the heavens without a single manmade electrical bulb...
Thank YOU for the reminder in the lights...that You are the real light...
You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29
Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent
Psalm 104:1-2
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
Isaiah 60:19-20
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Ephesians 5:8-9
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelation 21:23
John 8:12
Lights...
I took one of my grandsons to our local light parade the other night. Thousands of lights covered trucks, boats, motor homes, cars, horses, people with added tossed candy and music...what a "bright" time!
Then Last night I watched one portion of "the great light fight", contestants vying for the greatest light displays...so very beautiful and so much dedication to their craft...
This time of year, December, lights are displayed everywhere...they shine in the darkest of nights...the lights in the skies in the north are busy as well, crackling, dancing...
Such a reminder of Christ, the true light, whose birthday we celebrate this month...amid the gifts, the Santas, the giving, the ice and snow...help us not to lose sight of His free gift of salvation to all the world...He is the Light... Who can light the heavens without a single manmade electrical bulb...
Thank YOU for the reminder in the lights...that You are the real light...
You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29
Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent
Psalm 104:1-2
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
Isaiah 60:19-20
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Ephesians 5:8-9
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Revelation 21:23
Friday, November 30, 2018
Stand firm...
Stand firm...
I was reading in 1 Corinthians this am, "stand firm" kept coming up...then turned to the verses designated for today by someone in Bible gateway ...
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
2 Peter 3:10-11,14,18
I always marvel that "out of the blue" how messages time after time go together....the God of the universe cares enough for me to give me a message through more than one avenue...and that they piggy back one another.... Enhance one another...build on one another...
I started out with "stand firm" and He led it into spotless, blameless, peace, "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"...all of which are "commands", admonishments to our lives...we want to be found growing and not retreating in life...
There are 34 references to "stand firm" in the Bible and 20 of them are in the New Testament. Paul repeatedly writes to "stand firm" in his various letters. Times were tough...we may face those times in our lives as well and we have the choice to "stand firm" in our faith, be at peace, grow in grace...
Thank YOU that you help us stand when we falter, You go before and after us, You strengthen us, You speak to us, You counsel us in truth...
I was reading in 1 Corinthians this am, "stand firm" kept coming up...then turned to the verses designated for today by someone in Bible gateway ...
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
2 Peter 3:10-11,14,18
I always marvel that "out of the blue" how messages time after time go together....the God of the universe cares enough for me to give me a message through more than one avenue...and that they piggy back one another.... Enhance one another...build on one another...
I started out with "stand firm" and He led it into spotless, blameless, peace, "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"...all of which are "commands", admonishments to our lives...we want to be found growing and not retreating in life...
There are 34 references to "stand firm" in the Bible and 20 of them are in the New Testament. Paul repeatedly writes to "stand firm" in his various letters. Times were tough...we may face those times in our lives as well and we have the choice to "stand firm" in our faith, be at peace, grow in grace...
Thank YOU that you help us stand when we falter, You go before and after us, You strengthen us, You speak to us, You counsel us in truth...
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Ducks in a puddle..
Ducks in a puddle...
I work out at a local YMCA. The area that is my favorite workout spot is called "the river". It has flowing water in a circuitous curvy trail. So you can go with the flow or turn around and work against the current, getting a good time of low impact exercise.
Yesterday, I just had to chuckle as several of us got bunched (puddled up) up in one area as we caught up with slower ones. I just imagined a "bird's eye view" of this congestion, a whole group of ducks at a carnival in the kiddie pool all pooled together or the local fund raiser of "duck races" on the river...each floating duck trying to make it way to the front, pushing its way to win...( we weren't quite that bad), but we had to untangle, sorting out our speeds...then Everything went smoothly again...there is an agreed upon etiquette to this "stream"...
We can rudely push and shove or bide our time and take turns to get in the line again...sorting out the unspoken plan...letting the slower ones be slow and the faster ones move along at their pace...
We can demand our way or show kindness, patience and some "long suffering"...we have those choices everyday in soooo many instances...this is just a minuscule event...practice for bigger events..
But, what is the Spirit saying to our hearts and minds...am I listening or pushing and shoving my way through the crowd or demanding my way..am I showing those fruits of the Spirit? Or showing my baser side with anger, grumbling?
This time, I chose rightly, finding the humor and picture...but how about other times?..oh dear...help me shine Your light brightly...thank YOU
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16
You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.
Job 10:12
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
I work out at a local YMCA. The area that is my favorite workout spot is called "the river". It has flowing water in a circuitous curvy trail. So you can go with the flow or turn around and work against the current, getting a good time of low impact exercise.
Yesterday, I just had to chuckle as several of us got bunched (puddled up) up in one area as we caught up with slower ones. I just imagined a "bird's eye view" of this congestion, a whole group of ducks at a carnival in the kiddie pool all pooled together or the local fund raiser of "duck races" on the river...each floating duck trying to make it way to the front, pushing its way to win...( we weren't quite that bad), but we had to untangle, sorting out our speeds...then Everything went smoothly again...there is an agreed upon etiquette to this "stream"...
We can rudely push and shove or bide our time and take turns to get in the line again...sorting out the unspoken plan...letting the slower ones be slow and the faster ones move along at their pace...
We can demand our way or show kindness, patience and some "long suffering"...we have those choices everyday in soooo many instances...this is just a minuscule event...practice for bigger events..
But, what is the Spirit saying to our hearts and minds...am I listening or pushing and shoving my way through the crowd or demanding my way..am I showing those fruits of the Spirit? Or showing my baser side with anger, grumbling?
This time, I chose rightly, finding the humor and picture...but how about other times?..oh dear...help me shine Your light brightly...thank YOU
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16
You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.
Job 10:12
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Monday, November 26, 2018
Spiritual blessings...
Spiritual blessings....
I last wrote about "thankful"...today it is spiritual blessings...
I was reminded of these yesterday as the pastor spoke on them in church yesterday...
Years ago, I was interviewing for a position as part of a team to head a women's Bible study. A group of us worked on the curriculum for the study. We gathered together once a week, discussing the questions, answers, content, praying, sharing life for months in advance of the actual class...but, before that I remember having to present myself as part of this wonderful group...the selection I chose at the time was from Ephesians about our riches given by Christ...
"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.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 1:3,3:16-19
Yesterday, the pastor started listing our spiritual blessings...he got through twelve...as I was reading this am, I came upon a lot of 75 and another of 120 by various authors...what blessings we have been bestowed...
It is fun to read other's list, but so much more heart felt to discover them for ourselves as we read the Word, making them personal to our hearts...God speaking to that inner soul we have ...thank YOU...
I challenge each person to write them down as God speaks to your heart on how much He loves each of us...they are an encouragement through the ups and downs of life...
By Danny Doege. http://www.biblebelievers.com/Doege1.html
When a man, woman, boy, or girl, believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, the following 75 blessings are theirs instantly, regardless of their knowledge about them. The new Believer will not be aware of many of these things until gaining some spiritual maturity and growth in the word of God. But as they grow they will “enter in”.
1) Access to God's Grace.....(Ephesians 2:8, 18) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
2) We are adopted by God....(Ephesians 1:5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Galatians 4:5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
3) We get an Inheritance....(Ephesians 1:11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
4) We are elected (saved)...(1 Peter 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
5) We become a child of God...(John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
6) We get a heavenly citizenship...(2 Timothy 4:18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
7) We become a servant....(Romans 6:22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
8) We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus...(Romans 8:17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Galatians 3:29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
9) We become a new creature...(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (Galatians 6:15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
10) We become priests… (Revelation 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
11) We are reconciled to God....(Romans 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
12) We are Sanctified......(1 Corinthians 6:11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
13) We are accepted in the Beloved...(Ephesians 1:6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
14) We are Baptized into the body of Christ.....(1 Corinthians 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
15) We are buried with him.....(Romans 6:4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
16) We have put on Christ....(Galatians 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
17) We have eternal life...(John 10:28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
18) We have peace with God...(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
19) We became a friend of God....(John 15:15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
20) We get in the Lamb's book of life...(Revelation 21:27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever workethabomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
21) We receive imputed righteousness....(Romans 4:6) Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputethrighteousness without works,
22) Our names are written in heaven.....(Luke 10:20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
23) We are given a blessed hope of Christ's returning....(Titus 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
24) We are seated in heavenly places.....(Ephesians 2:6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
25) We have fellowship with the trinity.....(1 John 1:3) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
26) We have a mansion in heaven…..(John 14:2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
27) We are born again with a spiritual re-birth.....(John 3:3-6) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
28) We have received an annointing....(1 John 2:27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
29) The Holy Spirit will live with us now and forever....(John 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
30) We've been sealed by the Holy spirit unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31) Our bodies become the temple of the Holy Ghost.....(1 Corinthians 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
32) We are forever forgiven.....(Luke 7:48) And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.(1 John 2:12) I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
33) We are justified in God's sight.....(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
34) We are redeemed....(Revelation 5:9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
35) Indwelt by the Holy Spirit.....(Rom. 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
36) We have an advocate with Christ...(1st John 2:1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
37) We now have the possibility to have victory over sin....(Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
38) We become Christ's ambassadors.....(2 Cor. 5:20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
39) We are blessed with spiritual blessings..... (Ephesians 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ:
40) Our every need will be supplied by God....(Philippians 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
41) Given an inner strength to accomplish necessary things(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
42) A good work has been done in us....(Philippians 1:6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
43) The Lord becomes our helper instead of our judge..(Hebrews 13:6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
44) We get abounding grace...(2 Corinthians 9:8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
45) We get eternal love....(Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
46) Everthing that happens to us will be for our own good....(Rom.8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
47) A promised faithfulness regardless of our faithlessness....(2 Timothy 2:13) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself
48) A promise given to be able to resist temptation....(1 Corinthians 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
49) We are made kings...(Revelation 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
50) We become saints....(1 Corinthians 1:2) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
51) We have been delivered from the power of darkness....(Col. 1:12-13) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
52) Our hearts are unblamable....(1 Thess 3:13) To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
53) We get the power of a sound mind....(2 Timothy 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
54) We no longer have a spirit of fear ....(2 Timothy 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
55) We are joined unto the Lord… 1 Cor 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
56) We have been bought with a price and our life is not ours anymore…..1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
57) I am a saint now (set apart for God) Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Rom 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
58) I am a personal witness of and for the Lord Jesus Christ….. Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
59) I am now a member of the body of Jesus Christ….1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
60) I am complete in Christ and have need of nothing save him….Collosians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
61) I am god’s temple and he dwells in me…1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
62) I am God’s building…1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building..
63) I am a labourer with God himself…1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
64) I am also a worker with God…2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
65) I am called OUT OF DARKNESS…1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
66) I am dead but my life is hid in Jesus Christ…Collosians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
67) I am a branch of the TRUE VINE…John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
68) I am anointed by God…2 Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
69) I have been given POWER to witness not an EXCUSE NOT to….Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
70) I am part of a royal priesthood…1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
71) I am a part of a holy nation…. 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
72) I am peculiar…Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
73) I am part of a chosen generation…1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
74) I have been called into God’s marvelous light….1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
75) I am God’s workmanship…Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Thankful...
Thankful...
In his Bible study, "The God You May Not Know", Dr. Jeremiah concludes with a chapter, "Knowing God by Name".
He lists just few,
-The Lord is my Shepherd
-The Lord shall provide
-The Lord who heals
-The Lord is my banner
-The Lord who sanctifies
-The Lord who is peace
-The Lord who is righteous
Various names that have been given to describe a few of the attributes of God...there are so many...
Reading why and when those names were given is worshipful in itself...as are other instances...my favorite is the God of comfort...but, he has shown himself in so many ways, shepherding, provision, healing, peace ....the list goes on
On this Thanksgiving Day, I needed to reflect on these so many attributes...with a thankful heart...He has been there through the thick and thin of life...upholding, loving, caring...saving...He is like no other, above all, worthy for praise and thanksgiving...thank YOU, that by Your mercy and grace that you given eternal life...that it is a gift through Your Son who gave it all for me and "whosoever", sinners...You brought life out of the grave! light out of darkness, that we might enjoy life eternal...thank YOU...
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15,17
In his Bible study, "The God You May Not Know", Dr. Jeremiah concludes with a chapter, "Knowing God by Name".
He lists just few,
-The Lord is my Shepherd
-The Lord shall provide
-The Lord who heals
-The Lord is my banner
-The Lord who sanctifies
-The Lord who is peace
-The Lord who is righteous
Various names that have been given to describe a few of the attributes of God...there are so many...
Reading why and when those names were given is worshipful in itself...as are other instances...my favorite is the God of comfort...but, he has shown himself in so many ways, shepherding, provision, healing, peace ....the list goes on
On this Thanksgiving Day, I needed to reflect on these so many attributes...with a thankful heart...He has been there through the thick and thin of life...upholding, loving, caring...saving...He is like no other, above all, worthy for praise and thanksgiving...thank YOU, that by Your mercy and grace that you given eternal life...that it is a gift through Your Son who gave it all for me and "whosoever", sinners...You brought life out of the grave! light out of darkness, that we might enjoy life eternal...thank YOU...
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15,17
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Thinking ......
Thinking....
I will be the very first to admit that my thinking is not always pure and wise...I get angry, jealous, down, inconsiderate, judgmental, etc., etc., etc....
After reading through Jonah several times this past week for an assignment, I really admit my shortfalls in my thinking...disobedience, obedience and then anger and pouting...the processes I go through as well...but God's great compassion rules...
Then, reading through James again, I am reminded of pure thoughts, peace, consideration, mercy, nonjudgmental to reap righteousness...
And further, a similar list from Philippians, "think about such things"....to reap that peace that only God gives...plus God is with us...
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
In Jonah, God was thinking redemption of the wicked people, mankind....Jonah was thinking "no way", these people don't deserve God's compassion...anger because God showed compassion...
How many times have I thought the same as Jonah...my thinking not in agreement with the way God's is? Too many to count ....but, I don't want to come off with my story showing an angry, judgmental, pouting person...a resounding NO!!!NO! NO!!!!
That peace that only God gives is what I want to pour out to those around me...wisdom, consideration, sincerity, fruitful, peace....thank YOU that we can make a choice and that You help us in that choice...we can't do in our own strength...
I will be the very first to admit that my thinking is not always pure and wise...I get angry, jealous, down, inconsiderate, judgmental, etc., etc., etc....
After reading through Jonah several times this past week for an assignment, I really admit my shortfalls in my thinking...disobedience, obedience and then anger and pouting...the processes I go through as well...but God's great compassion rules...
Then, reading through James again, I am reminded of pure thoughts, peace, consideration, mercy, nonjudgmental to reap righteousness...
And further, a similar list from Philippians, "think about such things"....to reap that peace that only God gives...plus God is with us...
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
In Jonah, God was thinking redemption of the wicked people, mankind....Jonah was thinking "no way", these people don't deserve God's compassion...anger because God showed compassion...
How many times have I thought the same as Jonah...my thinking not in agreement with the way God's is? Too many to count ....but, I don't want to come off with my story showing an angry, judgmental, pouting person...a resounding NO!!!NO! NO!!!!
That peace that only God gives is what I want to pour out to those around me...wisdom, consideration, sincerity, fruitful, peace....thank YOU that we can make a choice and that You help us in that choice...we can't do in our own strength...
Friday, November 16, 2018
Directions...
Directions...
I recently moved to a new house on a new street...
The postman finally found me, but other deliveries are being sent back and I have repeatedly gotten reports of " address Unknown" as packages and Mail have been returned to sender...have had to order new checks twice, been charged and still no checks...
The newspaper delivery just started a month after not finding me....
The GPS map shows vacant lots on its site, where four homes now are built...
Some delivery people actually use the phone number on order to call and ask directions, while others apparently skip that process...oh well , in the grand scheme of events, this is pretty minuscule...just annoying at present...
Reading through the Word, there are directions to follow...Noah had directions to build an ark; Moses, lead his people, build a tabernacle; Gibeon, fight a battle; Abraham, look for the promised land; Namann, wash in the Jordon; Esther, save her people; various prophets, what to say; Joseph, caring for his family; Mary, becoming a mother.....and on and on down through the years....directions ....
The Word has directions for each person, some specific, some general ...
How to be saved, how to live, how to pray, how to get along, what to look forward to...thank YOU that You gave us directions in life...
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!
Psalm 119:1-19
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
I recently moved to a new house on a new street...
The postman finally found me, but other deliveries are being sent back and I have repeatedly gotten reports of " address Unknown" as packages and Mail have been returned to sender...have had to order new checks twice, been charged and still no checks...
The newspaper delivery just started a month after not finding me....
The GPS map shows vacant lots on its site, where four homes now are built...
Some delivery people actually use the phone number on order to call and ask directions, while others apparently skip that process...oh well , in the grand scheme of events, this is pretty minuscule...just annoying at present...
Reading through the Word, there are directions to follow...Noah had directions to build an ark; Moses, lead his people, build a tabernacle; Gibeon, fight a battle; Abraham, look for the promised land; Namann, wash in the Jordon; Esther, save her people; various prophets, what to say; Joseph, caring for his family; Mary, becoming a mother.....and on and on down through the years....directions ....
The Word has directions for each person, some specific, some general ...
How to be saved, how to live, how to pray, how to get along, what to look forward to...thank YOU that You gave us directions in life...
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!
Psalm 119:1-19
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Separated ....
Separated....
I was reading this morning and the word, "separated" kept coming out...
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
Then I looked it up for the Bible and it starts in Genesis 1, God starts separating the light and dark, land and water, etc..., Lot separates himself from Abraham, Jacob separates his flock from another...the temple has separate areas....there are 61 uses of "separate" throughout the Word...
We go our separate ways, we do separate things, we live separately....but, there is one separation believers won't face and that is separation from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord...once we have asked Jesus as our Saviour , we will not be separated...what a promise...nothing breaks that bond, that life...it is eternal...thank YOU...
I was reading this morning and the word, "separated" kept coming out...
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
Then I looked it up for the Bible and it starts in Genesis 1, God starts separating the light and dark, land and water, etc..., Lot separates himself from Abraham, Jacob separates his flock from another...the temple has separate areas....there are 61 uses of "separate" throughout the Word...
We go our separate ways, we do separate things, we live separately....but, there is one separation believers won't face and that is separation from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord...once we have asked Jesus as our Saviour , we will not be separated...what a promise...nothing breaks that bond, that life...it is eternal...thank YOU...
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Notes on shoe boxes....
Notes for Samaritans boxes....
This week is collection week for millions of Operation Christmas Child boxes...some thoughts about them.....
Reminds me of song...
Song " thank you for giving to the Lord"
Thank You I dreamed I went to heaven And you were there with me We walked upon the streets of gold Beside the crystal sea We heard the angels singing Then someone called your name You turned and saw this young man And he was smiling as he came And he said friend you may not know me now And then he said but wait You used to teach my Sunday School When I was only eight And every week you would say a prayer Before the class would start And one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus in my heart CHORUS Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave Then another man stood before you And said remember the time A missionary came to your church And his pictures made you cry You didn't have much money But you gave it anyway Jesus took the gift you gave And that's why I'm here today CHORUS (repeat) One by one they came Far as the eyes could see Each life somehow touched By your generosity Little things that you had done Sacrifices made Unnoticed on the earth In heaven now proclaimed And I know that up in heaven You're not supposed to cry But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes As Jesus took your hand And you stood before the Lord He said, my child look around you For great is your reward CHORUS (repeat) I am so glad you gave
Quote " you can't put a dollar value on generosity "
"What is Operation Christmas Child?
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S.
Why shoebox gifts?
Shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."
*******
Sometimes we may think a shoe box gift or gifts in shoe box are of little consequence ...we put in our balls, pencils, tablets, toys assembly line style from our abundance...but these are just temporal/tangible things...the heart of each box may be the intangible....
What can we possibly find in a shoe box?
1. Love....john 3:16. For God so loved...
2. Laughter....walking and keeping and praising God...
3. Wonder....amazement...
4. Sharing...giving In our abundance to those in need...
5. Playing.....fellowship...
6. A livelihood.....crafts, a screw driver, a fishing kit...
7. Help in schools with supplies...basic education supplies
8. Help for young women/ men in personal hygiene
9. The very Word of the Creator on the universe ....a chance to study God's Word...
10. A means to present the gospel
11. An invitation that has the power to change lives in generations for eternity
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17
12. Church planting, a potential to start a fellowship in a new area of the world
13. Opportunity to bring people from various cultures together
14. The gift of giving which can change the givers life....A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great....Proverbs 18:16
15. Opportunity for all ages to give and receive...all ages can give and receive...
16. Touching someone's heart
17. The potential to build dreams
18. A new path in life...because of the gospel
19. A new song....He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.....Psalm 40:3-5
20. A new life
21. Desert to lushness...
22. Dry to water...fulfills a thirst
23. Hardness to brokenness and freedom through Christ...
24. Death to life...
25. Darkness to light...
26. Unknowing to knowing Christ...
27. Hopelessness to hope...
28. Anger to joy....
29. Neglect to care ....
30. Frowns to smiles...
31. Hate to love...
32. Bad to good...
33. Transformation of a soul, family, village, country....the world...from a small gift given in love...prayers guiding that gift to the heart of the receiver...
Jesus' prayer for believers to come...
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:20-26
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians---
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Thank YOU for making such a difference in your world ....with a little shoe box....
This week is collection week for millions of Operation Christmas Child boxes...some thoughts about them.....
Reminds me of song...
Song " thank you for giving to the Lord"
Thank You I dreamed I went to heaven And you were there with me We walked upon the streets of gold Beside the crystal sea We heard the angels singing Then someone called your name You turned and saw this young man And he was smiling as he came And he said friend you may not know me now And then he said but wait You used to teach my Sunday School When I was only eight And every week you would say a prayer Before the class would start And one day when you said that prayer I asked Jesus in my heart CHORUS Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave Then another man stood before you And said remember the time A missionary came to your church And his pictures made you cry You didn't have much money But you gave it anyway Jesus took the gift you gave And that's why I'm here today CHORUS (repeat) One by one they came Far as the eyes could see Each life somehow touched By your generosity Little things that you had done Sacrifices made Unnoticed on the earth In heaven now proclaimed And I know that up in heaven You're not supposed to cry But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes As Jesus took your hand And you stood before the Lord He said, my child look around you For great is your reward CHORUS (repeat) I am so glad you gave
Quote " you can't put a dollar value on generosity "
"What is Operation Christmas Child?
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S.
Why shoebox gifts?
Shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."
*******
Sometimes we may think a shoe box gift or gifts in shoe box are of little consequence ...we put in our balls, pencils, tablets, toys assembly line style from our abundance...but these are just temporal/tangible things...the heart of each box may be the intangible....
What can we possibly find in a shoe box?
1. Love....john 3:16. For God so loved...
2. Laughter....walking and keeping and praising God...
3. Wonder....amazement...
4. Sharing...giving In our abundance to those in need...
5. Playing.....fellowship...
6. A livelihood.....crafts, a screw driver, a fishing kit...
7. Help in schools with supplies...basic education supplies
8. Help for young women/ men in personal hygiene
9. The very Word of the Creator on the universe ....a chance to study God's Word...
10. A means to present the gospel
11. An invitation that has the power to change lives in generations for eternity
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17
12. Church planting, a potential to start a fellowship in a new area of the world
13. Opportunity to bring people from various cultures together
14. The gift of giving which can change the givers life....A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great....Proverbs 18:16
15. Opportunity for all ages to give and receive...all ages can give and receive...
16. Touching someone's heart
17. The potential to build dreams
18. A new path in life...because of the gospel
19. A new song....He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.....Psalm 40:3-5
20. A new life
21. Desert to lushness...
22. Dry to water...fulfills a thirst
23. Hardness to brokenness and freedom through Christ...
24. Death to life...
25. Darkness to light...
26. Unknowing to knowing Christ...
27. Hopelessness to hope...
28. Anger to joy....
29. Neglect to care ....
30. Frowns to smiles...
31. Hate to love...
32. Bad to good...
33. Transformation of a soul, family, village, country....the world...from a small gift given in love...prayers guiding that gift to the heart of the receiver...
Jesus' prayer for believers to come...
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:20-26
Paul's prayer for the Ephesians---
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Thank YOU for making such a difference in your world ....with a little shoe box....
Friday, November 9, 2018
Comforted.....
Comforted....
When I am traveling to other areas, I sometimes need a rental car...after finding out how to turn it on, finding the lights, adjusting the seats and mirrors, I find a Christian radio station to listen to while negotiating the area.
Last night while getting ready to turn the car in, the song, "Come, now is the time to worship" was playing...so I awoke with that playing in my mind...
Turning to my daily scripture reading, I found John 17 was a part of the selections...a favorite of mine...knowing that Jesus prayed for me centuries ago...isn't that comforting? And in the chapters before, that He was sending A counselor to teach truth...comforting as well...thank YOU ....
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:1-26
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0geK9e9XeVbqu0AaTzBGOd_;_ylu=X3oDMTByMDgyYjJiBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=come+now+is+the+time+to+worship&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dcome%2Bnow%2Bis%2Bthe%2Btime%2Bto%2Bworship%26ei%3DUTF-8%26_tsrc%3Dyfp-hrtab-s%26fp%3D1&fr=yfp-hrtab-s&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.TvVFnDbIZXAYBqAD_itdiwEsDh%26pid%3D15.1%26w%3D144%26h%3D77%26c%3D7&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsWiYWBhdpow&tit=Come+Now+is+the+Time+to+Worship.flv&l=255&vid=c18a9270b4e7c4cc1201a78dd66e54ec&sigr=11b57sgg2&sigb=1311uir8s&sigt=11376u21m&sigi=12jinnmrn
When I am traveling to other areas, I sometimes need a rental car...after finding out how to turn it on, finding the lights, adjusting the seats and mirrors, I find a Christian radio station to listen to while negotiating the area.
Last night while getting ready to turn the car in, the song, "Come, now is the time to worship" was playing...so I awoke with that playing in my mind...
Turning to my daily scripture reading, I found John 17 was a part of the selections...a favorite of mine...knowing that Jesus prayed for me centuries ago...isn't that comforting? And in the chapters before, that He was sending A counselor to teach truth...comforting as well...thank YOU ....
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—
23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
John 17:1-26
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0geK9e9XeVbqu0AaTzBGOd_;_ylu=X3oDMTByMDgyYjJiBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=come+now+is+the+time+to+worship&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dcome%2Bnow%2Bis%2Bthe%2Btime%2Bto%2Bworship%26ei%3DUTF-8%26_tsrc%3Dyfp-hrtab-s%26fp%3D1&fr=yfp-hrtab-s&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOVP.TvVFnDbIZXAYBqAD_itdiwEsDh%26pid%3D15.1%26w%3D144%26h%3D77%26c%3D7&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsWiYWBhdpow&tit=Come+Now+is+the+Time+to+Worship.flv&l=255&vid=c18a9270b4e7c4cc1201a78dd66e54ec&sigr=11b57sgg2&sigb=1311uir8s&sigt=11376u21m&sigi=12jinnmrn
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Furnished and ready...
Furnished and ready......
Matthew 26 and Mark 14 record the last day/ hours of Christ's earthly life...the betrayal, the surrender, the last supper, the arrest, the sleeping friends, the beginning of the night trial...everything preordained to happened...what meaningful passages...
Jesus sent his disciples ahead to prepare for the Passover...looking for a certain man to follow and make use of his upstairs room..."furnished and ready"... Was the room always ready? Was it a local gathering place?
But, there in that room, the Lord's supper is instituted, betrayal is acknowledged, the Passover is shared-the Lamb is prepared, ready for death, the first born to be taken soon...
And Jesus knowing all of this, moves forward, ready ...willing...the only one able....
I ask myself, now and in times past, am I "furnished and ready" for whatever may come into my life? No, there are so many times, I didn't want to be ready for the events taking place in my home/heart...other's easier, yes...was I ready to hand over each room in my life for the use of the Lord? No, no and yes, yes... For His banquet, for His fellowship, for His remembrances...
Thank YOU that you came in and dined...You made ready...You furnished the heart...help me always be ready...to sit and dine, to recline next to your heart...listening...prepared...
"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
Mark 14:12-26
Matthew 26
Matthew 26 and Mark 14 record the last day/ hours of Christ's earthly life...the betrayal, the surrender, the last supper, the arrest, the sleeping friends, the beginning of the night trial...everything preordained to happened...what meaningful passages...
Jesus sent his disciples ahead to prepare for the Passover...looking for a certain man to follow and make use of his upstairs room..."furnished and ready"... Was the room always ready? Was it a local gathering place?
But, there in that room, the Lord's supper is instituted, betrayal is acknowledged, the Passover is shared-the Lamb is prepared, ready for death, the first born to be taken soon...
And Jesus knowing all of this, moves forward, ready ...willing...the only one able....
I ask myself, now and in times past, am I "furnished and ready" for whatever may come into my life? No, there are so many times, I didn't want to be ready for the events taking place in my home/heart...other's easier, yes...was I ready to hand over each room in my life for the use of the Lord? No, no and yes, yes... For His banquet, for His fellowship, for His remembrances...
Thank YOU that you came in and dined...You made ready...You furnished the heart...help me always be ready...to sit and dine, to recline next to your heart...listening...prepared...
"On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
Mark 14:12-26
Matthew 26
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
And the Pharisees...
And the Pharisees .....
Revolutions have been fought and won over the years from similar words, changing of the guard, wars, wanting my way, handing off the baton, etc..., etc. ....etc....sometimes change is simple, other times so painful....from mentor to mentee, teacher to student, retiree to the next generation...sometimes empowering, sometimes reins held in tightened fists....old guard to new entrepreneurs....
In reading the gospels, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecies of old, bringing freedom and light to the world, showing his authority, giving the salvation that all mankind needs...but, because he was who he was and proclaimed that, he was constantly hounded by leaders who desired the status quo, not wanting change to their lives, or questioning of their authority with or over the people whom they were supposed to serve.
Some leaders did, indeed, believe in Him, while others baulked at every turn, at every miracle, sign, healing, word...
As I have reached the mentor age, "older women mentor the younger women"...I have the choice the hold tightly to my generation's "traditions" and man's rules...or let the next generation fly, empowering ones who come after to follow the Spirit in His leading. This even also means not "westernizing" mission work around the world or next door... Showing the love of Christ following his commandments...encouraging not discouraging, admonishing in love not judging..
It behooves we as mentors to make sure we are not pushing our agenda, our way of thinking on the next generation, but are examples of the truth, not man's traditions...
Thank YOU for your love and admonishment....help me radiate your light....
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:11
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
Revolutions have been fought and won over the years from similar words, changing of the guard, wars, wanting my way, handing off the baton, etc..., etc. ....etc....sometimes change is simple, other times so painful....from mentor to mentee, teacher to student, retiree to the next generation...sometimes empowering, sometimes reins held in tightened fists....old guard to new entrepreneurs....
In reading the gospels, Jesus was fulfilling the prophecies of old, bringing freedom and light to the world, showing his authority, giving the salvation that all mankind needs...but, because he was who he was and proclaimed that, he was constantly hounded by leaders who desired the status quo, not wanting change to their lives, or questioning of their authority with or over the people whom they were supposed to serve.
Some leaders did, indeed, believe in Him, while others baulked at every turn, at every miracle, sign, healing, word...
As I have reached the mentor age, "older women mentor the younger women"...I have the choice the hold tightly to my generation's "traditions" and man's rules...or let the next generation fly, empowering ones who come after to follow the Spirit in His leading. This even also means not "westernizing" mission work around the world or next door... Showing the love of Christ following his commandments...encouraging not discouraging, admonishing in love not judging..
It behooves we as mentors to make sure we are not pushing our agenda, our way of thinking on the next generation, but are examples of the truth, not man's traditions...
Thank YOU for your love and admonishment....help me radiate your light....
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:11
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
Friday, November 2, 2018
My playlist....
My playlist....
This morning I was walking I place in my room here in Medellin, listening to my music on my iPhone. I haven't listened to it for so long...
Out my door/window the mountain raises up and up with high rise apartment buildings going up the mountain as well. I am on the 12th story of a 21 story building. The buildings around me are taller and some shorter...quite a difference from my little one story house in a small town...
Anyway, back to my play list ...each of the songs I have downloaded have a story in my life...when, where and why it is saved...
First, "Thank you for giving to the Lord", a favorite of my husband, we bothe liked it, Especially him and we had some one song it at his funeral.
"Blessings", I heard it for the first time driving from my home to our temporary apartment when my husband was ill. I had to pull over to the side of the road, listen and cry...
"Word of God speak ", my last solo song before I had to stop singing because of esophagitis...
"Tennessee Waltz" down loaded for my father as he was dying...he really liked that song as well as others....
"Jesus loves me", the first song I sang with my mother before church, when I was 4 years old...
"Wind beneath my wings", a song one of my daughters played for me for a birthday present when she was in junior high ...
Etc...etc...etc...
I suspect each person reading this has special songs which touch your heart in some way...bringing back good or maybe bad memories...ones that we don't want to hear, or can't erase because they bring back a moment in time...they touch our souls in a very deep way...thank YOU for music to sooth our souls, to touch us...
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.
Psalm 65:13,66:1
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:19
This morning I was walking I place in my room here in Medellin, listening to my music on my iPhone. I haven't listened to it for so long...
Out my door/window the mountain raises up and up with high rise apartment buildings going up the mountain as well. I am on the 12th story of a 21 story building. The buildings around me are taller and some shorter...quite a difference from my little one story house in a small town...
Anyway, back to my play list ...each of the songs I have downloaded have a story in my life...when, where and why it is saved...
First, "Thank you for giving to the Lord", a favorite of my husband, we bothe liked it, Especially him and we had some one song it at his funeral.
"Blessings", I heard it for the first time driving from my home to our temporary apartment when my husband was ill. I had to pull over to the side of the road, listen and cry...
"Word of God speak ", my last solo song before I had to stop singing because of esophagitis...
"Tennessee Waltz" down loaded for my father as he was dying...he really liked that song as well as others....
"Jesus loves me", the first song I sang with my mother before church, when I was 4 years old...
"Wind beneath my wings", a song one of my daughters played for me for a birthday present when she was in junior high ...
Etc...etc...etc...
I suspect each person reading this has special songs which touch your heart in some way...bringing back good or maybe bad memories...ones that we don't want to hear, or can't erase because they bring back a moment in time...they touch our souls in a very deep way...thank YOU for music to sooth our souls, to touch us...
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8
The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.
Psalm 65:13,66:1
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:19
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Lights.....
Yesterday and the rest of the week, I am among millions of people going to and fro, hurrying, scurrying, back and forth to jobs, life in South America...I don't know their language, and most of their cultural lingo...but their hearts are the same as those next door or thousands of miles away...
I sat yesterday at breakfast with four young people whose faces radiated the light of Jesus, whose lives are given over to reflecting that light to other young people..
One has a heart to reach physically challenged teens, whose hearing, speech or body may not respond as well as others, but who hearts and lives need the love of Jesus...a friend remarked that their worship is the quietest she has heard as they signed their praise songs with beauty in movement...
Another young woman works with teen moms...again reflecting that light into their potentially shattered lives...encouraging them to grow with Jesus as center...
The next young woman works with high schoolers in a school near the city, reaching teens through the school and community...
A young man, finishing seminary, working with groups of teens leading the way to a Christ filled life...another generation given a hope for the future, discipling, teaching living skills to win new generations to the Love and light of Christ...
These are the frontline missionaries ...these are the Warriors, the pioneers of this next generation of believers...their countenance, their laughter, their smiles light the room around them... Extraordinary ...a delight to listen to...they hug readily, that touch of their Savior...
Thank YOU for sending such "lights" forth...not just to the world location but to all the world...
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:26
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
Proverbs 27:19
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:8
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
Isaiah 42:6
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Entwined ....
Outside my door at the mountain retreat, there stands two aspen trees entwined with one another. In their center branches, sits a bird nest, lovingly held . No birds reside there as fall weather hits. But, I just imagine earlier this year a pair of birds painstakingly wove bits and pieces of sticks, feathers, threads, twine into a beginning home for their little family. Eggs were laid, warmed, hatched and babies nurtured until they at last flew off into their own lives.
As I look at this tree each time I go by, the whole retreat fits this picture as well...a hundred plus people from all over the United States, Central America, South America entwined with one another with their love for Jesus, their love for teens, their care for one another, their common goals...
Each meeting of hearts and souls grows them closer together...building that "nest" to nurture one another til they fly away to their lives in different lands...but still entwined at the heart...
Thank YOU....for your entwining care, love...You pull us to grow with you...entwined with brothers and sisters in the Lord...no matter where in the world they may be....
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:16
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 1:22
Exalted...?
Exalted....?
http://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=d32720a09
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
How humbling....I watched the video referenced above...after reading today's scripture selection...how humbling...
How would the church I attend do in this situation? How do I do? My fears rise when I pass someone on the street ....but, it is not just the homeless person, it is the neighbor next door, the teen selling fruit for their team, the Salvation Army red bucket soon to appear, the woman holding a sign at the stop light, the pregnant young girl, the abused child, the countless pieces of mail arriving daily asking for funds with sad pictures attached....the world outside my sheltered life...
Am I the Pharisee, thanking God that I am not like those "others" or the tax collector, "standing at a distance", humbled in the very presence of the Almighty God, asking for mercy...? Do I exalt myself in front of others or am I humbled ? Are your plans, my plans or do I rush into life ahead what you desire, basically saying, " come on God, follow me"? What is my heart attitude, really deep in my soul???
Thank YOU for the check in my spirit...the reminder to come into your presence only acknowledging You...exalting You...Your grace is sufficient ...
http://mvotd.com/mobile/watch.php?vid=d32720a09
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14
How humbling....I watched the video referenced above...after reading today's scripture selection...how humbling...
How would the church I attend do in this situation? How do I do? My fears rise when I pass someone on the street ....but, it is not just the homeless person, it is the neighbor next door, the teen selling fruit for their team, the Salvation Army red bucket soon to appear, the woman holding a sign at the stop light, the pregnant young girl, the abused child, the countless pieces of mail arriving daily asking for funds with sad pictures attached....the world outside my sheltered life...
Am I the Pharisee, thanking God that I am not like those "others" or the tax collector, "standing at a distance", humbled in the very presence of the Almighty God, asking for mercy...? Do I exalt myself in front of others or am I humbled ? Are your plans, my plans or do I rush into life ahead what you desire, basically saying, " come on God, follow me"? What is my heart attitude, really deep in my soul???
Thank YOU for the check in my spirit...the reminder to come into your presence only acknowledging You...exalting You...Your grace is sufficient ...
Saturday, October 27, 2018
"Did I not tell you...."
Am humbled to be at a conference of Christian leaders from Mexico south through South America . I am just an observer..and here to give a friend a traveling partner...but....
We are among to trees of the high mountains of Colorado...the aspens have lost their leaves, the air is crisp, fall is in the air...the mountains rise above us, snow dusting the craggy rock slopes...the forests hiding a multitude of homes of all shapes and sizes...people living day to day lives...some aware of the call of Jesus, while others are oblivious to the Great God who has surrounded them with his creation...
The Glory presented in the beauty, the nature around us....as beautiful,as it is ....nothing compares to glory of the Lord...that belief brings ...the salvation of someone's soul...that eternity waiting...face to face with our Savior
...
Thank YOU...
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
John 11:40
“You are my witnesses, ” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses, ” declares the Lord, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isaiah 43:10-13
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16
Am humbled to be at a conference of Christian leaders from Mexico south through South America . I am just an observer..and here to give a friend a traveling partner...but....
We are among to trees of the high mountains of Colorado...the aspens have lost their leaves, the air is crisp, fall is in the air...the mountains rise above us, snow dusting the craggy rock slopes...the forests hiding a multitude of homes of all shapes and sizes...people living day to day lives...some aware of the call of Jesus, while others are oblivious to the Great God who has surrounded them with his creation...
The Glory presented in the beauty, the nature around us....as beautiful,as it is ....nothing compares to glory of the Lord...that belief brings ...the salvation of someone's soul...that eternity waiting...face to face with our Savior
Thank YOU...
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
John 11:40
“You are my witnesses, ” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses, ” declares the Lord, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isaiah 43:10-13
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16
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