Advocate….

 Advocate….

“One who pleads for cause of another”…Merriam Webster…

 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1John.2.1-2

We have had a lot of estate planning in our family…I saw it with my grandparents, then my parents, ourselves and now I see my children doing it…piles of paperwork, it seems, to pass on inheritances, take care of people… making sure everyone and everything is taken care of in the way we want…and once your get it all done, there seems to be a need for revision or updating periodically when family dynamics change, laws change, etc….

Choosing a trusted advocate can be daunting at times for some families and other families the choice is easy…

When it comes to our eternal lives, we have a fully trustworthy advocate…God…

Job spoke of his advocate…

 Even now my witness is in heaven;my advocate is on high.

Job.16.19

John wrote several times of our advocate…

 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. 

The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. 

But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John.14.16-17, 26

 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

John.15.26

 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

John.16.7-11

Our advocate bears truth, our witness…our counselor, our defender…and cares for us much more than any earthly advocate…our final “estate” planner…

Thank YOU that you stand for us…

Watching over…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF5AtWyknG8

Gifts again…

 

Gifts again…

As Christmas is quickly approaching, our minds turn to shopping, gifts to buy, gifts to receive…we look at the newspapers for sales, ask for wish lists, looking for the best sales, the right things, the surprises…

Also, realizing that most of us have so much and we look at creative lists of things for “those who have everything “…the wares are endless…the sales books fill our mail, facebook is filled with ads, the computer has ads with each thing we look at…

In quietness of soul, we realize that God has abundantly blessed us, even in harder times…He is the giver of the best…we can use what we have to serve…faithfully…

Thank YOU….

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Jas.1.17

 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1Pet.4.10

Gifts from God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfLGfuINnG4

Giving Tuesday…,

 Giving Tuesday….

Now that we have spent and spent on Black Friday and Cyber Monday…

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

As it is written:“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;their righteousness endures forever.” 

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2Cor.9:6-15

Thank YOU..

Thank You for giving to the Lord….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lVzeS5i8WQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lVzeS5i8WQ

Behold…

 

 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 

And that is what we are! 

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. 

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 

All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

1John.3.1-3

Behold the manner of God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojHxW3zMGyU

How deep the Father’s love…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z65YxhqY0_E

No fear…

 

 There is no fear in love. 

But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. 

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1John.4.18

Just be held…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIZitK6_IMQ&t=66s

The blessing…

 

 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; 

the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn his face toward youand give you peace.”’

Num.6.24-26

The Blessing…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYje79ykqkI

Heard, seen, testify, and touched…

 

Heard, seen, testify and touched…

My verses of the day are from Colossians….

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

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.

Col.2.6-7,Col.3.16

And I started reading 1 John…

 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. 

And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 

We write this to make our joy complete. 

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:1-10

Comments about this letter say that is was written about A.D. 85-95, to a group of Christians living in Asia Minor who were troubled by false teachers…Study Bible…

As I read this the words, “Heard, seen, testify and touched” stood out…here is a writer that walked with Jesus…he ate with him, he saw him do miracle after miracle, he left his earthly vocation to follow him, he watched his crucifixion, he saw his return, and his ascension….he heard his words, he heard his teachings, he believed his words…he wrote down Jesus’ words by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit…

He had first hand accounts of  Jesus….and he wanted others to know Him, believe in Him…take him at his word…because he was there….

Now, we each have the decision whether to act upon those words… or not…

He wrote to “make our joy complete”…compelled to share…

Thank YOU….

Your Words…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=KqaA8XBI15o&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kevinhalloran.net%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo

A thankful prayer….

 A thankful prayer…

Looking up what the pilgrims may have used for a Thanksgiving prayer…

Some say the 107th Psalm…

 Psalm 107

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands,from east and west, from north and south…….”…..and through 43 verses….

Ps.107.1-3+

Others report they would have used the Book of Common Prayer…

“Ever wonder about what the Pilgrims prayed on what we call the “first Thanksgiving,” when they praised God for a successful harvest. The Pilgrims used something called The Book of Common Prayer as well as the Bible. The Book of Common Prayer was created in 1549, and would have been a staple for prayer in the New World.”

A prayer the Pilgrims might have prayed on the first thanksgiving day…

“Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. 

We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. 

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. 

Amen.”

The Book of Common Prayer (1662, p. 43)

When was the first religious day of thanksgiving?

• The Pilgrims’ first recorded religious day of thanksgiving was held in 1623. Plymouth had been stricken with a severe drought. "Upon which," said William Bradford, "they set apart a solemn day of humiliation, to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer, in this great distress."  pilgrim hall.

Prayers written for use….

https://buildfaith.org/thanksgiving-prayers-and-table-graces/#:~:text=A%20Word%20of%20Thanks%20For%20health%20and%20strength,Campbell%2C%20Pilgrim%20Prayers%20for%20Mealtime%2C%20Pilgrim%20Press%202013%29

This is interesting… 

https://pilgrimhall.org/giving_thanks.htm

Another suggestion that was interesting…was Mary’s prayer in Luke 1:46-55…

 And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lord     

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,     

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him,from generation to generation. 

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 

He has helped his servant Israel,remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,just as he promised our ancestors.”

Luke.1.46-55

Whatever the day…we are admonished to be thankful in everything…

Thank YOU….

Thanks giver…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxDKchUybN0&t=46s

Give thanks…

 Give thanks to the Lord…

 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;his love endures forever.

1Chr.16.34

 The Lord is my strength and my shield;my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.My heart leaps for joy,and with my song I praise him.

Ps.28.7

Let us come before him with Thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods” (Psalm 95:2-3).

 Enter his gates with thanksgivingand his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Ps.100.4-5

 Praise the Lord, my soul,and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sinsand heals all your diseases,

Ps.103.2,3

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 106:1).

 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing loveand his wonderful deeds for mankind,

Ps.107.15

 At midnight I rise to give you thanksfor your righteous laws.

Ps.119.62

 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever. 

Give thanks to the God of gods.

His love endures forever. 

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

His love endures forever. 

to him who alone does great wonders,

His love endures forever. 

who by his understanding made the heavens,

His love endures forever. 

who spread out the earth upon the waters,

His love endures forever. 

who made the great lights—

His love endures forever. 

the sun to govern the day,

His love endures forever. 

the moon and stars to govern the night;

His love endures forever.

Ps.136.1-9

 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 1Cor.15.57

 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

2Cor.2.14

 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph.5.19-20

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Phil.4.6

 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.

Col.3.16

 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

1Thess.1.2

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

2Thess.1.3

 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Heb.12.28-29

 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,the One who is and who was,because you have taken your great powerand have begun to reign.

Rev.11.16-17

Give thanks…

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

Forever…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks86XlVKaB8

 

Hebrews 13…

 

Hebrews 13

The author of Hebrews has discussed some pretty weighty topics throughout this book…when he comes to the final chapter, he still has exhortations…just as weighty, but seems to be winding down softly…those last thoughts…remember to…

I think of visiting my grandparents or parents and we were getting ready to leave…last minute hugs …they would throw out some last encouragements, words of wisdom as we loaded into the car…then waving as we headed out…making sure we knew they loved and cared for us…sending love ahead on our journeys…

Thank YOU…

  1. Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 

2. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 

3. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. 

4. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 

5. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you;never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can mere mortals do to me?” 

6. Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 

7. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 

8. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 

9. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 

10. Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. 

11. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

12. Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. 

I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 

Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. 

Those from Italy send you their greetings. 

Grace be with you all.

Heb.13.1-25

Blest be the tie that binds…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvsV1WGk3r8

A hairbrush, wooden spoon…

 A hairbrush, wooden spoon…

As a child, when I got a spanking it was with the back of a hairbrush and sent to my room…all done in love…

As a parent, I used a wooden spoon…then a “I love you”…then some kind of restitution…

I hated spankings, both receiving and giving…only given in direct , willful disobedience…

But, we have the opportunity to get it…when needed…as the author of Hebrews points out…it is for our good…productive in harvest…the consequences are righteousness, holiness and peace…

What better than that?

Thank YOU….

 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son?

 It says,“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. 

For what children are not disciplined by their father? 

If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. 

How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

 Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Heb.12.4-11

 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,the one you teach from your law;

Ps.94.12

 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,but whoever heeds correction is honored. 

Whoever spares the rod hates their children,but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Prov.13.18, 24

Lead me to the Rock…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43aGVufjEng

Weary…

 Weary….

Huddled in a chair, weary to the bone from drama, fatigue, life…I read this verse…

 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Jer.31.25

I remember drinking in those words like water to parched land…I had been reading through the Bible again and those words came exactly the day I needed them…

And God knew I needed them…

Weariness still creeps in now and again, but that verse overpowers it…then the song, “Turn Your Eyes upon  Jesus” plays in my mind…my eyes are  not looking at the right place…

 I thought about this as I started Hebrews 12…

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

 For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Heb.12.1-3

Having just finished the great list of the faithful in chapter 11…they endured, some weary along their way…but they looked to God…and He gave them a mantle of praise through his Word…

Thank YOU…

 My soul is weary with sorrow;strengthen me according to your word.

Ps.119.28

 Do you not know?Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

 Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint.

Isa.40.28-31

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matt.11.28

 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Gal.6.9

Turn your eyes upon Jesus…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb4E1YtV3XA

Dirt…

 

Dirt…

I enjoy doing crafts and have enjoyed it over the years…going through phases from one craft to another…but you have to gather  the needed materials for whatever you are doing…that goes for most work projects…they just don’t appear miraculously…then, there are the instructions, the how-to’s…for those of us who use them…and now we can ask Siri, or YouTube, zoom or whatever else teaches, go to the local Recreation place or stores which have classes…or even ask another person who does the craft, like a local quilter who gives classes…

There are lots of options…

Whenever I read about creation or the following  verse and those who question, the following story comes to mind…forgive me if I digress…

 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Heb.11.3

Joke…

“God was once approached by a scientist who said, “Listen God, we’ve decided we don’t need you anymore. These days we can clone people, transplant organs and do all sorts of things that used to be considered miraculous.”

God replied, “Don’t need me huh? How about we put your theory to the test. Why don’t we have a competition to see who can make a human being, say, a male human being.”

The scientist agrees, so God declares they should do it like he did in the good old days when he created Adam.

“Fine” says the scientist as he bends down to scoop up a handful of dirt.”

“Whoa!” says God, shaking his head in disapproval. “Not so fast. You get your own dirt.””

Job 38…God asks Job  creation questions…such a beautiful chapter…

Genesis 1…tells of His creation… 

 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;he puts the deep into storehouses.

 Let all the earth fear the Lord;let all the people of the world revere him.

 For he spoke, and it came to be;he commanded, and it stood firm.

Ps.33.6-9

My crafting/creativity holds no comparison to God’s creation,…I need his materials, his inspiration, his instructions…

And that goes with everything in life…He holds it all…

Thank YOU….

Breathe….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEDcKZB7r2A

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,I wait for God my Savior;my God will hear me.

Mic.7.7

Faithfulness….

 Faithfulness….

My verse of the day is ..

 However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard,and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—

1Cor.2.9

And wouldn’t you know it, my chapter for today is…

Hebrews 11…I couldn’t help but add the entire chapter…worthy of reading in an unsettled world…God’s faithfulness….

 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings.

 And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. 

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. 

By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. 

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. 

Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. 

He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. 

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. 

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 

He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 

He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 

By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. 

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. 

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. 

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 

Women received back their dead, raised to life again. 

There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.

 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 

They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. 

They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. 

They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. 

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Heb.11.1-40

Thank YOU…

God is faithful…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71BTE1Wvat8

Let us hold unswervingly….

 Let us hold unswervingly….

 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Heb.10.21-25

Imagine standing before the ruler of the land who asks a simple, yet hard question, “ Are you a follower of Christ?”…

Your physical life depends upon your answer…you can bow down before the gods of the land and be released or state your belief in Christ and be killed…

Apparently this is what was happening when the writing of the book of Hebrews was written…

The writer was encouraging those who were facing persecution to hold unswervingly to hope, to the  faithful one in whom they believed …

But, because the Word is alive, eternal…it says exactly the same today…

People the world over face the same question…”in whom do you believe?”…it mattered thousand of years ago to Joseph, Abraham, Noah, etc…to the people of Jesus’ time and after, to the people of the Middle Ages…it matters now…and will in the future…

The consequences may or may not be the same…

But, each person must answer…make their stand…

Jesus asked….  “ But what  about you?”

 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”

 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”

Luke.9.18-20

I can just imagine, Jesus standing, his eyes serious, His expression of waiting for them to answer…knowing their answer…but wanting them to opening say…wrapping their hearts and souls around that very important answer…it would change and guide their lives…it would solidify a path set before each…

Where does our answer lie?

Thank YOU…

I can only imagine…

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

Standing on the promises …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftIbYHZ9Fqo

I know this blog reaches people who face this question each day…and some here is America are getting to this point…we can spur one another on, encourage…pray for …blessings to you…

Stiff-necked…

 Stiff-necked…

It feels like I have been in physical therapy forever some days…

I think I only have 5 more sessions… in some ways I will miss it, but in other ways, not so much…they challenge me to work harder, bend more, move more…but sometimes it is pure torture that is actually good for me…

This week I did something new that actually put out my back and neck…not a good experience…so I have been stiff-necked and moving carefully…

But, it was a reminder of several verses that God calls out people for being  stiff-necked…and it wasn’t a good thing…

Four of the times were in Exodus…

 And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. 

Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.”

 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.’” 

And he said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord go in the midst of us, for it is a stiff-necked people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”

Exod.32.9,Exod.33.3,5,Exod.34.9

Another in 2 Chronicles…referring to the verses above…

 Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”

2Chr.30.8-9

And lastly…Stephen calling out the people elders, scribes and priests among the people…

 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Acts.7.51-53

Physically, having a stiff neck hurts…and you almost have to turn your whole body just to look another way…but, it has no eternal ramifications…

But, these, called ones as being “stiff-necked”, it definitely was not a compliment…by definition it means stubborn, arrogant, haughty, a people not responsive to the leading of God…wow…this is not where we want to be…

And just as I can have my back and neck worked in for better mobility, There is restoration, though, forgiveness when we seek Him…when we respond to His leading …..

 He restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Ps.23.3

 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Ps.51.12

My takeaway….am I being stubborn, stiffed-necked about something?

Thank YOU….

Restore to me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9jAgsT1wsw

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/stiff-necked/

Merriam Webster 

To do or not to do…

  To do or not to do….

This last year my “to do” list  has been a bit shortened…healing was top priority…and as much as I like to be active and busy…that wasn’t part of my “list”…I didn’t have the energy or stamina to be out and about….but, slowly I have been able to return to some outside-the-house activities which has been a delight…and I am so appreciative of being able to return church and family activities, some travel…

With this, I ask more and more which things I should do or not do…which activities I have a peace to do or which to say no to…God is always willing to give directions if we just ask…

I am thankful He still allowed blogging as an outlet…He was always there teaching me, helping me see His fingerprints, His movement in all that was happening…and each day is a delight and new lesson…so even in the rougher times, I could be thankful…He never leaves or forsakes…and His calm presence is sustaining…

Thank YOU….

 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John.2.5

 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

Rom.2.13

 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1Cor.10.24,1Cor.10.31-33

 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

1Cor.11.28

 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Col.3.16-17

 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Col.3.23-24

 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Jas.1.22-25

 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

1Pet.2.15-16

Good good Father…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gSugruC1jQ

Pearls…

 

Pearls….

One of my favorite painting techniques this last spring was a painting of a pearl in a simple shell…

I inherited my grandmother’s pearl necklace, given to her by my grandfather on their 25th wedding anniversary…I have the original pink jewelry box containing a note she wrote about their history and the string of real pearls…I rarely wear them, too afraid of losing them…and their history…

The first time I saw them harvested was at the Seattle World’s fair…the pearl booth had a big tank where the divers would dive down deep, pick up an oyster, then bring it to a table, opening the shell to reveal a pearl. You got to keep the pearl for a price or have it mounted in a jewelry setting…it was fascinating to watch the variety of pearls that were harvested…

Pearls are valuable, but Job says that the price wisdom is greater than pearls…they are listed as palace adornments in Esther…adornments for people…Matthew speaks of them as so valuable that a merchant sold he could to buy a pearl…

And in the book of Revelations, John speaks of the gates being a single pearl…only God could make them that size! (Hence, “pearly gates”)…

But, the making of them is amazing….an irritant to the oyster is the beginning…the oyster then continues to cover the irritant with a fluid which hardens, adding layer upon layer of the pearly substance, making a beautiful valuable gift…

We are of value to God as well…maybe an irritant to some or but God allows things into our lives which cause irritation…by God’s grace we can grow through them, adding the fruit of of Spirit , being transformed by the Word to become a lovely “pearl”…shiny, smooth, lustrous, shaped by God…

We, too, were bought with a price…Jesus…

Thank YOU….

 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2Cor.3.18

 “But where shall wisdom be found?And where is the place of understanding? 

No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;the price of wisdom is above pearls.

Job.28.12,Job.28.18

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matt.13.45-46

 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. 

The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Rev.21.15-21

Pearls are borne of hardship…layered with a solution to make them more and more valuable…

Aren’t we the same way…with God’s healing hand…

The Change in me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TCZiy5A2A

https://www.thepearlsource.com/facts-about-pearls/how-are-pearls-made.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl

Pictures-

1. one set of
   
   
   
   
   
   my grandparents, grandma wearing her pearls on their 50th wedding anniversary…
   
2. My painting of a pearl…

These hands….

 These hands….

The following was shared by a friend…not sure where it came from…

“my Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat, I wondered if he was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.

He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine.

Thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to him.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," he asked.

"I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the

tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.

As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.

They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.

They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.

They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn sons.

Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I

was married and loved someone special.

They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse

and walked my daughter down the aisle.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and

cleansed the rest of my body.

They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.

And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works

real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again

continue to fold in prayer.

These hands are the mark of where I've been and the

ruggedness of my life.

But more importantly, it will be these hands that God will

reach out and take when he leads me home.

And with my hands, He will lift me to His side and there

I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember when God reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home.

So, when my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa. I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.”

As I read this, I thought of the photograph I took of my dad’s hands  as he was in his final days…he had done so much with his hands  as well…he would pat your shoulder, arm, head as an encouragement…give you a hug and pat your back…

He had the shaken the hands of many people, written volumes of reports and papers, roped cattle, trained horses, cut wood, planted trees….turned pages of countless books he read including his worn Bible…

Thank YOU…

 You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me;your help has made me great.

Ps.18.35

 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Ps.145.16

 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Matt.8.1-3

 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

Mark.7.32

 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Acts.11.21

 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Col.4.18

Blessed God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci1AN9R3_9I

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-was-the-crucifixion-of-jesus.html