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Welcome to my blog: I intend to share heartfelt writing about anything that comes to mind. |
Don't forget to: Come check out my new Bible Study Forum!
 The first Bible study is on Hagai 1:1-11. Take a look and join me in the study, leave a comment about your views on it. Join me every week, starting March 1, 2021. I will post a new Bible study every Monday. I am looking forward to seeing you there! 👀 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Up Your Cross Prompt: Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:35-40 that the second greatest commandment is to love our fellow man as much as we love ourselves. What does that mean? Answer: If we love God and love others as we love ourselves, then we should have no problem obeying the 10 commandments. They are all based on these two principles. This scripture to me indicates God does not desire us to have low self-esteem. We shouldn't think higher of ourselves than we ought to think. We shouldn't think lower of ourselves either. Romans 12:1-3 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. I think Romans 12:1-3 sums it up pretty well. Think soberly as God has given you the faith to do so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gratitude List 1. Music 2. Games 3. Chairs 4. Email 5. Coats 6. Rain 7. Trees 8. Roads 9. Safety measures 10. Stylus Jesus is my permanent anchor!  |
Come check out my new Bible Study Forum!
The first Bible study is on Hagai 1:1-11. Take a look and join me in the study, leave a comment about your views on it. Join me every week, starting March 1, 2021. I will post a new Bible study every Monday. I am looking forward to seeing you there! 👀 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Up Your Cross Prompt: "4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." (Psalm 27:4-5, KJV) In good times where is the best place for a Christian to live? In troublesome times where is the best place for a Christian to hide? Answer: The answer is the same for both questions. My dad always used to say that there was no better place to be than in the will of God. My answer is similar. I say it is in God's presence. I think the Scripture above, verse four, is referring to seeking to be in the Lord's presence at all times. In verse five, it speaks of times of trouble. The Lord will hide us and set us on a firm foundation. In his will and his presence is the safest place to be because nothing can get to you there unless God himself allows it for our good.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gratitude List 1. Cell phones 2. Stoves 3. Indoor flushing toilets 4. Toilet paper 5. Refrigerators 6. Toasters 7. Blenders 8. Microwaves 9. Coffee and coffee makers 10. Vacuum Cleaners Jesus is my permanent anchor! |
Take Up Your Cross Prompt: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, KJV) When the Lord has been given His rightful place in our hearts, what becomes the rightful place for fear? Answer: Fear has a way of ruling over us. The only thing the Bible tells you to fear over and over again is to fear God. To everything else, it tells us to fear not, do not be afraid. I have heard it said behind pulpits that we should do it afraid if God tells us to do it. It is quite common because the definition of courage is to do stuff even though you are afraid. God isn’t just telling us to be courageous. He is telling us to do it in faith without fear. This URL is a link to more Scriptures that tell us to be courageous and not be afraid. https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse503.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gratitude List 1. Decorations 2. Fans 3. Medications 4. Vitamins 5. Hairbrushes 6. Hair accessories 7. Hair in general 8. Scissors 9. Sewing needles 10. Thread |
Take Up Your Cross Prompt: "5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm 23:5-6, KJV) What benefits come to the child of God, simply on the basis of this title and status? Answer: God provides for his sheep in abundance. His provision is good and complete. He would not expect you to give others your best and then give to you sparingly. He rewards us openly, in front of others. God is full of mercy and goodness. As long as you are God’s sheep, you will have his goodness and mercy as long as you live. You will dwell in God’s presence forever. This scripture below just validates this one above. Jeremiah 29:11-13 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
————————————————————————————————————— Gratitude List 1. Clothing 2. Shoes 3. Winter coats 4. Pens/pencils 5. WDC 6. Recreation 7. Plants 8. Animals 9. Shelter 10. Food |
Taking Up Your Cross Prompt: "3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:3-4, KJV) The way we walk and the paths upon which we walk demonstrate a great deal about the lives we live. How can our walking come into agreement with the One, Who determines the important direction of our lives? Answer: Our walking will come into agreement with the One, Who determines the important direction of our lives when we enter into fellowship with him and do his will. Isaiah 30:20-21 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. We learn to listen to the Lord and follow his guidance as our great shepherd.
————————————————————————————————————— Gratitude List 1. Hospitals 2. Medical workers 3. Police 4. Military officials 5. United States 6. Freedom 7. Paramedics 8. Firefighters 9. Restaurants 10. Grocery stores ————————————————————————————————————— I have a praise report for you. A few weeks ago, I saw an elderly lady struggling to get her clothes to the laundry. Usually, when I saw this same lady in the past just in passing, she was more capable then that. She said she wasn’t feeling well, but had to get her laundry done. I happened to be coming from the laundry myself. I left my clothes right there, and I helped the lady to the laundry by carrying her clothes for her. I felt compelled to pray for her, and so I did. Today, I saw this lady again because it was time to take advantage of the nice weather and do some laundry again. Well, she was at the laundry. She asked me if I remembered the night I had helped her. I told her that I did. She told me later that night, she had been rushed to the hospital. She had almost died. She had some kind of internal bleeding , and she had a hospital stay. The doctors were able to fix the problem and she is feeling much better now. She was praising Jesus for sparing her life and thanked me for my prayers and my help. We had a little praise Jesus session right there in the laundry room. 😇 |
Take Up Your Cross Prompt: "1 (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:1-2, KJV) These verses indicate, that God has the role of Shepherd and His redeemed ones (aka Christians) have the role of sheep. What needs is the Lord meeting in verses one and two? Answer: I kind of cheated on this one. Lol 😂 I took a peek to see what I could see on google about this topic. I actually found a good article on it and would like to share it here. https://theunexpectedpastor.com/2017/06/20/he-makes-me-lie-down-in-green-pasture... Now I also have some of my own thoughts as well. First of all, if the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want for any good thing. The following scriptures back this thought up. Matthew 6:33 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Psalm 37:3-5 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. The next thought is about the phrase, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”. My first impression is a mental picture of sheep eating grass and relaxing together as a flock. It is a picture of the good Shepherd, Jesus, providing and making sure we have food and rest. The next thought that I have about this one phrase is, “Could this also be a picture of the church, God’s flock, getting together on the sabbath day?”. After all, The Bible is considered spiritual food. We get together to learn about and worship God. We also rest on the Sabbath day. I have some interesting ideas about that last phrase. “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” For one, water quenches thirst. It also cleanses. It can be healing. Let me also mention the woman at the well and what Jesus said to her. John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Jesus gives us water that springs up to everlasting life. Here are another couple scriptures that come to mind. Psalm 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. John 15:1-8 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 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. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. 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. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be 15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 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. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. 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. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Plants and animals both need water to survive. The water that Christ gives makes us fruitful and to flourish. There is one more scripture I want to point out on this subject of water. John 7:37-39 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Water not only represents fruitfulness and life, but it represents the Holy Spirit. So by leading us beside the still waters, Could he also be referring to the Holy Spirit? I get a mental picture of quiet, serenity, comfort, safety, and nourishment. I see the love and companionship of a shepherd. I see a shepherd who enjoys spending time with his sheep. I could hear the water rippling, the sheep bleating, birds chirping, and the wind blowing through the grass softly. I could hear Jesus softly and sweetly speaking to his sheep. What a beautiful mental picture!
————————————————————————————————————— Gratitude List 1. Sunshine 2. Support 3. Transportation 4. Music 5. Deodorant 6. Sewing machine 7. Toaster 8. Inventions 9. Hair brush 10. Blankets |
Take Up Your Cross Prompt: "2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:2-4, KJV) How does an adult come to Jesus as a little child? Answer: I am thinking this goes along with the idea of you must be born again. Maybe it is another way Jesus was trying to explain that concept. In verse 3, the word converted means noting anything, formerly of the type specified, that has been converted to something else. This definition is from dictionary.com. It indicates change. We cannot be converted without some kind of change. Verse 3 also says to become like little children. Verse 4 explains it a little more and says to humble yourself like a little child. Of course, our question is how does an adult do this? First we must understand what it means to be child-like and humble like a child. If you have ever spent time with a small child, you will notice how simply they think. They don’t overthink and complicate things. They readily believe what they are told by their parents without much question, well, unless they are in the “why?” Or “what’s that?” phase. 😂 They readily trust their parents to care for them and protect them and to know what is best. God wants us to trust him like this. John 3:1-21 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 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. 4 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? 5 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. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Back to being born again, we are originally born of the flesh in sin. We must be spiritually reborn and become as babes in Christ. In John 3:1-21, Jesus speaks with Nicodemus. This is where he talks of being born again. Verses 19-21 kind of sum it up like this. Men love darkness rather then light because their deeds are evil. Being born again means coming into the light, and turning away from darkness. By coming into the light, your evil deeds can be seen and reproved. However, when your good deeds are seen, then it is because God has done a work in you. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Peter 2:1-3 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen In the above 3 references I find a little more detail. 2 Peter 3:18, says to grow. Children grow. I think it is also meaning that we grow into our relationship with Jesus. As we begin to put away the works of our flesh, lying, cheating, stealing, temper tantrums, gossiping, etc..., we begin to receive and understand more and more of the Word of God. Isaiah 28:9-10 9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: We all learn a little at a time, and grow in Christ a little at a time. We become as children, and let God parent us like the Good Father he is. We relinquish our will to him instead of “doing what is right in our own eyes”. We do what is right from God’s point of view. We submit to his corrections and to his instructions. We drink the milk of the Word until he weens us and begins feeding us meat.we rely on him to feed us to clothe us, to protect us, and to provide all our wants and needs. Children can’t provide for themselves. Children’s identity is in their parents. Our identity is to be found in him. Parents control the belongings of their children. God controls our belongings too as we submit them over to him. We don’t do things without his permission or approval. We love, rely on, and respect him. We reverence him in fear. When we do wrong, we will be punished as a father punishes his child. I think this is what it means for an adult to become as a child unto God in the kingdom of Heaven..
————————————————————————————————————— Gratitude List 1. Water 2. Food 3. Shelter 4. Rest 5. Transportation 6. Heat and air conditioning 7. Clothing 8. Dishes 9. My bed 10. Quiet time ————————————————————————————————————— Dear self, We need to talk. I have noticed that you are fighting depression as of late. You are not wanting to do a lot. You are withdrawing from people. That is not healthy for you or your relationships. What can I do to motivate you and encourage you to do better? I know you are dealing with weight and health issues and some emotional baggage, but I promise God has a good plan for you and an excellent end. You are more than a conqueror and can do all things in Christ who strengthens you. Ask for God’s strength. You know he will give it to you. He takes pleasure in helping his children in their weakness. Take one day at a time. Begin each day with prayer. God will help you. You can do it! Cheer up! It is going to be ok. I love you because God loves you. I am proud of the person you are becoming. You have come a long way. Don’t you dare give up. You can do all things in Christ, Marvelous Friend |
Take Up Your Cross Prompt: Matthew 4:1-11 is the demonstration of Jesus dealing with Satan's temptations after forty days of fasting in the wilderness. What can we learn from Jesus' example, that will help us in our daily battle with sin and Satan, the author of sin. Answer: The quick answer is to resist the devil and he will flee from you, and to use scriptures as Jesus did. Simple enough, right? Well, while that answer may be correct, simple it is not. I want to give a little more in depth answer. First of all, I want to discuss who tempts us. James 1:13-15 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. First of all, God does not tempt us himself. He may lead us to be tempted according to the Lord’s Prayer. Notice it is the devil that tempted Jesus. Notice also in the first verse of Matthew 4, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The Devil is the Tempter. The devil is the one that tempted Eve in the garden, see Genesis 1:1-5. Satan asked God for permission to afflict and tempt Job in Job 2:4-5. In Luke 22:51, Jesus told Peter the devil had asked permission to sift him like wheat. Revelation 2:10 talks about how the devil was about to put some people in prison and they were about to suffer, but if they endured, they would receive the crown of life. In each of these instances, the devil had to get permission from God to tempt the people. How are we tempted? (James 1:14) we are tempted when we are enticed by the lust of our own flesh. Jesus was tempted to make stones into bread when he was hungry after fasting 40 days. His flesh was weak at that point. Jesus answered this temptation with scripture. I often wondered to myself why it would be a sin for Jesus to turn stones to bread if he was hungry because we all know he was able to do it. It would have been sin because that would have been outside the will of God for him to do. Anything outside the will of God the Father is sin. He was being tempted to use his Devine power to satisfy his flesh. Our passage in Matthew 4 also shows just how deceptive and manipulative the devil is. If he was this way with Jesus, the Messiah, you better believe he will be that way with you. The Bible says, Satan is the master of lies and deceit. The next temptation he approached Jesus with, he also quoted scripture. He actually tempted Jesus with scripture! He will try to twist our words and use them against us. Be aware of that! God’s word will NEVER contradict itself. Don’t think the devil doesn’t know what the Bible says, and don’t think he won’t try to use it against you. This is another good reason to become very familiar with what the Bible says. Again, Jesus answered the devil using another scripture. I find the third temptation quite interesting. Why would the devil offer to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them? Did Jesus have a desire to rule the world? This temptation is kind of profound. Didn’t God the Father already give Jesus that? Well, God has promised that Jesus will rule the world in a thousand year reign at the end of time, but he hasn’t obtained it yet. Temporarily, the world is the devil’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is in heaven. Jesus resisted the devil. He told him to depart from him and leave him alone basically. He also answered with another scripture. In summary, it is important that we are familiar with what the Bible actually says. We should be aware of what fleshly desires we have in ourselves that make us vulnerable to being tempted. We should try to avoid giving the devil this opportunity if at all possible. However, if you should find yourself in a moment of weakness, it is helpful to have some scriptures memorized or written somewhere that you can have quick access to in a pinch. We can pray, and ask God for help at any time we need him because he is a very present help in trouble. We can resist and rebuke the devil. A thought that came to me just now is the scripture passage that has to do with putting on the whole armor of God. I should write a separate Bible study on this at some point. Let’s refresh our memory. Ephesians 6:10-18 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; How can we talk about resisting temptation without talking about putting on the armor of God? Verse 17 talks about the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get familiar with your sword and how to use it. The sword is your weapon of offense. The shield of faith is your main defense. All the other parts of the armor are used primarily as defense. Prayer is defense as well as offense. Do you want to spend your time in battle with the enemies of God cowering behind a partially efficient shield (faith comes by hearing the word of God), or do you want to be able to fight back and cause some damage of your own? Get familiar with God’s word!
————————————————————————————————————— Gratitude List 1. God’s word 2. Fresh air 3. Breathing 4. Eye sight 5. Smell 6. Hearing 7. Touch 8. Emotions 9. Taste 10. Communication |
Take Up Your Cross Prompt: If Eternity with Jesus is the Lord's chosen position for every Christian, then is failure actually an option for any part of His Bride? We may grieve over things we have been unable to accomplish in this life, but if Eternity is eternal, then is it possible for any of us to fail to do what the Lord has Sovereignly-chosen for our talents to accomplish? "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Romans 11:29, KJV) Answer: God never fails. He accomplishes everything he sets out to accomplish. Isaiah 55:6-11 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. On the other hand, it is us who fail. Yes, we fail all the time. I think it is possible that we can fail to reach our full potential due to sin. We can fail to accomplish what God wants us to accomplish. However, God’s will never fails. He is sovereign. I think of the following passage. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. We have hope and purpose even in our greatest failures. All praise and glory be given unto God the Father!
————————————————————————————————————— Gratitude List 1. Hope in Jesus 2. Love of God 3. My dog 4. Shelter from the cold 5. Running water 6. Indoor heat 7. Electricity 8. Roommate with a good income 9. Ability to rest and heal 10. Close friends and family —————————————————————————————————————- Today, I just want to give God some praise. He has been so good to me. He has provided all I have needed and then some. He has provided warm clothes, shelter, running water, heat, food to eat, and safety throughout this cold winter storm. We have electricity and our internet. We take so many things for granted. God watches over us and protects us and blesses us even in difficult times. What an awesome God I serve! |
Take Up Your Cross Prompt: Some people have questioned how God can allow suffering. How would you answer such questions? Answer: God created a perfect world before the fall of man. Genesis 1:31 - And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis chapter 3 is where Adam and Eve eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It was after this that the ground was cursed, punishments were issued, and man began to suffer and work for what he ate. Genesis 6:5-7 5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. This is the condition of man and the earth before the great flood. Notice, in verse 5, it say that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Suffering is caused by sin. Sin is allowed by God to give man a free choice and so that God’s grace can abound. Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. Violence causes suffering, and the earth was full of it. In Genesis 6:3, God promises to not always strive with man because he is flesh. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. In Exodus, God make a covenant with the children of Israel. They verbally agree to this covenant, and Moses sprinkled blood of sacrificed animals upon the people, making this a blood covenant. Again, man’s heat is evil. At least 10 times in he wilderness, the people murmur against God, and refuse to trust him. In Leviticus, the Old Testament law is written out. In Dueteronomy and Joshua, the Israelites make their way into the land of promise. In Judges and other Old Testament books, such as the books of the profits, we again see suffering as a result from sin. These weren’t just little white lie sins either. These were major sins like worshiping other gods and sacrificing their children to them. God allowed suffering in hopes that his people would return to worshiping him and turn away from committing those sins. He allows suffering so that we will know he is God. Ezekiel 11:12 And ye shall know that I am the Lord: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you. John10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Then there was a new covenant given through Jesus. It was prophesied of beforehand. Jeremiah 31:31-34 31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Hebrews chapter 8 speaks of this new covenant. The New Testament is full of the promise of the new covenant which is made through the blood of Christ Jesus. Yes, while we are still upon this earth with sin in it, there will be suffering. Christ suffered with and for us while he was on the earth. When he died upon the cross, he conquered sin, death, suffering, and Hell. Our physical body will suffer here on earth, but when we die, our soul will live forever, freed from suffering and pain, as we will be in the presence of Almighty God for the rest of eternity. Revelation 21:3-8 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. We, who believe in Jesus Christ, have a hope and a future.
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