I totally appreciate your comments.
So tell me this:
Someone is on their way to starting a relationship with Jesus, but they hesitate because of an addiction (cigarettes, food, beer). They know their addiction is bad, and want to quit (sorta) but have not come to the end of themselves to do it.
What Scripture can I use to encourage them to lay their habit at the feet of Jesus, and what Scriptures can I use to show that He cares?
The fruit of the Spirit "self-control" is great........
Thanks again
08:07 - Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - {2}
That's the question.
"Does it really matter?"
Well I guess that all depends on who I am serving.
If I do what I do for the accolades of man.....then, the answer would be no.
No matter how much, or how hard we try, it's never enough. Never.
There's always someone out there that will 'one up you', or that can't wait to drag you down. They salivate at the chance to point out any flaw, or defect. Nothing, is ever going to be good enough. Ever.
But
If I am serving God. His Way, as prescribed in Scripture and confirmed by the direction of the Holy Spirit................then the answer would be "yes it does matter". Yes it totally matters.
Switch the one I serve.
Think about all the focus and energy that I put into a project to make "man smile" and do the same for God........
Hmmmmmm that might change, me?
Ooooo For the better.
Well now there's a thought.
Maybe it's time to purge a few things........
07:30 - Monday, September 22, 2008 - {1}
Sister Lori,
I read your blog this morning
( Journey to the Heart of God )
and you made some great points.
Music and media have "raised" three generations of boys.
Mom's too 'busy' to be a mom, so she just plopped her kids in front of the tv. Then bought them Ipods, and gave them free reign on the computer to down load all the music they wanted..........unsupervised. Then allowed them to 'roam'.
They 'roam' in packs. At the mall, at the movie theater, at youth group, at school, really, anywhere.
But always in packs.
Peer pressure then becomes reign and rule.
It's all down hill from there................
I know a boy, who's mama has made a conscience effort to raise him right. Biblically.
At 10, when at a book store with his mother and sisters, he saw the Sports Ill. Swimsuit issue. He quickly moved towards the huge stack of magazines, and flipped it over so that the 'exposed' woman was not facing up. He continues to have this kind of modesty today.
He has sisters. He has a mother. He has been told "would you like people to look at your mother, or sisters this way? NO then you should not view other woman this way.......the women caught in adultery was standing naked before Jesus when He forgave her of her sins, and told her to sin no more. Always, remember that".
The boy is older now. He holds doors (always has) and when he's at work, and a gal is carrying something heavy, he insists upon taking it. I could go on and on.........
He is kind. He is friendly.
Girls notice. Well........some.
Where he works, there are a group of gals (17-19) that work in the same building. They are a group of cheerleaders.
Sadly, the 'stereotype' totally fits.
Anyway, one girl was struggling to get something open, while the others watched and laughed at her. The boy walked over and opened it for her, shot the nasty girls a look, and went back to his station. The girl he helped walked over and thanked him.
Over the summer, that young lady would speak to the boy, not in your typical "yo wass up" kinda lingo. But she KNEW he was "different". Because he treated her with respect, like a human being, created in God's Image.
He didn't treat her like a toy, or a 'treat'.
She noticed.
But the rest of the gals?
They thought he was weird and mocked him.
Because he wasn't treating them like 'garden tools'.
He didn't care.
He knows who he is in Christ.
He is comfortable in the skin God wrapped him in.
This boy has been trained since he was born. He is still in training. It takes time. It takes effort. It is repetitive. It is maddening sometimes.
But trust me, when people look at you and say
"wow, he's a great kid"
As a mother, I know God is with me because I could have never raised him this well...........in my own strength.
My boy is proof, God is Truth.
09:07 - Sunday, September 21, 2008 - {1}
That's a good question.
They say it takes 30 days to start a habit.
With Jesus, it take one encounter to change a life.
But for us backsliders, climbing back up the mountain top is tough.
So what can I do to be more like Him today?
1. Love like Him.
See, that one throws me. Agape is like the Proverb's 31 gal.
Totally unattainable. No human can do it. Nope, not one.........
BUT
I can learn from those models.
2. Forgive like Him.
Again, I don't know how this is possible.
I know, that if *I* were God, I would have smashed ME like a bug, a long time ago. Not because I didn't want to forgive, but because I am so dumb!!! Sometimes, forgiving is so 'easy'. But other times, I make a conscience effort to forgive, then WHAMO it hits me in the gut and I know, I really didn't forgive..........
Why is this such a struggle?
08:18 - Saturday, September 20, 2008 - {0}
What a brilliant post.
Please pop over to "The Life and Times of Simple Woman" this morning.
08:01 - Saturday, September 20, 2008 - {2}
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
29 so that no one may boast before Him.
30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
31 Therefore, as it is written:
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
08:54 - Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - {0}
This will be the verse I look at, read, and think on all day today.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
08:23 - Monday, September 15, 2008 - {1}
Isaiah 58
True Fasting
1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
I am His.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
This is me. "Seems eager" to know His Ways. "Seems eager to come near". The "seems" needs to be turned into an action word.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
Oh yeah. Me. "Well Lord, I do xyz and didn't you see"? Like He doesn't SEE everything. Sometimes I am so dumb.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
I don't know what "quarreling and strife or wicked fists" is but I will tell you my 'fasting' will get the same results. Because its not good.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
For me God is saying "stop putting on a show and get real, knock off all the drama, and LISTEN to me"
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
This is a huge verse. I 'fast' for silly stuff (oh it may seem big to me, but compared to verse 6? SILLY STUFF) and He is showing me that He is SO much more...........
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Hmmmmmm wow. No where do I see anything like what the 'world' tells me. No where in this verse does it say...."volunteer for this program, sign up to do this on Sunday, give X amount of money" It says........be ready, spot on. Be ready at any SECOND to give.
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
I love the word "then"..........
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
God says "ok, PAY ATTENTION........Verses 1-7, and now 8-12 He shows us our reward. It's all written down for me. How simple duh.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Ok........."IF you keep your feet from breaking Sabbath". That's huge. Understand this.........for 40+ years I have been conditioned, I have chosen, I have lived for Saturdays. I work on Saturdays (big money days) I do big projects on Saturdays. My kids play sports on Saturdays.................I do not honor "THE Sabbath". I do not honor it and the only "delight" in it is for myself. Not to honor or please God. I do what I want, go my own way.........I totally thumb my nose at God, and His Sabbath.......
It's no wonder I am in the condition, I am in.
Footnotes:
- Isaiah 58:8 Or your righteous One
07:35 - Friday, July 18, 2008 - {1}
"Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil doing." Psalm 37:8 (R.V.)
Fretting means getting out at elbows mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say "Fret not," but a very different thing to have such a disposition that you find yourself able not to fret. It sounds so easy to talk about "resting in the Lord" and "waiting patiently for Him" until the nest is upset - until we live, as so many are doing, in tumult and anguish, is it possible then to rest in the Lord? If this "don't" does not work there, it will work nowhere. This "don't" must work in days of perplexity as well as in days of peace, or it never will work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work in anyone else's case. Resting in the Lord does not depend on external circumstances at all, but on your relationship to God Himself.
Fussing always ends in sin. We imagine that a little anxiety and worry are an indication of how really wise we are; it is much more an indication of how really wicked we are. Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and He was never anxious, because He was not "out" to realize His own ideas; He was "out" to realize God's ideas. Fretting is wicked if you are a child of God.
Have you been bolstering up that stupid soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God? Put all "supposing" on one side and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about that thing. All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.
Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest
Big fat eye opener for me. I was reading this the other night and about fell out of bed.
My oldest gets on me ALL the time for fretting..........funny enough, this entry? It's on her birthday, July 4th!!
03:00 - Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - {2}
Stand in Awe of God
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.
Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
3 As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it
6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?
7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.
06:54 - Sunday, May 11, 2008 - {0}
Who is this Jesus?
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.
Matthew 3:16-17
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Matthew 17:5
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
John 6:67-68
67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Matthew 27:54
54 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!"
Acts 1:9
9 After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Once Saved, Always Saved?
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
If I can't earn it, if I 'lost it' then I couldn't do anything to get it back.....so that would mean God is a liar.
Romans 10:9-13
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him,
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Matthew 9:12-13
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
John 3:14-18
14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15 that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
16 "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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
John 6:35-40
35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
John 10:27-30
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and the Father are one."
2 John 1:10-11
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.
11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.
I do not 'deserve' Salvation. I can't earn it, buy it, barder for it, swap, inherit it with the farm, nothing.
It's a Gift.
Free Gift WHEN:
Admit, I am a sinner, and without Him, destine for Hell. Repent of my sins.
Confess, I am a sinner, and that Jesus is Lord...
Believe, In my heart, my mind, my soul and with all my strength, that Jesus is Lord!!
I, am Saved. Not just for the moment, but saved. Done. No do overs, no more 'try agains'. I am Saved. A child of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Sealed for Him. Bought, sins forgiven, loved, ingrafted, A daughter of the King. This is a gift, that I cannot lose. Why can't I lose it? The Seal, The Deposit, The Guarantee. Also known as The Holy Spirit.
Then in Obedience to the Father, I am baptized by water.
Don't be confused. From Genesis to Revelation, it's all about Jesus. Don't be mislead. He is clear, and He is serious. You can't earn a thing with Him........not one tiny thing.
07:28 - Sunday, May 4, 2008 - {4}
I am so blessed to call her friend.
She has some amazing information, please check it out!!
TRADITION
PROPHECIES FULFILLED
THE LAST SUPPER PART 1
THE LAST SUPPER PART 2
08:56 - Saturday, April 19, 2008 - {0}
It makes all the difference in the world.
The first thing that I want to make clear is that the Last Supper was NOT a Jewish Passover Seder. I know, I know, people are not going to like to hear this but I have to say it and I will back up what I believe from the scripture and from the Hebrew and Greek.
So, as we begin, please take note of these important words.....
Hebrew: Unleavened bread is matzah (singular) and matzot (plural); Bread is lekhem (singular) and lekhemim (plural). Halekhem means "the bread" with the definite article "ha" joined to the front of the word.
Greek: Unleavened bread is azumos (or variants like azumon) ; and regular bread is artos (sometimes arton).
Ok, now that we have the language sorted out, let's go to the scriptures. (H) is for Hebrew and (G) is for Greek.
Exodus 12:18 - eat unleavened bread on the 14th day of the first month at evening, (H) matzot, (G) azuma.
Exodus 23:15 the Feast of Unleavened Bread, (H) hamatzot, (G) azuma.
Leviticus 23:6 the Feast of Unleavened Bread, (H) hamatzot, (G) azumon.
Leviticus 23:17 the two loaves of raised bread for Shavuot or Pentecost, (H) lekhem, (G) artos.
Numbers 28:17 unleavened bread being eaten for 7 days for the feast, (H) matzot, (GS) azuma.
Ok, are you still with me?
Those scriptures show a consistent use of words in the Law, and shows what words were used in each case for unleavened bread or regular bread. In each case, where unleavened bread is cited, the word in Hebrew is matzot, the plural of matzah. The same occurs in the Greek, where there is consistency in using azuma/azumon for unleavened bread. A different word is used for regular bread in both the Hebrew and Greek.
Going on to the New Testament, the following are all the verses in the New Testament about the bread and wine ceremony of the Last Supper, where bread is mentioned.
Matthew 26:17 Now on the First day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" (Please read in your own Bible and you will see that italics are used. It is important to note that italics are not in the original text. They were added by the translators, and thus it was not the first day of the Feast, but the first Preparation Day -a misleading by translators). The words used in this verse are (H) hamatzot, (G) azumon.
Matthew 26:26 (NASB) And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body". (H) halekhem, (G) artos. Both texts state that the bread was regular bread and not unleavened bread.
Mark 14:1 (NASB) Now the feast of the Passover and Unleavened Bread was two days off..... , (H) hamatzot, (G) azuma. Both texts agree that it was unleavened bread.
Mark 14:12 (NASB) And on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread...... (note heavy use of inserted meaning in italics, this was not the first day of the feast, but the first Day of Preparation). (H) hamatzot, (G) azumon. Both texts agree on unleavened bread.
Mark 14:22 (NASB) And while they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it, this is My body". (H) halekhem, (G) arton. Both texts agree that the bread was regular bread and not unleavened bread.
Luke 22:1 (NASB) Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. (H) hamatzot, (G) azumon. Both texts agree on unleavened bread.
Luke 22:7 (NASB) Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. (H) hamatzot, (G) azumon. Both texts agree on unleavened bread.
Luke 22:19 (NASB) And having taken some bread, when He had given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (H) halekhem, (G) arton. Both texts agree that the bread was regular bread and not unleavened bread.
1 Corinthians 11:23 (NASB) For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;.... (H) lekhem, (G) arton. Both texts agree that the bread was regular bread and not unleavened bread.
1 Corinthians 11:26 (NASB) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. (H) halekhem, (G) arton. Both texts agree that the bread was regular bread and not unleavened bread.
1 Corinthians 11:27 (NASB) Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. (H) milekhem, (G) arton. Both texts agree that the bread was regular bread and not unleavened bread.
1 Corinthians 11:28 (NASB) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (H) halekhem, (G) artos. Both texts agree that the bread was regular bread and not unleavened bread.
So you can see that every one of those verses states that the bread used in the bread and wine ceremony was regular bread and not unleavened bread; that's 100% in agreement in both the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts on all verses. There is also another version which is Aramaic which I didn't include but it says the same thing. The bread used for the bread and wine ceremony was regular bread and not unleavened bread. We have multiple witnesses to this fact, in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, plus the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians.
Also, you can see that in Matthew, Mark and Luke,they used the term for unleavened bread in the same chapter, when referring to the Feast of Unleavened Bread. So it isn't like the word was unknown. 100% agreement says that there is a consistent message in the New Testament, that the bread and wine ceremony and the Last supper were not a Passover Seder meal. If it had been a Passover Seder meal, then they would have used unleavened bread (which they did not do). Am I starting to sound a bit redundant?? Well, let me add a variation to the theme.
A traditional Jewish Passover Seder Meal looks like this:
1. Kiddush and the first cup (first of 4 cups of wine)--prayer of sanctification and a blessing is recited with the first cup of wine, to set apart the day to God.
2. U-r'chatz (the washing of hands)--no blessing is recited. One family member takes a pitcher of water, bowl, and towel to each person at the table to wash their hands.
3. Karpas (means parsley, celery, green herbs)--dip the green vegetable in a bowl of salt water and eat. The green vegetable reminds people Passover is in the spring, and the salt water symbolizes the tears and pain of slavery.
4. Yachatz (breaking of matzot)--middle of 3 pieces of matzah (unleavened bread) is broken in two with the larger portion wrapped in a napkin and set aside as afikomen (it is hidden & that matzah eaten at the end of the meal), the other piece is left with the other two unbroken matzot.
5. Maggid (telling of the story of the Exodus)--4 questions, concludes with 2nd cup of wine, the wine of wrath. The story of the Exodus is told and a tiny bit of wine is poured out for each plague. First half of the Hallel (Psalms 113-118) is recited responsively. Then the 2nd cup of wine is consumed.
6. Rachtzak (washing of hands with a blessing)--ceremonial cleansing.
7. Motzi (the blessing over the unleavened bread)--the upper matzah and remainder of the broken middle are broken into pieces and distributed.
8. Matzah (unleavened bread is blessed and eaten)--the upper matzah and remainder of the middle matazah are broken and eaten.
9. Maror (bitter herbs are blessed and eaten)--usually symbolized by romaine lettuce and horseradish.
10. Korech (matzah and bitter herbs eaten together)--dip the matzah in horseradish and charoset (apple & nut mixture) and eat it. In many seders, steps#8-10 are combined.
11. Shulchan Orech (the meal is eaten)--roasted lamb served with bitter herbs and matzah (in Jesus' day), today it can vary a lot and usually has much more variety as a sumptuous meal.
12. Tzafun (afikomen found, ransomed, and eaten)--children search for and find the afikomen and the finder gets a reward. Everyone gets a small piece of the afikomen to eat.
13. Barech (grace after the meal)--3rd cup of wine is the cup of redemption, and it is sipped. After the third cup, a child goes to the door looking for Elijah, to see if he is there to announce the coming of Messiah. Fourth cup of wine is the cup of acceptance or praise.
14. Hallel (Psalms, Tehillim 115-118)--every seder ends with the latter half of the Hallel.
15. Nirtzak (all is finished)--seder complete.
Teaching all the procedural steps of a Passover Seder doesn't make sense to me because it comes from Judaism (which is a man-made religion only loosely based on the Tanach) and this ceremony has evolved over the years. At the time of Jesus, this is not what a Seder Meal looked like. I know some Believers use it though to look back to what the Passover portrayed and how it was fulfilled in the crucifixion week. However, teaching that the Last Supper bread and wine ceremony was a Passover Seder is a falsehood. It was a new ceremony for believers to portray annually and has a future prophetic fulfillment.
Please consider!
08:51 - Saturday, April 19, 2008 - {0}
Yesterday morning, I was shaken out of bed by an earthquake. For ya'all in Calif........that's not a biggie. But for us in the Midwest....Tornado? Yes. Flood? Yes. Blizzard? Yes
Earthquakes. Not quite. Last one was in 1988 and it was no where near as strong as this one.
I don't believe in coinsidences. I believe everything happens according to God's plan.
I find it interesting the timing of this 'earthquake'.
My Bible study group just finished up Matthew 24-25.
I find it interesting also that today, Saturday (the Sabbath) April 19th (at sundown) is the Passover. The day after this rocking of the earth.
I find it interesting what has happened in the news lately....things that are not only 'against God' but they are sins committed in His Name.
Luke 21:11
There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Mark 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Yesterday at 5:30 in the morning, I heard the earth, 'groan'. It sounded like a slow grinding labored, groan.
The news couldn't stop talking about it BUT! No one took it as a 'warning sign'.
Some were 'scared'.
Some mocked it.
Some just laughed at it.
Some went so far as to say this is because of global warming..........
You're darn right it is!
Revelation 6:12
I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,
Revelation 8:5
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Revelation 11:13
At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Revelation 11:19
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
Revelation 16:18
Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.
God's Global Warming
His Globe, He's in control, and He will heat it up when HE chooses too.
Do I think this is "the end"........nope. Jesus tells us what to look for in Matthew 24 and 25.
When His Hand rocked the earth yesterday under my feet, did He gain my attention? Yes, He did!
Yes, He did!!
07:37 - Saturday, April 19, 2008 - {0}
How do I know when to begin Passover?
Exodus 12: 1-2
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
God has given us the moon to determine the first. When our calenders were messed up by man, God knew this. That is why He set things by the moon. Man can't mess that up!! So the first NEW Moon of April will be the first day of Celebration of the Passover.
That day is sundown, this Saturday April 19th.
Why should I celebrate Passover, and not other 'holidays'?
Exodus 12: 14 / 17 / 24 / 42
14 "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance.
17 "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.
24 "Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants
42 Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come.
I am learning so much about the Lord, and His Promises. It is exciting and challenging to change "my thoughts and my ways" to His Thoughts, and His Ways!!
Is the Passover a "Jewish" holiday?
No, see above Scripture. The Passover commanded by God was kept by His People after the death, burial and assention of Jesus Christ.
Acts 12
1 Corinthians 5
Hebrews 11
Don't confuse traditions, holidays, and man-created observances. The Lord has spelled it out to us......and preserved it in His Word, for all His Children!!
12:54 - Friday, April 18, 2008 - {0}
Ecclesiastes 2
Pleasures Are Meaningless
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
2 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"
3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem [a] as well—the delights of the heart of man.
9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.
Footnotes:
- Ecclesiastes 2:8 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
02:32 - Tuesday, April 8, 2008 - {1}
I have a dear friend who celebrates the Biblically commanded Passover. I thought I would share with you!!
More information about the Passover.
And one more!!
09:01 - Saturday, April 5, 2008 - {1}
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The apostles teaching was their eye witness account of Christ, which has been written down for us, via the Holy Spirit, called the Bible!!
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. I like how the KJV uses the word "fear". Not like "hide in a closet afraid" but like "reverent Holy fear".
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.I cannot remember a time where I have felt that I was a part of something like this verse describes.
45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. This sounds to me like being in business with other Believers, and giving to those who need.......for His sake.
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, Every day. Not just one day a week, but every day. It sounds like more went on in the homes ( and more than just 'small groups ministry') than anywhere else. Sounds like the Temple was for worship ONLY and the fellowship and everything else was done in the homes? Like, God's House was a place of Worship and Prayer........only?
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
And the LORD added to the number. Not the building and it's building committee. Not the parking lot committee. Not the evangelism committee. Not VBS. Not some cute sunday school program. Not the Starbucks and free doughnuts in the narthex. Not the "laid back casual service at the hour that it's most convenient for you to squeeze some god into your day" Not youth group.......
None of that.
None of it.
But the Lord adds to their number.
I believe He is the same today, as He was yesterday and He will still be the same tomorrow!
What man has done, is not good. What God has done, is wonderful!
(KJV)
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
07:28 - Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - {1}
How do I know when to begin Passover?
Exodus 12: 1-2
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
God has given us the moon to determine the first. When our calenders were messed up by man, God knew this. That is why He set things by the moon. Man can't mess that up!! So the first NEW Moon of April will be the first day of Celebration of the Passover.
Why should I celebrate Passover, and not other 'holidays'?
Exodus 12: 14 / 17 / 24 / 42
14 "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD -a lasting ordinance.
17 "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.
24 "Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants
42 Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come.
I am learning so much about the Lord, and His Promises. It is exciting and challenging to change "my thoughts and my ways" to His Thoughts, and His Ways!!
08:41 - Friday, March 21, 2008 - {0}
Jesus never said being a follower of Him was easy. If anything He did a great job warning us........it's NOT easy!
Forgiveness.
Simply the hardest thing to do.
What does it look like? What does it feel like?
Jesus gives us a parable in Matthew 18: 21-35. He tells us how serious He is about forgiveness. He talks about it ALL THE TIME......
This is what I understand.....maybe I am wrong?
I have to forgive. Even if the one who offended or brought harm to me never asks for forgiveness. Somehow, I have to resolve in my mind and heart that I forgive them, period.
I have to forgive, even when the offender not only doesn't ask for forgiveness but thinks I am the one to blame, and they are blameless. Ok, that's hard. No, it is really really hard.
Even if it's our dh. Our grown children. Our own parents. Our neighbors, or even, our pastors!!
Jesus hung on a cross and died for my sins. He died with forgiveness of my sins, on His Mind. That is why He died. To forgive me. He was willing to suffer on a cross, to forgive me.
What am I doing today to forgive? What am I willing to do to forgive?
When Jesus died on the cross, He knew that some would STILL reject Him and His Gift. Some will still treat me poorly even after I have forgiven them. Jesus knows what this is like. Only on a way bigger scale!! The point? He knew this before He ever went to the cross.........but He did it anyway.
The forgiveness is there........all we have to do is seek Him out, and ask for the gift.
What about forgiveness on earth? How's that work?
So you forgive someone from the heart. You turn the situation over to the Lord. What if the offenders are members of your own family?
Then what? Hows that work???
07:49 - Thursday, February 28, 2008 - {0}
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Description
1 Timothy 1:15-16
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
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