AssemblyBoard

MAY 31ST: 7:58 PM:

THIS SITE:
to share a bible verse that has got you thinking, has been an anchor, has been good memory, just for the sharing of it.
OKAY ANY PARTICIPANTS.:

I will get you started.
 :)------------------------- :D


Glorious Blessings Are Ours: Free Access to God,
-------------------------------------------------------------

The Creator and Sustainer of all things
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But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:13,18 NIV

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All of them, will serve Me in the land; there I will accept them and there I will seek your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your holy things. As a soothing aroma I will accept you

Ezekiel 20:40b,41a NASB

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Ephesians 3:12 KJV

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Any reflections.? ::)
 

JUNE 4: 12:42 AM

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

JUNE 9TH: 11:39
++++++++++++++   + ++++++++++++++++++++++

 
Overcome grumbling with gratitude...
==========================

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:20,21

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:14-16 KJV

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:8-11

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

======================================
AMEN:

LENORE




 

     My favorite new saying to saints who are grumbling:

     "You need to unwhine!"

al ;D

 ;):JUNE 12:12:31 AM


My God Shall Supply all your needs in Christ Jesus
---------------------------------------------------------

So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul - then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

Deuteronomy 11:13-15 NIV

--------------

"If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent, And place your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks, then the Almighty will be your gold And choice silver to you. For then you will delight in the Almighty And lift up your face to God."

Job 22:23-26 NASB

-------------

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Psalm 128 KJV

-------------

God promises a safe landing...
not a calm passage.

-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.


 :DLenore

 :)IN HONOUR OF FATHER'S DAY:

 :D
 
Fathers... Leave a godly heritage.

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

Malachi 4:6 NIV

-----------

My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Proverbs 6:20-23 KJV

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He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

Proverbs 14:29,30 NASB

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

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:9,10 NIV

-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.

 :)

Fathers... If you have wronged your family ask forgiveness.

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

Malachi 4:6 NIV

-----------

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."

Mark 11:25,26 NASB

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He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Proverbs 29:23 KJV

-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.

 :)

TO ALL THE FATHER'S ON THE BB .




 

 :)Christ is Coming Again! Let us be diligent then to
Obey Him and remain faithful as His servants

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He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

Proverbs 27:18 NIV

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A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Proverbs 17:2,3 KJV

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Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 14:34,35 RSV

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Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:22-24 KJV

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We proclaim Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:28-29 NIV

-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.

==================================

HYMN:

HE IS COMING AGAIN: BY MABEL J. CAMP

Just the chorus:

He is coming again
He is coming again
The very same Jesus
rejected of men
He is coming again
He is coming again
With pow'r and great glory
He is coming again.

 :DJuly 18th, 6:42 pm:

I was given a devotional book called
Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

I was given this , by a dear sister , who lives in California, after I was hospitalized 18 months ago for depression.

I want to share today devotion:

GO WALKS AMONG THE SUFFERING

Matthew 8: 17
"he took our suffering on him and carried our diseases

"Picture a battleground strewn with wounded bodies, and you see Bethesda.
Imagine a nursin home overcrowded and understaffed,
and you see the pool.
Call to mind the orphans in Bangladesh or the abandoned in New Delhi, and you will see what people saw when they passed Bethesda. As they passed what they hear? An endless wave of groans.
What did they witness?
A field of faceless neeed.
What did they do?
Most walked past.........

But not Jesus.....

....He is alone.....The people need him-so he's there.
Can you picture it? Jesus walking among the suffering....

Little do they know that God is walking slowly,
stopping carefully
between the beggars and the blind.

Hi Lenore,

The verses that you have shared here are great. Do you have one for the situation with the abuse of babies in South Africa? Oprah had a show on it this week and I'm still almost in shock over what is going on there.

I'm serious. I'm having difficulty with this one. It's an unspeakable atrocity.

Moonflower

 :-[: Hi Moonflower 2

Sorry, I have not heard about what is going on in South Africa and abusing of the babies.

I can give you platitude and verses, but they may not be much comfort, except I remember the Bible story about how the disciples were stopping Mothers from bring their children to Jesus.
Mark 10: 14-16  When Jesus sawthis, he was indignant.He said to them. "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these, I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Ezekiel 34:28:
THey will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety and no one will make them afraid.

Amos 5:24
Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice , a river of righteous living that will never run dry.

Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe awy every tear from their eyes, there shall be n o more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain.

Psalm 102:17
He will respond to the prayer of the destitute, he will not despise their plea.

I dont know if these help, but it made me realize, no matter how bad we think we have it h ere in the western world, and in our own personal lives. There are always somewhere who suffering is worse off.
It also made me aware , that there are still cultures and places that regard human beings, particular babies, and women as property with not value.

The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.
Psalm 69:33

Just give it to the Lord. Until He directs us to do otherwise.
Sorry I couldnt be of more help.

Lenore

What about the millions of babies murdered by abortion here in the USA?

Yes, there is no excuse for murder and shedding of innocent blood, but, this is the first time I've ever
thought that babies (who die as a result of rape and gang rape) would have been better off if they had been
aborted. The surviving ones will have a lifetime of injury to their spirit and body. You should have seen
the show on Oprah.
 :'(

The fact that South Africa was mentioned is only to identify where the crimes are happening. It has nothing
to do with one country's atrocity as being worse than another's. The men committing the atrocities are
given a couple months time in jail, if anything at all.

Jeremiah 15:19
... if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: ...

A baloney interpretation of Jeremiah 15:19 is that people are vile who don't agree with certain pet interpretations of scripture and should beware of the "cave-man's club".  The meaning of the verse is clear in the larger context of Jeremiah's job assignment.  The precious were the sheep of God's pasture who were being abused by the corrupt leaders.  The vile thing is that people were sacrificing their children to the idol Baal.

Jeremiah 44:4
Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

Jeremiah 19:4-6
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; they have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind: therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor The valley of the son of Hinnom, but The valley of slaughter.

Exekiel 33:11,21
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? ...  And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.

Clearly, it wasn't for a small thing that the Babylonian captivity happened to Israel.



With Jeremiah's prophecy about the terrible thing that would happen to Israel, was included his prophecy about their return from captivity 70 years later and also about the 1st and 2nd coming of the Messiah.

This verse from that prophecy of hope is one that I remember learning as a song that Judy taught the group in Tom Maddux's house about 30 years ago:

Jeremiah 31:12
Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

 :): JULY 23RD, AT 11:07 AM.

 
"My Grace Is Sufficient For You"

   Say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Isaiah 49:9,10 NIV
+++++++++++++

   He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalm 23:2 KJV
++++++++++++++

   "And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."

Jeremiah 3:15 RSV
+++++++++++++
 
    I will open rivers on the bare heights And springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water And the dry land fountains of water.

Isaiah 41:18 NASB
++++++++++++++

      God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.
=======================================

  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:10 KJV
++++++++++

   For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

1 Peter 2:19,20
+++++++++++

  Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. "For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.

Hebrews 10:35-39 RSV
+++++++++++++++++

    God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.
======================================

   I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Psalm 63:2-5 NIV
++++++++++++

  I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Song of Solomon 2:3,4 KJV
+++++++++++++++++++

The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green.

Psalm 92:12-14 NASB
++++++++++++++++++

    God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.



I HOPE THESE VERSE ARE AN ENCOURAGEMENT.

HAVE A GOOD DAY, AND REJOICE DURING OUR LORD'S DAY.

TALK TO YOU LATER.
GIDDAY FROM THE OTTAWA VALLEY

 :DLENORE




 
 
 
 

 
 

Lenore,  Thank-You for all the Encouraging Verses. You are Ministering to the Saints and do Minister. I read all your stories and articles. I dont have the foggiest idea where you find all these things. They are very Sweet and at times thought provoking. I'm praying for you to find some supplemental work, or just Gods Gracious outpouring on you in the form of a gift...Make way. Lets see what he does. It seems your really good on the computer and with the typing. I'd definitly hire you if I was looking for employees in So.Cal. You'd probibly do really well with a flex schedule. Too bad your not getting paid on these boards.....From the Sunny Beaches of Southern Cal...Summer.

Forgot to post my Verse: " But you shall recieve Power,after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you;and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Judaea,and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" Acts 1:8.

 ;): July 23rd: at 11:04 pm:

THANK YOU SUMMER  for the compliments, it is appreciated.  

My secret, computer, internet ???

I also have several books that I have purchased over the years. Like the Tales of the Oxcart.
I have been given several devotional books.

I quite often receive the stories through email from dear Christian family associated within the house of Worship I am a member of.

Last year when I broke my ankle, I was confind to my bedroom most of the summer last year.  Thank God, my daughter was still at home, even though she grumbled , she took care of me.  So I read.
When I took my breakdown 18 months ago, I started to do daily chapter , verse by verse Bible Studies. It was during my broken ankle time, that I took Books of the Bible and made fill in the word type puzzles with each verse.  I must of done about 27 Books.  I have them in Dog Cookie Boxes.
When I was close to breaking down again this past spring, I lost interested in reading.  This computer was a God sent.  It has kept me motivated, And finding the BB, through my assembly connection from the past, has been a God sent, because I have been able to use my talent of writing, and my skill of typing, and my recently achieved computer course to good use, and I was also blessed with a donated gift of a computer and a year free internet, through a Christian organization that help neighbours, I was given this gift during my course.
So God has put into place where I can be of service to him.  I have been available , hopefully to encourage, whereever and whenever God guides me.
I have another talent, I can Sign Language, I have difficulty reading it, but I can sign, I sign the Sunday Morning Worship Songs.  It is only God that has helped me to learn, as I was applying this new assignment .
It is God who controls my hands,and my memory to do those songs , presenting God's message with the use of my hands.
I am also not afraid of Public Speaking.
I thank you for the compliment, I thank God for giving me the ability to do what I do.
HAVE A GOOD LORD'S DAY

Lenore

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and run with patience the race that is set before us. looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of ou faith... Hebrews 12:1-2a.

I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. Song of Songs which is Solomans....6:3.....Many waters cannot quench Love, nor can floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his for love, it would utterly be condemned.8:7

 :DHappy Lord's Day to you! :)

Received this verse in my email, daily bible verses.


"My Grace Is Sufficient For You"

Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

Psalm 68:34,35 NIV
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In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

Zechariah 12:8 KJV
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For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:15 NASB
-------------

They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."

Isaiah 35:3,4 NASB
-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.
-------------------------------------------

 Today's Scripture
 
It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.

Ecclesiastes 7:18,19 NIV
-------------

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. 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.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10 KJV
-------------

Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Hebrews 2:17,18 RSV
-------------

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 NASB
-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.
------------------------------------------

We Need a Savior
-------------------
The Power of God's Grace in Our Lives - For Perseverance

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:20,21 KJV
--------------

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude 24,25 KJV
-------------

And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, " Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."

Revelation 4:9-11 NASB
-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.





 
 

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have recieved commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it...Numbers 23:19,20.

 :D: GOOD EVENING FOLKS; THIS VERY HOT AND HUMID SUMMER DAY IN LOVELY ARNPRIOR, ONTARIO on August 2 at 7:42 pm est.



Be Strong and Very Courageous!

-------------

If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.

Job 11:14,15 NIV

-------------

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.

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

-------------

I will make them strong in the LORD and they shall glory in his name," says the LORD.

Zechariah 10:12 RSV

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O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:23,24 NASB

-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.


God bless you

Lenore


 
 
 
 
 

Romans 5:26...'Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.'

Jeremiah 12:5 'If you have run with the footman, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan.'

Romans 5:6 'For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly'.

 :August 19th, 11:45 Arnprior Time.

He Give Us Songs in the Night

"Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;
They cry for help because of the arm of the mighty.

"But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker,
Who gives songs in the night,

Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth
And makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?'

Job 35:9-11 NASB

----------------

Oh, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve as night watchmen in the house of the LORD.

Lift your hands in holiness, and bless the LORD.

May the LORD, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.

Psalm 134 NLT

----------------

"Children, don't drag your feet in this!

GOD has chosen you to take your place before him to serve in conducting and leading worship - this is your life work; make sure you do it and do it well."

2 Chronicles 29:11 MSG

===============================

My Help is in The Lord

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:1-4 NASB

----------------

Let's praise the LORD!
He protected us from enemies
who were like wild animals,
and we escaped like birds
from a hunter's torn net.

The LORD made heaven and earth,
and he is the one
who sends us help.

Psalm 124:6-8 CEV

----------------

You alone are the LORD.
You have made the heavens,
The heaven of heavens with all their host,
The earth and all that is on it,
The seas and all that is in them.

You give life to all of them
And the heavenly host bows down before You.

Nehemiah 9:6 NASB

 
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV
=================================
THOUGHT FOR TODAY


     Happy moments, praise God.
     Difficult moments, seek God.
     Quiet moments, worship God.
     Painful moments, trust God.
     Every moment, thank God.
 


 
 




 
 
 




 
 
 

 

I Corinthians 9:24...Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one recieveth the prize? So run that ye may win.

 :): August 21st at 7:52 pm Arnprior Time.

 8)But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.

Thus you shall say to them:

"The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens."

He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.

Jeremiah 10:10-12 NKJV

----------------

"Because he who is blessed in the earth
Will be blessed by the God of truth;
And he who swears in the earth
Will swear by the God of truth;
Because the former troubles are forgotten,
And because they are hidden from My sight!

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be
remembered or come to mind.

"But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.

Isaiah 65:16-18 NASB

-----------------

"If you will return, O Israel," says the LORD,
"Return to Me;
And if you will put away your
abominations out of My sight,
Then you shall not be moved.

And you shall swear, "The LORD lives,'
In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness;
The nations shall bless themselves in Him,
And in Him they shall glory."

Jeremiah 4:1,2 NKJV


Keep on being faithful to what you were taught and to what you believed. After all, you know who taught you these things. Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved.

Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God's servants to do all kinds of good deeds.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 CEV
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Praise the LORD

Praise the LORD , O my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as
long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs,
they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them -
the LORD , who remains faithful forever.

Psalm 146:1-6 NIV

----------------

Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children,
and we can't even imagine what we will be like
when Christ returns.

But we do know that when he comes we will be like him,
for we will see him as he really is. And all who believe
this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure.

1 John 3:2,3 NLT


But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 NLT
======================================
Let us be diligent then to Obey Him
and teach our children to do the same...
------------
"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."

Genesis 18:19 NIV

-------------

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

Deuteronomy 11:19-21 KJV

-------------

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 22:14 RSV

-------------

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 NASB

-------------

We proclaim Jesus, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:28-29 NIV

-------------

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.
_____________________________________________

HAVE A GOOD LORD'S DAY:

LENORE

I Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculair people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

 :)August 24 at 11:54 am Arnprior Time

GIDDAY FROM THE OTTAWA VALLEY

Day by Day...

Cause me to hear Your
lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way
in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.

Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.

Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Psalm 143:8-10 NKJV

---------------

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV

---------------

You who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion.

And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.

1 John 5:13b - 15 MSG

---------------

We need a Savior because we are sinners,
and the wages of sin is death...

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.


===================================

You shall have no other gods before Me

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of
Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

"You shall have no other gods before me. "

Exodus 20:2,3 NIV

--------------

I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.

Behold, the former things
have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth
I tell you of them."

Isaiah 42:8,9 NKJV

--------------

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.

No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.

The Father and I are one."

John 10:28-30 NLT

---------------

We need a Savior because we are sinners,
and the wages of sin is death...

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.


Jesus Christ Is Lord!

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"

Revelation 5:13 NKJV

That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 5:23 NKJV
=========================


TALK TO YOU LATER

Revelation 1:3 'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prohecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand'....St John the Divine.

II Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

 ::)August 27th at 1:15 am Arnprior, Time:

  :DChrist is Coming Again!
  :D Let us be diligent then to Obey Him

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:13 KJV

-------------

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Psalm 94:16-19 NIV

-------------

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5 KJV

-------------

And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death.

There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.

1 John 5:15-18 NASB

-------------

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.


=====================================
  :)  What a wonderful, wonderful God we serve...  8)

-------------

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:18,19 KJV

-------------

Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews 10:17 KJV

-------------

I will forgive their inquity and I will remember their sin no more.

Jeremiah 31:34 KJV

-------------

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.


=================================
  :)   Jesus Christ Is Lord!  8)

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and
under the earth and in the sea. They also sang:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever."

Revelation 5:13 NLT

-----------

So that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor
the Father. But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you
are certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.

John 5:23 NLT

I Chronicles 4:10  And Jabez called on the God of Isreal saying, "Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, that Your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain !"So God granted him what he requested.

Psalm 36:8-9 'They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.'

Ephesians 5:29-32 'For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as  the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the church.'

Hebrews 10:39 ' But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.'

 :DGOOD MORNING ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SUMMERY SUNNY SEPTEMBER DAY.
September 3rd at 11:46 am Arnprior time.


Future Blessings Are Ours - Deliverance from God's Wrath

Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thess. 1:10

------------

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have eternal life.

John 3:15

------------

God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess. 5:9 KJV

------------

Men Ought Always To Pray - Keep this in mind. We need revival.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

2 Chronicles 7:14-16

-------------

We need a Savior because we are sinners,
and the wages of sin is death...

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.


===================================
The Lord Will Teach Us

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psalm 32:8

------------

If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.

John 7:17 NASB (notice our part is to be willing to do His will!)

------------

Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

Psalm 25 8-10,12 NASB

------------

Men Ought Always To Pray - Keep this in mind. We need revival.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

-------------

We need a Savior because we are sinners,
and the wages of sin is death...

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

====================================

Genesis 32:24-27 Then Jacob was left alone; and  a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. And when He saw that he did not prevail against him, He touched  (struck) the socket of his hip;and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint while he wrestled with him. And he said, "Let me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" So he said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." And he said, " Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God  and with men, and have prevailed."

 :DSaturday, September 4th at 9:59 Arnprior time.

The Lord Will Guide Us

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 NIV

------------

I will direct their work in truth. Isaiah 61:8 KJV

------------

Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel. Psalm 73:24 KJV

------------

And the Lord shall guide thee continually.

Isaiah 58:11 KJV

------------

We need a Savior because we are sinners,
and the wages of sin is death...

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.
=====================================
 
 
 

 
The Lord Will Lead Us and Guide Us

He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

Psalm 23:3

------------

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

Isaiah 49:10 KJV

------------

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

Deuteronomy 32:10-12 KJV

------------

Men Ought Always To Pray - Keep this in mind. We need revival.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

-------------

We need a Savior because we are sinners,
and the wages of sin is death...

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of
our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.


 
 

All whom My Father has given (entrusted) to Me will come to Me; and him who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out---I will never, no never reject one of them who comes to Me.     John6:37.

My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer...Thou art fairer then the sons of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God has blessed thee forever..Psalm45:1-2.

"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that
runneth, but of God who sheweth mercy"(Rom. 9:16)

"And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.  Zechariah 1: 13-14.

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. Rom10:15.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken. Isaiah 40:4-5.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiners fire, and like a fullers soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in rightousness. Malachi 3:1-3.

O.K. now you have done it Summer!
I am off to listen to Handel's Messiah.
(and I am not quite done with work either!)
If you have not heard the performance by Christpher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music playing period instruments....GET IT!!  :)
Verne

Verne, this is a good thing...I will look for your recommendation. Have you heard of the 'Young Messiah'? a very soulful version...At least you did'nt wake-up this morning singing 'Drummer Boy' said the king to the people everywhere do you know what I know, a child, a child shivers in the cold we must bring him silver and gold, we must bring him silver and gold.  Have Fun...Summer. p.s. I can already feel the festive Spirit of Christmas!

Book: Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado

Devotion:
October 8th

Title: Praise to God
Passage: Hebrews 13:15
Let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise.

You are a great God

Your character is holy
Your truth is absolute
Your strength is unending
Your discipline is fair....
Your provisions are abundant for our needs
Your light is adequate for our path
Your grace is sufficient for our sins....
Your are never early, never late....
You sent your Son in fullness of time and will return at the
            consummation of time.
Your plan is perfect
Bewildering, Puzzling, Troubling
But perfect.

Devotional from Grace for the Moment

TITLE: THE VOICE OF ADVENTURE

Passage: Psalm 27:1

Jesus says the options are clear.
On One side there is the voice of safety.
You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry for what you dont try, right? You cant fall if you dont take a stand, right? You cant lose your balance if you never climb, right. So dont try it. Take the safe route.
Or you can bear the voice of adventure
God's adventure.
Instead of building a fire in your hearth,
build a fire in your heart.
Follow God's impulses, Adopt a child. Move overseas. Teach the class. CHange careers. Run for office. Make a difference.
Sure it isnt safe, but what is?

 :DOctober 30 at 8:47 DLST, EST ARNPRIOR


    The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who
    hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
    Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant
    also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

    John 12:25-26

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my
    mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and
    wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full
    well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in
    the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of
    the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days
    ordained for me were written in your book before one of them
    came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How
    vast is the sum of them!

    Psalm 139:13-17

" Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil 4: 6,7)

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psalm 90:1-2.

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that upon him was called Faithful and True, and in rightousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Revelation 19:11-13

    I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of
    the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere,
    the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in
    ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a
    lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a
    little folding of the hands to rest--and poverty will come
    on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

    Proverbs 24:30-34


    I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one
    will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar
    in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I
    will write on him the name of my God and the name of the
    city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out
    of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new
    name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says
    to the churches.

    Revelation 3:11-13


   
    Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day
    of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and
    after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,
    with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the
    breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet
    fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of
    peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
    with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the
    evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the
    Spirit, which is the word of God.

    Ephesians 6:13-17

"He has showed you oh man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God"
(Micah 6:8 NIV)

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. Rev 21:19a. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was of pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Rev 21: 21.

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised  to them that love him? James 2:5

Lord's Day November 27th, 7:51 pm Arnprior.


    For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The
    good man brings good things out of the good stored up in
    him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil
    stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give
    account on the day of judgment for every careless word they
    have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by
    your words you will be condemned.

    Matthew 12:34-37


Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does
    not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he
    looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into
    the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me
    should stay in darkness. As for the person who hears my
    words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did
    not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a
    judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my
    words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the
    last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the
    Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say
    it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So
    whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."

    John 12:44-50



    Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my
    anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

    Psalm 139:23-24

Give not that which is holy to the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and again and trample you. Matt7:6

Summer I am really interested in the fact that you posted this.
This is advice from God's Word that I think I sometimes need to heed. What do you think it is actully saying?
Verne

Use Discernment.

Hmmnnnn... I wonder if that sometimes includes just keeping one's mouth shut... :)
Verne

Verne, I'm really tempted to say no comment. LOL. 'Tis the nature of the beast to trample. I'm sure you can think of many analogys that would fit this scenerio.  Summer

I am learning... :)
Verne

DECEMBER 3RD AT 1:16 AM ARNPRIOR


    So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you
    don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is
    common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be
    tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
    he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up
    under it.

    1 Corinthians 10:12-13





Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest,
    and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If
    anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and
    eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will
    give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I
    overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who
    has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
    churches.

    Revelation 3:19-22

Lord's Day December 5th at 7:45 pm Arnprior


    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
    have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown
    of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
    award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to
    all who have longed for his appearing.

    2 Timothy 4:7-8

 :)Tuesday, December 7th at 2:56 pm Arnprior

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith
    but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother
    or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you
    says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,"
    but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
    In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied
    by action, is dead.

    James 2:14-17


    The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
    The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be
    afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
    when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and
    fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
    though war break out against me, even then will I be
    confident.

    Psalm 27:1-3


   

December 28th at 8:33 pm Arnprior


    My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not
    sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the
    Father in our defense - 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. We know that we
    have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who
    says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a
    liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his
    word, God's love  is truly made complete in him. This is how
    we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must
    walk as Jesus did.

    1 John 2:1-6


    Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when
    he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life
    that God has promised to those who love him.

    James 1:12



    You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the
    highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and
    all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You
    give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven
    worship you.

    Nehemiah 9:6


The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down
    with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling
    together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will
    feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and
    the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play
    near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand
    into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on
    all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the
    knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

    Isaiah 11:6-9

 :)LORD'S DAY, JANUARY 2, 2005

I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot
    inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit
    the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not
    all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the
    twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet
    will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we
    will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with
    the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

    1 Corinthians 15:50-53
======================================


    Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king
    who no longer knows how to take warning.

    Ecclesiastes 4:13

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let
    down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was
    full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat
    down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the
    bad away.

    Matthew 13:47-48

======================================
   
    For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he
    examines all his paths.

    Proverbs 5:21
=======================================

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find
    disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes
    from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,
    considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
    impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a
    harvest of righteousness.

    James 3:16-18
=====================================

 ;)January 23.........HAPPY LORD'S DAY TO ALL.......

Enclosed are the Bible Verses I received each day.
I have clump them together.January 18 to January 22nd.............Lenore
p.s. Pray as I recover from this flu.
-------------------------------------------------------------------


    Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone
    loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For
    everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the
    lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does -
    comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and
    its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God
    lives forever.

    1 John 2:15-17

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you
    are suffering, as though something strange were happening to
    you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of
    Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is
    revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,
    you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on
    you.  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief
    or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
    However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,
    but praise God that you bear that name.

    1 Peter 4:12-16


    Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who
    take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will
    rebuke you and prove you a liar.

    Proverbs 30:5-6


    These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your
    hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when
    you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you
    lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your
    hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the
    doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

    Deuteronomy 6:6-9

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its
    saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer
    good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by
    men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot
    be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
    bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light
    to everyone in the house.

    Matthew 5:13-15

February 19th
    Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how
    the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and
    how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too,
    be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is
    near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you
    will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers,
    as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the
    prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we
    consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard
    of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally
    brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

    James 5:7-11


    Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to
    God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion,
    authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all
    his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed
    is death. For he "has put everything under his feet." Now
    when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is
    clear that this does not include God himself, who put
    everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son
    himself will be made subject to him who put everything under
    him, so that God may be all in all.

    1 Corinthians 15:24-28


    "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
    after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in
    their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their
    God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach
    his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
    because they will all know me, from the least of them to the
    greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their
    wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

    Jeremiah 31:33-


    Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
    according to your great compassion blot out my
    transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me
    from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is
    always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and
    done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved
    right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I
    was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother
    conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
    you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with
    hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter
    than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you
    have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot
    out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and
    renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your
    presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the
    joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to
    sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and
    sinners will turn back to you.

    Psalm 51:1-13


    But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to
    those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for
    those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one
    cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your
    cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  Give to
    everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to
    you, do not demand it back.

    Luke 6:27-30


   
    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
    whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
    whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or
    praiseworthy - think about such things.

    Philippians 4:8


    "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. Then he
    looked at those seated in a circle around him and said,
    "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will
    is my brother and sister and mother."

    Mark 3:33-35

March 7th


    Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you
    will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.
    Is not life more important than food, and the body more
    important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they
    do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your
    heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable
    than they?

    Matthew 6:25-26


   
    O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
    You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do
    not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God
    are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you
    will not despise.

    Psalm 51:15-17


    My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands
    within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your
    heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and
    cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for
    silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you
    will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge
    of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come
    knowledge and understanding.

    Proverbs 2:1-6

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
    leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
    "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
    When they hurled their insults at him, he did not
    retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he
    entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

    1 Peter 2:21-23


    God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love
    you have shown him as you have helped his people and
    continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same
    diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
    We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who
    through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

    Hebrews 6:10-12

And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave
    himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
    God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual
    immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because
    these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there
    be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out
    of place, but rather thanksgiving.

    Ephesians 5:2-4


    For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith
    goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge,
    self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to
    perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly
    kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you
    possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will
    keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your
    knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    2 Peter 1:5-8


    My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be
    quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for
    man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God
    desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil
    that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in
    you, which can save you.

    James 1:19-21

March 14th

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
    admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing
    psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your
    hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
    do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
    God the Father through him.

    Colossians 3:16-17


    Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a
    mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before
    you. Each man's life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom
    as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain;
    he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

    Psalm 39:4-6


   
    Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let
    me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No
    one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for
    service in the kingdom of God."

    Luke 9:61-62


    At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is
    the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little
    child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you
    the truth, unless you change and become like little
    children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
    Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the
    greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

    Matthew 18:1-4


    Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what
    he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from
    that nature  will reap destruction; the one who sows to
    please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
    Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper
    time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

    Galatians 6:7-9


    Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that
    he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him
    because he cares for you.

    1 Peter 5:6-7


    The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by
    the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to
    God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
    Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

    Romans 8:6-8

    And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be
    kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who
    oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God
    will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of
    the truth,

    2 Timothy 2:24-25


    Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
    And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of
    the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you
    that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like
    one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the
    field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the
    fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little
    faith?

    Matthew 6:28-30


    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."

    Hebrews 13:5


    The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The
    statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the
    simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to
    the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving
    light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring
    forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether
    righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure
    gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
    By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is
    great reward.

    Psalms 19:7-11


    As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not
    return to it without watering the earth and making it bud
    and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread
    for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It
    will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I
    desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

    Isaiah 55:10-11


    No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws
    him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written
    in the Prophets: "They will all be taught by God".  Everyone
    who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

    John 6:44-45

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly
    rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done
    the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For
    in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and
    will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And
    if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."

    Hebrews 10:35-38

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you
    may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault
    in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine
    like stars in the universe.

    Philippians 2:14-15


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.

    Hebrews 12:1


    But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought
    nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
    But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with
    that.

    1 Timothy 6:6-8


    He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his
    mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a
    sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his
    mouth. By oppression  and judgment he was taken away. And
    who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from
    the land of the living; for the transgression of my people
    he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death, though he had done no
    violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the
    LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though
    the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his
    offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD
    will prosper in his hand.

    Isaiah 53:7-10

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be
    sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
    Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with
    blessing, because to this you were called so that you may
    inherit a blessing.  For, "Whoever would love life and see
    good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from
    deceitful speech.  He must turn from evil and do good; he
    must seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are
    on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
    but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

    1 Peter 3:8-12


   
    Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts
    them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on
    the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the
    winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall,
    because it had its foundation on the rock.

    Matthew 7:24-25

April 9th.... :)

Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake
    and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked
    and be shamefully exposed.

    Revelation 16:15


    Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work
    impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent
    fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things
    such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty
    way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but
    with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or
    defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but
    was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him
    you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and
    glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

    1 Peter 1:17-21


   
   
    Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as
    wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days
    are evil.

    Ephesians 5:15-16


    Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,
    like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding
    banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can
    immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those
    servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I
    tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will
    have them recline at the table and will come and wait on
    them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds
    them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of
    the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house
    had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not
    have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready,
    because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not
    expect him.

    Luke 12:35-40


    This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD
    who formed it and established it - the LORD is his name.
    "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and
    unsearchable things you do not know."

    Jeremiah 33:2-3

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you
    will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is
    the LORD's purpose that prevails.

    Proverbs 19:20-21

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be
    feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are
    idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty
    are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.

    1 Chronicles 16:25-27


    All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the
    sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man
    can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly
    poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and
    with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
    Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers,
    this should not be.

    James 3:7-10


    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.

    Isaiah 40:28-31

    For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly
    Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom
    and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
    you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for
    tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
    trouble of its own.

    Matthew 6:32-34

    Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
    Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior
    and my God.

    Psalms 42:11
Because you know that the testing of your faith develops
    perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you
    may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

    James 1:3-4




   

PSALM 149:4
THE LORD TAKES PLEASURE
IN HIS PEOPLE




PSALM 147:11
THE LORD IS PLEASED WITH
THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM
AND TRUST HIS LOVE




ROMANS 6:13
SURRENDER YOUR WHOLE BEING
TO HIM TO BE USED FOR
RIGHTEOUS PURPOSES






PSALM 25:14
FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD IS RESERVED
FOR THOSE WHO
REVERENCE HIM




JAMES 4:8
DRAW CLOSE TO GOD
AND GOD WILL DRAW CLOSE
TO YOU




MARK 12:30
LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH




HEBREWS 13:5
FOR GOD HAS SAID,
'I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU
I WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU

April 24.  HAPPY LORD'S DAY:


    The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath
    of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The
    grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God
    stands forever.

    Isaiah 40:7-8

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

    Romans 12:21


    I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for
    mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him
    as long as I live.

    Psalms 116:1-2

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he
    said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,
    and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
    At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he
    had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his
    disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom
    of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus
    said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom
    of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
    needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

    Mark 10:21-25


    Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins
    against us. And lead us not into temptation.

    Luke 11:4


    Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day
    your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of
    the house had known at what time of night the thief was
    coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his
    house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the
    Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

    Matthew 24:42-44

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal
    life to which you were called when you made your good
    confession in the presence of many witnesses.

    1 Timothy 6:12


    Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent
    wife is from the LORD.

    Proverbs 19:14

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
    have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown
    of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
    award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to
    all who have longed for his appearing.

    2 Timothy 4:7-8


   
    Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who
    takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for
    those who fear him lack nothing.

    Psalms 34:8-9

I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of
    Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But
    he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the
    angels of God.

    Luke 12:8-9


    I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than
    all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens
    and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes
    clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning
    with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

    Psalms 135:5-7


    Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I
    will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have
    holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man
    has no place to lay his head." Another disciple said to him,
    "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told
    him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

    Matthew 8:19-22


    Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak
    truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one
    body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down
    while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a
    foothold.

    Ephesians 4:25-26


    My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will
    sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I
    will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the
    nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is
    your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness
    reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

    Psalms 57:7-11

 :)April 30

WEEK 4
40 DAYS OF PURPOSE
PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
BY RICK WARREN
………………………

LET YOUR ROOTS GROW DOWN IN CHRIST AND DRAW UP NOURISHMENT FROM HIM. SEE THAT YOU GO ON GROWING IN THE LORD, AND BECOME STRONG AND VIGOROUS IN THE TRUTH
COLOSSIANS 2:7

MEMORY VERSE:
YOUR ATTITUDE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT OF CHRIST JESUS
PHILIPPIANS 2:5

DAY 22
CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST
I was created to become like Christ
God's ultimate goal for my life on earth is not comfort, but character development.
My character is essentially the sum of my habits
God is far more interested in what I am, than in what I do
I WAS CREATED TO BE LIKE CHRIST:

Memory Verse:
As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more
2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 [NLT]

DAY 23
HOW WE GROW
God wants me to grow up
We become whatever I am committed to
The way I think determines the way I feel, and the way I feel influences the way I act.
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START GROWING

Memory Verse:
Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of mind.
Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect
ROMANS 12:2 [TEV]




DAY 24
TRANSFORMED BY TRUTH
The truth transforms me
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make me like the Son of God
Many who claim to believe the Bible "from cover to cover"
have never read it from cover to cover
The truth will set me free but first it may make me miserable
THE TRUTH TRANSFORMS ME

Memory Verse:
If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and  the truth shall make you free
JOHN 8:31-32[KJV]

DAY 25
TRANSFORMED BY TROUBLE
God has a purpose behind every problem
My most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in my darkest days
Everything that happens to me has spiritual significance.
What happens outwardly in my life is not as important as what happens inside me.
THERE IS A PURPOSE BEHIND EVERY PROBLEM

Memory Verse:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
ROMANS 8:28[NIV]

DAY 26
GROWING THROUGH TEMPTATION
Every Temptation is an opportunity to do good
God develops the fruit of the Spirit by allowing me to experience circumstances in which I am tempted to express the exact opposite quality!
We think temptation lies around us, but God says it begins within us.
Temptation is a sign that Satan hates me, not a sign of weakness or worldliness.
EVERY TEMPTATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOOD

Memory Verse:
God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterwards they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him
JAMES 1:12[NLT]






DAY 27
DEFEATING TEMPTATION
There is always a way out
The battle for sin is won or  lost in my mind. Whatever gets my attention will get me.
The truth is, whatever I can't talk about is already out of control in my life.
Don't ever try to argue with the Devil. He's better at arguing than I am, having had thousands of years of practice.
THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY OUT

Memory Verse:
God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you away  out so that you will not give in it .
1 CORINTHIANS 10:13[NLT]

DAY 28
IT TAKES TIME
There are no shortcuts to maturity
While I worry about how fast I grow, God is concerned about how strong I grow
There is no growth without change, no change without  fear or loss, and no  loss without pain.
God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time
THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS TO MATURITY

Memory Verse:
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
PHILIPPIANS 1:6[NCV]

MAY 2:  I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE LORD DAY YESTERDAY WAS A DAY OF REJOICING AND BASKING IN THE SON LIGHT OF LOVE!


    Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say
    among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let the sea resound,
    and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and
    everything in them! Then the trees of the forest will sing,
    they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to
    judge the earth.

    1 Chronicles 16:31-33

One generation will commend your works to another; they will
    tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious
    splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your
    wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome
    works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will
    celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your
    righteousness.

    Psalms 145:4-7

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be
    arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so
    uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides
    us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do
    good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and
    willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for
    themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that
    they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

    1 Timothy 6:17-19


    In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by
    setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can man do to me?

    Psalms 118:5-6


    Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but
    only what is helpful for building others up according to
    their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

    Ephesians 4:29


   
    We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
    weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please
    his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

    Romans 15:1-2


    The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever
    exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself
    will be exalted.

    Matthew 23:11-12


    A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up
    anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the
    mouth of the fool gushes folly.

    Proverbs 15:1-2

MAY 6TH;

HERE IS THE BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY , THAT I RECEIVED EACH EACH VIA EMAIL.

Maybe I should of been paying more attention to them:


    I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is
    no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not
    acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the
    place of its setting men may know there is none besides me.
    I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and
    create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I,
    the LORD, do all these things.

    Isaiah 45:5-7

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for
    tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If
    someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the
    other also.  And if someone wants to sue you and take your
    tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces
    you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one
    who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to
    borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love
    your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love
    your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you
    may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to
    rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
    righteous and the unrighteous.

    Matthew 5:38-45


    And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has
    come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our
    salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

    Romans 13:11


    Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.
    The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

    Mark 14:38


    You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for
    tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If
    someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the
    other also.  And if someone wants to sue you and take your
    tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces
    you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one
    who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to
    borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love
    your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love
    your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you
    may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to
    rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
    righteous and the unrighteous.

    Matthew 5:38-45

The story Jesus told about the sheep in the sheep pen, and the owner of the sheep.

Sheep knows his voice and will follow him.

Did Jesus beat the sheep , or did Jesus lead the sheep.!!

Hi "Tenderheareted,"

I'm pretty sure that Jesus didn't take care of sheep.  I know he ate them, but we don't really know if he was a shepherd or not. 

He used a whip on the religious hypocrites, and at His second coming, the meaning of violence will be at last understood. 

Let me give you some unsolicited posting advice: get to the point.

Brent

Brent,

I think you got that one wrong.
I think it has something to do with the ROD and the staff...

Marcia

Yep, that's what a person would use on sheep.  However, I'm not sure Jesus raised sheep.

I think it's a good verse to pop on someone when you want to protest their direct manner in a way that appears to give you the spiritual highground, without coming right out and saying so. 

This "tenderhearted" is a threat to me....

What do you suggest? That he crucify himself?  ;D
Verne

p.s he is going to have to grow an extra pair of hands, no?

Hi Sondra/Ruth,

Possibly some people think that you are the annonymous poster 'tenderhearted'.  It never occurred to me that it might be you, I was thinking it is someone else.  But you can correct me if I am wrong :) eh??

Marcia

You know what? I think he already is!
I have heard the man confess his faults on many an occasion.
The fact that he does so publcly, is pretty strong proof that he does not hide his sin from God.
Do you see how practical this is?
How 'bout you? Do you consider yourself re-crucified? Or just still getting the spikes ready :)
Verne

p.s you do raise a good point though for there are actually two views to tranparency. God's view and ours.
The mirror reflects both and also effects transformation...the latter being what I thnik we both are after... but you knew that..!  :)

Yes, there's an annonymous poster called Matt :) who thinks I meant something more by my honey comment, so I figured that he must think that I think that 'tenderhearted' is you.

Fot the benefit of your annon Matt, I will set the record straight, the thought of connecting it with Sondra did not even enter my mind.

Marcia

Did I miss something? How exactly was that banter about honey and flies supposed to be connected??
What exactly were you accused of Marcia? This is really a little ridiculous folks...
Verne

It was a post by Matt, over on his website, in which he rebuked Marcia for saying that the words of an adulterer were like honey and oil.  This she said in response to the brilliiant query from Tenderhearted, in which she asked if honey or vinegar got more flies.

Matt took this to be an attack on Sondra, due to the reference to the immoral woman.   I was shocked, bujt I wasn't laughing, because I like Sondra, and because Matt was so far off with his comment, even for him.

Matt then went on to call two other people "adlulterers," in keeping with his style of forgiveness and love. 

Brent

O.K. I did not read Matt's post so I did not know what was going on.
Thanks.

Not every exchange on this BB is centered around you Sondra. I do not understand this kind of obsession. You were wrong in your presumption about the patriot and eagles exchange bwtween Joe and me and based on what Marcia has already stated you and Matt are wrong about this. This is really unhealthy, this self preoccupation and conspiracy mania.




You seem to be the only one preoccupied with "fleshly sin" Sondra. Here is what the Bible says these are:

 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,

Most Christians I know are not doing these kinds of things Sondra.

I don't really care  whether what I say about transparency is considered profound by you or anyone else.
I do care if it is Scriptural.
What God has shown me to do about my sin is to confess it.
How he instructs me to overcome it is by walking in the Spirit.
Verne

This is getting ridiculous.  People are getting so touchy and sensitive about every little thing.  I do not have to explain that I am not talking about Sondra everytime I use the word adultress from now on.  I have set the record straight and it applies to all future usage.

It had nothing to do with anybody else either.  It was entirely in response to a comment about catching flies posted by an AB anon.

Marcia

What people? Have you noticed the only time this sort of idiocy happens on the BB?
I am sick of it
Verne

Profound!  ;D

Verne, I do not know Sondra's situation and please do not post details in response to the comment.  I do know that I do not believe that the Lord Jesus went around calling the Samaritan woman nor the woman caught in adultery, an adultress.

Sondra, I do not consider you an adultress.  You and Verne do have a disagreement with each other that you obviously still need to resolve.

Marcia

This is pathetic, but not surprising.  :-[

I share much of the responsibility for it as I failed to ignore her as I was instructed, not once but twice.
My position is that any further slander of my name by her in any way shape or form wlill be met forcefully.
Barring that, so far as I am concerned she does not exist. The BB has been polluted enough already.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Verne

WINDBAG's words....................

edited by THE CAT
You only get so many irritating posts per day, WINDBAG.  I'm gonna delete the one's where you are really silly, or where you attempt to handle God's Word improperly.

Read the one about specks, logs and eyes....then get a job......then come back here with your real name and let us know how your're doing.

THE CAT

Proverbs 22:24& 25:
Make no friendship with an angry man
And with a furious man do not go
Lest you  learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.

Proverbs 22: verses 17 to 29

Look it up, and see if I took it out of context.

Signed : Tender

Here's the beauty of it all,

IF, and I repeat IF I am an "angry man,"  what are you doing here sparring with me?  You should leave me alone. Take your own advice, and take the advice of the scriptures and leave me be.  Do not rebuke a fool.

So, what is it going to be?  Are you going to take your own advice, or are you going to do contrary to what the passage you quoted tells you to do?

Since your whole life is contrary already, I suspect that you will continue on in your hypocrisy, business as usual.

WINDBAG, please leave, for your own sake.  Quit the BB and go elsewhere, for your own good.  Or, if you decide to stay, please use your real name. 

Brent  THE CAT

The questions were simply that questions.

You didnt need to answer them.

Oh really? It seems as if I'm just being the person you and your side-kick have labored to diligently to portray on you website. Let me remind you of your description.
A man who indicts innocent pastors and single handedly destroys  churches.
A man who goes from church to chuch trying to stir up who-knows-what.
A man who is a murderous hater of God's people, and throws out wild accusations without a shred of evidence to warrant it.
What did I miss? Oh yes - A man who (gasp!) has a problem with the fact that he is a black man from the Caribbean, and is striving ever so hard to make himself intellectually acceptable in the company of white men.
(that by the way, was one of the lowest blows you have delivered for you know better)

You ought to go visit the West Indies sometime. You might be quite surprised that what you find there.

So you see, this nothing at all new, for you have already told everyone this is who I was. Why the surprise?
Verne

p.s. I'll be honest. You know why I turned on you Sondra?
It was not that I was any more offended than usual about your slanderous comments.
You have been at it since your website launched.
It was the way you insulted other board members.
First you disparage Marcia from participating in the discussion as if you had any exclusive right to conversation on the board. I tried to diplomatically nip that in the bud but you just did not seem to get it.
Then you claimed you were taking your marbles and going home. Why didn't you?
We all would have been better off don't you think?
You added insult to ijury by telling her to "study- up". You know what? She is sounder in the faith than you can ever hope to be.
The final straw was your calling some folk on the BB "groupies".
You supposedly came to the BB in the first place to recover your injured honor...right!
That was in my book a declaraton of war. I had had enough.

p.p.s As I said before, you are vulgar, vicious and violent.
So am I.
The difference?
You spend most of your time trying to pretend that you are not.
How's that for transparency?

The Message Bible

2 Corinthians 3: 1-3

But for right now, friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're  acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everthing's going your way?


CEV:

My friends, you are acting like the people of the world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ concerned.
So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.


NLT:

Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldnt handle anything stronger. And you still aren't ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. Youare jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord.



KIND OF MAKES YOU THINK!


Lenore

Titus: NKJV

Titus 3: 8-11

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.
These things are good and profitable to m en.
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and striving about the law, for they are unprofitable and useless.
Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition
Knowing that such a person is warped and sinning being self condemned.

Book of Jonah

I believe we can glean from the lessons from the book of Jonah in light of this website.

In reviewing the story:

God order Jonah to go to Nineveh to warn them about an impending destructions for their wickedness.

Jonah ran away, was swallowed by great sea creature, spend three days, humble himself before God, God rescue him from the creature. God sent Jonah right back on his original mission to Nineveh. Nineveh repented and God spared the city.

In Chapter 4 we see Jonah pity party.

v2...For I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. One who relents from doing harm.

v4: Then the Lord said. Is it right for you to be angry.

v5: Jonah went out city to see what God will do to the city.

v6: God made a plant for Jonah for shade.
..So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

v7 & 8 God caused the plant to die, and an eastern wind and hot sunny day was beating down on Jonah head, causing him to suffer under the elements.

v9: Then God said to Jonah,
Is it right for you to be angry about the plants.

v10: But the Lord said. You have had pity for the plant for which you have not laboured, nor made it grow, which came up in a night, and perished in a night.

v11: And should I not pity Nineveh.

The lesson we can learn from Jonah.
God has created each and every one of us. God has created each of us unique, with different finger prints, different heart beats, different DNA genetic markings.
God has a plan for each and every one of us, God loves each and every one of us. God has no favourites.

God has a job for each of us to do.  God wants us to depend on him whereever he has place us at the time. 
It doesnt matter our circumstances, our issues, our emotional make up, our physical condition, our gender, our race, our culture etc. God will use all of that every single inch, every single experience, every single skill, at every time and place all our spiritual journey.
God will use us and give us opportunities to be used.
God will use our walk, God will use our talk. for his purpose and glory.

If we get off the beaten path, God will wait for us to return. The message of the prodigal son is an illustration of this. If we align our will with God Will, we will have the freedoms and peace knowing we are intimately connected to God.   If we disobey God , by saying I am not going to what you asked me to do, because it means going beyond our comfort zone, we are we going to run to. God knows where we are , we can't hide from God. God wants to use us.
God teach us to depend on him and when we sufficiently humble ourselves to do the purpose God has for us. God will take us right back to the place when we gotten off in wanting our own way. We must obey God in the way and time that God wants us to do.
Even if it is not comfortable.

Like Jonah we can have our own pity party, want to run, want to sit down and watch, wanted to have a tantrum because we didnt get our own way.
It is amazing God still provides. As we give to God his due sovergnity worship and praise. We can see the greatness of God in all things.

John 15: 12:

THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.

John 15:17

THESE THINGS I COMMAND YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Lenore

Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns. 3 A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. 4 A good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are treacherous. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers men. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of perverse mind is despised. 9 Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread. 10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense. 12 The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin, but the root of the righteous stands firm. 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14 From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult. 17 He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan good have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. 23 A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but fools proclaim their folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. 26 A righteous man turns away from evil, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 A slothful man will not catch his prey, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. 28 In the path of righteousness is life, but the way of error leads to death.

These are words of Solomon the wisest man in the World until Christ. May they bring wisdom to us all today.

Hugh

James chapter 2:  From the Message Bible
{please check these verses out in what ever translations you are comfortable with, I just find the Message Bible very interesting}

V1: My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ originated faith.

V5: Listen, my friends , isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently ?
He chose the world's down and out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God. And here you are abusing these same citizens!

V8: You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of Scriptures.
"Love others as you love yourself. But if you play up to these so called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law, and ignoring others.

V12: Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgements every time.

James 1: 1 to 12

Lenore

Exodus 20: 1-17

V 16: NKJV:

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

Matthew 5: 21 - 26

Vs 21-22: NIV

You have heaard that it was said to the people long ago.
Do not murder and anyone who murders will be suject to judgement.
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement. Again anyone  who says to his brother, "Raca" is answerable to the Sanhedrin.
But anyone who says, "You fool" will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Matthew 5: 23-24 The Message

This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge  a friend has against you,
abandom your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right.
Then and only then come back and work things out with God.


John 7:24: NCV

Stop judging by the way things look, but judge by what is really right.



Lenore

Hi Lenore:
I am sure everyone enjoys reading the Bible verses you are posting.
I assume that you have a reason for posting the particular verses that you are, but since they are being posted without any comment or context whatsoever, I am wondering if you are just concerned that some of us may not be getting in our daily Bible reading.  :)
It helps to keep in mind that discussion, is the thing that makes the BB interesting, not merely one-sided posting.
Verne

Actually Verne, I am not enjoying them at all.
It looks like a veiled message to particular individuals or a particular individual, without having to say directly what one means.  It is quite tiresome actually.  On the other hand these particular verses may be because she feels guilty for calling Brent a name and is admitting her sin.  We can read all kinds of meanings into this eh?
The other set look like she feels that someone is being influenced by public opinion.  We can speculate who the someone might be and find the deeper meaning in all of this (this is not directed at you Sondra).
Happy mourning time!!

Marcia

Honestly Sondra, us Canadians spend hours discussing the fact that you guys have cornered the title of 'Americans'.  After all we're all in North America aren't we?  Until some Canadian spoils the fun of the discussion by saying something like, "Well what do you want them to call themselves?  U.S.ians?" :)

Re. Canadians taking over, do you know some identities of annonymous posters or something?  You can PM me. ;)  ;D Looks like the females are taking over eh??

True, we may all want the Lord's best.  But I do not appreciate dishonest means of getting it.  When someone is dishonest then I have a problem with that person's dishonesty.  I can disagree with an honest person, but when someone dishonestly handles the Word, which is what I see happening here, then ....

Also some people like to preach 'at' people rather than have an honest discussion about their disagreements.  They are afraid of being influenced and then they might even have to change their minds and admit that they were wrong after all.  I had this happen to me when I left the assembly and I only bring it up again because I am getting tired of the fact that my own opinion is often brushed off as loyalty to another, or being influenced by another, or you name it.  When I left the assembly people were possibly quite surprised that one who was so committed could leave, so one sister told me that I had been influenced by a man, and not God(which was their perspective you see).  This is the same attitude that Lenore is displaying, because I had been a good friend to her so how could I now side with Brent against her on this matter?  So she resorts to veiled messages by mishandling the Word of God. :P

Marcia

Hi Sondra: I respect your concern.
I know that the Message is a paraphrase.  It is just an interesting way of looking at the verses differently.
I have been praying about these verse and am being led to contribute these verses on the AB.
I just hope that when I share these verse, that those reading them would go to their own Bibles and look up the passages from them selves, to see the truth for themselves.
Not just the verse, but the passages that surrounds the verse, even the chapters before and after.
My intend is to just share.
I dont believe I have an altered motive.

VERNE:
If you want to use it as a daily devotional be my guest. If you want to discuss a point you see , I am willing.

SONDRA: I do appreciate reading the way you see things. It makes one think.
I am not trying to confuse people with the different translations, they are just tools to give one a different perspective on the verses, different way of thinking, just like the handbooks, commentaries, bible studies, are to motivate us to dig into God's truth a little deeper.

I remember 5-6 years ago , I was at the home of a former pastor, doing a bible study, I gave the usual lip answer to a question. I was asking why, on my answer, the usual because the Bible said so, is not enough of an answer for why you believe.
Yes the gospel message is very clear, but to some their spiritual eyes are clouded for what ever reasons, including Christians , whether new borns or stagnated, or just comfortable of what they have been taught all their lifes.  We all should be answering the questions, why do we believe the way we do.

About 10 years ago, I was involved in a year long video series from FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
'THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW"
It was a historical looked at the cultural of the events of the Bible with a modern day application.
That the way I can describe it.  It was very detailed art work.
This series has motivate me like no other, to get into the history. It open my eyes like no other to cultural of that time. It open my eyes to what some of the passages of the Bible was speaking of, because the Bible is written for us, but it was not written to us.
It was written to the people of the times  and culture identification of the words.

If you ever have a chance to get that series video, or attend a bible study on that series.
It is a wonderful, way of opening up the BIBLE.

This is why I like the different translations. They all have a different slant on some of the word.
The Message is a "BLunt-type of a Bible" with the words.[SORRY TO BRING THIS UP}]
It is just an interesting way of putting the words of scripture. The meaning is still there especially when you compare it to the NIV, NKJV,. Our church uses the NIV, it is slowly converting to the NLT.  Alot of the elderly generation still uses KJ, and some uses the ASB.
I have a parallel New Testament, which has 8 translations in it.
including KJ, NCV, CEV, AS, NIV, NKJV, NLT and the Message.
It is just fun to see what all the different versions are saying.

It is up to us all, to review our own Bibles to what ever reference is shared on the AB, to check out God's truth for ourselves, and to digest this truth, under the power of the Spirit of God, not because some one has shared it.  This is just being a good disciple of our own Christian Walk.
Or am I wrong in this assessment.

Lenore

I am glad that you are praying about what you are doing Lenore.
I would ask this simple question.
You stated you are being led to post the verses in the manner that you have - how and by whom do you believe you are being led?



If  your intent is to share in a contructive way, then you would be willing to respond to expressions of concern with your approach voiced by your readership don't you tnink?


Not particularly to be quite frank Lenore. As a regular reader of the BB, I was just trying to establish what your purpose was in the particular verses you were posting. Your explanation so far strikes me as disingenuous.
As to discussing a point with you, that is exactly what I am attempting to do... :)
Verne

p.s.The video series you mentioned, That the World May Know is an excellent one. Ray Vanderlaan is a truly gifted teacher of the Scriptures...

To Verne & Sondra:

I want to thank you both, for your directness, yet compassionate way of telling me of your opinion of way I bring out the verses I share.

I guess I do go a little overboard, even though I dont drive, I probably have a heavy foot if I did .

So I will try to soften my approach, and if I slip from time to time, forgive me if I havent quite got ahold of the knack of it.

I really like to write, but I do need an editor. Once I write something, I either wont see or cant see it. So editing is appreciated it.


Saying that:

In the scriptures, in one of Paul's letters, he says I became ....to minister to......

The question open for discussion is {I hope I am not opening up a panadora's box]

Was Paul an isolationist or mingler in his CHristian walk?

Which is better for your Christian walk?
--to be an isolationist, wrapping yourself in exclusively Christianity like a protective cloak
--be part of the community, seasoning yourself with the knowledge of both Christian and society's world.

Which one would be more affective in ministry for the Gospel of Christ?

p.s. I have no underhanded motive.  I am just asking and hoping to generate an honest intellecutal discussion.

Please state why or why not's with your viewpoints...


My viewpoints:
I believe it is more effective, and beneficial to be knowledgeable in God's world, and the scriptures, because that will give you the anchor you will need to face world of your community.
You need to be in the community, with non christian people, so you can minister to them, with both your knowledge and your example.  WALK THE TALK.
I dont believe Walking the talking is being a Christian snob either, I believe you need to geniune care for people, whether it is alcoholic, or the single parent, elderly street person, or ones who are dealing with what ever life they are struggling with.
I remembered when I taught Pioneer Club [I taught for 9 years], I was a single parent who other single parents , and the children from the single parents, could identify with.
I didnt judge them for the choices they made. I accept those children, as innocent and trusting and very willing to learn about the stories I had to tell about Jesus.
I was rewarded during those 9 years , 3 young children coming to know the Lord, at least 3 I am aware of. I think of these children constantly.  I am a very good Christian Educational Teacher of young children.  This made me realize, that my position in life, was being used by God, to draw other of similar positions especially the children, that would not have heard the gospel news how Jesus loved them any other way.  Some of my teaching methods, was very childish, but it drew the attention of those children. They learned their memory verses, and learned how to pray. Although my church was a Baptist church, most of the children came from the catholic school across the street. If a child came up with a catholic traditional, like asking for prayer for a long dead relative, that child never saw.  I did not judge them. I turned the prayer around to pray for the child who heart was concerned over that matter. It was also a good thing my assistant came from a Catholic background, so she could teach me of some of the things I was taken by surprised, Children are so honest, open, trusting, innocent. ALthough some of those children are struggling with life, that would break most adults. Since prayer meeting was meeting at the same time as the children was downstair. The prayer meeting people upstairs had the names for every child down stairs to pray for them, and their families.
This is my reason why it is better to know and be apart of your community. You dont know when you will be asked to be used by God, within that community. God takes every experience, knowledge and skill, and used it for his glory.

I hope I wasnt too heavy.  Some times when I start to write, it just pours out of me like water.


Have a good day and evening. 

It is humid and hot in Arnprior. I have been sunburned the last couple of days. I put in a garden at the community garden yesterday. Today I had to walk all over the town doing the usual monthly errands.  Tonight I have to go into the city to the sleep lab for some tests.

Tomorrow after I am discharged, I am going to see the GRANDCHILDREN.
BEING GRAMMIE IS A BLESSING THROUGH AND THROUGH, AND A JOY.

Lenore

Unfortunately, Sondra, you missed the essence of what I was saying.
Re. Canadian readership - probably my IP address. :)
Re. veiled - not direct, as in hammering someone indirectly, so that there could be that element of doubt.  I am a straightforward blunt approach type of person and have great difficulty reading between the lines.  Though evidently I could figure out that some of those verses were for me, would it not be honest to just say so.  If it was for the whole board then that would be a different matter would it not??  Do you know that almost every word in this post is a word used in the Bible.  It would be quite dishonest of me to then say, "this is God's word for you" wouldn't it??

I did not say 'I went out to her and now look what...'  I said that it likely seems incredulous to her that I should side with another since we were good friends, so...
The whole point was that it is convenient to brush off another's opinion by discrediting the person in some way or another.

You do have a point about being influenced, however.  People are often influenced by how others treat them.  So yes, I am guilty of labelling another's perspective to 'influence by..'.  Definitely, the regulars and I had some very 'animated' disagreements in my annonymous days on this BB, so to then say that I was influenced by ... ??? In those days I was more influenced by Al's perspective, because he still had his assembly foggy slant on certain things.


I beg to differ here on certain points in the paragraph I quoted.
Some people, which may include you Sondra, are way too sensitive.  E.g. I felt the need to qualify that I was not addressing you when I used the phrase "deeper meaning" today.  We've had this problem on another matter too, but hopefully that has been settled now.

Yes, most discussions can be triggered by happenings on this BB.  However when the person says that it is now an impersonal discussion, clear straightforward and blunt, why would you have cause to think that the person is lying or pretending or... ??  You made it a judgement instead of a communication by not accepting the individual's word.

God bless,
Marcia

Some Bible Verses for you to spiritually chew on!

But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with
    all your heart; consider what great things he has done for
    you.

    1 Samuel 12:24
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God
    in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
    Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today,
    so that it may go well with you and your children after you
    and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God
    gives you for all time.

    Deuteronomy 4:39-40

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of
    Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having
    salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the
    foal of a donkey.

    Zechariah 9:9

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son
    of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him
    may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he
    gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
    shall not perish but have eternal life.

    John 3:14-16

Now about the dead rising - have you not read in the book of
    Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, "I
    am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
    Jacob"? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

    Mark 12:26-27

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or
    with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has
    held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the
    mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?  Who has
    understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his
    counselor?  Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and
    who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him
    knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?  Surely
    the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded
    as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they
    were fine dust.  Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.  Before him all
    the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as
    worthless and less than nothing.  To whom, then, will you
    compare God? What image will you compare him to?

    Isaiah 40:12-18

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
    other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous
    man is powerful and effective.

    James 5:16

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come
    from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and
    earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over
    you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you -
    the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not
    harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep
    you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD
    will watch over your coming and going both now and
    forevermore.

    Psalms 121:1-8

Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing
    to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am
    giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are
    satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and
    when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and
    gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your
    heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your
    God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of
    slavery.

    Deuteronomy 8:11-14

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be
    willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be
    conceited.

    Romans 12:16

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I
    delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring
    justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or
    raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not
    break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In
    faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter
    or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In
    his law the islands will put their hope.

    Isaiah 42:1-4


    Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of
    all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,
    you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones,
    judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has
    left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or
    children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times
    as much and will inherit eternal life."

    Matthew 19:28-29


    A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of
    understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise
    if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

    Proverbs 17:27-28

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves
    wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is
    meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume
    them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast
    his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether
    he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man
    permits him no sleep.

    Ecclesiastes 5:10-12


    Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come
    after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and
    follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,
    but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

    Matthew 16:24-25

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear
    fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you
    bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are
    the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will
    bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

    John 15:4-5

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are
    poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who
    hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who
    weep now, for you will laugh.  Blessed are you when men hate
    you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your
    name as evil, because of the Son of Man.  "Rejoice in that
    day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in
    heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

    Luke 6:20-23


    The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
    "Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one
    traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and
    the joy of all generations. You will drink the milk of
    nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know
    that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty
    One of Jacob. No longer will violence be heard in your land,
    nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will
    call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun
    will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness
    of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your
    everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun
    will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the
    LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow
    will end.

    Isaiah 60:14-16, 18-20

But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full
    of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and
    Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in
    God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and
    cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

    James 3:8-10

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have
    learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know
    what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
    plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
    and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether
    living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him
    who gives me strength.

    Philippians 4:11-13

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but
    violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up
    dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found
    on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of
    him who lacks judgment. Wise men store up knowledge, but the
    mouth of a fool invites ruin.

    Proverbs 10:11-14

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you
    love one another.

    John 13:35


   

Have any of you ever taken a scriptural verse , just sought the meaning of that one verse.

Psalm 119: 108 NKJV

Accept, I pray, the freewill offering of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your judgements.

What are some of the key words here?

Accept
The freewilling offering of my mouth
Teach me
Your judgements.

My Study Bible says:
Prayers of praise are the freewill offering in mind here.

 What is the author of this verse saying?

He is talking to the Lord.
He wants the Lord to accept his words, and he want the Lord to teach him.

Psalm 119 is a beautiful chapter of the Psalms, with words like.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path {105)
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. (11)
Let your mercies come also to me O Lord, Your salvation according to Your word {41}

We see communication through out this psalm between the author and the Lord.
We see hope, love, promise, mercy , acceptance, justice throughout .

Lord does all this for us, Lord loves us, Lord offers us hope, Lord gives us promises, Lord accepts us and Lord gives us mercy and Lord justice is fair to us.
We see the Lord right there teaching us, molding us, forming us, guiding us, in his ways.
To the author, the Lord's word is very precious, very substantial, very real and is very valued in his life.
 
Can we say:
The law of YOur mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver {72}

I thought about my ways
And turned my feet to your testimonies.(59)

Remember the word of Your servant
Upon which you have caused me to hope (49)


Back to verse 108:

Accept , I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord
And teach me Your judgements.

This is my prayer.


Lenore

June 19th:

So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded
    you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in
    all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so
    that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the
    land that you will possess.

    Deuteronomy 5:32-33


    And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your
    blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and
    language and people and nation. You have made them to be a
    kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on
    the earth."

    Revelation 5:9


    You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh,
    that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I
    would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.

    Psalms 119:4-6


    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. 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 6:39-40


    Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will
    also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with
    him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are
    faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown
    himself.

    2 Timothy 2:11-13


    And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father,
    and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing
    mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands
    every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will
    be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you
    forever.

    1 Chronicles 28:9

signup@bibleverses.com

June 26th:

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as
    clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the
    Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On
    each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing
    twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And
    the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
    No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of
    the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve
    him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their
    foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need
    the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord
    God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and
    ever.

    Revelation 22:1-5


    Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who
    are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom
    prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was
    hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and
    you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
    invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was
    sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came
    to visit me." Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord,
    when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give
    you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and
    invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did
    we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" The King
    will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one
    of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

    Matthew 25:34-40


   
    For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the
    children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth
    generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a
    thousand generations of those who love me and keep my
    commandments.

    Exodus 20:5-6


    In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they
    may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

    Matthew 5:16


    Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my
    teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him
    and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not
    obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they
    belong to the Father who sent me."

    John 14:23-24


    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
    kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
    self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who
    belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with
    its passions and desires.

    Galatians 5:22-24


    So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many
    people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin,
    but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

    Hebrews 9:28

July 2nd

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases
    the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they
    will become discouraged.

    Colossians 3:20-21

Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love
    those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even
    "sinners" love those who love them. And if you do good to
    those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even
    "sinners" do that. And if you lend to those from whom you
    expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners"
    lend to "sinners," expecting to be repaid in full. But love
    your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without
    expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be
    great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is
    kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your
    Father is merciful.

    Luke 6:31-36

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
    And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
    perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My
    Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no
    one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

    John 10:27-29


    My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
    Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life
    for his friends.

    John 15:12-13

    The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and
    he delivers them.

    Psalms 34:7

It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must
    revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold
    fast to him.

    Deuteronomy 13:4


   

Mark 13

5 Jesus replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, 6 because many will come in my name, claiming to be the Messiah. They will lead many astray. 7 And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. 8 Nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, and famines. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come. 9 But when these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the courts and beaten in the synagogues. You will be accused before governors and kings of being my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 10 And the Good News must first be preached to every nation. 11 But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry about what to say in your defense. Just say what God tells you to. Then it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 "Brother will betray brother to death, fathers will betray their own children, and children will rise against their parents and cause them to be killed. 13 And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved.

Self defence, self preservation, is very strong. Paul experienced suffering for the sake of the gospel we all get an opportunity to suffer for the gospel. This passage says that in the end times people will beat you and ridicule you for your faith and the Lord says let me lead you and trust me. I will use you to lead people to me. Your family and friends and everyone will hate you because of the Lord. Not a picture of joy peace happiness singing praise worship and hanging out at the picnic ground is it?

What do you think you will do if these things happen to you? Do we know the Lord well enough to believe Him when these things happen to us? I believe if we are honest about it most would say  this would be too much and I would break down and compromise.

Well I believe the answer is found in how we already operate with deep intimate relationships with family and friends. If you see someone you really care about come down with terminal illness or land in jail (for whatever reason) or they are not cool anymore do you still hang around them and show them the affection you always did or do you distance yourself?

If we have a deep relationship with Jesus now and could not stand to be separated from Him and see Him as the key to our life then I believe in that day when these things happen then we will step forward and follow Him. Of course it will have to be more than our emotional attachment but the principle is whether we are ready then depends on whether we want Jesus more than anything else in our life now. The Holy Spirit will help us at that time.

Hugh

June 10th: HAPPY LORD'S DAY TO YOU!


    When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his
    tongue is wise.

    Proverbs 10:19


    For physical training is of some value, but godliness has
    value for all things, holding promise for both the present
    life and the life to come.

    1 Timothy 4:8


    Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as
    much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better
    than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

    1 Samuel 15:22

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who
    bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

    Isaiah 52:7


    How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who
    bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

    Isaiah 52:7


    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.

    Ecclesiastes 5:2

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all
    gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the
    mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made
    it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down
    in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he
    is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock
    under his care.

    Psalms 95:3-7

Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so
    that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the
    land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers.
    Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the
    desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in
    order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you
    would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to
    hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you
    nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not
    live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the
    mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your
    feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in
    your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD
    your God disciplines you. Observe the commands of the LORD
    your God, walking in his ways and revering him.

    Deuteronomy 8:1-6

    But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice
    for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that
    time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.

    Hebrews 10:12-13


    I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will
    stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I will see God.

    Job 19:25-26


    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
    prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
    requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
    understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
    Christ Jesus.

    Philippians 4:6-7

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your
    neighbor as yourself."

    Galatians 5:14


    Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope
    for a fool than for him.

    Proverbs 26:12


    But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose
    confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the
    water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not
    fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no
    worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

    Jeremiah 17:7-8

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good,
    your whole body also is full of light. But when they are
    bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then,
    that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if
    your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it
    will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp
    shines on you.

    Luke 11:34-36


    Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's
    clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their
    fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from
    thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree
    bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good
    tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good
    fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down
    and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will
    recognize them.

    Matthew 7:15-20


    Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your
    presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I
    make my bed in the depths, you are there.

    Psalms 139:7-8


    You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
    because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the
    LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

    Isaiah 26:3-4

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and
    broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter
    through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that
    leads to life, and only a few find it.

    Matthew 7:13-14


    Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the
    kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
    Father who is in heaven.

    Matthew 7:21

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory
    of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

    Habakkuk 2:14

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
    "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son
    may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all
    people that he might give eternal life to all those you have
    given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you,
    the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

    John 17:1-3


    Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and
    the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was
    written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD
    and honored his name. "They will be mine," says the LORD
    Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured
    possession.  I will spare them, just as in compassion a man
    spares his son who serves him."

    Malachi 3:16-17

JULY 31ST:  HAPPY LORDS DAY TO YOU ALL, I PRAY THAT IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING AND TIME OF REJOICING IN THE WINGS OF THE LORD...........LENORE

I HOPE THAT ENCOURAGEMENT WILL BE FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING..LENORE
=======================================================

    The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who
    can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine
    the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct,
    according to what his deeds deserve."

    Jeremiah 17:9-10

2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
Psalm 89:38-45
Proverbs 19:6-7
Acts 25:1-22
Where Is Our Trust?

You have become enraged with Your anointed.
PSALM 89:38

God' s glory is more important than our own well-being. The serious problem is not the pain that others have inflicted upon us, but the pain we have inflicted (and continue to inflict) upon God. Let me spell out as clearly as I can exactly what I mean.

Many Christians are far more interested in focusing on how they can get God to comfort them when they have been hurt than considering how much they have hurt Him.

Not that it is wrong to seek His comfort - Scripture encourages us to do this - but it is only one side of the picture. The most popular books in our bookshops today are titles such as these: How to Be Healed of Life' s Hurtsor How to Overcome the Pains of the Past.

I repeat that this is a legitimate emphasis, but we must not lose sight of the fact that the important issue is not how badly people have behaved toward us, but how badly we have behaved (and continue to behave) toward God.

Take this for example: Someone hurts us or upsets us, and we decide to become the architects of their judgment. But what does God say? "Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay" (Rm 12:19).

Don' t you think God is hurt when He sees us ignoring His Word? We may have been sinned against, but is that any justification for sinning against God? Let' s not mince words here, for any violation of a divine principle must be called by its rightful name - sin. And no sin ought to be treated lightly - especially a sin against God.

Daily Prayer

O God, forgive me that so often I am more concerned about how others have treated me than the way I treat You. I see that a failure to trust You is a failure in love. I say, "I love You," but only so far. Forgive me and help me. In Jesus' name. Amen.


    So you also, when you have done everything you were told to
    do, should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done
    our duty."

    Luke 17:10

Can a Lie Be Justified?

A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
PROVERBS 19:5

Will the universe sustain a lie? Today the church is being inundated with a philosophy called "situational ethics," which would have us believe that sometimes a lie can be right. I think that is a deadly and diabolical doctrine.

A lie is never right - no matter what attempts we might make to justify it. "God is not a man who lies," says the Scripture in Numbers 23:19, and in 1 John 2:21 we read, "No lie comes from the truth." God cannot lie, and He will never delegate to you the task of lying for Him.

When we take dishonesties into our lives we take fire into our lives - here and hereafter: "All liars - their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur" (Rv 21:8).

"Situational ethics" proponents come up with all kinds of possible scenarios, such as: "What if someone came to your house to murder a member of your family and asked if that person was in. Would it not be right to lie in those circumstances?"

Can you see the thrust of this question? It is the argument, "This is what we ought to do because it makes sense." But once we view sin as an "ought," it is magically turned into something that is "good."

The Bible does not teach that anyone in any situation ought to sin. First Corinthians 10:13 teaches that because God is faithful, we will never find ourselves in a situation where we must sin, but there will always be a way of escape. God never calls upon us to break one of His laws in order to keep another.

Daily Prayer

O Father, in a world that seems to be always looking for excuses and exceptions, help me to steer my life by the clear statements of Your revealed will. I don' t want to measure up to exceptions; I want to conform to the rules - Your rules. In Jesus' name. Amen


    The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our
    God stands forever.

    Isaiah 40:8


    Satan - Angel of Light

My faithfulness and love will be with him. - PSALM 89:24

A feeling that the Devil delights to arouse in an unguarded heart is the feeling that God does not love us. He usually times his attack to coincide with those moments when everything is going wrong and we are beset by all kinds of difficulties. Then he whispers in our ear: "Do you still believe that God is love?"

When you respond by saying that you do, he transforms himself into an angel of light and tries another of his deceitful tactics. "Well," he says, "it is obvious that He does not love you, for if He did, then He would not allow you to go through these difficult situations."

There is only one protection against such an assault; it is to put firmly in place the "armor of righteousness." Nothing else will avail at this point. You must point him to the truth of Romans 8:28 - "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God." Paul does not say "we understand," but "we know."

This brings you directly to the theme of justification by faith, which is in fact the righteousness of Christ. You rest on this established truth, and that is all you need.

You must say to yourself: "He would never have clothed me with His righteousness if He had not also set His love upon me and saved me. I will have courage. I do not know what is happening to me now. I cannot fathom it. But if He has begun His work in me, then I know He will go on to complete it."

Daily Prayer

O God, what wondrous power there is in Your Word. I can feel it doing me good even as I read and ponder it. Give me a greater knowledge of Your Word, for only through its truth can I maintain an advantage over the Devil. Amen

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day
    may bring forth.

    Proverbs 27:1



The Word That Irritates

[If] my people . . . humble themselves . . . and turn from their evil ways, then I will . . . forgive their sin, and heal their land.
2 CHRONICLES 7:14

Most Christians never allow themselves to come too close to the deep thirst for God that exists at the core of their being, for if they did, they would be compelled to get in touch with their basic helplessness.

Why would we want to deny this? Because to recognize our helplessness puts us in a position where we have to repent of it - and that is something our fallen human nature pulls back from doing.

Believe me, the one word that grates and irritates our carnal nature is the word "repent." It is much easier to be given advice like: "Read more of the Bible every day,""Add extra minutes to your prayer time," or "Seize more opportunities to share your faith," than to be told to repent.

All these things I have just mentioned may be excellent in themselves, but more is required if we are to get in touch with our deep thirst for God.

We must repent!

But repent of what? Our stubborn commitment to independence, as well as the awful desire and practice of choosing to dig our own wells.

A passionate pursuit of God demands this. Believe me, no matter what we say with our lips, we will never begin to pant after God until we repent of the self-sufficiency that has made its home deep within our hearts. This, in my opinion, is the biggest single step we can take in our pursuit of God and the experience of having feet like "hinds' feet."

Daily Prayer

Gracious and loving heavenly Father, help me to repent deeply. May I know at this moment a turning from self-dependence to God-dependence. I give You my willingness - now give me Your power. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of
    evil.

    1 Thessalonians 5:21-22


    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a
    workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly
    handles the word of truth.

    2 Timothy 2:15

Happy Lord's Day to All:

When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out,
    the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do
    wrong. Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and
    still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with
    God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because
    the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them,
    and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

    Ecclesiastes 8:11-13


    And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against
    anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may
    forgive you your sins.

    Mark 11:25


    Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the
    gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves
    and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the
    gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  He will come
    in and go out, and find pasture."

    John 10:7-9
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the
    matter before a dispute breaks out.

    Proverbs 17:14


    For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
    saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not
    believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom
    they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone
    preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are
    sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those
    who bring good news!"

    Romans 10:13-15

    Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
    Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

    Philippians 4:4-5

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
    knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who
    asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks,
    the door will be opened.

    Matthew 7:7-8

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to
    show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are
    gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the
    sky like an eagle.

    Proverbs 23:4-5

Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.
    The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of
    the LORD be praised.

    Job 1:21

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,
    even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
    Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all
    judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they
    honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not
    honor the Father, who sent him. I tell you the truth,
    whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has
    eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over
    from death to life.

    John 5:21-24


    This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine
    by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night,
    who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - the LORD
    Almighty is his name: "Only if these decrees vanish from my
    sight," declares the LORD, "will the descendants of Israel
    ever cease to be a nation before me."

    Jeremiah 31:35-36


   The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the
    work of his hands.

    Psalms 19:1

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not
    associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways
    and get yourself ensnared.

    Proverbs 22:24-25


No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in
    heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be
    alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a
    man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in
    charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at
    the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do
    not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether
    in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows,
    or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you
    sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!

    Mark 13:32-37

"Let not your heart be troubled: You believe in God, believe
also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not
so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
you onto myself, that where I am, you may be also."
(John 14:1-3)

"Now unto HIM that is able to do EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY above ALL that we ask
or think, according to the power that works in us; unto HIM be glory in the church
by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph 3: 20,21).


If I can put faith in the words "You're in good hands with Allstate", I can most
assuredly put faith in the above words from God whose words are "faithful
and true".

'and when I see the blood I will pass over you' . Ex 12 Happy Pass-over! "For I recieved from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and said, " This is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper, he took the cup saying, " this cup is the new covenant in my blood ; do this, whenever you drink it in remembrace of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. I Cor 11:23-26. " But you Beloved build yourself up in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit.Keep yourselves in the Love of God as you wait for the mercy of the Lord to bring you eternal life. Be merciful to those who dought. Jude 20-23.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching & admonishing one another w/psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to God."

                               Col 3:16

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2Peter 1:19.

For Sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law but under grace.


Romans 6:14

Romans 8:31

What shall we say to these things. If God be for us who can be against us.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Ps 25:5

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me for Thou art the God of my salvation; on the do I wait all the day

Why did you stay amoung the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Judges 5:16

Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law: yea I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Ps 119:34

And in the days of these (final ten) kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people, but it shall break and crush and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Dan 2:44

Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. Luke 21:28  Even so, when you see these things taking place, understand and know that the kingdom of God is at hand. (know He is near, at the (very) door. Luke 21:31.

1 Thess 5:17

"Pray without ceasing"

1 Thess 5:6

Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober.

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 faint. Is 40:31

I remember these verses from the Assembly days and what a profound effect they had on me:

"It is almost finished"  John Chapter 19

"There is therefore now only some condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus" --Romans 8

"We are almost more than conquerors"  Romans 8

"Almost nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus"  --Romans 8.

"Who is he who might overcome the world one day but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"  1 John

"...and whom he justified, them he might also one day glorify" Romans 8:30

"In whom we might one day receive an inheritance.."  1 Peter


As you can see the book of Romans had verses that encouraged me for a little while sometimes.  ;D

Ps 119:137-138, 140

Righteous are you O Lord and upright are thy judgements.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. Thy word is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it.

Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glroy and honor and immortality, eternal life.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and ALL that is within me bless his Holy Name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not ALL his benefits:
Who forgives ALL your iniquities,
Who heals ALL your diseases;
Who redeems your life from destruction;
Who crowns you with Lovingkindness and Tender Mercies.
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.."

Psalm 103: 1-5

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by His Grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of Eternal Life".
(Titus 3: 4-7).

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:1-3).

I was thinking about these verses last night and the phrase "In the beginning" stood out to me. It doesn't say "at the beginning" but "IN the beginning".  When we speak of a baseball game often we say "In the first inning.." such and such happened. If we say "At the beginning of the game..." we would refer to the first pitch--but "in the first inning" is referring to a block of time in which many things happened.  When it says "In the beginning was the Word" it is not referring to a starting point, but someone who was there ALREADY when the beginning happened.

The Jehovah's Witnesses came by recently, and I think that is why I thought about these verses. They say that Jesus was a "created" being. But John 1:3 says "ALL THINGS were made by him (or "through" him in some translations). For Jesus to be a "created" being and then be responsible for "creating" an infinite universe with billions of stars and galaxies is laughable. It would be like asking an ant to rebuild the World Trade Center buildings. A "created" being would only have the capability of finite love. Is that the kind of love Jesus has for us? He not only created us, but then came down to earth and died for each of us--it is an infinite love beyond all understanding. And truly these verses cry out that Jesus is God, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy.

James3:17

My Bretheren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations: knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect workthat you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing

James 1:2-4


Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried. he shall receive a crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12

"Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed,  in whom is no guile!  Nathanael saith unto him, whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him 'Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee'.
Nathanael answered and said to him 'Rabbi! Thou art the Son Of God! Thou art the King of Israel!"
(John 1: 47-49).

"But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God".  (Rom 2:29)

Jesus,  in whom is no guile , the Son of God, the King of Isreal.


These words(this truth) jumped out at me while reading this verse. Thanks Joe for this post

j

Thanks Jay. I've been reading The Gospel of John and have been reading chapter 1 over and over again. Those group of verses stood out to me because Jesus says of Nathanael "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" He doesn't say this because Nathanael is not a sinner, but because of sincerity he sees in Nathanael and his faith. When Nathanael asks how Jesus knows him he says "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw thee".
Only God could have seen and known what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree--when Jesus says "I saw thee" it is speaking of omnipresence--the ability to see ALL things at one time.

We don't know what Nathanael was doing under the fig tree, but the fig tree is a type of the nation of Israel. Was Nathanael pouring out his heart to God for the nation of Israel and praying for the coming of it's Messiah?
And it is this very Messiah who is the one who says "I saw you under the fig tree". Could it be because Nathanael knew exactly what he was praying for under that firg tree that he exclaims "Rabbi, You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel" ?

Of course, this is just speculation---but it does fill you with joy when you think that the Messiah Nathanael might have been praying for actually makes him one of  his disciples and apostles.

"If it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."(Romans 12:18).

Since I do take all scripture literally, I have taken this one to heart also. I really do try to live peaceably with all men. But since the verse mentions nothing about women,  I take it that it
must be impossible to live peaceably with them, so I won't even try.


 ;D ;D ;D  Just kidding of course!!!

--Joe

"If it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."(Romans 12:18).

Since I do take all scripture literally, I have taken this one to heart also. I really do try to live peaceably with all men. But since the verse mentions nothing about women,  I take it that it
must be impossible to live peaceably with them, so I won't even try.


     Just kidding of course!!!

--Joe



Hah Joe,

being as I am the only man in the house amongst 1 women and 2 daughters. It is possible. Most times my wife tries to live peaceably with me.

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

I was re-reading a book called "The Invisible War" and the author pointed out something that is pretty intriguing. After Jesus Christ was tempted(Matt 4) he shortly thereafter gave us the "Lord's Prayer"(Matt 6)--there is a correlation between the temptation and that prayer:

"And the Devil took him up into a high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the Devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will, I give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine". (Luke 4:5-7). After this he tempted him to turn stones into bread, and to tempt God himself by throwing himself off of a pinnacle so the angels could catch him.(Ps. 91)

"Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (the evil one). For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever, Amen. (Matt. 6:9-13).

The devil had tempted him with bread, kingdoms, and tempting God himself by throwing himself off a pinnacle, and with kingdom, power and glory---Christ ascribes all of the kingdom, power and glory to the Father as a prayer forever that directly affronts the ways in which Satan had tempted him.

--Joe

I wanted to share something personal, and it regards something so simple--- but I often forget the lesson, and need to be reminded.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him, because He cares for You". (1 Peter 5: 6,7 New International Version).

I've had a really high pressure week at work---this combined with several other personal problems left me pretty close to being an emotional wreck of sorts. And I realized last night "Man, I'm doing it again--I'm holding onto all of this stuff, and dwelling on it, and even losing sleep because of it". And the above verse came to heart once again. I have this tendency(as I'm sure most of us do) to hold onto everything, and try to do everything, without ever sharing it with the Lord.  Once I knelt down and began sharing all of the emotional garbage, anxiety, and difficulties,  with the Lord, I realized once again how stupid I was being. I started sharing even the smallest details with him, the smallest of my anxieties and worries, and soon I was thanking and praising him. God listens!! God WANTS to hear from us--he WANTS us to share our difficulties and problems with him. He even ASKS US TO in this very verse. And why?  Because He loves us SO MUCH!! It's so simple--but I'm so stubborn!!(and that's why the "Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God" has to be done first. We need to kneel in our hearts and submit ourselves to him).

I just wanted to share this because I hope someone in a similar way will "remember" to stop trying to carry that load yourself(Matt. 11:28), and give it to the Great Shepherd of the Sheep who dearly loves you.
 
--Joe

"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch
in the night."  (Ps. 90:4)

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Ps. 90:12)

Today we are all one day closer to meeting Jesus. If I could just keep remembering that every day!!

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
      and know everything about me.
 2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
      You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
 3 You see me when I travel
      and when I rest at home.
      You know everything I do.
 4 You know what I am going to say
      even before I say it, Lord.
 5 You go before me and follow me.
      You place your hand of blessing on my head.
 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
      too great for me to understand!
 7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
      I can never get away from your presence!
 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
      if I go down to the grave,  you are there.
 9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
      if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
 10 even there your hand will guide me,
      and your strength will support me.
 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
      and the light around me to become night—
    12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
   To you the night shines as bright as day.
      Darkness and light are the same to you.

 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
      and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
      Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
      as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
 16 You saw me before I was born.
      Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
   Every moment was laid out
      before a single day had passed.

 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
      They cannot be numbered!
 18 I can’t even count them;
      they outnumber the grains of sand!
   And when I wake up,
      you are still with me!

 (Psalm 139: 1-18 Living Translation)  God's thinking about each of us right now, and He loves us so much!!

"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)

When thinking of this verse I remember how often I would repeat "I am crucified with Christ, I am crucified with Christ, I am crucified with Christ", like some magic mantra, trying to implant this "fact" into my life. I wanted to be an "overcomer" so badly, that I would concentrate wholly on what I could do to be more "spiritual". I was tormented by my weaknesses and failures, and concentrated on ways to "overcome" these things.

Imagine if I had repeated "who loved me, and gave himself for me, who loved me and gave himself for me, who loved me and gave himself for me" instead? I am crucified with Christ---but for whom did he die? A sinning, malignant, failing, weak, and rebellious soul. And he knowingly died for someone like that!! To know that he loves and accepts me just as I am and was willing to die for me, is an absolutely  incredible and wondrous  thought!   "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jer. 31:3).

And these wonderful things are true for ALL of his children, to ALL who have accepted Him!

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. For she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins". (Is. 40:1,2).

The Lord knows how easily we fall under condemnation from trying to do things ourselves that only the Holy Spirit is able to do, and also facing the overwhelming power of our own sin. He says to "cry" onto God's people to remind them that "their warfare is accomplished, and that all their sins are forgiven".
---- Jesus paid it all. There is nothing more we can add to his sacrifice--nothing we can do to cause God to "love us more". He loved us while we were yet sinners, and continues to love us with the same infinite love He always has.   "IT IS FINISHED".

I don't mean to be a "Bible Commentator", but truly want to share what has touched me, and pray somehow it might comfort, touch or inspire others.

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life, and man became a living soul". (Gen 2:7)

"Then said Jesus to them again: Peace be unto you. As my Father has sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, receive ye the Holy Ghost". (John 20:21,22).

So many times the Bible so obviously shows that Jesus is God---it truly amazes me that scholars, and groups can doubt the divinity of Jesus Christ, and try to use the same Bible to do so.

--Joe

"We love Him because He first loved us"  (1 John 4:19)

"For I am the Lord, I change not... (Mal. 3:6)

I like to read the Old Puritan books. Though many of them were written about 350 years
ago, they are surprisingly filled with comfort and encouragement. There are many titles, but I have noticed a common thread running through them when talking about trials, testing, and the doubts the enemy can put into our mind concerning the Love of God.

They state that when these doubts assail you to remember the Lord's comforts and mercies from the past towards you. David, often, in the Psalms, does the same thing--recalling the Lord's dealings with him in the past, and recalling his mercy and lovingkindness. Though you may not "feel" much love coming from God in the present situation, his love has not changed one bit from that same love you may have felt or sensed overwhelmingly in the past. Nothing can change the love that God has for you. We may "displease and sadden" the Lord with our actions, but nothing can change the deep abiding love He has for us. He may also remove all sense of comfort, despite obedience, to teach more and more to walk by faith alone. This may be termed as "desertion" in the Biblical sense, when any sense of God's love is removed, and we are faced with darkness. His love has not decreased, in fact, he is allowing this because of his deep love and desire for us to trust in His Word alone, and to grow in Grace.

"As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him".  Children often displease and sadden their parents, but those parents will always love those children. And if we finite humans display that kind of love, imagine how much infinitely greater God's love for his own children would be!!! "Nothing can separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:38)

When you look at your Bible, has any word within it changed during your life, with all the ups and downs, all the tests and trials, all the times on the mountain tops, or walking through the Valley of the shadow of death? Not one promise, not one word has ever changed--and God has "exalted His Word above all His Name"---and as we know, his words are always "fathful and true". Though we may be tempted at times to think that maybe God's love has lessened towards us, or wavered, because of something we have done, or think something has changed simply because we have a tendency to walk by feelings and not by faith, we need to remember the words "I am the Lord, I change not". We need to simply return to child-like trust in a most merciful, loving and forgiving God and Father.  I just wanted to share this because these thoughts really blessed me today.

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be
called Children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know
us, because it did not know him.

Beloved, now are we the Children of God, and it has not appeared as yet
what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him,
because we will see Him just as he is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
(1 John 3:1-3 NASB)

Last night, I wasn't "feeling" very Spiritual ;D and got kind of "down". This verse came to mind
and I turned to it. In the King James it says "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed
upon us". It's saying in effect, "this isn't just any kind of love---this is an amazingly special love". This
is the kind of love a caring Father has for his little child. His eyes are upon that child every second, watchful, caring, and protecting. That Father is ready any moment, with open arms, should that child come running to him with fears and doubts, to pick that child up and give him/her the greatest comfort in the world. He's ready to wipe away the tears, hear the complaints, hear the crying, smile because the child is possibly making a mountain out of a molehill, and set that child back down on it's feet again with a reassuring hand. And this is an infinitely greater love than any earthly father could ever give! As always, I had to upbraid myself a bit and say "Don't trust your feelings, or let the events of the day get you down---trust the Word of God--it is unchangeable. God is an extremely loving God, and he knows you through and through."

 And this is true of all of his children at every moment--those who "feel" close, or those who "feel" far away--He is as close as He has ever been, and He loves you so much He gave his Son for you. "See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us"---we don't need to "feel" it---we can KNOW IT right now, as God's words are steadfast, "faithful and true".  I thought I'd share that as it encouraged me so much!!

Last Saturday our church had a small men's pancake breakfast and I got into a discussion with another
gentleman about the rapture. He was post-tribulation and I was pre-tribulation, so we began to discuss the subject a bit more fervently. Soon, the discussion was bordering on an argument, and the Pastor walked up and said "Joe, please calm down. Do you consider this "argument" to be Christ-like? You need to ask yourself how Jesus would conduct himself in such a situation. I strongly suggest that you go home and pray about this, and then read the Bible. I expect you to return tomorrow for church services with an attitude that closer reflects that of our blessed Savior".

I felt badly, and truly, had been completely chastised. So I went home and prayed that God would lead me through my reading to develop an attitude and character that would truly be more "Christ-like". I had begun to read the Gospel of John, and turned to Chapter 2 and read prayerfully. When I was done I remembered that our church opened the bookstore and sold books up to and after the church service every Sunday.
I always wondered if that was right?--selling books on Sunday.

So, making a whip of small cords, I drove to the church and entered the bookstore and began whipping and driving everyone out. I beheld the adhesive-backed "dove symbols" they were selling and shouted "Take these out of here, and stop making the Father's house a Marketplace!! This is a place of worship and you have turned it into a den of thieves!!" The elderly woman, who ran the cash register, ran from the store weeping. The Pastor appeared, and asked desperately, "What are you doing!!??"  I turned toward him and shouted "You told me to act more Christ-like!  Read John chapter 2!!"  Then turning to those who were now assembled outside of the bookstore I shouted "You generation of vipers!! Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath that is to come!!??"

OK---so this didn't actually happen. All joking aside though, the thought of Jesus "driving people out of the Temple" made me recall another verse, and I wondered if somehow they were linked:

"Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the Garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So he drove the man out, and at the east of the Garden of Eden he stationed the Cherubim and the flaming sword which turned in every direction to guard the way to the Tree of Life" (Gen. 3:23,24).

And, when he saw the money changers in the Temple selling sheep and oxen and doves he "made a whip out of cords" and drove them all out of the Temple, and spilled the coins of the money changers, and overthrew their tables". (John 2:12).

It would be interesting to see if the same verb is used for "drove them out" in both of these verses. I do not know Hebrew or Greek, but would be interested to know. Apparently man was unwilling to leave the garden after his fall, and it was necessary for God to "drive him out" and station cherubim so he could not re-enter and eat from tree of life and live forever.  It was an act of mercy.  Very interesting though--thought I'd share this.   --JS

Joe,

In Genesis the Hebrew verb is merekabah it means "to drive out by chasing with a tank".

In John the Greek verb is chariotizein It means "to offer to drive someone home in your chariot".

 ::)

Tom

After a little more investigation it appears that the Hebrew verb in Genesis is of the same derivative
of the verb used in John 2 which appears to be "ekballo" which means "force to leave, expel, drive out" (ekballien),
they are very close in meaning. The Hebrew is "garash" which has basically the same meaning(definition pasted
below). Tom--I didn't find the verbs you listed--although the Hebrew word "Merkebah" means "chariot" according
to Strong's concordance as a noun.


14 kai euren en tw ierw touV pwlountaV boaV kai probata kai peristeraV kai touV kermatistaV kaqhmenouV
2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

 
15 kai poihsaV fragellion ek scoiniwn pantaV exebalen  ek tou ierou ta te probata kai touV boaV kai twn kollubistwn execeen to kerma kai taV trapezaV anestreyen
2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out  of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

This is from Strong's Concordance. I was just curious if the "driving out" was the same verb displaying Divine anger used to cleanse an area (cleansing of Eden, cleansing of the Temple). It appears that the verb is implying a real "driving out" or "casting out" in both cases.


 "So he drove out"---------Hebrew(garash) from Genesis 3:24(driving man out of Eden by force)
garash  (gaw-rash')
to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce -- cast up (out), divorced (woman), drive away (forth, out), expel, surely put away, trouble, thrust out.

 

 

 


 


 

 

Joe,

Since I made them up I didn't expect anyone to be able to find them.

I remembered that Israel builds a tank called the Merkavah, from the ancient word for war chariot.

The other one I just fiddled with the word chariot.

Tom

You know Tom, I kind of suspected they were made up ;D. Especially "chariotizein"--almost looks
German ;D  Good one.

--Joe 

Joe,

You wrote:

What was the height limit for these small men?  Seems to me that anything under 5'5'' would qualify, but since each church is self governing, there could be variation.

 ::)

Tom

LOL ;D

In order to attend this small men's pancake breakfast you had to be at least as short as Bildad
the Shuhite, but no taller than KneeHighmiah. ;D  We had a really heavy Men's Bible Study afterwards.

Thus, setting the stage for follow-up "cake" assimilating times.

Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted.
14
But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me."
15
Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.
16
7 See, upon the palms of my hands I have written your name; your walls are ever before me.
(Is. 49)

What tender words the Lord uses when speaking of how He cares for each of His people. Sometimes we may believe the Lord is far away, or perhaps has forgotten all about us---but He says He is closer to us then a mother is to a newborn infant. Upon the palms of His hands He's written each of our names--(how can He forget us when those wounds were put there for each of us)? It's wonderful to know we are under the tender care of our Father in Heaven.

3And 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.

 4And 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.

 5And 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.  
 6And 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.

 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 21:3-7

It's amazing to think that God himself rejoices in these verses infinitely more than we ever could!! He proclaims these words with a "Great Voice out of heaven" (v. 3) And these words are "true and faithful"--we can believe them with every ounce of our being, and know one day these things SHALL BE. Thank God He accomplished all of this on the cross--if it were left to me to overcome I'd have no chance at all!! Thank God he says "IT IS DONE"--these echo the words on the cross: "IT IS FINISHED".

"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God".(1 John 5)   "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow".

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.(2 Cor. 5:21 New International Version)

The Lord looks upon us as though we had never sinned. "Being freely justified by His Grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus"(Rom. 3:24). He has justified us, and declared us to be righteous before him---not by any works we have done, but as a totally free gift.  We may not "feel" like this is true---but God's Word declares it to be so!! We are as righteous as the most righteous saint in the Bible according to the Lord.  This is nothing we can boast of, as we cannot possibly "earn" any position with the Lord---this is ALL of Him, and is a free gift of God. It is a most amazing thought!!

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much....Elijah prayed and it did not rain for the space of three and a half years upon the earth..."(James 5)  We have a tendency to say "But I'm no Elijah--he was totally a righteous man, etc., etc.,"  But why does James mention him in the context of the prayers of all saints? It is because God sees us as though we have never sinned, and we are righteous men and women before him, and our prayers can "avail much" if we pray according to his will!! In other words, do we have the pull an Elijah does with God? :D
Yes we do---according to God himself!! Not due to anything in us, but due to the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us.

True---if we pray it doesn't rain for 3-1/2 years it's very doubtful that prayer will be answered  ;D God had a very specific reason for witholding rain from the earth at that time. But if we pray for the lost, for the hurt and suffering, and for the world, we can KNOW that the Lord is dispatching angels, as he did for Daniel, to answer our prayers!! It seems that one of the biggest arenas of warfare in the Christian life is remembering who WE ARE IN CHRIST, and what we ALREADY HAVE as Christians. The battle has already been won, and we, in faith, just need to pray and have faith in God to accomplish that which is already a fact and a reality!!! And if our enemy knows this, then he is going to try to keep us from praying and from believing in the victory that is ALREADY OURS!! If he keeps us in deception about our standing before God, then we won't pray, and we won't appropriate what is already ours in Christ. If you keep telling a beautiful little girl that she is ugly enough times, she will come to believe it---the enemy uses the same strategy yet on a much higher level. There is a war going on and our adversaries use their "fiery darts" whenever they can. But we have a shield of faith.  We truly are "the righteousness of God IN HIM". Praise Jesus for loving us, and becoming sin for us, and setting us free!!

Bear with me for sharing these thoughts---I know I'm no C.H. Spurgeon  ;D  ---but sometimes thoughts hit you so strongly you almost want to scream them out!!  --JS

10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
(Psalm 103: 10-14)

Our enemy, as always, seeks to alter our perception of God. He seeks to turn Him into a Judge, with "consequences" for every wrong. Thank God he has "not rewarded us according to our iniquities"---
as we all deserve to be swimming in a Lake of Fire right now. Praise God He is a Father who pities His
children, and has removed our sins so far away that He doesn't even remember them any more!! Through
Jesus He opened a way for us to be redeemed and forgiven for all of eternity. Thank God He remembers
we are dust, and knows how we so easily forget how grateful we should be to Him at all times.

4. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

 5. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.(PS 111:4,5)

Verse 5 reminds me of Matt. 6:26 where Jesus says to "consider the fowls of the air; they neither sow nor reap, yet your Heaven Father feeds them".

The birds simply eat what has been provided for them. We as believers are just the same---we rely solely on the "exceeding great and precious promises" the Lord has given us. And the Lord is "ever mindful" of every promise he has made for us and to us. He is "gracious and full of compassion".

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2
He called a child over, placed it in their midst,
3
and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
4
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5
4 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
6
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (Matt. 18)


One chapter later:

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them,
14
but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
15
After he placed his hands on them, he went away. (Matt. 19)

I was reading these two chapters last night. I had never noticed this before for some reason.  In Chapter 18 Jesus takes a child, and in front of the disciples says that unless they become as that child they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. He then states that whoever offends one of them that believes in him it were better that a millstone be hung around their neck and cast into the sea.  But then in Chapter 19, just a short time later, we see these same disciples "rebuking" little children for coming to Jesus. The lesson from Chapter 18 had gone "in one ear and out the other" for these disciples. Whether they were "rebuking" the children themselves, or those who brought the children to Jesus (not sure of the exact interpretation here), the disciples still had hardened hearts, and had not listened to what Jesus said just a short time (a few days?) before.

It is just so amazing how WE are so dull of hearing sometimes. We are so slow to hear, to understand, and to follow what the Lord has said! But the Lord, as he is with these same disciples, is so patient and merciful to us!
One other characteristic that little children also possess is the need to be told several times the same lesson before it seems to "sink in". :D   Thank God He doesn't give up on us after repeated attempts to get us to see something very important in our lives! He is so gracious towards us!

3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Phil 3: 8-17

I think verses 13-14 are one of my favorites

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Phil.
1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

Psalm 66:16, "Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul."

OK, Christine, I'm here.  What has he done?

Thanks for leting me know of your arrival.. ;D

Are you going to tell me or are you merely transcribing verses? ;)

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Cor. 2:9)

Think of the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, or the most beautiful music you have ever
heard. Then think of the most wonderful feelings of joy and love you have ever experienced.  Then
multiply those same things times infinity. What an amazing eternity we are going to enter----and
most importantly, when we cross that line from time into eternity, the first person we will most likely
meet will be Jesus. That is a thought too wonderful to comprehend.

Joe,
Glad youre back posting.

Thanks for sharing this verse. God is faithful and good to us.

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.

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.

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.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Rev. 21: 4-7)

"So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Cast some of your worries upon him because he cares for you". (1 Pet. 5:6,7)

I altered the verse above to match how I have a tendency to apply it most of the time.   :)

The phrase "some of your worries" should be "ALL of your worries" of course! What a caring
and loving Father we have, that He wants us to take ALL to him in prayer!

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 2 Pet. 3:8

We view time so differently than the Lord, since he is not confined by it in any way. 2000 years seems like ages
to us----will Jesus EVER return?  Yet, to the Lord, 2000 years are like a couple of days, or no time at all. In his scheme of things, he's barely been gone any time at all!

Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.



I like this verse, in my daily busy-ness and difficulties--heres something to look forward to.


Reposted from earlier. Thanks Joe for pointing out my mistake.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)

I've been noticing a lot lately as I have been reading the Bible that God likes to use the word "all"
A LOT!!   ;D

The funniest thing happened today (at least it was funny for me). I had heard on the news that honey bees have been disappearing dramatically, and bee-keepers and farmers are afraid due to this.  Honey bees pollinate many crops, especially fruit trees, and without them many of the fruit trees would fail to produce crops.

At lunch time I was sitting out in my car near a hillside full of flowers.  I didn't even see a bee in sight. I thought, and asked,  "Lord, where are all the bees going?" I kind of thought upon the subject a bit, even wondering if terrorists could do something like that----take something we all take for granted, and begin to erradicate them, knowing it will cause a failure of crops and vegetables.  Most likely no, but I thought upon it.  Often, when I say "Lord?" and ask a question, I guess I don't really think he is REALLY listening at all. I hate to admit that, but I believe often it is the case.  What would the Lord care about my infantile brain, and my ridiculous thoughts? :D      And thoughts about bees--would he even be interested in my thoughts on that matter at all??   :) 

So, not seeing any bees, yet still dwelling on the subject a bit in my mind, I went inside into the lunchroom to eat a Subway sandwich I had just bought. I sat and talked to some people, and a half hour later got up, and began to walk to the office.  The janitor, a very nice man named "Mario", said "Hey Senor(in a spanish accent), wait a minute..I need to get something for you".  I stopped, and he fiddled with my collar in the back (I thought he was going to straighten it out or something). He said "There you go Senor, I wouldn't want you to get stung".  And he held a bee by it's wings in front of my face.  He had literally taken a bee off of my collar right next to my hair in the back.  I had sat through lunch with a bee crawling on me---a bee of all things!!  When I got back to my desk I started laughing.   God does hear our thoughts, and he has an excellent sense of humor also!!  Coincidence? Maybe. But I've never had a bee crawling on me in the lunchroom before---and most especially after I had just been asking the Lord where all the bees are?? Reminds me of when it says the Lord "prepared a worm for Jonah".   ;D ;D   Today, the Lord prepared a bee for me.


1 O LORD, you have searched me
       and you know me.
 2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
       you perceive my thoughts from afar.

 3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
       you are familiar with all my ways.

 4 Before a word is on my tongue
       you know it completely, O LORD. (Psalm 139)

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?(Heb. 1:14)

It's nice to know we are surrounded by invisible helpers, sent forth by the Lord himself!  :)

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

 4 Delight yourself in the LORD
       and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 5 Commit your way to the LORD;
       trust in him and he will do this:

 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
       the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
       do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
       when they carry out their wicked schemes.

 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
       do not fret—it leads only to evil.

 9 For evil men will be cut off,
       but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

(Psalm 37)

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

(1 Kings 19:11,12)

Are you listening?

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (24:30-32)

19  Oh how great is thy goodness,
         which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee;
which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee
before the sons of men!
20  Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence
         from the pride of man:
thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion
from the strife of tongues.
21  Blessed be the LORD:
         for he hath showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city. 
22  For I said in my haste,
         I am cut off from before thine eyes:
nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications
when I cried unto thee. 
23  O love the LORD, all ye his saints:
         for the LORD preserveth the faithful,
and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart,
         all ye that hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31)
 
 

  The LORD looketh from heaven;
         he beholdeth all the sons of men.
  From the place of his habitation he looketh
         upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 
  He fashioneth their hearts alike;
         he considereth all their works. (Psalm 33:13-15)

The Lord is looking upon each of us, and considering each of us right now.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
       I will counsel you and watch over you". (Psalm 32-8 NIV)

"For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me". (Psalm 40:12)

"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear,
You are more valuable than many sparrows". (Luke 12:7)

The psalmist is exaggerating when he says his troubles are "more than the hairs
of my head". But even if our troubles could even come close to the amount of hairs on our heads,
the Lord knows about everyone of them! The very hairs of our heads are all numbered.  :)
Put everything in the Lord's hands. I need to remind myself of this constantly--we have a tendency to exaggerate our problems, and to limit what God can do, and how much He cares about us!!!

"Humble yourselves therefore under the Mighty hand of God, and He will exalt you in due
time. Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7)

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
And why art thou disquieted in me?
Hope thou in God:
for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me:
therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan,
and of the Her'monites, from the hill Mizar. (PS. 42:5,6)

It's always a good thing, when "feeling" cast down, or irritated, and feeling hopeless
inside, to remember what God has done for us in the past. We all have specific things we
can remember as believers that were "miracles", or "true answers" to prayer in our lives. It
is good to begin to recount them, and remember that the Lord has ALWAYS come through
for us---many times not in the time frame or the way WE want Him to(we are so impatient)--but He
has come through!!  And as the psalmist says "I will yet praise Him", because he knows, that
even though he is feeling so helpless and hopeless, the LORD will help him once again---so he
forces himself to "remember" all  God has done for him before!  How often I need to do the same---many
times after I have complained for a while first  :)  But the Lord is so good and so faithful to us!!!

 

The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.
I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery indignation.(Ezekiel 22:31-32)

Thank God we are in the Day of Grace, but the above verses do make one think of how important it is for us to pray for the lost, and ask God to have mercy on those all around us. In the above scripture the Lord was "looking for someone to stand in the gap and pray"--so that He didn't have to inflict His own justice, but "found none"--therefore he went on with the judgment he had pronounced.

Abraham comes to mind, when he asked the Lord that if there were 50 righteous men in Sodom would the Lord have mercy on the city? The Lord said, yes, that if there were 50 righteous, he would not destroy the city. Then Abraham proceeded to ask if there were 40, and then 30, and then 20, and then even if there were only 10 righteous men, would the Lord still have mercy? He was pleading with God to withold his judgement--"standing in the gap"---unfortunately only one righteous man could be found, Lot, and the Lord sent him out of the city before destroying it. Our prayers of intercession are very important to the Lord.   "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much".  Thank the Lord again though, we are living in an age of Grace, and his mercy is extended at all times to any who will receive it!

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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  (Rev. 21:7-8)

Blessed are they who wash their robes so as to have the right to the tree of life and enter the city through its gates.
Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit. (Rev. 22:14, 15)

Wait a minute!  Each one of these verses only references (2) classes of people. In Rev. 21 it speaks of "overcomers" inheriting all things, and then those who are thrown into the "Lake of Fire".
Then, in Rev. 22 it speaks of those who wash their robes and enter the city, and then those who are "outside"--and these ones who are "outside" are the same ones listed as being in the "Lake of Fire" in Rev. 21.

Where are the 3rd class of people? I mean the believers who are "saved" but didn't "overcome"?  ???   Are they in the Heavenly city, or are they in the Lake of Fire? Have they "inherited all things", or are they in the Lake of Fire?

The verses above don't list a third class--either you are an "overcomer" or you are outside the city in the Lake of Fire.  Unless, perchance, the third class have to stand on the walls around the city for eternity and watch either the people inside the city, or the people in the Lake of Fire. It appears "overcomer theology" isn't really scriptural. Why would someone want to make a third class of people when the Bible doesn't teach that?  Hmmmm...  Very interesting indeed.  ;)

"Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5). Every believer is an overcomer. "We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us". We overcome only because he overcame!  I wasn't "worthy" when he left his throne and came to earth to be crucified.  I wasn't "worthy" when the Gospel was first presented to me.  And there is no way I will be "worthy", through anything I have done , to enter the city, or to "inherit all things" either!! We are worthy only because He is worthy and has made us worthy through his death and resurrection.  It is all of Grace!!!  Praise the Lord!!

the fearful are also listed in the group of people that are not overcomers... sadly enough, sometimes i am fearful in troubles.  :(  but still it is God who helps me out  :D i can't help myself, praise HIM forever

Germany98----

The fearful listed in the group below are unbelievers. All Christians are fearful at times, and
display little faith at other times, and are weak and helpless too. That is why it is so blessed
that the New Covenant has nothing to do with what WE can do or accomplish!
It is truly ALL OF GRACE!! So much so that in Revelation it says that those who receive the crowns throw them at Jesus' feet, acknowledging that even their rewards are all of Him, and not of themselves!!

There is a teaching that "overcomers" are some group of elite Christians, who, through their faithfulness and hard work have "attained" victory.  When, in reality, an "overcomer" is someone who has realized that they are just a wayward sheep, desperately in need of a Shepherd.  Sheep are utterly helpless without their shepherd. And ALL true believers are just weak sheep---and Jesus says  "ALL that the Father has given Me SHALL come to Me". And everyone who comes to Him is an "overcomer"--because when you receive Christ you are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ.  You are IN CHRIST for all of eternity!!  And because Jesus overcame, we have overcome also, because we are IN HIM!!  Praise God!!

We may be fearful, and weak, and of little faith at times, but we "are more than conquerors through Him that loved us"!!!  Germany--when you say "still it is God who helps me out, I can't help myself, praise HIM forever" you are speaking as one of those helpless sheep, like all of us are.  Praise the Lord He is such a faithful Shepherd!!

Thanks for your reply, Joe. so if i get it rightly the fearful are those who remain in their fear, cause they don't want to accept help of Jesus.
How merciful to be able to come to him all the time. Even the disciples were fearful at times, yet they were taught not to fear, instead move on to obey God. That's a good perspective. And all good is of him, not of us and we are called to help the weak who are thirsty for God

Germany--

Yes--the "fearful" mentioned in the Lake of Fire are habitually fearful--and most likely labeled "fearful" because they knew what they were doing (while on earth) was WRONG, but continued doing what was evil anyway, refusing to accept the salvation God had for them in Jesus Christ. Fear became an ingrained part of their lives due to that.  Like a burglar inside an occupied house, fearful of being discovered, so these lived their entire lives!

They did not overcome, because they refused to accept Jesus Christ. Overcomer theology, however, can be summed up in these two verses:

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". (1 Thess 5:23)

The Overcomer theologian (who believes some Christians will not overcome) stops right there at that verse, and says, "is there a chance you may not be blameless at Jesus' coming? Perhaps your Spirit may be sanctified, but your soul and body may not. Is there a chance due to disobedience that you may not be fully sanctified?"---I, personally, sat under such teaching. And that teaching fills one with fear and uncertainty--it calls out for "works" one may do to avoid that awful thought!! I've walked on that tightrope, always in fear of falling!  :)

However, there is a verse 24 that follows verse 23:

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (1 Thess 5:24)  Praise God!!!

The New Covenant, and my overcoming, is not dependent on me, but on what Jesus has already done!! The overcomer theologian is mixing grace with works---stopping short of declaring the real truth!! He is turning the New Covenant into Jesus plus something we need to do, rather than Jesus plus nothing at all. He is enough!

All heresy follows the same pattern---Jesus to them is not enough. They want to make the New Covenant part of the Old, where God said "I give you my law---now obey it", with the prospect of ALWAYS failing, because we cannot keep the law!!  In the New Covenant though, God says "I will put my laws into your hearts so you will not depart from me". The Old Testament DEMANDS obedience from hearts that cannot obey, while the New Testament opens the door for God Himself to live in our hearts and cause a DESIRE TO OBEY through love!!  If we mix the two Covenants together, as overcomer theologians do, we become as the Galatians were----bewitched and bewildered.

He also says:

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:6)   What a blessed God!! Knowing we will always fail, and cannot make it in any way on our own, HE did it ALL for us Himself!! Jesus said 'IT IS FINISHED"----God's lovingkindness is infinite, and His words are faithful and true!  It makes you want to shout out loud with great joy!!

Here is a question that I've always wondered about regarding this verse:

What exactly does the phrase "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" mean? Is it a temporary thing for some?

Explorer----

"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Rev. 21:8 NIT version)   note: "their place".

Many other versions say similar things--it is a permanent place that they are going to----as much as those who "inherit all things" in the verse before it (v.7) are permanently saved for eternity--they won't just temporarily inherit all things---it is forever---and so is the forever that those who have "their part" in the Lake of Fire will experience also.

The King James is using old English.  To have a "part" in something is literally to be "part of it"---like having a "part in a play or movie"-----if it's a bad movie or a good movie, the actor still has his "part" in it---it cannot be erased, it is not a temporary thing----the actor is "part" of it.  Rev. 21:7,8 and Rev 22:14,15 are contrasting (2) groups of people in eternal states---one group tormented in the Lake of Fire, and another group who has "inherited all things" for eternity. Neither of these is in a  "temporary" state.

It is final----it says that their torment is "forever and ever". The other state is final also--they have "inherited all things", and God will be there God, and they shall be his sons and daughters-----forever!

For anyone to imply that either is a "temporary" state would be to imply that "purgatory" is real, or that God on the other hand, might revoke his promise to those who have "inherited all things" and are His children for ever by His own promise. I sat under ministry (overcomer theology) which implied that there might be some Christians who suffer in the Lake of Fire for "a time"---this is a terrible teaching---and it is absolutely unscriptural!  Those who are saved are "saved to the uttermost" (Hebrews)---and are the children of God forever--no one can pluck them out of the Father's hand!!  "He that comes to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37)  When Jesus says "no wise" (or to paraphrase "there is nothing they can do to cause me to cast them out"), he means it! His words are faithful and true!  I am not saying you believe that Explorer---I know you are simply asking a question---I just wanted to explain what I have learned through really searching the Scriptures on the subject.

Thanks Joe... in this light it is also a joy to serve God with good works, cause they come out of gratefulness. God loves a cheerful giver. It is the same you are in love, want to marry the person, so you don't just sit around thinking of her and nothing else ???, but you buy flowers, write textmessage,make calls, invite her to a restaurant :-*. and all of a sudden have many ideas how to make the relationship beautiful
may God also be honored how we make the relationship with him a beauty  ;)

Germany---

Great way of putting it!

--Joe

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. (Acts 20: 7-12)

I hadn't read this in a long time. For some reason I thought of Paul where he said:
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven".(2 Cor. 12:2)

Not to get too "mystical" about the whole thing, but it is interesting that it says Eutychus fell from "the third story" to the ground and was "picked up dead".  He literally fell deeply asleep, and his fall was great. But it is very encouraging to know that no matter how far any may have fallen, Jesus still says "He's alive!"  One may have fallen a great way---their past experience being one of close fellowship with the Lord--but then they were distracted--like Eutychus was, perhaps looking out of the window he was sitting next to, and beginning to daydream.  Soon, he fell totally asleep and fell three stories to the ground! That can happen to us too. We are distracted by the world, begin to stray, fall asleep to the things that were formerly so important to us regarding the Lord, and then we can take a great fall if we are not careful.

But even though the fall may have been great, and it appears there is no life left in us, the Lord is there to revive us! Perhaps we may feel the fall has been so great that the Lord could not even revive us, or not want to for that matter!! Our sins are just too great--our fall has been too far!! But the very desire to repent iself comes from the Lord! "Or do you not know that it is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance?" (Rom. 2:4)  No matter how far anyone may have gotten from the Lord, he is always calling to return----ready to revive, ready to break bread with us!! Perhaps someone reading this may have strayed far away---but the Lord is calling for you to return--He loves you with an everlasting love!!

In the Jewish thinking of the time (or so says D. A. Carson) the first heaven is immediate sky with the clouds, birds, etc.  The second heaven is the planets and the solar system.  The third heaven is the seat of God.  That was the idea.  As for falling from the third story, falling from the fourth was too many; falling from the second was not enough, but falling from the third was just right. ;)

-Dave

LOL Dave.

I like this.........thanks.
Moonflower

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: [are they] not in thy book?
When I cry [unto thee], then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God [is] for me.(Ps. 56:8,9)

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (Mal. 3:16)

The Lord remembers our tears and our prayers--He remembers all.

"He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37)

I was reading a very encouraging book called "Heaven on Earth" by Thomas Brooks, an old Puritan
writer, just last night. He wrote these words concerning those who would try to bring doubt and fear into the minds of God's dear childern concerning their eternal state:

"This precious truth thus proved, looks sourly upon all those who affirm that believers cannot in this life attain unto a certain well-grounded assurance of their everlasting happiness and blessedness—as papists and Arminians: all know that their writings and teachings, are in arms against this Christ-exalting, and soul-cheering doctrine of assurance. "I know no such thing as assurance of heaven in this life," says Grevinchovius the Arminian. Assurance is a pearl that they trample under feet; it is a beam of heaven that has so much light, brightness, and shining glory in it, that their bleary eyes cannot behold it.
Assurance is glory in the bud, it is the suburbs of paradise, it is a cluster of the land of promise, it is a spark of God, it is the joy and crown of a Christian; the greater is their impiety and folly who deny assurance, who cry down assurance under any names or notions whatever. They are rather tormenters than comforters who say, 'poor souls may know that there is a crown of righteousness—but they must not presume to know that they themselves shall have the honor to wear that crown; and that makes God like King Xerxes, who crowned his helmsman in the morning, and beheaded him in the evening of the same day.
Arminians are not ashamed to say, that God may crown a man one hour, and uncrown him in the next; they blush not to say that a man may be happy and miserable, under love and under wrath, an heir of heaven and a firebrand of hell, a child of light and a child of darkness—and all in an hour. Oh what miserable comforters are these! What is this but to torment the weary soul? to dispirit the wounded spirit, and to make them most sad whom God would have most glad? Ah! how sad is it for men to affirm, that wounded spirits may know "that the Sun of righteousness has healing in his wings," Mal 4:2; but they cannot be assured that they shall be healed. The hungry soul may know that there is bread enough in his Father's house—but cannot know that he shall taste of that bread, Luke 15:17. The naked soul may know that Christ has robes of righteousness to cover all spots, sores, defects, and deformities of it—but may not presume to know that Christ will put these royal robes upon it, Rev 3:18. The impoverished soul may know that there be unsearchable riches in Christ—but cannot be assured that ever it shall partake of those riches, Eph 3:8. All that these men allow poor souls, is guesses and conjectures that it may be well with them. They will not allow souls to say with Thomas, "My Lord, and my God," John 20:18; nor with Job to say, "My Redeemer lives," Job 19:25; nor with the church, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is towards me," Song 7:10. And so they leave souls in a cloudy, questioning, doubting, hovering condition, hanging, like Mahomet's tomb at Mecca, between two loadstones; or like Erasmus, as the papists paint him, hanging between heaven and hell. They make the poor soul a terror to itself.

What more uncomfortable doctrine than this? What more soul-disquieting, and soul-unsettling doctrine than this? You are this moment in a state of spiritual life—you may the next moment be in a state of spiritual death; you are now gracious—you may the next hour be graceless; you are now in the promised land—yet you may die in the wilderness; you are today a habitation for God—you may tomorrow be a synagogue of Satan; you have today received the white stone of absolution—you may tomorrow receive the black stone of condemnation; you are now in your Savior's arms—you may tomorrow be in Satan's paws; you are now Christ's freeman—you may tomorrow be Satan's bondman; you are now a vessel of honor—you may suddenly become a vessel of wrath; you are now greatly beloved, you may soon be as greatly loathed; this day your name is fairly written in the book of life—tomorrow the book may be crossed out, and your name blotted out forever. This is the Arminians' doctrine, and if this be not to keep souls in a doubting and trembling, and shivering condition, what is it?

Well, Christians, remember this is your happiness and blessedness, that "none can pluck you out of your Father's hand," John 10:29; that you are "kept," as in a garrison, or as with a guard, "by the power of God through faith unto salvation," 1 Pet 1:5. "That the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but the kindness of the Lord shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord that has mercy on you," Isa 54:10. "That Christ ever lives to make intercession for you," Heb 7:25; and that men and devils are as able, and shall as soon, make a world, dethrone God, pluck the sun out of the firmament, and Christ out of the bosom of the Father—as they shall pluck a believer out of the everlasting arms of Christ, or rob him of one of his precious jewels! Deut 33:26-27."

---Thomas Brooks, 1654


If you get a chance to read the book mentioned above you will be greatly encouraged.  Though written over 350 years ago, his words of encouragement are so refreshing, and his thoughts so precious, it is as though they were spoken a moment ago.

My soul, wait thou only upon God;
for my expectation is from him. 
He only is my rock and my salvation:
he is my defense; I shall not be moved. 
In God is my salvation and my glory:
the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 
Trust in him at all times;
ye people, pour out your heart before him:
God is a refuge for us. (Ps. 62:4-8)

I don't know about you, but I often have to remind myself to cast my cares
upon the Lord. Perhaps through fear of offending the Lord, or feeling he really
doesn't care, or that I am complaining about my life, I hold back from "pouring
out my heart" to Him. Perhaps that's why David has to remind the people to
pour out their hearts to God, for God is their refuge alone. We have a ten-
dency to want to "stand afar off" for we feel so unworthy before God. And we are
unworthy!  But God himself has justified us, and wants us to come to him as his own
dear children. We need to remember how the Lord sees us, despite the corruption we
find within ourselves, that makes us want to cower and hold back.

Much of our grief comes from not coming to the Lord, and telling him everything. And
He truly longs for us to do so. "Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you".

Jesus calls to the lost to come to Him---how much more his own people whom he loves so dearly?

 
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matt. 11:28,29 NAB)

 
 

I wanted to share a link to an article that I recently read in booklet form by Arthur
Pink concerning Romans 7.  If you have ever struggled with trying to "get out of Romans
7 and into Romans 8" due to "victorious life" teachings, this should be of great comfort to you.

Please do not confuse Mr. Pink's article as inferring we should all be walking around with a "woe is
me!" attitude--for what he is stating is that the closer we walk with Christ, the more joy, but also, sorrow
we will have.  Joy, because of the gloriousness of knowing Christ, but godly sorrow due to the corruptions we
daily see in ourselves, and for which, we realize Christ suffered. But believing that we can somehow "escape" this sinful nature within us by some"mystical victory" is false teaching, and truly unscriptural--it can only lead one to "give up" in despair, or become a Pharisee, who thinks he has "attained", and is walking in some elite status which others have not realized.

Also, there is a very good article by Lee Irons on the Assembly Reflections website under "What's
new?" that deals with the same subject also.

http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Miscellaneous/romans_7.htm

Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave  our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple. (Ps. 65 2-5)

"Blessed are those you choose"---what an amazing and blessed thought!!  What an extreme blessing it is to be a Christian!! What an extreme privilege!!! "and bring near to live in your courts"--again, what an amazingly blessed thing!!  The Lord has chosen and drawn us to himself!! Even if someone came to this board in fear, unsure of their state with God--the very fact you are searching is because the Lord is drawing you!! Psalm 9:10 says "For thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee". Are you seeking for him? Then he Himself is drawing you, to "bring you near to live in his courts"!!! The Lord draws us in many ways---but it is all to bring us to Himself, so that He might bless us!
   
Sometimes we can get so caught up with daily life, or duties, or maybe our own failures, and forget that God chose us, we didn't choose him! "We love Him because He first loved us". He calls us and draws us to himself, to live close to Him because He loves us dearly. "As a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him"(Ps. 103) "I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you" (Jer. 31:3 ) 

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8

Thank God the New Covenant has nothing to do with what we can do or accomplish. The whole New Covenant is of Grace---everything having to do with my salvation is of Grace. No one can condemn me or separate me from God----because God Himself has justified me and keeps me through his great lovingkindness and forgiveness. IT IS FINISHED.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah (Psalm 84:1-4)

I thought of when Jesus says "Not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father" when I read
this Psalm this morning. God welcomes the little sparrows to nest in His very altars. And if He lets the sparrows come so close, what of us whom he loves so dearly?  "The very hairs on your head are all numbered".

For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands,
Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (PS. 91)

I was reading a commentary on Jude and the writer was commenting on
Michael the archangel disputing with Satan over the body of Moses. He pointed
out that all angels are ministering spirits, even the great Michael. And these spirits
are sent to minister to us who will be the heirs of salvation. I have thought on this
before, but again this morning when I read Psalm 91 the above verses were there.

It is such a comforting thought that angels are actually there observing us, and helping
us along the way. We are not really sure what the "ministering" that they do IS----could
it be they encourage us with positive thoughts (just as our enemy can discourage us with
negative thoughts at times--usually resulting in unbelief, which is his goal), or could they
actually embrace us when they see us weeping, or in deep sadness?  They are such innocent,
holy and kind beings---and they LOVE to minister to us---because they absolutely love to do
anything God asks them to do. We can be sure they are for us, cheering us all the way!!

One last thought I was dwelling on last night--if the angels are ministering to us to become heirs,
we, who will actually sit on the thrones the fallen angels gave up, will we too become ministers in eternity to
another creation of God?  LOVE always ministers--LOVE always serves---  we will not inhabit heaven
to just enjoy ourselves  ;D  --- most likely we will be ministering to others, and doing what God sends us off to do.  What an amazing thought--to spend eternity ministering God's love to others who will then minister God's love to others, who will then minister God's love to others, who will then... well you get the
picture.  And imagine finally meeting these invisible helpers one day---I think when I cross over the line into eternity, one of them will hit me on the back of the head, shake his head and say "I can't believe you actually made it".   Just kidding---most likely they will greet us with tears in their eyes and say "welcome home!!".
 
 

"Tremble, earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob,
Who turned rock into pools of water, stone into flowing springs". (PS 114: 7,8)

I was reading this psalm this morning and these verses stood out to me. He mentions
he is the "God of Jacob" who "turned rock into pools of water, stone into flowing springs"

God did do those physical miracles, but perhaps a greater miracle is that he took Jacob,
a "supplanter", who tricked his own brother out of a birthright, and turned him into Israel,
the father of the 12 tribes, and a very godly man. In a spiritual sense, he took the rocky
heart of Jacob, and it turned it into a flowing spring of water.

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14)

How can I repay the LORD for all the good done for me?
I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. (Ps. 116:12,13)

There is nothing in ourselves---no gift, no work, that can possibly repay the Lord for
all he has done for us.  David asks that question, then answers "I will raise the cup of salvation
and call upon the name of the Lord". All we can do is receive and be thankful--there is
nothing we can do, no work, to make ourselves more acceptable to God. Jesus paid it
all, all to him we owe. We needed mercy on the day of salvation, and we still need the same
mercy now as we needed then. What can we possibly do to make God love us more than he
already does? The answer is: nothing. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us".

Not a Bible verse but a devotional from the Life Recovery Bible I found it encouraging. 


Bible Reading:  Job 14:1-6

We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

One thing that may make it hard to believe in God is that life often seems unfair to us.  We didn’t ask to be born into a dysfunctional family!  We didn’t have any say over the abuses and injustices we have suffered!  We didn’t choose our predisposition toward addiction.  And yet we are held accountable for things we can’t control on our own.  This makes it hard to initially turn to God as the Power to restore our sanity.  He seems unreasonable in his demands.

Job understood these feelings.  In the midst of his suffering he said, “How frail is humanity!  How short is life, and how full of trouble!  Like a flower, we blossom for a moment and then wither.  Like the shadow of a passing cloud, we quickly disappear.  Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature and demand an accounting from me?  Who can create purity in one born impure?”  (Job 14:1-4)

These are good questions – ones that most of us have asked in one form or another.  Job persisted in his questioning because deep inside he believed God to be good and fair, even though life wasn’t.  He was honest with his emotions and questions, but he never stopped seeking God.

There is a good answer to the question Job posed, one that will satisfy both our heart and our mind.  It will be found, however, only by those who are willing to work through the pain and unfairness of life and still seek God.  Those who seek him will find him.  In God’s loving arms, they will also find the answers they seek.

1  O praise the LORD, all ye nations:
         praise him, all ye people. 
2  For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
         and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.
Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 117)

I wanted to share something. I have often come to this psalm when reading through them and
thought "Why is the thing so short? It doesn't seem to say much more than the other Psalms are
saying".  ;D 

But when I read this yesterday I noticed this (I know this is nothing new, I just hadn't considered
it before, or heard anyone speak about this before):

David lived under the Law.  The Jews were God's people.  Even in Jesus' day it says "The Jews
had no dealings with the Samaritans", and the Jewish Christians in Acts were amazed when they saw that the
Holy Spirit had been given to the Gentiles.

But here is David saying "Praise the Lord, ALL YE NATIONS, praise him ALL YE PEOPLE. For his
merciful kindess is great towards US.."   When he says his merciful kindness is great towards
"US" he means "ALL NATIONS".   It made me wonder if the Jews, even in Jesus' day, when they
read this Psalm wondered what David was saying---"Is David saying that the God of the Jews is
the God of ALL people?  Is he trying to say that God is just as merciful to THEM as he is to US"?
Did the Pharisees try to ignore and avoid the reading of this Psalm? 

I found this to be very interesting, and had never thought about it before.  :)
 
 

Having a rough day?  Sit still for a moment and remember where we're headed. Look
away onto Jesus who right now is sitting at the right hand of the Father and interceding
for us.  He's "keeping us" so that He can meet us one day in that blessed New Jerusalem!!

"But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel". (Heb. 12: 23,24)

To Jesus we are already there!  We "are come" and "are written"---PRAISE THE LORD!!!

This world and it's problems are nothing compared to where we are going!! And to whom we are going---
a Savior that loves us and prays for us minute by minute that our faith "fail not". We need to "cast aside every weight"(things that trouble us and burden us-- mountains out of molehills) and "look away unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith".  What an amazing destiny awaits us!! What an amazing friend!!

1  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
         from whence cometh my help. 
2  My help cometh from the LORD,
         which made heaven and earth. 
3  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
         he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 
4  Behold, he that keepeth Israel
         shall neither slumber nor sleep. 
5  The LORD is thy keeper:
         the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 
6  The sun shall not smite thee by day,
         nor the moon by night. 
7  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil:
         he shall preserve thy soul. 
8  The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in
         from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Ps. 121)

We can rest in the fact that we are being kept by the Lord. He constantly has his eyes on us--
and is constantly interceding for us.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7:25)

We literally are under the constant care of the Good Shepherd. He will only allow those things into our
lives that will be good for us (though some of these things may be unpleasant at the time--they all work to our good and to His glory).  Romans 8-28.
 
 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:4-7)

These verses are amazing.  We were all on the same road, walking foolishly into eternity, and we were children of wrath. We were literally headed for perdition "like the rest of mankind". But (2) amazing words burst onto the scene, changing that forever:

"BUT GOD"---God met us--we weren't even looking for Him at all!  But he met us, and saved us! He pulled us off that road because of his rich mercy and "because of the great love with which he loved us"
And he did this while we were still sinners---in rebellion against him.  He died for us, and then raised us up to sit with him in heavenly places---and why?  "so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus"!!

It is too wonderful to comprehend with our finite minds. "But God"---how thankful we should be that he interfered with us and stopped us in our tracks! How grateful we should be that he made a way for us to be with Him where He is!!

As he was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?" He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?"

Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.
 
That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath." (Mark 2:23-28)

It's amazing how we are all prone to take something and turn it into a legalistic ritual. The Pharisees had taken something God did FOR man, and turned it into a rule so strict that they sought to kill Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, or even picking grain to eat on the same day. How could they misconstrue the below verse so badly?

"For six days you may do your work, but on the seventh day you must rest, that your ox and your ass may also have rest, and that the son of your maidservant and the alien may be refreshed". (Ex. 23:12)

As Jesus said "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath"---this rule was made for man's benefit---man was not created to be a slave to this rule.   How easily we, just like the Pharisees, can become legalistic, and become slaves to rules that we set up for ourselves. 

  We, as Christians of course, are not under the law, but under Grace. We know that we don't "keep the Sabbath"---but often we keep other rules----rules we make for ourselves, or impose upon ourselves from the Bible.  We need to remember that we serve the Lord of the Sabbath himself, and not any man-made rules, or misinterpretations of Scriptures some men use to impose their legalism upon us.

Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Hi Joe!

  Boy am I glad that you are still posting on the BB! :) 

  Legalism is a "great" way to control others as religious leaders can elect themselves as God's very own special police force and judiciary.  When there is freedom to live your own life before God these guys no longer have a job and will have to go out and work for a living like the rest of us! (GG and Sons take note)

  David and his companions were hungry and ate the bread that was only lawful for the priests to eat.  Human need over the commands of God?!   This proves that God cares very much about our human needs and that spirituality is not achieved by some kind of Crucifixion of our soul.

  Jesus came "eating and drinking", and seemed to enjoy these normal human pleasures.  Any suffering in his life came out of a passion to bless others and this made his suffering spiritually meaningful.     

                                                                       God Bless,  Mark C.

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love. 
The LORD is good to all, compassionate to every creature. (PS 145:8,9)

The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. 
The eyes of all look hopefully to you; you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
You, LORD, are just in all your ways, faithful in all your works.
You, LORD, are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth. (PS 145: 14-18)

The Lord is always near, ready to raise up the downcast, ready to comfort. He's just a prayer away.  :)

Praise ye the LORD: for [it is] good to sing praises unto our God; for [it is] pleasant; [and] praise is comely.(V.1)    The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. (V.2)

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (v.3)

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by [their] names. (v.4)
Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite. (v.5)

The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.(v.6)   (Psalm 147)

Note how v. 3 speaks of God healing the broken in heart and healing them.  Then in V 4,5 the infinite knowledge and understanding of God is mentioned--His incredible omnipresence--He is the infinite God---the Creator of all that there is!!!!   But then, V.6 goes back to mentioning how God "lifts the meek".  It's like He has sandwiched his greatness inbetween two verses speaking of our weakness. (verses 4,5 sandwiched inbetween 3 and 6).

This omniscient, ominpresent, and omnipotent God, vast in power and glory, humbles himself to deal with us!!! To lift us up when we are down.  To encourage us in our way. To heal the broken heart, and bind up the wounds.

The Lord has named all the stars, though innumerable, he knows them all intimately.  Yet his main pleasure is not in the vastness of space. Though of infinite understanding and wisdom, God says His pleasure is in this:

Psa 147:11  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

How incredible to know just how close God is to every one of us who hope in Him.

Thanks Joe for sharing these verses, they are really a blessing.

But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18)

I still have an old Torch and Testimony with this verse on the back, and a beautiful drawing of
two travelers on a winding path through a forest.  Rand Bates drew it. I have it framed. It really
is a beautiful verse of Scripture.

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. (Deut. 8:5)

In Hebrews 12 it says that God chastens us for our own profit---that we might learn to be
more godly people. Chastening may be for correction if we have strayed off the path, or it
could be there to increase our desire for the Lord himself.  A period of great dryness, where
we "feel" God has deserted us may actually be there so we WILL cry out all the more to the
Lord because we miss him so!!  He does ALL of these things because He loves his sons and his
daughters so very much!  It's never fun, and as the Bible says it can be "grievous"---but God
wants the best for us---and later, when we look back, we are always grateful to him for what
he has done for us! We need to remember that the Father "knows what we have need of before
we even ask him" and sometimes answers our prayers a lot differently than we would desire!   ;D

I'm not sure why but the emphasis on God's discipline in this verse conjured up an image of 47 year old single sisters still in "training apartments".  Sort of "God will be whacking your butt for the rest of your life, but cheer up, it is for your good".   :P

Dave---

I think you are seeing chastening in the wrong way. Much of Hebrews 12 mentions it. A father's
"chastening" can be a simple look at his son/daughter----a look of "you know better than that"--it isn't brutal, or a "whacking"--it is designed to put you back on the right track. God (without us physically
seeing it of course) can do the same thing. He can withdraw his presence and joy for a time so that we yearn after what we had before.

Perhaps that's not what you meant though----you said it "conjures up images"--so perhaps you are referring to past Assembly experience. Hope no one is thinking God wants to "whack our butts" continually for "our own good".   ;D

I am certainly not describing how I would interpret this verse today.  I'm describing the immediate flash-back feeling I get when verse like this come up.  Voices from the past still speak in my head and I'm still finding the need to tell them to take a hike.

I fully understand that flash-back feeling!  ;D

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:4)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6,7)

Note these (4) verses are all in the past tense---things that HAVE BEEN accomplished already in God's eyes.

Pretty amazing to remember these things---the Bible says these things are a fact right now --
as Christians we are crucified, buried, risen and seated with Jesus Christ.  When He said "IT IS FINISHED" he truly meant it----everything has become ours through Jesus Christ--it truly is an amazing thought.  Kind of makes you want to jump up and down on a couch and shout out loud for joy!!  ;D

The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD:
 but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight. (Prov. 15-8)

Main Entry: 1de·light 
Pronunciation: \di-ˈlīt, dē-\
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1: a high degree of gratification : joy; also : extreme satisfaction
2: something that gives great pleasure <her performance was a delight>
3archaic : the power of affording pleasure (Merriam Websters Dictionary)

We all know what it is to "delight" in something. Proverbs says that the Lord "delights"
in our prayers.  They bring him great joy, great pleasure and extreme satisfaction. Not that
God "needs" ANYTHING.  But he delights in his people, and He delights in our prayers--and he
tells us so in his own Word.  He wants us to know that he does.

If we keep this in mind when we approach the Lord, prayers will become far from being a "duty"---
the Lord "delights" in our coming to Him in prayer.

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good". (Prov. 15:3)

I was reading in Proverbs 21 this morning and noticed a couple of verses that seemed kind of out of place (read the chapter and you will see that the two verses come out of nowhere in the flow of thought in both instances). Then a scenario came to mind as to how these two verses wound up in the chapter:

Solomon sits penning sayings which will one day become Proverbs 21 (for we all know that the chapters and verses were added later by translators). He has just finished what will one day be verse 8, when a piercing voice breaks the silence:

"SOLOMON!!!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!?? Writing, writing, writing, you're always writing!!  Don't you have anything better to do!!?? All I do is clean, clean, clean!!  What have you done for me lately!!??  SOLOMON!!! ANSWER ME!!  SOLOMON!!?? When we first got married it wasn't like this, it.... (the voice continues on in a monotonous nagging tone).

Solomon pauses, then writes the following down (it really has nothing to do with his previous thought, but he is compelled to pen it):

"It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house". (Proverbs 21:9).

Solomon continues to pen, and gets back to his original flow of thought.  He finishes what will one day be verse 18, and then again a shrill voice pierces his meditative pondering:

"SOLOMON!!!  DO YOU HEAR ME??!!?  I can't put up with much more of this!! You may be a king, but you still have to take out the trash!!  Other king's wives don't have to put up with what I put up with!! Get up off your lazy butt and do something!!!  Are you going to spend the rest of the day writing??!!?? You are one lazy man I'll tell you!! I always dreamed of marital bliss, but I settled for this!! When I think back when I was single I..."(voice continues in a whiny tirade).

Solomon is again compelled to pen the next "saying", which has nothing (once again) to do with the previous flow of thought:

"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman". (Proverbs 21:19)

He then goes on with his previous flow of thought, and finishes what will eventually become the 21st chapter of Proverbs. Solomon leaves his two wayward verses in place though, as perhaps he thinks there is more wisdom in the words than he had previously thought.  ;D  Now, of course, it may not have happened exactly like this, but that is my "take" on how and why those verses got there.   ;D

I was reading in Luke last night and came upon these verses:

Be on your guard!  If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." (Luke 17:3,4)

As I read this I thought of those who say it is a bitter thing not to just forgive someone whether they
repent or not. Then I saw that Jesus is stating if a brother sins.  But why not forgive a brother
for his sins whether he repents or not?  I think maybe it is because if we forgive without rebuke, or forgive without waiting for an "I'm sorry" from our brother, we are actually hurting him rather than helping him! We are allowing him/her to commit great wrong without confrontation and expected remorse and repentance. We are allowing them to stray from the Lord, and really by just "letting it go" we are not showing love at all! Note again above, Jesus says "if he repents forgive him"(note the "if").  Perhaps there is a form of forgiveness for the ignorant "forgive them they know not what they do", but a different form of forgiveness for a brother who really should know better. Of course, I do not mean we should go about with hatred in our hearts towards the one who offended us---but I think, as Jesus said above, that we should wait for repentance before completely forgiving and forgetting sins committed against us by a brother or sister.  The rebuke and expected repentance will heal their soul, rather than allowing them to go on in their sinful way.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?  I found it very intriguing in light of those who say we should just forgive another Christian who wronged others, without looking for repentance from that individual first.

Dear Joe,

  Yes, I have some thoughts on this (I imagine you are asking this in regard to how we should think of our relationship to former members who are in denial re. their own conduct while members of the Assm.).

   I have shared my thoughts on this in the past and not received much in the way of a response here.  I think that is because of several reasons:

1.) Some former members might not be able to separate their own emotional state with the biblical imperative to support moral integrity.

     In other words, people don't want to hold on to a bitterness over being wronged and opt to just let all past unrepentant sins against them be forgotten.  It is especially difficult for former members who were wounded as we will doubt ourselves when hit by those who refuse to honestly admit their involvement in the group.

2.) There seems to be a sizable group of former/present members who see the Assm. history in a much more positive light than I do.

    From this perspective there really are no "sins" to be repented of. Those with this view see the Assm. as a "good church", based on positive Christian ideals, with the only problem being a leader gone bad. Those claiming they were"sinned against" by members have received the following attributions:  "came into the group with their own psychological problems, are stuck in a bitter attitude, unable to move-on, and have adopted the status of a victim, etc."

  These characterizations are very effective at silencing most wounded former members because we have experienced many of these kinds of doubts re. how we felt when we left.  When we were in the group we were dominated by having the "tables turned" when we pointed out wrongs we noticed----- the whistler blower is the one with the problem vs. the authority figure/organization.

  One could say, "well, it's God's problem and not mine", and of course ultimately that is true.  However, as the verses you share above indicate we do have a responsibility to point out to those that sin against us that they have done so and need to repent. 

 Obviously there are degrees of sin and times when it is better to just drop the whole thing.  As an example, I was discussing how to interpret a passage with someone via email and the conversation quickly became deeply offensive to the other person.  He dishonestly claimed he was not reacting irrationally and started to personally attack my "hidden malicious motives" for bringing his interpretation into question.  Did he sin against me for stubbornly refusing to engage in rational discussion?  Maybe, but there are times when it just isn't worth winning a debate while losing a friend.

  If, instead of a minor issue, this former member had worked as one of the Assembly leaders and denied supporting GG abuses and resisted with the same above techniques it seems to me that a stand should be made.

                                                                                                     God Bless, Mark C.

The progression of Matthew 18 is 1) rebuke individually 2) if that doesn't work rebuke with someone else  3) if that doesn't work bring before the church  4) if that doesn't work, let it go - let him be like any other unsaved person.

I think the problem that often arises in this conversation is it is often perceived as an either/or thing.  Either we spend the rest of our lives working on getting former Assembly leaders to repent or we do nothing at all.

For me, if I have issues with a brother who has wronged me, I make an honest attempt to get him to see it.  If he repents, great.  If he continually refuses to see it, there comes a point where I have to let it go. 

Perhaps using the word "forgiveness" is the stumbling block because it implies that one is condoning the wrong that was done.  I don't really see it that way. What I see is that there comes a point (and everyone has to determine this point for themselves) that I have to just let go of it and accept the fact that I can't control decisions other people make.  It is not healthy for me to keep replaying the Assembly scenario in my head.  It is time for me to get on with other things in life.

I don't view folks who are still hanging onto the hope that they can help former leaders to repent as bitter.  They may be, I suppose, but I don't really know.  Honestly, I had to deal with more resentment towards my parents for not preparing me to recognize a dysfunctional system such as the Assembly.  I also had to deal with resentment when I see what my son is doing in the Navy and realizing that at his age I was giving my all to what I thought at the time was the work of the Lord. 

But I think this is all part of my spiritual growth where I am accepting the things I cannot change, changing the things I can, and asking God for wisdom to know the difference.

Open rebuke is better than secret love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:5,6)

I was reading this and thought of Jesus right before his crucifixion.  He openly rebuked Peter, saying
"Get thee behind me Satan", when Peter tried to say his suffering was unnecessary.  He then tells Peter
"Before the cock crows you will deny me three times", faithfully "wounding" him in the process by being so completely honest with Peter, knowing his heart.   And then lastly, Judas, who betrays Jesus, becoming an "enemy" betraying his master with a kiss.

But Jesus, true to his word that one should even love his enemies says to Judas:

Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and he kissed him. 
Jesus answered him, "Friend, do what you have come for." (Matt. 26:49,50)

He calls Judas "friend" despite his treachery---but also fulfilling prophecy as it says "my own familiar friend..has lifted up his heal against me". 

This morning I read the cheery passage about Elijah who, when taunted by some kids, cursed them so a bear massacred forty-two of the young children.

The commentary in my Bible says, "Not all ancient writers, to say nothing of modern, would have told a story like this to inculcate respect for a prophet.  Mt 19:13-15, Mk 10:13-16, Lk 18:15-17 provides a better guide to Biblical teaching on how to treat children."  Ya think?

Maybe its just me but I had to laugh out loud this morning thinking of this poor Bible-notes writer who went into work one morning and realized to himself, "Goodness!  What on earth am I supposed to write about this passage?!?"

Just another "precious promise", I guess.

Dave---

No big deal---but actually it was Elisha, not Elijah who cursed the children:

And he [Elisha] went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. 2 Kings 2:23-24

I have to be honest these verses have bothered me for a long time.  It is rather drastic, but the children were literally mocking Elisha, while also mocking God---"go up thou bald head!!" is in reference to Elijah being carried up into heaven.  We're the children mocking the prophet for his baldness, but also mocking the truth of Elijah's ascension into heaven?  It's a bit like the people saying to Jesus "He saved others, why doesn't he save himself??? Come down from the cross if you're so powerful!!"    These children were saying "If you're such a powerful prophet go up into heaven then just like Elijah did!! Ha!! Ha!!"(you can imagine the mocking tone).   So as terrible as the bear attack is, it is a type of the wrath of God upon willful mockers.  We are not told if God condoned this curse or not though.


But as I mentioned once before, if there had been a "Hair Club for Men" in Elisha's day, maybe those kids would have lived out there days instead of becoming food for the bears.  ;)

Typo.  I was thinking Elisha but typed Elijah (this was just after the passing of the mantle).  I guess I just chock it up as the same thing as wishing to smash Babylonian children upon the rocks.  Good think Dobson came along to straighten all this out.

I have heard preaching that the word "children" in this passage could actually be translated "young men". In other words, they may not have been kids who just needed a good whack on their back side, but grown men who knew better. That seems to make a little more sense.

Yeah, they were back and forth on that one in the commentaries. All depends on what assumptions you make.

One thing that has really intrigued me about that verse is what slow runners those
children/young men were.  There were only two bears and they maimed or killed 42 of them.
That's quite a few people for two bears to maul.

The old proverb does apply though:  "insult not a bare-headed man, lest bears be headed for you"
(Hezekiah  11:13)

I haven't read the commentaries and I don't know what Dobson says that straightens this out, so maybe I'm off the wall here, but is there a chance Elisha was wrong to curse them? As I understand it, cursing someone in the name of the Lord means turning them over to satan, which of course, satan is happy to act on. Maybe it just shows that a prophet isn't immune from a sin of temper which he will regret for the rest of his life.

Margaret---

I think you may be right about it being wrong for Elisha to curse them.  Atheists and Bible
de-bunkers, or those who label God as "cruel" have a field day with this scripture though. Even
if you tell them Elisha was wrong to curse them, they ask then how could God, due to Elisha's fit
of temper allow bears to maim or kill 42 children as a result, and then still use Elisha as his
prophet?  It really is a difficult passage to try to explain--even though God may not have willed
any of it to happen.

The comment about Dobson was an attempt at a joke (as if he would give the parents Dare to Discipline instead of sending a bear after their kids).

I come from that perspective.  When I read How To read the Bible for All Its Worth, I learned that narrative just tells us what happened.  It really doesn't always comment on whether what happened was good or bad, right or wrong.  You could even make the argument I suppose that the Psalm about "dashing their children upon the stones" was an expression of the Psalmist's anger which God may not necessarily support in that situation.

So did Elisha curse the children according to the will of God or did he respond in a fit of anger showing us that even God's servants have flaws and character defects.  We can only speculate.  Not enough information.

I think you may be right about it being wrong for Elisha to curse them.  Atheists and Bible
de-bunkers, or those who label God as "cruel" have a field day with this scripture though. Even
if you tell them Elisha was wrong to curse them, they ask then how could God, due to Elisha's fit
of temper allow bears to maim or kill 42 children as a result, and then still use Elisha as his
prophet?  It really is a difficult passage to try to explain--even though God may not have willed
any of it to happen.
Why would you tell them Elisha was wrong when you don't know that for sure. God's word stands true and we don't need to justify things even when we aren't sure. Remember when the Lord said to Peter, "get thee behind me satan", it was because Peter was spouting out worldly logic. I think you telling Atheists that it possibly was not God's will, when the Scriptures don't say that, is using worldly logic.

What I hear you saying is that it is spiritual logic to say it was God's will and worldly logic it wasn't.

What I am saying is that there is no indication in the text one way or the other.  It is a narrative giving no commentary whether it was a good or bad thing.  It just tells us what happened.

In the Assembly, we always felt compelled to spin all the good-guys actions as good and all the bad-guys action as bad.  So we say Elisha's cursing children is good and Jonathan's departing from David and fighting with Saul as bad.  But in these cases, is there really anything that says one way or the other?

That's right, so why tell people the Elisha was wrong, when we don't know.

That's right, so why tell people Elisha was right when we don't know.

We don't do either. I was reponding to Joe saying he tells atheists Elisha was wrong.

Just started--

 ;D   I don't make it a habit of telling atheists Elisha was wrong. In a conversation with an
atheist, or a person saying the Bible is contradictory, one makes an effort to answer their
questions at times.  This verse about the bears is one they use frequently to call God "cruel".

God needs no defending, but it is only natural to take a stab at it, and give the interpretations that
the scholars have given concerning the verse.

These include:  1)God is showing that the Prophet represents him, and the young men were "mocking" God when they were mocking Elisha, so Elisha's judgment upon them was warranted because God's honor and glory had been questioned. 2) The young men were scorning Elisha in unbelief, saying "go up thou bald head!", as they knew the "story" of Elijah ascending into heaven, but did not believe it.  Elisha's judgment was due to their unbelief.  3) Elisha himself cursed them because of being incensed at their disrespect for God---but God himself did not give the order to curse the children. Thus, as Margaret said, Elisha's anger got the better of him, and he had to live with it the rest of his life.

But to an atheist, all of these arguments will be turned around.  I was simply saying that if you were to use the last explanation concerning Elisha's anger showing that even the greatest of prophets is prone to weakness, they will say "Why would God allow bears to kill children, and continue to let Elisha represent him as a prophet?"

Many Bible verses can be discussed with Atheists, and explained to them better. I was saying that this verse is very hard to defend in any way, and most of the time all you can say is "I really don't know the interpretation for that, or why bears killed 42 children" to which they reply "well if there is a God he knows--and he must be awfully cruel to let something like that happen".    It's an argument that cannot be won.  That's all I was saying.   ;D

juststarted (post before Joe's)

Great.  Now that you accepted that, the next step is to see that in discussion it is valid to say to an atheist (as Margaret suggested) "it is possible that Elisha is wrong".  It is not worldly logic as you suggest.  It is the natural outflow of discussing a passage where we don't know whether the character did the right thing or the wrong thing.

(I would add, it has been decades since I "argued" with an atheist.  These are more my thoughts to settle this passage in my own mind).

Folks,

It is important not to forget that the events you are discussing, (Elisha and the children), took place somewhere around 800-900 BC.  We have a tendency to evaluate what we read in the Bible by the standards of a culture that has had the benefit of 2000 years of Christian history, and 1500 years of OT history before that.

The people that Moses brought out of Egypt around 3500 years ago, give or take a century, were ancient Near Eastern pagans.  Their culture was much like that of the Bedoins that we see in movies like "Lawrence of Arabia".  Superstitious beliefs and practices, no concept of people having rights, fear of curses and spells, slavery and concubinage, social mores enforced through violence and brutality.  All through Israel's history these things were constant problems.  The Temple worship we read about was the official religion.  What the people believed and did was another matter entirely.  If you don't believe me, read Judges 19!!!

Another example of how our cultural understandings can be a problem is the parable of the prodigal son.  To us, asking your father to give you your inheritance early and then wasting it is disrespectful and dumb.  In the ancient world what he did was viewed as an unforgivable offense that put him outside  of all family obligations.  (Remember, under the law a child who cursed his father could be stoned). So, the parable had a much more powerful effect on the original hearers than it does on us.  We see kindess and mercy in the father.  They saw this, but to an astonishing degree.  What for us is an illustration, for them was an alteration of their mental paradigm!

So, we have to remember two things: First, our sensibilities about fairness, human rights, and morality in general are strongly influenced by our culture.  Second, God makes the rules, not us.  If an atheist gripes about what Elisha did, instead of trying to excuse God you might want to remind him that our God is a consuming fire.

Blessings,

Tom Maddux

Tom---

Thanks.  But when I "discuss" with atheists I don't try to "excuse God" for anything. If I am
involved in a discussion with 5 people (which has happened at work), 4 of them unbelievers, and one  confirmed atheist, and the atheist brings up Elisha and the bears, "our God is a consuming fire" may be a nice and very true statement, but it is not going to answer the question for the 4 unbelievers who are
waiting to see what the defintion is concerning those bears. In fact "our God is a consuming fire" is most likely going to have them saying "what??"

And it is only going to add fuel to the fire for the atheist who posed the question in his deceit.  What most likely will happen is that some of the unbelievers may go to the internet to find the interpretation, and most likely face the same definitions that I might posit to them in front of the atheist. It's a matter of "defending the faith" in that case.  This verse is extremely difficult to explain to those WANTING a sincere answer. A "pat" answer will not do it for these seeking some kind of explanation for the verses.

So, I can offer them the explanations that commentators have given, and add "but I really don't know the explanation" and try to point them to other verses filled with the mercy of God, and his call to them to come to Jesus. All I was saying, and continue to say, is that this verse with Elisha and the bears is one of the most difficult verses to discuss or explain when used as ammunition to "prove" God is cruel, etc.

On the one hand,  those asking are "expecting" some sort of answer---and not some patented response that they don't really understand,  and yet on the other hand, trying to find that answer is extremely difficult. I don't think a discussion about "culture" is going to make the cut. Though I do appreciate what you have to say about ancient culture.   The atheist is saying God is cruel----our "I don't know" as an explanation, or a pat "our God is a consuming fire" won't cut it with the (4) unbelievers waiting with baited breath for our response.   I'm not arguing your point, just being sincere about real situations.   ;)

Joe,

A good tactic to use when the munching bears are brought up is to ask the atheist, "What is wrong with what Elisha did?"  He will then proceed to tell you how bad Elisha was, unfair, extreme, cruel and so on, and God was even worse for having empowered him.

So, you just ask him, "Since you believe God and Elisha did something wrong, would you please explain why it is wrong.  (In his worldview, nothing CAN be wrong with anything!)  So, if he admits that right and wrong objectively exist, he has just handed you an excellent argument for God's existence.  (Someone has to make the rules)

Or, if he says there is no such thing as right and wrong, you can ask him if he actually lives according to what he believes is true.  (Atheists frequently criticize Christians for being intolerant.) He doesn't, and you can point that out. Point out that atheists really don't live as if atheism is true...so  why should anyone be an atheist.

Tom M.

Tom---

Nice argument, but remember we have (4) witnesses.  The atheist is going to say "the burden of
proof is not on me.  You are the one saying God is loving and merciful. According to who you say God is there is something VERY wrong about what Elisha did, and what God allowed.  For making
fun of a bald man Elisha cursed the children, and bears came out and slew 42 of them!!"

Asking the atheist why what Elisha did was wrong is only going to make the (4) witnesses shake their heads in wonder that you could be so callous as to not realize how cruel the situation is.  "What's wrong with what Elisha did?" they ask in amazement, "are you kidding us?"  "He maimed or killed 42 children because they insulted him!!"

I understand where you are coming from Tom, and I understand your argument when dealing with moral absolutes. And it would be great if it were just you and the atheist having the conversation. But often that is not the case.

But hey----we could go back and forth with this forever.  ;D  I just try to stay away from conversations dealing with Elisha and the bears, because I to this day cannot answer for what purpose that event happened, or give a good explanation for it.


Sing to theme of Yogi Bear:

Elisha's Bears are smarter than the average bears,
They defend the absence of the prophet's hair.
At a public cursing you will find them there
Stuffing down more children than the average bears.

They will sleep till noon but before it's dark,
They'll maim all the mocking children that are in the park.

They all have it better than a millionaire
That's because they're smarter than the average bears.

Sorry---couldn't resist.   ;D

Joe,

In real life, I have found that the majority of atheists are quite taken aback by having their basic assumptions challenged.  The burden of proof is on the person making the assertion.  If the atheist has made the assertion that Elisha or God did something wrong, just ask him how he knows this.

If he goes to the "you say God is loving and kind" argument that you reference, I would ask him who said that.  That is certainly not all that Christians believe about God.  Christians believe that God is merciful and good, but that is not all.  We also believe that he is powerful and just. Remember, most of what we know about hell comes from the public teaching of Jesus.  If you mocked the men who God sent to speak for him, you were mocking God.  The culture into which the story of Elisha and the bears was spoken would have understood this.

Tom M

Tom---

Again---I understand your argument. I have also, many times, told atheists that not only is
God merciful and loving, he is also powerful and just. But again, let's get real here---we are
talking about a prophet who is insulted about his bald head, who then looks upon the "children",
and then bears come forth and "tear" 42 of them.  Even if one mentions that God is powerful and just,
it is a bit hard to explain that an insult would result in the maiming, or deaths of "children" or "young
men" (as if this would justify the deaths).

If I ask the atheist "how do you know this is wrong?" I myself am faced with asking a question which is a form of defense for something I myself find to be absolutely cruel.  Now----I believe the Bible, and I believe God has his reasons for doing what he does----but I have never understood why it was necessary for bears to kill or maim 42 children due to an insult myself.  When I MYSELF read the passage I am siezed with the immediate thought "WHY?"   If one wants to be beyond questioning (not saying you are doing this Tom) for themselves this passage, and feels they are so "holy" that they will never question the Bible, fine and good. But I myself have often
wondered at this passage, and asked myself if it REALLY happened---if it should be taken literally---or is it placed
as a figurative example of something else.  Again--just being honest. I trust God knows what he is doing----and I
believe the Bible is his Holy Word----but I still question the verse---it's hard not to.

I can remember thinking as a child that this was a rather strong punishment for the mocking children, but back then (when people were given kind of a "one chance" to obey God or the earth swallowed them up, or they were stoned) it showed me the seriousness of what these children were really doing. Verbally mocking God's servant?? As a group of 42?? Directly to his face?? That's pretty heavy. (unless I've been really brainwashed by the GG regime of cruelty to children, this is a step even beyond total lack of respect.) I wonder how they treated their parents at home.

What would cause "innocent", naive children to do that? These were children of God's children at that time. So something had gone seriously awry. Didn't the demonically controlled people of the NT have the same kind of disrespectful attitude towards Jesus? "what do you have to do with us......?"

Just my thoughts on this.