Training up a Child Today

Training up a Child Today

The Ten Commandments were written on tablets of stone. The Laws were verbally given to the people at proscribed times in proscribed ways. There was no TV, internet, or I-phone and only a small percentage of the people actually knew how to read. Multigenerational families lived together and shared responsibility for maintaining family values and mores.

“These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

The commandment to repeat these words to your children supposes that there will be time spent together in order to talk to one another.

I looked around during a recent visit by my grandchildren. The youngest was busy with a game on the WII. The oldest boy was playing an international strategy game and my granddaughter was doing something on her phone that I have absolutely no understanding of.

We did come together for dinner and lively conversation and I realized that I just didn’t have the patience to sit and complain about the way things used to be because, to tell the truth, things weren‘t so great “back in the good old days.”

I live in a different age and I feel it is my responsibility to find ways to share the Word and Spirit of God with my grandchildren in ways that they can hear.

“…clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

Decisions in our lives are presented in light of spiritual values as a fact of life. We talk about our obligations to each other and to the greater community in the spirit of the Christian way.

I do e-mails and text messages. I’ve bought almost every Veggie-Tales and Thomas The Train DVD and watch them with the grandchildren. We have heated discussions about the related themes and scriptures and values and I get to learn a lot about what the children think about many issues. My grandchildren can find related scripture and commentaries on the internet 100 times faster than I ever could in books and their resources are not limited to our library.

There is nothing preachy going on here and I am so very far from perfection but it warms my heart when I hear Christian values coming out of the mouths of every one of my grandchildren.

Proverbs 22:6 (King James Version)
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

My younger granddaughter put it this way: “I may not always do what you say, but I always know what I should do.” I believe she knows because we spend time in her real world dealing with real issues.

Ephesians 6:4 (New International Version)
4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
It is my role to provide instruction in The Way. It is my role to find ways that are relevant to my children in this time
I thank You, Lord for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I thank You, Lord, for giving me an open mind and flexibility that encourages communication about your Word. I thank You, Lord, for resources that help me to reach people I do not know and may never see with encouragement about your blessings and promises.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Getting Updates

Getting Updates

2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Anyone who works with computers knows that the computer has to be updated from time to time in order to function properly. The designers of the computers know that they will be learning more and more about ways to make the programs function more efficiently. These updates are a free and expected benefit and obligation involved in the use of computers.

Most users set their computers to automatically accept new updates. Those with more savvy in working with computers may choose to selectively decide which updates to install.

When we accept Christ into our lives we are like brand new computers. We function at lightening fast speed, we are open for massive input of information. We have expansive unused space to receive The Word on our “hard drives”.

Do we keep that high level of functioning over the months and years? Are we as hungry for data, for input as we were in the early days of our acceptance into the Body of Christ?

The bible is clear, from the old testament to the new, that we have an obligation to study the word of God, to continue getting updates. Some examples are:

Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

When we stay immersed in God’s Word we begin to understand that it is not natural knowledge that we seek but wisdom guided by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (New International Version)
Wisdom From the Spirit
6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"
10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

We must continue to seek God’s wisdom for our lives. We must be willing to put in the time to receive what God has so freely given us.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (New International Version)
23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.

It is my desire to be one of those in whom the Lord delights.

I always like to share good resources when I find them. There is a wonderful and simple “guide to studying the bible” at http://bible.org/article/studying-scriptures. It is not the be all and end all, but it is a good organizer for those who need help in developing a plan of “updating”.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

The Gift of Sleep

Isaiah 40:28-31 (New King James Version)
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

How can we run and not be weary, walk and not faint unless we place our trust in God and are renewed by the restful sleep that only He can provide?

Psalm 127 (New International Version)
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

If you have never suffered from insomnia you might not know the precious value of sleep. Peaceful sleep is truly a gift from God. Sleep that is without worry, without tossing and turning; sleep that refreshes and renews readying you to enjoy the blessing of a new day is truly more precious than gold.

Here I go again to the Psalms. David had a good understanding of the things that got in the way of the blessing of sleep as well as the way to return and capture this gift from God.

Psalm 4:8 (New International Version)
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

I found this wonderfully simple prayer of comfort which I wish to share.

“Dear Lord,
I need you now because I am full of stress and anxiety. Reading your Word brings comfort, as I ask you to come and take my heavy burdens. I take each burden, one by one, and lay them at your feet. Please carry them for me so that I don't have to. Replace them with your humble and gentle yoke so that I will find rest for my soul today. I receive your gift of peace of mind and heart. Thank you that I can lie down tonight in peace and sleep. I know that you, Lord, will keep me safe. I am not afraid because you are always with me. Please keep me daily, Lord, in your perfect peace.
Amen” http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersforspecificneeds/a/stressanxiety.htm

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I invite you to accept this wonderful gift, freely given by our Lord.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

I'VE GOT A FEELING (EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT)

I'VE GOT A FEELING (EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT)©

I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Oh, I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Yeah, be alright, be alright, be alright

Yeah, I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Oh, I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright, gonna be alright
I've got a feeling everything's gonna be alright
Oh, be alright, be alright, be alright

Wait a minute
My mother told me everything's gonna be alright
My mother told me everything's gonna be alright
My mother told me everything's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright, be alright, be alright

I was waken in the middle of the night with God telling me “Everything’s gonna be alright” I feel a comfort in my spirit knowing that He has me securely under His wings.

Psalm 23 (King James Version)
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A psalm of David.
23The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The words of David comfort my heart again. I thank You, Lord,.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

The Body of Christ

The Body of Christ
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(Beginning today you may share this work with a friend simply by clicking a button on the bottom. I hope to learn more and more effective ways to present this work as we go along. This is all a part of the process of studying because we want everything we do for the kingdom to be worthy of approval.)

When my granddaughter and I saw the movie “The Book of Eli” she asked if it were possible for someone to remember the entire bible. I know two women who can almost quote the bible verbatim. These are women who have truly studied and I know that, if God placed it on their hearts to do this, they would be able to quote the bible verbatim.

That is not my gift .

It may not be yours.

1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (New International Version)
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

But I don’t believe it diminishes our gifts in any way. We must each find the role within the body that God has assigned to us. We must find our role and pursue it with diligence.

Ephesians 4
Unity in the Body of Christ
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

My dad was accustomed to saying “Sweetie, if you plan to be a ditch digger, plan to be the best ditch digger on the planet”. As parts of the Body of Christ, be we ears, toes, arms or nose, we must plan to be the best part of the body that is within our reach.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

I believe the easiest way to accomplish this is to give it over to God in prayer and to be wiling to follow as He leads. Asking God daily “What would You have me to do? Then being willing to put the time in to prepare for the work seems to be the way.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (New International Version)
22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

I thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a member of the body. I thank You, Lord, for giving me work to do as a member of the body I ask that You keep my mind clear and focused on You.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Refuge under the wings of the Lord

Refuge under the wings of the Lord

I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear

As I study today I am led to the book of Ruth, and to the story of a woman who was an outsider but who was taken under your wings of refuge.

Most of the studies of the book of Ruth that I have heard concentrated on her relationship with her mother-in-law and her devotion to this woman. It is through this relationship that she is introduced to the Most High God.

Many have been introduced to God but not all have stayed to form a relationship. For some of us I think the difference is the fervent prayers of a righteous person; but it is also important that there be fertile ground. I believe that Ruth’s spirit provided fertile ground upon which the seeds of Naomi’s prayers could be cultivated.

Ruth 2 (New International Version)
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

James 5:16 New International Version (©1984)
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.

Proverbs 15:29 (New International Version)
29 The LORD is far from the wicked
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Father; God, I come this morning in prayer requesting simply to be kept securely under Your wings of refuge. I know that within your arms of protection no harm can befall me. I sincerely thank You for all you are in my life. I thank you for the sincere prayers that were lifted up for me for so many years. I thank you for the grace extended to me when you brought me into the fold of your love. I thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of Your Word every day.

I thank you for friends and family and the comfort of fellowship.

I am so grateful that my grandchildren know about the power of prayer. I thank you so much for planting me in a church where sincere prayer is so much a part of the fellowship. I thank you for the Tabernacle of Higher Learning Prayer Box and your attentive ear to the prayers of the righteous.

I thank you for the warmth and comfort of love, love of family and love of friends.

I ask you now, Father God, to extend your arms of protection around all of those I love. I ask you to bring them under your wings of refuge. I ask that you place them in the right place with the right attitude for a spark to be lit that shows them the path to you.

I ask You, God, to make my life a quiet witness to You that draws my loved ones and provides them opportunities to know the wonder of your love..

I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Gratitude and Praise

Gratitude and Praise

I want to make sure that my songs of praise are sincere, that I take time out of the busy day that my God has made to say a heartfelt “Thank You Lord". I met a stranger in the hotel lobby this morning who just praised “another beautiful day the Lord has given us.” His words were a reminder to me of the wonder and glory of God and my need to say Thank You.

James 1:17 (New International Version)
17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Thank you. Lord.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why you feel so good when you are praising and thanking God? I am amazed at the joy I receive from praising my God. I think about the poor folk who think it must be a burden to worship God, who wonder why anyone would want to start their day in prayer and worship and I think, how jealous they would be if they knew the pure joy in worshipping The Lord.

Psalm 9
A psalm of David.
1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

David says, “I will be glad and rejoice in you.” He acknowledges that praising God makes him feel happy. What a wonder this is.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD -Judy Marshall, BMI

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD
FOR EVERY TIME YOU HEARD ME PRAY
JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE
WHEN I WAS SO DOWN AND OUT
YOU CAME ALONG AND MADE ME WANT TO SHOUT
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD

IF I HAD A THOUSAND LIVES TO LIVE
I'D GIVE THEM ALL TO MY LORD
HE'S BEEN SO GOOD TO ME
HE'S MADE THE GOOD TIMES OUT NUMBER THE BAD
HE'S BEEN THE BEST FRIEND THAT I EVER HAD
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD
FOR EVERY TIME YOU HEARD ME PRAY
JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE
WHEN I WAS SO DOWN AND OUT
YOU CAME ALONG AND MADE ME WANT TO SHOUT
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)
16Be joyful always;
17pray continually;
18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

At our church we recite an affirmation acknowledging that our offerings are a portion of the bounty that God provides.

Our gifts of praise and thanksgiving must also be recognized as a portion of the bounty of joy that God provides. We give him praise out of the overwhelming love that He has so freely given to us.

Thank You Lord.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!


Contentment in God

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (New International Version)
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

May today be all you need it to be.
May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams and conquer all your fears.
May God manifest Himself today in ways you have never experienced.
May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer and your prayers be answered.
I pray that faith enters a new height for you;
I pray that your territory is enlarged.
I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.

This wonderful prayer is one that I repeat often. It holds such promise and reassurance for those of us who lean on the promises of God.

We remember that God promises to care for us, especially to place us in a position where we can be of benefit to others.

Hebrews 13 (New King James Version)
Concluding Moral Directions
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

I continue to be thankful for opportunities to be of service to others through many of the ministries we have at our church. I am thankful for opportunities to be of service in many small individual ways. I realize that helping others takes the focus off me and my wants, allowing me to spend more energy in God’s will and in His way.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:

“ The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

Remember…

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

The Armor of God

Attitude!

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home, a hospital. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes. Author Unknown

1 Corinthians 2:9-12 (New International Version)
9However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"—
10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Today’s blog is a confession and a cleansing for my soul. I hope it will be a benefit to someone, but admit that it is primarily my need for forgiveness that prompts this writing.

My pastor and I have a special relationship based on our mutual love of the Word. She knows that when she gives me the scripture for the weekly bulletin I not only type the bulletin, I research and enjoy the passages.

She excitedly shared with me last week her joy in a new look at the book of Jonah which we were studying in vacation bible school. This is a blessing we often share. She was speechless when I took affront and walked away.

I missed a blessing that I valued because I allowed Satan a toe hold and he gladly stole my joy.

God led me today to a web site http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine45&item=1162760746 entitled Seven Satanic Deceptions By Richard F. Ames.

Deception 6: Bitterness
"If we are not careful to watch our feelings, we can become bitter. Perhaps someone offends us. Then the hurt feeling turns into a grudge."

I speak often of my gratitude for “gentle reprimands” from God. This was an example. God could have allowed my loses to multiply as Satan blinded me to my part in this mess. Instead, He mercifully led me to a light; and, although I am uncomfortable facing my own stuff, I am grateful that I can acknowledge my transgression and publicly ask forgiveness with sincere humility.

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled" (Hebrews 12:14–15).
I know that God will handle my problems if i take responsibility for my attitude and stay out of His way. I know that Satan is on a short leash and I need only to keep on the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-20 (New International Version)
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.)

John 12:31 (New International Version)
31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation 12:9).

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10).

I do humble myself in the sight of the Lord.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God's Amazing Grace

God's Amazing Grace
1 Chronicles 17 (New International Version)
David's Prayer
16 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
"Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?
17 And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God.

Amazing Grace Lyrics
John Newton (1725-1807)
Stanza 6 anon.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Ephesians 2:4-10 (New International Version)
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9not by works, so that no one can boast.
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I thank you, Lord Jesus, for your Amazing Grace. I thank you for your infinite mercy. I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I thank you, Lord.

God not only saw fit to save wretch like me, but also saw fit to provide me with a ministry that fills my heart with joy. I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see. How wonderful it is to see God in everything. How wonderful it is to wake and know that He is with me.

I have an obligation to sing God’s praises to the world. This is such a little thing to do in gratitude for God’s great Grace and Mercy. I truly feel that “God has spoken about the future of the house of your servant.”

I am continually blessed when I see one grandchild preparing to teach youngsters on Sunday with a smile in her heart and without urging from anyone. It is so wonderful to hear her personal relationship with God. God has truly blessed “the future of the house of His servant.”

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

John 3:16-21 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

I thank God for His word. I thank God for songs to warm and comfort. I thank God for all He is in my life. I hope His word is a blessing and comfort to you.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Worship God, focusing on Him

Worship God, focusing on Him

John 4:24 (New International Version)
24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

This morning was spent looking at the topic “One Nation Under God”, a topic that seems to be splitting our nation apart at this time. What I read, both the advocates and the opponents of acknowledging God in any way in public life, was the source of my troubled spirit today.

As I reviewed some of the current news on the subject of separation of church and state I kept coming back to the phrase, Worship God, focusing on Him. I realize that the issue of church and state is not a place where I can have an impact at this time and may not be where God wants my energy today so I gladly return to the peace and instruction of the scriptures.

I want to spend this morning in true worship of God. I want to worship in spirit and in truth.

“Worshipping God "in spirit" means with reverence, attentiveness, and having the right purpose of honoring God, while understanding what we are doing.” http://www.netbiblestudy.net/worship/lesson_2.htm

Hebrews 12:28-29 "Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."

1 Corinthians 6:20 "For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

Worshiping in spirit and in truth means letting go of some of the garbage I brought with me this morning. Worshipping in truth means acknowledging the anger and unforgiving attitude I still had when I sat here, asking God’s forgiveness first then asking His help in seeking peace with my sisters in Christ.

When my soul is troubled I find great comfort in the Psalms. David, and other writers of the Psalms truly had a handle on praising God, seeking his blessings and acknowledging their shortcomings.

Psalm 119:65-72 (New International Version)
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, O LORD.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.

God did not give me these verses to just put in a blog and forget. I believe I was given specific scriptures because I needed them to strengthen my own walk and I pray that they may be of benefit for someone else.

I thank you, God, for all you are in my life. I thank you, God, for your patience as I try to grow in your way. I thank you, God, for the guidance in your word, the comfort in your word and even for continuing gentle reprimands.

As my dear friend says “God is not finished with me yet”, and I say “thank God”.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (New King James Version)
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

God is Jehovah-shalom. This name means “the God of peace.” I must remember this whenever I become a part of confusion. My God is not the author of confusion, He is the God of peace.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is El-Shaddai

25.God is El-Shaddai. This name means “God Almighty.” It is best understood as God who is all-sufficient and all-bountiful—the source of all blessings, fullness, and fruitfulness.
Genesis 49:22-26 (New International Version)
22 "Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine near a spring,
whose branches climb over a wall.
23 With bitterness archers attacked him;
they shot at him with hostility.
24 But his bow remained steady,
his strong arms stayed limber,
because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob,
because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,
25 because of your father's God, who helps you,
because of the Almighty, who blesses you
with blessings of the heavens above,
blessings of the deep that lies below,
blessings of the breast and womb.
26 Your father's blessings are greater
than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
than the bounty of the age-old hills.
Let all these rest on the head of Joseph,
on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm

Woke up this mornin with my mind
Stayin on Jesus
Woke up this morning with my mind
Stayin on The Lord
Woke up this mornin with my mind
Stayin on Jesus
Halelu-Halelu-Halelu-lah

I wake in the morning anticipating the message from God. I wake most mornings with a song in my heart, songs of praise, songs of thanksgiving, and I don’t have words to explain the simple joy in my heart.

My God is truly El-Shaddai, the source of all blessings, fullness, and fruitfulness.

I am one of God’s children who is truly grateful when I wake up in the morning, grateful simply because I woke up. Then I count every other gift received during the course of the day as gravy because I already have been blessed for the day.

I have strolled through some of the names and attributes of Our God over the last few days. I have been led to scriptures which enlighten and warm the heart, songs of praise and thanksgiving, and sermons and blogs from others who are committed to sharing praises to God.

Proverbs 18:10 (New International Version)
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.

I have found myself in tears many times (I still have to explore this thing with tears), tears of pure joy because I do feel safe in the name of the Lord.

I have not written about the complete list of the names and attributes of God. If I missed your favorite, please feel free to share with us.

If any of these have warmed your heart, feel free to share with us.

Psalm 8:1-2(New International Version)
For the director of music. According to gittith .
A psalm of David.1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

My eight year old grandson asked for a list of the names of God. I found this list for him and share it with you at the end of this message.
I hope it is a blessing to you.

THE NAMES OF GOD
OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD
ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1
meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.
ADONAI......Malachi 1:6
meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God.
JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4
a reference to God's divine salvation.
JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13
meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier"
JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1
meaning "The Lord my shepherd"
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35
meaning "The Lord who is present"
JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26
meaning "The Lord our healer"
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6
meaning "The Lord our righteousness"
JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14
meaning "The Lord will provide"
JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15
meaning "The Lord our banner"
JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24
meaning "The Lord is peace"
JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3
meaning "The Lord of Hosts"
JEHOVAH-GMOLAH........Jeremiah 51:6
meaning "The God of Recompense"
EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14
meaning "The most high God
EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13
meaning "The strong one who sees"
EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1
meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty"
EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31
meaning "The everlasting God"

MORE NAMES OF GOD
ABBA.............................Romans 8:15
ADVOCATE.........................I John 2:1 (kjv)
ALMIGHTY.........................Genesis 17:1
ALPHA............................Revelation 22:13
AMEN.............................Revelation 3:14
ANCIENT OF DAYS..................Daniel 7:9
ANOINTED ONE.....................Psalm 2:2
APOSTLE..........................Hebrews 3:1
ARM OF THE LORD..................Isaiah 53:1
AUTHOR OF LIFE...................Acts 3:15
AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH..............Hebrews 12:2

BEGINNING.........................Revelation 21:6
BLESSED & HOLY RULER..............1 Timothy 6:15
BRANCH............................Jeremiah 33:15
BREAD OF GOD......................John 6:33
BREAD OF LIFE.....................John 6:35
BRIDEGROOM........................Isaiah 62:56
BRIGHT MORNING STAR...............Revelation 22:16

CHIEF SHEPHERD.....................1 Peter 5:4
CHOSEN ONE.........................Isaiah 42:1
CHRIST.............................Matthew 22:42
CHRIST OF GOD......................Luke 9:20
CHRIST THE LORD....................Luke 2:11
CHRIST, SON OF LIVING GOD..........Matthew 16:16
COMFORTER..........................John 14:26(kjv)
COMMANDER..........................Isaiah 55:4
CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL...............Luke 2:25
CONSUMING FIRE......................Deut. 4:24, Heb. 12:29
CORNERSTONE.........................Isaiah 28:16
COUNSELOR...........................Isaiah 9:6
CREATOR.............................1 Peter 4:19

DELIVERER..............................Romans 11:26
DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS.................Haggai 2:7
DOOR...................................John 10:7(kjv)

END....................................Revelation 21:6
ETERNAL GOD............................Deut. 33:27
EVERLASTING FATHER.....................Isaiah 9:6

FAITHFUL & TRUE........................Revelation 19:11
FAITHFUL WITNESS.......................Revelation 1:5
FATHER.................................Matthew 6:9
FIRSTBORN (3)........................................Rom.8:29,Rev.1:5,Col.1:15
FIRSTFRUITS............................1 Cor.15:20-23
FOUNDATION.............................1 Cor. 3:11
FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS & SINNERS.....Matthew 11:19

GENTLE WHISPER.........................1 Kings 19:12
GIFT OF GOD............................John 4:10
GLORY OF THE LORD......................Isaiah 40:5
GOD....................................Genesis 1:1
GOD ALMIGHTY...........................Genesis 17:1
GOD OVER ALL...........................Romans 9:5
GOD WHO SEES ME........................Genesis 16:13
GOOD SHEPHERD..........................John 10:11
GREAT HIGH PRIEST......................Hebrews 4:14
GREAT SHEPHERD.........................Hebrews 13:20
GUIDE..................................Psalm 48:14

HEAD OF THE BODY.......................Colossians 1:18
HEAD OF THE CHURCH.....................Ephesians 5:23
HEIR OF ALL THINGS.....................Hebrews 1:2
HIGH PRIEST............................Hebrews 3:1
HIGH PRIEST FOREVER....................Hebrews 6:20
HOLY ONE...............................Acts 2:27
HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.....................Isaiah 49:7
HOLY SPIRIT............................John 15:26
HOPE...................................Titus 2:13
HORN OF SALVATION......................Luke 1:69

I AM....................................Exodus 3:14, John 8:58
IMAGE OF GOD............................2 Cor. 4:4
IMAGE OF HIS PERSON.....................Hebrews 1:3 (kjv)
IMMANUEL................................Isaiah 7:14

JEALOUS..............................Exodus 34:14 (kjv)
JEHOVAH..............................Psalm 83:18 (kjv)
JESUS................................Matthew 1:21
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD................Romans 6:23
JUDGE................................Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42

KING.................................Zechariah 9:9
KING ETERNAL.........................1 Timothy 1:17
KING OF KINGS........................1 Timothy 6:15
KING OF THE AGES.....................Revelation 15:3

LAMB OF GOD...........................John 1:29
LAST ADAM.............................1 Cor. 15:45
LAWGIVER..............................Isaiah 33:22
LEADER................................Isaiah 55:4
LIFE..................................John 14:6
LIGHT OF THE WORLD....................John 8:12
LIKE AN EAGLE.........................Deut. 32:11
LILY OF THE VALLEYS...................Song 2:1
LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH............Revelation 5:5
LIVING STONE..........................1 Peter 2:4
LIVING WATER..........................John 4:10
LORD..................................John 13:13
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.....................Revelation 15:3
LORD JESUS CHRIST.....................1 Cor. 15:57
LORD OF ALL...........................Acts 10:36
LORD OF GLORY ........................1 Cor. 2:8
LORD OF LORDS.........................1 Tim. 6:15
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS..............Jeremiah 23:6
LOVE.................................1 John 4:8

MAN OF SORROWS.........................Isaiah 53:3
MASTER..................................Luke 5:5
MEDIATOR................................1 Timothy 2:5
MERCIFUL GOD............................Jeremiah 3:12
MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT................Malachi 3:1
MESSIAH................................. John 4:25
MIGHTY GOD...............................Isaiah 9:6
MIGHTY ONE...............................Isaiah 60:16

NAZARENE.................................Matthew 2:23

OFFSPRING OF DAVID.......................Revelation 22:16
OMEGA....................................Revelation 22:13
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON........................John 1:18(kjv)
OUR PASSOVER LAMB........................1 Cor. 5:7
OUR PEACE................................Ephesians 2:14

POTTER...................................Isaiah 64:8
POWER OF GOD.............................1 Cor. 1:24
PRINCE OF PEACE..........................Isaiah 9:6
PROPHET..................................Acts 3:22
PURIFIER.................................Malachi 3:3

RABBONI (TEACHER)........................John 20:16
RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY..................Heb.1:3
REDEEMER.................................Job 19:25
REFINER'S FIRE...........................Malachi 3:2
RESURRECTION.............................John 11:25
RIGHTEOUS ONE............................1 John 2:1
ROCK.....................................1 Cor.10:4
ROOT OF DAVID............................Rev. 22:16
ROSE OF SHARON...........................Song 2:1
RULER OF GOD'S CREATION..................Rev. 3:14
RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH................Rev 1:5
RULER OVER ISRAEL........................Micah 5:2

SAVIOR...................................Luke 2:11
SCEPTER OUT OF ISRAEL....................Numbers 24:17
SEED.....................................Genesis 3:15
SERVANT..................................Isaiah 42:1
SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS....................1Peter 2:25
SHIELD...................................Genesis 15:1
SON OF DAVID.............................Matthew 1:1
SON OF GOD...............................Matthew 27:54
SON OF MAN...............................Matthew 8:20
SON OF THE MOST HIGH.....................Luke 1:32
SOURCE...................................Hebrews 5:9
SPIRIT OF GOD............................Genesis 1:2
STAR OUT OF JACOB........................Numbers 24:17
STONE....................................1 Peter 2:8
SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.....................Malachi 4:2

TEACHER...................................John 13:13
TRUE LIGHT................................John 1:9
TRUE WITNESS..............................Revelation 3:14
TRUTH.....................................John 14:6

VINE......................................John 15:5

WAY........................................John 14:6
WISDOM OF GOD..............................1 Cor. 1:24
WITNESS....................................Isaiah 55:4
WONDERFUL..................................Isaiah 9:6
WORD.......................................John 1:1
WORD OF GOD................................Revelation 19:13

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is Faithful

21.God is faithful. Our hope for the future rests upon God’s faithfulness. Because He is faithful, His covenants will stand and His promises will be honored.
Psalm 89:1-8 (New International Version)
A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant,
4 'I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all generations.' "
Selah
5 The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ?
Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:1
Author: Edward Mote, c. 1834, cento
Composer: John Stainer, 1873, arr.
Tune: "Magdalen"

1 Timothy 1:1-11 (New International Version)
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2To Timothy my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank you, Lord for your precious word and for growing understanding. I thank you, Lord for increasing hunger to be in your word. I thank you for growing peace and order in my life.
I pray peace and comfort for my earthly family and for my church family. I thank you for every opportunity to touch someone in a meaningful way. I thank you for every chance to spread the gospel. I especially thank you for opportunities to make a positive impact in the lives of children and young people.

I thank you, Lord, my rock and my salvation; my solid rock.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is Jehovah-nissi

19.God is Jehovah-nissi. This name means “God our banner.” We may go from triumph to triumph and say, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”
(1 Corinthians 15 (New International Version)
55"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Exodus 17:8-15 (New International Version)
The Amalekites Defeated
8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.
9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.
11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.
12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."
15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm

The story of Moses and the support he received from Aaron and Hur should warm the heart of every believer. This is a story of God’s power and majesty but it is also God’s message that we must support each other. God did not need Aaron and Hur to support Moses, He could have done that Himself, He demonstrated to all the value of fellowship and support of one another.

Acts 2:42-43 (New International Version)
The Fellowship of the Believers
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

I truly believe that I would not have found my way without the fellowship and prayers of believers. Almost every single member of our church is actively involved in some ministry that provides support to people outside of the body.
I know that we support each other in our little church and; therefore, are able to provide more outreach services than many much larger churches.
We stand firmly beneath the Banner of God’s Love, acknowledging Jesus as the head and us, in fellowship, as the body.

Ephesians 4:4-6 (New International Version)
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

There is great comfort and peace of mind under the Banner of God. If you have not yet found that place which provides fellowship and support firmly under the Banner of God, I suggest you make this your first item of prayer.

Psalm 133:1 (New King James Version)
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!


Truly it good for us to support one another as Aaron and Hur supported Moses under the Banner of God.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Before I was afflicted I went astray

Before I was afflicted I went astray
Psalm 119:65-72 (New International Version)

65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, O LORD.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.

For months now friends had been commenting on the fact that I had gained a few pounds. I made my excuses to them and to myself and pretended that nothing was happening. Then “suddenly one day” nothing fit. This morning I was led to this scripture and the Holy Spirit revealed how easy it is to slip into anything from gaining weight to falling out of grace.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, We don’t usually go astray in leaps and bounds; there’s the “little white lie” here, the failure to do something there, not finding time for God “just one morning” or “just one week” and on it goes.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, has to be my daily prayer. I know that I need good judgment for my spiritual life and for my physical life if I am to enjoy all that God intends for me. It isn’t just knowledge, but good judgment in managing all that God gives to me including time, money, health, knowledge and most of all grace and mercy. Good judgment enables us to be good stewards of all of God’s gifts.

Father, God, I pray you do good to this your servant according to your word. I pray for knowledge and wisdom and acknowledge you as the source of all. I thank you for grace and mercy for the many times I have gone astray. Thank you, Lord..

71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. and I thank you, Lord, for gentle reprimands that open my eyes, acknowledging that it is your mercy that spares me from my own foolishness.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is Father

26.God is Father. The Creator of the universe cares for each one of us as if we are the only child He has. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9). The Spirit of God taught us to cry, “Abba, Father,” as in the intimacy of the family.
Romans 8:15-17 (New International Version)
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm

Matthew 6 (New King James Version)
The Model Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

My favorite response to a request from my grandchildren is “sure”. They go into shock if I say no because they know how much it delights me to do what ever I can for them.

I am so grateful to be a child of God; to know that He has given me the right to come to him in prayer, to know that He has not only given me the right, but has provided an intercessor as well.
Luke 11:9-13 (New International Version)
9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

I come as a child of God just to say thank you.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is our Comforter

24.God is our Comforter. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “Comforter.” Paul writes that the Lord is “the God of all comfort.” http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The God of All Comfort
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Another “Ah-Hah” moment when I read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
I daily thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of the Comforter. It is great joy to my soul to know that Jesus did not leave me here on my own to try to figure out how to live The Way. When I pray, I know that the Holy Spirit already intercedes for me when I don’t know the words to pray.

Today I am looking at the responsibility such a wonderful gift conveys. “…so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” I am not just to glow in the warmth of God’s love and selfishly concentrate on the ways God moves in my life on my behalf. This scripture is another affirmation of the Great Commission and God’s command that we reach out to those in any trouble.

Isaiah 61:1-2 (New International Version)
The Year of the LORD's Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

Father God, I ask that you give me the wisdom and strength to be a comfort to others. Father, please give me good words to convey your love and compassion to the world. Help me, Dear God, to concentrate more on you and your will than my wishes, knowing that you will take care of my needs.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (New International Version)
16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Thank you, God, for all that you are. Thank you, God, for the gift of the Comforter. Thank you, God.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is omniscient

15.God is omniscient.
God knows all that can be known. His knowledge includes every possible thing that exists, has ever existed, or will ever exist. http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm
Psalm 139:1-6 (New International Version)
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
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.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain

Omniscient  
–adjective
1. having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things.

1 Kings 3
9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

Most of us love the story of Solomon, a man who yearned to know the way that God would have him conduct himself as a leader of his people. We repeat versions of this story often when we teach about prayer and about the Christian walk.

Solomon, as king, had access to all of the available knowledge of his day. The scribes and other holders of the accumulated knowledge of his time were at his disposal, but Solomon knew that he needed more than worldly knowledge to rule well and to secure the promises of God. He also knew the source of the wisdom he needed.

God is the holder of all knowledge. It is good to seek him as the source of all that is important to know. He has given us His Word to help us to live in this world. It is good for us to continuously seek His wisdom so that we can live lives that will inspire others to seek God.

Proverbs 24:13-14 (New International Version)
13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul;
if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.

I thank you, God for the gift of your Word and increasing understanding. I thank you for a desire to study to show myself approved. I thank you for teachers and preachers whom you have placed in my path to give instruction and to fuel the hunger to better understand Your Word.

My God, I acknowledge my very limited understanding but I come in gratitude for my growth since I was blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. Please help me to stay in Your Word. Please help me to continue to grow in Your Word. Please give me the gift of wisdom.

Proverbs 16:16-24 (New International Version)
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
he who guards his way guards his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth,
and his lips promote instruction.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

I thank you, Lord.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is Sovereign

18.God is Sovereign. God is in control of our lives. His sovereignty is the attribute by which He rules His entire creation. To be sovereign, God must be all-knowing and all-powerful. http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm

1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (New International Version)
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.

sov·er·eign (säv′rən, -ər in; occas. suv′-)
adjective
above or superior to all others; chief; greatest; supreme
supreme in power, rank, or authority
of or holding the position of ruler; royal; reigning
independent of all others: a sovereign state
excellent; outstanding

This was a time when I could not find words that conveyed this attribute of God. The awesome magnitude of our Sovereign God is beyond measure and none of the definitions felt as if they conveyed the essence of this attribute of God.

Exodus 3:14 (New International Version)
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
.

Father God, I gladly place my life, my soul, my spirit in your sovereign hands. Father God, I thank you that I have been given the right to call myself a child of the Great I Am. Father God, thank you for the sacrifice of Your Darling Son, Jesus. Father God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Father God for all that you are in our lives.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is full of grace.

23.God is full of grace. Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to grant merit where it is undeserved and to forgive debt that cannot be repaid.

GRACE = God DOES give us what we DON'T deserve.
MERCY = God DOESN'T give us what we DO deserve.

I read an article which stated that there were at least 162 references to the Grace of God in the Bible. I believe that God truly wants us to know of his grace and mercy and that is why the writers were inspired to give us so many reminders.

Ephesians 1:5-8 (New International Version)
5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance I with the riches of God's grace
8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Many of us are very familiar with God’s grace and mercy on a personal level. I am here. For me that is as much evidence as I need that God is indeed the giver of grace and mercy.

There is great comfort in serving a God who has the infinite capacity for grace and mercy. We know that we will fall short of the mark in little and great ways. We know that we will have moments (and sometimes more) when we will fall prey to the weaknesses of the flesh. Very few of us are arrogant or foolish enough to believe that we can be sustained within our own goodness. How, then, do we obtain salvation outside of the grace and mercy of God?

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast". (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Continued faith always depends upon God's continuing grace. We believe in God because He has been kind, loving and merciful to us: because of what he has done for us in the past and doing for us NOW, and what our faith convinces us He will do for us in the future.. We must never think that we can earn God's salvation, for it is the gift of His grace- even though God requires our faith in Him for salvation.” http://www.bibleed.com/bibleteachings/otherbibleteachings/grace.asp

We are reminded that grace and mercy are not “get out of jail free cards” which we can use for pre-planned transgressions.

Nahum 1:2-8 (New International Version)
2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The LORD takes vengeance on his foes
and maintains his wrath against his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power;
the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.

Knowing that salvation comes as a result of the grace and mercy of God is comforting.

I pray daily for renewed faith. I thank God for continued grace and mercy. I pray for grace and mercy extended to those I love. I thank God for all He is in my life.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is Holy

12.God is Holy. God’s holiness is not simply the best we know made infinitely better. God is absolutely untainted. His holiness stands apart—unique and incomprehensible. http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm

Psalm 145:17
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
I John 1:5
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Psalm 98:1
O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
I Samuel 2:2
There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
Isaiah 6:3
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Main Entry: ho·ly 
Pronunciation: \ˈhō-lē\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): ho·li·er; ho·li·est
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hālig; akin to Old English hāl whole — more at whole
Date: before 12th century
1 : exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
2 : divine http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holy

I think that everyone who believes in God believes that He is holy. It would be difficult to worship God without reverence for His infinite goodness.

A problem comes in when we contemplate the fact that we are made in His image and we look at the sordidness of our condition. How can we be in the image of God, we who are so imperfect, we who have the capacity for such meanness in the world?

I Peter 1:16 - 25
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

How do we follow God’s commandment to be holy?

Mark 1:15 (New International Version)
15"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

First, to repent of our sins. This means that we must admit that we are sinners, unable to save ourselves and come to God humbly and ask His forgiveness.

repent–verb (used without object)
1.
to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often fol. by of ): He repented after his thoughtless act.
2.
to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/repent

Leviticus 11:44 For I am the LORD your God;
sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.

Then, to believe on Jesus Christ, the Son of God and ask Him every day to help us to live lives worthy of Him.

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

No, we do not expect to reach perfection. None but God is perfect; but we do have an obligation to sincerely confess our Lord, believe in Him with all of our hearts for truly He has promised, not only salvation, but the blessing of a Comforter to help us to live as He commands.

Romans 10 (New International Version)
8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Holy Father, I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I seek daily guidance as I try to live the life You would have me to live. I thank You for the promise of salvation. I thank You for Your Darling Son, Jesus, and His sacrifice on the cross. I pray that You help me to be all that I can in the Kingdom.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God is self-sufficient

14.God is self-sufficient. He is the One who contains all, who gives all that is given, but who Himself can receive nothing that He has not first given.
Acts 17:24-28 (New International Version)
24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

This was Paul making an eloquent statement about the completeness of our God to the “Jews and the God-fearing Greeks" in the synagogue in Athens.

Those of us who accept the wonder of our awesome God praise him gladly.

Psalm 33 (New International Version)
1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

I thank you, God, for your blessings. I thank you for the gift of your Word which helps me to speak heartfelt praises when I don’t have the words.

I thank you for the sacrifices of your darling Son, Jesus. I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit which sustains me. I thank you for your completeness and your unfailing love.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

.God is Jehovah-rophe.

13.God is Jehovah-rophe. This name means “Jehovah heals.” God alone has the remedy for the healing of mankind. The Gospel is concerned with the physical, moral, and spiritual healing of all people. Exodus 15:22-26 (New International Version)The Waters of Marah and Elim
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.
23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah).
24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"
25 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.
There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them.
26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." http://www.allaboutgod.com/names-of-god.htm

I was amazed and dismayed to find so many “scholars” who teach that God is no longer in the healing business. They propose that the spiritual gifts were only for the Apostles to sort of jump start Christianity and that there is no place for healers or healing in today’s church.

“In our study of the temporary sign gifts, we mentioned that there are four: miracles, healings, languages, and the interpretation of languages. They are the four miraculous sign gifts given by the Spirit to authenticate the new revelation that constituted the New Testament. Once the New Testament was finished, these sign gifts ceased to have a function. They do not belong to the continuing life of the church.
The people today who claim to have these abilities to conduct and experience healing after healing need to be carefully brought to the test of Scripture. The question is not, "Well, I had this experience, what's your experience?" The question is: What does the Bible say? I have nothing against these people, I simply want to deal with what the Word of God has to say about their claims, and leave the results to God. The temporary sign gifts do not exist today.
” , by John MacArthur
[He has been acknowledged by Christianity Today as one of the most influential preachers of his time, and is a frequent guest on Larry King Live as representative of an evangelical Christian perspective. MacArthur has authored or edited more than 150 books, most notably the MacArthur Study Bible, which has sold more than 1 million copies and received a Gold Medallion Book Award]

This is such a sad case of “throwing the baby out with the bath water”. We all know that there are false teachers and “prophets” out there. We know that there are many out there milking the gullible and desperate for every penny they can scrounge up. And, perhaps if you have not had the joy of being in the presence of someone who has experienced genuine miracle healing, you might find their point of view easier to swallow.

It is always uplifting to be in the presence of someone who has been miraculously healed and to hear their testimony. It is wonderful to witness the absolute awe expressed when they talk about the confirmation of their healing by their doctors and the amazement these doctors convey when faced with medical proof of a miracle.

It’s wonderful when you personally know that person is not a “plant” in an emotion filled “miracle service”.

It is really sad for the people who believe that the Glory of God is gone; that the gifts of the Spirit and even the Holy Spirit Himself, complete with all of His manifestations, are things of the past.

How much this reminds me of the Jews in the time of Christ, still looking for what is in front of their eyes.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

The power of words.

The power of words.

Proverbs 18:21 (New International Version)
21 The tongue has the power of life and death
and those who love it will eat its fruit.

This was written before the time of computers, face book and twitter, but is no less true today. So much damage is done with words and now we have the ability to extend life or death to millions.

I became aware of the power of words as a child. We went to the movies as a group every Saturday after chores. There were thrilling serials with a cliff hanger (usually literally) every week.

I soon began to notice a theme. If it was “Cowboys and Indians”, without fail, someone would discover something of value on Indian land and kill some Indians in an attempt to get it. This person was usually depicted as “riff raff”.

The Indians would retaliate (called a massacre) and in the end the Calvary would come and “save the day.” The Indians would be defeated and "relocated", opening up the land for whatever was of value. The subtle use of words here escaped most of us.

Now, let’s look at the word vandalism. When someone defaces a church or church sign it is called “vandalism” and we, without exception, think that person needs to be held accountable.

Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable. Such action includes defacement, graffiti and criminal damage.
Private citizens commit vandalism when they willfully damage or deface the property of others or the commons. Some vandalism may qualify as culture jamming or sniggling: it is thought by some to be artistic in nature even though carried out illegally or without the property owner's permission. Examples include at least some graffiti art, billboard "liberation" and possibly crop circles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandalism

Atheist groups around the country are putting up signs of protest of what they see as interference of church in secular life. One such sign advocates the removal of the words “under God” from the pledge of allegiance and currency.

These signs have become the target of “correction” by persons suspected to be Christian.

This became news when such a sign was defaced on Billy Graham Parkway in Charlotte, NC by adding the words "under God".

Whoever wrote on this sign got the atheists more publicity than they could have ever received with the sign. The altering of this sign reached millions by morning and had received 18,854 comments before 7:30 am.

Comments 11 - 20 of 18854

“I would have no problem with Christianity if it were only "useless."
The problem is that Christianity is actually harmful. It dulls the intellect and dumbs down it's constituency. It fosters hate, bigotry and xenophobia.
The quicker we rid ourselves of this ridiculous superstition, the better.”

This was one of the nicer comments left on an internet news blog in response to the vandalism.
Now, I might make some people unhappy with my use of the word “vandalism” but a rose continues to be a rose even when in the hands of Christians.

There is a lot of teaching in our bible on Christian behavior if only we take the time to study. The problem is that many of us are “half sentence Christians“.
2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

Where is the patience in this behavior. How do we reach a dying world with this behavior. How many hearts were hardened?

Let us continue to study God’s Word in an attempt to equip ourselves to meet the Great Commission. Let our lives be a light that shines on a hill so that the world can see our good works.

Let us ask God for guidance.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!