For when He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. -Psalm 35:9
My first repelling adventure was a trip with my brother. He tied one end of the rope firmly around a rock, and with the other end though it over the side of the cliff we we're going down. My brother turned my back to the cliff and instructed me to hold the rope with both hands, but wrapped around my bottom. Then he said for me to lean over the cliff and kick with my feet out to start repelling.
When I began placing my weight over the cliff, I wanted to stop. But my brother convinced me to trust him and try. I did and had a great time.
We have to trust in God's Word, even though we may be frightened. His Word is trustworthy. Amen!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Mid-day Thought: Open Your Eyes
Just open your eyes and see how the wicked are punished. -Psalm 91:8
Doing the right thing is not always easy. People don't always notice when someone has stood up for the right thing.
One of the most obvious ways people don't do right and many times goes unnoticed, is when someone talks about another person to you. They put the other person down in front of you. If we opened our eyes, we would have to ask our self this question when they are gone, "I wonder what they say about me?"
Those who are wicked will do the simple things to ensnare themselves. Amen!
Doing the right thing is not always easy. People don't always notice when someone has stood up for the right thing.
One of the most obvious ways people don't do right and many times goes unnoticed, is when someone talks about another person to you. They put the other person down in front of you. If we opened our eyes, we would have to ask our self this question when they are gone, "I wonder what they say about me?"
Those who are wicked will do the simple things to ensnare themselves. Amen!
Morning Inception: The Word Remains Forever
for all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. And this Word is the good news that was preached to you. -1 Peter 1:24,25
Nice to be able to pray to God whose Word is so handy for us today. Listen to people speak at work or school or on the television and what seems to be the subject or topic they are discussing? Is the subject gossip about another employee or student or entertainer? Are the people talking about themselves or something trivial like the weather?
Can you remember your preacher's last sermon and its subject? Nothing like hearing God's Word preached or talked about, is it? It's a subject that is good news for all. Amen!
Nice to be able to pray to God whose Word is so handy for us today. Listen to people speak at work or school or on the television and what seems to be the subject or topic they are discussing? Is the subject gossip about another employee or student or entertainer? Are the people talking about themselves or something trivial like the weather?
Can you remember your preacher's last sermon and its subject? Nothing like hearing God's Word preached or talked about, is it? It's a subject that is good news for all. Amen!
Night Etching: Night Court
The one who rejects me and does not receive My words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. -John 12:48
Freedom. The word has taken on a different meaning today. Freedom in the righteous form means free of evil and hate.
But now people think freedom is to do whatever they feel and not receive any consequences. But the Lord says, no. All who rejects the ways of the Lord will one day be judged for his actions. Let God's righteous freedom ring. Amen!
Freedom. The word has taken on a different meaning today. Freedom in the righteous form means free of evil and hate.
But now people think freedom is to do whatever they feel and not receive any consequences. But the Lord says, no. All who rejects the ways of the Lord will one day be judged for his actions. Let God's righteous freedom ring. Amen!
Mid-day Thought: Receive the Implanted Word
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. -James 1:21
During our day today we will have many temptations which will come before us on our computers, our television sets, cell phones, and many, personally. Allow us as followers of Christ to be able to firmly stand by the Word of God throwing light on those things of darkness and deflate those whose efforts are to hurt, shame, or try in lowering that which we find sacred. Why corrupt that which saves peoples' souls? For they live in the darkness and know no better! Allow the Light to rid us of the darkness around us. Amen!
During our day today we will have many temptations which will come before us on our computers, our television sets, cell phones, and many, personally. Allow us as followers of Christ to be able to firmly stand by the Word of God throwing light on those things of darkness and deflate those whose efforts are to hurt, shame, or try in lowering that which we find sacred. Why corrupt that which saves peoples' souls? For they live in the darkness and know no better! Allow the Light to rid us of the darkness around us. Amen!
Morning Inception: His Law Never Void
But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.
- Luke 16:17
Man's law can be changed. Worse than that is with enough money and influence man's law can be overlooked or overturned.
But not with God's law. Once it was spoken by God it never changed. He will never overlook a law that has been broken.
Man's law is supposed to protect us, but can be abused. God's law is there to glorify Him and His truth. Amen!
- Luke 16:17
Man's law can be changed. Worse than that is with enough money and influence man's law can be overlooked or overturned.
But not with God's law. Once it was spoken by God it never changed. He will never overlook a law that has been broken.
Man's law is supposed to protect us, but can be abused. God's law is there to glorify Him and His truth. Amen!
Night Etching: My Rock Never Forgets
I say to God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" -Psalm 42:9
There are 400 years of silence between the last of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. During that time, the Jews were being oppressed and crying out to God.
God hears His children, but many times we need to be patient for God's answer. For His timing is perfect.
During the 400 years between the two testaments, a couple of things happened that helped to glorify God to prove He is the One and only God. One, the Romans dominated the earth. This made travelling actually easier, and so easier to preach the gospel. Second, Alexander the Great conquered most of the Mediterranean. He had all businesses speak and write Koine Greek, the language the New Testament was written. In time, the language became dead and thus, the words of the New Testament were not subject to change because of culture and thus, words meaning changed.
After all this, God sent His Son, perfect timing to help relieve His people's mourning.
Be patient, my brother and sister, for our Rock is waiting for the perfect time to squash our enemy. Amen!
There are 400 years of silence between the last of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. During that time, the Jews were being oppressed and crying out to God.
God hears His children, but many times we need to be patient for God's answer. For His timing is perfect.
During the 400 years between the two testaments, a couple of things happened that helped to glorify God to prove He is the One and only God. One, the Romans dominated the earth. This made travelling actually easier, and so easier to preach the gospel. Second, Alexander the Great conquered most of the Mediterranean. He had all businesses speak and write Koine Greek, the language the New Testament was written. In time, the language became dead and thus, the words of the New Testament were not subject to change because of culture and thus, words meaning changed.
After all this, God sent His Son, perfect timing to help relieve His people's mourning.
Be patient, my brother and sister, for our Rock is waiting for the perfect time to squash our enemy. Amen!
Mid-day Thought: The Helper
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
When a problem or hurdle comes in to our life, the first thing we do is roll up our sleeves and think we have to solve them by our self. According to this verse, this is not true. For Jesus said when He leaves that the Father will send a...what? Will He bring an onlooker...a cheerleader..No! Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will be our Helper!
Before tackling that big problem...or huge hurdle, take a moment and pray. Although you may not know what to pray, the Helper will help. Need inspiration or an answer? Allow the Spirit to guide you. The Helper is here to help in Jesus name. Amen!
When a problem or hurdle comes in to our life, the first thing we do is roll up our sleeves and think we have to solve them by our self. According to this verse, this is not true. For Jesus said when He leaves that the Father will send a...what? Will He bring an onlooker...a cheerleader..No! Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will be our Helper!
Before tackling that big problem...or huge hurdle, take a moment and pray. Although you may not know what to pray, the Helper will help. Need inspiration or an answer? Allow the Spirit to guide you. The Helper is here to help in Jesus name. Amen!
Morning Inception: Foot Loose
for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. -Proverbs 3:26
Climbing the side of a mountain can be a scary adventure, even for a veteran climber. All sorts of unforeseen accidents can happen such as strong winds, sudden weather changes, or fallen rocks. What can make these unexpected incidents seem safer is for the climber to use ropes as he climbs. This way, even the veteran climber has a safety net.
God is our rope for those unexpected accidents that can happen. Having the Word in our heart can help to give us confidence through any challenge and strong footing on those slippery slopes. Amen!
Climbing the side of a mountain can be a scary adventure, even for a veteran climber. All sorts of unforeseen accidents can happen such as strong winds, sudden weather changes, or fallen rocks. What can make these unexpected incidents seem safer is for the climber to use ropes as he climbs. This way, even the veteran climber has a safety net.
God is our rope for those unexpected accidents that can happen. Having the Word in our heart can help to give us confidence through any challenge and strong footing on those slippery slopes. Amen!
Night Etching: God of My Life
By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. -Psalm 42:8
He is called the God of our life for He is with us day and night. During the day, the psalmist writes, that He commands His steadfast love. The day is when we are most active whether we are working or studying or travelling or taking care of the children. This is the time when are energies are most exerted. This is the time the Lord commands His steadfast love. A steady dose of the love that strengthens and encourages us to complete our daily duties.
At night, the psalmist continues, is the time that His song is with us. This is the time of the day where we rest and reflect. His song is all the times He was with us today.
And our part is a prayer to the God who gives and sustains our life. Amen!
He is called the God of our life for He is with us day and night. During the day, the psalmist writes, that He commands His steadfast love. The day is when we are most active whether we are working or studying or travelling or taking care of the children. This is the time when are energies are most exerted. This is the time the Lord commands His steadfast love. A steady dose of the love that strengthens and encourages us to complete our daily duties.
At night, the psalmist continues, is the time that His song is with us. This is the time of the day where we rest and reflect. His song is all the times He was with us today.
And our part is a prayer to the God who gives and sustains our life. Amen!
Mid-day Thought: We Know Him
If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him. -John 14:7
This is the verse after the disciple Thomas says to Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?" Then Jesus told Thomas and the others that He is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. Jesus also told them that He was the only way to the Father.
Many times we are like the disciples, who spent three years in ministry with Jesus. We are afraid to trust our heart to God. In this verse, Jesus tells Thomas that if He has seen Me that He has seen the Father. He wants Thomas to trust His heart and His whole self to Jesus, and carry on His work.
We must trust our hearts and our whole selves to His Spirit who was left behind to help us. Don't be afraid, but be of good courage. Trust in Him. Amen!
This is the verse after the disciple Thomas says to Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?" Then Jesus told Thomas and the others that He is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. Jesus also told them that He was the only way to the Father.
Many times we are like the disciples, who spent three years in ministry with Jesus. We are afraid to trust our heart to God. In this verse, Jesus tells Thomas that if He has seen Me that He has seen the Father. He wants Thomas to trust His heart and His whole self to Jesus, and carry on His work.
We must trust our hearts and our whole selves to His Spirit who was left behind to help us. Don't be afraid, but be of good courage. Trust in Him. Amen!
Morning Inception: True Word
Every Word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. -Proverbs 30:5
This day will be loaded with bombardments of fiery darts from the evil one, the world, and our selfish desires. If we go without protection, we will be hurt quickly and often. Our day will begin and end dreadfully without protection.
But once we load up and be ready to be truthful and compassionate and patient, our shield is ready to deflect. May those who try and attack us feel our love as we take refuge in Him. Amen!
This day will be loaded with bombardments of fiery darts from the evil one, the world, and our selfish desires. If we go without protection, we will be hurt quickly and often. Our day will begin and end dreadfully without protection.
But once we load up and be ready to be truthful and compassionate and patient, our shield is ready to deflect. May those who try and attack us feel our love as we take refuge in Him. Amen!
Night Etching: Sheep Astray
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. -Isaiah 53:6
Jehovah-Rohi means ,"the Lord my shepherd." A sheep is a very misguided animal. All the sheep does is basically feed all day by either eating the grass or regurgitating the grass eaten. The sheep does not pay attention to where it grazes and can literally fall off the side of a cliff.
We are no different than sheep. If we go our own way, instead of the Lord's, our lives can end in tragedy.
God is a fair judge and not following His ways, breaking His law, amounts to the punishment of death. But God has allowed His Son to take on all our sins, so that we may live. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!
Jehovah-Rohi means ,"the Lord my shepherd." A sheep is a very misguided animal. All the sheep does is basically feed all day by either eating the grass or regurgitating the grass eaten. The sheep does not pay attention to where it grazes and can literally fall off the side of a cliff.
We are no different than sheep. If we go our own way, instead of the Lord's, our lives can end in tragedy.
God is a fair judge and not following His ways, breaking His law, amounts to the punishment of death. But God has allowed His Son to take on all our sins, so that we may live. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!
Mid-day Thought: Through Faith
Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. -Romans 3:25
Propitiate means to win or gain favor of someone by doing something that pleases them. There is nothing that we can do that can please God except to have faith in His Son Jesus. By the law we were shown to be sinners because we could not but sin.
But Jesus came down, died on the Cross a spotless Lamb. God sent His Son as that act that pleased Him so that we could gain favor with Him. We must just believe in Him. Amazing! Amen!
Propitiate means to win or gain favor of someone by doing something that pleases them. There is nothing that we can do that can please God except to have faith in His Son Jesus. By the law we were shown to be sinners because we could not but sin.
But Jesus came down, died on the Cross a spotless Lamb. God sent His Son as that act that pleased Him so that we could gain favor with Him. We must just believe in Him. Amazing! Amen!
Morning Inception: Fear Not
Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. -Isaiah 54:4
Think of someone you love very much; your spouse, a parent, a child, or a grandchild. If you had a hard day whether at work, or school, or at home, and then that person came to you, stood beside you, and hugged you, what would you feel? Would you think of the burdens of the day or would you think of the love that you had just received?
That is the power of God for us. Shame, hurt, fear, disgrace...all roll off when we're in His presence! Amen!
Think of someone you love very much; your spouse, a parent, a child, or a grandchild. If you had a hard day whether at work, or school, or at home, and then that person came to you, stood beside you, and hugged you, what would you feel? Would you think of the burdens of the day or would you think of the love that you had just received?
That is the power of God for us. Shame, hurt, fear, disgrace...all roll off when we're in His presence! Amen!
Night Etching: The Lord My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. -Psalm 23: 1-3
Sheep have seven stomachs. When they initially eat the grass they don't receive any nutrients from the grass. They only receive nutrients from the grass when they lie down in the pasture and regurgitate what they had eaten before. This is the same way for us when we read God's Word. We don't receive any nourishment from His Word when we initially read, but when we take time to meditate on what the meaning is in our lives.
Also, the psalmist talks about how the Lord leads us beside still water. A sheep must never drink around rushing water for if they ever fall in, their wool will become soaked. Once soaked the wool becomes very heavy. The sheep will drown.
The sheep must find still water to drink from for nourishment and for safety. Praise the Lord for always leading us where we need to go. Amen!
Sheep have seven stomachs. When they initially eat the grass they don't receive any nutrients from the grass. They only receive nutrients from the grass when they lie down in the pasture and regurgitate what they had eaten before. This is the same way for us when we read God's Word. We don't receive any nourishment from His Word when we initially read, but when we take time to meditate on what the meaning is in our lives.
Also, the psalmist talks about how the Lord leads us beside still water. A sheep must never drink around rushing water for if they ever fall in, their wool will become soaked. Once soaked the wool becomes very heavy. The sheep will drown.
The sheep must find still water to drink from for nourishment and for safety. Praise the Lord for always leading us where we need to go. Amen!
Mid-day Thought: Justified by His Blood
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. -Romans 5:9
When there is a large debt that is owed to a creditor, the feeling of anxiety is so bad we can literally feel the weight on our backs. What if this debt was so large that we knew we could never pay it off in our lifetime ? A sense of hopelessness and desperation would overcome our emotions. We would feel as if the one we owed the debt could do anything and take anything they wanted at anytime. We would never feel secure.
But if someone paid off that enormous debt for us, how would we feel? And would we worry about the repercussions from the one we owed the debt? No longer could that person do anything to us? Where is that weight now? Amen!
When there is a large debt that is owed to a creditor, the feeling of anxiety is so bad we can literally feel the weight on our backs. What if this debt was so large that we knew we could never pay it off in our lifetime ? A sense of hopelessness and desperation would overcome our emotions. We would feel as if the one we owed the debt could do anything and take anything they wanted at anytime. We would never feel secure.
But if someone paid off that enormous debt for us, how would we feel? And would we worry about the repercussions from the one we owed the debt? No longer could that person do anything to us? Where is that weight now? Amen!
Morning Inception: Your Dwelling Place
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place-the Most High who is my refuge--no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. -Psalm 91:9,10
A plague starts when conditions are unsanitary. The risk of a plague increases with poor sanitation, overcrowding, and a high pestilence problem.
But in God's presence, dwelling in His Word and living under His strength, Christians have found a refuge, a place of safety, away from all those problems. Life is hard even when you live right. Not just any solution is the right one even though it may solve initial concerns. Only under His roof will you be able to see through a problem or concern all the way. Make Him Lord! Amen!
A plague starts when conditions are unsanitary. The risk of a plague increases with poor sanitation, overcrowding, and a high pestilence problem.
But in God's presence, dwelling in His Word and living under His strength, Christians have found a refuge, a place of safety, away from all those problems. Life is hard even when you live right. Not just any solution is the right one even though it may solve initial concerns. Only under His roof will you be able to see through a problem or concern all the way. Make Him Lord! Amen!
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Night Etching: He who Forgives and Heals
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, -Psalm 103:3
Jehovah Rapha means "the Lord that heals." Here is another verse stated by a psalmist that says the Lord that heals. The healing that the Lord is so good at performing is that which touches us spiritually and emotionally. In every one's life we all will stray off course and cause hurt to others. Sometimes that hurt can be our families. But all hurt, if given time, can heal. When we hurt someone, for example our family, the first thing we need to do is give that hurt to God. We ask for forgiveness from Him. He is always ready to forgive us, if we truly mean it in our hearts. Then He will allow the healing process to begin. As with our physical bodies, the greater the damage, the more time the healing process takes. The important part is beginning the healing. May God give you the strength to begin the healing process, no matter what the problem may be and the strengthen to be patient as the healing works. Amen!
Jehovah Rapha means "the Lord that heals." Here is another verse stated by a psalmist that says the Lord that heals. The healing that the Lord is so good at performing is that which touches us spiritually and emotionally. In every one's life we all will stray off course and cause hurt to others. Sometimes that hurt can be our families. But all hurt, if given time, can heal. When we hurt someone, for example our family, the first thing we need to do is give that hurt to God. We ask for forgiveness from Him. He is always ready to forgive us, if we truly mean it in our hearts. Then He will allow the healing process to begin. As with our physical bodies, the greater the damage, the more time the healing process takes. The important part is beginning the healing. May God give you the strength to begin the healing process, no matter what the problem may be and the strengthen to be patient as the healing works. Amen!
Mid-day Thought: Nailed to the Cross
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumsion of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirement that was against us, Which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the Cross. -Colossians 2: 13, 14
In this verse, we are viewing the method of God of how He can take each and every one of our vile sins against Him and treat us as His sons and daughters with total love.
God, being our spiritual doctor, diagnosed each and every person with a deadly disease called sin. Our prognosis is death. But there is a cure, only one cure. He took our disease and nailed it to the Cross. This means that the spiritual death we were suppose to die from, He placed on His own Son, who died that death for us instead. Pray that God will show you what implications this has for your future. Amen!
In this verse, we are viewing the method of God of how He can take each and every one of our vile sins against Him and treat us as His sons and daughters with total love.
God, being our spiritual doctor, diagnosed each and every person with a deadly disease called sin. Our prognosis is death. But there is a cure, only one cure. He took our disease and nailed it to the Cross. This means that the spiritual death we were suppose to die from, He placed on His own Son, who died that death for us instead. Pray that God will show you what implications this has for your future. Amen!
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