I'm changing directions in my bible study for a bit - so this blog is once again going into hibernation mode. My heart is conflicted about this, but I do not, in my life, want to do anything that will be a stumbling block , and it seems that this is turning into just that.
To those who have read my posts and been blessed by them, all the praise goes to God. To those who find this blog while I am not writing, I hope it is a blessing to you.
So, goodbye for now. May God bless you richly as you study His word.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)
Friday, June 28, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Brag Post - Proverbs 21:1
Scripture: Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
This verse has been bouncing around in my mind for a few days now, and I want to take a minute to share what God has been doing in our community, and why this verse is on my mind. (Do take note, that the verse never mentions whether the king is a good righteous king, or a corrupt two-sided king.)
A little bit of background before I get to what God did yesterday... In Colorado, a law has been passed to make the selling of medical marijuana legal. That means that businesses are popping up here and there. Our town has one such business right now, and it it sponsored by the state and had to follow relatively strict rules to be there. However, other businesses are now trying to come in... and they want the rules changed. One of these rules is that they can only sell in designated commercial/industrial zones, and another is that they cannot open a business within 1,000 feet of a playground, school daycare etc. Churches, however were not originally on that list, and I've never seen a church, that didn't have some children. And that is where we get to see God step in and start working (I know He has been working all the time, but now we get to watch!)
Yesterday was the county commissioners meeting to establish some of these rules. It was open to the public, and one of the men at our church has been talking daily with some of the commissioners trying to get them to see the importance of adding churches to that list of protected places. Out church has been praying and asking God to guide the meeting and protect our children from this. (Just on another side note... there is a building for sale next to our church and there were some people considering buying it for this very purpose! That building borders out children's playground.)
Anyhow, several members of the church attended the meeting yesterday, including two families with children. (7 children ages 10 and under.) We were warned by a gentleman that the nature of his comments were obscene and inappropriate for children, and we had agreed that the mommas and children would wait in the hall until what he had to say was over... but God had different plans.
The Chairman of the meeting brought all of the children into the meeting room (through what I found out later, was the WRONG door!) and in front of the entire assembly, seated them on the floor in the very front. Again, the fellow objected to the children being there, and we promised that they children would plug their ears. We went through the opening ceremonies (Again, a side note... I was so proud of the children! When all of the adults stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance, the children knew just what to do and joined in... the Pledge of Allegiance is no longer taught in public school, but our children are home-schooled, and they are taught the Pledge at church.) and the first fellow got up. He again stated that what he had to say was obscene, and the chairman asked him to remember that children were present - the fellow replied that he had already talked to the parents and warned them, and that when we had promised the children would plug their ears... please keep in mind, that this is in front of many members of the community here. As they were told, the children did plug their ears - obediently and openly. (Ever watch a child plug their ears? It isn't discrete.)
After the fellow was done , the children unplugged their ears and listened to the rest of the meeting. When it got to the part about the medical marijuana restrictions, attention was again drawn to the children - that it would affect them, and God's hand showed up... even to the children being in the meeting at the beginning, and plugging their ears from the obscenities. - God showed the NEED to, and that we WILL protect our children from those things that would harm them, whether in word, or in deed.
And God blessed the meeting through those children. Many times, they were referred back to, in that the outcome of the meeting would be affecting their future. And many times, it was brought to attention, not by the parents, but by the chairman himself... (who by the way, was one of the people who did not respond about the churches being included in the regulations.) God truly turned the heart of the king... and He did it through 7 little children who sat quietly for three and half hours, through a very boring public meeting.
The final decisions have not been reached yet. But churches were added, the requirement being kept at 1,000 feet (in spite of dealers requesting that a church be considered residential and therefore only 250 feet) and we will again be present at the final meeting.
So please remember, that there are things going on, that we may not see, and that no matter what, when we know something is wrong, we need to stand up and say something. I would have never taken my children to a meeting like that, and I have never been to one myself, but God used the little, faltering steps that we took as we followed righteousness to affect the whole community. Please, don't wait for someone else to take action. The king's heart is in God's hands... God will use your stand for righteousness, and you never know how He may turn that king's heart.
And as a personal request, please keep this issue in prayer. The final meeting has not been scheduled yet, but we want to be able to be there to hear the verdict.
This verse has been bouncing around in my mind for a few days now, and I want to take a minute to share what God has been doing in our community, and why this verse is on my mind. (Do take note, that the verse never mentions whether the king is a good righteous king, or a corrupt two-sided king.)
A little bit of background before I get to what God did yesterday... In Colorado, a law has been passed to make the selling of medical marijuana legal. That means that businesses are popping up here and there. Our town has one such business right now, and it it sponsored by the state and had to follow relatively strict rules to be there. However, other businesses are now trying to come in... and they want the rules changed. One of these rules is that they can only sell in designated commercial/industrial zones, and another is that they cannot open a business within 1,000 feet of a playground, school daycare etc. Churches, however were not originally on that list, and I've never seen a church, that didn't have some children. And that is where we get to see God step in and start working (I know He has been working all the time, but now we get to watch!)
Yesterday was the county commissioners meeting to establish some of these rules. It was open to the public, and one of the men at our church has been talking daily with some of the commissioners trying to get them to see the importance of adding churches to that list of protected places. Out church has been praying and asking God to guide the meeting and protect our children from this. (Just on another side note... there is a building for sale next to our church and there were some people considering buying it for this very purpose! That building borders out children's playground.)
Anyhow, several members of the church attended the meeting yesterday, including two families with children. (7 children ages 10 and under.) We were warned by a gentleman that the nature of his comments were obscene and inappropriate for children, and we had agreed that the mommas and children would wait in the hall until what he had to say was over... but God had different plans.
The Chairman of the meeting brought all of the children into the meeting room (through what I found out later, was the WRONG door!) and in front of the entire assembly, seated them on the floor in the very front. Again, the fellow objected to the children being there, and we promised that they children would plug their ears. We went through the opening ceremonies (Again, a side note... I was so proud of the children! When all of the adults stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance, the children knew just what to do and joined in... the Pledge of Allegiance is no longer taught in public school, but our children are home-schooled, and they are taught the Pledge at church.) and the first fellow got up. He again stated that what he had to say was obscene, and the chairman asked him to remember that children were present - the fellow replied that he had already talked to the parents and warned them, and that when we had promised the children would plug their ears... please keep in mind, that this is in front of many members of the community here. As they were told, the children did plug their ears - obediently and openly. (Ever watch a child plug their ears? It isn't discrete.)
After the fellow was done , the children unplugged their ears and listened to the rest of the meeting. When it got to the part about the medical marijuana restrictions, attention was again drawn to the children - that it would affect them, and God's hand showed up... even to the children being in the meeting at the beginning, and plugging their ears from the obscenities. - God showed the NEED to, and that we WILL protect our children from those things that would harm them, whether in word, or in deed.
And God blessed the meeting through those children. Many times, they were referred back to, in that the outcome of the meeting would be affecting their future. And many times, it was brought to attention, not by the parents, but by the chairman himself... (who by the way, was one of the people who did not respond about the churches being included in the regulations.) God truly turned the heart of the king... and He did it through 7 little children who sat quietly for three and half hours, through a very boring public meeting.
The final decisions have not been reached yet. But churches were added, the requirement being kept at 1,000 feet (in spite of dealers requesting that a church be considered residential and therefore only 250 feet) and we will again be present at the final meeting.
So please remember, that there are things going on, that we may not see, and that no matter what, when we know something is wrong, we need to stand up and say something. I would have never taken my children to a meeting like that, and I have never been to one myself, but God used the little, faltering steps that we took as we followed righteousness to affect the whole community. Please, don't wait for someone else to take action. The king's heart is in God's hands... God will use your stand for righteousness, and you never know how He may turn that king's heart.
And as a personal request, please keep this issue in prayer. The final meeting has not been scheduled yet, but we want to be able to be there to hear the verdict.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Philippians 3:13-14
Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Observation: Forgive and forget, let go and let God, one day at a time, keep on trucking, keep on keepin' on, this too shall pass, tomorrow is a new day... each of these phrases remind us to keep moving forward, to forget those things which are behind and reach forth unto those things which are before. We cannot live in yesterday, and we cannot live in tomorrow, we have no guarantees for any moment past this one. We have only this moment in time with which to serve God, to love others and to show them the way to the cross.
Application: At the beginning of the year, our church picks a verse of the year... and every year it is a very fitting verse for the trials that we face. (Amazing how God does that...) We are about half-way through this year, and it has been no exception. Many things have already happened that need to be put behind us and forgotten... and there are many, many things to reach for and work towards, and above all, we need to be reaching for God, and leading others with us. As Paul put it, we need to be pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and I can think of no greater prize when I get to heaven than of having played a part in other souls being saved and other lives changed because of God's work in my own life.
While I realize that this verse goes so much deeper than this, it is fitting in my life today... forgive, forget and move on. God is good, I am not. I want God's goodness to shine forth from my life as a beacon so bright that there is no chance of others seeing me... but God, and God only. As I forgive wrongs that have been done to me, forget pain and trials I have gone through, my goal is to move forward in God's grace, and to leave an example that others may follow. I want to lead them to the cross, for it is there, and there only that we will find the grace to make it through this life and its sorrows.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that those things which are allowed into my life are here to cleanse me and to draw me closer to to You. Please help me Lord, to keep my eyes on You, my heart open to Your will and my life submitted to You. Lord, there is pain in my life that I do not share, there are trials that I face that no one knows, and there are places in my heart where the only light allowed comes from You, Your love and Your precious Word. Please Lord, help me to forget those things which are behind. Help me Lord, to reach forth unto those things which are before, and above all Lord, please, help me to serve You in all that I do. I thank You Lord for what You have done and what You will do in my life. I pray that You would use it for Your honor and glory, and that You would not allow me to come in the way. In Jesus name, Amen.
Observation: Forgive and forget, let go and let God, one day at a time, keep on trucking, keep on keepin' on, this too shall pass, tomorrow is a new day... each of these phrases remind us to keep moving forward, to forget those things which are behind and reach forth unto those things which are before. We cannot live in yesterday, and we cannot live in tomorrow, we have no guarantees for any moment past this one. We have only this moment in time with which to serve God, to love others and to show them the way to the cross.
Application: At the beginning of the year, our church picks a verse of the year... and every year it is a very fitting verse for the trials that we face. (Amazing how God does that...) We are about half-way through this year, and it has been no exception. Many things have already happened that need to be put behind us and forgotten... and there are many, many things to reach for and work towards, and above all, we need to be reaching for God, and leading others with us. As Paul put it, we need to be pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and I can think of no greater prize when I get to heaven than of having played a part in other souls being saved and other lives changed because of God's work in my own life.
While I realize that this verse goes so much deeper than this, it is fitting in my life today... forgive, forget and move on. God is good, I am not. I want God's goodness to shine forth from my life as a beacon so bright that there is no chance of others seeing me... but God, and God only. As I forgive wrongs that have been done to me, forget pain and trials I have gone through, my goal is to move forward in God's grace, and to leave an example that others may follow. I want to lead them to the cross, for it is there, and there only that we will find the grace to make it through this life and its sorrows.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that those things which are allowed into my life are here to cleanse me and to draw me closer to to You. Please help me Lord, to keep my eyes on You, my heart open to Your will and my life submitted to You. Lord, there is pain in my life that I do not share, there are trials that I face that no one knows, and there are places in my heart where the only light allowed comes from You, Your love and Your precious Word. Please Lord, help me to forget those things which are behind. Help me Lord, to reach forth unto those things which are before, and above all Lord, please, help me to serve You in all that I do. I thank You Lord for what You have done and what You will do in my life. I pray that You would use it for Your honor and glory, and that You would not allow me to come in the way. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Ecc 3:1-11
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Application: These scriptures have a personal application in my life today. And they offer me the chance to take the Word of God and show my children, that in our sorrows, God's Word still applies, and more importantly, that God's Word offers us that which our heart craves the most. I am thankful for the Word of God, for the promises of God, and for the love that every single word He has given us, shows.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, My heart is heavy today with the things going on in my life. But Lord, I know that this sorrow is temporary, and I thank you Lord, not only for Your word, but for the ability to show my children that no matter what is going on, You are faithful, and Your word is always what we need. Lord, I do ask a special prayer for wisdom in the choices we make in the upcoming days, and more than that Lord, I ask for comfort from You. I know You are faithful, and I thank you for answering prayers, now I ask that as we accept Your answers, that You would give us strength. Again, Lord, thank you for your word, and for the chance to show my children the love of God. In Jesus name, Amen.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.Observation: These are the go to verse when dealing with sorrows in this life. These are the verses, that f.or some reason offer us comfort. We know that all things have their time to begin, and their time to end, but something about seeing it written in God's word, comforts the heart when nothing else will. Even those who claim that there is no God, find comfort in these verses.
Application: These scriptures have a personal application in my life today. And they offer me the chance to take the Word of God and show my children, that in our sorrows, God's Word still applies, and more importantly, that God's Word offers us that which our heart craves the most. I am thankful for the Word of God, for the promises of God, and for the love that every single word He has given us, shows.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, My heart is heavy today with the things going on in my life. But Lord, I know that this sorrow is temporary, and I thank you Lord, not only for Your word, but for the ability to show my children that no matter what is going on, You are faithful, and Your word is always what we need. Lord, I do ask a special prayer for wisdom in the choices we make in the upcoming days, and more than that Lord, I ask for comfort from You. I know You are faithful, and I thank you for answering prayers, now I ask that as we accept Your answers, that You would give us strength. Again, Lord, thank you for your word, and for the chance to show my children the love of God. In Jesus name, Amen.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Matthew 26:75
Note: The scripture has a link that will take you to an online, King James bible
if you would like to read the whole chapter.
Scripture: Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.
Observation: Close your eyes for a moment, and imagine the look on Peter's face as he heard that rooster crow... I imagine that everything in his whole world stood still for the moment as the words of the Lord echoed in his mind... and as he realized that everything Jesus had said was coming to pass, not only did he feel that agony for forsaking the Lord, but I would imagine, that at that moment, he also knew that there was no hope of a reprieve in Jesus' sentence. He knew then and there beyond a shadow of a doubt that his world was turning upside down. Every detail of what Jesus had told them must have been replaying in his mind... But it is in these moments, when our world seems to be spinning out of control, that we can see God's hand working in it the most.
Application: I know may seem to be a bit of a stretch for this scripture, and this isn't so much of a bible study as an encouragement, to me... but hopefully to others as well. This scripture is actually one of my favorites, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it in the past. This whole section of scripture appeals to me because of the raw emotion that is evident and the many applications that it has. There is much said here about what we do and how we react, but most importantly, in the later end of the Gospel of Matthew, we see how the Lord reacts... and it is the most beautiful story of love to be found. No matter what we are doing at this moment right now... no matter what we are feeling, thinking, saying or dreaming, God already knows... and He loves us with so great a love, that He laid down His life for us. He will forgive us for all, if we but ask. And for me today, it is wonderful to know that we can trust God's hand in everything that is going on in our lives. Sometimes our trials are great, sometimes they are small... but God is in control and He knows what He is doing. What He says will come to pass, will come... and we can trust Him when it does.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I did not even come close to doing justice as I tried to share the encouragement You gave me this morning... and honestly, that is okay with me. I know it was an encouragement meant for me. But Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to share even so. And Lord, I thank You especially for being in control. When something is a struggle or causes me pain, I am so grateful that I can trust in You to work it all out... and Your way is better than my own. Lord, I can't see to the end of what You are doing right now, but I trust You... and I know that You love me and are doing what I need in my life. Please help this to work Your will and to cause me to serve You better. In Jesus name, Amen.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Proverbs 4:23-27
Note: The scripture has a link that will take you to an online, King James bible
if you would like to read the whole chapter.
Scripture: Proverbs 4:23-27 Keep they heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the paths of they feet, and let all they ways be established. Turn no to the right hand, nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Observation and Application: (Yes... I know that these two are normally separate, but it was a very personal message today, and I cannot separate what I noticed from how it applies to my life this morning.)
Keep your heart... As a child, I built a fortress around my heart, protecting it from all those who would come by subtlety and cause pain and distrust. I kept my heart... as I got older, I was always told that I needed to let people into my heart, to let them get close to that place where I made my choices and hid the most tender parts of my life, and I went the way that the world told me to... I tore down the fortress that was around my heart and let others in. And each time, my heart would be hurt, and I would consider rebuilding that fortress... but I would remember the worldly advice that I had received, and I would toughen my heart instead of protect it. Then, I met Jesus Christ... and I came face to face with forgiveness, love and infallibility. I met the one who could reach past my hardened heart and give me a new life... and a new heart. And as I learn more and more about the bible, I know that I am to protect my heart... not to allow it to get hard again, but to build up that fortress where I can allow the all tenderness and compassion that God uses to speak to me to blossom and grow... a place where my heart is protected from those that would cause me pain, doubt and distrust.
But that isn't what really stood out to me today... today, it was the advice that follows the instruction to keep my heart... The bible says put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips... look straight ahead! Pay attention to where you are going, think about the choices you make... and don't stray! Don't turn from what you know is right... as my earthly father always said... Keep on, keeping on. The bible warns us to keep our hearts with all diligence, and not to get distracted by those things that would cut us down or cause us strife. This morning, God reminded me that I am not to harden my heart, but to reinforce the walls protecting it... (and the best way to do that is by prayer and time in God's word!!!)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the wisdom offered through Your Word this morning. Thank You for stopping me from straying to the right or to the left, and for keeping my eyes, thoughts and heart focused on You. Lord, You know what is going on in my life, and I trust You to use it for good. I do ask today, that You give me the strength to resist temptation, and that You would help me to rise above the adversity. And please Lord, help me to be a blessing and an encouragement to others. I know that there are many people who will face this same trial... help me to show them that You are there with them, and that You are that friend that sticks closer than a brother. Help me Lord to show others that they too can trust in You and in Your way. Lord, as sorrowful as my heart is, I do thank You for what is going on. And above all today, I thank You for teaching me to protect my heart rather than harden it. I love You Lord, and I am so grateful for every moment that You give me... trials and blessings alike. In Jesus name, Amen.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Matthew 24:46
Note: The scripture has a link that will take you to an online, King James bible
if you would like to read the whole chapter.
Scripture: Matthew 24:46 Blessed is that servant, who his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Observation: This scripture is found toward the end of a chapter speaking about the return of the Lord... Here, Jesus is speaking about watching and being ready because we do not know when the Lord is returning. There is a lot of division among Christians today about when the Lord is returning (Before, During or After the tribulation) but here, Jesus plainly says that we do not know... Verse 42 says Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. And in all honesty, it really doesn't matter if He comes before, during of after the tribulation - He still expects us to be living for Him, and He tells us directly, to be ready... We have no guarantee that we we will live through this day, let alone until the return of the Lord.
Application: There is a lot about the bible that I don't understand, but God is very clear in the fact that we need to be ready to meet Him, because we do not know when our life will be at an end. I don't want to get to heaven and look back at a life filled with moments that were wasted. Moments that I could have been telling someone about the Lord, moments when I could have been on my knees praying for someone, moments when I could have been teaching my children about the bible. I want to live my life in a way that each night when I lay my head on my pillow, I can close my eyes knowing that I served the Lord to the very best of my ability that day... and that if God sees fit to make that my very last day, that I will get to heaven knowing that my time here was not wasted in trivial pursuits of the flesh. I want to serve the Lord with all my heart, soul, strength and time... I can have no higher aim than to live a life that pleases God.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, there is a lot about Your Word that I still need to learn, but Lord, I know that You love me, that You died on the cross to pay for my sins, that You have forgiven me and have saved my soul... and that is the most important thing that I could have ever learned. I love you Lord, and I am so thankful for all that You have done for me... I know I can never repay that debt, but Lord, I will never stop loving You, serving You or telling others about You. Please help me Lord not to waste a single moment of the time You have blessed me with. Help me to reach heaven and hear those coveted words... "Well done, good and faithful servant ... enter thou into the joy of thy lord." In Jesus name, Amen.
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