Ever In His Presence

Promise from Lamentations 3:22-23

2012-02-01T07:45:00.000-08:00

"Because of the Lord's GREAT love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

******************************

Jeremiah knew from persoanl experience about God's faithfulness. God had promised that punishment would follow disobedience, and it did! But God also had promised future restoration and blessing, and Jeremiah knew that God would keep that promise also.

Trusting in God's faithfulness day by day makes us confident in his great promises for the future.

Promise from John 15:5-8

2012-01-31T12:17:00.000-08:00

" I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Fahter's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

*************************************************

Remaining in Christ means, believing that he is God's Son, confessing that Jesus is our Savior and Lord, and doing what God says in obedience, finally continuing to believe the gospel and relating in love to the community of believers, and those searching to know Jesus Christ.

Promise from Hebrews 4:1-2

2012-01-30T19:48:00.000-08:00

"Since, the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith."

********************************

Just as in the days of the early Christian church, difficulties of the present moment overshadowed the reality of God's promise and the people doubted that God would fulfill his promises. When we trust our own efforts instead of Christ's power, we too are in danger of turning back.

That is part of our faith, STANDING on His PROMISES when we can not see what is ahead!!!!!!

Promise from James 1:5

2012-01-27T06:15:00.000-08:00

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

*********************************

You would be a fool not to want wisdom. Using God's principles in our everyday lives is the most important purpose of our studies. Wisdom is the ability to make good use of knowledge, to recognize right from wrong in simple words, good judgment.

1 Kings 4:29 "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East. He was wiser than any other man. His fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke 3,000 proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five."

AMAZING. I earnestly desire great wisdom. The passage tells us all we need do is ask God for it and it will be given generously to anyone. AMAZING!!!

Promise from Revelation 1:3

2012-01-26T13:47:00.000-08:00

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1:3

***********************************

Just this week I read that 50% of the homes in America are void of books. That's right!!! There are people out there who do not know the joy reading a book. That includes the MOST important book, the BIBLE. I am humbled by the gift God has given me. I can pick up God's Holy Word at any time and read His Promises and take comfort knowing that My heavenly Father is always with me.

Promise from Psalm 23:4

2012-01-23T05:04:00.000-08:00

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4

**************************************************

The Lord is my rock and my salvation of whom shall I fear?? Do we really believe these words or just repeat them at times to help another through a difficult trial. It is through our own difficult trials that we can testify that God alone carried us through. Fear is from satan, peace that passes understanding is from God. His rod and staff, protect and guide us in the valley and God will see us through to the other side. Take God at His divine word!!!

Promise from 2 Chronicles 16:9

2012-01-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

**************************************

How does one commit their heart FULLY to the Lord?

1. Pray fervantly
2. Be in the WORD
3. Look for opportunities to serve others
4. Fix your eyes on your eternal goal
5. Live in peace with others

Promise from 1 Kings 8:20

2012-01-11T05:29:00.000-08:00

"The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel."

*************************************

What an undertaking building that temple was!!! Today on earth, building a temple is just as difficult an undertaking because we are the temple. The struggle to maintan, uplift, and nurture self - let alone a family - to follow the Lord's teaching is what every modern day Solomon strives for. Lord, help us remember God's promise of redemption. Help us to build our temples on the rock.

Promise from Lamentations 3:22-23

2012-01-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."

*****************************************

You and I, as humans, say things that we just cannot keep to. But when God makes a statement, a promise, we are can be SURE that His words will be kept. He is TRUE to His words, and for that reason alone, we can trust the words of the Bible. Trusting in God's faithfulness day by day makes us confident in his great promises for the future.

Promise from 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

2012-01-03T05:55:00.000-08:00

"No matter how many promises God has made, they are ALL "YES" in Christ. So we shout "AMEN" to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes us stand firm in Christ.

He annoints us.
Sets his seal of ownership on us.
And puts his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come!!!

*****************************************

Paul was telling the Corinthians that All of God's promises of what the Messiah would be like are fulfilled in Christ. Jesus was completely faithful in his ministry; he never sinned; he faithfully died for us; and now he faithfully intercedes for us. And we can trust God to keep his promises today.

I love the thought of the Holy Spirit being deposited in me. If I had a bank book, like in the olden days, I would see where I would grow my account by adding to the funds. But this deposit was made by God!! PRICELESS

Think how valuable you are!!!

Promise from Proverbs 3:3-6

2011-12-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart.
Lean not on your own understanding.
In ALL your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight."

****************************

How simple, yet so profound.
Do you really want a straight path in life?
Then go to the Lord, bow before Him humbly, seeking wisdom and understanding of the scriptures. Don't try to figure "things out" with your own reasoning. Be still and spend time absorbing the meaning of the message left for us in the Bible.

It is like visiting your best friend everyday on FaceBook, when you meet God in your quiet time reading from the Holy Scriptures. The Big difference is that God offers eternal benefits that are out of this world.

Promise from Psalm 103:2-5

2011-12-09T06:24:00.000-08:00

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle."

************************************************

I go to the LORD every morning to remind me of ALL His benefits!

Those who are called His children are filled with blessings that most of us do not consider.

Our GOD is an AWESOME GOD!

Promise from Exodus 33:19

2011-12-07T04:54:00.000-08:00

"The LORD said to Moses, "I will make all My goodness pass before you and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

*****************************************

It does not therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh; "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Romans 9:15-18

Therefore, it is not by works that we will be saved, but simply by the mercy that our Heavenly Father graciously bestows upon us.

Promise from Isaiah 30:18

2011-12-06T03:32:00.000-08:00

"The LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"

********************************************

God yearns to be gracious, compassionate and just in our lives. Our blessed Creator wants to hold a special place in our hearts IF we will only allow Him entry. Christianity isn't hard! However Christianity is a choice. Either you believe in God and His promises, or you don't. Isaiah says BLESSED are ALL who wait for HIM!!!

Promise from 2 Peter 1:4

2011-12-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

"God has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them we may participate in His divine nature, and escape the world's contamination."

***************************************

He has given us His promises, yet I don't know them as well as I should. Those promises are what become the glue in troubled times. They are the assurances that our God remains faithful till the end. He never leaves us, it is we that turn our eyes away from Him.

I want to actively participate in His divine nature. I want the abundant life. The corruption/contamination of this world is all around me. It is not spiritual in any way. I must seek out that which is good, and find like minded people who see life with the same set of spiritual eyes.

Promise from Psalm 24:3-6

2011-12-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

"Who may go up on the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy Temple? Only those with clean hands and pure hearts, who have not worshiped idols, who have not made promises in the name of a false god. They will receive a blessing from the Lord; the God who saves them will declare them right."

********************************************

If God is not the center of my thoughts and actions, someone or something else is in that position. Abandoning oneself to God means, riding yourself of the worldly stuff and consciously living for God. Your words, your actions, your motives all come from the Holy Spirit within you. So as we begin this Christmas season, I am spending more time in the Word, to fill my thoughts with my Lord and Savior, not Santa Claus. With giving, not receiving. With serving others, not running from store to store to catch a sale. With a greater focus on the miracle of the birth and the GREATEST gift God has ever given to humanity. Most of all telling the story to my grandchildren who need to know what this season is all about. Jesus is the reason for the season.

I Cherish Your Promises O God

2011-12-02T06:02:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 17:7-8

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

*********************************************

It requires FAITH to trust God in uncertain times. Just as Father Abraham patiently waited for God to fulfill His promise to make him a Father of Many Nations. It seemed impossible!!! Yet Abraham persevered, he endured, he remained faithful. Great lesson for me when anxiety creeps within me. Be CONFIDENT in knowing God will see you through it, and you will be able to testify to others.

Introduction

2011-09-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the Spirit of God, Moses wrote Genesis and told us where we came from, why we are here, and what God expects us to do. Moses also explained how the Jewish nation began, the people through whom God would reveal Himself to the world, write the Bible, and ultimately give us our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the beginning, let’s just think about that. Everything that exists had it’s beginning somehow. The birth of a child, the dawn of a new day, a beautiful marriage, your favorite musical or movie, even a family vacation , everything has a beginning. Free of problems and full of promise, beginning stir hope and imaginative visions of the future. Genesis means “beginnings” or “origin,” and it unfolds the record o the beginning of the world, of human history of family, of civilization, of salvation.

Most important, we discover the beginning of God’s love affair with humanity. The apostle John tells us, “God is love.” (1John 4:8) Not simply that God has love, or that God performs acts of love, although these are both true. There is something more basic and fundamental that we MUST understand about God’s nature and character: God IS love. God is the source and standard of love, and everything God does is motivated by love. He cannot act in any way that is not loving.

I am overwhelmed by such knowledge. Moses said it best: “the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever that we may do all the words of this law.” The important thing is not knowing all that God knows but doing all God tells us to do. "For we know in part" 1 Cor. 13:9.

There is so much life and love ahead. Immerse yourself in the knowledge of God’s love, which serves as the beginning point of all that we know about God.

Just got back from a relaxing vacation

2011-09-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have had several weeks of computer malfunctions. Then went away for a very relaxing vacation. It was actually a spiritual retreat for my sister and I. So I am sooooo ready to dive into this study of the book of Genesis. We will also be doing the study in our Ladies Bible Class on Wednesday nights beginning October 5.

Hope you follow along as we go back to the beginning. Look for a new posting on Monday, Sept. 26th.

Blessings from your sister in Christ,
Allene

Genesis 1:6-13

2011-08-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

*********************************

Day 1 Light
Day 2 Sky and water
Day 3 Land and seas
Day 4 Sun, moon and stars
Day 5 Fish and birds
Day 6 Animals
Man and woman
Day 7 God rested

The most important aspect of the continuing discussion of creation is not the process, but rather the creator himself. The world is not a product of blind chance and probability. We believe that GOD created it on purpose with a plan for you and me.

Genesis 1:1-5

2011-08-17T04:50:00.000-07:00

The Beginning

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

******************************

While the "days" of creation could be either a figure of speech or literal 24-hour periods, this passage is nevertheless an orderly narration of what took place. It tells us that there is intelligence, meaning and purpose behind all existence.

God spoke... and it happened, he did not touch it, build it, dream it, he SPOKE it into existance. How powerful God's words are in our lives. These scriptures are a way that God can speak to us today. Listen carefully, it is amazing what He has created in you!

Love never Fails

2011-08-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

In morally corrupt Corinth, love had become a mixed-up term with little meaning. Today people are still confused about love. Love is the greatest of all human qualities, and it is an attribute of God himself (1John 4:8.) "God IS love."

Love involves unselfish service to others; to show it gives evidence that you care. When faith and hope are in line, you are free to love completely because you understand how God loves. He NEVER gives us on you. His kind of love NEVER fails.

That is the kind of love we should model our lives after. Jesus loved us so much he was willing to go to the cross and accept the torture. True love in our lives does not fail the recipient.

Love always Perseveres

2011-07-28T03:52:00.000-07:00

Perseverence is patient endurance of hardship. Persisting in spite of difficulties and discouragement.

Perseverence pushes through when times are tough. I have experienced the tough times and stayed positive and prayed alot to Almighty God. He will never leave you in the valley, you will arrive on the other side. God never leaves us, it is we who leave him out of the difficult trials we experience.

From my experience, you can have peace in the midst of life's saddest trials. We persevere like a runner in a 26 mile marathon. Running the race with perseverance, the race which God has marked out for us. Hebrews 12:2 "Let us FIX our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our FAITH, who for the joy set before him endured the cross."

So do not grow weary and lose heart, your Savior did not give up when he was being persecuted. His motivation was his love for you and me.

Love always Trusts

2011-07-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart.
Lean not on your own understanding.
In ALL your ways acknowledge Him.
He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in himself is a FOOL!

Do not trust in friends, in riches, in false gods, in your own deeds, in your beauty, in a neighbor, or in yourself!!!

But Trust in God, in His Holy Word. Because whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe, and will be delivered from this world.

Love always Hopes

2011-07-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by HOPE in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 5:3-5 "We rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE. And HOPE does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us."

We are not talking about being optimistic. It is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is base on God's love which is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

Love always Protects

2011-07-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

This evening I am reminded of my Dad's birthday. Today he would have been 91. When I think of protection and love, I think of my Dad. That is the reason one person would protect another person from any kind of harm, because of love.

Just as our heavenly father loves each of us and protects us. We must protect our loved ones. Protect from whom or what should be our question. From the enemy, the evil one, who has many devious ways to inflict physical and spiritual harm.

One way to daily protect our loved ones is to PRAY for them and their well being. Powerful and effective against the one who can destroy. I think protection comes naturally, but be aware of standing up for what is right to be an example for the next generation.

Love rejoices with the truth

2011-07-21T05:19:00.000-07:00

Jesus said in John 8:31, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!"

In regard to all areas of our lives, the Word of God is pertinent. We know good and bad, truth and dishonesty through the words written in the bible. Many times we can twist those words to conform to what we choose to do that we think is right. But if we can read the scriptures, understand their meaning, and apply them to our lives, we will understand the truth that sets us free. Living for Lord daily.

1 John 3:16-20, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Love does not delight in evil

2011-07-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd time I am typing these thoughts. It is as if the evil one prevented the posting in some manner. How strange is that???

My earlier thoughts were something like this. . . Love is opposite from evil. If God is love, and we are to reflect that type of love, how can one delight in evil? Can one be a Christian and delight in evil ways? The early church had such difficultites and Peter addressed the matter in 1Peter 4:3-8

"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Love does keep records of wrongs

2011-07-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

What if God keep a record or our wrongs????????????????
We would have NO hope, NO future!

But God loved us, forgives us, and He expects us to do the same for others.

Matthew 6:14 (immediately following the Lord's model prayer) "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Forgiveness does not remember the wrongs!!!
Forgiveness lets go, builds a bridge and gets over it.

In Isaiah 43:25 God says to unfaithful Israel "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."

In Jeremiah 31:33-34 God speak of his covenant with the house of Israel "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Who is perfect?? We all fail to meet another person's expectations. Let us try hard to love unconditionally, as God loves us.

Love is not easily angered

2011-07-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

If love is not "easily" angered, it implies that anger happens. If we could live in a bubble and no one would upset our thoughts or plans we could live without conflict. But then again we can get angry with ourselves. As for me, I need people in my life, I desire close relationships with me loved ones. Which means I have to let go of the little things that bother me, certain things just are not worth getting angry about. . . if you know what I mean!

We must guard the words that come out of our mouths, since we can never take them back again. Our words can leave scars on another person's heart and a lasting impression. Many times stress, ill health, or time constraints cause us to lose our temper.

When we love someone, don't let satan stir up your emotions that lead you to becoming "easily" angered. Take a deep breath, count to 10, think before you speak. Even Jesus became angry, but that was a rare time, we don't read that he was a HOT HEAD!

Love is not self seeking

2011-07-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

Then if love is NOT self seeking it must be "other's" seeking.

Looking out for the interest of others.

That is a full time job!!! Once again our example is Jesus. Look how he took pleasure in healing others, forgiving others, feeding others, and mostly loving others.

It is not all about ME!!!!

It is ALL about what Jesus did for me, in turn it is how I think of others more important than myself.

Love is not RUDE

2011-07-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

My mother taught me not to be rude to others. Rudeness comes from our words and actions and is offensive to others. Sometimes we can even be rude by simply being silent. It comes from bitterness in our own hearts and tends to leave bitterness in someone else's heart. It is hurtful, selfish, and brings NO glory to God Almighty. It takes thought, and self-control to overcome such bitterness. It takes time and maturity to improve oneself not to be rude.

The better way is to think of what your words or actions would feel like if someone spoke or acted that way towards you. Honor one another above yourself. If possible and it depends on you live at peace with one another. Love one another in words and actions, and when you feel that bitterness building up inside remember "Love is not rude."

It can be said that I would not have to be rude if the other person didn't act that way first. I ask you, who is the bigger person? Who is the child of God? Always remember your Heavenly Father is watching you. Start today by ending rudeness of all kinds.

Love is not PROUD

2011-07-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

Love is not arrogant or haughty.
Love does not have excessive self-esteem!

Proverbs 16:5
The Lord detests all the proud

Romans 12:16
Do not be proud,
but be willing to associate with those who are less fortunate.

James 4:6
God opposes the proud.

Pride not only shows lack of love, it is detestable to God, it is opposite to the manner in which a Christian should behave.

One can be blessed beyond measure, I suggest giving glory to God and be clothed in humility. Jesus is our example. Although being in very nature God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, rather he humbled himself.

Love does not boast

2011-07-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

Boasting, bragging, same thing. If you love others you do not have to show off! Besides, you would not have a thing to boast about if it were not for the blessings of our Heavenly Father.

Paul expresses his love for Christ in Philippians 3. Anything that was to his profit, anything that he could possibly boast about he considered it loss for the sake of Christ. v. 8 "What is more, I consider everything a loss comapred to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him."

We will not take our possessions, "our stuff" with us when we pass from this world. If we must boast, BOAST about your savior Jesus, and what he has done for us!

Love does not envy

2011-07-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

If I love someone, I am not to envy them?

What is meant by envy?

My bible dictionary defines envy as jealous; resentment aroused by another's advantage or possessions.

Jesus said in Mark 7: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within,(out of men's hearts) come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man unclean."

An evil action begins with a single thought. Allowing our minds to dwell on envy will lead to sin. It is a hard thing to want something badly and then be happy for someone else who has it. But that is LOVE!

Love is simply kind

2011-07-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 12:25

"An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but
a kind word cheers him up."

Today I plan to call several widows who are shut in.
Find out how their day is going then share a scripture,
followed by a prayer.

Or I may write several notes to my elderly aunts & uncles who
live far away and send an old photo that will make them
smile.

Weither written or verbal, our words have great "cheering-up" power.

Just Do It!!!

Love is KIND

2011-06-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

In prayer each morning ask God to give you an opportunity to be kind to family, friends or co-workers. It is amazing what will happen.

In going into several websites for random acts of kindness I found so many ideas that I plan to implement. My list will be different from yours, but you get the idea, do something that is positive and kind. You will be reflecting the love of your heavenly Father by your words and actions. Never expect a thank you for your kindness, just knowing that you pleased God is satisfying in itself.

Here is my short list:

*write a letter to someone who has made a difference in your life
*be generous with compliments
*donate to your church's food pantry
*send a thank your note or cookies to your local policemen, fire department, and/or mail carrier
*leave a generous tip
*send an e-card to brighten someone's day
*bake a cake and bring it to a retirement center

Love is Kind

2011-06-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

Love is kind . . .

I love thinking about random acts of kindness. In fact there are websites with suggestions that are as simple as sending an annonymous note, a simple phone call, or offering a smile to a passerby.

Kindness is something our parents taught us from an early age. Be kind to your brothers and sisters. In your speech and actions demonstrate gentleness and understanding.

Proverbs 14:31

Whoever is kind to the needy honors God!

This week challenge yourself to be kind to those you love, and go one step further and be kind to a stranger.

Love is Patient

2011-06-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

Love is

P A T I E N T !!!!!!!

*******************

Really??
How long does a person have to wait??
Do you ever wonder why they call a person in the "waiting" room of a doctor's office a patient?

Take a deep breathe, and sing that little song we sing to our children. In fact I just sang it to Libby yesterday. Be patient, be patient, don't be in such a hurry, if you are impatient, you only start to worry. Remember, remember that God is patient too, think about all the times that others wait for you.

How patient our God is with us. He must think we are pitiful when we can't be patient with others.

SLOW DOWN, breathe, and be patient, in traffic, in a long line, waiting for the timer to go off, especially with your loved ones. We all need improvement, let's begin with patience.

Love is PATIENT

2011-06-23T06:43:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 13:4

I wonder why patience would be the very first in the list of "what is love"?

I just spent 10 days traveling with my 85 year old mother in New York. I had to practice patience each day. It required putting her needs first, it required understanding the fact that she can't hear well, or move fast. Most of all it required holding my tongue when I could have easily made comments that would have reflected My frustration.

Intentionally putting her needs and happiness above my own made those 10 days memorable and WE both enjoyed our vacation.

Love is PATIENT

2011-06-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

"Love is . . .

PATIENT>"

***************

Our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God's kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves!!!

It is utterly unselfish.

Patience is not natural. Endurance and hopeful forbearance requires placing another person or thing ABOVE your own interests.

Proverbs 14:29 states "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." I would assume that we could gain "GREAT UNDERSTANDING" from God's Word, I think they call that wisdom.

1 Corinthians 8:1

2011-06-21T03:11:00.000-07:00

"Knowledge puffs up,
but love builds up."

********************

Love is more important than knowledge. Knowldge can make us look good and feel important, but we can all too easily develop and arrogant, know-ti-all prideful attitude. Many epople whith strong opinions are unsilling to listen to and learn from God and others. Remember the Pharasiees? Knowledge lacking love.

Humility allows us to have great knowledge as well as the ability to encourage and love others by meeting their needs.

We can know and be known by God only when we model Him by showing love (1John 4:7-8.)

1 Timothy 4:11-12

2011-06-20T04:06:00.000-07:00

"Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."

*********************************

Young, old, man, woman or child. These are sound instructions from Paul. We should set an example in our homes, in our workplace, in our community, in our church, anywhere where go. Specifically; in words & attitudes we use, in our actions, in our display of love for others, in our spiritual lives and in choosing purity, not becoming like the rest of the world."

That is a challenge. When we can live out the teachings of Christ others will notice, we do not have to even open a bible to show them the love that Christ has poured out on us. We simply will be an instrument of His love.

Ephesians 4:2

2011-06-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

From prison Paul wrote, "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

**********************************

No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must accept and love other Christians in spite of their faults. When we see faults in fellow believers, we should be patient and gentle. Is there someone whose actions or personality really annoys you?

Rather than dwelling on that person's weaknesses or looking for faults, pary for him or her. Then do ever more - spend time together and see if you can learn to like him or her.

Ephesians 3:14-19

2011-06-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

A Prayer for the Ephesians

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

*******************************

God's love is TOTAL. It reaches every corner of our life.

It is wide - it covers the breadth of our own experience and it reaches out to the whole world.

God's love is long - it continues the lengh of our lives.

It is high - it rises to the eheights of our celebrationa dn elation.

His love is deep - it reahces to the depths of discouragement, despair and even death.

When you feel shut out or isolated, remember tha you can never by lost to God's love.

Galations 5:22-28

2011-06-15T05:35:00.000-07:00

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

***************************************

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ himself. You cannot TRY to gese these traits. If you want them you must join your lives to His (John 15:4-5).

We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law - to love God and our neighbors.

Galations 5:13-15

2011-06-14T05:40:00.000-07:00

"You, my brothers, and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

*********************************

When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon the unity of believers is broken.

Have we talked behind some one's back? Have we focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths?

When we begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. If there are issues that need to be addressed, it is better to confront in love than to go behind their back and gossip.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

2011-06-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

Paul's letter to instruct the Corinthian church

"Be on guard; stand firm in the faith;
be men of courage; be strong.
Do everything in love."

***********************************

Did he say EVERYTHING in love???

As the Corinthians awaited Paul's next visit, they were to be actively working on specific topic of spiritual growth. These same things we too should be actively working on until Christ returns.

1. Be on guard against spiritual dangers.
2. Stand firm in our fundamental faith.
3. Behave courageously in this sinfilled world
4. Be strong and willing to be different from others.
5. Do EVERYTHING with kindness and in love. WWJD

Galatians 5:22-26

2011-06-10T03:48:00.000-07:00

Paul said "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in stepwith the Spirit. let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

BUT the fruit of the Spirit is , joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

******************************

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous working of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are also found in the nature of Christ.

We must join our lives to His (John 15:4-5) We cannot have these spiritual qualities naturally without th Holy Spirit within us. We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law - to love

Romans 12:9

2011-06-09T04:51:00.000-07:00

"Love MUST be sincere."

**************

Think about this...

Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others - how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of others' needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice.

But God has called us to real and sincere love that goes FAR beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It demands our time, money, personal involvement, and many times self-sacrifice.

Some of our relationships are easy to love sincerely, others require us to love as God loves us. . .unconditionally with sincere intentions!

Romans 5:1-5

2011-06-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access BY faith into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God! Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character , hope. And hope does not disappoiont us, because God has POURED out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."

***********************************

I am about to commit this passage to memory (just like Christy!). I want to understand every word of these few sentences. It is the reason we love. God POURED out his love into our hearts, what are we going to do with it now???

Yes we are going to suffer in all kinds of trials, but we must work through those hard times, persevere. There is so much more awaiting for us at the end. If our blessings come as raindrops, it is difficult to understand at the time, however looking back we see clearly how God drew us to His side and surrounded us with compassionate friends and family.

Let us be the hands and feet that comfort the suffering and bring joy to the sad hearted.

John 15:17

2011-06-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, IF you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

This is my command: Love each other!"

********************

We are to love each other deeply as Jesus loved us. We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love:
by listening
by helping
by encouraging
by giving.

Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give all the love you can, and then try to give a little bit more.

John 13:35

2011-06-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you MUST love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

**************************

If we act like the rest of the world, how will we be recognized as followers of Christ? This week concentrate on letting others get ahead of us. Whether it be letting someone in line at the grocery store go ahead of you, OR coming to a stop light and letting everyone else go ahead of you, OR anywhere there is a wait, GO LAST!!!

It always impresses me when someone else allows me to go first. The mind thought that rushes through my brain is that person must be very thoughtful, and a loving person.

Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 19:28-30 "I can guarantee this truth: When the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne in the world to come . . . everyone who gave up homes, brothers or sisters, father, mothers, children or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherist eternal life. However, many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

Matthew 22:37

2011-06-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind.

This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like the first: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."

************************************

It is ALL about LOVE!

That word ALL is a HUGH word when we consider our heart, soul, and mind. How can we love God in those 3 areas?

My understanding is to love God completely, with every fiber of our being till the end of our time in this world.

And then. . . with the same love pass it on to your neighbor, and lastly, yourself.

How many times do we get that order reversed? Putting me first, others second, and God last???

Matthew 5:43-48

2011-06-01T18:40:00.000-07:00

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

********************

Overcome evil with good! Easier said than done!! Does this scripture challenge you as it does me? If you love your enemies and treat them well, you will truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life. This may only happen if one can abandon oneself to God, because only He can deliver people from natural selfishness. Trust the Holy Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we may not feel love.

Do you need to call someone, write to someone, hug someone to express that love?

Psalm 89:1-2

2011-05-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through ALL generations.

I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself."

**********************

The theme of Psalm 89 is God's promise to preserve David's descendants. God's promise IS fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who will reign for eternity. The love and kindness promised to David is ours IN Christ.

These verses are as complicated or as simple as we make them. I choose to take the simple side and literally think about the happiness and joy we bring to others by our singing. Don't you just love to sing with children? They naturally have such joy in their hearts. Why not find some new or old children's songs that praise God and teach them to your children or grandchildren.

What a great way to teach the next generation about what a Mighty, Awesome, Loving God we serve!

Love, Love, Love

2011-05-31T05:58:00.000-07:00

"I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don't have love, I am nothing. I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don't have love, none of these things will help me."

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
God's Word Translation

**************

There is nothing more important than love. No spiritual gifts, no sacrifices, nothing is has greater value to our Almighty God. Love begins with me! In my relationships at home, my church, my workplace, my community.

Love comes naturally to some and it is a challenge to others. But I do know that when you have been loved, it is a natural response to love someone else. When we truely understand that God loved us FIRST, it should be a natural response to love God in return and follow in the footsteps of his son, Jesus Christ.

This summer, with your help, I want to expand my idea of how to love like Jesus. It will require digging into the life of Jesus and learning how he showed love and compassion. Let us challenge each other to go beyond our "ordinary" routine humdrum life and step out and truely love one another.

Memorial Day Observance

2011-05-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

I read this article in the paper today and it touched my heart.

"When I was much younger, Memorial Day to me meant a day off from school, a cookout in the park and the start of the summer vacation season.

Today, maturity has made me realize that the real heros of our nation don't earn million-dollar salaries, drive expensive cars or wear fancy clothes. They wear military uniforms, earn meager salaries and serve with little notoriety.

As you celebrate this holiday, remember that these service men and women are everyday people who have dared to answer the call to serve. They come from hard-working families and hail from big cities, small country towns and humble suburban neighborhoods. They represent different ethnicities, religions and creeds. They are the less than 1% of the population who serve in the U.S. military.

So throughout this weekend, and especially on Monday, remember the servants, the brave souls who have given their lives so we can continue to enjoy the liberty that our forefathers envisioned for us all."

Commentary by James Key

I will follow you

2011-05-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Direct my footsteps

according to your word,

let no sin rule over me.

Psalm 110:133

God's Promises Regarding Gratitude

2011-05-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

Psalm 9:1-2

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Matthew Chapter 11

2011-04-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Jesus and John the Baptist
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew Chapter 10

2011-04-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Matthew Chapter 9

2011-04-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

The Calling of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus Questioned About Fasting
14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.

Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

The Workers Are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Matthew Chapter 8

2011-04-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

The Faith of the Centurion
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

Jesus Heals Many
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”

The Cost of Following Jesus
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

Matthew Chapter 7

2011-04-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

Judging Others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Matthew Chapter 6

2011-04-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Matthew 6
Giving to the Needy
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should 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 today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew Chapter 5

2011-04-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew Chapter 4

2011-04-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

Matthew 4
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus Begins to Preach
12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Heals the Sick
23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Matthew Chapter 3

2011-04-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Matthew 3
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew Chapter 2

2011-04-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

Matthew 2
The Magi Visit the Messiah
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Escape to Egypt
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”

The Return to Nazareth
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

From the time Jesus came into the world, even a King was threatened by him. A mere baby drove a powerful man to order a horrendous act to have all the male babies under 2 years old to be killed. How ironic that Jesus came to show us the love of His father who is Almighty God.

Matthew Chapter 1

2011-04-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

Matthew 1
The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah
1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,
9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

12 After the exile to Babylon:
Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,
Abihud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Elihud,
15 Elihud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy to prove that Jesus is the descendant of both King David and Abraham, just as the Old Testament had predicted. Jesus' birth didn't go unnoticed, for both shepherds and Magi came to worship him.

More than 400 years had passed since the last Old Testament prophecies, and the faithful Jews all over the world were still waiting for the Messiah. This book presents Jesus as King and Messiah, who would fulfill prophesy and would reign forever.

Ruth 4:18-22

2011-03-30T04:03:00.000-07:00

The Genealogy of David

18 This, then, is the family line of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,

19 Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab,

20 Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

21 Salmon the father of Boaz,

Boaz the father of Obed,

22 Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David.

Ruth 4:13-17

2011-03-29T04:01:00.000-07:00

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth 4:6-12

2011-03-28T04:00:00.001-07:00

6 At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”

7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.)

8 So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal.

9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!”

11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 Through the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”

Ruth 4:1-5

2011-03-16T05:59:00.000-07:00

1 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.

3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek.

4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.”

“I will redeem it,” he said.

5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.”

****************************************************

The laws establish during this time period provided for the care of the widows. The process was orderly, and the necessity of witnesses to prove the meeting was required. There was no need for lawyers & legal documents, a county court office and administrative fees. How complicated our lives have become, when it use to be as simple as brining your business in front of the elders and resolving issues.

Ruth 3:14-18

2011-03-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.”

15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town.

16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”

Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughterr, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”

********************************************************

Do what you can do, then WAIT!!!

Naomi demonstrates what a wise woman she was. Look at how she carefully and timely led Ruth to be with Boaz. We do not get the whole story in the scriptures, just enough to know that God had favor on Ruth. I could imagine there was fervent prayer for Ruth's future and Naomi totally trusted her Almighty God to provide.

In this passage we see how she told Ruth to WAIT. We need to be wise in our actions, but not forceful in relationships. God is at work in the details and in the hearts of man. It should not amaze us what God is about to do in weaving lives together.

I love Psalm 5 "In the morning O Lord you hear my voice. In the morning O Lord I Iay my request before you and WAIT in expectation."
Wait upon the Lord, and watch what He will do in His time.!!!

Ruth 3:7-13

2011-03-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!

9 “Who are you?” he asked.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.”

10 “The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.”

Ruth 3:1-5

2011-03-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

1 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.

2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.

3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.

4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”

5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered.

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.

****************************************************

Naomi wanted Ruth to have a future filled with everything good, as Ruth deserved for all that she had done for her mother-in-law. As Ruth is preparing for the evening with Boaz, I wonder if she knew how one evening was going to change her life in a good way forever.

"I will do whatever you say" was her response to her mother-in-law. What a attitude, in uncertain times. She trusted Naomi and did not question, she obeyed.

Ruth 2:19-23

2011-03-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

19 Her mother-in-law asked her, “Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!”

Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. “The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,” she said.

20 “The LORD bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.” She added, “That man is our close relative; he is one of our guardian-redeemers.[b]”

21 Then Ruth the Moabite said, “He even said to me, ‘Stay with my workers until they finish harvesting all my grain.’”

22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.”

23 So Ruth stayed close to the women of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Ruth 2:8-14

2011-03-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

8 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”

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.”

13 “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”

14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”

************************************************

Just as Ruth was faithful to Naomi and Naomi's God, so then God rewarded Ruth. She did not just speak the words, she followed by her actions. Our words must be true, our actions must be reflecting what our words are saying. God honors that in this story of great faith.

Boaz knew of Ruth, her sorrow as a widow, her care for her mother-in-law, and her sacrifice of leaving her family and homeland. Boaz says to her "May the Lord repay you for what you have done." If we were repaid for what we have done to others, what kind of reward would we receive? It is a worthwhile thought to consider. In Eph. 6 a verse says "The Lord repays everyone for whatever good he has done."

Challenge yourself to have the right words today and follow by the right actions. Others are watching.

May you be richly rewarded by the Lord today.

2011-03-09T05:27:00.000-08:00

1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz.

2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.”

3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!”“The LORD bless you!” they answered.

5 Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Who does that young woman belong to?”

6 The overseer replied, “She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi.

7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.”

*************************************************************************

Can you see the first step in the events which will lead to Naomi's restoration?

It all begins with the fact that Ruth was willing to do very difficult work all day in the field to provide for Naomi. Beyond coincidence, it just so happens to be the field of Boaz.

Wow wee Wow Wow Wow!!!!

I love reading scriptures that prove that God weaves our lives together int he MOST AMAZING ways.

2011-03-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

********************************************************************

How many times have we felt hopeless? Like the Lord has brought misfortune to us? Our hearts are broken, there seems to be no possible way to be happy again. We can certainly identify with the hardship of Naomi.

What is amazing is how God works out everything for the good for those who love the Lord. She returns to Bethlehem to be with her people, with her God, and in so doing she is an example to Ruth. Others are watching our struggles in life, we can be a witness to the strength of the Lord by just turning to Him in our time of need.

We can NEVER give up Hope in the Lord. That is where our Strength comes from. We are NEVER alone in our hardships if we truly are trusting in HIM!!

Ruth 1:19-21

2011-03-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

20 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

Ruth 1:16-18

2011-03-04T06:15:00.000-08:00

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

************************************************

Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn't stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly.

God accepts all who worship him; he works through people regardless of their race, sex, or nationality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness.

She was willing to leave her parents, her homeland, and her god to follow and care for Naomi. She was selfless in her role as a widow and daughter-in-law. She supported her words by her actions. Very Admirable!!!

Ruth 1:11-15

2011-03-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has turned against me!”

14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

Ruth 1:6-10

2011-03-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem

6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.
8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. 9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

Ruth 1:1-4

2011-03-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

1 In the days when the judges ruled,there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

3 Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

**********************************************************

In a recent bible study of "Calm My Anxious Heart", we reflected on the "roles" we play in life. Considering women's roles and examples that we can learn from in the bible, I was drawn to the book of Ruth.

In the first 5 verses Naomi, went from having everything to losing everyone that was dear to her heart. How did she cope with the pain in her heart? How did she survive without a man to provide for her? How did she rely on God to see her through her great trial?

We will take these 4 chapters in the book of Ruth slowly so we can understand the HOW's so that in our day of great trial we may find God in the same way.

Psalm 103

2011-02-23T05:06:00.001-08:00

1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

Psalm 102

2011-02-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

Hear my prayer, O Lord,
let my cry for help come to you.
Do not hide your face from me
when I am in destress.
Turn your ear to me,
when I call, answer me quickly.

For my days vanish like smoke,
my bones burn like glowing embers.
My heart is blighted and withered like grass,
I forget to eat my food.
Because of my loud groaning
I am reduced to skin and bones.
I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.
I lie awake, I have become
like a bird alone on a roof.
All day long my enemies taunt me,
those who rail against me use my name as a curse.
For I eat ashes as my food
and mingle my drink with tears
because of your great wrath,
for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.
My days are like the evening shadow,
I wither away like grass.

But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever,
your renown endures through all generations.
You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to show favor to her,
the appointed time has come.
The nations will fear the name of the Lord,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
He will respond to the prayer of the destitute,
he will not despise their plea.

********************************************

Good Morning God,

I praise you God for answering my pleas, for leaning your ear to my feeble prayers for your strength and endurance. You have blessed me beyond all measure and my heart sings in gratitude not just for the many ways you have provided comfort for me and my family, but above all for the provision of my sins. It is all about your Son who died for me, that is the gift above all gifts, that Jesus died for me.

The psalmist writes from a heart and body that is in pain and grief, he had yet to know that you would provide a Savior, and a Holy Spirit to help us in our weaknesses. Why do people who struggle go it alone in this world? Why do they deny your Son as their Savior, why do they choose to think this world is their home? satin has a GRIP on them and has completely veiled their eyes and darkened their days, I pray for them, but it is their choice each day whom they will serve.

As for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!

Psalm 100

2011-02-15T19:22:00.000-08:00

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

************************************************

Most Holy Heavenly Father,

I SHOUT for joy knowing that you are my God, my creator,
I am yours. I thank you and I praise you from the depths
of my heart. For you are good, no Great, no GLORIOUS!!
Really I do not have the words to properly praise you.

This I know that your love endures forever and ever. Most
importantly you are faithful from one generation to the
next. Help me to pass on my faith to my children and
grandchildren that they may pass it on to theirs, and
so on.

I am praying for so many tonight, most are your faithful
children some are not. Give heed to their words O God,
Consider their sighing, have favor upon them.

Psalm 95

2011-02-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.

Today, if only you would hear his voice,
8 “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
9 where your ancestors tested me;
they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
10 For forty years I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
11 So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

Psalm 94

2011-02-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

8 Take notice, you senseless ones among the people;
you fools, when will you become wise?
9 Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
10 Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
11 The LORD knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.

Psalm 93

2011-02-02T07:14:00.000-08:00

1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.
3 The seas have lifted up, LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.

5 Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days.

Psalm 91:9-16

2011-02-01T05:24:00.000-08:00

9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

*****************************************************

Good Morning God,

You are my Refuge from the storm, my Mighty fortress against all that is negative, you are my Light in the darkness, and your are my Eternal Guide who safely leads me to my heavenly home and keeps my feet from tripping in this world.

I am listening for you Lord, I am watching for you Lord, I am learning from your Word and taking action in my life. Thank you for commanding angels to guard me, and listening to my every prayer. I stand AMAZED at you, Almighty God.

Psalm 91:1-8

2011-01-30T17:15:00.000-08:00

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

*************************************************

O God, my heavenly Father,

I praise you for allowing me to find shelter and rest in the shadow you have provided. A refuge from the storm, a quiet place to go to that I can be still and know that You are near. You are my protector, my strength in times of uncertainty and fear. I trust in your promises and find peace in my life because your Word tells me so.

I love you Lord and want to dwell in your presence all the days of my life, I want to gaze upon your beauty, and I want to seek you in your temple.

Positive Thought

2011-01-28T14:53:00.000-08:00

Consider This

Happiest are the people
who give the most
happiness to others

Psalm 86

2011-01-28T04:17:00.000-08:00

1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;
3 have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.

**********************************************

Dearest Heavenly Father,

I praise you name, with ALL my heart.
I glorify your name, until I can no longer speak.
You are AMAZING in ALL your ways. I just love
to see how you work out everything for the good.

I pray for an undivided heart, that purity and
genuine gratitude would be ever present in my life.
Let me learn from your Word, let me meditate upon
the Holy Scriptures day and night. Let the verses
penetrate my mind and heart that I would natrually
live them out.

Forgive me Lord for any pride within me. I KNOW it
is by the power of the Holy Spirit that I am able
to to understand and share my faith with others.
Draw ladies unto me, your willing servant that I
may minister to them and use the spiritual gifts
you have richly blessed me with.

You humble servant,
Allene

Psalm 84

2011-01-27T04:14:00.000-08:00

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.[c]

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield,[e] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

12 LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Psalm 67

2011-01-26T04:06:00.000-08:00

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—[b]
2 so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

3 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
5 May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.

6 The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
7 May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalm 66

2011-01-25T04:03:00.000-08:00

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!