See By It

The Great Commandment

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

There is one God. There is only one Creator. There is only one.

Some people will say that it doesn't matter who someone serves as long as they serve an higher power, but I'm here to tell you it does matter because there  is only one God.

God tells us that there really is only one commandment as well. If we remember this one, great commandment, then we will follow the rest of His commands out of love.

We are to love God with all we have. All our heart. All our soul. All our might.

God gave His all for us. We must give our all for Him.

We cannot just love Him a little. We can't just love Him 1/2 way. We must give Him all our love. If you do, you will study His Word and seek to know Him better. You will strive to have a relationship with Him.

Better Days Ahead

Haggai 2:3-9 KJV

3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: 5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. 6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. 9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

While God was speaking to His chosen people in today's scripture, it can also apply to us. Just as He covenanted with them in Egypt, He covenanted with us when we accepted Christ's shed blood for us.

He tells us to be strong because He is with us. He tells us to not fear because His Spirit remains.

When we look at America, we could say that this was once a great nation, but it is not so much anymore and continues to degrade. The important thing to remember; however, is that Christ will come back some day. The world as we know it will cease to exist and we will get a new heaven and a new earth and the "latter house shall be greater than the former."

We will have peace again someday. We must wait on the Lord and look forward to Christ's return.

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Word of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 8:11 

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

It is far better to seek wisdom than to seek riches. Nothing compares to being wise since if you find wisdom, you find life.

Proverbs 8:35 

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

How Do You Know it is a Lie?

4-24-16 Sermon

Marriage Moment Monday ~ Speak Life

Proverbs 12:18

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 15:4

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

What we say can have a major affect on our marriages. We can lift up or tear down. We can bring life to a marriage or we can kill it. Be careful what you say.

Words are powerful and can heal if used properly. Speak encouraging words to your husband. Think on the positives and voice those to your husband.

Speaking encouraging words can bring life to a dying marriage and bring more life to a good marriage. Replace negative comments with positive. Replace criticism with encouragement. Replace condemnation with grace.

The Heavens Declare

Be Strong

First Year

Deuteronomy 24:5

When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

When I was a child, I remember hearing stories of my great uncle having taken a full year off work for a honeymoon. I remember thinking that was crazy. I also remember someone saying it was biblical.

As I read Deuteronomy 24:5, the stories came back to me. Here it was--the biblical statute for a newly married couple to spend the first year together.

I wish I remember how he accomplished such a feat. Did he have a year's income saved up? Did he go back to his previous job after that year? Did they live like paupers and only on love? I honestly can't remember. When I talk to people now days, they don't see how it is possible and while it seems impossible, I think it is something worth striving towards. If God wrote it, it must be important!

Maybe we should encourage our sons and daughters to have enough money saved up. Maybe we should encourage a home business where they can work together (not a full understanding of the scripture, but closer than the normal).

So much growth can happen in the first year that this would help.

What are your thoughts?

All Have Sinned

Romans 2:1-4 

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

People often tell Christians that we are not to judge others; however, God's Word tells us that we can (Matthew 18:15-17 and James 5:19-20 are just a couple of examples). The problem with judging others is doing it self-righteously.

If we judge others all the while thinking we are sinless, there is a problem. We are all sinners!

We need to remember that we will be judged by the same standards we use to judge others. God is the only true judge and His judgements are righteous. We will not escape judgement as all will stand before the throne of God.

Just as we will be judged for our wrong doings, we will also be judged for the times we denied His "riches of his goodness". We should welcome with open arms all He has for us. And we should extend those same blessings to others. Just as Christ has forgiven us and shown us grace & mercy, we should forgive and show grace and mercy to others.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 7:3

Bind them [commandments] upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

Bind = join together.

Have God's commands ready at your fingertips. The table is the center of the home just as your heart is your center. Keep God's commandments at the center of your life.

Commanded to Love

4-17-16 Sermon

Marriage Moment Monday-Count Your Blessings

This may sound like it is too simple to work, but try it. 

Count your blessings!

Sit and write down a list of all the good things about your husband for which you are thankful. Then write a list about the things in your marriage for which you are thankful.

Then tell your husband those things!

 You may choose to write him a letter. You could even send a thank you card through the mail (who doesn't like receiving mail?!).

You could tell him over dinner. Maybe go on a date so the two of you are alone or put the kids to bed early and have a special dinner. If you think your husband would agree, maybe ask him to do the same and then you can share your lists. Or, you could just discuss it over dinner instead of writing it down beforehand.

In any case, count your blessings. No matter how hard life seems to be at times, there is always something for which to be thankful. If you are in a rough spot in your marriage, thinking on the good things can only help. If your marriage is in a good spot, thinking on the good things will only make it better.

Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A Time

No Want

Deuteronomy 6:1-3

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

Here we are told that these commands are for "thy son's son all the days of thy life." which means that these are still for us. Following the commands, statutes, and judgments of the Lord will prolong our days. God gives us these commands that we may have a good life. God's commands are not given to us to stifle us or make life miserable. They are to help us live a life full of blessings and increase.

Fear the Lord and live!

One Great Commandment

The 10 Commandments are repeated in Deuteronomy 5 (originally in Exodus 20). It is immediately after that we come upon chapter 6  which tells us what to do with those commandments.

Chapter 6 also summarizes all the commandments into one great commandment.

We are given instruction and told of the blessings of following the command as well as warning against if we don't follow it.

Join me as we look closer at Deuteronomy 6.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 6:12-13

A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

You will know a person by his actions. Do not just pay attention to what he says, but watch what he does. In the same way, be careful of what your actions are saying about you.

True Vine

Sermon from 4-10-16

Marriage Moment Monday-Begin With Yourself

Matthew 7:3-5 

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Most wives can think of at least one thing they would change about their husband. Unfortunately, I'm sure their husbands can think of a way they would like to change their wives, too!

If you would like to improve your marriage, you should look at yourself and examine what you could change to make you a better wife. Confess your failures to your husband and ask for one suggestion on how you could change and then try your best to change. Chances are that when he sees your effort and knows you are being authentic, he may try the same.

A Wise Woman

Proverbs 14:1 

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

A wise woman will do what is needed for her family. She will seek ways to improve the home, the atmosphere and the physical needs of the family. Her goal is to make things better at home and the best way to do that is to be a keeper of the home.

A foolish woman will tear apart her household. She may not see the importance of diligent work and be lazy. She may not be careful of how she spends money. She may be seeking praise from man instead of knowing her value in God. In whatever case, her home, her family, will come to ruin if she puts her focus on things of this world rather than fearing the Lord.

A Good Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

This verse brought peace to my heart as I read it. As a mother of young children, I am often in need of wisdom. God declares that He gently leads us. He doesn't lead us by beating us; He leads with gentleness.

If you watch a shepherd out with a flock of sheep, he is gently guiding them in the way they should go. If you happen to see a shepherd who beats or whips his sheep, you will also notice the sheep run from him instead of being guided by him.

I am so thankful for a Good Shepherd who leads with gentleness!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 5:8-10

Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house . . . Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;

While I know these verses are in reference to an immoral relationship, I can see how they also fit with begin in debt. Don't even "play" with debt because you will be drawn in with "just a little more" and soon you will be drowning. You will then spend years working just to pay the bills. Someone else will get rich of your work. You will wonder why you didn't listen to wise counsel in the first place and just stay away.

Keep My Commandments

4-3-16 Sermon

Marriage Moment Monday-Communicate Love

1 Corinthians 13:13-14:1 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

I already wrote about communication, but now I'll go a step further.

There are five basic ways people feel loved. Chances are high that you and your husband don't have the same love language.

Gary Chapman explains that the five basic love languages are quality time, acts of service, touch, words of affirmation, and gifts.

You need to discover your husband's love language and learn to speak it. It may be difficult to speak his language at first, but I promise, it will be worth it in the end!

It will also be beneficial for you to discover what your own love language is. You can take a test here.

Confession

Nehemiah 9:3 

And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

One evening at church we discussed why so many people do not ask for prayer for spiritual issues and we came to the conclusion that most likely it was due to pride-not wanting others to know of our struggles with sin. I believe the same goes for confession.

When is the last time you confessed your sins? I know I confess to God daily, but I believe it is also important to confess to others. Not only may our sins have affected them, but they can take part in intercessory prayer and help hold us accountable.

The Israelites spent a quarter of the day in confession-6 hours! They had already fasted and wore sackcloth (1) which implies confession to others. They put aside their pride and humbled themselves before their friends and family.

I think it is important to do the same. I know it is hard because I'll be the first to admit that I don't do it often, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. May we all be more apt to confess to others.