Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Words of Wisdom Wednesday



Proverbs 24:11 & 12c
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain . . . and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

We must protect life from abortion! We can not stand idly by as millions of babies go to death. We must help end hunger. We can not stand by as children starve to death. We must fight chemical use and the poisoning of our food. We can not stand by as millions die from chemical use. We must save people from death!


Monday, August 29, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Neither of You is Perfect


I often hear that a marriage is just a union of two sinners. How true that statement is!

Romans 3:10 tells us that, "There is none righteous, no not one."

None of us are perfect. Just as we receive forgiveness from Christ, we want to receive forgiveness from our spouse. If we want our spouse to forgive us, then we must offer our spouse our forgiveness.

Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Love Needs to Come First

Revelation 2:1-7 KJV
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The church of Ephesus was commended for many good things. If we look at the church of Ephesus from a worldly perspective, they were a "good" church. However, Christ had one complaint (and it was a big one).

They had left their first love.

Who is their first love?

Jesus Christ!

They were doing good works, but for the wrong reasons. They were no longer doing them out of love for Christ which means they weren't doing them out of love for others because Christ calls us to love.

This passage is evidence that we must always do what we do out of love. If we have deeds but not love, then it is meaningless.

Love needs to come first. Love needs to be always at the forefront.




Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Words of Wisdom Wednesday


Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

I need to remember I have what God has given me. He is in control and I need to learn to be content. Why should I envy others for one aspect of their life when most likely I have it better in more important areas?

I need to fear God and He will take care of my needs and give me what is best for me.



Monday, August 22, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Cooperation



For marriage to work, it needs to be a partnership. For a partnership to work, both parties need to cooperate with one another.

Both spouses should be on the same page when it comes to goals and dreams. It will be hard to accomplish something if you are pulling in opposite directions.

Just as a farmer yokes together oxen so they will not only work together, but accomplish more, you should be "yoked" together with your spouse.


Friday, August 19, 2016

Who Knows



Who really knows you? We must spend time with others to truly know each other and encourage one another to good works.



Thursday, August 18, 2016

Throw Back Thursday

I was looking back through some of my older posts and I thought that it might be neat to share some of them again. I used to do "Throw Back Thursday" pictures on my personal facebook page so I thought Thursdays might be a good day to share old posts again.

10 Commandments and Living in Grace is a post I wrote back in 2009 when I first started my blog.


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Children will learn from proper use of discipline. If you drive foolishness from a child, you eventually won't need the rod.


Friday, August 12, 2016

The Cost of Faith

Acts 19:18-20 KJV 
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

As I was reading about Paul, I was struck not only at the amount of suffering he, himself, endured, but also what others did as well.

While in Ephesus, Paul preached Christ and many came to know Him. When those who were into "curious arts" (some translations say strange arts) came to faith, they were convicted to rid themselves of their old practices. They burned books that together were valued at 50,000 pieces of silver!

Could they have turned around and sold them to others? Sure, but then their influence would have still been around. They took a financial loss for their faith.

This brings to mind ways we may endure financial loss due to our faith. Maybe it is throwing something away instead of selling it. Maybe it is spending more to purchase something so we aren't supporting a business that uses their profits for things that go against God's commands. Or, maybe, it is by not making as much money on something because we refuse to participate in practices that bring harm to others. There are many ways that our faith may cost us.

My prayer is that my faith is always stronger than the financial cost.

Has your faith cost you financially? How did you deal with it? I would love for you to share. Sharing may encourage someone else who is dealing with the possibility of financial loss because of their faith.


Thursday, August 11, 2016

A Chosen Vessel

Acts 9:1-31 KJV
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

I was reading about Paul's conversion and it made me think about people who have drastic conversions now. Aren't we usually pretty skeptical when we hear of someone who either persecuted Christians or who lived in a way in total opposition to God's commands when they say they have given their lives to Christ? Even the disciples were skeptical of Paul's conversion. I know that sometimes a conversion is a lie, but sometimes it is a true conversion.

I pray God grants me the wisdom to know when it is His hand at work. For Christ said to Ananias when He sent him to Saul,



I am also encouraged to pray the more heartily for those who currently persecute Christians. They, too, may be a chosen vessel of God some day.

Will you join me in prayer for people to experience a true conversion to knowing Christ and His power?


Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 22:2 
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

The world says, "He who dies with the most toys wins." God says, "He with the most toys still dies."


Monday, August 8, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Show Kindness

Have you ever noticed that attitudes are contagious? When someone speaks to you in a n irritated tone of voice, you will often reciprocate?

Well, the opposite is true as well. If you are in a bad mood and surrounded by kindness, you'll find yourself being kind.

When your spouse has a bad day and comes home and is short-tempered, or sour-faced, or quick to judge, return kindness.

Matthew 7:12 
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

This doesn't say do as they have done, but do as you would want them to do to you.

Everyone enjoys being on the receiving end of love, sweetness, and kindness. Show your spouse some kindness the next time he is cranky.



Friday, August 5, 2016

Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

As I was reading Psalm 116, I was struck by verse 17.

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

What exactly is a sacrifice of Thanksgiving?

In the old testament times, there literally was a sacrifice performed called the thanks offering.

Leviticus 7:12-13 
12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. 13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.

However, what does a sacrifice of thanksgiving look like today?

I would love your input on this. Please comment below and share your thoughts.


Thursday, August 4, 2016

A Word of Encouragement

I woke up the other night in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep. So, I started talking to God. I came to the realization that I need to deal with something I have been struggling to actually do. Why have I been struggling? Because it won't be easy or pleasant.

In the morning I asked God to lead me to scripture that would encourage me. He lead to me Isaiah 40:28:31.

28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

I pray it may be an encouragement to any of you who may also be struggling with something.


Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 21:17
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

When you spend your time, thoughts, and pursuits on the pleasures of this world, you will always be chasing them and poor in the process.


Monday, August 1, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Marriage isn't 50/50

Many people think a marriage should be 50/50. They divide up the bills, the chores, and other things so they are each taking an equal load.

Unfortunately, that doesn't work!

There are going to be times when you can't do your 50% (like when sick or 9 months pregnant). When you expect your spouse to give 50%, you will grow resentful when it doesn't happen. You will be busy keeping score instead of even keeping up with your 50%.

A marriage will be successful if both spouses give 100%. If each spouse does the best he/she can do, then it fills in the gaps and supports the other in time of need. Even if one spouse isn't giving 100%, the love and actions of the other spouse doing so can have major positive reactions.

1 John 3:18 
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.