Devotions...

Matthew 11:28

2011-11-20T17:56:00.000-09:00

1 Corinthians 13 4-7

2011-11-20T17:31:00.003-09:00

Set Your Mind on Things Above

2011-11-20T14:53:00.001-09:00

What we dwell on is what we shall be.

Deuteronomy 6:4-12
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! ⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. ⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. ¹⁰ “Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, ¹¹ and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, ¹² then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Psalms 1:1-3
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

Matthew 4:4
“It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.”

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

If you can find these things around you, LIVE there, let your mind stay there.

Colossians 3:1-4
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. ³ For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

And how do we "transform" and "renew our mind"? By our thoughts!

Armies train to prepare solders so that whenever they are in a war time scenario - fear won't overcome them.

We are at war. The devil is after our soul, our children's souls, familes souls, friends souls, strangers souls... The sad fact is that there are casualties that outnumber the victories.

Prepare.

The notes above are all quotes and scriptures from a sermon given by Bill Williams on December 30th, 2007 at Valley Church of Christ in Wasilla, Alaska. If you'd like to hear the full sermon you can listen to it or even download it free HERE. Bill is presently the preacher at the Church of Christ in Juneau, Alaska.

The Father's Love Letter

2010-11-20T11:13:00.001-09:00

Someone passed this link on to a few of us today. It's amazing and wonderfully timed. Hope you enjoy....

Praying Daily for your Family

2010-09-02T12:21:00.004-08:00

Are you in prayer for your family each day?

Today myself and other members of a Christian forum I am a member of had the most encouraging reminder from another faithful woman who prays for her family. I'll skip quoting the private details of her story and the wonderful reports of answered prayer she gave and just leave you the stuff the struck me the most...

I can't emphasize enough how *important*, ESSENTIAL, it is to be IN prayer daily for & over your family & your husband!!!

YOU are HIS wife--it is your duty, responsibility & privilege to cover him in prayer like NO OTHER woman can do!

DO NOT neglect the diligent prayer over your children & husband. AS WELL AS, seeking God first in all things, *especially* moments of crisis.

He is a God of harmony, reconciliation, endurance and encouragement. Be sure of it.

The bold emphasis above in her quote is mine, those words just penetrated me! What a blessing to have such an encouraging reminder.

She also left us with these 4 helpful pieces, I hope you can find as much encouragement as I did:

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband
Praying Daily For Your Husband
31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children
Prayer Calendar for Moms (Same as above but in calendar form.)

Psalms 53

2009-10-17T22:15:00.000-08:00

I read Psalms 53 tonight and really found it to be a humble reminder not to let days go by without speaking to The Father, without reading his word, and without teaching my kids about this great, loving, protecting, and wonderful God.

Not to have fear, over things I haven't much control over (which is just about everything right??). God is looking out over his children, and protecting us daily. So as the New Testament says even simpler...

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34)

I usually would post the Psalms53 scripture here but this time I'm not going to. When I first read it, it was out of the new american standard version, which I had a hard time following for this particular chapter.. So I read it in the NIV and then went on to confirm what I was getting out of it from a study guide. I feel like if I posted Psalms 53, I would not be encouraging any reader to give close attention to it and might misinterpret it easier. You can read both versions at biblegateway.com if you'd like to take a closer look.

Another in closing....

Luke 12:22-31
²²Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁶Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
²⁷"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Appetites

2008-12-21T15:27:00.002-09:00

Someone passed along this article on one of the forums I read. It was an EXCELLENT read, I hope you'll make your way to the bottom and soak up such a wonderful lesson.

Children's Appetites
Found at the "Living Sacrifice" blog.

Our homeschooling support group is working through the “Genesis of a Legacy” Bible study by Ken Ham. Wow! What a great and inspiring series of lessons to remind us just WHY to homeschool in the first place.

One thing has stood out to me this week: The issue of appetites. Ken Ham gives an illustration in one of his video presentations where he has three volunteers from his audience come to the platform and try a bite of vegemite. Vegemite is an Australian favorite—a dark brown squeaky paste made with salt and yeast. Australians eat it on bread or sandwiches. They love it. Most Americans, tasting it for the first time, think it is disgusting (I’ve tasted it and did not remotely like it!). He explained that Australians love vegemite because when they are babies, their parents start giving them tastes of it on a spoon. They grow up eating it, having it regularly, and their appetite is built for it. The parents actually train their appetite for it!

So, what appetites are you building in your children?

What are your children hungry for? How do they want to spend their time? What do they want to “put in their brain?” What do they want to eat? How do they want to behave?

Are we giving our children an appetite for video games? TV? Movies? Collectible Toys? Superheroes? Comic books? Sports? Worldly pleasures? Junk food? Laziness (not doing chores or work?) Lack of self-control? (giving in to whims or desires without regard to consequences?)

How often, do we as parents, cultivate the wrong appetites and then whine and worry when our children aren't hungry for the things of God? When they aren't interested in good things, and godly things? Sometimes, we cultivate wrong appetites because WE are lazy (yes, I am aware that is a word that makes many people mad). Sometimes, I am tempted to turn on a cartoon for my fussing baby just to keep him quiet and occupied for a while. But I will not often do it. I offer him things that I know will give him a good appetite: to accompany me while I do a chore, or to play with his toys--toys we have approved (blocks, a few cars, books, wooden puzzles). At any given time, I will tell him to play with his toys, or he must do nothing (sit on a chair in the middle of the room). Guess what--he is developing an appetite for his toys--the toys we choose and approve. He is developing an appetite to sit contentedly and look at books or work puzzles.

Incidentally, he is 2. He has one basket of toys. No more. He has about 12 books that are at his level, and a stack of wooden puzzles that are kept in his sister's room in her cupboard (they were hers, and her older brother's before her).

I allow him to sit at his desk and draw or color, or play with his flash cards.

Sometimes, when the other children are doing school and the chores are caught up, I play a game with him, or I read to him, or I work on other ways to develop his good appetites.

At the moment, while I am typing, he is outside "working" with his older brother, and loving every minute of it. Following his brother while he does outside chores is a joy to him. And his older brother develops an appetite at the same time!

What about our older children? How often do we let them get absorbed in video games, a movie, or TV just because it keeps them quiet, it keeps them from fighting, and we aren't even watching the time anyway because we are so busy ourselves surfing the internet, watching TV, or pursuing our own pleasures. What do my children/your children do while we are online? What about right now?

About three years ago, we started reprogramming our children’s appetites to God-pleasing things. God revealed His truth in this area and I realized it was my responsibility to train the right appetites for my children--my end goal being to turn out children who had a hunger for God first and foremost, and an appetite for godly things. I prayed daily for help. We made changes.

We began consistently saying “no” to things where God revealed we were developing wrong appetites, (and explaining why they are not glorifying to God) and replacing those things with God-pleasing alternatives. This year, I am finally seeing the change and transformation evident in their appetites. God's work is evident in our home. He has been changing us, changing our lives, and changing our appetites!

About 3-4 years ago, we took away, one by one, TV, movies, collectible toys, superheroes, comic books, video games. We kept toys that helped facilitate their growth in a godly way. We didn’t do this all at once! We were still growing in the Lord, and we didn’t always realize right away that some things were not pleasing to God. But we grew, and we changed. And we are still growing and changing.

For example, at this point in time, my daughter (who is now 8) has a play kitchen and four baby dolls. BABY dolls—not Barbie dolls, Polly Pockets, Bratz Dolls, or any other kind of dolls. BABY dolls. These toys encourage her to practice being a mother. They give her an appetite for mothering. The other dolls simply were not as good at building this appetite.

My daughter has a doll house. Not a trendy, collectible, plasticky, Barbie or fashion-doll house. A real doll house. Made with wood. It has carpeting and tile and empty rooms. She has a bin of wooden furniture and accessories. It helps her organize and design a home. It gives her an appetite for being a home manager. She can sew curtains or make tiny pillows or bedspreads, placemats, or crochet area rugs. She can make little pictures to hang on the walls, or design wallpaper, borders, or textured paint.

My son (now 13) has Legos. They give him an appetite for being a creator, inventor, planner, and builder. He has books to read—godly books. Lamplighter Publishing, Henty novels, Christian biographies, martyr stories, missionary stories, and some approved classics (not all classics are acceptable—even though they are classics!).

My son has a computer for typing and learning programming—he has a programmable robot. He has no internet connection. He has an email address, but he corresponds only with family and very rarely AS NEEDED, and it is supervised by his parents. He is not allowed to check it by himself (due to spam). His appetite is not being built for internet, email, and chat. His appetite is being built to use the computer as a tool.

My son has tools. He has outdoor sports equipment. He has a basketball hoop, baseball equipment, golf clubs, soccer balls, a bike, a scooter, a .22 rifle and a bow with arrows (50 lb). He doesn’t play on teams at the moment—it is not how God is directing him, and we are not feeding his appetite to think that athletics are highly important. He might watch a sporting event or two each year. But we do teach him that being healthy is important, and that having fun is something God wants us to do!

We have art supplies and books to teach drawing and painting. We have stuff for sewing, crocheting, knot tying, and music (piano, guitar, recorders).

We have a DVD player. It is for sermons, Moody Science videos, and other Christian videos we own. It is not used more than once a week, if that.

We have local TV channels. Most days it is never turned on.

The children have a typing tutor on the computer with games (my 8-year-old daughter can type over 20 words per minute—and she loves typing! She has built an appetite for it!). They have Rosetta Stone Spanish they can do independently. We have about 4 computer games that can only be played with permission. They are car racing (just cars--no people, stealing, chasing... just driving), and hockey.

So, after three years, I have been watching my children and gauging their appetites. Finally, there is evidence that their appetites are changing. They don’t miss or even bat an eye that other children have Playstations, PSPs, action figure toys, Barbie Dolls, every Polly Pocket set, or 6 American Girl dolls, the whole line of Bratz dolls, or all the Littlest Pet Shop toys. My children have no appetite for these things any longer.

My son has built an appetite for reading. And we feed him on GOOD books. Godly books. My son has built an appetite for playing the piano and the guitar—he loves choosing to spend his free time there. He has built an appetite for outdoor work. At the moment, he has taken his little brother and they are collecting kindling for the winter. He has an appetite for mechanical things.

My daughter has built an appetite for singing, for cooking, and for reading. She loves typing and writing in her free time. She loves crocheting and embroidery. She actually doesn't play with her toys that often any more. They are used mostly when friends are visiting--and I feel good knowing I am not feeding bad appetites in other people's children with the toys I have in my home. But my daughter's appetites are changing. For example, in her free time this week, I have observed her reading through "Drawing with Children" on her own and completing the lessons. She has been reading "The Book of Virtues." She has been working on her typing skills. She has been playing with her brothers.

They have learned to play contentedly with each other (not all the time of course, but certainly most) – a 13-year-old boy and an 8 year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy. The past few weeks, they have been inventing their own game using the baby’s bin of toy animals (miniature plastic giraffes, elephants, gorillas, alligators, etc.) They wrote a rule book and have played together for hours in the evenings, having a wonderful time. They happily include the baby. They have an appetite for each other!

But most importantly, I’ve noticed they have an appetite for God. This year, our Bible classes day can run an hour or two overtime. Why? The children never get tired of discussing God’s Word. We get out the concordance, we talk, discuss, apply, think of examples, write notes… And we’re not even using a curriculum. Just the Bible. They are excited, engaged, interested, and intrigued. Not too long ago, when my daughter was told, “Get your notebook, we’re watching a sermon for Bible class today.” She actually jumped and cheered.

Now that’s a good appetite.

My children have an appetite for chores. We’ve worked at it steadily. It is now a regular part of their lives. They love order and neatness. They hate chaos, mess, and excess. Weekly, they bring me things they have identified that they no longer need or use. Their rooms, drawers, shelves, and closets are in near perfect order most days. My oldest is to the point where mess and chaos bothers him. It is not normal to them. Their appetite is for cleanliness, orderliness, and things that are needed—not things that are not needed.

And what is really neat about all of this is watching the baby. You see, my older two children originally had bad appetites. When my son was 8, he had every Pokemon toy and every Pokemon card. He had every Disney video. He had everything. My daughter had Barbies, Polly Pockets, and who knows what else. They watched TV. They had “attitude”—I had given them an appetite for it. My older children—they had to be reprogrammed. I had to change their appetites.

But the baby—he was born into an entirely different family. It is amazing to see the appetites that this little guy has developed. Guess what his number one favorite activity is?

Work. Of any kind. He loves to work. Why? Since he was born, that is what he has been fed. He loves helping with any chore at any time. He observes what the family is doing, and leaps up to help -- throwing clothes in the washer, or grabbing napkins for the table, or...

School work. He is only 2 ½. He has flash cards and worksheets, and he begs to do school work. That is the appetite our home cultivates.

Praying and talking about Jesus. And singing about Jesus. And reading his Bible. He can’t read, but he has three Bibles he carries around, and sits down to read them. Or, he sits at the piano with his Bible open on his lap and “sings” from his Bible while he plays. Okay, it sounds like some "joyful noise" but in his heart, he is singing!

Appetites!

I just wanted to document God’s wonderful work here in this journal of mine. Get that straight—It’s all GOD’s handiwork. Not mine. I could have never gotten it figured out on my own, and certainly could not have done anything right.

God’s ways are perfect, and He promises to give us anything we ask that is in His will. We asked, He gave it to us.

Do your appetites need to be changed? How about your children? PRAY! God will get to work! It is His will!
-----------------

Epilogue:

Now, let's apply this to Christmas!

Look at your Christmas list for your children, other people, and other people's children. Make sure the things on your list bless the other person (like homemade food, edible treats, and such), and FEED GOOD APPETITES!

For example, I used to let my son buy video games or Lego sets for his friends or relatives. Not any more. We try to think of something we can make, and if not, we try to choose something that will not be a time waster for the person receiving the gift or a money waster for us or contribute to a covetous attitude like collectible toys.

For example, my son sent his half-brother (age 12) a homemade fleece blanket and matching pillow for his birthday this past fall, including a framed matching painting that he had done of a peacock (the colors in the painting matched the colors on the blanket, and all those colors matched the colors of this boy's room). We then baked him a whole batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies--his favorite--and included them in the box.

One of my daughter's friends is getting a typing tutor software as a gift for Christmas to encourage productive computer time and writing (this girl has played for hours on the typing tutor at our home).

I fully believe in blessing our children with good gifts--especially at Christmas--to celebrate the ultimate gift God gave to us, but also to teach them about the nature of God and His goodness. God gives us good things all day every day!

Want to know what our kids are getting for Christmas? Here is a list. The point of sharing this is simply to be honest. Perhaps something we feel is good appetite is something you would never consider! That is OKAY! We have tried to consider the appetite we are creating with every gift we give them -- whether the gift is simple or a little more elaborate -- and I would like to encourage you to do the same.

Young teenage son:
Henty audio book (this is a big treat for him)
New Lamplighter Publishing Book (He loves these and always asks for more)
Arrows and accessories for his bow (we already gave this and he has been practicing)
Much needed clothing (he won't quit growing!)
Some new board games to play with the family or his sister (Bible scattergories, Battleship)
Instant hot chocolate (just a blessing and treat)
Tic Tacs (a tradition for us--I buy a case at Sam's Club and divide them among the kids for Christmas)
A book light for reading in the dark in bed or in the car--the kind that attaches to the book
A 12-pack of roller-ball pens for school (he LOVES good new pens!)

8-year-old Daughter:
A Knitting Machine (well--not machine--one of the sets of peg-rings in different sizes): because she LOVES crocheting, but she still struggles to do it well. I figured this would bless her and help her make her projects more easily until her hands become more coordinated for traditional crocheting and knitting.
A disposable camera--she really wanted one just for fun! I don't mind encouraging photography skills!
Different scrapbooking papers so she can make handmade cards (last year we got her the handmade card book--it was a WONDERFUL investment and gift! We have made the most beautiful cards and gift tags to bless other people!)
Snow gloves (she asked for these and needs them)
A whole new set of "hair pretties"--as we call them: head bands, pony tail holders, clips
A fresh new journal (she is a writer and these get her inspired)
A 12-pack of new gel pens
Book light
Pretty new socks
Hot chocolate, and tic tacs

2 1/2 year old boy:
-Three new school workbooks at the 3-yo level, and a nice coloring book of all types of "everyday" images: trees, boats, flowers, animals.... Schoolwork is his favorite!
-A new school desk and chair, all his own, with a drawer (right now he is borrowing the wooden child's table from his sister's bedroom)
-New pencils, erasers, and a pencil sharpener-just like the "kids"
-Two new reading books (he likes to read stacks and stacks of books!)
-A new wooden puzzle set
-3 new board games (Memory, Candy Land, and Hi-Ho Cherry O). He loves playing games and he is ready for these! He will have hours of fun with his older brother and sister and his parents!
-A new watch--just like his big brother's (he likes it when his big brother lets him wear his watch. If you ask him what time it is, he importantly says, "Thirty-one.")
-Some new socks
-Hot chocolate, and a bag of "mosh mallows"
-His very own packs of Tic Tacs

These are gifts we feel encourage the good appetites in our children as well as conveying to them how much we love them and love giving them good things, and love giving them things they love.

I wish you all a most blessed Christmas season. Praise God for His mercy and love in sending His Son for us, truly the greatest gift of all.

P.S. What are you giving Jesus for Christmas? After all, it his HIS birthday! Is there something you think He may want from you?

I met God in the morning

2008-11-10T23:40:00.002-09:00

"I met God in the morning"

I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.

So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!

By Bishop Ralph Cushman

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

Oh I need some inspiration on getting up early. At this point I wake up with the kids and drag for hours because I stayed up later than I should have. Wish me luck!

Hosea 6:3

2008-11-10T18:43:00.001-09:00

Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.

Prayers

2008-08-06T14:17:00.002-08:00

Worry about nothing, Pray about everything.

Pray with faith
Pray in faith

Prayers shouldn't come from roofs of our mouths but from the root of our hearts.

Grace vs. Mercy

2008-08-06T13:45:00.003-08:00

Grace: getting something for which I’ve done absolutely nothing to deserve.

Mercy: not getting something negative that I absolutely do deserve.

I love these definitions. Not only a great gift God bestows on all of us but a reminder on how I should be treating others maybe?

James 1:2-3

2007-12-12T13:46:00.000-09:00

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

Goals...

2007-10-14T03:41:00.000-08:00

There is a difference between trying harder to follow and obey God's will...

...and total abandonment to His will.

Quoted from Kim Binkley of Broken Arrow Church of Christ; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Guest speaker at our ladies retreat this year.

Something to think about.

Luke 18:8

2007-10-05T20:24:00.000-08:00

..."However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

Contradicting Scriptures?

2007-09-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

I've heard a common thread of misunderstanding from certain people in the past who were struggling with the thought of Christianity. They had either heard or read bits of scriptures scattered through out the bible and felt it was all a big contradiction. Unfortunately these presumed inconsistencies seem to give them the permission they needed to drop their inquiries into Christianity. Joanna Weaver addresses Scriptures that seem to contradict each other so perfectly in her book "Having a Mary Spirit"...

Paul teaches that salvation comes solely by faith (Romans 3:22-26). Yet James said that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Paul tells us that our flesh has been crucified with Christ - Past tense! But then he urges us to "put to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13, NKJV) on an ongoing basis.

So which one is it? you may ask. Which is true? Which one do I do?

The answer, I believe, is often... both. Both are true. And we must do both.

If your even more confused now here's an explanation that may help.

In eastern Montana, farmers and ranchers often plant trees as windbreaks. But in order for a young tree to survive the winter blasts as well as the summer heat of the prairie wind, the farmer has to stake off the tree. So he ties four strings to the trunk and then drives stakes deep in the ground at the four corners - east, west, north, and south. Then the wind can howl, but the little tree, held secure by the tension between the four strings, won't fall.

I believe God has built the same kind of four-cornered "holy tension" into His Word. Because we humans tend towards extremes, swinging to far in one direction and then veering way too far in the other, God wrote balance points into Scripture. Principles that appear contradictory at first glance, but - when followed - help us grow straight and tall, strong and deep.

As I continue to live the mystery of these scriptural paradoxes, I'm beginning to find they make perfect sense. More important, the very contradictions that stretch my mind are the ones that change me most deeply.

And isn't change the whole point?

~Joanna Weaver

Reconciliation

2007-08-29T11:42:00.000-08:00

We recently had a great ladies bible class over the topic of reconciliation. It was just so good I wanted to share it here. All credit goes to God, and my friend Lori H. for researching and presenting this lesson.

Restoring Broken Relationships

We as Christians, are reconciled with God through Jesus. We know by this example, that if we have any relationships in our lives which need mending or reconciliation, we need to make this a priortiy.
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

Throughout scripture, God tells us we need to love one another, and of the importance of getting along together. Humility is an extremely important part of this.
Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus
It is also a mark of spiritual maturity.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Seven Biblical Steps to Restoring a Relationship
Talk to God before talking to the person...

James 4:1-2 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Always take the initiative...

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Ephesians 4:26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry

Can also hinder our relationship with the Lord...

Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.

Sympathize with the other persons feelings - listen more than you speak...

Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus

Psalms 73:21-22 When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.

Romans 15:2-3 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

Confess your part of the conflict and ask for forgiveness...

Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Respond with gentleness, not with anger...

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Cooperate as much as possible...

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Emphasize RECONCILIATION not RESOLUTION...

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
If you have a relationship in your life which has a particular problem or needs restoring, begin praying about a solution, and approach that person this week and let God work with you toward a better relationship.

Humility is...

2007-08-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

Humility is perfect quietness of heart.
It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me.
It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised.
It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.

~Andrew Murray

Pride is a Cheater

2007-08-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because
you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...because
you "deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge ...because
you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing...because
you're too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...because
you refuse to admit when your wrong.

I cheat you of vision...because
you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship...because
nobody's going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...because
real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in Heaven...because
you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...because
I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me

You'll never know.

~ Beth Moore
Praying God's Word.

Cool Quote

2007-04-30T22:00:00.000-08:00

"I am not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven,
but a citizen of Heaven, trying to get through this world."

Author Unknown

Three Things

2007-03-18T22:36:00.000-08:00

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -

Time
Words
Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person -

Anger
Pride
Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose -

Faith
Hope
Integrity

Three things in life that are most valuable -

Love
Family & Friends
Kindness

Three things in life that are never certain -

Fortune
Success
Dreams

Three things that make a person -

Commitment
Sincerity
Hard Work

Three things that are truly constant -

Father
Son
Holy Spirit

I asked the Lord to bless you,
as I prayed for you today;
to guide you and protect you,
as you go along your way.
God's love is always with you,
God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares,
you know He'll see you through.

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

Unknown Author
2007 Ladies Retreat
Anchorage Church of Christ

I saw Jesus

2007-03-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

I saw Jesus last week.
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.
He was up at the church building;
He was alone and working hard.
For just a minute,
He looked a little like on of our members.
But it was Jesus.
I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday.
He was teaching a Bible class.
He didn't talk really loud or use long words,
but you could tell He believed what he said.
For just a minute,
He looked like my Sunday school teacher.
But it was Jesus.
I could tell by His loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital
visiting a friend who was sick.
They prayed together quietly.
For just a minute,
He looked like brother Jones.
But it was Jesus.
I could tell by the tears in His eyes.

I saw Jesus this morning.
He was in my kitchen
making my breakfast
and fixing me a special lunch.
For just a minute,
He looked like my mom.
But it was Jesus.
I could feel the love from His heart.

I see Jesus everywhere,
taking food to the sick,
welcoming others to his home,
being friendly to a newcomer,
and for just a minute,
I think He's someone I know.
But it's always Jesus.
I can tell by the way He serves.

May someone see Jesus in you today.

Unknown Author
2007 Ladies Retreat
Anchorage Church of Christ

going to God with grief

2007-02-16T23:40:00.000-09:00

Tonight my thoughts have been consumed with the grief of a friend. She poured her heart out to me tonight, and all I want to do is make her feel better.

But of course...

Nobody on earth can just fix grief.

I prayed, I read my bible, and I prayed some more for God to help me to reach out to her in a way that might somehow be helpful. I really wish I was better at this sort of thing but the truth is that this is just not my strong suit.

I decided I would google for scriptures connected with grief. But before I did, I had the strongest urge to hear a song. A song I have on my computer. The song is by Rascal Flats, who are not a Christian group, they just have good songs. The stranger thing is that the song "Stand" isn't one I ever intentionally pick at home, or in the car. Before tonight I didn't even know the name of the song, nor did I know the lyrics. Earlier today I heard the first few seconds play on someones myspace page before I went to another page and the song got cut off. I didn't pay attention to the words, but the tune lingered.

So I found it on my computer however many hours later and played it...

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless like you’ve lost your fight
But you’ll be alright, you’ll be alright
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you’re made of
You might bend ‘til you break
Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off
Then you stand
Life’s like a novel with the end ripped out
The edge of canyon with only one way down
Take what you’re given before it’s gone
And start holdin’ on, keep holdin’ on
Every time you get up and get back in the race
One more small piece of you starts to fall into place

This song just struck me as one of those "your gonna make it" songs we tell ourselves in rough times. It seemed to have a bit of His touch to it as well. So I looked at a few of the other song lyrics on the same album and discovered a favorite of mine. It's called "He ain't the leavin kind". I always thought it was about a husband or boyfriend, but tonight I discover it's about God.

And there He goes, another grand slam hit outa the park. I am just amazed at the meaning these songs carry and the exact timing He delivers this.

And maybe by now your realizing I don't believe in coincidences.

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

I found some scriptures after I heard the song.

I'm not the one grieving but they even gave me comfort...

The Father of mercies and the God of all consolation·consoles us in all our affliction.
~2 Corinthians 1:3,4

When Jesus saw her weeping...He was greatly disturbed in spirit...Jesus began to weep.
~John 11:33,35

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.
~Isaiah 40:31

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

And during all this someone left a comment on one of my posts tonight. It got me checking out some of the other posts at the top of the page I've written and I see my post about the Godwinks book. The post about all of us having to go through the valley. The post about just holding on and relying on God to get us through the other side, because he's right there with us. And to be watching for his "winks" of reassurance along the way.

I haven't even thought about that post or this blog in over a month.

And He delivers yet another relevant answer to my prayers.

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

Talk about Godwinks. He heard my prayer and lead me straight to some great things to roll my mind around in. Some of this I may share with her, and some I may just keep in mind. I suppose He'll lead me through all that too.

But I'm convinced He's been sitting over my shoulders tonight.

Wow, I love Him.

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

I found all sorts of other scriptures I thought I would share. Keep in mind this is what I found in a few hours, including the song lyric detour. This of course means there are tons of other scriptures that would be helpful - if you find them, I would love you to share them with me.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. ~Psalm 147:3

Approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts ~Colossians 3:15

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~Psalm 18:1-2

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge ~ Psalm 62:5-8

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. ~ Psalm 36:5-7

Psalms 32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Psalms 103:16-18
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Jeremiah 3:19-21
"I myself said," 'How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD. A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Hosea 11:1-11
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man - the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes," declares the LORD.

When God Winks at You...

2006-12-29T23:15:00.000-09:00

I'm reading a book called "When God Winks at You" by Squire Rushnell

It's a small book about how God communicates with us in our everyday lives. In both incredibile and small ways. I know I see it all the time, now. I never really had my eyes open to most of it before though - unless it was something huge.

The begining of the book had me anxious for it to get better and although I'm not through it yet, its turned out to be really uplifting. It's all been really good stories, no downers, all covering mostly happy moments for different people getting little messages from God. I would definitely recommend the book.

I just got to the 6th Chapter called "Winks on Unanswered Prayer", and in this chapter there's a section called "why me, why now". Times of true hardship. Times we don't always understand why we're going through troubles. Sometimes the reason becomes clear in the future, sometimes not. He actually writes a really touching true life example where we do get to see the reason for one of those hardships but what he wrote after that was what really connected with me...

We've all had the experience of looking heavenward and asking: "God, why me?"

Terrible things happen to everyone. Sooner or later, we all have to walk through the valley.

In the Bible, David never suggested we could go around the valley or over it. We all have to go through it.

But the nice thing about valleys is that there is an end to them. No matter how dark it seems, there's a time when it will end and you'll break into the sunshine. And that is the concept you need to hang on to - that there is an end to terrible times, to the feelings of loss of control and to the total absence of suitable remedies.

Valleys also have signposts. All along the way God provides winks of reassurance for you to see. Just like on the darkest interstate, a signpost every once in a while is a welcome message of reassurance - a reminder that your on track, to keep going.

The thing I liked about this little spot in the book most is that it reminded me God is with us through our hardships (which is a big comfort for me to hang onto). I'm not gonna even touch on why the hardships happen because I haven't stumbled upon that book yet, but it's a great reassurance to know that He is right there, with us and He's doing his best to send us special messages that He's loves us and hasn't left us alone. Even with all the needy souls he's tending to, he still has time to send us little messages each day.

Starstruck

2006-12-19T21:38:00.000-09:00

Well, I've let myself get a bit to busy to have devotional time with the Lord lately. It's been a nagging thought in the back of my mind that I need to put some time aside each day for Him. And not just a few minutes but an hour or two - in the mornings would be best so I can start the day with Him. But really, at this point I'm not gonna be picky. I've been praying about it, but then I forget later when I maybe could do something about it.

This evening I had a whole list of things that I was getting done, things that needed done. Chugging right through it too. And I justified that it was OK to do (for tonight at least) over devotional time with Jesus because it's stuff for the Church that has to get done.

I organize and run the church nursery - I had to print and laminate some stuff before Sunday because I don't know when I'll have time after today. It was suppose to be done 2 Sunday's ago.
Our church is putting on the 2007 Statewide lectureship - I was asked to be the Organizing and Scheduling person - which entails I think a little bit of everything. I had to do some stuff for that this evening because I can't stand stacks of responsibility looming over me that is unfinished. That stuff ended up taking me over 3 hours to do alone.

Anyway, in the middle of my mad. rushed. progress...

*Boom*

The power goes out.

And I think "Oh you've got to be kidding me."

And so Marty and I light some candles and I think, "now what? I can't do any of this with out power." "I can't do Anything with out power!" I guess I was a bit frustrated too because I just wanted to get some of this done so bad... Even though the lectureship isn't happening until APRIL.

And then it hit me, "Maybe God is making time for my devotional." So I gathered a ton of candles around the couch, snuggled up and had my devo time with God through reading and prayer. It was just what I needed.

My mind had been racing and I had a million things to do. When I couldn't figure out how to make time, he did it for me. Just knowing he made time for me tonight, had (and still has) me starstruck.

And I have to add, it's a little rough at first but; reading by nothing but candle light is very romantic.

And no, not romantic in that way...

...more along the lines of dreamy and idealistic, yet in a simple kind of way.

Can't beat hanging with The Big Guy. Especially when He stops everything and sets an ambiance like none other; just to be with you.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

2006-12-13T22:50:00.000-09:00

I've been reading a book recommended by a friend lately. Actually the book was part of a semester long study in our ladies class at church. Unfortunately they had 2 really good classes going at once so I only made it to the class on this book a few times. The teacher was gone once (maybe twice) in the class I was in, so I just floated over the the ladies class during those times and I think that is exactly what God had planned for me.

The teacher highlighted one part of this book one of those days I floated over, and I just haven't forgotten it in the 2 years since. The rest of the book is great, but I thought I would share a small portion of the book here, in hopes that someone else will be as intrigued as I was....

The book is called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver

This bit is taken from the middle of chapter 5....

Making Room For The Savior
Few things have whetted my hunger for God like the discipleship course I took back in 1987. While other people may struggle with worldly temptations, my struggle has always been in the area of spiritual disciplines. My devotional life has been haphazard at best. Because I hadn't developed the habit of a quiet time as a child, when the busyness of adulthood came, I found it difficult to find time alone with the Lord.

Some of you may be aghast at such a thought. Your devotional life runs like clockwork. You find it impossible to make it through the day with out time alone with God.

If that is true for you, may I tell you how blessed you are? It has taken me nearly twenty years to come to this discipline, and even then it has been a gift of grace, not an accomplishment of my own making.

Until I took the Navigator's 2:7 Course, I didn't even know what I was missing. There are many wonderful discipleship programs available, and I don't highlight this one for any reason except that it happened to be the one our church used. It gave me the discipleship tools I needed and some necessary accountability as well.

The class was wonderful. My spirit began to grow and thrive as the soil of my heart was tilled deep and fed by the Word of God. But then my Martha-like perfectionist tendencies kicked in, causing me to approach my devotional time as another duty to perform. I loved the feeling I got as I checked of chapters in my Bible reading and conquered another memory verse. To be honest, much of my motivation cam from my competitive nature. I wanted to be the star pupil, one of those disgusting teacher's pets.

Robert Boyd Munger's article "My Heart Christ's Home" changed all that. Through the simple analogy he suggested, I discovered what it meant to have a Mary heart toward God. Suddenly my eyes were open to what true devotion is.
It is not a duty. It is a delight.

It is not an exercise in piety. It is a privilege.

And it is not so much a visit as it is a homecoming.

"Without question one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down and be at home there," Munger says. "[Jesus] came into the darkness of my heart and turned on a light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship."

Munger goes on to tell how he showed Christ around the house of his heart, inviting him to "settle down here and be perfectly at home," welcoming him room by room. Together they visited the library of his mind - "a very small room with very thick walls." They peered into the dining room of his appetites and desires. They spent a little time in the workshop where his talents and skills were kept, and the rumpus room of "certain associations and friendships, activities and amusements." They even poked their heads into the hall closet filled with dead, rotting things he had managed to hoard.

As Munger described each room, they reflected my heart as well. But it was his depiction of the drawing room that would forever change the way I viewed my time with the Lord.

We walked next into the drawing room. This room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a bookcase, sofa, and a quiet atmosphere.

He also seemed pleased with it. He said, "this is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet and we can have fellowship together."
Well, naturally as a young Christian I was thrilled. I could not think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes apart with Christ in the intimate comradeship.

He promised, "I will be here every morning early. Meet with Me here and we will start the day together." So, morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the drawing room and He would take a book of the Bible... open it and then we would read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths.... They were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the drawing room the "withdrawing room." It was a period when we had our quiet time together.
But little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened... I began to miss a day now and then.... I would miss it two days in a row and often more.

I remember one morning when I was in a hurry... As I passed the drawing room, the door was ajar. Looking in I saw a fire in the fireplace and the Lord sitting there... "Blessed Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?"
"Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you." Then I was even more ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my faithlessness. I asked His forgiveness and He readily forgave me...

He said "the trouble with you is this: You have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means something to Me also."

What an amazing thought - that Christ wants to spend quality time with me. That he looks forward to our time together and misses me when I don't show up. Once that message started sinking into my heart, I started looking at my devotional time in a whole new way - not as a ritual, but as a relationship.
And a relationship doesn't just happen. It has to be nurtured, protected, and loved.

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

This book isn't just centered around this idea but a passage out of Luke 10...

At the Home of Martha and Mary
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

A justifiably busy woman vs. another woman who puts worship above everything else; and how there is a balance somewhere in all that (of course putting worship and devotion to God at the top of your list).

Highly recommended read.

My Heart Christ's Home

2006-12-13T21:58:00.000-09:00

I moved this post over to my book review site. Click here if you'd like to see it.

Guidance

2006-11-12T19:52:00.000-09:00

I just got this in an email, I thought it might be nice to share....

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

New Testament Reliability

2006-07-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

I picked up the following from my church, The Valley Church of Christ. I've been meaning to post it for sometime now.

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

The WORD on:
New Testament Reliability
You can know that the Bible is from God and is Accurate
(Written by Robert Kuenning, Minister)

This is part of a papyrus manuscript dating from about 200 AD.
It has the last line of Romans and the beginning of Hebrews.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart"
Hebrews 4:12

"All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

But there are many more who have not tasted the Word's delicious spiritual feast because of misinformation, doubt, or mistrust. Few realize how much confidence you can have in the Bible before you even have faith.

You see, behind the Bible is a mountain of evidence backing up its claims that it is God's Word and that we can have an accurate copy of the scriptures today. No other ancient writing comes anywhere close to having so much solid proof that its contents are true.

Accuracy and preservation isn't just important to those challenging the Bible. The way every believer, Bible student, Bible teacher, translator, researcher, ancient historian, archeologist and editor handles the Bible also hinges on the certainty of its truth. That's why there has been so much research in this subject and so many challenges to the Bibles truth.

Bibles today are translated directly from the original languages, Hebrew and Greek. The test is whether we have an accurate copy of each testament in its original language. Believer or not, you can KNOW that the Bible is accurate and reliable!

Here we will discuss the reliability of the New Testament (NT). Old Testament reliability is cover in another pamphlet like this one.

New Testament Overview

The 27 Books of the NT were written in the Greek language over a 50 year period from approximately 40 AD to 90 AD.

The NT consists of Gospels (stories of Jesus' life), history, letters, and prophecy.

Jesus promised his Apostles that the Holy Spirit would tell them what to teach:

"but when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth" - John 16:13-14
The NT mostly tells the story of Jesus and the beginnings of His church.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Jesus) - Matthew 28:19-20

Layers of Evidences
Here, are a few reasons that we can have absolute confidence in the New Testament:

Huge Volume of Available NT Manuscripts There are nearly 25,000 ancient NT manuscripts!

Greek ----------- 5,686

Latin ------------ 10,000+

Ethiopic --------- 2,000+

Slavic ----------- 4,101

Armenian ------- 2,587

Syriac Pashetta - 350+

Bohairic --------- 100

Arabic ---------- 75

Old Latin -------- 50

Anglo Saxon ----- 7

Gothic ----------- 6

Sogdian ---------- 3

Old Syriac ------- 2

Persian ---------- 2

Frankish --------- 1
Total 24,970++

This amazing number of existing ancient NT documents alone assures us that we can reconstruct the original with confidence!

Consistency Across the Manuscripts - Even in so many documents, there are very few serious differences and none that effect a principle of faith or doctrine. Most Bibles today show them in the text.
Dates of Manuscripts - The earliest manuscripts are very close to the dates the originals were written. The closest NT document was written less than 50 years after the original! We have nearly complete NTs that were copied less than 300 years from the originals. This is a very small gap and makes the NT unique in its documentary reliability.
Wide Diversity of Language & Distribution - Beyond the 15 languages on the above list, we have early quotations from at least 8 more languages. Those 23 different versions and the obvious way that the early books were copied and scattered gives NT accuracy two wonderful boosts:

One, the wide variety of languages allow scholars to compare and check those copies against the Greek for additional clarity and verification.
Two, the wide distribution guarantees that no person or group could possibly have controlled or corrupted the overall NT.

More NT Documentary Evidence

Early Christian Writers - Throughout the early years of the church, Christians (mostly Elders) wrote a large number of letters and Bible lessons that contain a huge number of NT quotations. These documents date from ~90 AD and contain over 36,000 NT quotations! The entire NT could be recreated from these writings alone! This is an invaluable source in establishing accuracy and dating of the originals.

Church Lectionaries - Early Churches began writing out Bible lessons for Sunday Services and Studies. Researchers have catalogued over 2,300 Lectionaries (There are many more to be studied.) dating from ~500 AD. They note that the NT could be recreated from them except for Revelation and Parts of Acts.

The New Testament Canon - This is an important part of any NT study. The 'canon' is the list of which books should be in the NT.

Trusted by the Early Christians - The very earliest Christians received the letters and Gospels from the Apostles. They knew the men and accepted that their teachings were from God. Jesus said it would be:

"the Holy Spirit... will teach you all things, and bring your remembrance all that I said to you." - John 14:26-27 (Also John 16:12-15)

The Apostles, themselves, taught that their words were not from man but from God through His Spirit.

"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; ... [the] things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit,"
- 1 Corinthians 2:10-13

These letters were trusted and tested and sent from church to church as scripture. Know this:
The NT books were not trusted by the early church because they were put into a canon, they were put into a canon because they were trusted by the early church!
This is an important point to remember and we do know what the early church trusted and used:
Early Christian Writers (again) - Those same writers gave us a good early look at the canon. Those who wrote from 90 to 120 AD listed 20 of the 27 books (including all 4 Gospels)! And they included no other non-NT book! We know what books the very early church trusted and used.
Even an Early False Teacher, Marcion, in 140 AD discussed 14 NT books and no others, as he argued against trusting the OT.
The Non-NT Books being paraded today as "lost gospels" (etc.) were never seriously trusted or used by early Christians. The earliest didn't even exist until ~150 years after Jesus' death! With anti-Christian origins, ridiculous and fanciful stories, and unchristian doctrines, there is no serious challenge on their being omitted.

Accuracy Check Through History - Only recently has the extreme accuracy of the details of the NT writings been made clear. Historians now conclude that the NT books had to be written before 100 AD (many before 70 AD) for them to contain the detailed facts that they have.
Conclusion: - The evidence that the New Testament is accurate and reliable is enourmous:

25,000 Manuscripts!

Copy with in 50 years of Original!

36,000 more quotations to 90 AD!

NT Books we know were 1st Century.

You can trust todays Bible.

For more on this subject try:

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, McDowell
The New Testament Documents, Are they Reliable, Bruce
Redating the New Testament, Robinson

Written by Robert Kuenning, Minister
Valley Church of Christ
P.O. Box 876401
Wasilla, AK 99654
(907) 745-3011

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

FYI:
Any study Bible will tell you the approxamate date each book of the Bible was written (along with it's purpose, author, to whom it was written, setting, etc.) but to make it easier, it's also listed below.

Matthew ~ Probably between 60-65 AD
Mark ~ Between 55-65 AD
Luke ~ About 60 AD
John ~ Probably 85-90 AD
Acts ~ Between 63-70 AD
Romans ~ About 57 AD
1 Corinthians ~ About 55
2 Corinthians ~ About 55-57 AD
Galatians ~ About 49 AD
Ephesians ~ About 60 AD
Philippians ~ About 61 AD
Colossians ~ About 60 AD
1 Thessalonians ~ About 51 AD
2 Thessalonians ~ About 51-52 AD (a few months after 1 Thessalonians)
1 Timothy ~ About 64 AD
2 Timothy ~ About 66 or 67 AD
Titus ~ About 64 AD
Philemon ~ About 60 AD
Hebrews ~ Probably written before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD, because the religious sacrifices and ceremonies are reffered to in the book, but no mention is made of the temple's destruction.
James ~ Probably 49 AD
1 Peter ~ About 62-64 AD
2 Peter ~ About 67 AD
1 John ~ Probably between 85 and 90 AD
2 John ~ Around 90 AD
3 John ~ About 90 AD
Jude ~ About 65 AD
Revelation ~ About 95 AD

And there you have it! :)

Old Testament Reliability

2006-07-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

I picked up the following from my church, The Valley Church of Christ. I've been meaning to post it for sometime now.

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

The WORD on:
Old Testament Reliability
You can know that the Bible is from God and is Accurate
(Written by Robert Kuenning, Minister)

This is a portion of Psalms 119 from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The arrow is pointing to God's Name "YHWH" in text.

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:9-12

Old Testament Reliability

Many know that the Bible is the perfect Word of God. They have long learned the power of its message and that it guides us into a renewed relationship with God and in a daily walk in Jesus Christ. They know by faith that the verses are true that tell us of the Bible's divine origin:

"All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

But there are many more who have not tasted the Word's delicious spiritual feast because of misinformation, doubt, or mistrust. Few realize how much confidence you can have in the Bible before you even have faith.

You see, behind the Bible is a mountain of evidence backing up its claims that it is God's Word and that we can have an accurate copy of the scriptures today. No other ancient writing comes anywhere close to having so much solid proof that its contents are true.

Accuracy and preservation isn't just important to those challenging the Bible. The way every believer, Bible student, Bible teacher, translator, researcher, ancient historian, archeologist and editor handles the Bible also hinges on the certainty of its truth. That's why there has been so much research in this subject and so many challenges to the Bibles truth.

Bibles today are translated directly from the original languages, Hebrew and Greek. The test is whether we have an accurate copy of each testament in its original language. Believer or not, you can KNOW that the Bible is accurate and reliable!

Here we will discuss the reliability of the Old Testament (OT). New Testament reliability is covered in another pamphlet like this one.

Old Testament Overview

The 39 books of the OT were written over a 1200 year period from approximately 1600 BC to 400 BC.
Starting with Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Bible, and ending with Ezra who wrote Chronicles, the OT had a wide range of writers. They all had God's inspiration and would have agreed with David's remark:

"The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue." ~ 2 Samuel 23:2

The OT primarily tells the story of the Jewish people from roots to riches to ruin. It contains history, law, poetry, prophecy, and personal stories.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. ...
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. ...
And teach me Your ordinances.
My life is continually in my hand," ~ Psalm 119:105-109

Layers of Evidences
Here, briefly are a few of the reasons that we can have absolute confidence in the accuracy of today's Old Testament:

Exacting Jewish Scribes

The OT was written and meticulously preserved in the original Hebrew language from the beginning through today. It was always considered sacred and therefore was very seriously guarded and copied with the utmost care.
The sole responsibility of the Jewish Scribes was to know, maintain, protect, and, exactly preserve the books of the OT. The levels of care that they went through is astounding:

The skin, ink, document size, and lines on the document were all clearly defined. The number, size, spacing, and length of lines and columns per skin were specified. The spacing of the letters, words, sections, and books and the point of ending books were to be exact.
The dress and cleanliness of the scribe, condition of the book being copied , and the manner in which the name for God (YWHW) was written was all specifically ordered.
When each book or section had been copied, the scribes would count and check the number of every verse, word, and letter of the manuscript. They even counted the times each letter occurred in each book, calculated the middle word and middle letter and checked the new with the old. Such detail seems extreme to us, but with this level of detail, we can know we have reliable manuscripts today.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

An amazing event occurred in 1947 with the beginning of the discovery of 931 ancient documents found in caves near the town of Qumran on the shores of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea Scrolls:

Prove the OT Accurate
The manuscripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls date to as old as 400 BC. The OT manuscripts found are 900 to 1100 years older than the most reliable available Hebrew OT manuscripts. When the Scrolls are compared to the newer manuscripts, they prove to be amazingly accurate, nearly identical. The few differences were mostly slips of the pen, spelling changes or word substitutions (over vs. above e.g.). The extreme accuracy of the newer documents puts to death the questions of the OT reliability based on time.
Prove the cannon of the OT
The Dead Sea Scrolls contained 223 OT manuscripts! Those 223 manuscripts include 38 of the 39 books of the OT! The one book missing is Esther, but other documents there refer to the story, so we know it was part of their culture.

Non-Hebrew & Other Jewish Evidences
The following ancient documents give tremendous support for the accuracy of the OT.

The Septuagint (250 BC) is the translation of the OT into Greek. An important and powerful document, it not only gave the Jews their scriptures in the common language of the entire region, but gave non-Jews easier access to God's Word (Just in time to understand the context of Jesus' Ministry.).
The Hexapla (240 AD) is a comparative Greek/Hebrew OT with versions in 6 columns created by the Christian elder Origen.
The Samaritan Pentateuch (200 BC) is the Samaritan copy of the OT's first five books.
Aramaic Targums (200 AD) are paraphrases of the scriptures kept by Jewish communities to aid in understanding the OT.
The Mishna (200 AD) was the Law of Moses retold and explained.
The Gemara (200 AD) was an Aramaic commentary on the Law of Moses.
The Midrash (100 BC - 300 AD) are doctrinal studies of the Hebrew OT.

Evidence from History and Archeology
Substantial proof for the accuracy of the OT text comes through Archeology.
One famous Archeologist said:
"... categorically ... no archeological discovery has ever [contradicted] a Biblical reference. Scores of ... findings ... confirm in ... outline or detail the statements of the Bible."
Kingdoms, Cities, Countries, Personal Names, Battles, Kings, Languages, Writings, Laws, Religious Practices, and even the use of words have proven to be correctly described in the OT. Time and again historians have thought that the OT was wrong concerning an event (etc.) only to have the Bible prove right when the facts were known.

Prophecy in the OT has proven correct in every case expected. Hundreds of predictions have literally come true including those regarding: Edom, Tyre, Babylon, Persia, Nineveh, Israel, Greece, Jesus Christ, and many others.

Conclusion: The evidence is overwhelming (And this is far from all the evidence.). You do not have to guess or hope, you can KNOW that the Old Testament we have is true & accurate

For more on this subject, try:
The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, McDowell
Standing on the Rock, Boice
Facts on Why You Can Believe the Bible, Ankergerg & Weldon
On the Reliability of the Old Testament, Kitchen

By Robert Kuenning, Minister
If you have any questions or would like help in studying the Bible please call (907) 745-3011
Valley Church of Christ

Proverbs 3:5-6

2006-06-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Gardening GOD'S Way

2006-05-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

Plant three rows of Squash:
Squash Gossip
Squash Criticism
Squash Indifference

Plant three rows of Peas:
Purity
Patience
Perseverance

Plant four rows of Lettuce
Let us be Kind
Let us be Faithful
Let us be Obedient
Let us Love one another

No Garden is complete without Turnips:
Turn up for Service
Turn up for Meetings
Turn up to led a Helping Hand

To conclude our planting...

We must have Thyme:
Time for God
Time for Study
Time for Prayer

Water freely with Patience and Cultivate with Love. There is much fruit in Your Garden because you Reap what you Sow.

~ Author Unknown

Good Quotes I got in an email...

2006-05-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death...

God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts...

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up...

A successful marriage isn't finding the right person; it's being the right person.

Micro Management

2006-04-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

Good friends of ours recently moved to Colorado, they have really been such good examples to Marty and I in their faith, loving friends, and more of an asset to our church as a whole than I could ever describe here; I really feel blessed to have them in our lives and I know, a truck load of others feel the same way.

As they were in the process of packing up their house she said something to me I hope I'll never forget. I couldn't quote her because I don't remember her exact words or exact prayers but she said she had been praying for her husband to find the right job, in the right state, and praying they would find the right house, and the right church... she had all these hopeful and well intended plans she was praying for. If my family was about to uproot ourselves and make a move across the country you can bet I would have been praying for the same things.

It was around that time she said it hit her...

There she was "micro-managing" her prayers to God.

She pointed out how we all pray for Gods will in our lives and not our own, how we ask Him to do with us as He will and promise to trust Him in return. And there she was giving God all the details of how she wanted things to go and how that wasn't truly trusting him at all.

She told us how bad she felt the moment she realized what she was doing and stopped to ask forgiveness. She also said how she had done the same thing (with out realizing) during the sale of her home.. She prayed about all the little details of the home inspection, appraisal, buyer, that it would all work out and not fall through, and that they could really be able to move down near family. She said all along she should have just been praying that God take over and do what ever he thought best - whether that meant them staying here or moving or whatever; sometimes it's best to just pray a heartfelt "general" prayer instead of trying to micro-manage all the details for God in prayer.

As she poured her heart out to a few of us it hit the rest of us how much we do that in prayer. Personally speaking, I do that ALL THE TIME and never even thought about it.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Tanya, Thank you so much for being so humble and always sharing your ups and downs. Even though you live a few thousand miles away and we may not see eachother I have to ask you... Please don't stop sharing these epiphanies you have (especially with me!) - this isn't the first one you've passed along that has been really helpful.

Kiana

Create your own word search.

2006-04-21T22:10:00.000-08:00

Today a friend of mind passed along a great link to create your own word search puzzle. Since I sometimes teach youth bible classes I thought it would be a great resourse to include in future lessons. Just come up with a title, a bunch of words relating to your title and ker-pow, its done. For anyone who could use the link, here it is.

Just off the top of my head this is the puzzle I created..

Found in the Bible

B W V U O U B I J T H W A F D T Q A S C Q P K J W
I D L G R X T E A C H R O N I C L E S X Q P J P C
P Y K K D K G O O D N E S S N A I S E H P E C O D
D U H R C W S O N G O F S O L O M O N F C T A C Y
I B Z A J F R L P Y S E T S A I S E L C C E O D M
X Q A M C O E O S L N C N O A O Y K U K S R K S N
A V Y P Q I B V A E A A S M J L N N F O I J S U P
A S R F K A M E L T I M O T H Y O J H N U R L N L
R A A E D P U T M S P S E L F C O N T R O L J I W
J H Z I V B N S S K P Y G N F S P H I L E M O N Y
T E A N H E D O U N I A M D T N I Y A A N K S E Z
R H S I G A L K C V L N J O N A H H F S N N H H P
J G H K N O K A I A I T G G N M T A C K F S U E S
E B J I C A M A T T H E W S U O I I H C A L A M T
S W E R B E H I I I P F P H H R R M O D P C O I E
U L I A S Y A P V C O D A B E E I E C N E I T A P
S M H C I N I F E Y R N W H V V P R T K S U N H A
X A Y U S S R T L Z G K T B I I S E U U S L M T I
L V M H E H A G G A I S F C G B Y J X S E G D U J
B I G U N O H I D R E T K R R H L F O O N D B R G
L L V Z E B C D A M F C P E O M O C J H D W U W I
F Y S U G L E R A H S A V A F D H K T N N U M J T
P P S C Y S Z J D P K O V Q B A Q T E T I R S I V
V J P B K E L J Y H R K Z C Z V P S F V K C V L R
G M D U Q N V H K P P S R S P E G D D G A H T P P

ACTS
AMOS
BAPTIZE
CHRONICLES
COLOSSIANS
CORINTHIANS
DANIEL
DEUTERONOMY
ECCLESIASTES
EPHESIANS
ESTHER
EXODUS
EZEKIEL
EZRA
FAITHFULNESS
FORGIVE
GALATIANS
GENESIS
GENTLENESS
GOD
GOODNESS
HABAKKUK
HAGGAI
HEBREWS
HOLYSPIRIT
HOSEA
ISAIAH
JAMES
JEREMIAH
JESUS
JOB
JOEL
JOHN
JONAH
JOSHUA
JOY
JUDE
JUDGES
KINDNESS
KINGS
LAMENTATIONS
LEVITICUS
LOVE
LUKE
MALACHI
MARK
MATTHEW
MICAH
NAHUM
NEHEMIAH
NUMBERS
OBADIAH
PATIENCE
PEACE
PETER
PHILEMON
PHILIPPIANS
PROVERBS
PSALMS
REVELATION
ROMANS
RUTH
SAMUEL
SELF-CONTROL
SHARE
SONGOFSOLOMON
TEACH
THESSALONIANS
TIMOTHY
TITUS
ZECHARIAH
ZEPHANIAH

Kiana

Christian Easter Ideas

2006-04-11T11:16:00.000-08:00

I've been praying a lot lately about this coming Easter Sunday, I want to make it fun and exciting for my nephew, all while focusing on Easters true meaning. God has answered my prayers in some great ways this week and I'm so excited about it myself that I really wanted to share.

Resurrection Eggs - I don't know how eggs got brought into Easter (and I ride the fence on whether they should be included) but this is a good way to bring them into it's true meaning. Each egg has something different inside relating to the resurrection of Christ. The eggs come with a book that has related scripture for each of the items in the eggs and a good lesson to go with each egg if needed. There are also several websites that have different guides to creating your own resurrection eggs.
Resurrection Rolls - A cooking project to do with your kids...
- 3/4 cup warm water, 1 large egg, 3 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons dry milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 24 marshmallows
  
  *************************
- Combine first 8 ingredients. Let rise until double. Divide into 24 balls and flatten. **Or skip this step and substitute with either Rhodes frozen bread dough *or* a few cans of crescent rolls** If using the frozen bread dough: let thaw but use before it rises. If using crescent rolls: be warned, I don't know that these are easy to keep the cracks out of.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.
- Melt butter in separate bowl.
- Dip marshmallow (representing Christ) in melted margarine, then into sugar mixture. Wrap roll around a marshmallow, covering completely (representing the tomb). Make sure there are no holes or cracks for the marshmallow to leak out of. Dip entire roll into butter, and again into sugar & cinnamon. Place rolls in a large greased pan (if using the 8 ingredients to make bread, at this point allow to rise till double (about 35 minutes)).
- Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes, or until done. Rolls should be completely empty when cooled...like the empty tomb.
- As you and your children make these you can get them excited about the marshmallow inside and how it will taste. When its time to eat them and the children discover the marshmallow gone, it's a good time to explain how the rolls represent Jesus and his resurrection.
- I have to say thanks again to Kathy for telling me about both resurrection eggs and rolls, your a life saver!
Dying Eggs /Egg Hunt - While eggs aren't mentioned in the bible, we can remind kids they can be a representation of the beginning of spring and the start of new life.
Activity Book - Hidden Objects, Secret Message, Word Search 1, Word Search 2, Word Search 3, Word Search 4, Coloring pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8. These are all centered around telling the story of Christ and his resurrection.

So far we've been doing a resurrection egg each night; Blake is just so into studying Gods word. We've done several bible studies with him since he got here in February and I am just amazed at how much he loves to do these. I thought it would be something like studying a school book but he's never complained once and is always eager to start. Such a blessing that is!

Anyway back to Easter... Along with everything listed above, I figure I'll get him a little candy, hoping to find some little trinkets that relate to the bible story (maybe a cross pendant and necklace) and am going tomorrow to find a stuffed donkey, or a stuffed Eyore. One of our studies on the resurrection eggs is about how Jesus was given a donkey to ride into Jerusalem on (as was foretold in the Old Testament). I use to love getting stuffed animals for Easter as a little girl and though a stuffed donkey might be a great way to tie into Matthew 21:1-9.

The easter bunny is a fun lovable character but.. he has nothing to do with Easter, and is nothing but a distraction from what Easter is all about. So while I have nothing against those who do chose to celebrate with the Easter bunny, we make a personal choice not to center Easter around a bunny in our home... Any other time of the year, we love bunnies. :)

This was the first year I discovered that you really have to make an effort to avoid all the bunny hype when trying to focus on Christ. Thank Heavens for helpful friends and the internet!

Urging you to put the day-to-day distractions, busyness, and pettiness aside and get down to the things that really matter. Wishing you a Happy Easter spent in reflection of His great sacrifice. Enjoy your loved ones and take the time to dive into the bible and share/study/learn His great message, The Good News of Jesus Christ.

Kiana

5 Finger Prayer

2006-04-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

I've done a post before on my habit of prayer and how I needed to improve, that post has several bible verses about prayer that were so helpful to me. If anyone would like those verses you can find them here, at the bottom half of the page. With that said, I ran across the 5 finger prayer tip today and thought it would be a great post. I've heard it at church once before and was very encouraged by it. I wish I knew who originally came up with this handy tip so I could give some well deserved credit, unfortunatly I wasn't able to figure that mystery out.

1. Our thumb is nearest to us...
Begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They're the easiest to remember. While praying for our loved ones is easy the Bible also tells us to pray for our enemies who, in a negative way, are also near us.

Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

2. The next is our pointer finger...
Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers (it's these people who tend to "point" the way). They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers, these men and women have great influence on society and we should pray that they display and teach Godly principles in all they do.

3. Next is our tallest finger...
It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business, industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guid public opinion, they need God's guidance.

When the king of Nineveh prayed to God he saved his nation from destruction (Jonah 3:6-10). We should pray that our decision makers repent and seek God's will as they lead us.

4. Fourth is our ring finger...
Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are ill, weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night.

5. Last is our little finger...
The smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "...for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great." (Luke 9:48) Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other 4 groups, your own needs should be put into proper perspective. We should be asking forgiveness for our sins, thanking God for our many blessings, and last laying out what is on our heart and asking that His will be done in our life.

The wolf in the sheep suit; Exposing the true face of gossip

2006-04-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

I found this arcticle online here.
It's written by Mark D. Roberts

"Have you ever noticed how some sins seem to get all the attention while others are casually dismissed? All too often, we shine the spotlight of judgment on others’ speck-sized sins—while letting our own log-sized transgressions obscure our moral vision.

Gossip is one of those sins that too easily flies beneath our ethical radar. We can tell friends about others’ big, bad sins without realizing, by doing so, we're committing a big, bad sin of our own. We conveniently minimize our offense, frequently with a guise of prayerful concern. After all, we think, being honest is what’s important. Yet, gossiping can corrode our hearts and the lives of others.

To set the record straight: Gossip is talking about other people behind their backs. It usually involves negative or private details that put the individual in a bad light. While the content of the discussion might not be that scandalous, our careless words nevertheless can cause hurt.

What's So Bad About Gossip?

The Bible calls such idle talk a sin, plain and simple. If you're inclined to dismiss gossip as some minor peccadillo, consider the company it keeps. Romans 1:29-30 describes it as “wickedness,” in the same category with "greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior,” backstabbing, and pride. Anything linked with murder and hatred must have some seriously destructive power!

Gossip greatly damages relationships. It "separates the best of friends," (Proverbs 16:28) causing alienation, anger, and bitterness. Show me a Christian community filled with gossip, and I'll show you a family divided, torn apart by hurt and mistrust. Just recently, gossip disseminated through e-mail among leaders at my church nearly split apart one of our finest outreach ministries. But as another Proverb (26:20) notes, "Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops."

Looking Better, Becoming Worse

Talking about others can create a false sense of self-righteousness. If you've ever imbibed the intoxicating wine of gossip, you know that behind the virtuous exterior of concern, it's really “all about me.” In truth, we often divulge someone else’s secrets or faults for our own benefit, although we’d swear we do so to help him or her. Not only do we puff up our self-worth by showing we’re “in the know,” but we also imply we’re better than the other person.

It’s a tempting prospect. When we gossip, we feel like morally superior insiders. Even better, if you can do this in the context of a prayer meeting (by sharing a "concern" about an individual), you get the satisfaction of feeling like a spiritual giant to boot. But the momentary exhilaration of being one-up at the expense of others isn’t worth the cost—either to the church or to our own soul.

The Sheep Fight Back

By gossiping, we’re actually showing we are self-deceived sinners who lack the maturity to be trusted with confidential information. Ouch. We’re flat-out disobeying God's Word and damaging His body.

But take heart! We don’t have to get caught in the teeth of this temptation.

1. Recognize gossip for what it is. We need to call what the Bible says is a sin, a sin. When we speak ill of someone, it's almost always wrong. (There are exceptions when speaking out is right, such as reporting a crime or telling parents about their child's dangerous behavior.) If you're inclined to gossip, stop rationalizing. Let the Holy Spirit bring conviction and lead you to repentance.

2. Understand the breadth of gossip’s destructiveness. “The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do... It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction,” James warns the church. (3:5-6) What can initially seem harmless is actually a deadly virus that endangers the health of Christ’s body. If we care about unity in the church as the Lord does (John 17:20-21), we'll be motivated to refrain from speaking without thinking first.

3. Reclaim the power of your words to strengthen and edify others. James 3:2-4 tells us, like a ship’s rudder, the tiny tongue can direct our entire destiny—toward life or death. When we realize our words have great power to do both good and evil, we'll stop underestimating the hurtfulness of gossip and start using our words to build others up, even when they're not within earshot.

4. When you’re on gossip’s receiving end, intentionally praise others, replacing hurtful words with genuine affirmation. Responding to a malicious report with a statement of authentic encouragement can bring the sin of gossip to light. In the process, it can shut down the offender and lead to repentance and reconciliation. First Peter 4:8 reminds us, “Love covers a multitude of sins,”

When we turn away from gossip—which is an effort at self-edification—we find that God alone can satisfy our need for eternal value and confidence. Moreover, we discover the joy of using words to bring life and unity to Christ's body."

"Repaying the Banker" by Jay Adkins

2006-03-31T14:21:00.000-09:00

Today I read a fantastic post over at Jay Adkins site. He's a great writer and has some really encouraging stuff on his site. He did a post on "Repaying the Banker" where he goes into a struggle he recently had and finishes up with a great analogy of...

"...how easy it is to stop going to church and to stop reading The Word when something good happens in our lives because it's almost as if we're saying, "I don't need God anymore". But then when something bad happens, who's the first One we run back to? You know the answer to this one don't you? I thought so. In fact, we all know the answer because if we're honest with ourselves we can all say that we do it.

It's kind of like when we take out a loan at the bank. It's pretty swell until we have to start paying back the loan, right? Then the bills start coming and we moan and groan about writing those checks. I'm here to tell you that God doesn't charge interest! If He did, we'd all be in bad shape! Why should we moan and groan about paying back God's loans?

God said, "Here, I'm giving my only Son to pay your debts, all that I ask in return is your faith in Me". If God were a banker, He'd lose the farm on us. Luckily He's no banker, more like a Father giving His children a gift. You're giving God a gift when you give Him your life completely. Let God enjoy His gift as you enjoy giving it to Him."

This situation he writes about isn't limited only to those not in church attendance but all sorts of other examples too. There are times even still for me when distractions start taking over and I go into a sort of auto-pilot and am just going through the motions instead of putting my heart into Him each day. That last paragraph really speaks to my heart; well said Jay.

Refining Silver

2006-03-30T09:31:00.000-09:00

There was a group of woman in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse 3 which says:
"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."
This verse puzzled the woman and they wondered what this statement means about the character and nature of God. One of the woman offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for the interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the siversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...". She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh thats the easy part, when I see my image reflected in it."

Unknown Author
Passed out at the:
Valley Church of Christ
Ladies Retreat 2005
Wasilla, Alaska

Do you have a hero?

2006-03-30T09:25:00.000-09:00

Thoughts of hero’s have been mixed up in my thoughts for a week or so, which is odd because I really have never had any that stick out in my memory. Not that I haven’t had people I look up to, just can’t think of any that made it to hero status (other than maybe Wonderwoman for a month or two back in kindergarden).

Having my nephew Blake around has got me thinking about it. Last week he spoke to someone close to his heart he hasn’t talked to in a while. The moment the communication started the lump became visible in his little throat and a few seconds later he burst into tears from loving and missing this guy so very much. I was trying to fight the lump in my own throat and hold back the tears in my own eyes. I have never met this person but in moments it became very clear just how great this person must be and how high Blake holds him in his little heart. It was at that moment the word hero came into my head for the first time in years like a frieght train out of nowhere, because it was clear that’s how Blake thinks of him.

He looks up to strong male figures so faithfully, it’s just amazing. Not the TV or radio kind but just about all the men in his life, even a few at church he hasn’t known very long at all. Not that us chicks don’t mean a ton to him, but there’s just something different with the men in his life. I really am glad to see this in him and hope he picks the best qualities of each of these guys and carries them with him through out his life.

Hero’s are great, but it hit me this week… We hear about super hero’s, sports heroes, TV stars, rescue personnel, and even family members; some deserve the title of hero, others (like maybe actors and sports players?) maybe not so much.

But sadly I’ve never heard anyone say their hero was God, or Jesus. I’m sure most would agree they're the ones who deserve the title first, and I'm sure its been said before, its just bothersome that I myself haven't heard anyone give them the credit of hero in my 29 years.

I had thought about doing a post on this whole subject a week ago, just never happened for a few insignificant reasons, but the whole hero topic has been bouncin around my brain since.

Last night while I was reading the bible before bed to my surprise I came across the following verse...

Malachi 1:6
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.

Sorta broke my heart when it all came together. I don't really think any of it was a coincidence either.

So I’d like to give credit to my 2 heroes. Jesus for walking this earth and going through all the trouble, rejection, and pain all to save us from our sinful-selves. For setting a better example then anyone ever could and leaving us his love and teachings. God for making all this possible, for loving us, for guiding us, for forgiving us, and for sticking with us even when we’re so dispicable no one else would have us.

I also want to say how grateful I am to have gotten such a moving lesson. I never suspected a week ago when I witnessed such a touching phone call between Blake and his hero that God had used it to send a message that would be waiting for me on the other side of the week.

Kiana

Gods Love

2006-03-28T09:41:00.000-09:00

I'm reminded of Gods love each time I read these verses. Jeremiah 3:19-21 & Hosea 11:1-11 are just so sad, the way He reveals His broken heart really shows how much He loves us even when we've turned from Him. They're my favorite because the verses really show Him like a parent, only better than any parent could ever dream of being. They show His nurturing, His heartbreak, His loyalty, and His rightousness. Especially in Hosea I see His emotions, it really brings Him out of a book and into my heart reading passages like that. He will always love us, so so much, even when we are so undeserving.

Psalms 32:10 (NIV)Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Psalms 103:16-18 (NIV)
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Jeremiah 3:19-21 (NIV)
"I myself said," 'How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD. A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Hosea 11:1-11 (NIV)
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man - the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes," declares the LORD.

John 3:16 (NASV)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 John 3:16 (NIV)
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.

1 John 4:18 (NIV)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

I know there are many more verses showing his love, these are just the ones I know of at the moment. If you have a favorite not listed, please leave it in the comments.

Kiana

Looking for a buzz?

2006-03-27T10:20:00.000-09:00

Today while in a bit of devotional time I came across something unrelated to what I was studying yet its meaning close to my heart.

Isaiah 5:22 (NIV)
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks

Wow, that brings me back. Back to high school and the parties that followed through the years and well into adulthood. Some of the things that made us cool turned out to be a real detriment, and I really thought nothing of it.

Since pot and other drugs weren't around back in times when the bible was written I apply verses that talk about being sober to not only alcohol but to drugs as well, because they are all mind altering in various levels. It seems that it's ok for a person to take a sip or have an alcoholic beverage for the taste of it, with out getting buzzed or drunk. However I've never met a person who took a hit of pot with out the intention of getting stoned, I think that same train of thought can be applied to all narcotics. And there lies the problems, so often these things aren't being done to fix an allergy, cure a sickness, or some other true medical purpose; they're being consumed for the purpose of fun, relaxation, or addiction, all while clouding judgment which is separate from God and His teachings. This loss of judgment or loss of control is what the word is teaching against, not against relaxation or fun.

I keep a list of verses that talk about being sober and the consequences that follow those who don't heed His warning. I use them to remind myself and anyone else who needs the help fighting drugs and drinking because they are so powerful. I wasn't aware of the verse above till today and thought it might be time to spotlight all of the verses relating to being sober again.

Luke 21:33-36 (NASV)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Romans 13:13-14 (NASV)
Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Romans 14:21 (NIV)
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:19-26 (NASV)
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Ephesians 5:15-19 (NASV)
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 (NASV)
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

2 Timothy 4:5 (NASV)
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Titus 2:1-8 (NIV)
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:11-15 (NIV)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NASV)
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

1 Peter 4:3 (NKJV)
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

1 Peter 4:7-9 (NIV)
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. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 5:8 (NASV)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Kiana

Accountability List #2

2006-03-26T11:46:00.000-09:00

This was an accountability list passed around at the 2005 mens retreat, it goes well with the first accountability list.

What specifically are you going to work on in the next week to become closer to God?
In what areas of your life do you find it easiest to compromise your standards?
Does your faith point others to Jesus? If so, how? If not, why not?
Can you give a recent example of a time you had to depend on God?
Have you spent daily time in prayer and in the Scriptures this week?
Who was the last person you shared your faith with?
How has your walk with Christ changed over the last year?
Have you been completely above reproach in your financial dealings this week?
Have you exposed yourself to any explicit material this week?
Are you truly a servant to people around you? Explain.

2005 Men's Retreat
Valley Church of Christ
Wasilla, AK

Psalm 18:1-3

2006-03-24T09:45:00.000-09:00

I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise

T.H.I.N.K.

2006-03-23T09:22:00.000-09:00

Along the lines of "Think before you speak", is what your gonna say...

True?
Helpful?
Important?
Nesessary?
Kind?

Proverbs 15:28 (New American Standard Version)
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Sometimes its better to just zip our lips...
Proverbs 10:19 (New King James Version)
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

We shouldn't use cuss words, or speak in anger, spite, or revenge. When we do talk it should be for helping and building others up...
Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Back in May of 2005 I heard a visiting speaker at the South Anchorage Church of Christ. Everything above came from one of the nights he spoke (I wish I could have writen faster). His name is Keith Parker from the Church of Christ in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He is an excellent speaker for anyone who may be visiting Hendersonville.

Accountability List

2006-03-22T09:32:00.000-09:00

I originally found this on Mary Yerkes first blog (she has since moved her writings to a new blog which is what's linked), she's a great Christian writer and has posted some really inspiring things. One of her posts was an accountability list that apparently was

"used by John Wesley, the noted 18th century theologian, with a group He called The Holy Club."

When I read that list it really hit me. I'll be saving a copy to keep me in check, I definitely need it. Thanks a lot Mary for posting it.

With out further ado...

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you..." (2 Cor. 13:5)

Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?
Can I be trusted?
Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
Did the Bible live in me today?
Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day?
Am I enjoying prayer?
When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?
Do I pray about the money I spend?
Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
Do I disobey God in anything?
Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
Am I defeated in any part of my life?
Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
How do I spend spare time?
Am I proud?
Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
Do I grumble or complain constantly?
Is Christ real to me?

John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Psalm 62:5-8

2006-03-21T09:19:00.000-09:00

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge

The Gospels

2006-03-18T07:42:00.000-09:00

Why are we given 4 stories of Jesus' life instead of only one? They're told by 4 different perspectives...

Matthew - Seems to be especially for the Jews, often pointing out the fulfillment of prophecy.
Mark - Short and vigorous record appealing to active Romans.
Luke - Literary masterpiece appealing to cultured Greeks.
John - Concentrates on things not already told.

John 20:31 - "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name"

Psalm 36:5-7

2006-03-17T10:58:00.000-09:00

Books of the Bible

2006-03-16T08:55:00.000-09:00

Old Testament.....
The 5 books of Law (Also knows as the Torah)

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

12 Books of History

Joshua
Judges
Ruth

1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles

Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther

5 Books of Poetry

Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiasties
Song of Solomon (aka: Song of Songs)

17 Books of Prophecy (1st 5 being the major because of length, not importance)

Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel

Minor prophets (because they are shorter in length)

Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah

Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk

Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

New Testament...
4 Gospels

Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

1 Book of History

Acts

21 Letters

Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians

Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians

1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy

Titus
Philemon
Hebrews

The remaining 7 letters were written by 4 authors, and each is named for its writer.

James

1 Peter
2 Peter

1 John
2 John
3 John

Jude

1 Book of Prophecy

Revelation

Prayer Verses

2006-03-15T17:27:00.000-09:00

One of my weaknesses is prayer, sometimes I do great, then other times I start forgetting to make it a regular part of my day. This posting is not to hint at others but to take responsibility for my problem and attempt to fix it. I almost always remember to pray before I go to bed but there's been times I've fallen asleep in the middle of it. I next to never remember when I wake up and occasionally remember to pray sometime in the middle of the day - unless I'm at church or a church function. My sure fire prayer times are before bed and at dinner; and I could use some improvement from that.

I really needed some inspiration and reminder; these are the verses that I really liked out of all I could find. If anyone else has a favorite that's not on this list I would love to hear it. I should also say I found some great inspiration for prayers but in looking them up I found many more extremely valuable messages that I was oh so tempted to add being just as important but decided to stick to the prayer inspiration on the website for now. My favorite so far is Matthew 6:5-8

1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

Matthew 6:5-8
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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 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 . And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

Luke 22:40-43
When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will but Yours, be done. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

Romans 2:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Ephesians 3:16-19
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.

Saints: Holy ones - set apart (Romans 1:7; 1 Samuel 2:9). All true Christians are saints in the biblical sense of the word (Ephesians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 2:5;9). Not perfect people but those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior (Philippians 1:1; 4:21).

Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Colossians 4:2-6
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be Joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 4:7-8
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.

As I was looking all this up and typing it out, I have sounded like a broken record singing a favorite church song (Jesus hold my hand). I don't remember what comes before or after but I've sang over and over "...I need thee every hour, as I kneel in prayer I hope to meet you there, blessed Jesus hold my hand".

Kiana