Three Temptations

1)  To question God.
2)  To Deny God.
3)  To Doubt God.
These three temptations which turn into sins are destructive.

From the beginning of time, Satan has put in our ears to do these things.
Adam and Eve were the first to experience these temptations, and unfortunately they circummed to them.
Did God really say that (Genesis 3:1).
Denied God ( Genesis 3:4).
Doubt Gods purpose (Genesis 3:5).


So when have you fell into Satan's traps?  he is the great deceiver.
 *My life is too hard, I will go my own way 
 *leave my spouse
 * take myself out of my children's lives (even if it is only for some of the time)
 *stop worshiping God in the company of my fellow believers
 *take another woman/man who will treat me like I want to be treated
 *I can't take the pressures of this life, God isn't helping me

The worst Denial of God is when you let Satan put in your heart that you have sinned and are no longer worthy.

Let's deal with that one:
What does God's word say about your salvation.
Before the fall (Adam and Eve's and yours if you have fallen)

Adam and Eve (and you) lost their (your) sense of significance and felt shame.

Adam and Eve (and you) lost their (your) sense of safety and security and felt fear.

Adam and Eve (and you) lost their (your) sense of belonging and felt emptiness and rejection.

We forget that God sees everything.  That He is standing there waiting for us to turn back to Him. He never turns His back on us.
We need transformation when we fall.
 God desires for us to turn to Him and allow our needs to be met in Jesus Christ alone; not by our job, our spouse, our children or our sinful desire for another lover.
Satan desires for us to attempt to get those needs met in our own way and by our own strength through people, things, and circumstances. But a dead spirit and sinful nature causes darkness and ugliness to rule in our minds, wills and our emotions, but Jesus can remove the darkness and fill us with His light. He is the beautifier, the door is always open, He is always available, and the price has already been paid.

Why do you think Jesus said in :

Matthew 18:21-23

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²¹Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and ^[a]let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?
²²Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!
Do you think He does less?
Be careful how you judge God!
Read the  Parable of the Lost Son from Luke 15: 11-31 and consider yourself the lost son.  Remember this is a picture of God and His children of which you are one.
to be continued...

Walking THE Walk

I have always enjoyed reading Morning and Evening by Charles H Spurgeon, today I want to share with you the morning devotion, I hope you enjoy it:

Walking
"So walk in Him."  Colossians 2:6

If we have received Christ in our hearts, the new life we have will manifest itself in a walk of faith with Him.

Walking is action.  Our religion is not to be confined to the prayer closet.  We must put into practie what we believe.  If we walk in Christ, then we act as Christ would act.  Christ is our hope, our love, our joy, and our life.  We are to be the image of Jesus to a  world that will say,  "You are like your Master;  you live like Jesus Christ."

Walking indicates progress.  "So walk in Him."  Proceed from grace to grace.  Go forward until you reach the uttermost degree of knowledge concerning your Beloved. 

To walk is a sign of continuance. There must be a perpetual abiding in Christ.  Many Chistians have fellowship with Jesus in the morning and evening but give their heart to the world all day. This is poor living.  We should always walk with Him, following His steps and doing His will.

Walking implies habit.  When we speak of our walk, we mean our habits, the tenor of our lives.  If we sometimes enjoy Christ, sometimes call Him ours, but then disown Him, that may be a habit, but it is not walking with Him.  We must have a habit of keeping close to Him, clinging to Him, never letting Him go, "for in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).  "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in HIm."  Hold fast to Him.

Jesus Christ is the trust of your faith, the source of your life, the principles of your actions, and the joy of your spirit.  Let Him be this until life's end, when you will enter into the joy and rest of heaven.
O Holy Spirit, enable us to obey this heavenly instruction.

"Thanks for joining me in this devotion, I hope you were blessed."  Sue

Blessings for a Life Time and more....

As I look back on my life I can see so many ways that God has blessed me and my family.. so I have decided to start naming them in Thanks Giving to my God who has done such marvelous works.  This list may be boring to you, but to me it is more than I can list here. May God be Glorified and Praised forever:


two wonderful children who are now grown with children of their own ~ 12 known grandchildren ~ two step daughters who are just as wonderful as my own ~ a wonderful husband that takes care of my every need, is loving, kind and so precious to me ~ a Great Dad and Mom who knew how to raise me right, that I could love and honor my God ~ two sisters and two brothers with families of their own ~ Godly Grandparents ~ a wonderful extended family spread across the world ~ friends to last a lifetime ~ things that are a pleasure:  beautiful sunsets and sun rises ~ warm breezes in cool weather and cool breezes in warm weather ~ so many stars and the milky way ~ bug less evenings ~ the sight and sounds of many birds ~ beautiful flower gardens and trees to please the eye ~ and more than I can recall. ~ and now on to the desires of my life.....These are the material things I always wanted but never asked for, but that God has seen fit to bless me with..a brick home, a big yard, large house with room for all of us, two bathrooms, an attached garage, a nice front porch with room to sit, and large back deck to enjoy in the evenings while watching the horses and the sun set. Central heating and air and a dish washer too. So very many things that I will still have to share.


Good Health ~clothes to wear ~  food a plenty ~ a payed of truck and car. A good lawn tractor and tools to take care of the animals. A paved drive way and fencing to keep things in or out.


The list will continue from now till I part this life to enter eternity with my God and Savior.

Praying for you all today...

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and 

more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be 

able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless 

until the day of Christ,” (Philippians 1:9-10)  

Sometimes it is hard to share what we feel in our hearts about

 other people and their salvation.  

The truth is sometimes the hardest thing for people to 

believe.  They want to believe what makes them feel good

inside, so they don't have to acknowledge the truth. 

To acknowledge the truth means having to adhere to what 

others say, and accept what they don't want to know in their 

hearts.  

The truth from God is always the simple way, too simple for 

people to accept. To acknowledge God and His salvation

through Jesus Christ, means to say, "I am not good, and

what I have done in my life is not all good."

Then this means relying on God and His judgement, and then

"I am condemned".

The truth is, turning to God means freedom, freedom from 

sin and condemnation.  The statement in the Bible that says, 

"and the truth shall set you free."  means just that.

The truth of salvation through the blood of Christ, that

was shed for our redemption, was and is a gift from 

God, meant to reunite us with our Creator.

All things from God, given for our good, are gifts with out

 payment on our part.

To accept these things from God, at face value is the best

we can receive from God.

Food for thought?  What is your response?

LISTENING TO GOD'S VOICE

Have you ever heard God's voice?  I mean really heard Him?  I know I have.  But I am not always listening to Him. Sometimes He has to shout at me, not like you and I shout, but speaking in a way I can't ignore.  Sometimes He chastises me, some times He lovingly speaks in words to remind me of what He promised in order to comfort me.
The most important thing is, He always speaks to me in love.


Never does He say I am bad, or even wrong, He just always reminds me of the truth, of His love and how much He cares about me.


He has guided me out of danger with His small still voice. He has told me "no" before I could do something that would bring me harm.
He has consoled me when I have had pain in my heart and He has filled me with joy when He has blessed me with something I have wanted and never expected to get (I call these blessings, or gifts of love).


So how about you, has He spoken to you lately, or are you even listening?

Where was Our God on 9-11

Where was God on 9/11?





      Have you ever thought, "Where was
God on 9/11 when the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon were attacked?" Well, I
know where my God was on the morning of
September 11, 2001, and He was very busy!

      He was discouraging people from taking
those four flights. Together they could
accommodate more than 1,000 passengers,
yet there were only 266 aboard. He was on
those four flights giving the terrified
passengers the ability to stay calm. Not
one of the people who was called by a
loved one on one of the hijacked planes
mentioned that passengers were panicked,
nor was there any screaming in the
background. And on one of the flights, God
gave strength to the passengers to
overcome the hijackers.

      God was also busy creating obstacles to
prevent people who worked in the WTC from
getting to work on time. The work day had
begun, more than 50,000 people worked in
the two towers, yet only 20,000 were at
their desks. On that beautiful morning,
God created scores of unexpected traffic
delays, subway delays, and commuter train
delays. A PATH train packed with commuters
was stopped at a signal just short of the
WTC and was able to return to Jersey City.
And far more meetings were scheduled
elsewhere than was usual.

      God held up each of the two mighty towers
for a half hour so that the people on the
lower floors could get out. And when He
finally let go, He caused the towers to
fall inward rather than to topple over,
which would have killed so many more
people. The foundations of six surrounding
buildings were demolished by the fall of
the towers, but God held them up for many
hours until all the occupants were safely
evacuated.

      And when the WTC and Pentagon buildings
went down, my God picked up almost 3,500
of His children and carried them to their
home for all eternity. He also sat down
and cried that 19 of His children could
have so much hate in their hearts, that
they did not choose him, but another god
that doesn't exist, and now they are lost
forever.

      He sent people trained in dealing with
earthly disasters to save those that were
injured. And he sent in thousands of
others to help in any way they were
needed. And He brought people together
across the world in a way that moved
thousands to tears and hundreds of
thousands to prayer—and caused millions to
turn to the one true living God.

      He still isn't finished. Every day He
comforts those who lost loved ones. He is
encouraging others to reach out to those
who don't know Him or believe in Him. He
is giving the leaders of our great nation
the strength and conviction to do the
right thing, to follow His will, not a
popular poll.

      So if anyone ever asks, "Where was your
God on 9/11?" you can say, "He was
everywhere! And, in fact, he is everywhere
today and every day." Without a doubt,
this was the worst catastrophe most of us
have ever seen. I can't imagine getting
through such a difficult time without God
at my side. Without God, life would be
hopeless.
     

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some More Thoughts...
As you might know, the head of one company
survived 9/11 because he took his son to
kindergarten.
Another fellow is alive because it was his turn
to bring donuts.
Another lady was late because her alarm clock
didn't go off on time.
One was late as a result of being stuck on the
NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
One more survivor missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to take
time to change.
One's car wouldn’t start.
One went back to answer the telephone.
One had a child that dawdled and didn't get
ready as soon as he should have.
One couldn't get a taxi.
The one that, struck me was the man who put on a
new pair of shoes that morning,
went to work by his usual way but before he got
there, he developed a blister on his foot.
So he stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid.
That is why he is alive today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an
elevator, turn back to answer a ringing
telephone...
all the little things that annoy me....
I think to myself, this is exactly where God
wants me to be at this very moment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next time your morning seems to be going wrong,
the children are slow getting dressed, you can't
seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic
light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at
work watching over you.
May God continue to bless you with all those
annoying little things and may you remember
their possible purpose. 

Come back to your God, your maker, provider, and Savior...

Hosea 4

 ¹Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

 ²By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

 ³Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

 ⁴Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

 ⁵Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.

 ⁶My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

 ⁷As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

 ⁸They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.

 ⁹And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

 ¹⁰For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.

 ¹¹Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

Does this sound familiar, does this remind you of the people of this day.  How we have walked away, no, run away, from our God into the arms of the sins of the world, were we find our own contentment, our own happiness, that is empty of love, mercy and joy.  We are happy for but a moment and then we become bored, and seek more entertainment, which leads to more discontentment.  How long will we search for happiness in the arms of Satan and his pleasures, the pleasure which will condemn us at the judgement seat of the Most Holy God.
But redemption comes in the morning:

Hosea 6

 ¹Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
 ²After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
 ³Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
 ⁴O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
 ⁵Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
 ⁶For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Proverbs 9¹⁰The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ¹¹For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

Philippians 3

 ⁸Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

 ⁹And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

 ¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Let us therefore rejoice in the knowledge of Our Lord and God, let us seek His justice and compassion that He gives to all those who seek Him and follow His paths of righteousness, into Life in Christ Jesus!  AMEN!

Judgment comes...

Isaiah was called to prophesy to Jerusalem 740 years before Christ.  In the first five chapters, the overriding theme is impending judgment. “Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field…Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks…Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit and wickedness as with cart ropes…Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight…Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and champions at mixing drinks…”


Does that sound like a message to the world today? 

 But then something happens to Isaiah as he sees his own life reflected in God’s magnificent glory.

Isaiah had a vision.

I saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him were seraphs, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and threshold shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried.  “I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:1-5)

What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’…The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean’ (Matthew 15:11,18, NIV).


We must remember that judgement is coming, to us all. How God looks on all of us will depend on what we have done and what we have repented of; are you covered by the blood of Christ?

Speaking Truth with Boldness

It is not how long you live, or what you have that makes the statement of your life's value.  It is what you said and did to change the world, whether it be your family or the world.


"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute" ~  Proverbs 31:8


"Go and preach the gospel.  Use words, if necessary." ~ ST. Francis of Assisi


"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."  Edmund Burke


"If you're doing nothing, you're doing wrong." ~ Lord Mountbatten


"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers


So tell me.  What do you believe in enough to make a difference in what is happening in the world?

Mark Twain: "Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it."

Aish HaTorah             
SHABBAT SHALOM WEEKLY          
Insights into life, personal growth and Torah 

BS"D

Over 300,000 Readers Worldwide!

Torah Portion:     Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)

4 Elul 5771
September 3, 2011

Shabbat Shalom Weekly

Rabbi Kalman Packouz  (thank you Rabbi for this message)

20 IDEAS FOR CHOOSING COURAGE

   1. It's great to have courage, and courage
makes you great.  Courage is a decision to
transcend your fears. When you speak and act
in a situation that is challenging for you,
that is courage.  Decide to transcend fears
that needlessly limit you.
   2. Courage is in your mind.  Courage comes
from the thoughts you think in your mind. 
You choose your thoughts.  Choose courage
now.
   3. Courage doesn't mean that you don't have
fears.  It means that you are willing to
speak and act even with fearful feelings.  At
times you might melt those fears.  Even if
not, say what needs to be said and do what
needs to be done.
   4. Ask your loving Father, and powerful King,
Creator and Sustainer of the universe to give
you inner strength and courage.  Receive it
when He gives it to you.
   5. Every word and act of courage is stored in
your brain.  Your brain is always with you so
you can always access courage.
   6. If you have said or done something that
took courage, you have been courageous
already.  Identify yourself as a person who
has courage.
   7. This moment is the only moment that
exists.  To speak and act courageously, you
only need to speak and act courageously this
very moment.
   8. Be aware of any inner self-talk that
prevents your courage.  Mentally upgrade the
recording you play in your mind.  Listen to
courageous self-talk.  Reread this list
frequently.  It becomes your self-talk.
   9. When you need a boost of courage, say to
yourself with enthusiasm and intensity, "I
have tremendous and intense courage right
now."  Repeat this with more and more
intensity until you actually experience it.
  10. Fear and lack of courage is created with
your imagination.  Therefore, your imagination
can create great courage.  Imagine having all
the courage you would wish for.
  11. Learn from every person who speaks and
acts with courage.  On the screen of your mind
see yourself talking and acting with that same
courage.  Repeat until internalized.
  12. Remember your most courageous moments. 
Take that courageous energy and double it. 
Now double it again.  Double it again.  Keep
on doubling this until you feel yourself
radiating courage.
  13. If it is difficult to say something to
someone, ask yourself, "Do I have a right to
say this?"  If yes, just say it!
  14. Have the courage to bounce back from
mistakes and adversity.
  15. Have courage to do what's right even if
others make fun of you.  The more difficult it
is, the greater you are.
  16. Have courage to respectfully tell people
to refrain from speaking negatively against
others.  Feel joy for acting.
  17. Visualize a great crowd cheering for your
courage.  Hear the cheers.  See them waving
for their hero: You!
  18. Drink an imaginary drink that gives you
magnificent courage.
  19. Don't take needless foolish risks.
Differentiate between intelligent and wise
risks and those that are rash.
  20. Each and every day do something courageous.

Children of the Most High God!

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’ children.   Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16, 17).

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

We are so blessed to be God's children, He honors us with His love and devotion. But where do we place our love and devotion?  Do we return His love through praise and worship?

Are you willing to turn your life around and praise Him by your words and actions.

His blessings abound when we give Him the glory through the life we live.

Have you checked your heart lately?

Isaiah 29:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹³ The Lord says:

   “These people come near to me with their mouth
   and honor me with their lips,
   but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
   is based on merely human rules they have been taught.^[a]
14 Therefore once more I will astound these people
   with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
   the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.”

How do you worship the Lord?  In word only, or in deed, through the works of your hands and heart?

Contemplation:

This morning I sat on the deck, looking at the sky and the animals we have, giving God praise for everything. Then I thought, do I really give God the praise due Him, or do I just praise him with my words?  I began to worry about this, am I like those people in the scripture that only praise with the mouth and not the heart?

Response:

No.  I praise Him from the depths of my heart.

Question:

How about you?

Love to all...

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)


I pray that all my family and friends, close and extended find their Salvation through Our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. For there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved.

our sins are forgiven..

"He (God) is so rich in kindness that He purchased our freedom through the blood of His Son, and our sins are forgiven." Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)
Are your sins forgiven?  Have you truly repented of (turned away from) your sins?  Or are you still sinning? Some say that when we continue to sin we are crucifying Christ all over again.  I don't know about that, but I do know it must hurt Our Father and The Lord every time we return to our old sins and commit them again and again.
Being a sinner is like being a drunk, you always will be one, you can only recover by walking away from sin and refuse to do it again.
So what are you going to do now?

Today...Dream!

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"What if some did not believe? Shall their
unbelief make the faith of God without effect?"
(Romans 3:3, KJV)



TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Oftentimes, people allow the opinions of others
to hold them back and water down their dreams.
But, we have to realize that there will always
be critics and naysayers in life. One of the
most important things you can learn is that
other people don't have to believe in you in
order for your dreams to come to pass. Other
people don't set the limits for your life - you
do! It's not what others say about you that
affects your life, but what you say and believe
about yourself. When God puts a promise in your
heart, it's not up to other people to bring it
to pass, it's up to you!

In today's verse, the apostle Paul is saying,
"It doesn't matter if other people don't
believe. Their unbelief is not going to keep me
from believing in my dreams." In other words,
you don't need everyone else to validate you.
You only have to follow the voice of God for
yourself and allow Him to order your steps.

Today, know that God sees the hidden treasures
inside of you. He wants to bring those treasures
out and make your dreams reality. Don't water
down your dreams. Have confidence today because
He believes in you, and He is making a way for
you!



A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for believing in me. Thank
You for placing the dreams and desires in my
heart and for enabling them to come to pass.
Help me to see the good plans You have for me so
I can confidently fulfill my destiny. In Jesus'
Name. Amen

The Best Way To Live...

"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to Live".-Elbert Hubbard
We live in a world of turmoil, no mistake about that. If we remember we are to be in the world but not of it, things look differently.  We are permanent residents of Heaven, just have awhile before we go home. So remember, no matter what we see or hear on this earth, it will pass.  Keep your eyes on the Lord, (you know, where your help comes from) and not the world or it's leaders. They can't help you and they sure can't save you.

Quote of The Day

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." _ Theodore Roosevelt


So many people never amount to anything but average, the ones who go farther and higher are the ones who say, what can I do with this and then do it.
What do you need to go farther and higher, a smile, inspiration, a few odds and ends, and the desire to be more than you are at this present moment.
So .. what do you have and where do you want to go?!

Who am I talking to?

I have not been very faithful in recording my thoughts and studies lately, but then when I look to see who saw it I am deeply disappointed to see no one posted a comment.  Either my word stands or no one looked at this site or read it.
Well, that will not keep me from posting today.  I started back in Mary Kay sales last month, and the going has been slow and a little rough. It is not because the economy is slow, it is just the lack of enthusiasm on the part of those I have spoke with concerning skin care and or make-up.  I am really surprised at the fact that so many women don't care or don't worry about their face.  Now I for one do worry, should have started a long time ago, but it is never too late. But, I guess I should say I don't worry either, but that is because I am doing something about my face and am trying to keep it in better condition.  I am not immune to growing old nor am I fearing it, but I sure don't want to look like my grandmother real soon. Here I am approaching my 61st birthday, and hoping I look at least 50.
So for what it is worth, I hope you read this, and make a comment.  Let me know I am not just talking to myself.

And by the way...
Have a blessed week!
with much love,
Sue

COMMITMENT

Have you made a commitment to follow The Christ?  Have you thought about Jesus' words...

Matthew 6:25

King James Version (KJV)

 ²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Matthew 6:34

King James Version (KJV)

 ³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Will you make a commitment to live the life Jesus is calling you to?  One of dependence on Him and Him alone?

Time With God

When is the last time you sat and were still before God – 


with no music playing, no TV on, etc.? When we spend


purposed time with the Lord, beautiful things happen. Look


 up Zephaniah 3:17 and fill in the blanks below: 


“The LORD your God is ______ ______, he is mighty to save. 


He will take _________ ___________in you, he will 


___________ you with his ___________, he will _________ 


over you with ___________.”

THE KEY TO LIVING STRONG :STARTING EVERY DAY WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY?
"Whatever takes place, I shall win. I'll overcome problems and difficulties. I'll look up and not down...I've made up my mind--I believe.  I expect God will show us how life turns out best for those make the best of how life turns out."  - Lewis Timberlake

"Weather you think you can or whether you think you can't. you're right"-Henry Ford

So what will you do today and everyday?  It is your choice.

Rainy Days...prayers and praises...

Today is cloudy, rainy at times, so much to do outside, between the rain drops, but that is good.  It makes it a day for prayers and praises to my God, because I am not too busy to do that.  Sometimes I think God sends these days for just that purpose. I am more than OK with that.  I love you Lord and find so much joy in my time with you. Thank you Father, I give you praise forever and ever.

Living a Life with Boundaries

Living a life with Boundaries, it can be so hard.

 I recently read an article in Weavings by Robert Corin Morris, that really got me thinking about the boundaries that God gives us, our parents give us and the world gives us.  Some how the idea that these boundaries are being broken down daily by humans is painfully destructive to us as children of God.
I especially like the idea that God has placed boundaries on Himself too.  That He also knows that in order to live lives of worth we need those boundaries.


Restraint and freedom do go together.  Without restraints we tend to wander in the wrong direction. Just as sheep who need a shepherd, as Jesus spoke about in John 10:(27-30 ^{)    "}My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."


I do not mean to ramble, but sometimes it is hard to put in words my thoughts.  I hope you can bare with me and follow along as I post.  I enjoy sharing with my fellow sisters and brothers in the Lord.

“In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;..."

 “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” (Psalm 5:3-4 NIV)


When I read this Psalm this morning I liked the first part, but the second part gave me second thoughts, I hardly ever begin my day with requests, usually it goes something like this;
Good Morning Father, thank you for this most beautiful day.


You see, God does have my day already planned for me, what I do with it is up to me.  It doesn't matter if the sun is shinning or the rain is falling.  Today will be the day which the Lord has made, and I Will rejoice and be glad in it.

A Student of God's Word

Have you ever wanted to study the Bible but just were not sure how to go about it.   I know I have bought a lot of books on Bible study but I could never follow through.  Well I found one that I can get through. It is by Max Lucado, it is called Becoming a Student  of God's Word.  It is a small book with a CD. It takes you deep in an easy way that I think you would all enjoy.  It consists of 4 Interactive Bible Studies for Individuals or Small Groups.  Please check it out, buy it, use it and get deeper in the Word.

The Book of Hebrews

Although it is not known who wrote the book of Hebrews, we need to consider it in the light of Pauls (Saul) experience with Jesus the Christ.  He faced many persecutions as did the early Christians. These passages were meant to inspire and help believers hold true to Jesus as Savior and Lord.  Some highlights to consider as you read the book are:



• Jesus is fully God and fully man (1:1 – 14; 2:5 – 18)
• Jesus as Son of God reveals God the Father, is the agent of creation, and sustains all creation (1:1 – 14)
• Jesus serves as the eternal high priest, who as a man sympathizes with human weaknesses, and yet who 
offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin (1:3; 2:10 – 18; 4:15 – 16; 9:11 10:19)
• Jesus is superior to angels, to Moses and the Mosaic covenant, and to the earthly temple and its 
priesthood (1:4 – 2:18; 3:1 – 6; 5:1 – 10; 7:1 – 10:18)

• All humanity faces eternal judgment for sin (4:12 – 13; 9:27 – 28; 10:26 – 31)
• Faith is necessary to please God and to participate in His eternal salvation promises. Faith requires 
conviction about the unseen realities of God and His promises. Such faith produces perseverance (4:2 – 
3; 6:1, 12; 10:22, 38 – 39; 11:1 – 40)
• Perseverance is necessary in the Christian life, and church participants are warned against a lack of 
endurance (2:1 – 4; 3:7 – 4:13; 5:11 – 6:12; 10:19 – 39; 12:1 – 29)
• God’s promises are trustworthy, including His promise of eternal salvation (6:13 – 20)
• With the advent of Jesus Christ, the last days have begun though they await consummation at his return 
(1:2; 2:5; 4:9 – 11; 9:9 – 28; 12:22 – 29) *


*ESV Study Bible, p. 2358


For an in-dept study of the book of Hebrews go to:  http://www.tucsonrevolution.com/mediafiles/hebrews-study-guide.pdf

Concerning Saul (Paul)

As I continue to read about Saul and his early times after his conversion to Christ, I can't help but think what it must have been like for him.  To know The Laws so well and also the scriptures and now to see them from the eyes of a follow of Christ must have been so eye opening.
As  he recalled scripture and then related it to Christ consider: Isaiah 53 (the whole chapter should be read) verses  7-9

 ⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
 ⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
 ⁹And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.


Saul knew of Christ's death and yet until his conversion he did not understand the scripture he knew as well as his own name.


WHAT DO YOU THINK:  As a Christian, who should know the scripture, how do you relate to this and your knowledge of The Christ?
Let me know what you are thinking.

Encountering Christ

I hope you had time to read the scripture and meditate on what it must have been like for Saul.
In my mind I imagine a great light, so bright I can't look at it.  The light of Christ, so pure and white that it burns the eyes.  The purity of that light comprehensible.  The sound of His voice speaking to me, like the many waters of the earth, so melodious that my mind is filled with joy at the sound.
That He would take the time to speak to me, of what I have done, what He wants me to do, and instruction to follow His Way, would be almost impossible to accept.
The joy and peace that would flood my heart and soul I could not contain.

God calls us all to walk in His way. We so seldom listen to His small still voice, and at other times we turn out His loud cries for us to come to Him.

Where are you today, do you want to hear His voice, are you ready to follow Him?

Yesterday as I read a book on the life of Saul (Paul), I was inspired to comment on his encounter with The Christ on the road to Damascus.  It must have been an awesome experience to turn his life around 180 degrees from the path he was on. Read Acts chapter 9.
Now consider what it was like for Saul. Can you imagine being confronted by Jesus in you mind, seeing His glory and the glory of God. Him actually speaking to you, and calling you to His service. Dwell on these things and we will talk some more later.

Welcome to my messages, meant to entice you, warn you, enlighten you. Come back often.