I have spent the better part of my life with my fingers crossed hoping that what ever doctrine 'I decide' is more true or right than the next persons interpretation of said doctrine will get me through this life and the next without to much flames. I have many days, feelings of hopelessness in my thinking . My thoughts go like this: OK I believe or 'I decide with my limited understanding 'that such 'n' such is the true way to take this doctrine, and everyone else in the world is wrong, now I hope to God I got it right or else I fry......literally, if I or any of us are wrong ,that is what is being crammed into our minds. How can any of us go through life this way, and many of us do? Some groups believe all Christians MUST keep the Sabbath and once they have been taught this doctrine , that if they now don't keep it, they will burn forever because they were taught the truth weren't they?
Most Christian denominations believe that if you don't believe in the doctrine of the Trinity, or the Deity of Jesus, or any number of other doctrines that you will suffer for eternity.
So here I am thinking how on earth can little ole me ever ever come to the truth here? All these groups believe that only they are the one's being led by the Holy Spirit and the rest of us are being decieved . I can understand why so many folks say enough already and leave Christianity for good, who can blame them? Not I, been there , done that.
So this is how I have come to terms with this.
Lets say that ALL that Christ had done for us was placed in a heavenly bank account and His name is on that as owner of that account but that all of humanity has access to this account and can sign their names on checks that they need cashed.OK lets say that only a few are aware of this and they are at various level of understanding and can access this account according to their knowledge by faith.Some know more about Heavens principles than others and can receive much from this account but many of us still struggle with understanding it but we at least know it IS possible to access this account and that it is ours and that we 'in the know' can now claim ownership of it.So that all who know of our riches in the heavenlies can now live this life on earth a bit more elevated than our fellowman , we do not have to go about wondering why this is happening or why that is the way it is and so forth, plus as we learn we are able to receive the healing, the promises of God to us to take care of our needs more so than our fellow man. So the rest of man kind do not know they too have access to this heavenly account made possible by Jesus Christ and so continue to live this life in various levels of ignorance and hopelessness, living in a dog eat dog world and living under the rules of engagement of this world the best they can, and granted many have had great success under worldly principles but at great cost and lost in family life, health,relationships and so forth .The key of understanding is that the EVERYONE HAS the same account as those in the know, only they do not know this and live their lives never knowing the riches that are truly available to them and never knowing that God is not Mad at them holding them accountable for their sins that Jesus already took care of so they join various religions trying to appease an angry god, until they die and then are told what they have now and what they missed and could have had in their life. Many in the know of this account, because they are still unclear as to how to access this account also suffer loss in this world because of ignorance as well.
One of my prayers is this, God please don't let me live this life in ignorance to what you have made available to me! Don't let me wake up on the other side of life and find out I could have had this or that, in order to be of service here in this life to others, I need access to all the promises of God and my heavenly account in Jesus name.
So what I may have not made clear here is this, Jesus Christ has taken care of the sin problem, there is no angry God to appease, we are dearly loved by God, and just because you may be ignorant of the salvation that Jesus won for you, does not mean you do not have it now, only that you can not be blessed now by that knowledge and live the rest of this life knowing you are indeed the child of the King instead of living in the poverty of your thinking that you are a just a child of a mere human and living with that in a world that can really care less whether or not you live or die.
May we all come to know that we are indeed blessed of God now in this life!
blessings and shalom
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
A prayer
Oh my God and Lord Jesus, may your life be seen in me by the work and power of Your Holy blessed Spirit in me! I need Your new creation life in me!,so that Your Spirit can work in and through me so that You can love , care, and help others using me as Your vessel in getting Your work done now in this life.
Lord I want to participate in Your new creation in the life of others! Lord I offer myself to You, I make myself available as Your humble servant, so that Your life and work can be seen and felt in this life , in the lives of those You indeed do love and care for, which is indeed to ALL . Lord I am tired of receiving only, Lord may I now allow all that You have already shown me and helped me, allow all of that to just flow through me, help me open up the damn I have built which has blocked all Your living waters, so that Your living waters can freely flow through me to nourish others.
God Your life is for us now in this life, help me show others that the Resurrection life is for all of us now , help me, resurrect me now in this life so that Your goodness can be seen now, Lord I have been dead for too long, Lord revive me now and live your life in me for this time on.I need the resurrection of the Son of God in me now.Thank you for forgiving me .I have be participating in death for much to much time, Lord I need Your life in me now , and by faith I receive Your resurrection life in me now. I believe for life in me when there once was death, may your resurrection life flow through me from this day forth, amen.
Lord I want to participate in Your new creation in the life of others! Lord I offer myself to You, I make myself available as Your humble servant, so that Your life and work can be seen and felt in this life , in the lives of those You indeed do love and care for, which is indeed to ALL . Lord I am tired of receiving only, Lord may I now allow all that You have already shown me and helped me, allow all of that to just flow through me, help me open up the damn I have built which has blocked all Your living waters, so that Your living waters can freely flow through me to nourish others.
God Your life is for us now in this life, help me show others that the Resurrection life is for all of us now , help me, resurrect me now in this life so that Your goodness can be seen now, Lord I have been dead for too long, Lord revive me now and live your life in me for this time on.I need the resurrection of the Son of God in me now.Thank you for forgiving me .I have be participating in death for much to much time, Lord I need Your life in me now , and by faith I receive Your resurrection life in me now. I believe for life in me when there once was death, may your resurrection life flow through me from this day forth, amen.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
ARMOR OF GOD
God has provided us a wardrobe to wear as we enter in battle each day. As you dress in the morning, you need to suit up in God's armor as well. Ephesians 6:10-18 in the New Testament of the Bible lists all the components of the armor of God: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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."
Belt of Truth: Buckle it securely around your waist. Know that God is with you every step of the way. He alone is the truth in life. Spend time in His Word and learn His truth!
Breastplate of Righteousness: As you put on your breastplate, thank God for His never ending mercy towards us. He has given us righteousness when we follow Him. He will teach us every day if we open our eyes and ears to see and hear Him. The cross is an excellent example of God's mercy to us. He gave His Son for us so that we may spend eternity with Him.
Sandals of Peace: Without God in our lives, we could not have peace. The "peace that transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) is available to us only as we give our lives entirely over to His control. As you strap on your sandals each day, give your cares and concerns to Him and ask Him to carry them. God's Peace will be left in their place.
Shield of Faith: This is another defensive weapon in our arsenal. We use this piece of armor to guard against the constant assaults by the enemy. Each morning as you pick up your shield, thank God for your faith. Faith that comes in knowing He will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Helmet of Salvation: When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are given this defensive piece of armor to protect us. We know that we have been saved to battle with Him here on the planet Earth. We can do so willingly, knowing that we will spend eternity with Him.
The Sword of the Spirit: This is our only offensive weapon in the armor of God mentioned in this passage. Our sword is His Word, the Bible. With it we can slay the evil in the world as it presents itself to us. Read your Bible, learn His Word and memorize verses. Keep it on the tip of your tongue.
Dressed in this armor daily, we are prepared to enter the world. Without it we will be prey to attack. Think about each piece as you put it on. Thank God for supplying us with His armor to protect us.
Belt of Truth: Buckle it securely around your waist. Know that God is with you every step of the way. He alone is the truth in life. Spend time in His Word and learn His truth!
Breastplate of Righteousness: As you put on your breastplate, thank God for His never ending mercy towards us. He has given us righteousness when we follow Him. He will teach us every day if we open our eyes and ears to see and hear Him. The cross is an excellent example of God's mercy to us. He gave His Son for us so that we may spend eternity with Him.
Sandals of Peace: Without God in our lives, we could not have peace. The "peace that transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) is available to us only as we give our lives entirely over to His control. As you strap on your sandals each day, give your cares and concerns to Him and ask Him to carry them. God's Peace will be left in their place.
Shield of Faith: This is another defensive weapon in our arsenal. We use this piece of armor to guard against the constant assaults by the enemy. Each morning as you pick up your shield, thank God for your faith. Faith that comes in knowing He will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Helmet of Salvation: When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are given this defensive piece of armor to protect us. We know that we have been saved to battle with Him here on the planet Earth. We can do so willingly, knowing that we will spend eternity with Him.
The Sword of the Spirit: This is our only offensive weapon in the armor of God mentioned in this passage. Our sword is His Word, the Bible. With it we can slay the evil in the world as it presents itself to us. Read your Bible, learn His Word and memorize verses. Keep it on the tip of your tongue.
Dressed in this armor daily, we are prepared to enter the world. Without it we will be prey to attack. Think about each piece as you put it on. Thank God for supplying us with His armor to protect us.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Life Lessons from Women of the Bible
Nothing empowers me more than to study the Women of the Bible and the Women of God in our world today. I must say that satan has done his job victimizing and abusing women via, religion and mens false notions of lording it over women which came AFTER the fall but not BEFORE IT.
In Genisis14 -And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life.
15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her [a]Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.(C)
16To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply your grief and your suffering in pregnancy and the pangs of childbearing; with spasms of distress you will bring forth children. Yet your desire and craving will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.
These were curses after the fall, but Praise be God that In Christ we are no longer under it's curses!!
This is from: About.com
1.Eve, the Mother of All Living
Genesis 2:4b and 3:1-24
God created Adam and found him wanting. Enter Eve, formed from Adam’s rib, made of the same raw materials as he, and given the power to choose between good and evil?. In the creation story we find a strong, interdependent Eve, fully engaged with the world around her. She explored the Garden, dialogued with a serpent, decided on the forbidden fruit, and liked it enough to share the experience with Adam.
Eve’s story reminds us that women can be both creative and destructive. She teaches us to weigh our choices carefully, tempering our desires with wisdom.
2.Hagar, the Stranger Welcomed by God
Genesis 16:1-16 and 21:1-21
After God promised He would make of Abram a great nation, Sarai, past childbearing age, suggested he impregnate her maid Hagar. Be careful what you ask for. Once Hagar was pregnant, Sarai regretted her scheme, and heaped so much abuse on Hagar that the weary woman fled. There, in the wilderness, the slave, whose name means, “stranger,” received a comforting message. “The Lord has heard you. God has answered you.” Hagar returned to her abusive mistress with a promise that her own son’s descendants would be too many to count.
If you are disenfranchised, despised, or despairing, listen for the voices of angels. You may find your courage is only a prayer away.
3.Rahab, a Harlot with a Heart of Gold
Joshua 2:1-24
Centuries before the tart with a heart became Hollywood fodder there was Rahab’s story. She single-handedly saved two of Joshua’s spies by hiding them, lying to the authorities, and helping the pair to escape. As shrewd as she was gorgeous Rahab knew an opportunity when she saw one. “Swear to me by the Lord, that since I am showing kindness to you, you will in turn show kindness to my family.”
Lest you think her actions were manipulative, consider how offering assistance to the spies put her own life in peril. But Rahab recognized the divine favor that rested upon the men. She boldly asked for and received what she desired. Rahab teaches us to use our wiles effectively and with great love. After all, the life you save may be your own.
4.Deborah, the Warrior Princess
Judges 4 and 5
In a time in which it was improper for a woman to be alone in a house with a man, Deborah sat outside beneath a palm tree and judged Israel. After 20 years of oppression, it was she who summoned the military general Barak to take ten thousand soldiers and storm Mt. Tabor against their enemy Sisera. Barak answered, “If you go with me.” Deborah agreed, but told Barak he’d receive no glory. “The Lord will have Sisera fall into the power of a woman.” This prophecy would have dual meaning, for not only would Deborah be remembered as the real leader of this victory, Sisera would literally fall because of a woman. (See Jael.)
Deborah inspires us to trust our wisdom and instincts and to humbly accept the credit due us. A canticle (Judges 5) is dedicated to her bravery. Her example admonishes us to always remember and respect the power of a woman.
5.Jael, the Ordinary Woman with the Heart of a Lion
Judges 4:17-22 and 5: 6, 24
When the war-weary, defeated general of Canaanite forces staggered into Jael’s encampment, he couldn’t have known that through her husband the calculating woman had bonds that obligated her to Israel. She sheltered Sisera, hid him, gave him milk when he asked for water, and comforted him until he slept. Then Jael, tiny in stature compared to the fearsome Sisera, murdered him in his sleep, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy.
Jael’s story lets us know sometimes a girl has to slay the giants in her life, using whatever crude tools are available. Jael’s hands may have been bloodied in the process, but Israel experienced 40 years of peace because of her lion-hearted act.
6.Ruth, the Lovely Friend
The Book of Ruth
Their names say it all. Ruth, believed to be a short version of “retut,” or lovely friend, was the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi. Naomi, also a widow, was exiled from Moab because of a famine and had returned to Bethlehem after the death of her sons. She told old friends, “Call me Mara, for the Lord has made it very bitter for me.” What Naomi missed is the sweetness of a special gift: Ruth. Naomi had released her grieving daughters-in-law to return to their people, but Ruth declared, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Fortunately for Ruth, Boaz, a close friend of Naomi’s husband’s family, noticed her charms and blessed her. That got Naomi’s attention, which goes to show you: a lovely friend can turn the heart of a bitter women. Naomi hatched a successful plan to bring her kinsman, Boaz, and Ruth together. The couple later had a son, Obed, the grandfather of David. Ruth disappeared from the story, only to be remembered later as one of four women named in Matthew’s lineage of Jesus.
Ruth’s lesson to us? Steadfast love and loyalty may just lead you into a glorious destiny
7.Bathsheba, from Lust Object to Queen Mother
2 Samuel 11:2, 3, 12:2, I Kings 11:31, 2:13-19, I Chronicles 3:5
Beautiful Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, bathed on her rooftop while the king of Israel watched in secret. The country was at war, and David should have been with his men, but the king had grown more self-indulgent in his mature years. He had no qualms about sending for another man’s wife, simply because he lusted for her. And Bathsheba didn’t hesitate to go to him. The king and Uriah’s wife shared a night of passion, but not without consequences. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David had her soldier- husband killed. The prophet Nathan pronounced judgment upon the king. “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will bring evil upon you out of your own house.’” The child Bathsheba carried died a week after its birth.
But God had mercy on the couple. Though they’d continue to have trials, God blessed the pair with Solomon. Bathsheba would be remembered not only for her early indiscretion, but also for her wisdom and leadership as Queen Mother. She teaches us that mercy can be the beginning of a brave new life, and that we all must carry our grief, release it, and live again.
8.Esther, a Clever Queen
The Book of Esther
Esther was a simple orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai, until she decided she was destined to be royalty. Hiding her Jewish identity, she became a harem contestant, and after a year of spa treatments, emerged a stunner. The king may not have been bright, but he knew how to pick a beauty queen. Smitten, he rewarded Esther with a crown. It was good to be Esther until a tip from Mordecai forced her into action. The king, who led more by whim than wisdom, was convinced by his evil minister Haman to kill all Jews. Mordecai begged Esther to intervene, even though an unsummoned appearance before the king could be deadly, even for queens. But Esther knew she had to act on behalf of her people. “If I perish, I perish,” she said. In the end her wisdom prevailed, and her bravery saved her kinsmen.
Esther reminds us to be imaginative, as well as courageous. We don’t always have to fight to get what we want; sometimes we just have to outwit our adversary.
9.Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Luke 1:26-38, 1:39-56, 2:1-7, 2:21-38, 2:41-52, 4:16-30, 8:19-21
Much has been said about accepting Jesus as the personal savior, but no one accepted him in a more personal way than Mary, his mother. She literally “fleshed out” the unthinkable: Immanuel, God with us. The Scriptures tell us that the young virgin, betrothed to a carpenter, Joseph, was granted a very special favor. “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David… and of his kingdom there will be no end.” What is most notable is not the miraculous visitation, it’s that she said an unprecedented “Yes."
Mary was the first disciple of Christ. She had to believe in him before anyone else. Her faith in Jesus was not a product of her extraordinary actions. It was a gift. Her lesson to us is that we must let go of the notion that we create faith based on our works. God gifts us with faith, which makes our good works possible.
(My comment on Mary) She represents to me, how we as children of God are to allow the Holy Spirit to birth Christ within us as well.How we too should submit to the workings of the Holy Spirit, not knowing where this may lead us, but knowing we are in the will of God , no matter what we have to go through in our lives because of it.
10.Photini, the Woman at the Well
John 4: 1-30
Like Jesus, the Samaritan woman came to the well thirsty. Jesus wanted to quench his bodily thirst; so did the woman, but the story hints at deeper layers of meaning. Perhaps Jesus thirsted for souls, and the woman for at-long-last love. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said, a scandal; Jews were forbidden to share anything in common with unclean Samaritans. When she questioned him he replied, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
Living water must have sounded good to the ex-wife of five, now shacked up with a sixth paramour. She took a long, deep drink, never to thirst again. Photini became one of Christianity’s earliest evangelists, telling everyone she knew what Jesus had done. She teaches us that no matter how parched our dry soul places, love can make a surprising appearance and quench all our thirsts.
11.Mary Magdalene
Matt. 27:55-56, Mark 14:40-41, Matt. 28:1-9, John 20:18
Poor Mary Magdalene. St. Gregory the Great ruined her reputation suggesting she was a prostitute. Scholars have since rejected his thesis, and today Mary Magdalene is seen as one of Jesus’ most powerful allies. Sure, he may have had to cast seven demons out of her, or at least healed her of an undisclosed illness, but the grateful woman of means in turn led his female disciples and offered Jesus financial support. The four Gospels cite Mary as following Jesus to the end of his life, while his male disciples scattered. It was she who was brave enough to go to the guarded tomb of a convicted felon and chat with angels, and she who first encountered the risen Christ. She became the Apostle to the Apostles, when she ran, not walked, to the men by proclaiming the good news, “I have seen the Lord.”
With Mary as our example, we can follow our passions with everything within us, fearlessly, no matter what obstacles we encounter.
In Genisis14 -And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life.
15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her [a]Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.(C)
16To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply your grief and your suffering in pregnancy and the pangs of childbearing; with spasms of distress you will bring forth children. Yet your desire and craving will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.
These were curses after the fall, but Praise be God that In Christ we are no longer under it's curses!!
This is from: About.com
1.Eve, the Mother of All Living
Genesis 2:4b and 3:1-24
God created Adam and found him wanting. Enter Eve, formed from Adam’s rib, made of the same raw materials as he, and given the power to choose between good and evil?. In the creation story we find a strong, interdependent Eve, fully engaged with the world around her. She explored the Garden, dialogued with a serpent, decided on the forbidden fruit, and liked it enough to share the experience with Adam.
Eve’s story reminds us that women can be both creative and destructive. She teaches us to weigh our choices carefully, tempering our desires with wisdom.
2.Hagar, the Stranger Welcomed by God
Genesis 16:1-16 and 21:1-21
After God promised He would make of Abram a great nation, Sarai, past childbearing age, suggested he impregnate her maid Hagar. Be careful what you ask for. Once Hagar was pregnant, Sarai regretted her scheme, and heaped so much abuse on Hagar that the weary woman fled. There, in the wilderness, the slave, whose name means, “stranger,” received a comforting message. “The Lord has heard you. God has answered you.” Hagar returned to her abusive mistress with a promise that her own son’s descendants would be too many to count.
If you are disenfranchised, despised, or despairing, listen for the voices of angels. You may find your courage is only a prayer away.
3.Rahab, a Harlot with a Heart of Gold
Joshua 2:1-24
Centuries before the tart with a heart became Hollywood fodder there was Rahab’s story. She single-handedly saved two of Joshua’s spies by hiding them, lying to the authorities, and helping the pair to escape. As shrewd as she was gorgeous Rahab knew an opportunity when she saw one. “Swear to me by the Lord, that since I am showing kindness to you, you will in turn show kindness to my family.”
Lest you think her actions were manipulative, consider how offering assistance to the spies put her own life in peril. But Rahab recognized the divine favor that rested upon the men. She boldly asked for and received what she desired. Rahab teaches us to use our wiles effectively and with great love. After all, the life you save may be your own.
4.Deborah, the Warrior Princess
Judges 4 and 5
In a time in which it was improper for a woman to be alone in a house with a man, Deborah sat outside beneath a palm tree and judged Israel. After 20 years of oppression, it was she who summoned the military general Barak to take ten thousand soldiers and storm Mt. Tabor against their enemy Sisera. Barak answered, “If you go with me.” Deborah agreed, but told Barak he’d receive no glory. “The Lord will have Sisera fall into the power of a woman.” This prophecy would have dual meaning, for not only would Deborah be remembered as the real leader of this victory, Sisera would literally fall because of a woman. (See Jael.)
Deborah inspires us to trust our wisdom and instincts and to humbly accept the credit due us. A canticle (Judges 5) is dedicated to her bravery. Her example admonishes us to always remember and respect the power of a woman.
5.Jael, the Ordinary Woman with the Heart of a Lion
Judges 4:17-22 and 5: 6, 24
When the war-weary, defeated general of Canaanite forces staggered into Jael’s encampment, he couldn’t have known that through her husband the calculating woman had bonds that obligated her to Israel. She sheltered Sisera, hid him, gave him milk when he asked for water, and comforted him until he slept. Then Jael, tiny in stature compared to the fearsome Sisera, murdered him in his sleep, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy.
Jael’s story lets us know sometimes a girl has to slay the giants in her life, using whatever crude tools are available. Jael’s hands may have been bloodied in the process, but Israel experienced 40 years of peace because of her lion-hearted act.
6.Ruth, the Lovely Friend
The Book of Ruth
Their names say it all. Ruth, believed to be a short version of “retut,” or lovely friend, was the widowed daughter-in-law of Naomi. Naomi, also a widow, was exiled from Moab because of a famine and had returned to Bethlehem after the death of her sons. She told old friends, “Call me Mara, for the Lord has made it very bitter for me.” What Naomi missed is the sweetness of a special gift: Ruth. Naomi had released her grieving daughters-in-law to return to their people, but Ruth declared, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”
Fortunately for Ruth, Boaz, a close friend of Naomi’s husband’s family, noticed her charms and blessed her. That got Naomi’s attention, which goes to show you: a lovely friend can turn the heart of a bitter women. Naomi hatched a successful plan to bring her kinsman, Boaz, and Ruth together. The couple later had a son, Obed, the grandfather of David. Ruth disappeared from the story, only to be remembered later as one of four women named in Matthew’s lineage of Jesus.
Ruth’s lesson to us? Steadfast love and loyalty may just lead you into a glorious destiny
7.Bathsheba, from Lust Object to Queen Mother
2 Samuel 11:2, 3, 12:2, I Kings 11:31, 2:13-19, I Chronicles 3:5
Beautiful Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, bathed on her rooftop while the king of Israel watched in secret. The country was at war, and David should have been with his men, but the king had grown more self-indulgent in his mature years. He had no qualms about sending for another man’s wife, simply because he lusted for her. And Bathsheba didn’t hesitate to go to him. The king and Uriah’s wife shared a night of passion, but not without consequences. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David had her soldier- husband killed. The prophet Nathan pronounced judgment upon the king. “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will bring evil upon you out of your own house.’” The child Bathsheba carried died a week after its birth.
But God had mercy on the couple. Though they’d continue to have trials, God blessed the pair with Solomon. Bathsheba would be remembered not only for her early indiscretion, but also for her wisdom and leadership as Queen Mother. She teaches us that mercy can be the beginning of a brave new life, and that we all must carry our grief, release it, and live again.
8.Esther, a Clever Queen
The Book of Esther
Esther was a simple orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai, until she decided she was destined to be royalty. Hiding her Jewish identity, she became a harem contestant, and after a year of spa treatments, emerged a stunner. The king may not have been bright, but he knew how to pick a beauty queen. Smitten, he rewarded Esther with a crown. It was good to be Esther until a tip from Mordecai forced her into action. The king, who led more by whim than wisdom, was convinced by his evil minister Haman to kill all Jews. Mordecai begged Esther to intervene, even though an unsummoned appearance before the king could be deadly, even for queens. But Esther knew she had to act on behalf of her people. “If I perish, I perish,” she said. In the end her wisdom prevailed, and her bravery saved her kinsmen.
Esther reminds us to be imaginative, as well as courageous. We don’t always have to fight to get what we want; sometimes we just have to outwit our adversary.
9.Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Luke 1:26-38, 1:39-56, 2:1-7, 2:21-38, 2:41-52, 4:16-30, 8:19-21
Much has been said about accepting Jesus as the personal savior, but no one accepted him in a more personal way than Mary, his mother. She literally “fleshed out” the unthinkable: Immanuel, God with us. The Scriptures tell us that the young virgin, betrothed to a carpenter, Joseph, was granted a very special favor. “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David… and of his kingdom there will be no end.” What is most notable is not the miraculous visitation, it’s that she said an unprecedented “Yes."
Mary was the first disciple of Christ. She had to believe in him before anyone else. Her faith in Jesus was not a product of her extraordinary actions. It was a gift. Her lesson to us is that we must let go of the notion that we create faith based on our works. God gifts us with faith, which makes our good works possible.
(My comment on Mary) She represents to me, how we as children of God are to allow the Holy Spirit to birth Christ within us as well.How we too should submit to the workings of the Holy Spirit, not knowing where this may lead us, but knowing we are in the will of God , no matter what we have to go through in our lives because of it.
10.Photini, the Woman at the Well
John 4: 1-30
Like Jesus, the Samaritan woman came to the well thirsty. Jesus wanted to quench his bodily thirst; so did the woman, but the story hints at deeper layers of meaning. Perhaps Jesus thirsted for souls, and the woman for at-long-last love. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said, a scandal; Jews were forbidden to share anything in common with unclean Samaritans. When she questioned him he replied, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
Living water must have sounded good to the ex-wife of five, now shacked up with a sixth paramour. She took a long, deep drink, never to thirst again. Photini became one of Christianity’s earliest evangelists, telling everyone she knew what Jesus had done. She teaches us that no matter how parched our dry soul places, love can make a surprising appearance and quench all our thirsts.
11.Mary Magdalene
Matt. 27:55-56, Mark 14:40-41, Matt. 28:1-9, John 20:18
Poor Mary Magdalene. St. Gregory the Great ruined her reputation suggesting she was a prostitute. Scholars have since rejected his thesis, and today Mary Magdalene is seen as one of Jesus’ most powerful allies. Sure, he may have had to cast seven demons out of her, or at least healed her of an undisclosed illness, but the grateful woman of means in turn led his female disciples and offered Jesus financial support. The four Gospels cite Mary as following Jesus to the end of his life, while his male disciples scattered. It was she who was brave enough to go to the guarded tomb of a convicted felon and chat with angels, and she who first encountered the risen Christ. She became the Apostle to the Apostles, when she ran, not walked, to the men by proclaiming the good news, “I have seen the Lord.”
With Mary as our example, we can follow our passions with everything within us, fearlessly, no matter what obstacles we encounter.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
CLUELESS!
There are many days I am clueless as to 'right' doctrine. I am no rocket scientist, nor expert in the Bible. I hear no voices, see no visions, nor is my spirit taken into the 3 rd. heavens. I am a 54 year old disabled grandmother, mother and wife. I am confident enough to believe in the literal interpretations of all that pertain to Jesus/Yeshua,but everything else is up for debate. I am liberal, moderate and conservative according to what the topic might be and how I understand the Scriptures. There is not one denomination or church affiliation that I am 50% in agreement with. My study incorporates ideas from right to left so my education is well versed in the various thought and doctrine. Am I confused sometimes, you bet!But I believe we humans indeed can never say we know all things or all truth nor can we ever be confident in our ability to really understand the ways of God and a spirit realm that we really are absolutely clueless to. We live in a physical world, and are only in the first grade level as to understanding it!
So this prayer really speaks to my heart.
So this prayer really speaks to my heart.
O Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me,
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire to please You.
And I know that if I do this
You will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death
I will not fear,
for You are ever with me,
and You will never leave me
to make my journey alone.
- Amen
From “A Seven Day Journey with Thomas Merton” by Thomas Merton
Thursday, May 6, 2010
TODAY NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Reading this article I am confused why a Christian President would not want to be seen praying? Surely it is not because the N.T. speaks negatively towards praying in public for the express purpose of 'being seen'. But as a President to be seen as needing the help of God in the White House is not a bad thing.
THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS STILL ON - http://www.khouse.org/
A US District judge ruled the National Day of Prayer to be unconstitutional in mid-April, much to the consternation of large numbers of Americans. Since enforcement is suspended until the case goes through the appeals process, however, the National Day of Prayer is still officially on for Thursday, May 6th. President Obama signed a statement on Monday proclaiming May 6th the National Day of Prayer, following the tradition of presidents since 1952. Rather than holding a big prayer gathering in the East Room of the White House the way President Bush used to do, Obama has declined to pray in public, saying he will honor the day in private.
On April 17, 1952, President Truman signed into law the creation of a National Day of Prayer and designated it as a floating holiday. In 1988 Congress set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to call Americans to pray. Yet, US District Judge Barbara Crabb has ruled the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. In a lawsuit brought against the Bush(43) administration in October 2008, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group of atheists and agnostics, successfully convinced Judge Crabb that the day violates the establishment clause of the US Constitution. Americans panicked and emails shot around the country crying that the National Day of Prayer had been cancelled. That, thankfully, is not the case, but even if it were, Americans would still be free to gather and pray for their country with or without the permission of a presidential proclamation.
A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that the vast majority of Americans do believe in God and prayer. According to the poll of one thousand adults over the weekend, 92 percent expressed belief in a deity, and 82 percent agreed that God answers prayers. Even with a few people against it, the majority of Americans support celebrating a National Day of Prayer. About 4.5 percent of 500 adults polled were against it, while another 38 percent didn't seem to care one way or the other. Nearly 60 percent said they favored celebrating the day.
Those few who oppose the national prayer day can make a lot of noise, though. In Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been filling billboards with the slogan, "God & Government, A Dangerous Mix: Keep State and Church Separate."
Evangelist Franklin Graham, the chairman of this year's National Day of Prayer, is not bothered by the anti-prayer day ruling. He considers the publicity from the court case to be a good thing. With the media's focus, more people will be aware of this annual event that sometimes gets forgotten about. Judge Crabb's ruling has focused the nation, and especially focused America on the importance of praying. "If I ever see her I'm just going to give her a big hug and a kiss," Graham said.
This year's theme is "Prayer...For Such a Time as This." Thousands of prayer gatherings will be taking place around the country on Thursday. To find an event near you, please check the links below. Please continue to pray for America's national and local leaders, communities, schools, and families. God does hear prayer, and He is faithful.
THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS STILL ON - http://www.khouse.org/
A US District judge ruled the National Day of Prayer to be unconstitutional in mid-April, much to the consternation of large numbers of Americans. Since enforcement is suspended until the case goes through the appeals process, however, the National Day of Prayer is still officially on for Thursday, May 6th. President Obama signed a statement on Monday proclaiming May 6th the National Day of Prayer, following the tradition of presidents since 1952. Rather than holding a big prayer gathering in the East Room of the White House the way President Bush used to do, Obama has declined to pray in public, saying he will honor the day in private.
On April 17, 1952, President Truman signed into law the creation of a National Day of Prayer and designated it as a floating holiday. In 1988 Congress set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to call Americans to pray. Yet, US District Judge Barbara Crabb has ruled the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. In a lawsuit brought against the Bush(43) administration in October 2008, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group of atheists and agnostics, successfully convinced Judge Crabb that the day violates the establishment clause of the US Constitution. Americans panicked and emails shot around the country crying that the National Day of Prayer had been cancelled. That, thankfully, is not the case, but even if it were, Americans would still be free to gather and pray for their country with or without the permission of a presidential proclamation.
A recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that the vast majority of Americans do believe in God and prayer. According to the poll of one thousand adults over the weekend, 92 percent expressed belief in a deity, and 82 percent agreed that God answers prayers. Even with a few people against it, the majority of Americans support celebrating a National Day of Prayer. About 4.5 percent of 500 adults polled were against it, while another 38 percent didn't seem to care one way or the other. Nearly 60 percent said they favored celebrating the day.
Those few who oppose the national prayer day can make a lot of noise, though. In Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been filling billboards with the slogan, "God & Government, A Dangerous Mix: Keep State and Church Separate."
Evangelist Franklin Graham, the chairman of this year's National Day of Prayer, is not bothered by the anti-prayer day ruling. He considers the publicity from the court case to be a good thing. With the media's focus, more people will be aware of this annual event that sometimes gets forgotten about. Judge Crabb's ruling has focused the nation, and especially focused America on the importance of praying. "If I ever see her I'm just going to give her a big hug and a kiss," Graham said.
This year's theme is "Prayer...For Such a Time as This." Thousands of prayer gatherings will be taking place around the country on Thursday. To find an event near you, please check the links below. Please continue to pray for America's national and local leaders, communities, schools, and families. God does hear prayer, and He is faithful.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Bailout Bill Would Require Banks to Track and Report Personal Checking Accounts to Feds
Shalom!
I am really amazed at how quickly things are going that prepare the way for the end time events to happen.It is information like this that tells me that the stage is really being set and winding up to the reign of terror the Bible speaks about in the years ahead. This shows that all is being done to allow the Government as a tool of the Leader to Come , to be able to make sure those for him can buy or sell but those opposed to him will be unable to. Be aware and awake!
blessings and shalom
I am really amazed at how quickly things are going that prepare the way for the end time events to happen.It is information like this that tells me that the stage is really being set and winding up to the reign of terror the Bible speaks about in the years ahead. This shows that all is being done to allow the Government as a tool of the Leader to Come , to be able to make sure those for him can buy or sell but those opposed to him will be unable to. Be aware and awake!
blessings and shalom
Bailout Bill Would Require Banks to Track and Report Personal Checking Accounts to Feds
Capitol Confidential
Big Government April 30, 2010
It’s amazing to watch the civil libertarians hide when Democrats propose the most sweeping intrusions of privacy in generations. In addition to the litany of bad policies contained in the Dodd Financial Reform bill is this nugget on pages 1039-1040. In short, it extends government reach to every deposit account of every citizen. Required Acct Monitoring Subtitle G of the Dodd discussion draft bill requires that records be maintained and reported “for each branch, automated teller machine at which deposits are accepted, and other deposit taking service facility with respect to any financial institution, the financial institution shall maintain a record of the number and dollar amounts of deposit accounts of customers.”
What’s worse, banks will be required to submit these records to the new super regulatory agency called the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (page 1041). The CFPA will be allowed to use this information for any purpose “as permitted by law” under CFPA rules—rules set by CFPA themselves.
So, lets get this straight—the law requires banks to snoop on its customers MOST PERSONAL INFORMATION and submit it to another government agency so it can be used anyway the CFPA see’s fit.
Must submit to CFPASo, if the CFPA Czar see’s fit, information about your deposit account activity could be shared with the IRS, immigration officials, state officials, or any other entity that the Administration and their various Czar’s think beneficial.
But CFPA will impact your life even before they give away your personal data. Remember that part of the excuse for including this authority is to make policy recommendations. So, be careful not to run your credit limit too high above the amount of money you are depositing in the bank or the CFPA will know you can’t pay your bills and make the appropriate “policy recommendations”.
This is exactly why conservatives have fought so hard against things like national ID cards—if the government is authorized to collect and utilize data, there is no way to prevent the government as a whole or certain individuals within the government from using the information against the citizens.
But passage of the CFPA will settle the whole ID card thing once and for all. There will be no need for them because if you have a bank account, you already have a number and the CFPA will have it.
The breadth of sweeping new powers given to the federal government by these three pages is astonishing. Yet we have heard nary a peep about this provision.
After capitulation and surrender, Republicans will have a chance to amend the legislation when it comes to the floor of the Senate and protect the private details of your banking account.
But if they don’t, smile the next time you go to the ATM because Big Brother will be watching.
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