PRAYING HANDS

Praying Hands

1. Your thumb is nearest to you, so begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest ones to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
   
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom for pointing others in the right direction.
   
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the President, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
   
4. The fourth finger is the 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 weak, in trouble or pain. They need our prayers day and night.
   
5. And, lastly, comes our little finger; the smallest finger. This is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective, and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

(Author unknown.)

A HOMEMAKERS PRAYER

"A Homemaker's Prayer"

"Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear. And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy and grimy towels, and dirty lavatory. They are so convenient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs cleaning. It has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals. Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. It has baked so many good things over the years. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully, and I shall do them gratefully. Amen." (Author unknown.)

SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

I found this article to be rather good concerning the celebration of Christmas by Christians. I had problems with it for many years but have found that as a person saved by Grace , a gift from God ,that for me all things are lawful for me if it harms no one and if good can come from it and so for me it is good to celebrate God incarnate in the body of Christ Jesus, it is  something to  truly celebrate. This is a time of year when Christ can be spoken about and his life and teachings can be shared easier than at any other time of the year. Why not take advantage of that?  In Romans the 14th chapter I believe that if a person wants to honor a day, any day specifically to the Lord, then the LORD will be honored. If a person wants to honor everyday, as they should anyway, then to the LORD He be honored. I believe the Grace of God gives us the Liberty to do these things as long as God gets the glory.  What makes a holiday Pagan is the Pagan gods they honor, what makes a holiday Christian is that the Christian God is honored. I choose to make liFe simple,joyful and to honor Christ in as many ways as I feel led. And so I hope everyone has a blessed and most cheerful Holiday season.

blessings in Christ
PATC

Should Christians celebrate Christmas?

DC275

CRI Statement

Should Christians celebrate Christmas- An Introduction
Should Christians celebrate Christmas? A number of unorthodox new religions which profess to follow Christ insist that Christmas is a pagan festival to be shunned by all true Christians. Probably the most notable of these religions is the Jehovah's Witnesses, who publish stinging attacks on the celebration of Christmas year after year. Other religions that take the same position include the World Wide Church of God (led by Herbert W. Armstrong) and the Assemblies of Yahweh.

However, these unorthodox religious groups are not alone in their condemnation of this most popular of religious holidays. Many evangelical Christians also believe that Christmas is a pagan celebration dressed up in "Christian clothes." While many Christians mark Christmas as a special day to worship Christ and give thanks for His entrance into the world, they reject anything to do with Santa Claus, Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and the like.

Are there biblical grounds for rejecting all or part of Christmas? What should be the attitude of Christians in this matter? That is the question before us. The answer given here is that while certain elements of Christmas tradition are essentially pagan and should not be indulged at that time of year), Christmas itself and many of the traditions associated with it may be celebrated by Christians with a clear conscience. Those who are inclined to reject out of hand such a position might be interested to know that at one time this writer would have agreed with them. A closer examination of the issues involved, however, leads to a different conclusion.

Should Christians celebrate Christmas- Celebrating Jesus' Birthday

The most basic and common argument brought against Christmas is that it is not found in the Bible. Many Christians, as well as groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses, feel that because Christmas is not mentioned in scripture, it is therefore not to be observed. In fact, the Witnesses argue that since the only people in the Bible who celebrated their own birthdays were Pharoah (Gen. 40:20-22) and Herod (Matt. 14:6-10), God takes a dim view of celebrating birthdays in general. Therefore, they feel, God would hardly approve of celebrating Jesus' birthday.

In answer to these arguments, a few things need to be said. First of all, the fact is that the Bible says nothing against the practice of celebrating birthdays. What was bad in the cases of Pharoah and Herod was not that they celebrated their birthdays, but that they did evil things on their birthdays (Pharoah killed his chief baker, and Herod killed John the Baptist). Second, what the Bible does not forbid, either explicitly or by implication from some moral principle, is permissible to the Christian, as long as it is edifying (Rom. 13:10; 14:1-23; 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23; Col. 2:20-23; etc.). Therefore, since the Bible does not forbid birthdays, and they do not violate any biblical principle, there is no biblical basis for rejecting birthdays. For the same reason, there is no biblical reason to reject entirely the idea of celebrating Jesus' birthday.

Should Christians celebrate Christmas- December 25

Another common objection to Christmas relates to observing December 25 as the birthday of Christ. It is frequently urged that Christ could not have been born in December (usually because the shepherds would supposedly not have had their flocks in the fields at night in that month), so that December 25 could not have been his birthday. It is also pointed out that December 25 was the date of a pagan festival in the Roman Empire in the fourth century, when Christmas began to be widely celebrated on that day.

It is true that there seems to be no evidence for December 25 as the actual birthday of Christ. On the other hand, it has been shown that such a date is not impossible, as is so commonly supposed.1 Nevertheless, it may be granted that it is highly improbable that Christ was actually born on December 25. Does this fact invalidate Christmas? No. It is not essential to the celebration of someone's birth that it be commemorated on the same date as his birth. Americans commemorate Washington's and Lincoln's birthday on the third Monday of February, even though Washington's was February 22. If it were to become certain that Christ was actually born on say, April 30, should we then celebrate Christmas on that day? While there would be nothing wrong with such a change, it would not be necessary. The intent or purpose is what matters, not the actual date.

But what of the fact that December 25 was the date of a pagan festival? Does this not prove that Christmas is pagan? No, it does not. Instead, it proves that Christmas was established as a rival celebration to the pagan festival. That is, what Christians did was to say, "Rather than celebrate in immorality the birth of Mithra, a false god who was never really born and who cannot save you, let us celebrate in joyful righteousness the birth of Jesus, the true God incarnate who is the Savior of the world."

Sometimes it is urged that to take a pagan festival and try to "Christianize" it is folly. However, God Himself did exactly that in the Old Testament. Historical evidence shows conclusively that some of the feasts given to Israel by God through Moses were originally pagan agricultural festivals, which were filled with idolatrous imagery and practices.2 What God did, in effect, was to establish feasts which would replace the pagan festivals without adopting any of the idolatry or immorality associated with them. It would appear, then, that in principle there is nothing wrong with doing so in the case of Christmas.

Should Christians celebrate Christmas- Santa Claus

Perhaps the thing that bothers Christians about Christmas more than anything else is the Santa Claus tradition. Objections to this tradition include the following (1) Santa Claus is a mythical figure endowed with godlike attributes, including omniscience and omnipotence; (2) when children learn that Santa Claus is not real, they lose faith in their parents' word and in supernatural beings; (3) Santa Claus distracts children from Christ; (4) the Santa Claus story teaches children to be materialistic. In the face of such weighty objections, can anything good be said about Santa Claus?

Before examining each of these objections, let it be noted that Christmas can be celebrated without Santa Claus. Take Santa out of Christmas and Christmas remains intact. Take Christ out of Christmas, however, and all that remains is a pagan festival. Whatever our individual differences however best to handle Santa Claus with our children may be, as Christians we should be able to agree on this much.

1. There is no doubt that Santa Claus in its present form is a fairy tale or myth. However, there really was a Santa Claus. The name "Santa Claus" is an Anglicized form of the Dutch Sinter Klaas, which in turn meant "Saint Nicholas." Nicholas was a Christian bishop in the fourth century about whom we know little for sure. He apparently attended the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, and a very strong tradition suggests that he did show unusual kindness toward children. While the red-suited old man in a sled pulled by flying reindeer is a myth, the story of a children-loving old man who brought them gifts probably is not -- and in many countries, that is all there is to "Santa Claus."

Telling children that Santa can see them at all times and that he knows if they have been bad or good, etc., is wrong. Parents should not tell their children the Santa Claus story as if it were literal truth. However, children under seven or eight years of age can play "let's pretend" and derive just as much fun from it as if they thought it was real. Indeed, at that age they are learning the difference between make-believe and reality. Much younger children will be fascinated by presents that are discovered Christmas morning under the tree that they are told are from "Santa," but they will not draw any conclusions about the reality of Santa Claus from those discoveries.

1. When children learn that Santa Claus is not real, this will upset them only if they have been told by their parents that he really exists and does all that he is purported to do. Therefore, children should be told that Santa is make-believe as soon as they are old enough to ask questions about reality. Rather than a stumbling block to belief in the supernatural, Santa can be a stepping stone. Tell your children that while Santa Claus is make-believe, God and Jesus are not. Tell them that while Santa can only bring things that parents can buy or make, Jesus can give them things no one else can -- a friend who is always with them, forgiveness of the bad things they do, life in a wonderful place with God forever, etc.

1. Follow the suggestions above, and Santa Claus will not be a distraction from Christ. Tell your children that the reason "Santa" gives gifts is because God gave us the wonderful gift of Jesus.

1. On the contrary, the Santa Claus story is best told when it is used to encourage children to be selfless and giving. For an example of how to teach your inquiring child about Santa Claus, see the book, Santa Are You for Real? by Harold Myra (Thomas Nelson, 1977).

Should Christians celebrate Christmas- Christmas Trees

One of the few elements of the traditional celebration of Christmas, which those opposed to it claim is spoken of in Scripture, is the Christmas tree. Specifically, it is thought that in Jeremiah 10:2-4 God explicitly condemned Christmas trees:

Thus says the LORD...

"For the customs of the people are delusion,

Because it is wood cut from the forest,

The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

They decorate it with silver and with gold,

They fasten it with nails and with hammers

So that it will not totter."

There certainly is a resemblance between the thing described in Jeremiah 10 and the Christmas tree. Resemblance, however, does not equal identity. What Jeremiah described was an idol -- a representation of a false god -- as the next verse shows (Jer. 10:5):

"Like a scarecrow in a field are they,

And they cannot speak;

They must be carried,

Because they cannot walk!

Do not fear them,

For they can do no harm,

Neither can they do any good."

The parallel passage in Isaiah 40:18-20 makes it clear that the sort of thing Jeremiah 10 has in mind is an actual objection of worship:

To whom then will you liken God?

Or what likeness will you compare with Him?

As for the idol, a craftsman cast it,

A goldsmith plates it with gold,

And a silversmith fashions chains of silver.

He who is too impoverished for such an offering

Selects a tree that does not rot.

He seeks out for himself a skilled craftsman

To prepare an idol that will not totter.

Thus, the resemblance is merely superficial. The Christmas tree does not originate from pagan worship of trees (which was practiced), but from two explicitly Christian symbols in medieval western Germany. The Encyclopedia Britannica3 explains as follows:

The modern Christmas tree, though originated in western Germany. The main prop of a popular medieval play about Adam and Eve was a fire tree hung with apples (Paradise tree) representing the Garden of Eden. The Germans set up a "Paradise tree" in their homes on December 24, the religious feast day of Adam and Eve. They hung wafers on it (symbolizing the host, the Christian sign of redemption); the hosts eventually became cookies of various shapes. Candles, too, were often added as a symbol of Christ. In the same room, during the Christmas season, was the Christmas pyramid, a triangular construction of wood, with shelves to hold Christmas figurines, decorated with evergreens, candles, and a star. By the 16th century, the Christmas pyramid and Paradise tree had merged, becoming the Christmas tree.

Once again, there is nothing essential about the Christmas tree to the celebration of Christmas. Like the modern Santa Claus myth, it is a relatively recent tradition; people celebrated Christmas for centuries without the tree and without the semi-divine resident of the North Pole. What is essential to Christmas is Christ. Yet that does not mean that we must throw Santa and the tree out altogether. In this matter we have Christian liberty to adopt these traditions and use them to teach our children about Christ, or to celebrate Christ's birth without them. For that matter, there is no compulsion to celebrate His birthday at all, since it is not commanded of us in Scripture. Nevertheless, it would be strange indeed if someone saved by the Son of God would not rejoice in thinking of the day that His incarnation was first manifested to the world on that holy night.

NOTES

1. Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ (Zondervan, 1977).

2. The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Macropaedia Vol. 4 (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1981), p. 601.

3. The New Encyclopedia Britannica: Micropaedia, Vol. II (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1981), p.

IS HEALING GUARANTEED

Here is a repost from this blog: WHERES GOD IN ALL OF THIS. that I thought was an exceptional answer to if healing is for all of us if we have enough faith.  

http://wheresgodinallofthis.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/0429sva-is-healing-guaranteed/

One of the Faith movement’s favorite proof texts is the wonderfully true Isaish 53:5, which says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Contrary to Faith teachings, the Hebrew word raphah more often than not refers to spiritual as oposed to physical healing. As such, when the prophet Jeremiah says, “Return, O faithless sons; I will heal [raphah] your faithlessness, “ he is obviously not referring to physical healing (Jeremiah 3:22 NASB).
Isaiah could hardly make it clearer that he has spiriutal healing in mind when he communicates that Messiah (Christ) was to be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).
Peter builds on this understanding by writing , “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24-25, emphasis added)
Peter’s theme here could not be stated more clearly. He says that Christ “bore our sins,” not “our sicknesses.” As such, Peter makes it plain that the healing referred to in Isaiah 53:5 is spiritual, not physical.
But let us suppose, for the sake of argument, that Isaiah 53:5 did refer to physical healing. Even so, it wouldn’t teach the panacea the Faith teachers claim it does, for such an interpretation carries an unwelcome corollary.

If healing is in the atonement and is accessed by faith, then those who die due to lack of faith must likewise die in their sins. Why? Because if both healing and salvation are included in this passage, they must be accessed in the same way. And if one does not have enough faith to make oneself well, it follows that he cannot have enough faith to be saved. Therefore those who die physically due to lack of faith must also wind up in hell for the same reason. But, I doubt you will hear Faith teachers proclaim this point any time soon. Relatives and friends of the deceased are not likely to applaud teachers of such a melancholy doctrine.

No, it is clear that Isaiah 53:5 does not have physical healing in view. Interestingly, however, the verse immediately preceding it does speak of healing for the body. Here Isaiah writes, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.” Not only is physical healing crystal clear here in this context, but it is also affirmed by the Gospels, where it is given an important qualification. Matthew writes, “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases’” (8:16-17, emphasis added).
Thus the healing mentioned in Isaiah 53:4 was fulfilled during the healing ministry of Christ and consequently does not guarantee our healing today.

—Hank Hanegraaff

Christianity in Crisis 21st Century

THE RAPTURE TODAY AT 6.pm

I just saying.

THE BREASTPLATE OF ST.PATICK

In celebration of St.Patrick's Day

YOU WERE HERE BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN

I  loved this song

The symbol of the cross in the wilderness

What I find fascinating about studying the Bible is the fact that there is nothing within it that does not reveal something about Christ. The Tanakh and everything within it is a shadow and pattern for the new. For instance just the lay out of the tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle revealed the Cross of Christ.
The Old Testament altar was the 'shadow' or 'type' for the altar that the Lamb of God would be laid upon as a once for all time sacrifice. It was Moses who received the Divine pattern.




''Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain". Hebrews 8:5
Moses was given the exact pattern for every sacred item on the mountain top by God Himself. Everything was described in great detail, and had to be built in great detail, and used in great detail, otherwise it would not be acceptable. These details all pointed forward to the amazing sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb without blemish. The acceptable Lamb on the acceptable altar at Calvary.

God's requirements for His altar
"You shall make an altar of acacia wood, 5 cubits long by 5 cubits wide - the altar shall be square- and its height shall be 3 cubits. You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shal be of one peice with it. And you shall overlay it with bronze" Exodus 27: 1-2

Altar was to be made of wood. - Exodus 27 verse 1

The cross was made of wood.
Altar was to be four pointed - Exodus 27 verses 1 & 2
The cross had the four points.
Blood was to be placed on all four points of the altar. - Exodus 29 verse 12 a
When Jesus was laid upon the cross on the ground blood from His head, His hands on either side, and His feet, put His blood on the four points of the altar. .
Blood was to be thrown on all sides of the altar. - Leviticus 5:9

When Jesus was laid upon the cross on the ground the blood from His head, His hands on either side, and His feet, would run down all four sides of the altar.
Rest of blood to be poured out at the base of the altar.-Exodus 29 verse 12 b
When the cross was finally 'lifted up' and dropped into its upright position for all to see (Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the son of man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have everlasting life John 3:14) then the rest of the Lamb’s blood would pour on to the base of the altar.
Blood was to be sprinkled against the side of the altar - Leviticus 5:9
As Jesus was held up for all to see, His side was pierced, as was prophesied in Zechariah 12:10 and fulfilled in John 19:34 and so His blood was sprinkled against the side of the altar, as per the divine pattern given to Moses on the mountain top.
The Altar of Incense that was a sweet fragrance before God was also specified as being a four 'horned' altar.
Exodus 30 verses 1 & 7 & 10
According to the divine pattern - given by God to Moses - if an altar does not have four 'blood points' it can be instantly understood to be a counterfeit altar. See below how only the cross fits the divine pattern established so often in the Old Testament
God's Divine pattern is the four horned square altar
The Lamb's blood applied to the four points
The blood applied to the four points of the altar
Finally the Lamb on the altar lifted up for all to see - just as Moses lifted up the brazen serpent for all to see and be healed.
The number four is important in scripture. It speaks of universality. Four winds (Ezekiel 37:9) Four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:12) Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:6) etc.
Only the pattern of the cross fits God's Divine pattern for His altar.

Even the lamb's blood that was put on the doors of the Israelites homes in Egypt on Passover night prefigures the cross..

'And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it'

'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt'. Exodus 12: 7&13
The cross in the camp
God's order always makes a statement. Israel had twelve tribes and when they encamped around the tabernacle in the wilderness there was a very definite order layed out for them.
On the NORTH side of the Tabernacle - under the standard of the Eagle - were positioned the three tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali (Numbers 2:25-31) These tribes totalled 157,000

On the WEST side of the tabernacle - under the standard of the Ox - were the three tribes of Ephraim, Mannasseh and Benjamin (Numbers 2:18-24 These tribes totalled 108,000

On the SOUTH side of the tabernacle under the standard of the Man were positioned the three tribes of Rueben, Simeon and Gad (Numbers 2:10-16) These tribes totalled 151,450

On the EAST side of the tabernacle - under the standard of the Lion - were positioned the Tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun Numbers 2:3-9 These tribes totalled 186,00

Note: God's tabernacle always faced to the west





This is known as the Revelation of the "Cross" in the arrangement of the camp
When lifted up with the West side facing towards heaven the proportions look something like this
When God set His Presence right at the heart of this Cross in the wilderness it is not too hard to see what He was saying to us.

TWENTY QUESTIONS

TWENTY QUESTIONS


1. WHY SHOULD I SAY I CAN’T

WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS I CAN DO ALL THINGS

THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH?

(Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.)

2. WHY SHOULD I LACK

WHEN I KNOW THAT GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL MY NEEDS

NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS?

(Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.)

3. WHY SHOULD I FEAR

WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS GOD HAS NOT GIVEN ME A SPIRIT OF FEAR,

BUT OF POWER, LOVE AND A SOUND MIND?

(Timothy II 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.)

4. WHY SHOULD I BATTLE WITH UNBELIEF

KNOWING THAT GOD HAS GIVEN ME A MEASURE OF FAITH?

(Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that

is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;

but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.)

5. WHY SHOULD I BE WEAK

WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS THAT THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

AND TO TAKE ACTION BECAUSE I KNOW GOD?

(Psalm 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid? Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly

against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people

that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. )

6. WHY SHOULD I ALLOW

SATAN TO HAVE A VICTORY IN MY LIFE WHEN

HE THAT IS IN ME IS GREATER THAN

HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD?

(John I 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.)

7. WHY SHOULD I FEEL DEFEATED

WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS THAT GOD ALWAYS LEADS ME IN TRIUMPH?

(Corinthians II 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth

us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his

knowledge by us in every place.)

8. WHY SHOULD I LACK WISDOM

WHEN CHRIST BECAME WISDOM TO ME FROM GOD

AND GOD GIVES WISDOM TO ME GENEROUSLY

WHEN I ASK HIM FOR IT?

(Corinthians I 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,

who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness,

and sanctification, and redemption:

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him. )

9. WHY SHOULD I BE DEPRESSED

WHEN I CAN CALL TO MIND GOD’S LOVINGKINDNESS,

COMPASSION AND FAITHFULNESS AND HAVE HOPE?

(Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed,

because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. )

l0 WHY SHOULD I WORRY AND FRET

WHEN I CAN CAST ALL MY CARES ON CHRIST,

WHO CARES FOR ME?

(Peter I 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.)

11. WHY SHOULD I EVER BE IN BONDAGE

KNOWING THAT THERE IS LIBERTY

WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS?

(Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ

hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.)

12. WHY SHOULD I FEEL CONDEMNATION

WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS I AM NOT CONDEMNED

BECAUSE I AM IN CHRIST?

(Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them

which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.)

13. WHY SHOULD I FEEL LONELY

WHEN JESUS SAID HE IS WITH ME ALWAYS

AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME OR FORSAKE ME ?

(Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever

I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the

end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said,

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. )

14 WHY SHOULD I FEEL ACCURSED OR VICTIMIZED

WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS THAT CHRIST REDEEMED ME

FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW

THAT I MIGHT RECEIVE HIS SPIRIT?

(Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,

being made a curse for us: for it is written,

Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the

Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the

promise of the Spirit through faith.)

15 WHY SHOULD I BE DISCONTENT

WHEN I, LIKE PAUL, CAN LEARN TO BE

CONTENT IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES?

(Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned,

in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.)

16. WHY SHOULD I FEEL WORTHLESS

WHEN CHRIST BECAME SIN ON MY BEHALF

THAT I MIGHT BECOME THE

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM?

(Corinthians II 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us,

who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. )

17. WHY SHOULD I FEEL SELF-CONSCIOUS

AND INSECURE KNOWING THAT NO ONE CAN BE

AGAINST ME WHEN GOD IS FOR ME?

(Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us, who can be against us? )

18. WHY SHOULD I BE CONFUSED

WHEN GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF PEACE AND HE GIVES ME KNOWLEDGE

THROUGH HIS INDWELLING SPIRIT?

(Corinthians I 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion,

but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. )

19 WHY SHOULD I FEEL LIKE A FAILURE

WHEN I AM A CONQUEROR IN ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST?

(Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.)

20. WHY SHOULD I BECOME SO ANXIOUS

WHEN I CAN TAKE COURAGE KNOWING THAT

JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD AND ITS

TRIBULATIONS?

THE FIVE FINGER PRAYER

Pray the Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty".

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

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

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes 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, "the least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

(author unknown)

My Hebrew name

Just for fun here is My Hebrew Name for my English name of Patricia which means: of noble descent, according to this meaning could be any of these 2 Hebrew names:


The name Nediva means noble and grace
Courtesy of My Hebrew Name

or it could be

My Hebrew Name:


The Hebrew name Sara  indicates a woman of high rank and is sometimes translated as "princess". It also means "lady."


Courtesy of My Hebrew Name





What is interesting here is that I have always been drawn to the name of Sara especially of late so this is interesting to me.

PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS BY SARAH MCLACHLAN

SAINT PATRICK'S LORICA SONG