Have You Heard This One Before?

"If you can't say something nice about a person don't say anything at all?" If you are my age (67) then our generation has heard it plenty of times.

Actually the principle of this saying is found in the Bible. I have three different Versions that I would like to share with you.

Ephesians 4:29 (King James Version)
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Translation)
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

Ephesians 4:29 (Easy-to-Read Version)
"When you talk, don't say anything bad. But say the good things that people need--whatever will help them grow stronger. Then what you say will be a blessing to those who hear you."

So if you are a person who swears, put down people the Bible tells us we are to put these things aside and become new. Some people can do it right away, some can't do it all at once. But allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and He will help you to overcome the bad language and help you to be an encouragement to others that hear your words.

Heart For Jesus

Between listening to Charles Stanley and my own Pastor preaching I pretty much got the same message, Having A Heart For Jesus. What does this mean? Between the two I learned that having a heart for Jesus is to have a personal relationship with Him. I accepted Christ as my personal Savior and Lord.

The second thing that I learned was to obey Him. How do I do that? By reading the Bible and studying it and searching out the truth in it.

The third thing is sharing what I have learned. That is what I am doing here. My prayer is that as I learn you do can learn maybe new things or be reminded of the things that you already know.

I personally like sharing things. So today I have shared what I heard and learned. Putting into practice having a heart for Jesus.

Christ Wants Us To Know Him

At the time of this writing it is December 26, the day after Christmas. It is always a sad time for me as there has been such a built-up time before Christmas. Some stores even start in July or August. We hear the songs, see the declarations and hear the story of Christmas then the day comes. In a few minutes gifts are opened, food is eaten, then the people leave. All the hustle and bustle for what? Maybe a half-day of pleasure.

What Jesus wants is for us to know is story of His birth, His life, and later we will be celebrating His death, burial and resurrection. He wants us to know Him. What He did, how he felt daily, how He handled problems that came His way. He wants us to read His Word and know it.

What a wonderful gift to Jesus at the end of this year and the throughout the new year is to really  start to walk with Him. And He also wants us to share with others what we are discovering in our walk. It is an exciting adventure to say the least. It can be a slippery walk, a smooth walk at times, we might come across some rocky roads and sometimes we might even get stuck. Some parts of our journey may be painful but others may be oh so joyful.

So why don't you come along with me and share in the journey of walking with Jesus and share what is going on in your life. I would love to have you make comments. It is easier when doing something with someone else.

Have a great journey as you walk with Christ in the New Year.

The Christmas Event

I was listening to a radio program last evening on what the Christmas story, or in this case, the speaker called it an event.

 Luke 2:1-7

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. and Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazaeth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David: to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Of course this is an account of a baby being born like any other baby. Mary went through labor pains and so forth. But in other ways what is so different about this birth is that after the birth shepherds came and worshiped Him. And then they went off and told others that the Messiah was born. Later on wise men came and gave gifts to the young child. Also Mary and Joseph were visited by an angel telling of the birth. And Mary was a virgin and in Luke 1 we read in verse 31, " And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." Verse 32 reads, "And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and his kingdom there shall be no end." Then the Holy Spirit came upon her and the power of the Highest overshadowed her: therefore also that holy thing which would  be born of her would be called the Son of God.

So this is the great Christmas Event! It is so simple and yet so great and wonderful.

Clean Then Dirty

The other day I was going to my car which was in the parking lot and I saw how dirty it was. My husband and I just bought our car in the summer time so the weather was good. The car has a sparkle red color to it so it shines and stands out among other cars. Now, in our area, it is the starting of winter. And the other day we had been behind the salt truck. So you can imagine what the color of the car is now.

This reminded me of our lives as a Christian. Our old self (car) may be worn out, dirty, and scratched up. Then we heard the gospel message which is simply is that Jesus, the Son of God, died for our sins just as the Scriptures said, He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day. If we believe this then we can have Christ come into our lives and we are no longer separated from God and He forgives us and makes us clean.

So now we are a new person (car) and we are bright and shining and we stand out in the crowd because of our glorious message of the gospel. But as time goes on we may slip backward and we start to get dirty. Then what do we do?  The answer is found in I John 1:9 "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." Then we can again become bright and shining and stand out in our crowd so that others can know who Jesus is as they will want to know why we are so different.

So remember first, the gospel message, then if you do slip and fall confess your sin(s) and God will forgive and you will be right with Him again and can be a blessing to others.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful for many things such as my God, family, friends, those that read this blog page and many other things to long of a list to mention.

Thank you for reading my blog page and I look forward to be writing more in the future.

Bonnie

Now You See It And Now You Don't

Have you every been driving and have looked in your rear-view mirror and had a vehicle right on your bumper? Then you look again and they are gone and you wonder if they had been there at all?

This has happen to me more than once and having a mind of a writer I think what a great story this could make. However, I have not written one yet. I am sticking to writing on my blog page and writing my devotional Reading The Bible Together which is found under my e-mail page.

Sometimes when I read the Bible I let my mind wonder and try to imagine what it would be like to live in Bible times. We can read about it and it sounds adventurous but I imagine if your husband, son, or other relatives are out fighting it is not so exciting. Like today with our men and women in the military on our behave.

Even if it doesn't seem like it is happening God is still in control of all that takes place. He allows it and He has a plan all set up. He is just getting things ready and in His time it will take place. Our earth is headed for more severe times. Are you ready? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? If you do then we shall go up with the Lord when He returns for His Church. Those who are dead in Christ will go up first and those living will follow. Then we will not be here for the worst part of what is going to take place.

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior then come to Him today. Read the following verses to help you learn what is needed and why it is needed to belong to Christ.

New Living Translation
Romans 3:10 "As the Scriptures say, No one is good-not even one."

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard."

Genesis 2:15-17 "The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. But the LORD God gave him this warning: 'You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.'"

Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. 'Really?" he asked the woman "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?' 'Of course we may eat it.' the woman told him. ' It's only the fruit from the tree of the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die.'"  ' You won't die!' the serpent hissed. 'God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.'"

"The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame and their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves."

Genesis 3:23-25 "So the LORD God banished Adam and his wife from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After banishing them from the garden, the LORD God stationed mighty angelic beings to the east of Eden. And a flaming sword flashed back and forth, guarding the way to the tree of life."

Romans 5:12 "When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned."

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 5:8 "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

John 1:10-12  "But although the world was made through him, (Jesus) the world didn't recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. "

Revelation 3:20 "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends."

Ephesians 2:8-9 "God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

I John 5: 11-13 "And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life."

That's the plan. Realize you are a sinner and that Christ came and by His blood washed you clean so that you can be with Father and join the family of God. Ask God to forgive you of your sins and accept Jesus His Son into your life and then find a good church who teaches this truth in order for you to grow in your new faith.

Do You Love Yourself?

For many years I have struggled with loving myself. I don't mean in a way that is prideful but in the way that the Lord would be pleased with. One of the greatest commands is to love your neighbor as yourself. The Bible tells us that no one hates themselves.

I am one of those who had been abused as a child, teen years, even sometimes in my adult years. So I have always had a very low self-esteem. So the other day I just sat down with my Father and asked Him what I needed in my life to help me love myself so I could love others. Here is the answer.

Now that you are truly wanted.

Now that I am truly loved.

Now that I have been chosen by God to be in His family.

Now that I am special in God's sight as all of His children are.

And know that I am a woman and to respect myself and feel like a woman and not some object that was used as fulfillment for someone else's pleasure.

I must tell you just they few things has changed my way of thinking. And has helped me to grow in my spiritual life and in my everyday living. I am not a victim but God is showing me how that I can use what has happened to me in a good way. Help others who are hurting. And truly get out of my rut and move forward.

Are you not loving yourself because of your past or what is going on now. Ask God to help you find out what you need to move forward.

I am willing to listen to your stories and pray for you. Reply on this site or e-mail me at bjhouse writer@gmail.com and write story in subject line.

It's Not Easy Being A Blogger

I am finding that it is not as easy being a blogger as I thought. Many interesting things happen to me daily but I am not sure if these things would be boring to others.

Sometimes I find writing a blog is like writing haiku poetry. For those of you who don't know what haiku poetry is it is a poem with three lines with 5/7/5 syllables and usually refers to nature. They are easy to write when you have a theme but sometimes you may have one or two a day and then maybe not find another theme for months later.

For me writing a blog is the same way. So I may not have one every day but when I get a good theme or event that happens then I will write about it. It may be poetry, event, or guess what happened today.

All the blogs I want to be centered around what a disciple would do. Believers are followers of Christ and I want Him to be honored and my Father in Heaven whose is God.

So if you don't see me everyday that is because I have not connected a theme and God with it or may think my life is boring.

Trials-Good or Bad?

I have been listening to a radio station known as 1100|K-DRY (Christian Talk). They have speakers such as Chuck Swindol, Charles Stanley, John McCarther and many more. And I found when you listen most of the day to messages from Pastors I see a theme.

Right now trials is one of the subject. The tribulation time is being talked about on a regular basis. The trials that people will be going through during the tribulation time is almost unthinkable. The pain, the suffering is great but the people do not turn back to God.

"My people are not living like they should. They need to turn from their wicked way." God says in His word. He will forgive the people and revived their land.

Believers will be rapture so they will not go through the tribulation, but they are not living as they should either. We need to repent, and ask for forgiveness. Our hearts need to  right with God for the Lord may be coming soon.


Are you ready for His coming?

Appearances are often deciving

I was thinking about using this idea of what you see is maybe not want you really get. A product, a person, a book all may look good on the outside, but may be not so good on the inside.

As I was reading through my e-mail today I received one with this quote from Aesop, "Appearances are often deceiving." I said to myself ok Lord I was right Your Spirit was directing in this direction.

What made me thing of this idea is people are saying I am looking really good. Which I enjoy hearing, but if they only knew how much physical pain I am in. They don't see it as I try to cover it up as much as possible.  Many people with illnesses, that people don't see, go through this a lot. People don't understand why we can't do a lot of things. It is because we are in pain, or very tired and just don't function the way we used to.

Same way with people who call themselves believers or Christians. They have all the right answers, they have what I call the spiritual words, they quote Bible verses and seem to have it all together but in reality they are far from the Lord. We don't know it, but God does.

So be careful that in your spiritual life especially you are not deceiving people. But be the real thing. As far as your physical illness goes most people don't really want to hear about your aches and pains so best share with those you know will understand what you are going through.

Choose The One You Can't Live Without

I was getting ready to add into our computer system new magazines that we have for the library in which I work. I opened up the cover and on the inside page were these words, "Choose the one you can't live without." This message was found in Popular Science and it was an ad for motorcycles.

The first thing that came to my mind was that was a good slogan, thought, or saying for a believer. Just think about it for a minute. Choose The One You Can't Live Without, Jesus came to my mind. He first and then it is my husband, children, and grandchildren.

How about you? What comes to your mind when you read, Choose The One You Can't Live Without?

Are Your Wearing Your Armor Today?

I was just listening to a program on my local station WPEL and it was Back To The Bible and I was reminded to make sure that I put my armor on first thing in the morning. There were also other things that go along with putting on the armor in order to fight off our enemy who is Satan.

1. Ephesians 6:10-Be strong with the Lord's mighty power.

2. Ephesians 6:11-Put on the armor so that we will be able to stand firm against all the tricks of the Satan or otherwise known as the Devil.

3. Ephesians 6:12- We are not fighting against people but we fighting against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. Against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

4. Ephesians 6:13-We are to use every piece of the armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil. By doing this after the battle we will be able to still firm.

5. Ephesians 6: 18-We are also to pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is done beside putting on our armor.

6. We are to be persistent in our prayers for all Christians everywhere.

 

The Armor

 

1. Having our lings girted about with truth.

 

2. Have the breastplate of righteousness

 

3. Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

 

4. Above all, taking the shield of faith where with we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

5. We are take our helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Sprit, which is the word of God.

 



Dirty Windshield

The other day my husband and I were going somewhere in the car. He had washed the car a few days earlier and the windshield was all spotty. It was hard to see out so my husband sprayed some  windshield fluid on the windshield and what a difference.

It is like our lives. Sometimes we need to do what I John 1:9 says, "If we confess (our windshield fluid)
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." By doing this our lives are clean again and we can have fellowship with God and see where He is guiding us.

Right With God

Romans 3:21,22 (NLT)

"But now God has shown us a different way of being right in His sight--not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done."


I just started a new Sunday School class a few weeks ago and we are studying the book of Romans. As I started reading it on my own I came to Romans 3: 21, 22. To me this verse shows me that as a Gentle I too can be saved. I need only to trust in Jesus Christ to take away my sins. I did that in 1966 and I must say it has not only been a blessing but a help in time of need. I know that Jesus is the Son of God and that Jesus died on the cross and rose again and is now with His Father. Jesus is coming back for me and all of those who have accepted Him and are in the family of God.

I am waiting to hear that trumpet and see my Lord coming in a cloud to raise the dead first and then myself if I am still alive.

Are you excited about being in God's family? Are you in God's family? Have you done what the Scripture has said and trust in Jesus Christ to take away your sins. I hope so.

What a great gift we received and I have so much joy when I read the Bible and learn how God wants me to live. His standard is high, but well worth setting forth a goal to follow it.

Years Gone By

I enjoy reading about history. Right now I am reading a lot of books dealing with time period of 1861-63.

Right now I am reading a diary written by Caroline Cowles Richards. She started her diary in 1852, when she was ten, and finished writing it in 1880. What I found most interesting was that every morning before she would go to school Caroline would read three chapters in the Bible everyday and five chapters on Sunday. This would take her through the Bible in a year.

In school the children would read the Bible and pray. If only our children could do that today.

At least we can teach our children or grandchildren that if they are a true believer they can pray anytime and anywhere. It might not be out loud, but they can pray silently and God hears them. I am so happy for this. Are you?

Who Do you Say Jesus Is?

In Matthew 16:13-17 Jesus asked His disciples who did the people think Jesus was. Some thought Jesus was John the Baptist. Some thought He was Elijah.Others thought He was Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

Then Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you think I am?" Simon Peter answered right away, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus answered him and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for no human has told you this, but it was My Father in heaven.

My question to you is, Who do you say Jesus is?

Pray For Your Pastor

It was layed upon my heart this morning that it is very important for all of us to pray for our Pastors. They have a big responsibility to help us grow in our Christian life.We need to support them in prayer. The Bible requires it and it pleases the Lord that we are doing His will.

Children At Play

Children At Play

Children climbing upon
a water slide on hot
summer day.

Our Special Garden

Our Special Garden

When it is time
that I need to talk to
my Heavenly Father I say
to Him, "Father can we meet in our garden?"
He says, "I am here waiting for you."

O what joy and sorrow we have together.
I tell Him everything like I see it.
Sometimes my thinking may be right
and sometimes its not. But we get
everything cleared up.

I'm always told I am loved and God
loves for me to come to our special
garden and to become one.

When You Are Feeling Blue

When You Are Feeling Blue

There is one thing you can do
that will help you not feel blue
that is to remember what Christ
has done for you.

Count your blessing and look at the good
for what you thing is what you will do.

So be happy and enjoy life
for that is how to please the Lord.
Make Him happy today and you
will find that you will be happy too.


w

A Soaring Sight

The other day when my husband and I were going to work I looked up and there was a bird soaring high above the car. Its wings were straight out and it was glidding alone. When it wanted to go faster it would flap it's wings and then go back into soaring again and glidding its way in the direction it wanted to go. It was such a beautiful sight.

Thank you Father for creating such beautiful creatures.

A Summer Morn

A Summer Morn

As a wake this Summer morn
I hear the early birds chirping,
the chipmonk chattering as he
sits upon the stone wall.

God is so good in giving us
such beautiful creatures to
wake up to in the early
morning hours.

Early Morning Thoughts

I wake up in the morning
and I begin to think
what am I going to write today Lord?


He gives me ideas
and I go to my tablet
and begin to write.

Somedays it may a poem
somedays it may be a verse
and somedays I write an event
that has happen.

It is an adventure to be writing this blog.

Almost gave Up

I was reading my personal devotions today and there was two themes running through the devotion. So I got it all written up and went back to read it over for any mistakes. There were some words spelled wrong or some words were missing. So I tried to correct the erThe format on my tablet is different then on my PC and I just could not correct the errors.

Now there are usually two reasons for this. The first is that I am not writing what the Lord wants be to write. The second reason is that Satan doesn't want me to write what I am writing and he wants me to give up and not write anything.

I believe in this case I was trying to follow someone elses format and the Lordagain showed me that I have my own style of writing so
 stay with that and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me.



Numbers 20: 1-12

How Rich Are You?

Read:Luke 12:13-21 Story of the Rich fool

Thought For The Day

In Luke we read about a rich man who had a lot of earthly prossestions. He was proud of this, but the Lord was not happy with his attitude. He said to the rich man, "You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?"

Real life is not measured by how much you have. It is measured by how rich of a relationship you have with God.

So again I ask how rich are you?

Stones

Read:John 8:31

Thought For The Day

l am collecting stones as a hobby. Then I take the stones and I paint them or carve designs in them and make paper weights out of them. Sometimes the stones are small and sometimes they are big. This is a fun hobby.

In my personal devotions I learned today that sometimes when I get the feeling of unwothness, unbelief, or unforgiveness these things are stones getting in my way and blocking my soul so that I am separated from God my Father. This is the time I need Holy Spirit power to blast those stones out of the way.

Unfailing Love

Read:Exodus 34:6

In the Easy To Read Bible it tells us that YAHWEH passed in front of Moses and told him that the LORD was a kind and a merciful God. He also told Moses that YAHWEH was slow to anger and full of great love. He could be also be trusted.


YAHWEH, another name for God, is the same today. Aren't you glad he is? I am.

My God can be trusted and is full of great love, mercy, and is so to anger. What great quilties to have. O that I would follow Him and show these quilties in my life is my prayer for today.

Book Review: At The Feet Of Jesus

Read: Romans 8;31-33

I have been reading from the book At The Feet Of Jesus written by Joanna Weaver. It is a very good devotional book and I got it from Kindle/Amazon.

Thought For Today

Having an intmate relationship withGod our Heavenly Father is very important. It is more thank just saying a recited prayer, but it is when we go before Him naked and needy really praying from our heart.

The verse chosen today tells us that if God is for us who can be against us? God gave us His only Son and when we ask Him for other things won't He give them to us if it be in His will? He loves us and wants us to be honest with Him. God has given us right Standing with Him. So He is going to listen to us if we have the right relationship with Him.

So how honest are you with God when you pray?

How To Relinquish My Rights

Read Philippians 3:1-11

Today's Thought

How to give up my rights for Gotd's Best

Sometimes we are ask to do something but then tend not be told how to do it. Today I am going to
s3.  Let go one piece at a time. When you have done what God wants you to dohare with you how to give up your rights so that you can live your life in the best way.

1. Ask God to make you willing to surrender control to Him. If you have a hard time in this area ask God to change your attitude so that you are truly willing to do this.

2.  Recognize you have an adversary. Satan does not want you to totally surrened to God. Pray for wisdom and strength not to listen to his lies. Pick up your sword, which is God's word and battle those lies with truth.

Forgiveness

In order to live a live of a disiple we need to forgive others as God as forgiven us. Read Ephesians 4:32. This is not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes evil things are done to us.We dwell on them. Does this bother the other person who has hurt us? No! Some people might not even know they have hurt us, others do but they are consumed with their lust and their needs.

Jesus suffered much for us. He died on the cross and shed His blood for us. He forgave all the people involved. We can do the same with those that have hurt us. Sometimes it takes time to do this. Maybe writing a letter to the person or persons involed with your hurt would be a good thing. Tell them how you feel and what their actins have done to you. If the Lord would like you to send this letter or give it to the person then do so. He might just have you tear it up. Either way He will help you through your hurt and pain.

For forgiving is not always forgetting but it helps us to go on in our Chistian life and we are free in our own hearts. What a relieve it is to forgive.

What We Have In CHRIST

1. We are holy.

2. We have spirital blessings in the heavenly realms.

3. We are chosen by God in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.

4. We are adopted into God's family by bringing us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.

5. We have God's kindness because of Jesus.

6. Our freedom was purchased through the blood of Christ.

7. God has shown us His wisdom and understanding.

We can read about these things in Ephesians 1:3-8.

Answer To Question

Last time I wrote I asked the question, What do you have to do before you become a disciple?

The answer is you need to believe the gospel message. If you read I Corinthians 15:1-4. "Moreover, brethren I declare unto you, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless "ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures;...

When you accept Jesus, as the one who saved you from the separation from God because of sin, then begins your walk with God and a new adventure starts. Jesus then can become our teacher (Matthew-John) and show us how God wants us to live.

It is not the easiest road to travel but well worth the rewards at the end. Being a Christian means having a relationship with God.

A Question For The Day

We have been studying in Sunday School about being disciples. But before you can be a disciple you have be what?

It's A Good Day!

It is mid-morning, the sun is shining, and it is still pretty cold. But it is a good day. We were suppose to have a little frost here in New York State but it looks like that did not occur. I am so thankful for that as our flowers and bushes are just starting to bud.

This is a kind of day that the verse that says, "This is the day the Lord has made and I am going to rejoice in it!"

Events Since April 1,2013

Monday started out with me talking to my brother. It was around 10:45 a.m. He told me that our mother was failing fast. So I told him I would get a flight out for the following day. We hung up and he went and told my mother that I would be down the next day. She took her last breath and peacefully went to be with her Lord.

Monday then our son called around 3:00 pm and said he would be arriving at our home around 4:00. I said that would be fine. I was excited to see him. Our daughter arrived at our house a little before her brother. I was chatting away telling her what my brother said in the morning. I could sense something was wrong. Our daughter went out to the kitchen where my husband was and I could hear them talking softly. I knew then that my mother had passed away. My daughter told me it was when my brother told her I was coming down. I believe she was just hanging on until she heard we were going to be altogether.

Tuesday I arrived in Florida and our journey began of getting use of not having our mother around. As time went on my sister, brother and I got to know each other better. I was adopted and ao this was about the fourth time I had been wirh them as a family. I knew everyone all my life but they were my Aunt, and cousins. I must say my birth family lives were very different than mine growing up.

Wednesday my daughter and her family cam down driving their newer car they just bought. They stayed at a hotel and on this day my sister, brother, my great niece, and I went to the funeral home to make the arrangements for the funeral.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday is when all the other relatives came in and I was able to see a lot of great nephews, nieces and a few great-great nephews and nieces.

Sunday came and after church my son-in-law started his car up and was going to go to the store for some food for lunch. However his car would only go in reverse. They tried to get to the transmission to check on fluid but the whole car had to be torn apart. So my son-in-law rented a car the rest of time they were there. They were still under warranty but they had gone over the miles allowed so they had to pay for làbor. A wrong part was ordered and so it turned out they had to stay an extra week.

Monday was the day of the furneral. It was a beautiful day.The sun was shinning, it was warm, and it was also my sister's birthday. She was so honered to have our mother buried on her birthday.

One more thing. The day I left for Florida my husband felt a bunch about
t the size of a small plum. He took me to the airport than went to the doctors and found out it was a herina. I came home early and went to the surgeon with him. It was then that the doctor found another one on the other side. Surgery will take place on May 2.

Now the reason I shared all this with you is to tell you that we all knew God was in control of all things that happened. And I just want to give Him the praise for seeing the whole picture and knowing how He was going to work all things out for good.

So next time you are having what seems t be a bad time just pray and see how God answers.

Sorry I Have Been Away So Long

I am so sorry that I have not posted in such a long time. I was feeling myself being so far away from the Lord that I felt that I could not share spiritual things with you if I wasn't living them myself. I have worked things out with the Lord so now I can share again with you.

I learned this week that it is best to work with other Christians and not to try to do things alone. So this morning I shared with my Christian friend what I mentioned in the above paragraph. She suggested I share it with you. That is what the Chistian life is all about. Sharing, loving, caring. This is also what makes a good disciple.

I don't know who reads this site but my prayers go out to you and also my love, and caring for each of you. The Lord knows what you need and the Holy Spirot guides me as I write each post.

I am looking forward to seeing what He has for us in the future.

Thank you for reading this post and feel free to make comments. There is a place for you to do this at the end of each page.

For now I will leave you and until we come tpgether again may God bless you.

Pain

As a child of God you will suffer one way or another. Some people have chronic pain. God knows what you are going though. Sometimes we ask Him why me? His answer is why not. Just because you belong to God doesn't mean your life is going to all be good. Actually you find it is a lot harder life as you have an enemy that tries to keep you away from doing what the Lord wants for you to do.

If you are in chronic pain think about the pain that Jesus went through to set you free and to be able to be with God. This might ease your pain.

There is someone who may be in more pain then you are. If you know this person pray for that person.

Spiritual Slumber Or Being Lazy

Today, as I was reading my personal devotional, the theme was about sleeping. The writer of the the devotional book I use is talking about us being ready when Jesus returns.

In one of her examples of being ready and not sleeping our time away or being lazy is found in Mark 13:35-37 "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at at the cockgrowing, or in the moring: lest he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Are lives are to be right with God at all times.)* My words.

One other theme that the author had was the difference of spiritual slummer and just being lazy. Proverbs 24:30-34 "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man."

The thought here is that our spititual life be right with God and we do not sleep on the job when we need to be wide awake and be ready for our Lord's return.

A Teachable Day

Proverbs 25:27

"It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

I was reading through my notebook this morning and came across this verse that I had written down. I stopped and began to realize that the Lord was teaching me something from this verse. Actually two things.

The first thing I learned, or should say was reminded, is that it is not good to eat much honey. I am not really a honey eater, but I do like sweet things to eat any time of the day. I am a diabetic and last several checkups readings have not been good. This is a wake-up call to cut back on the sweets.

The second part of the lesson learned today is not to seek glory for the things I do.Even as a child, as young as eight, doing this. It didn't work then and it doesn't work now. It bragging, which does not come the Lord anything that I do good comes from the Lord and He is the one to receive the glory. 

So I am so glad that I obeyed and read my notes.

Why Do You Like Your Job?

I was just reading one of my e-mails and the reader was explaing why she enjoyed being an English teacher. When I started reading her reasons I thought about why I enjoy writing my blog.

First, I enjoy sharing with people what the Lord is doing in my life. I hope that these events will encourage others to trust in the Lord.

I like to write and this gives me one avenue to do so.

Even though I dont get any responses, it doesn't matter, I will keep on writing. However if you do have any comments it would be nice to hear from you.

It is always nice to be able to do the things you like to do.

Freaky phenomenon shows hundreds of spiders hanging in midair in Brazil

Freaky phenomenon shows hundreds of spiders hanging in midair in Brazil

I was looking through the stories on Yahoo.com and came across this article. I thought would share.

Amazing! Don't think I would like to be around this phenomenon. But isn't God great in how he created each creature?

Haiku Poem

Pink clouds slowly move
Across blue winter afternoon sky
Trees, bushes snow covered.

Quiet Time With God

Do you have a special time that you take out of your day to have a quiet time with God? I like to have my time before I get out of bed. When I first wake up I say good morning to God my Father, Jesus my Savior, and the Holy Spirit my guide.

Today I read Psalm 105:1-5 and to sum up these verses this is the general idea when we talk with Him.

 We can give thanks to Him.
         We can call out to Him.
         We can sing to Him.
         We can tell Him how proud we are of His Holy Name
         We can be happy.
         We can tell Him how much we depend on Him.

We also are told in these verses that we can go to Him at any time for help. Also we can tell others about Him. We can remember His miracles and all of His fair decisions He has made.

I hope that you have a quiet time with God.

Treasured Moments

As I was riding my stationary bike I was listening to a CD by Jim Brickman. It is called Picture This. The song that was playing at the time I was exercising was Frere Jacques.

Being hat I am a grandmother of nine and not really wanting to tell my age, it gives the idea that I have been around for a while. As soon as the song started I thought of my childhood days and how popular that song was and what happy memories of being able to sing a song in two languages. 


I was also thinking about other treasured moments such as the day I said yes to Jesus. I wanted Him to be part of my life. Up to that point my life was not a happy one. And I knew that I was a sinner and that God loved me so much that He allowed His Son to die for me. Not just for me but the whole world. Not everyone accepts what Jesus did on the cross, shedding His precios blood for our sins. He was buried and then rose fron the dead and returned back to His Father in heaven.

Do you have any treasured moments that you would like to share?

An Exciting Thing Happened To Me The Other Day

I was thinking what I wanted to write on my blog. I had a verse come to mind, but I didn't know where it was found.  I was going to look it up by one of the words in the verse, decided to read my personal devotional reading for the day. You guessed it...there was the verse I was thinking of.

In the same devotion another verse was printed out and it went along with what my Pastor has been talking about and that is spiritual gifts. I asked the Lord to show me what my gift was and when I opened the page there it was written out for me. I told my daughter and she agreed that was my gift.

Isn't God so good?

You May Have Heard The Life of Christ Before...But

Have you ever had to move to a new place? In our story today Jesus moves from His home town of Nazareth and goes to live in Capernaum which is by the sea. It is in the country of Zebulun and Naphtali. The only reason that I mention this is that it was spoken by the prophet Isaiah that this would take place. It was in this place that Jesus began to preach out to the people of the area to change their minds for the better. They were to mend their ways of their past sins, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

Here we have where Jesus is now becoming the Rabbi. He left His earthly father's business as a carpenter and He is now ready to be a Rabbi and have others follow Him.

I mentioned before that in order to become a disciple one must follower their teacher. For us today it is still Jesus. And we will see in the verses that we look at in the following postings what Jesus taught.

Some of you, or most of you, may have read the Bible many times. You may know the stories that are going to be told, but each time we read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what He wants us to learn we can see something different or be reminded of something we already know. So don't put off reading this study. Who know what the Holy Spirit might reveal to you?

Setting The Example

Matthew 4:1-11
Whenever I read these verses I see where Jesus gives me an example how to fight off the Devil.

First, let's look at what is happening.  As soon as Jesus is baptized He is let out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. The reason for this is so that He is going to be tempted by the Devil.

If you have been a Chistian for a long time or a short time you know for a fact that as soon as you grow close to the Lord and want to serve God, the Devil will show up. Jesus was no different. Remember, He now has a human body. For forty days and forty nights He has nothing to eat. This is when the Devil comes to Jesus.

The Devil tempts Jesus three times. Even though Jesus is weak from hunger Jesus replies the same way each time He is tempted. In the New Living Translation Jesus says, "No! The Scriptures say..." Then Jesus goes on to quote an Old Testament Scripture which He has learned.

Here is the example that I have learned from Jesus. When the Devil comes to me I have my own Scripture verses that I have learned. I say them out loud and the Devil leaves. But, like with Jesus, he will be back and so again I must be ready for another attack.

As I was putting this post together the Devil was attacking me so I cried out, "Satan in the Name of Jesus flee from me!" He did and I was to able to continue on.

Question
Do you have any verses that you use to help you fight off the Devil?

We Must Do Everthing Right

If you are anything like myself my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.when it comes to doing things right all the time. I am like Paul in Romans chapter 7 where he is struggling with sin. In verse 19 he says, "When I want to do good, I don't. And when I try not to do wrong I do it anyway.

In Matthew 3:13-15 we read that Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River in order to be baptized by John the Baptist. John didn't want to baptize Jesus because he knew who Jesus was-the Son of God. And John was preaching to the people who came to him to repent of their sins. Jesus had no sin. John wanted Jesus to baptize him, but Jesus said no and then said, " It must be done, because we must do everthing that is right." So John baptized Jesus.

Jesus being baptized is the next event we see happing in His life. Jesus wants the things we do be right is the lesson that we can learn today.

Question
Do you see anything else that we can learn fromJesus? If so feel free to reapond with your comments. There is a place where you can do so. I would like to hear from you.

Have Your Ever Wondered Why You Were Born?

Going along with our theme of becoming or being disciples I heard three messages today to confirm this purpose and I would like to share them with you.

• I was listening to Charles Stanley this morning and his message was on loving the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, and strength. (Deturonomy 6:4,5.) And one other statement Charles Stanley made was that God wanted me here on earth. Thas is why I was born. I had never thought of my birth in that wa,y but it was very encouraging to me.

• Next, I went to Sunday School. The main verse for 2013 that is being used for a Youth Camp in my area is Ephesians 2:10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." This is another reason for me being born.  I can do good things that He planned for me to do long ago.

• Then in church service the main message was from Ephesians 4:1-6. And in these verses they say that I am a prisoner of the Lord.  I am to walk worth of the calling with which I have been called. I am to walk in lowliness (be humble) and I am to be gentle and longsuffering.  I am also to bear my brothers and sisters in Christ burdens in love. I am also to endeavor (do my best) to keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Question
 I wonder do you know why you were born? My prayer is that it is the same reason why I was born and that together we can walk worthing of our calling.

I'm Back-Life of Christ Up To Age Twelve

Sorry to be gone so long. I just wasn't sure how I wanted to do my blog. So have decided to continue on how to be a disciple and use examples from the Bible and my life.

When we last meant I was starting the Christmas story. You see if we are going to be disciples we have to know our teacher or Rabbi and Jesus is our Rabbi that we want to follow. So I will finish up the life of Christ until He turned twelve then we will go on to His life as He gets older and His teaching when He reached thirty.

Announcement of His Birth and John the Baptist
Luke 2:1-80

• Here we have the story of John the Baptist being born before Jesus so he could lead the way for Jesus. (1:1-80)
• Here we have the angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her that she is a favored woman and that the Lord was with her. (1:26-28)
• We have Mary Praise Song. (1:47-55)
• We have Mary visiting with Elizabeth and Elizabeth's baby leaped with the sound of Mary's greeting. Up until now the baby had not moved.

Jesus' Family History from Joseph's side
Matthew 1:1-17
Jesus' Family History from Mary's side
Luke 3:21-38

Joseph
Matthew 1:18-25

• Here Joseph is told about Mary having a baby and his reaction.

Actual Birth
Luke 2:1-6

Shepherds and Angels
Luke 2:8-20

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Luke 2:21-24

Prophecy of Simeon and Anna
Luke 2:25-40

• It is in these verses that we see Jesus as being the Messiah

The Visit of the Wise Men
Matthew 2:1-12

The Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2: 13-18

• This was necessary so that Jesus would not be among the children killed that were two and under by the jealous king Herod.

The Return to Nazareth
Matthew 3:19-22

• This took place so that Jesus would grow up in Nazareth.

Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
Luke 2:41-50

• In these verses we can see that Jesus is already following His Father's (God) way. He said He was about His Father's business.  He was sitting among the teachers discussing deep questions with them. His earthly parents didn't understand. 

Jesus Was Obedient To His Earthly Parents
Luke 2:51, 52

• Jesus returned home with Mary and Joseph and was an obedient son. And His mother kept all these things in her heart.
• Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom.
• He was loved by God and by all who knew Him.

This was about all that the Bible tells us about Jesus and His growing up years. If you wanted to do an extra study you could go to books with customs of the people of Jesus' time and find out more.