Category Archives: Jesus

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Spread the Love Friday – Questions from Followers

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In the beginning [before all time] was the Word ( Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.
‭‭JOHN‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Happy Friday!  It’s a great day to spread God’s love.

Yesterday I received the following questions and comments from Nationofnope. “You seem to know something on the subject so will you please tell me what a god is? Bare with me here and be descriptive enough that a ten year old would understand. just a direct response to the question. It does seem like a simple question but you’d be surprised at how people tend to jump all around. Thanks.”

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Let me start my response by saying that I’m a student of Theology.  I stress the word student and pray that some of my followers will assist with this response.

What is a god?  Well, I guess “a god” could be most anything, any person, or any being that people look to for answers, fortune or origin.  Throughout time people have worshipped and made sacrifices to all kinds of things.  Recently, a man was in my office and told me that he believed alcohol or food could be considered a god.  That really put my diet into perspective.

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A more important question to me is who is “God”.  God, or Yahweh, is the most sovereign and supreme of all gods.   Yahweh, which means “I Am who I Am” and “He who Exists,” often has other names attached, all of which have different meanings.  By reading and studying the Bible, we learn that God is the creator of everything.  He is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, which means He is everywhere, all powerful and all knowing.  God is not a person.  However, the Bible tells us that we were made in His image.   God is a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11).  God is loving, kind and faithful, but He has rules for living (Deuteronomy 7:9).  The American justice system is based on God’s laws.   I believe from conducting a thorough study of the Book of Jeremiah that God has feelings.  He loves us, but can also feel frustration and anger towards us.  He is also very forgiving.  His miracles are around us every day.  All you have to do is pay attention.

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Studying the Bible I have seen that no matter how many times God performed miracles in the Old Testament, the people kept making the same mistakes, worshipping idols, sacrificing babies and conforming to the ways of the world.  When I’m reading the Bible, I’m sometimes amazed at how the people slipped backward so many times after huge miracles.  So, God sent his son, Jesus, who was born of a virgin and came from the line of David.  When you study the Bible you can see references that go back and forth through time.  Jesus’s ministry lasted about three years.  Jesus was crucified, died, was buried and arose from the grave.  The grave was more of a tomb, but that is just a matter of semantics.  Through Jesus’s sacrifices we can be forgiven from our own wrongful acts.  All we have to do is believe, ask Jesus to be our Savior and repent of our sins.  Once we become Christians, we should strive to love God and our neighbors (other people) by helping others, and living a virtuous life.  I pray to God in Jesus’s name, because he is an advocate with God on our behalf.  While God is Jesus’s father, I refer to him as my Heavenly Father.

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We know God by studying our Bibles, praying, having faith, attending Church, going to Bible study classes, and enjoying fellowship with other Christians.  I have never seen God like we would see another person, but I see evidence of Him around me every day.  A big part of being a Christian is having faith, which is believing with your heart what your eyes can’t see.  I like the way TobyMac says it “you can’t see the wind, but it moves the leaves from the bottom to the top of the tallest trees”.  Knowing God is about feeling his love.

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This is an overly simplified description of God.  I hope everyone will jump into the discussion.  God bless you.

 

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Forgiveness Thursday – Grudges

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He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters.  Psalm 18:16

Happy Thursday!  I’m posting at lunch today.  It’s a little later than usual because for some reason, I just can’t get my act together. Ever been there?  In Florida it is getting colder by the minute.  It was raining and 56 degrees when I took my dogs out this morning.  Now, it is still drizzling rain and the temperature is dropping.  There is a chance for snow on Saturday.  We actually get a few flurries once in a while in Florida, believe it or not.  However, it is the exception, not the rule.  I was wearing shorts and flip flops just a couple of days ago.

Have you ever gone somewhere and everyone was talking wonderfully about a person that has been especially mean to you publicly on more than one occasion?  Have you ever found out that your friends all like someone you don’t?  Did you feel angry at them?  Have you ever been around people who just get on your nerves.  I’m talking about their hygiene, mannerisms, style, etc.?  Hmmm.  I’ve got some good news and some bad news.  First, the bad news is the problem is with you.  Ouch!  Don’t feel bad, because I was enjoying this bitter tea earlier this week.  I had to stop what I was doing, go somewhere quiet, and get right with God.  Why?  Well, first we know Jesus taught that loving our neighbors as ourselves is the second most important commandment (Matthew 22:39). It doesn’t matter what they do or say.  You are responsible for you, not them.  Everyone has different gifts to bring to the table.  We need to love them for who they are and avoid judging.  Do you remember what Jesus says about casting stones (John 8:7)?  As the story goes, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman before Jesus who had committed adultery.  Under the Old Covenant, the punishment for adultery was stoning.  Jesus explained that only people who had never done anything wrong (sinned) should cast stones.  The ending is good.  All the accusers left her and Jesus told her to “go and sin no more” (John  8:11).  How many times have I gotten caught up in this type of behavior?  Too many to count! Sound familiar?  Jesus taught that we are to forgive others just like God forgives us (Matthew 6:14).

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The good news is we can start right now.  Just bow your head and get right with God.  You can do it anywhere, and usually without anyone knowing.  Forgive those who have done you wrong, and let go of grudges.  While you are forgiving others, ask for forgiveness.  Dismiss bitter talk and gossip.  It makes matters worse.  Don’t wish bad on someone who has done you wrong.  That makes you wrong.  Forgiveness is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.  It frees your heart from bitterness.  One of my favorite and most comforting verses says “and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians‬ ‭4:7‬).  Every time I hear or read these words, I feel tremendous comfort.  It’s peace beyond our understanding that we receive when we forgive.  Isn’t that great!

Today and every day, join me in letting go of grudges and asking God for forgiveness.  God bless you!

 

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Try Something New Tuesday – Be Watchful

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But now, O Lord, thou art our father;
We are the clay, and thou our potter;
And we all are the work of thy hand.    Isaiah 64:8

Happy Tuesday.  I spent yesterday resting and reading, and today I am ready to go.

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Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent.  It’s a time of waiting  with anticipation.  So, I posed this question to my Sunday School class.  If Jesus walked in the door right now, and you knew it was Jesus, what would you do?  I often see images on television of a soldier coming home and surprising their family.  The family cries with excitement as they hug their long awaited son, daughter, husband, wife, mother or father.  Would you run up to Jesus and hug him?  Would you fall on your knees in adoration?  Would you hide?Would you feel dread and regret?  What would you do?  Mark 13:33 tells us to “take heed, watch and pray; for we know not when the time is.”  Does this mean we should dread every day because the end might be near?  No.  It means be ready, get right with God and live your life as a joyful Christian.  I can’t wait to wrap my arms around Jesus with excitement!

Share what you would do and have a great Tuesday!  God bless you.

I promised my friend Hayley of Red Letters I would share this video of her singing and playing the song recorded by Hillsong.  It is beyond beautiful. I’m blessed to have become friends with her over the past year.   Enjoy.

Blessings, Christian Living, Do what's right, Emotional pain and suffering, Faith healing, happiness, Jesus, Saved by grace

Forgiveness Thursday – Come to the Table

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Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.   Luke 22:42

It’s Forgiveness Thursday and a great day to get right with God and others.

Have you ever felt like you had to choose between your family and doing what you thought was right? I know I have, and it’s incredibly painful regardless of the reason, because as children we want our parents to always accept and love us.  It can be devastating to lose your family because you need to do the right thing.

Last night I was reading about the blood covenant between David and Jonathan in I and II Samuel.  Saul was the King of Israel and Jonathan was the crown prince.  David, who came from a peasant family, had killed Goliath and become a general in Saul’s army.  Jonathan and David became good friends, and overtime they realized that they both loved and sought the will of God.   So, The two entered into a blood covenant.  Jonathan, the maker of the covenant, gave David his robe, armor, bow, sword and belt as gifts.  This covenant was more than a promise between friends.  It was a pact between families intended to cover future generations.  However, their descendants would have to renew the covenant to keep it active.

Over time King Saul was disobedient to God, and was jealous of David’s popularity.  So, David was forced to flee into the forest.  Jonathan and David reaffirmed their covenant and Jonathan protected David from his father, who was obsessed with murdering David.  King Saul’s obsession reaffirmed Jonathan’s commitment to David, because he realized that God had chosen David to be king.

The two young men grew up and married, and Jonathan became a father.  Isreal’s enemies, the Philistines, attacked and both King Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle.  The area became violent and Jonathan’s children, the princes were hidden.  One of Jonathan’s sons, Methibosheth, was dropped on the pavement when the royal nurse was trying to escape. his legs were crushed.  David became King and searched for the family of Jonathan, so he could extend the covenant to Jonathan’s children.  No one would tell King David the family’s location, because they thought the King would surely harm the young princes.

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After many years of searching, the young Methibosheth was found and brought to King David.  The young man had been taught by King Saul’s family to hate David.  However, David loved Methibosheth as if the young man was his father, Jonathan.  David extended the covenant onto Methibosheth.  So, Methibosheth had to make a decision between going back to his family or staying with King David and losing all that he loved.  Despite his vulnerability from being physically handicapped in both legs, he took a chance and stayed with David.  David loved and cared for Methibosheth as if he was one of his sons.  Great story.

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Christ’s covenant story is similar in some ways.  He was a descendant of Adam.  He turned away from the family of Adam, and entered into a covenant with God as our representative, which was carried out with his blood shed on the cross.  The good news is His sacrifice allows us to be a member of a different family, the royal family of God.  When we participate in communion, we are sitting at the royal table and soaking up the love of God, our Heavenly Father.

So, today remember, if you have had to walk away from your family, for whatever reason, you are still loved and adored by your Heavenly Father.  God bless you.

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Praise the Lord Sunday – What’s Your Gift?

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For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.        Matthew‬ ‭25:14-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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Happy Sunday!  Today in Sunday School and Church we discussed the Parable of the Talents.  The Talents discussed here are your gifts that God has given you.  Have you ever thought of what your gifts are?  Do you use them for God?  You are entrusted with gifts.  Everyone has gifts, and the gifts are not all the same.  When we use our God-given gifts to profit God, he will reward us with more and better opportunities.

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Sometimes we wander around for years trying to figure out what gifts are?  Sometimes we know and our fear prevents us from using our gifts.  I’m a good example.  I have known for years that I need to teach and preach, but couldn’t accept it.  I tried everything to move in a different direction.  I had a fear of public speaking.  Fear doesn’t come from God.  Whenever I trusted him, he gave me the courage and the students.  Every week we have more people.  I have fun and my heart is filled with joy.

Are you using your gifts to serve God?  I encourage you to start today.  God bless you.

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Your Disrupted Plans Might Make a Huge Difference for Others

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When you go through deep waters I will be with you.  Isaiah 43:2

This morning I’m drinking my coffee watching the television coverage of Hurricane Harvey.  My prayers are extended to families affected by the storm and for the safety of those in the storm’s path. Living in Florida I understand how destructive and frightening hurricanes can be.  I urge anyone in danger to take the precautions local officials are issuing.

Have you ever been on such a tight schedule that you have every minute  planned?  Do you feel like unexpected events throw you off course?  Well, say hello to my life! Yesterday, I had rescheduled my hair appointment and had plans to get my shopping done, get home early and start cleaning house for a birthday party.  Instead, in the middle of washing out my hair color, I received an emergency call to pick up my nephew from school.  My poor friend and hairdresser had to rush.  Before it was over I picked up another nephew and a niece.  My time was gone.  Add to that, that the past just keeps swiping me in the face.  Sometimes it’s more than I can tolerate alone.  I’m so glad I’m never alone.  God has me.  Perhaps this is what I was born for – to help and provide comfort to those around me, even though, I’m probably more broken than the others.  So, this morning I’m looking at my dirty house thinking “does it really matter how clean the house is?”  I’m reminded of the story of Martha and Mary.  Martha wanted everything to be perfect for Jesus, but Mary soaked up his attention, not wasting a moment.  Yes, some cleaning and preparations need to be done, but at the end of the day, people matter most!

Today, I encourage you to take a step back and put your priorities into perspective.  God bless you.

 

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Try Something New Tuesday – Fix Your Eyes on Him

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So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary.  But what is unseen is eternal.                              2 Corinthians 4:18

Happy Tuesday!  It’s a great day to try something new!

Have you ever felt like everyone is against you?  Do you feel hopeless and afraid?  Does it seem like things couldn’t possibly be worse?  We have all felt this way from time to time.  However, there are some challenges that are so big that we just can’t face them alone.  Hebrews 12:2 says that we should fix our eyes on Jesus.  As I have said many times before, we are never alone and he is always with us.  Yet, there is more.  When we are focused on Jesus, we are focused on good, rather than our troubles.  We are focused on love, rather than the weight of the world.  We are focused on faith, rather than being afraid that everything falls on our shoulders to handle.  We are focused on what his pain and suffering means for us today.  He can and will change the outcome of your situation, if you will give him a chance.

Today, fix your eyes on Jesus, instead of the problems of the world.  God bless you.

 

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Tell Me Something Good Monday – Glow in the Dark

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For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.   1 Peter 2:9

Happy Monday.  I missed you guys so much.  We live in a rural area and the Internet has been out in our neighborhood since Friday.  We still don’t have Internet service, but I came to work early this morning so I could post.

My good news is you CAN live without the Internet!  It’s amazing how much time I had this weekend.  This experience made me realize that digital devices suck up your time.  I spent time reading, swimming, cleaning house and just resting.  It was awesome!  Yet, I must admit that I missed the Internet.  I couldn’t work on my classes, post in my blog, couldn’t read your blogs, or keep in touch with others (well except by the old fashion landline telephone method).  It’s really funny how dependent we are on the Internet.  When I was a child the closest thing to a computer, anyone I knew had, was a calculator. No one had cellular telephones.  In fact, my grandmother was on a party landline telephone.  You could pick up her phone and hear the neighbor’s talking.  It is amazing how far we have come.  That brings me today’s great event – the eclipse.  I was in middle school during the last eclipse.  We made special devices in science class so we could view it.  God is the best artist!

Are you dreading the drama this morning?  Is your work world full of stress?  Is Monday your least favorite day of the week?  Is there someone you just don’t want to see?  Are you afraid others will learn secrets from your past or worst yet, present?  You are not alone.  Many people get physically ill on Monday mornings.  Stress has been linked to physical and mental illnesses, which can shorten your life.  We all have skeletons in our closet, people who give us a hard time, and drama we have to contend with, at least a little on Monday.  It’s okay.  It doesn’t matter how bad things are, let God’s light shine through you.  Others will see God’s work in you.  As Jason Gray sings “the more broke you are, the more the light gets through!”  Isn’t that great!  Be happy and thankful.  Shine for the Lord in all you do today.

Let you light shine for the Lord.  God bless you.

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Forgiveness Thursday – Come to God’s Table

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If you forgive the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in Heaven will also forgive you.  Matthew 6:14

Happy Thursday!  It’s a great time to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others.

Do you ever have a difficult time forgiving?  Do you forgive someone only to find the same thing happens repeatedly?  Imagine how frustrated God must be with us.  I know I make the same mistakes over and over.  The truth is we don’t need to wait until Forgiveness Thursday to forgive.  We should stop what we are doing immediately and forgive someone when they have wronged us.  I have a professor who says he pulls off the side of the road when he begins to experience road rage, so he can get his heart in the right place.  It makes me laugh.  You must admit, if you are running late for work, and you have to pull off the road, you’ll get straight with God quickly.  It’s tough, but it keeps your heart pure and prevents bitterness.  We are so fortunate that God forgives us, no matter how many times we make a mistake or how bad it is.  All we have to do is ask for forgiveness.  It’s so simple that some refuse to believe.

Today, I encourage you to release your soul from guilt and anger.  Ask for forgiveness, while forgiving others.  God bless you.

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Try Something Tuesday – Pray, Trust, Think Positive and Enjoy Others

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The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises.  2 Peter 3:9

Good Morning!  It’s a glorious day and I’m glad to be a child of God!

A few years ago a book came out called “The Secret”.  Have you ever read it?  I read it and I remember it was all the rage.  Essentially, the book was saying “what you think about, you bring about.”  While It is true that thinking positive thoughts attract positive actions, when we are prayerful, trust God and keep a positive outlook we will see better results.  Even better outcomes are available to us when we gather together with other prayerful Christians, who have the same positive outlook and faith.  Why?  Because we can be a comfort and a resource for one another.  It’s amazing how many of your dreams will come together if you try this.  Make no mistake, I do not mean you should exclude anyone.  We should always be welcoming and share our faith.

You are a child of God and he wants you to be happy, healthy and successful.  You wouldn’t want any less for your own children, so why would anyone think God would want less for them.  Matthew 8:27  says “even the wind and the waves obey him.”  When you ask God for what you need and want, remember to keep a positive outlook, and associate with other people who are doing the same.  Then, everyone is blessed together.  Psalm 56:3 says “[w]e can’t always see where the road leads, but God promises there is something better up ahead; we just have to trust him.”  I have seen this repeatedly in my own life.  It’s true.

So, today try something new – pray, trust God, keep a positive outlook, and associate with others who are doing the same.  God bless you.