Saturday, May 10, 2014

Choose Life



“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his way, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. . . .This day, I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live. . . .” Deut. 30:15-16, 19 (NIV) {Emphasis added}

Each day we experience the opportunity to make a choice. It could be whether to rise with the first alarm clock, what to do about breakfast, or what to wear that day. Some days what we choose can determine a major change in our lives. We need to treat these major options as serious as we can. I have some friends who have had to decide about certain issues that affect a loved one’s life. When we are faced with these problems, we have to trust God for His guidance.
When I first found this passage, I was terribly upset about an issue that kept coming to the forefront of our home. On this particular evening, I chose to read my Bible. I felt the words “choose life” were directed at me. I had not always looked at issues in the negative. I realized I needed to focus on the positive that would come out of the issue, once the issue was behind us. As I reflect on that time, I find myself giving thanks to God for directing me- a confused, depressed child of His- to that message.
“The choice before the Israelites was ultimately one of life or death (Moses called the permanent, unchanging heaven and earth to witness the making of this covenant (Deuteronomy 30:19). Those who made ancient Near Eastern treaties commonly called witnesses to attest them, as God did here. God also urged the people to look at the consequences of their choice and to choose life and obedience deliberately (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). The highest motive, love for God, would enable the Israelites to obey the Lord steadfastly. They would consequently "live in the land" God had promised the patriarchs (Deuteronomy 30:20)”.1

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Graphic:dwellingintheword.wordpress.com


1.           Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable as seen on Study Light.org.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

God will Restore Us




“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ
after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make
you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

When we ask Jesus into our hearts, and we are faithful to Him, He assures us of a place in heaven with Him. When we have times of illness or trial, we have to realize that theses times only last a little while in the light of eternity. I have two friends who are facing uncertainties related to their health. One of them has been dealing with complications from a surgery she had last July. The other one has a consultation appointment this Friday afternoon. Something suspicious showed on her annual x-ray. This is important that she get this seen about because her mother succumbed to this disease.

After God helps us surpass the time of distress, He brings us back and makes us stronger in our walk with Him. We have to trust Him for the outcome and believe that He will protect us and give us the strength to go through these times.

During these times of stress and distress, how do we look at the people involved? Do we look at what they were previous to this incident or what they are right then? I am presently reading a book that presents the idea that, instead of looking at what people have been or are, we look at what people can become. This is something to think about. A lot of adults walk around defeated because of what they heard people say to them in times of anger.


God can see what will become of each of us and each of those who cause us stress. We would do well to pray for the ability to see with God’s eyes, rather than our own. I wonder what the outcome for the church would be if we prayed for His eyes to see ourselves. What would be the state of our cities and towns, our nation?

graphic:dailydoseofgods word.wordpress.com

Monday, May 5, 2014

D.I.V.E. DEEPER



                    (Finding deep faith beyond shallow religion.)
By Jenifer Jernigan

Mrs. Jernigan takes the readers through a systematic study of the book of Ephesians. She also takes those scholars on some side excursions into other parts of the New Testament and into the Old Testament when necessary.
This is a Bible study text I believe would be best studied in a group. That way the scholars would be able to give and receive encouragement from one another.
In this book, the author gives us, who take up this study, a series of steps with which to explore the depths of Paul’s message to the Ephesians. She uses the acrostic D I V E. This means dive, investigate, visualize, and embrace.

In the back of the book she includes five appendices a serious Bible scholar would find most helpful.

Although this Bible study is very well presented, I am concerned about the price of the study book. Several of my friends are on a fixed income and might not be able to purchase a Bible study book in this price range.

I received a copy of this book from Booklook Bloggers, a program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing Inc. via Thomas Nelson Publishing. All they asked me to do was read it and give an 
unbiased review.

graphic: amazon.com



God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...