God’s Forgiveness

 

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if My people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

God Himself spoke these words to Solomon.

God tells Solomon what those who profess to believe in Him have to do in order for Him to hear their prayers, for their sins to be forgiven, and their land to be healed.

Humble themselves

Realize they are sinners. Recognize that He alone is perfect. Admit these facts to God.

Pray

Take all their concerns to Him. He is the only One who can fix them.

seek His face

Pray earnestly. Consider Fasting as a part of our prayer time.

Turn from their wicked ways

Repent. Turn away from the things that God does not like.

I will hear from heaven

We believe that God hears all prayers of His children.

will forgive their sin

God will forgive any sin that we acknowledge we have done.

and heal their land.

I believe it hurts God to see all the upheaval going on here on earth. He did not create this world so that people could fight one another. God created this world so we could love one another.

Do these words of God speak to us today? Yes, God’s words speak to each of us, His children each day as we pray to Him.

Can we learn anything from them? Yes, we can learn what we need from Him to guide us through any difficult times our lives.

Do we still have time for the results He mentions to take place in our lifetimes? Yes, if we pray in earnest to Him and listen for His voice.

Purpose in Season

 

Warner Sallman

To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose on earth.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

God creates our live and gives us many epochs in each life He creates. As a person goes through life, he or she might go through certain stages.

As young adults, we study, we work, date, maybe marry.

As young marrieds, we work, provide for our families and care for our homes.

As parents, we care for, provide for and rear children.

As Empty Nesters, we rediscover favorite pastimes. and even learn new skills.

As Caregivers, we spend time caring for or helping older family members.

As Senior Citizens, we may volunteer for church or civic positions.

Each of these seasons have a purpose. God gives His children duties and tasks to perform. Each ‘season’ has a beginning and an end.

Since two weeks before the COVID lock down, I have had several health issues. It seems like one after another. I sincerely need to pray about finding God’s purpose about how He wants me to spend my days in this season I find myself.

Sometimes, all we can do is seek the LORD’s guidance and follow His leading.

Are any of you going through times like this?

Falling in Love with Jesus

 I heard a pastor sing this song this morning. I loved the words. I hope you will like it as well.

Here I Am To Worship

 

            We sang this at church last Sunday. I  love the words. I thought you would as well.

Joy in Adversity

 

Christianity

 

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me, have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become more confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:12-14 (NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul writes words to the believers at Philippi that we all might want to meditate on.

 

He tells them and us his chains are ‘in the Lord’. My study Bible has a study note that gives me pause. “Paul saw everything through the lens of his service to Christ. All the things that happened to Paul-imprisonments, trials, hardships-served to further the gospel^{. (1)}

 

We very quickly learn that, as believers, each of us will have times of hardship. We know we have choices about how we can react to those difficulties. People who are in different stages of their Christian walk watch how we react to our problems.

 

The way we respond to those issues that present themselves to us influence those watching.

 

We can learn from Paul how to respond to our circumstance. As I sit here writing these words, I realize the number of times I have said “that’s in God’s hands”, or “God has His hands on this.”

 

Prayer: Father God; We thank You for allowing us to know that you are in control of all that happens in our lives. We ask that we always look at those events through Your eyes.  We give You praise. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. AMEN

 

(1)   Jeremiah Study Bible © 2013 Worthy Publishing Co. Hachette Book Group, New York p.1657

 

The Newness of Life

 

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 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 (NKJV)

 

As I understand what Paul writes here is that when a person is baptized, the sinful part of him or her dies. We were not only baptized into our death but into Jesus’ death as well.

 

We should walk in a new life because when God raised His Son, He raised Jesus into a new life by resurrecting Him and taking Jesus to live with Him. Because God did this for His Son, the Son will do it for us.

I wonder, do those who submit to baptism realize what it means to go through this ordinance. It was a long time before I did.  When I returned to the LORD, I started attending a church near our home. This church was of the same denomination of the one in which I was baptized but they spoke of people being saved.

 

I now believe that present day churches need to return to the scriptures and their meaning rather than allow the world to shape their theology.

 

Put On the New Man

 

Family Radio 316

 

if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:21-24 (NKJV)

 

Paul wrote these words to the believers at Ephesus.

 

He points out that believers should not dabble in the ways they pursued before they came to Christ. The decision to NOT partake in the ways of the ‘old man’ must be a daily decision. ⁽¹⁾

 

The decision to allow the ‘new man’ to be seen in our lives is ultimately up to God. ⁽²⁾

 

Certain times, our attitudes might not reflect God. When this happens, we must ask God to forgive us. It isn’t always easy for me to keep a reign on my attitude and even sometimes my mouth. But God is always there to hear my pleas.

 

God can help us put off the old man in our make ups. He desires us to put on the new man for us to reflect Him to those around us.

   (1,2 Jeremiah Study Bible, © 2013, Worthy, Hachette Book Group, New York, NY. Page 1645, Study Notes.

 

God Makes All Things New

 

quiet spirit writing ministry.

This is a repeat of a post from 2018. I have updated it to include thoughts I have recently had. 

 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:4-5a

 

I dearly love this description of the New Jerusalem. God is taking an active part in the lives of His people. He will minister to those who are sad. He will comfort those who are hurting. Death will not enter the scene. Ergo, mourning will not be a phase of life. Can we begin to imagine life without pain? For a lot of people, this will be wonderful.

 

The absence of these five realities of our lives will be no more because God will make “all things new.” Do we understand what God means here? Can we fully understand what He means?  As I sit her in my little home, I cannot fully comprehend how this new However, I have these words to guide me until the day I see Him face-to face.

When we hear of sad events happening to those around us, we have someone who can guide us through the heartache and that sadness. Since COVID has been in our world, I have noted that there is a lot of heartache in our world other than that virus.

We must trust God for our concerns and lean on Him for His guidance through all the issues that plague us. He gives us strength to withstand all the sadness and heartache the world gives us.

Called to Be Free

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You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

           

Paul, in writing to the Galatian believers, cautioned them to use their freedom to serve one another in love. In today’s world, we see people doing certain acts because they believe they can or are entitled to do those things.

 

Paul tells us that we are not to do anything sinful but to remember that we are serving God as well as those around us. Sometimes, we forget this.

 

We have the freedom to approach God’s throne with anything that befalls us, health issues, financial stresses, relational issues, or job-related stresses. Yes, we may forget this as well.

 

Whatever plagues us, we have the freedom to talk to Jesus about it. He invites us to turn those things over to Him.

 

We should remember to thank Him for all He does for us and give Him praise for those deeds. The deeds God does for us can be simple actions that we might not think about.

I had to go out to our car and “fix” the radio for my husband. He is not attuned to electronics. Some of the devices are beyond me. When he told me, I was less than excited about doing it. All I had to do was start the engine and then press on the knob marked “radio” and it came back on with the special connection we have on it. I believe that God heard my initial reaction and chose to help me through this circumstance.

At The Cross

God Sees Me- Moses -2

 

                                           

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                So, now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out if Egypt.                                                                                    Exodus 3:10 (NIV)

 

Moses was in a field in Midian, tending the flock of his father-in-law. He sees something that catches his attention. A bush had caught fire but was not burn up. As he approaches this bush, he hears a voice calling from within the bush.

 

The voice is God’s voice. God tells Moses that He has seen the suffering of His people in Egypt and that it is time for Him to rescue the Hebrew people and He tasks Moses with convincing Pharaoh to allow the people to leave.

 

God continues to speak of the fact that Pharaoh will not let them go. He tells Moses that He will perform “wonders” that will get Pharaoh’s attention.

 

God saw the plight of the Hebrew people, His people, as they slaved for the Egyptians.

 

Does He not see us as we endure certain hardships? I believe He does.

 

God Sees Me-Moses-1

 

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But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it among the reeds. Exodus 2:3 (NIV)

 

The Hebrew people were in bondage to the Egyptians. Pharaoh had decreed that all male babies born to Hebrew women were to be killed.

               

Jochebed, Moses’ biological mother, saw that he was a fine child (ex.2:2) chose to keep him hidden away for three months. I cannot imagine successfully keeping an infant hidden for that long.

 

When Moses was three months old, his mother, Jochebed, found a basket, waterproofed it, and placed him in it. She placed the basket with its precious cargo in the river. She had Miriam, Moses’ sister watch from a safe distance. 

 

This chapter of Moses’ life has a happy ending. Pharaoh’s daughter, along with her attendants were walking along the Nile River. One of them spotted the basket and retrieved it.

 

Miriam came forward and asked if the princess would like to have one of the Hebrew women care for the baby. After a while, Pharaoh’s daughter took the baby into the palace and raised Moses as her own.

 

God gave Jochebed guidance to protect Moses. He allowed Miriam to help watch over him as he lay in that basket in the river. He allowed the princess of Egypt to go to the river with her handmaids. God saw each of them as they cared for the baby boy who will be used by Him in a mighty way.

 

Do we believe God sees us as He saw the baby, Moses?      

 

 

God Sees Me-Hagar

 

 

selondonsa.com 

 

She gave the name to the LORD who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, Ï have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

 

Abram had been promised by God to become the father of nations. However, he and Sarai had no children. Sarai grew impatient and hatched a plan.

 

She had a servant, named Hagar, who she would give to Abram in order that she, Sarai, could have a child through Hagar.

 

Hagar did conceive. She grew to despise Sarai. Sarai told Abram how Hagar had become mean to her. Abram shrugged off his responsibility and said, ”Do whatever you think is best.” Sarai mistreated her servant Hagar. Hagar ran away.

 

The angel of the LORD approached Hagar close to a spring in the desert. He asked her where had been and where she was going.

 

I find it interesting that Hagar only answered part of his question. Ï am running away from my mistress Sarai.” It does not look as if Hagar had any plans beyond getting away from Sarai.

 

The angel of God tells her to return to Sarai and then gives her a promise. Her son will be made into a nation. He will be a “wild donkey.” He will not be liked by many people.  

 

Hagar named the angel of God. She called him “You are the God who sees me, for she said, Ï have now seen the One who sees me.”

 

As we enter the Lenten season, we must look for personal signs that God sees us and allows us to see Him.

 

 

               

                 

 

My Jesus I Love Thee

On most days since the pandemic and the stay-at-home order was in effect, our pastor has called the congregants with a "daily lesson." Today's lesson was on loving God. As I listened, I had this song come into my mind. It gives me comfort. I hope it brings that same feeling, whatever you may be going through. This hymn was written by William Ralph Featherstone in 1864. He was possibly 16 years old at the time. 

Our Sins Are Covered

 

 

Psalm 32:1-6

Verses 1-2

 

Blessed is he

Whose transgressions are forgiven,

Whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man

Whose sin the LORD does not count

Against him

And in whom there is no deceit.

 

When we confess our sins, God forgives us. Because He forgives our sins, He blesses us.  

 

Verses 3-4

 

When I kept silent,

My bones wasted away

Through my groaning all day long.

For day and night

Your hand was heavy upon me.

My strength was sapped

As in the days of summer. Selah

 

When we choose not to confess and seek God’s forgiveness, we carry heavy burdens. It is as if those burdens do not let up on us. We begin to believe we are “running on empty.”    

 

 

Verses 5-6

 

 Then I acknowledged my sin to you

And did not cover up my

Iniquity

I said, “I will confess

My transgressions to the LORD”—

And you forgave

The guilt of my sin. Selah

 

When we face up to what we have done that displeased the LORD and admit that we have done wrong and that we are capable of doing wrong in His eyes, God does forgive us of our sin.

Graphic: from  in Medio Ecclesia. blogspot.com

 

 

                                                 

The Pure in Heart

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                Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, taught, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” How does that work out in 2020?

We wonder about where we stand with God as we try to adhere to the COVID-19 restrictions placed on our lives. We see people going full force with ‘getting back to normal’. In some instances, we see social distancing taking a back seat as people go to the ice cream parlor or to get a snow cone. All those who protest in the city streets who seem to ignore the social distancing rule. Now they are told to stay in small groups and away from enormous crowds.

Our pastor, in his daily lesson/message to us, spoke of unselfishness as the quality of having a pure heart.

As parents, we put the needs of our small children ahead of what we wanted to do. When those same children, as adults, face difficulties, we try to guide them as best we can.

When we hear of a need among those at church, we try to pray for them, fix food for their families. We try to express our condolence when someone suffers a loss of a loved one.

I know a family that was not close-knit who always rallied around someone who was hospitalized because deep down they knew it was the right thing to do.

As I see it, doing the right thing in God’s eyes in any circumstance that life gives us

Is having heart purity in 2020.

On a personal note: Although our church is re-opening this Sunday, our Sunday school class will not meet for a while, maybe the first of September. Most of our class is in the 65+ age range and most of us either have underlying health issues or our spouses do. We want to show concern for those around us.

                                   

Jesus Relinquished His Will

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Abba, Father, everything is possible for you.

Take this cup from me.

Yet not what I will, but what you will.

Mark 14:36 (NIV)

Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane. He separated Himself from the disciples. He chose to humble Himself and seek His Father’s will.

Jesus did not think of Himself. He turned to God and relinquished His control over the events that lay before Him. He did that for you and me, so we could be in heaven with Him when He calls us home.

In our lives, we must remember that we are not the ones in control of our lives. Yes, there are certain things we may have a say in, where we live, who we marry, what kind of car we may drive, and where we worship God. There are other areas of our lives that only God knows about when we are born, when we die, the color of our eyes, our gender.

When we allow God’s will to control our lives, we are at peace with Him, with ourselves and with one another. We experience Jesus’s peace. He gives us a peace that is different from what the world offers.       

For us to find Jesus’ peace for our hearts, we have to ask His forgiveness for sin, the world’s offenses, our nation’s transgressions, and our personal ‘missing the mark.’

During Lent, we find ourselves focusing on our relationship with Jesus, on the fact that we are sinners, on His grace, and what He did for us—He gave his life that we may be deemed worthy to spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Jesus Relinquished His Will

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Abba, Father, everything is possible for you.

Take this cup from me.

Yet not what I will, but what you will.

Mark 14:36 (NIV)

Jesus is in the garden of Gethsemane. He separated Himself from the disciples. He chose to humble Himself and seek His Father’s will.

Jesus did not think of Himself. He turned to God and relinquished His control over the events that lay before Him. He did that for you and me, so we could be in heaven with Him when He calls us home.

In our lives, we must remember that we are not the ones in control of our lives. Yes, there are certain things we may have a say in, where we live, who we marry, what kind of car we may drive, and where we worship God. There are other areas of our lives that only God knows about when we are born, when we die, the color of our eyes, our gender.

When we allow God’s will to control our lives, we are at peace with Him, with ourselves and with one another. We experience Jesus’s peace. He gives us a peace that is different from what the world offers.       

For us to find Jesus’ peace for our hearts, we have to ask His forgiveness for sin- the world’s offenses, our nation’s transgressions, and our personal ‘missing the mark.’

During Lent, we find ourselves focusing on our relationship with Jesus, on the fact that we are sinners, on His grace, and what He did for us—He gave his life that we may be deemed worthy to spend eternity with Him in heaven.

We May Know We Are His

Warner Sallman 

Whoever says Ï know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this, we may know that we are in him. 1 John 2:4-5 (ESV)

When we say that we know Jesus, we tell others that we have asked Him into our hearts. The Apostle John tells us that those who claim to know Him, but don’t, are dishonest and are not acquainted with the truth.

We, who know Jesus as our Savior and Lord, strive to live our lives for Him. We keep in mind the Ten Commandments. We seek His guidance when we have difficulties. We ask ourselves “What Would Jesus Do” when we find ourselves in doubt about what we need to do. We rely on the Word of God to guide us through each day. We display the love of God to others by loving them and praying for them.

God presents us with times where He wants us to Stand for Him. When His children obey Him, He smiles down on them and eventually rewards them for their obedience.

As we pray, we need to ask God to show us what He wants us to do for Him that day. As we grow in Christ, we learn that He is in control of all we do.  

Open Our Eyes Lord

Do Not Boast

Zazzle

                               

Do not boast about tomorrow,

For you do not know what a day

                          Will bring. Proverbs 27:1 (ESV)

Sometimes, I have over planned my days. I recently had to reschedule or cancel my plans for most of a week due to my husband being in the hospital.

A women’s missionary group at a church I was in planned their programs for a year at a time. Our pastor’s wife always reminded us that we made these plans in faith. One year, I had to inform her that a program I was to present needed to be rescheduled because I could not receive the material from a missionary at the time we had planned. Another time, when I was president our area was expecting a snowstorm. I had to cancel that month’s meeting.

At our church, when a person goes to heaven, the family has the opportunity of holding a service for the deceased in our church building. Most of the time the church serves dinner to the family and those who attend the service. When this happens, the service and the dinner take precedence over any other planned activity.

One year, our family was planning to take a vacation in Colorado. It was our plan to fly out and rent a car to tour the state. We had to change our plans due to our finances. We managed to go the following year.

There was a time that I felt led to tell God in my morning prayers that my day was His and to take me wherever He wanted me.

As I write this, my best friend and I have yet to have our time of exchanging Christmas presents and going out to lunch. We always wait until after Christmas to do this. The weather kept us in one day. We are looking at doing this three days from now. She has a family funeral in two days and two days after that she must take a relative to a doctor's appointment. As I write this, I am keeping one eye on the clock because I have a medical appointment this afternoon.

All the plans we make as God’s children are under His watchful eyes.