Month: June 2018

Monday 6/18 ~ Did you ever wish you could see and touch God?

On By In Inspirational, prayer, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 18 (6/18), is 2nd Chronicles 6:18a as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you.”

Did you ever want to see God, to talk to him face to face? Perhaps something bad had just happened in your life and you had this urge to bawl him out, then let him explain why. Or did you ever want to touch God? Perhaps you were so very lonely that you desperately needed his arms around you, and feel his touch as he brushed away your tears.

But, if you could see him and touch him, it would mean that he could not be with others in the world at that time and could not hear anyone else’s prayers at that time except yours. Try to be grateful that you cannot see and touch him for now. He is always available to you, regardless of where you are in this vast world and regardless of how many others are praying to him at that moment.

How he can sort out all our prayers at once is mind-boggling. How he can be everywhere at once is amazing. How he can love each one of us as though we were the only person alive is miraculous and incredible.

~~~BUYLINK for eBOOK and discount PAPER:  http://bit.ly/GodsSpirit

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#motivation, #security, #tears, #yearning, #longing, #SeeGood, #TouchGod, #prayer, #loneliness, #church, #Christianity, #Bible, #Scriptures, #religion, #God

June 18 ~ This day in history: I want You

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James Montgomery Flagg, the creator of this illustration of Uncle Sam, was born on June 18, 1877, in Pelham Manor, New York. Flagg claimed that his illustration, an indelible American icon, had become the most famous poster in the world. Dressed in his own Uncle Sam suit, he used himself as the model for this poster and his other Uncle Sam illustrations.

An illustrator and portrait artist best known for his commercial art, Flagg contributed forty-six works in support of the war effort during World War I. Leslie’s Weekly first published his picture of Uncle Sam as the cover of the July 6, 1916, issue with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” More than four million copies were printed between 1917 and 1918. The image also was used extensively during World War II.

Sunday 6/17 ~ I would die if I couldn’t eat

On By In humility, Inspirational, power, prayer, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 17 (6/17), is Matthew 6:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-Hero Alone-COVER-KINDLE-Medium“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face.”

This is interesting because Jesus did not say “If, you fast” but rather “When you fast.” It was as though he was teaching us to take for granted that we would fast ~ it would be second-nature to us. In a sense it is, for when most people go through a sudden tragedy such as loss of a loved one, they often cannot eat.

But what about voluntary fasting? The early church sometimes fasted. Acts 13:2 says a congregation in Antioch, Syria, fasted and worshipped, then chose men to go out as missionaries. Queen Esther fasted before going to the king uninvited with a request he might not like (Esther 4:16). Isaiah 58:3 says people fasted in order to humble themselves.

Some people respond, “I’d die if I had to fast.” Perhaps that’s kind of the idea. We know we would die if we went without food long enough. So perhaps one day of fasting is a way of saying, “God, I would die for you if I had to.” Yes, fasting is a humbling experience, and frightening to some people. But perhaps that is the point.

Is something important coming up that you know you will be urgently praying about? Once you skip one meal, you will have conquered your desire to eat. Then, with your brain not having to concentrate on digesting food, it will be able to focus more on that important thing happening in your life. Your prayers will be more focused. You will be more focused with your eyes more clearly on God.

So, take a shower, comb your hair, put on some nice clothes, and look like you have something important to do. Then fast.

~~~BUYLINKS for eBOOK & discount PAPER:  http://bit.ly/HeroesAlone

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#fasting, #hunger, #food, #humility, #prayer, #desperation, #weakness, #hope, #power, #death, #Christianity, #Bible, #Scriptures, #church

For Father’s Day: JOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER

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http://bit.ly/Joseph-TheOtherFather

Saturday 6/16 ~ The confusion of denominationalism

On By In church, judging, knowledge, Scripture, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 16 (6/16), is Jeremiah 6:16 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnail“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

We need history, not only for an appreciation of what our forefathers did for us but also to learn which mistakes not to make all over again. This is true with religion also. There are hundreds of denominations and religions out there. This divisiveness hurts us. It seems the more denominations and religions we have, the fewer people are interested in spiritual things. They call it “organized religion”.

Within Christianity, think about creeds for a moment. If a creed is less than the Bible, it isn’t enough. If it is more than the Bible, it is too much. If it is the same as the Bible, why have it? Let us change our loyalties away from denominationalism and toward the Bible. All this confusion is exhausting!

Human nature has always been the same, and the Bible written long ago applies just as much to human nature today as it did then. Proverbs! The life and speeches of Jesus! The many mistakes made by people in the Old Testament! The advice to Christians in the New Testament!

It’s not confusing. And maybe then, we will find rest for our souls.

~~~BUYLINK for eBOOK and Discount PAPER:  http://bit.ly/WorshipChanges

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#denominations, #creeds, #changes, #worship, #rituals, #confusion, #Bible, #church, #Christianity, #Scriptures

Friday 6/15 ~ What if “God’s time” for you never comes?

On By In discouragement, faith, InspirationalLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 15 (6/15), is 1st Timothy 6:15 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnail“…which God will bring about in his own time ~ God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords!”

But it’s hard to know just when God’s time is. You may think it is when a certain opportunity arises, but something happens and it doesn’t turn out. So later another opportunity arises, but something happens there too and it still doesn’t turn out.

This verse can carry you from hope to hope from discouragement to discouragement. That is because you cannot see what God sees.

Your life is like a line drawn across a piece of paper, and you have to stay on that line. That line is all you see.  But God looks down and can see the entire line all at once, and he can also see everything going on around you. Those other events may not be good for you to become involved in.  There may never be a time when events around you will be good for you.

Rather than give up on God and decide he doesn’t really love you like he claims, amidst your tears of disappointment, stretch your spirit and praise him anyway. Acknowledge him. Then rest until his own time, whether it be soon or in eternity.

~~~BUYLINK for eBOOK & discount PAPER:  http://bit.ly/stephenmartyr

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#hope, #disappointment, #timing, #discouragement, #time, #timing, #plans, #opportunities, #breaks

Flag Day, June 14, 2018

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Thursday 6/14 ~ Are you willing to collect the wages?

On By In death, Death of Jesus Christ, eternity, forgiveness, Heaven, Inspirational, sacrifice, Satan, Saved from hellLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 14 (6/14), is Numbers 6:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-Thumbnail“There he is to present his offerings to the Lord…a year-old ewe-lamb without defect for a sin offering… “

A lot of people don’t understand what Jesus dying on a cross has to do with going to heaven. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death” ~ both physical and soul death. It is Satan who pays us our wages.  In Old Testament times, God intervened and allowed people to kill a perfect animal in their place whenever they sinned. But it was only a temporary fix because it is impossible for us to be perfect.

Finally, God the Word came to earth as a human, and John the Baptist called him the Lamb of God (John 1:29). Jesus was perfect; that is, he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). Then he took the wages of sin from Satan and died as the perfect Lamb of God in our place ~ both physically (separation from people on earth) and spiritually (separation from God the Father). He even went a step further and miraculously came back to life!

Then God said, If you’ll believe and imitate Jesus, I will consider your debt paid in full and consider you perfect too (Romans 6). Then I’ll bring you back to life in heaven. How amazing! 

And, by the way, since he came back to life on Sunday, that’s what makes Sunday so special. It’s an I’m-sorry-you-had-to-die-for-my-sins Day.  It’s the “Do-this-in-remembrance-of-me” Lord’s Supper Day.  It’s a Gratitude Day.

~~~BUYLINK to eBOOK and discount PAPER:   http://bit.ly/ShadowDeath

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#sin, #hell, #Satan, #Devil, #sacrifice, #substitute, #perfect, #crucifixion, #LambOfGod, #LordsSupper, #HolyCommunion, #heaven, #escape, #Christianity, #Bible, #Scriptures

Wednesday 6/13 ~ Feeling hopeless? Go in the strength you have

On By In attitude, emptiness, Inspirational, power, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 13 (6/13), is Judges 6:13f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE Thumbnail” ‘But sir,’ Gideon replied, ‘if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about?… But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us in the hand of Midian [enemies].’ The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have.’ “

How dynamic! When you feel trapped, God says, “Go.”  When you feel paralyzed, God says, “Go.”  When you feel hopeless, God says, “Go.”

Sometimes you spend your time concentrating on your problem rather than a possible solution. Or you try to find someone else to solve your problem for us. Or you feel so helpless, you sit huddled in a dark corner and ask God to take care of your problem for you. When Captain Gideon did this, God replied, “You’ve still got strengths. Use them.”

Yes, you have to wait for God’s final solution, but he does not expect you to sit idly by while he does all the work.  “But how?” you ask.  You are not a rock or tree or grain of sand.  You are not an elephant or tiger or worm.  You are a human being made in God’s image.  God breathed life into you and gave you special gifts and talents.

Don’t sit idly by while bad things happen around you. Everyone has God-given strength. Look deep within your heart. It’s there.  Then go forth in the strength you have.

~~~BUYLINK for eBOOK or discount PAPER; http://bit.ly/crippledprince

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#emptiness, #weakness, #hope, #discouragement, #strength, #power

Tuesday 6/12 ~ God loves to answer prayer

On By In Inspirational, prayerLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 12, is Luke 6:12 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Inside-COVER-lg thumbnail“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

How in the world did Jesus think of enough things to say that he could pray all night? Most of us on a good day only manage a 5-minute prayer. The next verse says that the next morning he selected his twelve apostles. He had probably spent at least half an hour each praying for them by name, as well as for others he was considering.

Who do you pray for by name? Do you have a prayer list? How about opening the newspaper and praying for all those people in the news ~ perpetrators, victims, causes, governments, situations? Or everyone you work with? Or everyone your children go to school with? Or all their teachers and administrators? Or the clerks in the stores you go to regularly? Or members of an organization you belong to?

There are always people in need of prayer. And one of the joys of such a prayer life is now and then telling people whom you know that they are in your prayers; or writing a note to someone who was a stranger to you that you pray for them.

Some people have never heard their name in prayer. Some people have never even been told that someone prays for them.

God loves to answer prayer. Do you love prayer?

~~~BUYLINKS for eBOOK, AUDIO, & discount PAPER:   http://bit.ly/HeartsOfBibleWomen

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#prayerlist, #needs, #problems, #troubles, #confusion, #decisions, #neighbors, #family, #schools, #clubs, #organizations, #newspaper, #Christianity, #Bible, #Scripture