Tuesday 7/16 ~ Stop and take a breath

The scripture for today, July 16 (7/16), is Genesis 7:16 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

02-Noah-KindleThumbnail“The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.”

Does your life sometimes feel like a downpour of unending bad incidents or a flood of tragedies? Whenever that happens, why not just enter an ark of safety and let God shut the door? When God shuts the door on something, try to recognize it, accept his decision, and take advantage of its peace and quiet.

Your ark of safety is in your mind, your heart, your soul. Your ark of safety is quietness in the Lord.

“My heart is not proud, O Lord….I have stilled and quieted my soul” (Psalm 131:1f)

“In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15b)

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

Today, instead of being angry at God for a closed door, stop, take a deep breath, and rest in the ark of his arms.

 

02-Noah-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  NOAH.  This child’s book is in large print for the easy reader. It has ten chapters, each showing the problems Noah had to overcome in order to build the ark and save as many people as possible. A “Think and Do” is at the end of each chapter so the child can do a good work.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2lCtWXp

 

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Monday 7/15 ~ Challenging and liberating

The scripture for today, July 15 (7/15), is Matthew 7:15 as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

Jesus said this. Maybe sometimes the “false prophet” is within yourself. You have a pet theory you want very much for God to agree with you on. So you read through the Scriptures trying to prove your point correct. Of course, taking a verse here and a verse there, you can “prove” anything you want.

So how do you find out if you are being your own “false prophet”? If you see a verse that contradicts your pet theory, look for other scriptures similar to this one. Use a concordance ~ a book that lists alphabetically every word in the Bible and every verse it appears in. There is one on the internet here:  https://biblehub.com/concordance/

Or, if you believe in a different holy book of a different world religion, you can read it, then honestly search for built-in proofs it is truly from a mind that knows things humans do not such as prophecies of the future that came true.

Or perhaps your pet belief is based on deep emotional longings or excitements or desires that want to show themselves in outward ways  “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:1, 14).  So God in flesh was Jesus, therefore God was and is word, logic. Therefore, try to find explanations of your deep emotional expressions in the Bible.  If you do not find them, perhaps your emotional expressions came from a tradition instead of God.

Yes, there are ways to determine if you’ve been listening to a “false prophet”. Yes, it is humiliating to believe you just might have been wrong, and then actually admit you were wrong. But it is also liberating. Many people have already gone through this challenge and can testify that changing from their viewpoint to God’s viewpoint is not only liberating, but ultimately brings peace.

 

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-ThumbnailTHE HOLY SPIRIT IN 592 VERSES is one of those liberating books.  We are told we do or do not have the Holy Spirit for all kinds of reasons people. Some are contradictory so they cannot all be true. Eliminate the confusion. Go with the author to all 592 times God’s Spirit is mentioned in the Bible and find out for sure.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2vKlzeK

 

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Sunday 7/14 ~ What if all the good people left?

The scripture for today, July 14 (7/14), is 2nd Chronicles 7:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Michel-COVER-Kindle-Thumbnail“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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

There is always a little bit of turmoil in all nations of the world. Of course, there is more in some. The average person cannot make their own nation call on God. But the average person can do this: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone ~ for kings and all those in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2). Further, we should pray for them by name.

Even if you think some people in authority in your nation are against you, you must pray for them anyway. Then wait quietly for God to work things out. It may take Him a year, a decade or a lifetime to bring about your heart’s desire for your nation. But keep praying.

Your job, in the meantime, is to follow God’s ways yourself. Romans 13:1,3-4 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…For rulers hold no terror for those who do right….For he is God’s servant to do you good.”

Love the country you are in. No country is all good or all bad. Stay where you are. What if all the good people left your country? God put you where you are for a reason. Everyone has assignments from God. This is your assignment. You are only one, but you are one.  Be an example of good.  Seek God’s face. God will heal what needs healing in your land.

 

0-Michel-COVER-Kindle-ThumbnailMICHEL: THE FOURTH WISE MAN, like ancestor Daniel, decides to stay in the pagan country of Babylon, now part of Parthia.  Being a minority Jew, he is not taken seriously. Through the whole book as he and the other wise men search the world for the meaning of the star. At last, they listen to him and find that, indeed, not only was a star born, but the Son of God was born to walk on earth as he had in Eden at the beginning.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2LrXpzh

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Saturday 7/13 ~ When misery ends with gladness

The scripture for today, July 13 (7/13), is in Job 7:13ff in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Bk3-HeartsAfire-COVER-Kindle.thumbnail-new“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.”

Job was extremely depressed. It happens to everyone sometimes. His depression was certainly valid ~ he had lost all his income and all his children in a recent storm. Now he had what the Bible translated as “boils” but the symptoms indicate he had a form of leprosy called Elephantiasis.

This particular form leads to nightmares in addition to the physical problems. Job had every right to be depressed. So depressed was he, that he no longer wanted to live, for his life no longer had meaning.

But, as miserable as Job was, he hung on. Patiently he hung on during the bad times. Sometimes during your bad times, the greatest thing you can do is “hang on” ~ be patient.

Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Job loved the Lord. Even in his misery and desire to die,  he continued to love God and trust Him.

And, although at such times you may believe your misery will never end and you will never even smile again, it will happen. The misery comes to an end. It did for Job. He got his health and wealth back and more children to comfort him. God will see you through too.

 

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Friday 7/12 ~ And the stars sing together

The scripture for today, July 12 (7/12), is Revelation 7:12 in the New Testament of the Bible:

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail“Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

How often do you praise God? Praise is more than thanking Him. Praise refers to God’s attributes.

Some people think God is ugly, He doesn’t understand them, He is against them. Some think God is a figment for weaklings. Some even hate God and are even repulsed at the idea of worshipping him.

How much they do not understand. There is a spirit world out there. Every day God runs after us, “Come this way. I will save you from a terrible fate. Come! I have wonderful plans for you. Come!  Together we will climb mountains, leap to the moon and soar through the stars of heaven. Come! See all the excitement I have planned for you.

Ah, yes, Lord!  I am coming.  Gladly I am coming. The mountains touch the clouds and declare your glory. The moon glows in praise of you. The stars sing together in anthems of your greatness, your magnitude, the divinity of your being. And I worship you.

 

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail365 SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRIT TO GOD’S has a prayer of praise, a prayer of repentance, and a prayer of thanksgiving for your every day.  With these thoughts in your mind, you are now ready for your requests, be they for yourself or others in the world. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2GcvQVi

 

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Thursday 7/11 ~ Overwhelmed

The scripture for today, July 11 (7/11), is Matthew 7:11 as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-“If you, then, though you are ‘evil’, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Yes, we are evil.  Evil and sin mean the same thing.  Let’s face it:  If we are sinful, then we are evil.  Hard to think of ourselves that way.  Could we do nice things to someone who did bad things to us every day?  God can. God does. He is the God of the impossible. The God who absorbs the black hole of sin and brings light into it, not to reveal it but to forgive it.

The Creator of the Universe our Father? The master-mind behind the intricacies of our bodies our Father? The Creator of over two trillion galaxies (not stars, but galaxies of stars) our Father?  The one who occupies the tiniest atom our Father? The One who can be everywhere at once our Father?

How unworthy we are. All we can do is fall at his feet and whisper, “You are so great. I am so small. I am overwhelmed by your love.”

 

00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-PAUL: THE UNSTOPPABLE called himself a violent man, and that he was.  He imprisoned, tortured, and executed people for believing in Jesus.  Then he switched sides. So overwhelmed was he for God’s ability to forgive him, he endured beatings, slashings, storms, floods, hunger, shipwrecks, and each time he cried out, “Jesus! This is for you!” To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2SHeQPg

 

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Wednesday 7/10 ~ It’s time to come on home

The scripture for today, July 10 (7/10), is Psalm 7:10 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Golden Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.”

Ah, my Lord, I become so tired sometimes. That latest assignment you gave me has been so hard. Sometimes I complain knowing I should not because that would make me a Christian coward.

Is it okay if I am afraid sometimes? I am only one and am trying to keep my head above water along with others I am trying to pull out of the flood with me. I’m trying, Lord. I weep sometimes, but amidst my tears, I continually think, “What should my next step b?.”.

Sometimes I just stand still and let the turmoil go on around me while I close my eyes and sing a sweet song to you. That’s when I sense you are singing with me.

At other times I stand up to all the turmoil charging at me. You gave me your weapons: a smile, a touch, a gentle word.

Then there are those terrible times when I feel so beaten up, I think all is lost. Then I remember you are there.  You are always there.  And I know you are shielding me while I rest.

Then we start all over again, you and I, Lord. Another assignment. Another. And another. Until at last you reach out your arms to me and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. It’s time to come on home.”

 

Golden Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail

 

365 GOLDEN BIBLE THOUGHTS: GOD’S HEART TO YOURS.  Whether your quiet-for-a-moment time is morning, noon, or evening, this book 1 in the TOUCHING GOD SERIES will help guide your thoughts. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/32hUQEV

 

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Tuesday 7/9 ~ Eternity

The scripture for today, July 9 (7/9), is Deuteronomy 7:9 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride, Eccelsia-THUMBNAIL“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”

Our amazing God! He loved our great-great-grandparents and He will love our great-great-grandchildren. The average age of having children is 30. Therefore, if we take this literally, 1000 generations would be 30,000 years. In that case, we’ve only just begun.

If taken figuratively, 10 to the Jews meant all-inclusiveness, and 1000 is 10 x 10 x 10 or all-inclusiveness times all-inclusiveness times all-inclusiveness. This means God will love us all-inclusive years, times all-inclusive years, times all-inclusive years ~ for eternity!

And God gives everything we ~ the Bride of Christ ~ ask of him if it is good for us. All he asks in return is for us to give the little bit that he asks of us ~ faithfulness and keeping his few commandments. Then he will help us escape this world for his. What a small price for us to pay and what grand arrangement!

 

Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride, Eccelsia-THUMBNAILLOVE LETTERS OF JESUS & HIS BRIDE, ECCLESIA is a beautiful retelling of the Song of Solomon written on his wedding and interpreted as the Bride of Christ (the church) and the lover of our soul, Jesus.  Beautiful interior with special fonts, a perfect gift.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/32gmMJc

 

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Monday 7/8 ~ Waiting for your turn

The scripture for today, July 8 (7/8), is Ecclesiastes 7:8 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

03-Abraham-ThumbnailCover“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”

Years ago there was a little boy who belonged to the Pee-Wee Baseball League. A lot of teams played in different parts of a very large ball field. He would get in line to wait his turn to bat the ball. But he’d become impatient, feeling that he should be able to bat as often as he wanted.

So he’d take off across the field and get in the line of another team, hoping his turn at bat would come sooner. When he didn’t go to bat as soon as he thought he should, he’d take off across the field in yet another direction and get in the line of yet another team, hoping his turn at bat would come sooner.

After doing all that, he’d finally give up and come back to his own team. By that time, if he had just stayed in line with his own team, he could have come up to bat two or three times. His pride got in the way, his impatience got in the way, and he ended up losing all his turns.

What you hope and dream for may happen today, a year from now, a decade from now. It’s hard to be patient. But try. Learn to wait for your turn and it may turn out better than you had hoped for.

 

03-Abraham-ThumbnailCoverA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  ABRAHAM waited many years for his turn ~ to receive God’s promised son.  Others gave up on it ever happening, but not our Abraham.  “Think & Do” at the end of each chapter.  Good for early readers but can be understood from age 3.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2NIZit2

 

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Sunday 7/7 ~ Extra seeking and knocking

The scripture for today, July 7 (7/7), is Matthew 7:7 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

How beautiful. The Creator of the universe pays attention to each and every one of us. How does he do it? How does he even sort us all out when thousands of us are praying to him at the same time?

But sometimes you may think he is not listening to your prayers. But it takes time to answer some of them. If I am praying to meet my future husband or wife, God may have to move him or her from the other side of the country, get a new job for him or her, and arrange for the two of you to “accidentally” bump into each other. This is just one example.

At other times you may ask for something like winning a ball game. When Jesus said whatever we seek will be given to you, he had already explained that you must “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). So, within that context, God will give you your heart’s desire.

Maybe today you can do a little bit of extra seeking and extra knocking.

 

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnailSILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRT TO GOD’S contains 365 prayers of praise, repentance, and thanksgiving. It is up to you to decide what to ask for, but I think after the other three parts, your requests will be a little bit you and a whole lot others.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/32fgoSL

 

 

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