Tuesday 5/7 ~ He truly does

The scripture for today, May 7 (5/7), is 1st Peter 5:7 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Bk3-HeartsAfire-COVER-Kindle.medium-new“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Oh, how hard life can be sometimes. We wonder why God doesn’t stop all the bad things. But, if there were no evil and bad things happening, we would have heaven on earth. Satan is the Prince of this world.  Jesus said so.

How many times in a week are you anxious about something? Your job, your home, your children, your neighbors, your government, your health? How many times in a day? Are they heavy? Sometimes almost too heavy to bear?

Name them to God. Tell him all about them. Go into as much detail as you like. Then put them all on his shoulders. That’s what he wants you to do. He will carry those burdens for you.

Yes, this is not heaven on earth. But Jesus provides a way for us to escape in a spiritual way to the other world in heaven.  Of course, you don’t have to escape; he doesn’t force you. But always he calls out to you, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  Why? He cares for you. He truly does.

Image result for "Buy the book" button redTHEY MET JESUS: HEARTS AFIRE. This is novel three in the 8-novel series on the life of Christ and 100 people he met.  By now, he has recruited his apostles and the word is spreading: He cares for us! TO BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2PXauQs

sign click here for all my books

#anxiety, #problems, #troubles, #relief, #depression, #persecution, #jobloss, #peace, #loveofJesus, #inspiration, #prayer, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Monday 4/29 ~ Shhh. Hear the silence? It’s your turn.

The scripture for today, April 29 (4/29), is Deuteronomy 4:29 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Ah, to find God.  Who are you, God?  What do you do all through my day?  What do you have to say to me?  Or do you not say anything?  Do you even see me, God?  Where are you?  I cannot find you.

Open your eyes, friend. God is always nearby.  There is an old expression, “To know him is to love him.” So true.  To find God, get to know him.  He is talking to you right now in his Bible, explaining what he is like and how he reacts to every possible situation in life. Open your Bible.  Look through the mini-books within.  God not only gives you examples of right and wrong ways to seek Him, but he gives you beautiful psalms and proverbs for your everyday life.  And, wonder of wonders, He tells how He came down to us and walked among us as Jesus.  Seek him there. He is talking to you.

Then take the next step.  When he asks questions to people in his Bible, take them as your questions and answer them. When he tells someone to stop doing wrong, take them as yours and admit to him the things you do or say that are wrong. When he blesses people in the Bible, take them as your blessings and thank him for them.    

Yes, seek and you will find. This mutual conversation with God is the with-all-your-heart-and-soul kind. You can do it. He’s waiting for you.  Shhhh.  Do you hear the silence? It’s your turn. Talk to God.

Image result for "Buy the book" button redTHE HOLY SPIRIT: 592 SCRIPTURES EXAMINED is a rare book not trying to prove anyone’s pet theories. It simply covers every verse in the Bible mentioning God’s Spirit by subtopic. Easy to understand. The results will amaze you.  To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2uXRLuz

sign click here for all my books

#prayer #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Thursday 4/25 ~ Is that what you really want?

The scripture for today, April 25 (4/25), is Proverbs 4:25 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 5-FloodGates-Cover-Thumbnail-New“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

There are a lot of interesting and fun distractions in life, so we have to remind ourselves over and over what is most important to us. We have only so much time in a day and in a lifetime. We can run back and forth from one sideroad to another; one fun thing to another, one power thing to another, one great–looking thing to another.

Before we know it, we have been on that side road a long time. Too long actually.  We can barely see the main road we were on before. And God? He is now so far away. How can that be?  We were always told God would always be there for us.

But God pretty much treats us the way we treat him. If we don’t like being around him, he doesn’t much like being around us. If we don’t like listening to his word (the Bible), he doesn’t much like listening to our word (prayer). If we don’t like to spend special time with him, he doesn’t much like to spend special time with us. God gives us the same courtesy we give him. God will not force himself on us, for he is a Gentleman.

So what do you have in your sights to do today? Next year? The rest of your life? What road are you on? Where is it leading you in the long run? Is that what you really want?

 

Image result for "Buy the book" button redTHEY MET JESUS:  FLOOD GATES. People tried to distract him, discourage him, falsely accuse him, flatter him, lie to him, laugh at him. Nothing worked. Onward he went until the last year of his life when he opened the flood gates. To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2GBZkMt

sign click here for all my books

#sidetracked, #straightahead, #eyesontheroad, #distractions, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Monday 4/22 ~ He poured out his heart

The scripture for today, April 22 (4/22), is Proverbs 4:22 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail“…for they [my words] are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.”

God poured out his heart and soul in the Bible. He revealed his most inner feelings ~ all his desires and disappointments, all his moments of highest joy and deepest sorrow, all his dreams and plans and hopes for us.

Have you ever done that? Have you ever bared your heart and soul to someone else? Would you do it for just anyone? Would you do it if you did not trust the person, especially if the person did not even like you?

That’s what God did. The thought escapes my mind and soars to galaxies unknown. They begin in a mist and burst forth in reality. To know the inner-most thoughts of my God and my Creator!

With that thought in mind, why not read the entire Bible, beginning to end? Perhaps you can read a chapter a day. Or, if you want to read it through in a year, you can count the total number of pages in your Bible, divide by 365, and read that number of pages each day. Or, if you have time, why not go all out and read it in just a few sittings? They will take on new meaning for your life. No matter how many times you read it, there are always new meanings waiting for your mind to grasp it, cling to it, and grace your life.

So much comfort. So much information. So much of answering our questions of how and why.  So much of reading God pouring his heart out and filling an empty soul.

Image result for "Buy the book" button red365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS covers daily readings from the wisdom books of the Bible. Each day is one proverb and one passage from Job, Ecclesiastes or the Psalms. This is book 3 in the TOUCHING GOD gift-book series.  Only $6 for paperback. To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2UOHcJx

sign click here for all my books

#pourout, #divulge, #dreams, #disappointments, #upsanddowns, #plans, #joys, #sorrows, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Sunday 4/14/19 ~ Listen. Do you hear them?

The scripture for today, April 14 (4/14), is Esther 4:14b as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnail“And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Today’s scripture is about a reluctant young lady who won a beauty contest and was chosen to be the queen of Persia. Time has passed, and now a command has just gone out to kill all Jews. Queen Esther was a Jewess but had not told anyone at the royal court. She could continue to hide her nationality and let all her people die, or she could try to intervene with the king. She was the only Jew the king would have listened to. So, realizing she could be killed too, she spoke on behalf of her people. They were saved.

There are always situations in life in which you are the only one who can accomplish something very needed. Perhaps you are the only adult standing near a strange child about to run out into a busy street. Perhaps you are tall and a short person needs to reach something at the store. Perhaps you know a particular language and others around you need you to explain something to them. Perhaps someone called a wrong number on the telephone and reached you instead.

As you go through life, there are situations in which you are the only one who can handle them. Do you? Do you watch for those situations, or do you walk around in your own little world?

Listen! It’s the silent cries of people only you can help. Do you hear them?

SImage result for "Buy the book" button redTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR was difficult for me to write. He was a young deacon with a wife and children, a sought-after speaker, a miracle worker. What motivated him to be the one to go into the Sanhedrin’s chamber that day and speak so powerfully, they would kill him to shut him up? I walked the floor for two days and cried before I could write those final scenes where he struggled alone to make the big decision, then carry it out. Come along with me as we try to walk in young Stephen’s shoes.  To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2Bowxf8

sign click here for all my books#One, #PowerOfOne, #StepIn, #emergency, #weak, #strong, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Tuesday 4/2 ~ He does not take “no” for an answer

The scripture for today, April 2 (4/2), is Exodus 4:2f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00-Cover-KINDLE-Thumbnail-New“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ “A staff,’ he replied.”

God had just called Moses to go into Egypt and free his people from their slavery ~ one man against an entire nation. Moses objected that he couldn’t do it. Five times In Exodus 3 and 4 he argued with God. “BUT I’m not famous,” “BUT they won’t believe I come from the God of their ancestors,” “BUT they won’t believe God sent me, “BUT I’m not a good speaker,” “JUST send someone else.”

Then God replied, “What is that in your hand?”.

Moses had a staff. God showed him how to use it to perform miracles. Today, are you using excuses to claim there is nothing you can do to show the love of God? “What is that in your hand?” It is a steering wheel, a shovel, thread, a computer, a spoon, a wrench, a cookbook, a band-aid. Whatever is in your hand, God can use to bless people through you.

God does not take ‘no’ for an answer. God challenges you. He wants to stretch you to do what you think you cannot do.  You are God’s hands and feet. Go ahead. Use them. Today.

Image result for "Buy the book" button redWhat would people do for good works if none of us was ever sick, ever was in an accident, never lost a job, never lost a house in fire or flood?  God can turn every bad thing into something good.  A HANDBOOK OF 500 GOOD WORKS is full of ideas for every age and every size community.  To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this: https://amzn.to/2UcVX8z

sign click here for all my books

#GoodWorks, #excuses, #sick, #ill, #handicapped, #poor, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Sunday 3/31 ~ Family

The scripture for today, March 31 (3/31), is Mark 3:31ff as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Joseph-Cover-Thumbnail“Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him and they told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’ ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’ “

Do you need a mediator between Jesus and yourself? Jesus said his followers are his brothers, sisters, and mother. You do not need anyone to intercede and beg Jesus to give you special attention (I Timothy 2:5). He already gives us special attention. After all, we are his family.

Oh, how comforting. No one has a perfect family here on earth. You love your family anyway.  It is the same with Jesus’ family ~ the church.  We are not perfect. But we forgive each other just as Jesus forgives us.  Do not refuse to be with Jesus’ family because of someone’s imperfections of offenses.  Ephesians 5:23 and elsewhere say Jesus is the head and we are his body. To break away from Jesus’ body is to break away from Jesus ~ our Brother, our Savior, the Lover of Your Soul.

Image result for "Buy the book" button red

No matter how dangerous the world was in Jesus’ time, JOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER protected his step-son. 

To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this: https://amzn.to/2FH8HKA

sign click here for all my books

#family, #church, #body, #brother, #sister, #mother, #forgiveness, #patience, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

 

March 28 (3/28) ~ Forgiven

The scripture for today, March 28 (3/28), is Mark 3:28f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”

This is confusing to many because we aren’t sure what it means to speak against the Holy Spirit. Jesus clarifies it in John 14:17 where he said he was going to send to us another Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. And in John 17:17 he said God’s Word ~ the Bible ~ is Truth.

If we refuse to believe what is in the Bible, then we are going to refuse to believe in a Savior and refuse to repent of our sins. These things are unforgivable because God cannot forgive someone who does not believe in Jesus, likes to sin, and refuses to repent.

Have you ever tried reading the Bible through in a year? You could divide all the pages in your Bible by 365 so you know how many pages to read each day. If it’s too much for you, the New Testament half of the Bible was written to the Christians.  Read God’s Word. It will fill you with an amazing amount of knowledge and understanding, all from the Holy Spirit ~ the Spirit that communes with your spirit.

Image result for "Buy the book" button redTHE HOLY SPIRIT: 592 VERSES EXAMINED looks at every verse in the Bible to find out what God’s opinion is of His Spirit, not our opinion. This is a short book at a low price. To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2FzldM9

sign click here for all my books

#unforgivable, #eternity, #HolySpirit, #repent, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

 

Wednesday 3/26 ~ When? Today? Tomorrow?

The scripture for today, March 27 (3/27), is Proverbs 3:27f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00-Cover-KINDLE-Thumbnail-New“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow’ ~ when you now have it with you.”

Christians generally are good people. They stay out of trouble at work and in the neighborhood. They obey the laws. They don’t use profanity, they don’t lie, they don’t cheat, they don’t steal, they don’t commit adultery, they don’t murder. These are bad things Christians don’t do ~ sins of commission.

But what about good things Christians should do but do not do? Too busy to stop and look around you for someone needing help? Too busy to drive someone to the doctor, or watch a child when a parent is sick, or fix a meal when a family is bereaved, or send a card for someone’s birthday, or call someone who is lonely? Too shy to say something to someone in distress? Too afraid to bring up heaven and hell to a lost one? These are sins! Sins of omission and they are just as serious.

Today, look around you. Who needs you? Not needs your neighbor, or a relative, or someone else at work, or one of the other members of your congregation, but you? You! When do they need you? Not tomorrow or next month or next year, but today!

Get out of your comfort zone. Quit committing sins of omission. Make a point to do something for someone else. When? Today. Too busy?  What if God made as much time for you and you do for others?

Image result for "Buy the book" button redAPPLIED CHRISTIANITY: A HANDBOOK OF 500 GOOD WORKS.  Ideas for good works for all ages and all types of communities.  To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2FuXKM1

 

sign click here for all my books

#GoodWorks, #sick, #benevolent, #time, #omit, #commit, #prisoner, #children, #orphans, #widows, #handicapped, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Wednesday 3/13 ~ Do you hear it now?

The Scripture for today, March 13 (3/13), Is Ezra 3:13 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Golden Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail“No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.”

Solomon’s great temple had been destroyed and the Jews forced to go to Babylon as slaves Now, 70 years later, they were back as freedmen and had rebuilt the temple. The older Jews who had seen Solomon’s golden temple wailed in grief because this one was not nearly so grand. The younger ones shouted for joy because at least they now had a temple again. So, the laughing of the young people and the crying of the old people mingled.

Today, sometimes the laughing and crying around us get too loud and put our lives in confusion. We don’t understand what is going on. Sometimes the laughing or crying is our own. Sometimes we need to get away from the loud laughing and crying.

Turn off the television. The radio. The cellphone. The computer. Don’t answer the door. Go into a room where you can be alone in complete silence. If you have a family, put a sign on the door. Then pick up the Bible and begin to read Luke about the life of Christ, or Philippians about peace, or the Psalms about overcoming adversity, or James about the direction your life is going.  Read an entire book of the Bible in one sitting.  Then be still.

          Hear it now?

               It is God’s heart calling your heart.

Image result for "Buy the book" button365 GOLDEN BIBLE THOUGHTS: GOD’S HEART TO YOURS gives a daily scripture and thought to apply to your day.  Did you realize God poured out his heart to you in the Bible ~ all his dreams and disappointments, his joys and sadnesses? Would you be able to do the same to him?  To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2TKCevN

sign click here for all my books

#noise, #computers, #videogames, cellphones, #televisions, #radios, #blog, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth