Thursday 12/19 ~ Sweet revenge. Or not.

The Scripture for today, December 19 (12/19), is Romans 12:19 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Old Testament Survey-Cover-thumbnail“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Thank God, he took away the old Law of Moses and gave you the new Law of Jesus instead. Under the Law of Moses, you had to take revenge yourself. You had to stone adulterers and children who were disrespectful to you as their parent. If someone killed a relative, you were obligated to go out and kill the killer. If someone knocked out the eye or tooth of a relative, you were required to go out and take that person’s eye or tooth.

Now God says to forgive and do good to your enemy (verse 20-21). That’s what God did for you who once was his enemy as a sinner. As you are merciful to others, he is merciful to you.

Forgiveness is not condoning evil, but wishing a better life for whoever did something bad to you. You may forever be afraid of that person, but you must forgive. Hard to do? Indeed! But, with God, anything is possible. So, let go of it. Let go of them. Let God take care of it. He has released you of that burden. Released you to “overcome evil with good”.

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Old Testament Survey-Cover-thumbnailOLD TESTAMENT SURVEY AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE NEW TESTAMENT is an easy fill-in-the-blank workbook to help you see the contrast in the Old Testament laws and the New Testament “laws”. O.T. leaders were taking revenge everywhere, and so God took revenge on them. The prophets warned them and gave them promises of good to come ~ the Savior.  This is part of the EASY BIBLE WORKBOOKS series.  Great for homeschoolers, private study, small groups.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2tt58Fc

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Saturday 12/14 ~ Hold fast. Stand firm.

The scripture for today, December 14 (12/14), is 1st Samuel 12:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

02-samuel-thumbnailcover“If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God ~ good!”

The Jews had just insisted on having a king rule over them instead of a supreme judge. Samuel, their last supreme judge, replied and said two IFs. IF they serve and obey the Lord, and IF they both (people and king) follow the Lord, then it is good.

Today as then, some people live in a nation where the king/government does not follow the Lord. What to do? Galatians 5:22 tells us to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled, for “against such things there is no law”.

Is it hard to do this when crooked officials are getting all the advantages and you are being cheated and even threatened if you do not cooperate? Indeed, it is. It may seem they are living the good life. In reality (eternal reality, not earthly reality). They have lost everything. This life is fleeting. Keep your eyes on the eternal. Keep your eyes on God!

Hold fast!

       Stand firm!

             Do the right thing!

In the end, they lose. You and God win. And that is good!

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02-samuel-thumbnailcoverA CHILD’S BIBLE KIDS:  SAMUEL.  How did Samuel’s mother prepare him to live in someone else’s house when he was a toddler? How did Eli settle little Samuel’s confused mind when Eli suddenly became his “grandfather” while he grew up?  But grow up, Samuel did. And he became one of the strongest supreme judges Israel ever had.  But he was also the last.  He had to resign his position when the people wanted a king instead of him.  But, he never stopped being loyal to God.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://amzn.to/2YPmlVe

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Friday 12/13 ~ Our God-Shaped Emptiness

The scripture for today, December 13 (12/13), is Ecclesiastes 12:13 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

When the King James Version was published in the early 1600s, they italicized all words that were not in the old documents of the Bible. The word “duty” above was not in the original. Translators inserted it to help us understand the original. But perhaps, in this case, it did not help. Fearing God is the whole of man ~ not our duty, but our essence.

Fearing the Lord is a gift. Isaiah 11:2 predicted regarding Jesus:

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him ~

     “…the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,”

          “…the Spirit of counsel and of power,”

               “…the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

Solomon had tried everything to find happiness, as he explained in his book of Ecclesiastes ~ Pleasure (ch. 2), hard work (ch. 3), advancement (ch. 4), riches (ch. 5). None brought him true happiness.  Eventually, he concluded that only one thing can bring that happiness deep down inside where no one and no situation in life can touch it ~ God. God is the whole of man ~ if we let Him be.

Why? Ecclesiastes 3:11 explains it richly: “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” Another way to view this is “There is a God-shaped emptiness in everyone’s heart.” Fill your mind with the Word of God. Then God will fill your heart and being, and make you feel complete.

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Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS.  Start your day with one Proverb and one passage from Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, or Song of Solomon. Keep them on your heart to help guide your day. These are the wisdom of God. This is book two in the TOUCHING GOD trilogy on inspirational thoughts, wisdom, and prayers. Beautiful original artwork on the cover and artistic font on the inside.  A perfect gift for all occasions.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/34h4Zl1

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Thursday 12/5 ~ Then God will arise

The scripture for today, December 5 (12/5), is Psalm 12:5 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

06-Moses Thumbnail Cover” ‘Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,’ says the Lord. ‘I will protect them from those who malign them.’ “

Notice, in this scripture the Lord says, “I will now arise.” Sometimes God needs you to endure difficulties so that bad people who cause such problems can be exposed for what they are, and ultimately so Satan can be exposed for what he is. Sometimes that difficulty will last months or years ~ sometimes even a lifetime.

First Corinthians 3:9 in the New Testament says you are a worker together with God. Ephesians 6:12 says “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly [spiritual] realms.”

You are where God wants you to be. This is your assignment. Are you up to it? Sometimes your job is just to hang on and not give up on God. That’s what Satan is always trying to get you to do, just as he did Job in the Old Testament. God won’t leave you in a situation that is impossible for you to endure. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”

So, go ahead and groan in your weakness, beg in your frustration, and cry in your frailty, but hang on. Never let go of God. That’s your part.

As soon as the evil around you is exposed for what it is, you have proven good cannot be conquered by evil, and you have grown spiritually as a result of your experience.  And God’s part?  Then God will arise.

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06-Moses Thumbnail CoverA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  MOSES’ people had endured 400 years of terrible slavery.  Thousands died thinking God had not heard their prayers. But, when the harsh treatment of the Egyptians got unbearable, God arose. He lifted up Moses who then endured the threats of Pharaoh, outlasted Pharaoh, and led over three million of his people out of their slavery and into freedom.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/36abNlZ

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Monday 11/25 ~ Come death. Be my door.

The scripture for today, November 25 (11/25), is John 11:25 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAIL“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.’ “

This has always been puzzling to me: People who have been Christians all their lives find out from their doctor they are going to die, and they weep and beg God to keep them alive. Why?

Heaven is your final destination, not earth. You claim you want to go to heaven, but you do not want to do what is necessary to get there. Death is the door to heaven. Death is not the end, but the beginning!

Why would anyone want to cling to this life in this world with all its problems? Why would anyone who claims to be a Christian wail and cry? Is it because living here is like living in a dark cave and we cannot imagine life with light and color and warmth? Where is all that faith you claimed to have? Where are all the songs you have sung with gusto like, “When We All Get to Heaven”, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”, and “I Shall See the King”?

Be willing to look death in the eye and say, “Jesus has conquered you! I will close my eyes here and open them again to behold my Creator and my Savior!” Oh, happy day!

 

Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAILTHE ROAD TO HEAVEN begins in the despair of the Garden of Eden, progresses to another garden, the Garden of Gethsemane, and finally to heaven itself.  It begins with Satan and ends with Jesus.  It begins with death and ends with life.  It begins with the long journey from Adam’s and Eve’s sin and ends with hallelujahs in heaven, our home. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/34eO4Ap

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Sunday 11/17 ~ I think I could die for you

The scripture for today, November 17 (11/17), is 1st Chronicles 11:17f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnail“David longed for water and said, ‘Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem.’ So The Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David.”

The people who followed David admired him because he knew how to be a good leader. And they loved him because they could tell he loved them.

So, many were willing to do anything to make “Captain David” happy. David had been born and raised in Bethlehem. Now he was grown and had a following of those evading power-hungry King Saul, all brave soldiers and their families. They had traveled throughout the country either evading or defending themselves against Saul and other enemies.

Their travels took them back to David’s home town which was being held by enemy Philistines. For old-time’s sake, he longed for a drink from the well he had drunk from many times in his innocent youth. Three of his strongest men ~ The Three ~ risked their lives to bring their captain, David, that drink of water.

How much do you admire and love the Captain of your Salvation, Jesus? How much are you willing to sacrifice for him? Do you say, “I’m too busy to do anything for Jesus and his kingdom today”? Do you say, “I’m afraid if I say something about Jesus to so-and-so, s/he will insult me”? Do you say, “Someone at church offended me, so I’m not going to worship Jesus anymore?” Do you admire Jesus enough to put yourself in the slightest danger just to do the smallest thing for him?

Ah, Lord Jesus, you put yourself in danger for me. You were willing to die for me.  Help me have that same kind of love and determination for you despite dangers.  And, Lord, I think I could even die for you.

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00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR.  The book begins when Stephen is a 17-year-old coward on the run because his best friend is being crucified.  It ends eleven years later when he has a wife and two children and is a deacon, healer, and powerful preacher with everything to live for. He gave it all up and died for Jesus. Through those years, what changed him?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2CPoAxh

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Saturday 11/16 ~ Falsely Accused No More

The scripture for today, November 16 (11/16), is John 11:16 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

EASTER Strip-MetJesus“Then Thomas…said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go that we may die with him.’ “

Have you ever been falsely accused?  This apostle is most often and wrongly called “Doubting Thomas.” We’ve all heard the story about Thomas being absent when Jesus appeared to the other apostles, then later said he wouldn’t believe Jesus was alive again unless he could touch him. Well, the other apostles hadn’t believed until they saw him either.

After returning to life, Jesus first appeared to the women. Then, “when they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others…But they did not believe the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense” (Luke 24:9-11).

Now let’s look at our scripture for today. In the months before Jesus’ death, he had been traveling everywhere except to Judea where Jerusalem and the religious leaders were. Those leaders had plans to kill Jesus, and everyone knew it. Then Lazarus got sick just six miles from Jerusalem and his sisters begged Jesus to come heal him. It was dangerous for Jesus to go there. He didn’t go and Lazarus died.

John 11:7-8 says, “Then he [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea.’ ‘But Rabbi,’ they said, ‘a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?’ “

After explaining that he needed to get to Lazarus, it was Thomas who bravely spoke up and said, “Let us also go that we may die with him!”

Later, when Thomas did finally see Jesus, he was the first to call him “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

Doubting Thomas? Far from it! Brave Thomas. Devoted Thomas. Thomas who was willing to follow his Lord to the death. Thomas who was the first to call him God. That was the real Thomas.

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EASTER Strip-MetJesus

PROMISE KEEPER, SHADOW OF DEATH, COME FLY WITH ME are the complete Easter Story.  In these, Thomas plays a major role as he encourages the other apostles to not be afraid but follow Jesus to the death.  And meet his twin sister who shares his faith.  To BUY NOW click the book covers or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2OKZLLL

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Monday 11/11 ~ I will lift you back up

 

09-Jonah-KindleThumbnail

The scripture for today, November 11 (11/11), is Romans 11:11a as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all!”

So you decided to live for God. But you are still a weak human. Satan has lost you and wants you back. He will try hard to make that happen. Often, the new Christian is the one he attacks the hardest.

Still, Satan never lets up and periodically causes bad things to happen to you so you’ll blame God, just as he tried to do with Job.  He will tempt you with more things than before you became a Christian in his attempts to get you back.

God knows what is happening.  He stands with you. He is so proud of you when you stand up to Satan and say, “Never!  I will not blame or forsake my Lord.” He sees how your spiritual muscles are growing.

But, if you sometimes stumble and fall, you are not beyond hope. Never, never believe you are beyond hope! That is a lie! God never leaves you.  He continues to lean low, holding out his hands and saying, “Take them. I will lift you back up. You will be safe again.”

So, you do.

And so, he does.

He is amazingly patient with us. He loves you so very much.

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09-Jonah-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  JONAH.  Most people think of Jonah as a failure. But each time he fell, he got back up. It was hard for him to do, but he did anyway.  Even when Jonah gave up on himself, God never gave up on him.  THINK & DO at the end of each chapter.  Great for homeschoolers, children’s Bible classes, grandparents, baby showers, birthdays.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2X30Izz

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Tuesday 11/5 ~ The lover of my soul

The scripture for today, November 5 (11/5), is Ecclesiastes 11:5 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”

Are you ever frustrated because you cannot touch God or see God? In times of deep unbearable distress, probably a lot of people feel that need. But, if you could touch or see him, he could not be everywhere at once; he could not be omnipresent. That means, if he was with you where you could see and touch him, the rest of the world would have to wait for him to get done with you and go to the next person.

Are you ever frustrated because you cannot figure out God? In times of great challenges to faith, probably a lot of people feel that need. But, if you could figure out God, He would not be superior to you. It means that either he would not be God, or you would be God also.

Be grateful that you cannot touch or see God. Be grateful you cannot fully understand God. Be grateful that, despite all his greatness, he dearly loves you ~ you, a mere speck in the cosmos. He even knows your name. Ah, what a God ~ the lover of your soul.

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0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-ThumbnailTHE HOLY SPIRIT 592 VERSES EXAMINED shows everything in the Bible God wants us to know ~ no more, no less.  Some of the things you have heard are just not there.  Some of the things you never thought about are there.  This is a simple study but thorough. Could be used in Bible classes. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/32EUTdD

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Monday 11/4 ~ Keep silence before him

The scripture for today, November 4 (11/4), is Psalm 11:4a as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-medium“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.”

No matter what happens in our life, in our town, in our nation, God is still on his throne. No matter how confusing things become, God is still on his throne. No matter how discouraging, God is still on his throne.

Therefore, no matter what, we will worship him

(This has been set to music. Listen to it here:  http://bit.ly/34ruHDV )

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0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-thumbnailREVELATION: A LOVE LETTER FROM GOD is really a story, a love letter.  Throughout, God reminds us of all the times in past centuries when he punished the punishers of his people.  Thereby, he is telling us, “I defended you in the past, I will continue to.” When viewed as history, this is one of the most beautiful and touching books in the Bible. And exploring the meaning, the symbolism of the numbers adds deep insight and warmth to what God is trying to tell us.  Be inspired.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/32a4kAQ

 

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