Sunday Sharing: Everyone Wants Our Money!

Boxes for Operation Christmas Child at church

These last few months it seems every day we get solicitations for donations to charities in the mail (American Bible Society, the City Mission, Lakota School, Operation Christmas Child, animal rescues), the church has lots of projects going on that need money (Pastor appreciation month, food baskets, pantry, pavilion building project, groceries for the community dinner, support for the missions team to Haiti and items for them to take, running behind budget) and then there are the disasters (the Philippines) that occur in the world that I just can't help but feeling compelled to include a donation for the relief effort.

I was getting to the place where I was becoming overwhelmed and blew up a couple Sundays ago when the Pastor wondered why the general offerings have been low and we are running behind budget.  I am a giving person but even I was feeling pressure and said enough already!  But then God through his word spoke to my heart and reminded of of a few things:

1)  My Sunday School lessons this month are on laying up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19--24), sharing what we have with others (Luke 12:13-21), and making loving and obeying God my top priority (Matthew 6:33).

2)  Last Sunday, I read I Chronicles 29 about King David asking the people to contribute materials for the temple his son Solomon would build and how he even gave out of his personal things to set the example.  They got lots of materials and David celebrated praising the Lord before the people saying:

 Lord, you are great and powerful.  You have glory, victory and honor.  Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you.  The kingdom belongs to you, Lord.  You are the ruler over everything.  Riches and honor come from you.  You rule everything.  You have the power and strength to make anyone great and strong.  Now, our God, we thank you.  And we praise your glorious name.  These things did not really come from me and my people.  Everything comes from you.  We have given you back what you gave us.  . . . Lord our God, we have gathered all this to build your Temple.  We will build it for worship to you.  But everything has come from you.  Everything belongs to you.  I know, my God, that you test people's hearts.  You are happy when people do what is right.  I was happy to give all these things.  I gave with an honest heart.  Your people gathered here are happy to give to you.  I am happy to see their giving.  Lord, you are the God of our ancestors.  You are the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Please help your people to want to serve you always.  And help them to want to obey you always.  Give my son a strong desire to serve you.  Help him always obey your commands, laws and rules.  Help him build the Temple for which I have prepared. - I Chronicles 29:11-14, 16-19 (ICB) [ emphasis added]

This reminder that all I have is from the Lord and it's all his was just what I needed to get my heart back on track and be the cheerful giver God loves.  I am now looking forward to the community dinner, cheerfully bringing my groceries to share and volunteered to help at it as well. 

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:  for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor:  his righteousness remaineth for ever.--II Corinthians 9:6-9 (KJV)

3)  Other scripture came to mind as well.  This is why it is so important to read God's Word every day and memorize it so that when we get off track with the Lord, His powerful word can speak to our hearts and bring us back.

And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. --Galatians 6:9-10 (KJV)  

4)  Then, last week the Pastor's sermon was on James 2:17 which says:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

I love when God speaks to my heart because it shows proves He is a personal God who loves me.  I think it is so cool how He knows just what I need and gives it to me.  How about you?  Has God spoke to you this week about anything in particular?  I encourage you to read the Bible every day.  It will change your life if you have an open heart that is seeking to know God better and obey Him.

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Sunday Sharing: Guard Your Thoughts

David, a man after God's own heart, was at the top of his game so to speak in II Samuel 8:14b-15 which says:

The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. David was King over all Israel. His decisions were fair and right for all his people.

Then, just three chapters later in II Samuel 11, he totally blows it. First he covets another man's wife, then commits adultery, then he arranges to have her husband killed in battle. He obviously did not seek God's will in any of this and it took him nine months or more to even admit he sinned. The Lord did not like what David did and although he forgave David, there were still consequences. Not only would his descendants die by the sword, and his baby died. but he would also have his wives taken from him.

This is what the Lord says: I am bringing trouble to you from your own family. While you watch, I will take your wives from you. And I will give them to someone who is very close to you. He will have sexual relations with your wives and everyone will know it. (12) You had sexual relations with Bathsheba in secret. But I will do this so all the people of Israel can see it.--II Samuel 12:11-12

Wow, isn't it amazing how much trouble one bad thought can lead to? My key verse of the week was Proverbs 4:23:

Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life. (ICB)

Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV)

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)

Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life. (Contemporary English version)

David's fall is sad, but it serves as a warning to us all.  A point Beth Moore made that I thought was interesting was to seek forgiveness as soon as we realize we have an bad thought before we act on it.

So, what was your scripture highlight from last week?  Please share it in the comments or feel free to comment on this post.

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Sunday Sharing: Depending on God

My highlight this week is from my Sunday School lesson, the story of Elijah being fed by ravens during a drought and the widow and her son who took care of him found in I Kings 17:1-16.

image:  openclipart.org

The thing that stood out to me was the great faith Elijah had in God demonstrated by his total reliance on Him for food and water.  I like how God uses even birds and animals for His purposes!  I can't imagine just camping out by a brook relying on ravens to bring me food each morning and evening . . . for days. 

Finally, when the brook dried up, God told him to go to a widow's home.  She was very unselfish and poor.  Down to her last meal, she still shared with Elijah what she had.  God came through for them in a miraculous way, never letting her run out of the oil and flour all through the 3.5 years of the drought!

The jar of flour and the jug of oil were never empty.  This happened just as the Lord, through Elijah, said it would.--I King 17:16

We too must remember to obey Romans 12:13 like the widow which says:

Share with God's people in need.  Practice hospitality.

I have a hard time picturing me inviting a total stranger to stay in my home for three and half years!  I wonder what would have happened though had she not welcomed Elijah to stay and fed him what she had.  Would God still provided for her needs had she turned Elijah away or would she and her son have starved to death?
Share a scripture highlight you came across this week in the comments.

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Sunday Sharing: 3 Things I Learned This Week About David

I had a good week in God's Word this week continuing in I Samuel.  Here are some things I learned about David that I didn't know before:

1.  Did you know David had three wives before becoming King?

He had three wives even before he became king!  Do you know who they are?  Michal (Saul's daughter), Ahinoam and Abigail (Nabal's widow).  I knew about Michal and Abigail, but Ahinoam was new to me.  Because O.T. Bible characters had lots of wives, I thought there must have been some point where God decided to limit man to one wife but actually, God intended for man to have just one wife all along as Beth Moore points out based on these verses:

Man will leave his father and mother [not father and mothers] and be united to his wife [not wives], and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)  You just can't be one flesh with two spouses.

Neither shall he (king) multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away.--Deuteronomy 17:17

2.  Did you know David joined up with the Philistines while running from Saul?

David, his two wives (Ahinoam and Abigail) and his men dwelt with Achish, a Philistine for a year and four months!  He even wanted to help the Philistine army fight, but the Philistine commanders didn't trust him so wouldn't let him go into battle with them.  (See I Samuel 27 & 29)


3.  Did you know that David's own men wanted to stone him at one point when their wives and children were kidnapped by the Amalekites?

While David and his men were trying to join the Philistines in battle, the Amalekites invaded Ziklag where they were staying and took all the women and children off and burned the city.  David's men were so upset that they blamed David and talked about stoning him!  (See I Samuel 30:1-6) 

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him, each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.  But David found strength in the Lord his God.--I Samuel 30:6

The good news was that David asked God if they should chase after the Amalekites and go after the women and children and God said yes, and promised him victory.  They fought 24 hours, but came back with all their women and children.

Remember, when things appear hopeless, when circumstances get us down, when people turn against us, find strength in the Lord our God.  I am so glad God is my refuge and strength, a present help in trouble! 

Source:  Beth Moore's study:  David, Seeking a Heart Like His

Share a scripture highlight you came across this week in a comment or feel free to comment on this post.

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Sunday Sharing: Highlights from "David, Seeking a Heart Like His" by Beth Moore

I started the Beth Moore Bible study on David and thought I'd share some things that stood out to me from week 1:

1. Jonathan was a good warrior and Trusted God. In I Samuel 14;:6 He said, "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few." I also never realized what a good leader he was. His armor bearer trusted Jonathan completely so Jonathan was also a very good leader. (I Samuel 14) pp. 14-15


2. Saul was the King of the people, not the king God chose. Saul's position exceeded his passion. "A position that exceeds passion often settles with appeasements." pp. 9, 12


3. When Saul forced his men to fast, he put his army in jeopardy (I Samuel 14:24-52). "God, not man, must call "fasts. Fasting called by God will result in strength, not weakness. Fasting for any other reason works against us rather than for us." p. 15 


4. "God reminded Samuel that the human mind has an overwhelming tendency to make assumptions based on appearances. God's choices don't always make sense to us." p. 21 (see I Samuel 16:7)


5. "Before Calvary, the Holy Spirit worked to empower specific types of service rather than to bring a new relationship with God through salvation. Fewer than 100 people in the Old Testament were ever characterized by the Holy Spirit being on or in them. The Holy Spirit came on only those who were being empowered for specific tasks or positions." p. 25


6. "Although David's anointing did not end Saul's reign as king, it marked the end of the power and favor of God on him." David wasn't crowned king until 15 years after being anointed. p. 35


7. "We tend to measure our obstacles against our own strength. Thus we often feel overwhelmed and defeated before the battle begins." We need to measure the size of our obstacles against the size of our God. p. 30

This is just a small sample of the nuggets in this Bible study. I am excited to study each chapter and learn more. I highly recommend it!  Please share your scripture highlight of the week in a comment.  I'd love to hear what you discovered.

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Sunday Sharing: Leave Revenge To God

This week my highlight is from I Samuel 24, my Sunday School lesson today.  The background is that King Saul has been trying to kill David on several occasions.  David gets the perfect opportunity to kill Saul in a cave but instead just cuts off part of his robe.  First Samuel 24:12, 15 is part of the conversation David had with Saul shortly afterward:

 (12) May the Lord judge between us and may he punish you for the wrong you have done to me!  But I won't fight you. (15) May the Lord be our judge and decide between you and me.  May the Lord support me and show that I am right.  May he save me from you. (David speaking to Saul)

I am glad that God is our judge and sees all and knows our hearts.  I am glad that when I am wronged, I can let God deal with the situation and have peace.  I just need to do what's right and let God take care of everything.  David demonstrated forgiveness and kindness to Saul, his enemy.  

What was your scripture highlight this week?

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Sunday Sharing: In and Out

The scripture highlight of the week was that I finally finished reading Ezekiel.  You can read my review of the book at Glad I Am Done With Ezekiel!  Last week I did come across some curious things, one of which involves the rules of worship God gave in Ezekiel 46.  I chose the following as my highlight of the week simply because I found it interesting.  Here it is, I'm sure you are on the edge of your seat to find out what it is!

The people of the Lord must come before the Lord at the special feasts.  Any one who enters through the North gate to worship must go out through the South gate.  Anyone who enters through the South gate must go out through the North gate.  No one will return the same way he entered.  Each person will go out straight ahead.

If we did this today at our church, we'd be walking all around the outside of the church to get to our car when we left.  I wonder if they all just walked or if they rode on animals and if they rode on animals, I suppose they would have to walk all around the outside of the temple to get back to them too.  Ha!

Okay, I think this is an easy highlight to beat so c'mon, share one of your scripture highlights of the week in the comments, or feel free to comment on this post.   

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Sunday Sharing: A God of Details

I'm nearing the end of Ezekiel and this week read about the vision of the temple in chapters 40-43.  This was a very detailed description, giving exact measurements of the walls and rooms.  I think it's really impressive that our God is a God of details. 

I love seeing how God uses me to meet the needs of others sometimes, working out all the details.  For example, Friday I went outside on my morning break [detail 1] but instead of walking (as usual) [detail 2], I just read by the door of our building.  A worker from Jimmy Johns (a sandwich place) came by offering me a sample sandwich which was wrapped [detail 3].  I took one, thinking I could eat it later or give it to Gerard as a surprise.

As it turned out, I wasn't hungry enough to eat it at lunch [detail 4] so decided to bring it home.  As I walked to my bus stop, a man along the way asked if I could give him some food [detail 5].  At first, I said no and kept walking but then I remembered I had that sandwich [detail 6] and stopped and offered it to him.  He asked what kind it was so I told him ham and cheese.  He took gratefully took it. 

Most mornings I pray asking God to make me a blessing to someone that day.  I was glad I had the extra sandwich to give to that man.   

That being said, for my scripture highlight this week I chose Ezekiel 43:2 which says:

And I saw the greatness of the God of Israel coming from the East.  God's voice was like the roar of rushing water.  His greatness made the earth shine. (ICB)

This was part of Ezekiel's vision.   Usually I think of God speaking in a soft, quiet voice but in this vision, it was loud!  I am glad I have the privilege to serve a great God!

How about you?  Have you been a blessing to someone lately or has someone been a blessing to you?  Feel free to share one of your scripture highlights of the week in the comments or comment on this post..

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Sunday Sharing: Dry Bones Come To Life

My scripture highlight this week is just something I thought was a cool vision Ezekiel had that God used to communicate His intentions of restoring Israel.  It is commonly referred to as the vision of dry bones.

I felt the power of the Lord was on me.  He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord.  And he put me down in the middle of a valley.  It was full of bones.  The Lord led me around among the bones.  There were many bones on the bottom of the valley.  I saw the bones were very dry.  Then he asked me, "Human being, can these bones live?"

I answered, "Lord God, only you know." [God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones.]

So I prophesied as I was commanded.  While I prophesied, there was a noise and a rattling.  The bones came together, bone to bone.  I looked and saw muscles come on the bones.  Flesh grew, and skin covered the bones.  But there was no breath in them.

  Then the Lord said to me, "Prophesy to the wind."  Prophesy, human being, and say to the wind:  'This is what the Lord God says:  Wind, come from the four winds.  Breathe on these people who were killed so they can live again.'"  So I prophesied as the Lord commanded me.  And the breath came into them, and they came to life.  They stood on their feet.  They were a very large army. --Ezekiel 37:1-11

This reminds of skeletons at Halloween.  I was a skeleton for many years.  Sorry, I digress.

Israel was depressed.  Verse 11 says:

Then the Lord said to me:  "Human being, these bones are like all the people of Israel.  They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope has gone.  We are destroyed.'  

Then in verses 12-14, God tells Ezekiel to prophecy this message of hope to Israel:

So, prophesy, and say to them:  'This is what the Lord God says:  My people, I will open your graves.  And I will cause you to come up out of your graves.  Then I will bring you into the land of Israel.  This is how you, my people, will know that I am the Lord.  I will open your graves and cause you to come up from them.  And I will put my Spirit inside you.  You will come to life.  Then I will put you in your own land.  And you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it, says the Lord.'"

God did not forsake Israel and he won't forsake me.  Whenever I get depressed or overwhelmed, I immediately start praising God, and quote Colossians 3:2 which says, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."   I say a prayer of thanks and it always relieves my stress.  When we know God, there is no reason to be depressed! 

(All scripture is from the International Children's Bible because I can understand it better and don't have to think so hard early in the morning when I first arise.)

Feel free to share a scripture highlight you came across this week in the comments.  I'd really love to hear it or just comment on this post.

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Sunday Sharing: The Lord Punishes But Warns First

I started reading the book of Ezekiel and it reads like a fantasy book!  God called Ezekiel to be a prophet to Israel when they were in captivity and Ezekiel saw lots of different visions.  So far I have read chapters 1-9 and found them to be quite interesting.  In chapter 1 he saw a living creature with four faces:  one side a man, one a lion, one an ox and one an eagle.  This just got things started off with a bang for me.  My interest was piqued to see what other visions God showed Ezekiel.

It's kind of hard to pick a key verse of the week as a highlight because all the chapters so far are God telling Ezekiel how he will punish the Israel for turning against Him and insulting Him.  Here is one passage that stood out to me in Ezekiel 3:12 & 18 which says:

(v. 12) Then the spirit lifted me up and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me.  A voice said, "PRAISE GOD IN HEAVEN." (v. 18) When I say to an evil person "you will surely die" you must warn him.  If you don't speak out to warn the evil person to leave his evil way, he will die in his sin.  But I will hold you responsible for his death.

Whoa!  Poor Ezekiel!  Wouldn't that be so scary?  I wonder how the people will react when Ezekiel warns them to turn from their sin back to God.  I wonder if they will accuse him of being judgmental like people accuse Christians so often today if we speak out against sin.  This makes me wonder if God will hold Christians responsible for the people we know who die in sin without hearing about God's love and gift of salvation if they are willing to repent of their sins and put their faith in Him as their personal Savior who died for them and rose from the grave.

I'd love to hear a scripture highlight that impressed you this week! Or, feel free to comment on this post. Have you ever read Ezekiel?

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Sunday Sharing: Helping Others

I finished reading the book of Galatians this week so will choose a highlight from there since it's such a short book. The verse for this week is Galatians 6:9-10 which says:

Don't get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right if you don't give up. We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.

(Contemporary English Version)

I generally like to help others and believe most people do.  It gives me a good feeling if I can help someone and I also am grateful when someone helps me.  This is one of the reasons that I enjoy being a secretary/administrative assistant which is basically just helping others.  It's a good job for me.  Beyond that though, it's fun to surprise people by doing something nice for them.

One day last week, I witnessed one of the beggars downtown who asks people for money every day, ask a lady that was passing by behind me.  I heard her say she didn't have any money, but she could give him her lunch (which she had just purchased) saying it was a burger.  He gratefully accepted it and she gave it to him!

It made me realize I have a ways to go in this area.  I'm fine with buying people gifts, going out of my way to help someone with something, giving time to help with church events, help my husband with things, but don't see me ready to give up my own lunch for someone else that I don't even know.  I thought that was very nice of her!

When was the last time you saw someone help someone else.  How are you doing at helping others?

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Sunday Sharing: How To Avoid Becoming Useless

My scripture highlight this week is from II Peter 1:5-7 from the Children's International Bible which says:

Because you have these blessings, you should try as much as you can to add these things to your lives: to your FAITH, add GOODNESS; and to your goodness, add KNOWLEDGE; and to your knowledge, add SELF-CONTROL; and to your self-control, add the ABILITY TO HOLD ON; and to your ability to hold on, add SERVICE FOR GOD; and to your service for God, add KINDNESS FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST; and to this kindness, add LOVE. If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you never to be useless. They all help your knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ make your lives better.

Oh, I had such a fun busy week when on vacation doing Sports Camp Monday through Thursday, coaching basketball in the morning, assisting soccer coaches (who I had in my Sunday School class when they were 5th graders) in the afternoon and helping set up for the family picnic on Thursday evening!  I was able to incorporate all of the above things mentioned in this scripture passage and definitely did not feel useless, just a bit old.  I was having such a good time and was so busy that I only got a few pictures, but thought you might enjoy seeing some of what my vacation looked like. 


We as a church put on this sports camp free of charge to show God's love to our community and get the opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus with them.  Many would never come into our church otherwise.  The final program this year were two jugglers and all the kids there who attended through the week received four juggling balls.  This year we had more kids than ever before and both morning and afternoon sessions were filled to capacity in all the sports!

I didn't get to visit many blogs this week, but it was kind of nice being outdoors and enjoying seeing people face-to-face for a change.  I sure hate to see my vacation come to an end.

WELCOME SUMMER!

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Sunday Sharing: The Connection Between Scripture and My Life

I think it's really cool when God gives me scripture that coincides with what is going on in my life at the moment. After spending several months reading John and Acts which contain accounts of things that happened in people's lives, I began reading I Peter last week. This is a book written by Peter about Christian living.

Here are my highlights:

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

--I Peter 3:7 (read 6/12) (NIV)

Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God's glorious Spirit is with you. Don't be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to Him.

--I Peter 4:14, 16 (read 6/15)

I finished reading The Blood of Lambs--A Former Terrorist's Memoir of Death and Redemption by Kamal Saleem and my husband is reading it this week. Both of the above verses reminded me of this book. The first because it is so different than from how Muslim law says women should be treated. Women are not respected at all but looked on as baby incubators, sinful, and just as a toy for her husband's pleasure. Koranic scholars teach that if a wife refuses to make herself beautiful for her husband, or if she refuses to have sex with him, to pray, or leaves the house without a good excuse, he should beat her. pg. 214

We hear the verse so often about how wives should respect their husbands, but in I Peter 3:7, husbands are told to respect their wives!

Secondly, when I read about suffering for being a Christian, again, The Blood of the Lambs came to mind. It told how the Jahid made a group of Christians line up, kneel down and then get their heads shot off. The Koran teaches to kill and hate anyone who is not a Muslim, but especially Jews and Christians. The more I read, the more I learned about how terrorists operate, their beliefs and the Muslim religion. The more I learned, the more I wondered how the author ever got out and became a Christian. It was through the love of Christ that particularly three Christians showed to him in practical ways and the Spirit of God speaking to his heart.

Tonight at 9 p.m. EST/PT on CNN a documentary about nine girls in nine developing countries featuring two World Vision sponsored girls called "Girl Rising" will be shown.  Click the link to view the trailer from it. 

Most importantly, love each other deeply. Love has a way of not looking at others sins.

--I Peter 4:8 (read 6/14)

This is the verse I came across that coincided not only with reading about Kamal Saleem's conversion to Christianity because he was shown Christian love, but also with the book I was currently reading, Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock about prohibition during the great depression.  This was the verse that Eve's father taught her and her sister and which he reminded them of often. 

We wish all fathers a happy Father's Day today and hope this post is a reminder to respect your wife!  Our furkids will show what they gave Gerard for father's day in tomorrow's post.

In honor of Father's Day, I am doing a giveaway of the book I wrote in memory of my dad, My Funny Dad, Harry over on our book blog.  Hope you will enter in in the U.S.!

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Sunday Sharing: God Answered My Prayer In A Surprising Way

My scripture highlight this week is from I Peter 2:9 from Friday morning which says:

But you are God's chosen and special people.  You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation.  God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Now you must tell all the wonderful things that He has done.  (Contemporary English Version)

The day before, God answered my prayer in a way I did not expect.  God is wonderful and after reading this verse the next day, I just have to tell you the wonderful thing He did for me recently.  Last Thursday, I forgot to pack bread in my lunch for my sardine sandwich. I noticed when I got to work and was getting out my snacks. I only had $3.00 with me and didn't really want to buy anything so prayed a quick prayer asking God to provide something for lunch for me. Sometimes leftovers from luncheons are put in the lunchroom for anyone who wants it or sometimes people bring stuff in to share. That's what I was hoping for.

It got to be 2:00 and no leftovers were brought in so I decided to try to find something cheap in the cafe downstairs. It was rainy so I didn't want to go outside for anything. The salads were $6, the pizza had strange toppings, sandwiches were well over $3.00,. There were no lines because I was the only customer at that time so talked to the chef who makes the sandwiches:

Me: Could I just buy two slices of bread please?

Chef: Just bread?

Me: Yes.

Chef: What kind would you like?

Me: Do you have wheat?

Chef: Sure.

Me: It won't be more than $3 will it?

Chef: It's on me.

Me: Oh, thank you!

He put two slices in a little Styrofoam container and marked "no charge, Chef" on the lid. Off I went as happy as could be, thanking God for providing my free lunch and that it was raining so I went downstairs instead of going outside!

Some people may scoff at this as just being a coincidence, but I commit my way to the Lord and do not believe in coincidence.  God is in ultimate control and I just heard Joel Osteen say we need to recognize the good things that happen to us as God's goodness to us and not just a lucky break or a coincidence.  Give God a chance, pray for a miracle.  You may be surprised too at what He will do!

I finished reading the Book of Acts.  Click on the link to read my review, Like Adventure?  Read the Book of Acts that I posted on our book blog, Grab a Book from Our Stack.

Please share a scripture highlight you read this week or a recent answer to prayer in the comments.  I'd love to hear about it! 

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Sunday Sharing: Why Didn't Paul Listen and What If He Had?

For my scripture highlight of the week, I chose Acts 21:4, 12-13 and 30-31 which says:

(4) We looked up the Lord's followers and stayed with them for a week [in Tyre].  The Holy Spirit had told them to warn Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. (12) After Agabus said this, we and the followers living there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.  (13) But Paul answered, "Why are you crying and breaking my heart?  I am not only willing to be put in jail for the lord Jesus.  I am even willing to die for him in Jerusalem!" 

Paul did not listen to the warning and in this case, went on to Jerusalem:

(30) The whole city was in an uproar and the people turned into a mob.  They grabbed Paul and dragged him out of the temple.  Then suddenly the doors were shut.  (31) The people were about to kill Paul when the Roman army commander heard that all Jerusalem was starting to riot.

Here's my thoughts:

Previously, Paul always listened when the Holy Spirit prevented him or told him not to go somewhere.  In Acts 18:21, He told them good-bye and said, "If God lets me, I will come back."  This showed Paul was acknowledging God in his plans and that he was willing to go wherever God wanted.  I am curious as to why Paul did not listen this time when he was warned not to go to Jerusalem.

I also wonder if Paul had listened, if he would have been spared this incident had he waited for God's timing and wonder what God had planned for him instead.  I guess that's something I'll never know unless I remember to ask Paul and God when I see them in heaven some day.

Finally, this passage reminded me of James 4:13-15 which says:

(13) You should know better than to say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to the city.  We will do business there for a year and make a lot of money!"  (14) What do you know about tomorrow?  How can you be so sure about your life?  It is nothing more than a mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.  (15) You should say, "If the Lord lets us live, we will do these things."  

Contemporary English Version

Even though Paul went to Jerusalem in spite of the Holy Spirit's warning, God still used him there to speak to the very crowd that tried to kill him! 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this or your scripture highlight of the week in the comments.

(all scripture passages are from the Contemporary English Version.)

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Sunday Sharing: We All Need Encouragement

When reading through Acts this week, I chose my highlight of the week from Acts 18:9-10 which says:

One night, Paul had a vision and in it the Lord said, "Don't be afraid to keep on preaching.  Don't stop!  I am with you, and you won't be harmed.  Many people in this city belong to me.  [City of Corinth]   (Contemporary English Version)

What a "shot in the arm" that must have been for Paul.  Even he needed encouragement and God was there to give it to him! 

I think everyone needs encouragement sometimes and Tuesday, I looked for some.  My biggest concern is how will my husband and I manage in the future, having no children to help us out in our old age.  Will we have enough money to live on?  Will all our money wind up paying for a nursing home?  I'm sure I am not the only one who has this concern; however, that does not make me feel any better.  But here is a verse that I find very encouraging and comforting that puts my mind at ease:

I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you.  I created you.  I will carry you and always keep you safe. --Proverbs 46:4

I don't know what my future holds, but God does and I know Him!   I hope you know Him too and will share a highlight from scripture that you came across this week with us in the comments.  Or, feel free to comment on this post. 

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Sunday Sharing: Perseverance, Courage and Commitment

I was reading Acts 12-15 this week and for my highlight, I choose Acts 14:4-5:

The people of Iconium did not know what to think.  Some believed the Jewish group and others believed the apostles.  Finally, some Gentiles and Jews together with their leaders, decided to make trouble for Paul and Barnabas and to stone them to death.

(Contemporary English Version)

Paul and Barnabas were stoned in Iconium and left for dead; however, they were still alive and moved on to Lystra.  They kept on preaching about Jesus and more and more people kept believing.  They had great courage and never gave up.  Later though, they even had the courage to return to Iconium to check up on the believers to see how they were doing and encourage them to remain strong in their faith!

Their faith in Jesus and their commitment to follow his last instructions to them to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost was so strong that they were willing to die for it! 

I am so humbled when I compare myself to the apostles.  I do not talk about Jesus everywhere I go like they did even though they were often threatened and persecuted for doing so and I am not.  Reading this makes me realize I need to be more outgoing and share the Good News about Jesus to those who I come in contact with who do not yet know him.  I encourage all my readers to get into the Holy Bible, God's Word, and get to really know the only true God you loves you so much! 

I wish you all a good week and hope you will share in the comments a highlight from scripture you came across this week!  Feel free to comment on what I wrote as well.

Photo credit:  Mike Solomon (our photographer)

Happy Mother's Day!  I suggest you get a picture taken of you and your mom while you still can.  I have none with just my mom and me except for when I was a baby.  Kind of sad. 

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Sunday Sharing: Meetings Arranged By God

I am currently reading through the book of Acts so my highlight this week comes from Acts 10 and 11 where God arranged a meeting between Cornelius (a non-Jew) and Peter (a Jew):

God sent a message to Cornelius:

One afternoon at about three o'clock, Cornelius had a vision.  He saw an angel from God coming to him and calling him by name.  Cornelius was surprised and stared at the angel.  Then he asked, "What is this all about?"

]The angel answered, "God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor.  Now send some men to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter.  He is visiting with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea."  After saying this, the angel left.

Cornelius called in two of his servants and one of his soldiers who worshiped God.  He explained everything to them and sent them off to Joppa. (Acts 10:3-8)

God sent a message to Peter:

Then next day about noon these men were coming near Joppa.  Peter went up on the roof of the house to pray and became very hungry.  While the food was being prepared, he fell sound asleep and had a vision.  He saw heaven open, and something came down like a huge sheet held up by its four corners.  In it were all kinds of animals, snakes, and birds.  A voice said to him, "Peter, get up!  Kill these and eat them."

But Peter said, "Lord, I can't do that!  I've never eaten anything that is unclean and not fit to eat."

The voice spoke to him again.  "When God says that something can be usd for food, don't say it isn't fit to eat."

This happened three times before the sheet was suddenly taken back to heaven.

Peter was still wondering what all of this meant, when the men sent by Cornelius came and stood at the gate.  They had found their way to Simon's house and were asking if Simon Peter was staying there.

While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, "Three men are here looking for you.  Hurry down and go with them.  Don't worry, I sent them."

Peter went down and said to the men, "I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?

They answered, "Captain Cornelius sent us.  He is a good man who worships God and is liked by the Jewish people.  One of God's holy angels told Cornelius to send for you, so he could hear what you have to say."

The Meeting:

Both Cornelius and Peter did what they were told to do.  Peter went with the men and when he arrived at the house, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends to hear too.  When Peter asked Cornelius why he sent for Peter, Cornelius told him about the angel speaking to him.  Peter then realized that "God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from." (Acts 10:35)  He then proceeded to tell all of them about Jesus and then this happened:

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening.  Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles (non-Jews).  Now they wee hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God. (Acts 10:44-45)

I think it is so cool how God interrupts our lives in order to accomplish His purpose.  It was an established fact that a Jew should never eat or enter into the home of a Gentile so when Peter's Jewish friends heard what he did. they questioned it.  Peter told them all that happened with the visions and how the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit just like they did.

When the Jewish believers heard this, they stopped arguing.  They praised God and said, "So God is allowing the non-Jewish people also to turn to Him and live.  (Acts 11:18)

My Reaction:

Image source:  Wikipedia

I believe God still arranges meetings today.  God brings people into our lives and as we live in faith and trust Him, he directs our steps.  (My paraphrase of Proverbs 3:5-6)  This may sound silly, but Friday God provided me the lift I needed during a very hectic work day.  I was so busy that I went outside for my afternoon break to get some sun and fresh air later than usual and even went in a different direction than usual.  You'll never guess what God used to lift my spirit and re-energize me (well, if I didn't include the picture, you couldn't have guessed.)  He knows me so well!  I saw a cute little furry critter walking along on a leash.  It was a ferret and the girl let me pet it.  Immediately, my tension left, I smiled and was refreshed and energized after that.  I love animals and I thanked God for letting me meet that ferret!

On a more serious note, it seems like things have reversed.  The message of Jesus was first given to the Jews, his chosen people but God saw to it that the message was also carried to the Gentiles.  Some Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah back then and most it seems still do today.  However, there are some Jews today who do receive Jesus as the Messiah and have put their faith in Him.

 Chosen People Ministries is an organization that "exists to pray for, evangelize, disciple, and serve Jewish people everywhere and to help fellow believers do the same."  Visit their website to learn more.

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Sunday Sharing: A Life Transformed

This week for my scripture highlight, I chose Acts 9:22-23 which says:

(22) Saul preached with such power that the completely confused the Jewish People in Damascus, as he tried to show them that Jesus is the Messiah. (33) Later some of them made plans to kill Saul.

Saul is a great example of a transformed life after a personal encounter with Jesus.  He was a well educated Jew on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians who went there after fleeing Jerusalem because of all the persecution.  In his mind, he was doing what God wanted.  But then, on the way Jesus spoke to him from above and he was blind for three days.  God prepared another believer, Ananias, to restore his sight and Saul's sight was restored, he received the Holy Ghost and was baptized.  His life changed 180 degrees as my chosen verses of the week show.  I find it absolutely amazing and also encouraging that Jesus can make such a huge difference in one's life. 

Not only did he become a Christian, but he also preached about Jesus being the Messiah everywhere he went and wrote letters to the believers at the cities he visited which became New Testament books!  Even his name was changed to Paul. In fact, he wrote the following to the Corinthians:

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. (I Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

When I repented of my sin and trusted Jesus as my Savior at age 7 or 8, I did not have a terrible past with a lot of major sin, but I was guilty just the same and needed a Savior so my sins could be forgiven.  I asked Jesus to be my Savior and forgive me which he did according to His word.  Ever since, my thinking was changed and I sought to please God and live in obedience to His word as I yield my will to His.  I am very happy to have come to know Jesus as my Savior at an early age and consequently, He has kept me from lots of problems and heartache that are pretty common for many people.

Feel free to share in the comments about a scripture highlight you came across this week or share your thoughts about this post.  If you are a "new creature" I'd love to hear about when that happened in your life.

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Sunday Sharing: Job, The Perfect Example

Last week I was reading in Acts and Job so have chosen a highlight from Job 31 to share with you. If you are unfamiliar, with Job, he was a well respected, wealthy upright man in the Old Testament who suffered greatly because God gave Satan permission to test his faith. His friends all told him he was sick and suffered so much loss because he sinned and needed to repent. Job knew this was not the case and answered them with these words:

God sees my ways and He counts every step I take. I have not been a dishonest person. I have not lied to others. Let God weigh me on honest scales. Then He will know I have done nothing wrong. Job 31:4-6 (ICB)

Then Job proceeds to list all the good things he has done.  He did not let his friends make him doubt.  He was confident that his deeds were pleasing to God.

We all know that bad things do happen to good people and Job is a good example of this. Job did not worship God because of all the good things God gave him like Satan accused him of doing. He worshiped God because He is the almighty God, creator of the universe and everything in it! His ways are so much higher than our ways and His love and compassion so much deeper! He is alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end! He lived a righteous life, even when he lost everything and was physically sick. Job questioned God but did not blame God.

I ask myself, am I living a life like Job: doing those things that God wants no matter what my circumstances? 

Share in comments a highlight from scripture you came across this week or feel free to share your thoughts about this post.

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