Men of Faith

I have a lot going on in my home right now and it's good to be reminded of where I should have my priorities. No matter what is going in my home, I should shout from the rooftop that my house is God's house, my children are God's children, my spouse belongs to God...indeed this house shall serve The Lord.

Men of Faith

...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord

- Joshua 24:15b

Joshua was a great leader, not only by giving good admonition but by his example. He told the people of Israel that, if they were not going to serve the Lord, it really didn't matter which false god they chose because one was just as bad as the other. But his public declaration was this: my decision is made, my mind is set, my house will serve the Lord. Sometimes fathers fail to make such a bold declaration and so leave their family struggling without the benefit of a committed leader.

We see from Joshua's life, both before and after this bold proclamation, that these were not just words that he spoke -- this was a commitment that he lived. Much can be learned from this single-minded man of God.

When he was sent to spy out the land of Canaan, he and Caleb were the two who came back not only with a positive report about the land, but expressing confidence that with God's help they could possess it. He was not overcome by the influence of the majority report, the popular opinion, the "common" sense. He stood firm by his convictions. He was faithful and stable as a leader. He relied on God's promises and continually encouraged the people.

Joshua also showed concern for the next generation. He had the Israelites set up twelve stones as a memorial when they crossed Jordan so that, when questions would be asked about their meaning, parents could tell their children about God's great power in rolling back the waters. And Joshua served faithfully to the end. He did not bow out claiming he had already done his part earlier in life; he served till he died at 110 years old.

Let us learn from his life of faithful service to make a commitment without wavering, to put God first in all things and to draw strength from His promises. As for Joshua, and his house, they boldly served the Lord. Will this be your determination, as well?

 http://baptistbiblehour.org

What is the Point of Marriage: Friendship

Loved this devotional I recieved today and I wanted to share bits and pieces of it.... After he created Adam, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Why not? Well, because humans are made in God’s image. That means we are called to image God, to mirror and mimic God to the world. But that’s a problem for Adam because God exists in a web of life-giving relationships, but Adam is alone. Early in the story, God says, “Let us make mankind in our image.” Who is God talking to? Himself! When people say, “All you need God." it’s just not true. God never says, “All you need is God.” Adam has God, and it’s not enough. God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone”! In the wedding ceremony God says, “They become one flesh.” That word one isechad in Hebrew. It’s a graphic, weighty word. When you combine it with the word flesh, it basically means “fused together at the deepest levels.” And the exact same word is used for God. The ancient Hebrews had a prayer called theShema that was the epicenter of Israel’s faith — “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is echad.” God is fused together at the deepest levels. And in marriage we catch glimpses, hints, shadows of that kind of oneness. There’s a line in the Hebrew wisdom literature that refers to a person’s spouse as his or her allup. It’s a word that can be translated “companion” or “best friend.” Your spouse is your closest friend. That’s one of the reasons God created marriage. For you to walk through life with the person you enjoy. With your spouse as the primary relationship in your life. Your allup. The one who knows you better than anybody. Better than your own mother. To know and be known is a powerful thing. No matter what the day throws at me, I know I’m not alone.

The Word

"Does not my word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?" (NLT) -Jeremiah 23:29

The Bible is a wonderful tool that we have been blessed with. It is God's Word and direction to us. It can calm fears and convict heavy hearts. Are you staying tuned into what God has to say to you?

Be faithful to the Lord and discover what His word can do in your life.

Evangelism

In all our zeal to spread the gospel around the globe, we sometimes miss the most obvious and useful field of evangelism that is open to any of us -- our own family and friends.

If we are to be a light in this dark world, who better to see that light shine than those who are closest to us? If we are to be salt to the earth, who better to taste the savor of the Savior in our lives than those with whom we interact on a daily basis? On the other hand, if we hide the open flame of our Christian witness under a basket when our dearest loved ones are with us, how can we ever hope to bring the good news to the heathen in another hemisphere?

It can sometimes be daunting to witness to loved ones with whom we interact on a regular basis. Sharing the gospel with them will necessarily mean having to live the gospel in front of them. Yet the clear emphasis of Scripture is that "going into all the world" and "preaching the gospel to the whole creation" begins by sharing the good news in our own living room, cul-de-sac, or cubicle.

Our Words are Seed

We all need to hear what Joyce is trying to tell us in this devotional.  Read and soak it in!

Our Words are Seeds by Joyce Meyer - posted February 24, 2014 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. —Hebrews 4:13 NLT Every action is a seed we sow, and we will reap a harvest from our seeds. Our words, thoughts, attitudes, and actions are all seeds that we sow, and seeds produce harvest. Sow mercy; reap mercy. Sow judgment; reap judgment. Sow kindness; reap kindness. If you don’t like how your life is right now, I have good news for you. You can change your life by sowing right seeds. If you’re not in a good place in life, you didn’t make one wrong choice to end up where you are, and you can’t make one right choice to get yourself out of it. Change won’t happen overnight. But if you invest your life in learning what is the right thing to do and then do it with God’s help, you will reap the harvest. Power Thought: With God’s help, I’m sowing good seeds every day of my life

Reminder

Under no circumstances will you be able to find an error in the bible for it is inspired by the Creator of the universe. 

And He doesn't make mistakes!

So live it, love, it, and breath it in and see where this life, this God might take you.

God Bless.

Making Small Things Significant

I know I have been sharing a lot of other people's material's lately but I have found myself blessed by them and I wanted to share with the intent it makes a difference in others. 

This is from John  Bevere and his devotional:

Making Small Things Significant

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all who belong to him. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 GNT)

The gifts of God start in seed form. A seed will multiply in time, but it looks insignificant at first. So don’t take the leading of the Holy Spirit for granted, even in the small things. The most insignificant things He’s led me to do have turned out to be the most significant multiplication factors of my life. God wants you to multiply, and He wants to reward you for that multiplication.

We can’t take lightly our time here on earth. So much is at stake. People’s eternal destinies are dependent upon our obedience to the plan of God. It’s His will that all be saved and conformed into the image of Jesus. He doesn’t want any left behind.

All it takes is each of us doing our part and multiplying what He’s entrusted to us.

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t see your part as insignificant. Don’t lose your passion.

Not only are others in your generation counting on you—some in desperate need for you to reveal Jesus to them, others in need for you to extend them His encouragement and strength—but your eternal destiny also waits to be determined. The plan of God for your life is utterly beyond your ability, but you will surely succeed if you depend on His grace. He is faithful!

As you sow seeds of love in many lives, God will grow them exponentially. He is the Master Gardener who nurtures and cultivates the crop of His children. And for our part, we will be with Him for all eternity. 

Adapted from Driven by Eternity: Making Your Life Count Today & Forever (Faith Words, 2006), p 258-259. 

The Scientific Death of Jesus

This is another version of the pervious post. Can you find the difference? No matter what version (one version has added and taken some things away), both says the same thing: Jesus died for us.

THE (SCIENTIFIC) DEATH OF JESUS 
At the age of 33, 
Jesus was condemned to the death penalty. 

At the time crucifixion was 
the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified. 
Jesus was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet. 

Each nail was 
6 to 8 inches long. 

The nails were driven into His wrist. 
Not into 
His palms as is commonly portrayed. 
There's a tendon in the wrist that 
extends to the shoulder. 
The Roman guards knew that when the nails 
Were 
being hammered into the wrist, 
That tendon would tear and break, forcing 
Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself 
So that He could breathe. 


Both of His feet were nailed together. 
Thus He was forced to support 
Himself on the single nail 
That impaled His feet to the cross. 
Jesus 
could not support himself with His legs 
Because of the pain, so He was 
forced to alternate
Between arching His back then using his 
legs just to continue to breathe. 
Imagine the struggle, the pain, the 
suffering, the courage.

Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours. 


Yes, over 3 hours! 
Can you imagine this kind of suffering? 
A few 
minutes before He died, 
Jesus stopped bleeding. 
He was simply pouring 
water from his wounds. 

From common images, we see wounds to His handsand 
feet and even the spear wound to His side... 
But do we realize His wounds 
were actually made in his body. A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, 
the feet overlapped and an even large nail hammered through the arches, 
Then 
a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But before the nails and the 
spear, Jesus was whipped and beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the 
flesh from His body. 
The beating so horrific that His face was torn 
And 
his beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns cut deeply into His 
scalp.Most men would not have survived this torture. 

He had no more 
blood to bleed out, only water poured from His wounds. 
The human adult body 
contains about 3.5 liters 
(just less than a gallon) of blood. 

Jesus 
poured all 3.5 liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into His 
members; 
A crown of thorns on His head and, beyond that, 
A Roman soldier 
who stabbed a spear into His chest.

All these without mentioning the 
humiliation 
He passed after carrying His own cross for almost 2 kilometers, 

While the crowd spat in his face and threw stones 
(the cross was almost 
30 kg of weight, only for its higher part, 
Where His hands were nailed). 


Jesus had to endure this experience, 
So that we can have free access 
to God. 

So that our sins could be "washed" away. 
All of them, with 
no exception! 

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR US! 

 

 

 

Jesus in Sixty Seconds

Food for thought:

 
 Jesus' Death - 
60 seconds to understand 
60 seconds with God... 


THE (SCIENTIFIC) DEATH OF JESUS 
At the age of 33, 
Jesus was condemned to the death penalty. 

At the time crucifixion was 
the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified. 
Jesus was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet. 

Each nail was 
6 to 8 inches long. 

The nails were driven into His wrist. 
Not into 
His palms as is commonly portrayed. 
There's a tendon in the wrist that 
extends to the shoulder. 
The Roman guards knew that when the nails 
Were 
being hammered into the wrist, 
That tendon would tear and break, forcing 
Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself 
So that He could breathe. 


Both of His feet were nailed together. 
Thus He was forced to support 
Himself on the single nail 
That impaled His feet to the cross. 
Jesus 
could not support himself with His legs 
Because of the pain, so He was 
forced to alternate
Between arching His back then using his 
legs just to continue to breathe. 
Imagine the struggle, the pain, the 
suffering, the courage.

Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours. 


Yes, over 3 hours! 
Can you imagine this kind of suffering? 
A few 
minutes before He died, 
Jesus stopped bleeding. 
He was simply pouring 
water from his wounds. 

From common images, we see wounds to His handsand 
feet and even the spear wound to His side... 
But do we realize His wounds 
were actually made in his body. A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, 
the feet overlapped and an even large nail hammered through the arches, 
Then 
a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But before the nails and the 
spear, Jesus was whipped and beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the 
flesh from His body. 
The beating so horrific that His face was torn 
And 
his beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns cut deeply into His 
scalp.Most men would not have survived this torture. 

He had no more 
blood to bleed out, only water poured from His wounds. 
The human adult body 
contains about 3.5 liters 
(just less than a gallon) of blood. 

Jesus 
poured all 3.5 liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into His 
members; 
A crown of thorns on His head and, beyond that, 
A Roman soldier 
who stabbed a spear into His chest.

All these without mentioning the 
humiliation 
He passed after carrying His own cross for almost 2 kilometers, 

While the crowd spat in his face and threw stones 
(the cross was almost 
30 kg of weight, only for its higher part, 
Where His hands were nailed). 


Jesus had to endure this experience, 
So that we can have free access 
to God. 

So that our sins could be "washed" away. 
All of them, with 
no exception! 

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR US! 

 

.

 

 

Proverbs

Found another devotional that has my heart...I couldn't say it any better.

Proverbs

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction

- Proverbs 1:7

The first thing that many schools throw out of any discussion or pursuit of knowledge is God. Yet here we see that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge -- we cannot hope to attain any real understanding of our world, its purpose, or our place in it without first turning to and learning from God.

The fool looks at material things and therefore assumes things about God; the wise man or woman looks at God and therefore assumes things about material things. Which are you?

Do you look at the world through the lens of God's Word and with a fearsome understanding that it was created for the glory of God? If so, then intellectual pursuits, family relationships, job opportunities, and every other area of life will fit into place. On the other hand, if you do not begin with the fear of the Lord, then life will seem like a crossword puzzle with the wrong answer already scrawled across its middle; nothing will seem to fit.

If you are getting some wrong answers, that don't seem to fit or solve the problems in your life, try erasing all your own answers and replacing them with God's. Remember, he is the one that made us and he has given us the solutions we need in his Word. The fear of the Lord is the beginning...

 http://baptistbiblehour.org

Because He Lives

      I am so glad March is upon us. You can almost smell spring in the air. Soon birds will be singing, sun will be shining, and grass will be growing. And the first person who says to me that it's too hot, and I can't wait for summer to over I just might lose it.

      I don't know about you but this winter has been brutal on my bones, my nerves, and my mind. There has been one point in time I thought the walls of my house were closing in on me. I am tired of stuck cars in snow drifts, school delays, and the cheers of kids because they get to stay at home because at 5:00 am a chipper superintendent has decided it would be in the best interested of the kids to be at home today.

     I know the snow has crippled my mind into thinking and that is something I shouldn't have the luxury of doing to often because I find myself having a pitty party in my honor and I'm the only person who has shown up for the party. I find excuses to stay in my pj's, ignore my everyday household chores, and find Doritos and corn chips has become my new best friend as I treat the television remote as the newest member of the family who needs my undivided attention.

     This winter has caused my attitude to sour and my voice to hiss when someone try’s to pull me away from the ice cream I find myself drowning in because I see no end in sight. At the end of the day, I feel dirty, discussed with myself, and dare not look in the mirror at the reflection staring back at me.

     For if I look to closely, I won't like what I see, and the party that started so long ago will once again attach itself to the day ahead. I have truly had to fight my mind and force myself to get up, dust myself off, and continue the good fight of faith.

     The fight of faith that tells me, there is hope for the future. The fight of faith that tells me, I can face tomorrow because I know the person who holds the future. The fight of faith that put's a song in my heart, a smile on my lips, and tells me there is one who lives for people like me. 

     He lives to give me a future. He lives to show me unconditional love. He lives to comfort me in the times when I don't see the end of the tunnel. He lives to heal my mind, soul, and body. He lives so others might see Him through me. He lives for the underachiever, the hopeless, the broken hear ted, and everything in between.

      He forgives me when I can't forgive myself. He's a friend even when I ignore the small still voice telling me He wants to commune with me. He loves me for who I am and for who I could be. He brings a song to my mind proving He has indeed heard my deepest inner heart's cry, and then rejoices with me as my light bulb moment goes off in me and I realize, He is the most important Person who has guided my path the whole entire time with no condemnation and is eagerly awaiting for me to enter into His presence so He can welcome me with open arms.

Because He Lives

Bill Gather

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! 

Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! 

Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives! 

Chorus

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

Give Yourself Away

Often the best gift is a portion of yourself. 

God has given you time, talent, and energy so that we can give it away to others so there may be an increase of joy in their lives leaving an open door for God to show up and continue to bless their lives. 

Random act of kindness is one movement that has the possibility to change the world. We need to look around and begin to notice the opportunities that are all around us at any given time. 

We need to begin to drop seeds of kindness when presented the opportunity. There are thousands of ways we can give ourselves away. So let us start by presenting ourselves to God and ask Him where He would like for us to start.

Then we must be willing to do what He says no matter how big or small it maybe. We must lose ourselves and not seek glory or fame nor worry about what others may or may not think of us because in the end it isn't about them anyway but about our willingness to give of ourselves so that others may see the hope that is within us.

When you are willingly give away often returns in the form of multiplication. In giving of ourselves, we just may get a glimpse of heaven.

Cultivate a Grateful Heart

When I am in a grumbling mood, the first thing to leave me is my sense of graditude. Giving thanks is not on my top ten list of things to do that day.

However, I know that both gratitude and complaining are I habits that can be developed for the sole purpose of affecting the quality of my days. 

Once I am in a foul mood there are few things that can lift my mood yet somehow I hear the voice deep down within my being calling out for me to live a life of graditude. 

I long for the day when I wake up and the first thing out of my mouth is, "this is the day The Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it." 

But somehow I can't control everything that will happen in a day so I must focus on making the choice of having a attitude of graditude no matter what comes my way.

I recently read something hat I want to share with you, an idea that just might solve the negativity parent of life and move us into a life of gratitude without even thinking of it.

Try keeping a graditude journal with entries that equivalent to the number of year it maybe. Seeing its 2014, my journal should have that many entries and if I am focused on my journal, I won't have time for the negative.

Gratitude

Love, love, love this. May my heart be full of gratitude and my mind be opened to learn all I can about the subject matter.

I long to see the world through the eyes of great fullness and not one as a complainer, ungrateful, obnoxious, murmmering person who only thinks of herself. 

My hope is we take this devotional I read from BHM to heart and live it so others may see our God and His glory.

Gratitude

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name

- Psalm 100:4

The need of having a thankful heart is addressed both in the Old and New Testaments. Here in Psalm 100:4 we are admonished to "be thankful". In the Colossian epistle, Paul again exhorts "be ye thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

A thankful heart is a humble heart. There is no complaining that "I deserve more than I have." There is no grumbling against the providences which cannot be understood. There is gratitude for every blessing received. There is an acknowledgment made, as was spoken by the patriarch Jacob, "I am not worthy of all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast showed unto thy servant" (Genesis 32:10).

How gracious is the Lord to have bestowed his saving mercy on us as unworthy sinners. What a privilege to be able to offer "the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Hebrews 13:15). May we enter his presence this day with praise and thanksgiving.

 http://baptistbiblehour.org  

Cross of Christ

Agree or disagree is up to you. But what I love is something that gets me thinking and this devotional does exactly that. Read it, digest it, and then you decide. I just wanted to throw it out there.

Cross of Christ

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world

- John 1:29

John points men to Jesus as the Lamb -- the Lamb who would be slain, who would die on the cross to put away sin. Many in that day desired a king, but the message of a dying Savior held no interest. Today men will respect a great teacher, or follow a leader who calls for social reform; but they will reject the gospel of Christ because they have no sense of needing atonement, of needing a substitute to die in their place and take away their sin.

Lessons concerning the Lamb are seen throughout the scriptures. When Abel offered a lamb which was an acceptable sacrifice we see a type of Christ, the Lamb who gave his life for sinners at Calvary. The Lamb was prophesied by Isaiah. The Lamb was identified by John the Baptist. The Lamb is seen glorified as the Apostle John writes in the book of Revelation.

May we on a daily basis follow the admonition to "behold the Lamb". Behold him as he ministers to the poor and the needy. Behold him as he calms the storm and heals the sick. But most of all, behold him as the Lamb whose death on the cross successfully put away sin forever.

Sinners who look to the slain Lamb find a great hope. Those running the race find strength and encouragement as they look to Jesus and his completed work on the cross. And one day the struggle with sin will be over, all the battles will have been fought, the race will have been run and the redeemed will see him and praise him as the "worthy Lamb", who was slain and has redeemed us to God by his blood (Revelation 7:9-10).

 http://baptistbiblehour.org

Name Your Days

I read something about naming your days. I thought it was interesting and different and wanted to share bits and pieces of it:

Name your day the first thing in the morning. Write out the name, keep it with you, and live the day accordingly. Look for opportunities to apply the name you've chosen as you go about your daily activities. 

A way to start is by name your days according to the letters of the alphabet such as affection, beauty, and so on.

Even if your feeling overwhelmed with frustration, setbacks, grief, illness, or disappointments, choosing a name for each day may help you to look beyond difficult circumstances. 

So name your day!

The Gospel Message

I so love today's devotional from the BBH Devotional App that I wanted to share with you:

The Gospel Message

Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

- John 11:26

In this single verse containing Jesus' words, we find a statement and a question. No statement -- no question -- could be more important for every reader to consider.

Jesus stakes his own word and his own person on this promise -- if you are spiritually alive and put your trust and hope in him, then you will never die. That is quite a promise! Especially in the face of all the decay, destruction, and death with which we are surrounded on a daily basis. Is it possible to escape death, to defy the laws of nature? Jesus says it is. But not in our own strength, science, or ingenuity. Only in Jesus can we access the power of a never-ending life.

If Jesus is honest, if Jesus is wise, if Jesus is good then his assurance is peace-granting, hope-infusing, and pain-relieving. Believers do not pass away, but pass on to a better and eternal and abundant life. Christians do not die; they depart for home.

For now, we cannot see or experience or test or prove the promises of Jesus. We have to trust him -- that he is not just showing us the way, but is the Way; that he not only is telling the truth, but is the Truth; that he is not only speaking of life, but is the Life.

Jesus' question, then, could not be more important, or more pointed: do you believe Jesus? Do you trust in Jesus? To anyone, to everyone, to whomsoever puts their trust in Jesus and believes his word, the promise is yours. So live like you are going to live forever.

 http://baptistbiblehour.org

Old Fashion Values

It's time we get back to some old fashion values. 

It's time we see things like commitment and sacrifice and responsibility and purity and love begin to reign again in the lives of others as well as ourselves. 

Let's get back to the straight and narrow road and stop taking the easy way out. Let's begin to self-discipline ourselves. Not only for ourselves but for our children.

Not only will our children benefit from our selfs-discipline and perserverance, but we adults will live in a less neurotic world too!

Let's get it together and put old fashion values on the map again for a new generation is watching!

Peace is Precious

Peace is one of the Names of God.

Wherever peace is found, fear of God is found; wherever peace is lacking, fear of God is lacking.

Peace is precious, for in times of war, we must first seek and call out for peace before going to war.

Peace is precious, for it is with the blessing, we are establishing eternal peace for youself and others.

Peace is precious, for it is with a request for peace that we conclude our daily prayer. 

On the great day where the end of days have been completed, the first good tidings that He will declare will be of peace, as it is written, 

"How beautiful ascending the mountains are the footsteps of the herald, making heard, 'Peace!'"