Saturday, August 31, 2013

Bible Marking 2nd series

There are also some quotes from the book~ Bible Marking Guide - an easy Bible marking system that chain-references texts for 38 Bible topics! by John Earnhardt

The second study in this new series is -
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Deity of Christ (DC)

"Christ can save us only because He is fully God."

1.   Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."    Genesis 1:26

2.   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.    John 1:1-3

3.   And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

4.   But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.    Hebrews 1:8

5.   But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. 16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."    Matthew 3:15-17

6.   And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.    John 17:5

7.    "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."    Micah 5:2

8.    I and My Father are one." John 10:30

9.    For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.    Matthew 16:27

10.  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;  Colossians 2:9

11.  And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

12. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.    Hebrews 2:17

13. for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."  John 16:27-28

14. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.    John 17:4-5

Friday, August 30, 2013

The Choice is Really Yours

I have shared these Health Laws before, but because of a WHOLE lot of added stress over the last two years or so - I had kind of fallen off the wagon- ok really fell off the wagon. Anyway - I am now taking steps to get back on the wagon and take better care of me. It really comes down to the choices that we make. You have the choice to take care of yourself- or do what ever  you want. I am taking that choice back and am doing what I can to live a more healthy lifestyle.

The Eight Health Laws:

1. Eat a healthy diet of nutritious food. Try to get plenty of fruits and veggies and eat at least some raw fruits and veggies each day. (I like to say that I eat a plant based diet)


2. Exercise adequately - at least 30 minutes - 1 hour everyday -if you can not exercise this much at one time split it up into 3 sections of time of 10 minutes at a time. Something IS better than nothing.


3. Rest properly. (7-8 hours of sleep is ideal) (Trying to get to bed by 10:00pm)


4. Try to get at least a little sunshine each day - when the sun is out.


5. Drink at least 8 glasses - or more of water each day.. sodas and coffee are actually a diuretic - which means they can not be included in the 8 glasses.


6. Get plenty of fresh air every day.


7. Live a balanced life


8. Trust in God. Good Spiritual health really does contribute to good physical health.


When I follow these guidelines, I feel better, I am happier and I have a better outlook on life. So even though my carnal self - keeps fighting against doing the things that keep me healthier - I am choosing to claim these verses below:


"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own,
20 for you are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:19 - 20


My body is the temple of God and my desire is to glorify God. And the way that I can do so -is to follow the 8 principles above.

So now my part is to continue to ask God lead me and to give me the strength to make the right choices. And when I fail - not to give up but to get up and try again.

Drawing Nigh to God....series


Drawing Nigh to God

by
Minnie E. Dauphinee
 

Eternal Life for You.....Forgiven and Forgotten

 
"I will be merciful to their righteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." -Hebrews 8:12
 
"I can imagine when Christ said to the little band of disciples around Him, 'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel,' that Peter said, 'Lord, do you really mean that we re to go back to Jerusalem and preach the gospel to those that murdered you?'
 
" 'Yes,' said Christ, 'go hunt up that man who spat in My face; tell him he may have a seat in My kingdom. Yes, Peter, go find the man who made the cruel crown of thorns and placed it on My brow, and tell him I will have a crown for him, and there will be no thorn in it. Hunt up the man who took the reed and brought it down over the cruel thorns, driving them into my brow, and tell him I will put a scepter in his  hand and he shall be a king and reign on the earth, if he will accept My salvation. Search for the man who drove the spear into My side and tell him that there is a nearer way to My heart. Tell him that I forgive him freely and that he can be saved.' "
 
That is but a faint portrayal of the attitude of our Saviour towards sinners. Listen to His words recorded in Hosea 11:8;
 
"How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?
how shall I deliver thee, Israel?...
Mine heart is turned within me, my repenting are kindled together."
 
Read the story of Peter's fall and restoration. It was the look of loving forgiveness expressed in the countenance of Jesus that broke Peter's heart. In the parable of the prodigal son the father does not remind him of his sin. Instead the son is made to know that the past is forgiven and forgotten. And so our Father in heaven forgives all who lay their sins upon Jesus, and says, "Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more," How can we help but love Him?
 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

What a Promise


10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:10
 
 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

How Long?

Have you been praying and praying and not seeing an answer to your prayers? Well you are not alone. In fact, You are in good company.

When reading the psalms we find many times when David crys out to God asking him "how long?"

Psalms 6:3 is the first time that it really stood out to me.

"My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O Lord--how long?"

Can you hear his frustration because God has not answered him yet? I can sure relate to the frustration of praying and praying and not really seeing answers to my prayers.

But God tells us to be still and to wait:

Be still, and know that I am God
Psalms 46:10a
 
    Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!   
Psalms 27:14 


Having patience and waiting on the Lord is hard to do - but it is in the waiting that our faith and trust in God are not only tested, but made stronger.

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.   
 Romans 8:18

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 
 Romans 8:28

God uses these trials and times of waiting in order to refine our characters. To work that which could not otherwise be worked out in us.

    For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  18  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.   
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
 
Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"
Lamentations 3:22-24
 
 
 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Salt in the Kitchen....series



Salt in my Kitchen

by
Jeanette Lockerbie
 

Stoop Labor

 
Bible reading:
 
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:5-11In some agricultural area farmers have need of what the term "stoop labor." These are workers who handpick fruit such as strawberries, or set out seedlings that have to e specially handle. It's backbreaking toil. Not many flock to this type of job. How often the young homemaker, weary after a morning of "picking up" after a small child and wiping up sticky floors,complains, "I'm nothing but a 'stoop laborer,' and I was trained for better things than this!" A little quiet reflection would bring to the mind of the Christian the One who voluntarily humbled Himself with no griping, no complaining.
"Let this ind be in you" (v.5)- in you, Mrs. Homemaker- writes the Apostle Paul. The mind controls the reactions. It's the mind, no the "dishpan hands," not the tired feet, that rebels. It's the mind too that can make humble housework bring glory to God.
The right frame of mind can make a challenge of the most drab, menial job. But the wrong frame of mind makes a miserable chore out of the pleasantest duty. Do you sometimes feel you're nothing but servant? If you will reread verse seven, you will find you are in wonderful company.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Importance of Tending Your Own Garden

Satan is constantly encouraging unbelief. He notes the mistakes and failings of Christ’s professed followers, and taunts the angels of God with them. He is an accuser of the brethren, and he will influence as many as possible to do the same work. Those who take it upon themselves to watch their neighbor’s garden instead of weeding their own plot of ground will surely find their own gardens so grown up to weeds that every precious plant will be crowded out.
 –  Testimonies for the Church Vol 5 page 285.2

Saturday, August 24, 2013

A Heads Up

Just a little heads up to those of you who may have the UP channel- it is 188 on Dish. Anyway it has some really great movies on- "The Grace Card"  A movie that I have wanted to see for a while now.
It looks like it will be showing it several different times. I saw "Fireproof" "Courageous" and "Facing the Giants" All of these are excellent movies. Anyway I just wanted to let you guys know this - so that you will have the chance to see these movies- if you would like to see them.

Bible Marking 2nd series

Last Sabbath was the last of the Bible Marking Series - that I did with my 10th Grade teacher. These are the ones that I have in my Bible. Many of you have enjoyed the Bible Marking series and so I have found a book that I had that has some Bible Markings listed in it. I am going to do this series in a little different format than the last series.

There are also some quotes from the book~ Bible Marking Guide - an easy Bible marking system that chain-references texts for 38 Bible topics! by John Earnhardt

The first study in this new series is -
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1. Bible [Bi]

"The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is still relevant upon God's people today, and God continues to speak to us through His Word."

1-  Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."    Luke 24:44

2-  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

3-  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.    2 Timothy 3:15-17

4-  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4

5-  Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.  Jeremiah 15:16

6-  The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. 7 You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.    Psalms 12:6,7

7-  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17   

8-  I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.  Job 23:12

9-   How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalms 119:9

10- Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! Psalms 119:11

11- Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.  Psalms 119:105

12- The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalms 119:130

13- The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

14- knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  2 Peter 1:20-2115- These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:1116- You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. John 5:39 17- For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."  Isaiah 28:10

Friday, August 23, 2013

A little up date and a Link to Something Awesome - Check it out!

Hello~ I just thought I would take a minute and write a short post. Things here have been moving right along. Our temperatures hit the triple digit mark again today. I was curious as to how many triple digit temps we have had this summer so far and so far I have not been able to find out. If I do, I will let you know. I am so very thankful it has not been a summer full of the triple digit weather. We have had more than our fair share of those over the last few years.

Oh my goodness - I found out about a new - to me- author- Susan Branch. Here book are fabulous!!! Brenda over at Coffee Tea Books and Me has a great post about Susan's new book - "A Fine Romance" looks like an awesome book. I will certainly be looking for these books - now that I know about them. Have any of you ladies heard of these books before? What did you think? Be sure and click on over to Brenda's blog and check the book out. Trust me - it is great!

Well things have been tight around here lately. That is no surprise, summers are usually tight for us. Our electric bill is about 100.00 + higher than usual so that makes a big difference. I am learning to watch prices of things and go to where I can get things the cheapest. Well we try the cheapest and if we like it - we will use that product. I don't see why I should pay higher prices - just of the convenience of having it all at one store. I am very lucky- I have 3 stores within about a mile of each other - that is about a 15-20 minute drive from here. And I am going to start being more careful. Go to where I can get the best prices. The main stores that I go to are - Aldi's, WalMart, and HEB. With the prices of so many things going up - it is just very important to choose wisely what you will spend your money on.

I hope you all are doing well. I hope you have a relaxing week end! :o)

Drawing Nigh to God....series

Drawing Nigh to God

by
Minnie E. Dauphinee
 

Eternal Life for You.....God's Greatest Promise

 
"This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."
1 John 2:25
 
Who can meditate upon this promise without, in a measure at least, appreciating what it cost to provide this gift? A full understanding of how much it meant to the Father to give His Son to die for us will ever remain a mystery to the  universe. It was the greatest possible revelation of His love for sinners.

Not alone was the Father in conceiving the plan for this supreme gift. We must ever remember that Christ "gave himself for our sins,  that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4), He "gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:6).
 
History records that years ago King Theodore of Abyssinia took captive, without good reason, the British consul, Captain Cameron, and his staff, whom he held in a dungeon for many months. Great Britain demanded that the prisoners be released. The king refused; and after several futile negotiations some sixteen thousand British soldiers were sent to Africa. They marched 400 miles under the burning sun and over mountainous country to the very gates of Magdala, where Cameron and his men were held prisoners. They liberated him and took him back to England. It is estimated that it cost the English Government twenty-five million dollars to rescue him.
 
Twenty -five million dollars seems like a tremendous sum to pay for the deliverance of a few prisoners. Yet that was as nothing compared with the price paid to deliver you from Satan's power,  "for you know that you have not been ransomed with anything perishable like silver or gold, ... but with precious blood,... the blood of Christ"  (1 Peter 1:18,19), Goodspeed).
 
"Go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christ through those hours of anguish, when He sweat as it were great drops of blood. Look upon the Saviour uplifted on the cross. Hear that despairing cry, 'My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?' Mark 15:34. Look upon the wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet. Remember that Christ risked all. For our redemption, heaven itself was imperiled. At the foot of the cross, remembering that for one sinner Christ would have laid down His life, you may estimate the value of a soul"- of your soul. Christ paid a great ransom to provide eternal life for you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

What a Promise

But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
Psalms 32:10b
 
Sorry so late today.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A Tall, Tall Order...

   Love:



  •  suffers long and is kind
  •  love does not envy
  •  love does not parade itself
  •  is not puffed up
  • 5 does not behave rudely
  • does not seek its own
  • is not provoked
  • thinks no evil
  • 6 does not rejoice in iniquity
  • but rejoices in the truth
  • 7 bears all things
  • believes all things
  • hopes all things
  • endures all things.
  • 8 Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

In my Andrews Study Bible I found a little tidbit that I wanted to share with you all today.
For verse 7 -it says "Describes how Jesus deals with us, to love means to see past the present failing of a person to what he or she shall be as God's new creation."  Isn't that encouraging?

What it means to love is a tall, tall order. In fact, in our own strength we could not love in the way that God would have us to love. But with God - all things are possible. In my life there are people that are hard to love. And I have to pray and ask God to love them through me - because I can not do it on my own. One thing that has made it a little easier to love those we find hard to love is to pray or them. There is something about praying for them that softens your heart for them- God working in us.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

My Devotional for Today....

This was the devotional for today in my "Streams in the Desert" book. I hope it blesses you like it blessed me today.
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And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day (Genesis 32:24).

God is wrestling with Jacob more than Jacob is wrestling with God. It was the Son of man, the Angel of the Covenant. It was God in human form pressing down and pressing out the old Jacob life; and ere the morning broke, God had prevailed and Jacob fell with his thigh dislocated. But as he fell, he fell into the arms of God, and there he clung and wrestled, too, until the blessing came; and the new life was born and he arose from the earthly to the heavenly, the human to the divine, the natural to the supernatural. And as he went forth that morning he was a weak and broken man, but God was there instead; and the heavenly voice proclaimed, "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed."

Beloved, this must ever be a typical scene in every transformed life. There comes a crisis-hour to each of us, if God has called us to the highest and best, when all resources fail; when we face either ruin or something higher than we ever dreamed; when we must have infinite help from God and yet, ere we can have it, we must let something go; we must surrender completely; we must cease from our own wisdom. strength, and righteousness, and become crucified with Christ and alive in Him. God knows how to lead us up to this crisis, and He knows how to lead us through.

Is He leading you thus? Is this the meaning of your deep trial, or your difficult surroundings, or that impossible situation. or that trying place through which you cannot go without Him, and yet you have not enough of Him to give you the victory?

Oh, turn to Jacob's God! Cast yourself helplessly at His feet. Die to your strength and wisdom in His loving arms and rise, like Jacob, into His strength and all-sufficiency. There is no way out of your hard and narrow place but at the top. You must get deliverance by rising higher and coming into a new experience with God. Oh, may it bring you into all that is meant by the revelation of the Mighty One of Jacob! There is no way out but God.

At Thy feet I fall,
Yield Thee Up My ALL,
To suffer LIVE, OR DIE

For my Lord crucified.

Monday, August 19, 2013

God Will Not Leave or Forsake You



5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.   
Joshua 1:5 NKJV
 
for this verse I really like the KJV better:
 
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.   
Joshua 1:5 KJV
 
This verse really stood out to me in some studying I was doing, so I decided to check it out more by getting my Bible Commentary out. I found some real gems as I looked.
 
First of all for the phrase: "Stand before you" - here is what the Bible Commentary said:
"Literally, "set himself up against thee," that is, "successfully oppose thee."
 
"Fail thee" "Literally, "slacken the hand from thee," that is, "not give thee up." I really like that. There is truly a battle going on for each of our souls and I am so very thankful that when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, He has promised never to forsake us. We may forsake Him, but He will never forsake us.
 
Another gem I found:
"God here promises that He would not get them into a situation and then leave them there. He would see them through to the end. The same holds true for Christians."
 
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo , I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen.  
  Matt. 28:20
 
I was going to use this for my What a promise post but I just have a feeling that someone might need it before then. So remember sometimes God allows tough situations to come into our live but as He uses those tough times to mold us more into His image IF we will allow Him to do so. If He brings us to IT - He will get us through IT. Praise God! :o)

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Gratitude...a lost art

My son had his daughter this week-end. It was good week end. We really enjoyed our time with SweetPea. We sure do miss her when her Daddy taken her back to her Momma. It will be two weeks before we see her again. It sure is hard on all of us.

Another things that is hard is that we(my husband and I) have tried to go beyond expectations and be nice to our now ex-daughter in law. And she does not seem to appreciate it at all. We had professional photos taken of SweetPea and her daddy- and we bought a small package of photos of just SweetPea - anyway we mailed some photos -to our ex daughter in law, Lauri and some for her to give to her parents and we did not even get a thank- you. This week end my husband and I bought a big package of Dora the Explorer underwear, socks, electric toothbrush, and toothpaste and sent them along with 3 outfits and a pair of tennis shoes so that Lauri would have more things for SweetPea - did Lauri say thank you or even act like she was grateful.....no. It probably would not surprise me so much if the situation was the as it were...

Many of you know that Lauri or her mother - or as co conspirators called CPS and put in false allegations against my husband. After a few months investigation - CPS - totally cleared my husband of any guilt. None of us were surprised. It was stupid accusations in the first place. We were only getting to see SweetPea for 8 1/2 hours a week during the time period in which these allegations were made and it was usually at least 3 of us not including SweetPea here all the time. Anyway these allegations - made it where we were not able to see SweetPea for 6 - 7 months. Well actually CPS never did say that she could not be around us but Lauri would not allow our son or us to see her during this time period. We missed SO many things Thanksgiving, Christmas, Her Birthday to name a few. Anyway even after her/them putting us through such a difficult time - my husband (and the rest of us-but the allegations really cut him to the core) have tried to rise above the viciousness that was unleashed against us - and have tried to do the right things - which is to respect our SweetPea's Mother and to get along. And try to be nice and Christian like-but it does not seem to be appreciated. But at least we know we are doing the right thing by our Granddaughter - she deserves that.

Anyway - it has got me thinking - our whole world seems to have a real lack in the area of gratitude. People are not thankful..as they should be..for so many blessings that our Heavenly Father has bestowed on us.

I am SO grateful for so many things. Life is hard but God is always there - and I am grateful. And there are so many thins around us in which we can be thankful for.

I am so thankful for the people that I have had the chance to get to know who truly have a spirit of gratitude. It has helped me realize the importance of being grateful..even for the little things.

Well I am super tired so I better close for now. I just wanted to touch base with you lovely people. I am so grateful that you take the time to stop by my small corner of the world. May God bless you in a special way today and everyday. :o)

God Walks Beside You...ALWAYS

Photo

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Bible Marking series....Heaven

If you are new to this series - scroll down to the end of this post to get an explanation of how I use this method for Bible Marking.

Today's lesson is: Heaven - H- John 14:1-3  



1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.    H- Matt. 25:34

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:    H- Heb. 11:10

10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 
 H- Rev. 21:10-21

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.    H- Is. 33:24

24 And the inhabitant will not say, "I am sick"; The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity. H- Rev. 21:4

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
 H- Matt. 24:31

31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.    H- Is. 65:21-23

21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them.    H- 1 Cor. 13:12

12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.    H- Rev. 22:17

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.    H- END


***********************************
I wanted to share a link to a website that has some amazing Bible Studies. Some of which will expound more on some of these Bible Marking lessons we have had. Click Here to check out the Amazing Facts Bible Studies. These also are available in different languages.

Also Here is a link to some free books to read. I have not read them all but I have been blessed by the ones I have read. I hope you are as well.


********************************
As you can tell, I have decided to go in a different order than how my teacher presented these topics.

Before we begin, I would like to be sure and say up front- on all of these markings- I am not claiming that these are all of the verses for the topics. This is just a basic beginning point at studying a topic. I hope you all will enjoy them all. 

Things you will need for Bible Marking:

*Bible
*colored pencils
*pencil- I recommend a good #2 pencil- these are getting harder and harder to find.
*pen- optional - I like to use a pen to write information on a paper in the back of my Bible.
*ruler or bookmark- you will use this to underline the verses.

Now you are ready to go!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Drawing Nigh to God ....series

Drawing Nigh to God

 
by
Minnie E. Dauphinee
 

Divinely Guided...In Joyful Paths

"In thy presence is fullness of joy."-
Psalms 16:11
 
A young man who once had a bright future before him confided to his friend: "There is no pleasure this world has to offer that I have not tried- absolutely none. All that I have gotten out of it is defeated ambitions, disappointments, and" -he added with deep anguish of heart-" a penitentiary sentence." Had this young man earlier in life followed God's guidance, he would have suffered no sad aftereffects. His pleasures would have brought him true happiness and the hope of eternal life.
 
Because the Christian shuns worldly amusements, some onlookers think his life devoid of happiness. This is far from the truth. On the contrary, the Christian is the only one who knows the meaning of true happiness. A man asked his Christian friend, "How can you be happy when you have so many trials?" "Because I belong to the Lord, and no trial can rob me of His peace and joy," came the ready response. Jesus demonstrated this principle when, just before going to His betrayal and death, He led the disciples in a song- not a "mournful lament, but in the joyful notes of the Passover hallel."
 
"O praise the Lord, all ye nations:
Praise him, all ye people.
For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
And the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.
Praise ye the Lord."
-Psalms 117


Thursday, August 15, 2013

"A Hunger For Healing"

This is something that I put together a couple of years ago. But I think that the information here is very valuable, so I am reposting it for those who may not have seen it when it was first posted:

Twelve Steps of Sinners Anonymous

1. We admitted we were powerless over our Sin, that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awaking as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

There is a couple at my church that have a real heart for people and helping them along their journey towards being the people that God intended them to be. Every Monday night we have a meeting. Each week of the month we read something different - on the 3rd Monday night of the month we read " A Hunger for Healing" by J. Keith Miller.
"It is the pain of living that creates a hunger for healing that only God can satisfy."
 
"...the Twelve Steps bring biblical principles of faith to bear on the pain of contemporary people in a way that leads sufferers into a closer living relationship with God and frees them to live a meaningful life seeking God's will."
 
You do not have a to be an alcoholic in order for the 12 steps to help you. The principles are very helpful to everyone. There is a lot of unhealthy thinking that many of us do and those habits that we get into turn into character defects. This program helps us to realize what our character defects are and helps us turn them into assets. Well that is what I have been told. I am still in the process of this journey in my life. These meetings have been very beneficial to me.
The AA program was developed back in 1935 but it is still very relevant to us today.

What a Promise!

 
16 As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.
Psalms 55:16,17

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

It is Worth it (again)

Working on a project and came across this post- thought it was worth reposting it. I hope it blesses someone! :O)




Job had surrendered his life to Jesus.

Satan accused him of only following God because of the blessings that God had blessed him with.
God said, "Behold all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."

Satan unleashed all sorts of havoc in Jobs life. His oxen and camel were stolen, his servants killed, his sheep burnt and he lost all 10 of his children - ALL in one day.

Job was sad and was discouraged. He could not understand why all of this was happening to him. He even questioned God. But he held true to God.

"But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall
come forth as gold."
Job 23:10

Satan is still at work today. He is still trying to convince people that it is not worth it to surrender your life to Jesus and to live for Him.

Oh - but I forgot to share an important part of this story with you all - " Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning: for he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13. He also had 7 sons and 3 daughter. .... After this Job lived 14o years, and saw his children and his grandchildren for 4 generations."
Job 42:12-13,16

How amazing is that?!

When you are struggling through trials and temptations, just remember, "Be still, and know that I am God;" Psalms 46:10a

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3

We may go through trials and temptations but we have Hope.

"He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved." Psalms 62:6

Anyway I will get off of my soap box- I just don't want people to be fooled - Satan likes to use a little error with a lot of truth -that way he can fool people. Study your Bibles for yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern truth. May you be blessed as you study the Word of God! :O)

Sunday, August 11, 2013

New Members of our Family

Today we went and picked out our newest babies.
We had thought of naming our babies Bonnie and Clyde - but since we think there is a good chance that they are both males - we have named them Bert and Ernie. Can you tell that I loved Ernie from Sesame Street. We did not have a TV till I was eleven years old, but when we visited my grandparents we would get to watch Sesame Street and enjoyed it. Anyway so the mainly white one is Bert and the other one, Ernie! I love them.
 
Our cats have been very interested in our new birds. I am thankful that we have the placed the cage out of the cats reach. I am hoping that the cats will get used to the birdies.
 
I have a friend who is moving to Idaho. I looking forward to spending a few hours with her tomorrow. She will be moving later in the week. 

The Love of Christ is.....

Photo: May you have the power to understand...how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Eph 3:18


Something floating around Facebook - wanted to share with you all. I hope it blesses you all in a special way! :O)

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Bible Marking series...The Millennium

If you are new to this series - scroll down to the end of this post to get an explanation of how I use this method for Bible Marking.

Today's lesson is: The Millennium- M- John 14:1-3


1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.    M-1 Thes. 4:16-17


16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.    M- John 5:28-29


    Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.    M- 2 Thes. 1:7-9


7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,    M- Rev. 20:4


   4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  M- Rev. 20:6


6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 
 M- Rev. 20:1-3

    Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.    M- Rev. 21:1-3

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  M- Rev. 20:5

5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. M- Rev. 20:7-10


7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. M- END


***********************************
I wanted to share a link to a website that has some amazing Bible Studies. Some of which will expound more on some of these Bible Marking lessons we have had. Click Here to check out the Amazing Facts Bible Studies. These also are available in different languages.

Also Here is a link to some free books to read. I have not read them all but I have been blessed by the ones I have read. I hope you are as well.


********************************
As you can tell, I have decided to go in a different order than how my teacher presented these topics.

Before we begin, I would like to be sure and say up front- on all of these markings- I am not claiming that these are all of the verses for the topics. This is just a basic beginning point at studying a topic. I hope you all will enjoy them all. 

Things you will need for Bible Marking:

*Bible
*colored pencils
*pencil- I recommend a good #2 pencil- these are getting harder and harder to find.
*pen- optional - I like to use a pen to write information on a paper in the back of my Bible.
*ruler or bookmark- you will use this to underline the verses.

Now you are ready to go!





Friday, August 9, 2013

Drawing Nigh to God....series

Drawing Nigh to God

 
by
Minnie E. Dauphinee
 

Divinely Guided ...By a Still Small Voice

 
 
"This is the way, walk ye in it."- Isaiah 30:21
 
One day James Madison, then President of the United States, received an anonymous letter with which was enclosed a five-dollar bill. The writer stated that he had cheated the Government of tax to this amount. Not knowing what else to do with the money, the President directed an account be opened called the Conscience Fund. Prompted by a "still small voice," income tax evaders still add to this fun year by year.
 
God is desirous of saving every individual. For this reason He sends His personal representative, the Holy Spirit, to point out sin. "When ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left," says the prophet Isaiah, "thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it." Should we repeatedly disregard the voice that speaks to our hearts, our conscience would become less sensitive, and the voice less distinct. One who disregards the alarm clock for several successive mornings soon reaches the point where he can sleep on without hearing it, even though it may continue to ring as loudly as ever. The conscience is God's alarm clock. The Christian must have an ear that hears the faintest whisper of God.
 
"A faithful warming like a tuneful bell,
Speaks tenderly within my wayward heart,
And, listening, I seem to hear it tell
Me, cautiously to choose the better part. 
 
"Sometimes, to halt my steps, it lifts a hand;
Or, oft, it swings a gate across my way
And urges me to think, to understand,
To hesitate before I go astray.
 
"At times it is a gentle, pressing strain
That seeks to guide my hesitating quest,
Or, in a tender voice that doth restrain,
Erects a barricade within my breast.
 
"The longing of desire I would possess
That feels impressions of the kindly lure,
And heeds the warning in a consciousness
Of sweet assurance and a peace secure."
~George Clarence Hoskin

Thursday, August 8, 2013

What a Promise

.
 
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses.
                 20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.                                                                        Psalm 107:19-20 I may have shared this verse before but it really spoke to me this morning in my devotions and was wanting to share with you all. I hope it blesses one of you in a special way.

Sharing- and Soliciting Advice

My husband took his camera to church one Sabbath and took photos of each of the children in SweetPea's Sabbath School class. They will be used in the Sabbath School program. Anyway we got an extra photo of our SweetPea so her Daddy could have a photo of it(we want to get another copy for our house too- but did not think of it when having the photos made).
 
  Then I lucked out and found an awesome pink picture frame for only $2.00. We put photo's of each of our family members holding SweetPea at the hospital into the frame and have this in SweetPea's bedroom at her Daddy's house.
 

I wanted to also share something else with you all today. One of the reasons why I enjoy my husband going to the thrift store is because sometimes he finds cool stuff that I would totally over look. Well last week when we stopped by a small thrift store - my husband found 2 pink curtains. The way they were - made me have a hard time figuring out how they were suppose to work. Well we bought them - for $1.00 a piece. And once we had them home- it did not take my husband long to figure out that they are curtains that you use two curtain rods- well we did not want the hassle of having to get two curtain rods - so I took the curtains and I sewed a seam in them - that made them the way they were suppose to be without having to use two rods. We bought the curtain rod and some pull backs - and of course that is where the $$ came in. But that too was find since there were curtains for our SweetPeas room.
When my son and his wife moved into this house - his mother in law talked about getting curtains for her room or making some- so we did not worry about it. We did not want to step on any toes so we did not get any - even though quite a long time had gone by and still no curtains. So we were very happy when we found these curtains for such a great price. Made it possible to put extra money towards a great rod and pull backs.
Anyway that's just a bit of what we have been up to.
 
And I can't forget about What a Promise - it will be posted in a bit. Sorry - I am doing better now and should get back to posting a bit more regular. Hope you all are doing good.
*******************************
Oh by the way, we have never owned inside birds - so if any of you have any suggestions or advice - I would LOVE to hear it. Thanks :O)