DRAWING NIGH TO GOD....series.."Secret Prayer Imperative"

In an old cathedral in Copenhagen is a giant figure of Christ with outstretched hands. When you come close, you read these words on the pedestal on which He stands: "COME UNTO ME." But as you look into His face you are disappointed, for the eyes are downcast, and you do not see in them the invitation suggested by the outstretched hands. Soon, however, you hear the low voice of the sexton behind you saying, "Get down on your knees, friend, and look up." It is then you see in Christ's face a love and compassion such as you had not seen before.
Just so it is with us. If we would see Christ in all His loveliness, we must kneel at the foot of the cross and look up. The secret of finding God is to spend time, much time, in prayer. Secret prayer is the "life of the soul."

"Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ's loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work."

Jesus says,  "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet," and closing the hearts door against all worldly thoughts, "pray to thy Father which is in secret." Although our "closet of prayer may not always be the same place, it should, however, always be a place of quiet where we can be alone with God. This quiet time does not prevent our lifting our thoughts to Him as we go a bout our daily work, wherever it may be. Rather, faithfulness in secret prayer is an incentive to pray at our everyday tasks, at public meetings, and "always."

Jonathan Edwards said, "If you live in the neglect of secret prayer, you neglect all the worship of God; for he that prays with others, would not pray at all were it not that the eyes of others were upon him."

Alone with God we see ourselves as we really are. We are made aware that no sin is hidden from Him. We confess our wrongdoing, and in less time than it takes our tears to fall, He has forgiven. He may wait to answer other prayers, but He does not wait a single second to answer prayer asking forgiveness of sin or deliverance from sin.

"Take time to be holy, 

The world rushes on; 

Spend much time in secret 

With Jesus alone." 

_W.D. Longstaff 

* from the book "Drawing Nigh to God" by Minnie E. Dauphinee 

What a Promise!

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 

1 Corinthians 10:13

A Psalms of Thanksgiving

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
² Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
³ Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;^[a]
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
⁵ For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations."

Psalms 100

Treasures on Thanksgiving Day

Look what treasure we had on Thanksgiving Day! 

At about 4:30pm we got just a few sprinkles and then we noticed this beautiful rainbow! What a treat.

What is also funny is that just before we noticed the rainbow. My husband and I were in the back yard - he was grilling some things for our supper. We had went over to our little rose garden and we found about 5-6 rose buds. It is amazing to have roses on Thanksgiving. As you can tell in the above photo - trees are finally changing colors.

It has been a very nice relaxing couple of days, which were very needed for me. The week of Thanksgiving is the hardest week of all for me at work. My job is usually a great job but with all the orders and most people wanting their jobs on just the couple days before Thanksgiving - gives us a WHOLE lot to do. 

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe...#12

Fundamental Beliefs #12

Church:
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish.

"I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 

Genesis 12:3

"This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us," 

Acts 7:38

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--"

Ephesians 4:11-15

"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,"

Ephesians 3:8-11

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. " Matthew 28:19, 20

"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ."

Matthew 16:13-20

"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 

 Matthew 18:18

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."

Ephesians 2:19-22

"And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Ephesians 1:22, 23

"For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."  Ephesians 5:23-27

"And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."  Colossians 1:17, 18

DRAWING NIGH TO GOD....series.."Faith Connects"

Faith Connects 

"Faith is the wondrous, 

   living link 

Thank binds the trusting

   soul to God." 

                C.P. Bollman

Faith is the connecting link between our needs and Christ's power to supply them. This is illustrated in the experience of the poor woman who received healing when she touched the hem of Christ's garment. A great multitude pressed close to Him that day. Many touched Him. But He recognized one touch as different from all others. As the trembling hand of the poor woman touched His garment, faith grasped His divine power. 

Another day, as Jesus departed from Jericho, "a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David...And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes received sight." (Matthew 20:29-34) 

"Jesus stood still." He gave those two blind men all His attention, just as though they were the only ones in the world who needed His help. How vastly different would have been their experience if they had not asked in faith. "It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask." 

"Throughout the history of God's people, great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable, have loomed up before those who were trying to carry out the purposes of Heaven. Such obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When we are hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of  His Spirit . The exercise of a living faith means an increase of spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust. It is thus that the soul becomes a conquering power. Before the demand of faith, the obstacles placed by Satan across the pathway of the Christian will disappear; for the powers of heaven will come to his aid. 'nothing shall be impossible unto you.' Matthew 17:20

"I do not know what may await, 

Or what the morrow brings; 

But with the glad salute of faith 

I hail its opening wings! 

For this I know- that in my Lord 

Shall all my need be met, 

And I can trust the heart of Him 

Who has not failed me yet." 

-E. Margaret Clarkson

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a cute little photo that I saw on Facebook :O)

Food for Thought

"Your place in Heaven will seem to be made just for you and you alone, because you were made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand."

From the book

 "The Problem of Pain"

by C.S. Lewis

Importance of Prayer

"It is part of God's plan to grant us,

in answer to the prayer of faith,

that which He would not bestow

did we not thus ask."

GC 525

You Can Not Recall That Which You Have Not Studied

"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." 

Exodus 14:14

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good,"

 Genesis 50:20a 

    "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; 

Wait, I say, on the Lord!"
Psalms 27:14

These have been the main verses that I have had on mind this week. In fact, Tuesday morning while I was in the shower, I was so upset about what is going on and all of a sudden I quoted Exodus 14:14. I knew this was a reminder from God that He was in control and would take care of this situation. 

It is so comforting to have these verses in my mind and when these super hard times come along - God brings them to my memory. It really is so comforting and reassuring.

It is so very important for us to spend time in the Word of God every single day. 

How can we truly know our Lord and Savior if we do not spend time in our Bibles. 

We need to spend time developing a relationship with Jesus during the good times as well as the bad.

It is very important that we have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'

"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"

Matthew 7:21-23

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe...#11

Fundamental Beliefs #11

Growing in Christ:

By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience.

"Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night." Psalms 1:1, 2

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

 Psalms 23:4

"I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

12 I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds."

Psalms 77:11, 12

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." 

Colossians 1:13, 14

      "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,"

Colossians 2:6

"having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." 

Colossians 2: 14, 15

"Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Luke 10:17-20

"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Ephesians 5:19, 20

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--"

Ephesians 6:12-18

 "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:23

"then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,"

2 Peter 2:9

 "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 

2 Peter 3:18

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

2 Corinthians 3:17, 18

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 3:7-14

"Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Matt 20:25-28

"So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

John 20:21

   "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Galatians 5:22-25

 

 "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38, 39

    "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

1 John 4:4

   "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:25

DRAWING NIGH to GOD ...series ..."The Invitation"

by Minnie E. Dauphinee 

The first section of this book is called: 

Finding God

And the first devotional under that heading is called: 

The Invitation 

"Let him that is athirst come."-

Revelations 22:17

We know what it is to thirst for something better than this world can give. Earthly pleasures and comforts seem to satisfy for a little time, but the feeling of restlessness- the thirsting- returns. That thirsting is assuaged only by the priceless gift Jesus offers us- "the water of life."

Sin has its "wages." But eternal life is not wages. It cannot be earned. Nor can it be purchased with service, with tears, or with money. It is not a reward for human merit. It is the gift of God. 

Jesus never gives stintedly. He invites us to "take the water of life freely." Do you remember the story of the little boy, one of seven children, who met with an accident and was taken to the hospital? Because his parents were very poor, he had never known what it meant to have his hunger fully satisfied. The glass of milk had been only partly full, or if full, it must be shared with two of the other children. So when the nurse brought him a large glass of milk, he looked at her, and , because of the habit of always sharing, he said, "How deep shall I drink?" The nurse, with a tear in her eye, answered, "Drink it all." 

God's spiritual wells are deep. There is an unfailing supply, and those who will "come" and drink daily shall never thirst." 

What a Promise

• 
  
  Just something I saw on Facebook today and wanted to post. Have a great day! 

Prayers Needed

Hello Ladies~ I will be taking a blog break for a few days. Something else has come up. A very serious thing indeed. And I just need to ask for all the prayers we can get. We are praying for the truth to come out. I will be back on Friday for the series of the new book. But just need a few days break.



"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

This is how our family feels right now. We know that God is our Refuge and our Rock. And in His Power we will stand. And your prayers will make it so much easier.

 Thanks :O)

Some of My Favorite Things...

I have found something new that I love and I wanted to share it with you ladies out there. A new shampoo! 

When I was at Walmart getting groceries on Friday, I was looking down the shampoo aisle. I was just wanting something new. Well I saw this shampoo and then for sure when I noticed it had a coupon that said buy the shampoo and get the conditioner for free - I was hooked! 

For $4.97 I was able to get both bottles. But that was not the best part. 

Nope~ The best part was when I tried the shampoo for the first time. Oh, Oh It felt so luxurious! The shampoo is kind of thick and creamy. When you rub it between your hands it actually feels silky! And when I applied it to my hair - it kind of foamed a bit and felt so good in my hair. I am VERY happy with it. This is certainly going to be a favorite of mine. 

Anyway I just wanted to share. And since I am sure some people might think - that I would be doing this for money - nope. That is not my intent for my blog. I just like to share some of my favorite things with you all. 

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe....#10

Fundamental Beliefs #10

 Experience of Salvation:

In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment.


"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

2 Cor. 5:17-21

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

" who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father," 

Galatians 1:4

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

Galatians 4:4-7

"For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Titus 3:3-7

"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"

John 16:8

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Gal. 3:13, 14

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; "

1 Peter 2:21, 22

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Romans 10:17

"And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith.""

Luke 17:5

"Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!""

Mark 9:23, 24

"even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Ephesians 2:5-10

"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Romans 3:21-26

"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:13, 14

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

Romans 8:14-17

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 3:26

  "Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

John 3:3-8

"having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, "

1 Peter 1:23

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Romans 12:2

"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 

Hebrews 8:7-12

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."

Ezekiel 36:25-27

"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

2 Peter 1:3, 4

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

Romans 8:1-4

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Romans 5:6-10

DRAWING NIGH to GOD ...series.."Introduction"

This week I found a little book from 1956 - the name is:

 "DRAWING NIGH to GOD"

 by Minnie E. Dauphinee

I have decided that every Friday I am going to post one of the little devotionals in this book. I have looked on the Internet and have not found the book - where I could just link up to it or even get help by copying and pasting but that is alright. I just feel that this book has a lot of treasures well worth sharing. 

Today we will begin with the:

Introduction

Is there in your heart a hunger and thirst to draw nigh unto God_ a desire unexpressed even to those who are nearest and dearest to you? If so, be glad. Rejoice in our Saviour's assurance that the desire is mutual. God desires to draw nigh unto you (James 4:8). Though He rules over the affairs of the universe, He thinks of you by name and takes personal interest in everything that concerns you. "He is silently planning for thee in love."

As a loving son listens respectfully while his godly father tells of his ambitions for him, so you should give your Father in heaven your reverent attention, that He may reveal to you His plans for your life. As you study His Word with humility of heart you will hear His unmistakable voice saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." 

The essays in this little volume are the results of meditation upon some of God's promises, commands, and exhortations. The author hopes that the thoughts may help the reader, especially the youth, to find God's plan, and to draw ever nearer to Him from day to day.

What a Promise!

Life might be hard, but: 

Be Sure and Vote

My husband and I have been planning on going to vote together once he gets home from work, but thanks to and email from Logan's Steakhouse that has a printable coupon for buy one meal get a second meal free -we have decided to make our evening into a date night.

For those of you that live in the USA - be sure to vote and let your voice be heard.

Learning New Tricks Can Be Well Worth It

You know what? Sometimes it is hard to train an old dog new tricks. At least I am stubborn sometimes. And I have learned that lesson more than once.

Yesterday I shared about my fears of trying out Aldi's. It was different and I was just a bit intimidated by it. Well I have another store that it took me a while to check out but I finally did and I am SO glad I did.

A couple of years ago, I would hear a lot of people talk about how much they liked this certain store and how they saved so much money. During this time period, the Krogers in our area would double 50 cent coupons and triple coupons up to 39 cents. So I would usually go to Krogers and get all the good deals I could get and then drive across the road to Walmart and buy the rest of my groceries. And I was very happy with this set up. Many times I could get things from Krogers for next to nothing - and sometimes even for free. And I loved that!

Well about 1 - 2 years ago in a town about the same distance from our home but in a different direction - a HEB grocery store opened- the same kind of store that everyone had been talking about. Well you wouldn't believe how incredibly packed this store was the first few weeks of it opening. And because I do not like really crowded places - I did not go to it to check it out during those weeks. But one day I though oh I might as well check it out and see what all the hype is about. So I went to check it out. And I was so thrilled to find some great deals. The deals that really got my attention at first were - gallon of milk for 98 cents, carton of eggs 39 cents, 4 pound bag of white sugar $1.49,  a large thing of oats for $1.49, olives 98 cents a can and some of their Campbell soups for 75 cents a can. There were other good deals but these were the main ones that brought me back again and again.  Well the good news is that all that list other than the oats and the Campbell's soup is still those low prices. I love this store - not enough to buy all my stuff here though because some of there other stuff is higher than I can get it other places. So that is why I go to Aldi's and Walmart too.

One more really cool thing about HEB and it is the main reason I am writing this post today. If your HEB has a gas station - then this is something you will want to check out. If you put money on one of their gift card things and use it a their gas station -you can save X amount of money per gallon. Right now it is 12 cents per gallon and it is suppose to be this till the end of the year. And what is so totally awesome about this is that their gas runs competitively to the other gas stations that run the lowest prices in the area. So you really save that 12 cents per gallon.

I had been one of those people that thought it was a hassle at first but let me tell you - when gas prices are as high as they have been then it is very important to try to save money how ever you can. And lately my husband has gotten on board with it. And I am thrilled. The way the economy is these days - every penny counts.

So if you have an Aldi's or HEB in your area, check them out. I can about promise you - you will not be sorry you did. :O)

Visiting Aldi's

Just about a year ago, an Aldi's grocery store was built in a town twenty minutes from our house. I had heard a lot of great things about the store. But I had also heard a few things that had kind of intimidated me. So I had not checked it out yet.

Well about 2 - 3 weeks ago, my husband and I decided to stop by there and check it out. Wow! I was so thrilled that we did. We found some really good deals. And it wasn't as weird as I had been afraid that it would be.

We were lucky to already have 3 nice fabric shopping bags. So we did not have to even buy any bags. So you have to put a quarter in a little slot in order to release a chain to release the basket. When you are done with your shopping trip - just return your basket and plug it into the row of baskets and as you do this- your quarter will pop back out to you.

Ok - so at this point you have your basket. I put my bags up with my purse. Then we began to shop. I was thrilled so many good deals.

Then we got into line to check out. We unloaded our things onto the conveyor belt. The checker was very quick and basically just placed our items back into a basket. All along the wall towards to doors to leave there is a long shelf. And down a ways was another shelving area-next to this shelf they had a large container that has some boxes - that their stuff had been in. These boxes are for the customers to use to pack their stuff in.

Ok - So once your items have been paid for and are in your basket - you take your basket over to an empty shelf space in order to load your groceries into either the bags you have brought the boxes. OR you have the chance to purchase bags to use- they are 6 and 10 cents each. The ten cent bags are the plastic ones. The bags are below the conveyor belt.  Oh I have also seen people push the basket out to their cars and unloaded the stuff that way.

It's all pretty simple. I was very happy with the whole process. And we have actually been back about 2-3 times since then. It is well worth checking them out.

I thought I would share a post just in case some of you live near and Aldi's and are a bit intimidated to check it out. Like I said before - it is well worth checking out.

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe....#9

Fundamental Belief  #9

 Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

"Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked-- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."
 Isaiah 53

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"
1 Peter 2:21-22

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, "

1 Cor. 15:3, 4

"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive."
1 Corinthian 15:20-22

"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."
2 Cor. 5:14, 15

"that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
 2 Corinthians 5:19-21

"and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."
Rom. 1:4

"whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,"
Romans 3:25

 "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."

Romans 4:25

"For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:3, 4

"And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."

1 John 2:2

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
1 John 4:10

"Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."

Colossians 2:15

"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 2:6-11

Sharing a Little Secret

The last couple of weeks, I had noticed a problem with our bathroom sink draining the water from the sink. It was a very slow drain. So if I brushed my teeth and washed my face - I would end up with a sink about half full of water and it would take a few minutes to drain out. Not good. Anyway my husband was working with it and then I remembered a little secret that I had forgotten about. So we tried it and it actually worked. Today I want to share the secret with you all today.

First you will want to put about 1-2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda down your drain if possible- if not just at the drain area. Then pour vinegar down. When the two hit each other - there will be a lot of bubbling going on. Well we did this and what was so cool is that it actually cleared out the blockage. We had to do this process twice  - you should have heard the rumbling going on down in the pipes! But it was so cool when all the water started to drain very nicely. Have not had a problem with it since!

I had learned this a couple of years ago and actually had learned that it is good to do this periodically just while cleaning your sinks. Well this will be something that I start doing. Haven't decided if I want to do it monthly or what.

I hope that this little secret will help you guys! :o)

What a Promise!

One of my favorites!