Salt in the Kitchen...series

Salt in my Kitchen

By:
Jeanette Lockerbie

The Woman God Calls Great

Bible Reading:

    Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. 9 And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10 Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there." 11 And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there.   

 2 Kings 4:8-11

 

What woman does not dream of being great, really great? Not merely to be called by the loose term, "the greatest." Not to be Mrs. America or Mrs. Universe, or even a benefactor of humanity ( a Madame Curie, perhaps), but great in God's sight.

 

It is significant to us who are homemakers that the only woman ever designated "great" in the Bible earned this distinction in her home. Just for being hospitable.

 

She began by inviting an itinerant prophet in for a slice of homemade bread. He must have enjoyed it, for he never passed the house without stopping for more. This unnamed woman's hospitality was expanded to include lodging for the prophet when he needed it. Thus for all time she provided the prototype for the "prophet's chamber"-that blessed haven where preachers, evangelists and missionaries, weary of hotels, motels and travel, find a Christian welcome.

 

Not everyone is in a position to offer room and board, but there is warm fellowship in even a spontaneous, "Come home with us, even for just a cup of coffee," before the stranger goes on his way. And remember what Jesus said about giving as little as a cup of cold water in His name? (Mark 9:41)

 

Sharing the blessings of our home, even though we may not offer homemade bread, puts us in line for God's commendation. Isn't it encouraging that this kind of "Greatness" is within reach of every one of us?  

I Often Think of Home -End of Drawing Nigh to God series

I Often Think of Home

 

By: Electa Harding Arnold

 

I often think of home; its welcome shores

Have ever beckoned me through lonely

hours.

I long to slip across her ebbing tide

To where her living streams forever glide.

I long to walk upon her golden strand

Where Friend of all these years will take my

hand,

Where by the crystal depths of jasper sea

The tangled warps of life He'll clear for me.

I often think of home, my heavenly home,

Where weary feet and sore shall never roam.

I strain my eyes in earth's dark hours to see

The lights of home, sweet home, gleam out

for me.

 

I often think of home: with grief-dimmed

eyes

I see through rainbow hues her spires rise.

To bow in rapture at His pierced feet.

To live in ecstasy her joy-filled days,

In sweet communion there my Saviour meet,

I long to tread upon her golden ways,

To have Him place His hand upon my head

In Sweetest benediction ever said.

I often long for home, my heavenly home,

Where angels' songs shall sweep her vaunted

dome.

Someday my bark shall touch her long loved

shore,

My home, sweet home--at least-- forevermore.

 



Bible Marking 2nd series

During the Bible Marking Series I will be using the book ~ Bible Marking Guide - an easy Bible marking system that chain-references texts for 38 Bible topics! by John Earnhardt

The third study in this new series is -
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Jesus Our Saviour- JOS

"Salvation comes by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour."

1. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

2.     Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

3. 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.    Isaiah 53:6

4.     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 5:21

5. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.   
1 John 5:13

6.     in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.    Colossians 1:14

7. 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.    Ephesians 2:8-9

8.  And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 
1 John 5:11

9.     But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:    John 1:12

10. 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

11. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."    Matthew 1:21

12. O Israel, hope in the Lord; For with the Lord there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. 8 And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities. Psalms 130:7,8

13. Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.    Isaiah 55:6,7

14.     "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." 
 Matthew 6:14,15

15.     Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.    Revelations 3:20

16.     But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    1 John 1:7-9

Drawing Nigh to God ....last devotion of series

Drawing Nigh to God

by

Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

Eternal Life for You.....Do You Often Think of Home?

A certain minister during a holiday season had many callers at him home. He greeted each with a cheery "Come right in, I'm glad to see you." Then one morning when his little four-year-old son appeared for breakfast, the father greeted him, "Good morning, Tom; I'm glad to see you." Not wanting to be treated like an outsider, the little fellow looked up in surprise and said, "Don't say, 'I'm glad to see you.' I belong here. This is my home."

 

One of the sweetest, dearest words known is home. Home, the place where Father, Mother, son, and daughter live. Home, the place where Jesus abides, for no home is complete without His presence. Even in this world of sin and sorrow, a Christian home is a hallowed place. The absorbing interest of the family is centered there.

 

How much deeper should be our interest in that future home where all who accept God's plan for their lives will live throughout eternity!

 

" 'We're going to move,' my neighbor called

Over the fence to me;

'We've found the very nicest house

You'd ever want to see!

There's a fireplace--yes, even two-

And the very coziest nooks!

There's a garden space, and everything-

Just like the picture books!'

 

"And I thought, as I watched her happiness

For the home so newly planned,

Of the mansion God is building me

Up in the Promised Land.

And I wonder if I am awaiting

Heaven as eagerly

As my neighbor awaits her earthly home

Over the fence from me. "

_Mildred C. Wood

 

In that home in the Promised Land that the redeemed will recognize their loved ones of earth

(1 Corinthians 13:12) and enjoy their companionship. Ellen G. White has pictured the social life of the redeemed in these words: "The loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages...the sacred ties that bind together 'the whole family in heaven and earth' (Ephesians 3:15)- these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed."

 

What enjoyment it will be to visit with our guardian angel, who watched our steps and protected us throughout our life on earth!

 

No language can describe the beauty of heaven. Our highest imagination can not picture a city with walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and streets of gold. all lighted by the glory of God, brighter than the sun shining "sevenfold strong' (Isaiah 30:26, Moffatt; see Revelations 21:23). Yet the chief attraction of the heavenly home is not its glorious beauty or its "harmonious social life." The chief attraction is Jesus, the One "altogether lovely," who gave His life for us. There could be no higher and greater joy than to have fellowship with Him throughout eternity.

 

When the redeemed enter their heavenly home, the New Jerusalem, Jesus Himself will welcome them, not as strangers, but as "sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:18). They "shall go no more out," for they belong there. With unspeakable joy they behold the beautiful mansions prepared for them (John 14:1,2), and, in addition, all that infinite love and divine wisdom could conceive for a perfect home and complete happiness. All who in this world live the God planned life will enjoy this beautiful home.

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 This is our last devotional. There is a poem that ends the book called "I Often Think of Home." I will share that on Sunday. I think I have another series I am going to do - it is a quilting devotional book. I hope it blesses you all as much as this book has blessed me.

 

What a Promise...AND a Tool

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

Proverbs 28:25 NKJV

But I really like this verse in the English Standard Version:

A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.

Proverbs 28:25 ESV

See what I mean?

I have shared before about a great website that I like to use to get Bible verses and do a little in depth study- but today I found something else that is just fabulous and I can see myself using it more and more in the future.

Here is a link to the site - Bible Study Tools.  Today I noticed where it says "Compare Translations" in blue - when I clicked into it - I found a great resource. Sometimes it is good to see what other translations have to say- sometimes it helps us get a better understanding of what the verse means.

For this verse - I much prefer the word enriched - because I think that too often people look at the word prospered and see $ money signs $. And that is not what the verse is saying.

God enriches our lives in so many ways. Trust in Him is what we are called to do - and He blesses us in the way He sees fit, sometimes it may be with money but many times it is with things of so much more value!! Praise God for that! :O)

Kindness...It means a lot!

(Second post for today)

While out on a walk this morning- I over heard a conversation between 2 older men. One was telling the other one that every Wed. he cooks and take food to his grandchildren in school. I thought that was so very sweet. Kindness...It means a lot!

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And since I was thinking about kindness today I thought I would share a few photos that speak kindness to me.

 

Two squirrels sharing the stoop so that they could both eat:

Flowers my husband got for me for our 20th anniversary- he was out of town on fire dept. training and had them specially delivered for me- at work:



Here is a bouquet of roses that I got as a thank you for sewing a couple of patches onto a young mans jacket for him.



And then some roses that my husband got for randomly - just to say I love you!



Kindness matters- it's just one of the things that makes the world go round. :o)

Fair-Weather Faith is No Faith

"Remember that we have no more faith at any time than we have in the hour of trial. All that will not bear to be tested is mere carnal confidence. Fair-weather faith is no faith."

C.H. Spurgeon

A lot of truth in this quote.

It is in the hour of trial that our faith is developed.

If we did not have any troubles- we would not have the opportunity to grow.