Amazing time during the morning devotion. Look at the photo and see if you can find what only God could do.
Only God…
Category Archives: Bible Study
Grace is… Adoption.
How do you explain what Grace is? The word Grace is almost as definitive as the word Earth. How would you explain to someone what all is involved in the word Earth? A word in an exhaustive list that points out one facet of Grace is Adoption.
This song by Hillsong Worship points to one of the things Adoption allows us to believe.
I am who you say I am.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
(Romans 8:14-16 MKJV)
10 Minutes of Silence?
What? 10 Minutes of Silence?
Anyone who knows me might think that this could quite possibly fall under the All things are (maybe) possible with God clause. I work from home and I do not get to socialize on a regular basis. Sorry Facebook really isn’t this lover of conversation and coffee…well it’s just not the same as sitting across from the table sipping on some mind blowing concoction of sweetness and possibly nibbling on something that I am certain to fit my macros for the day and talking with another real “in-person” human.
It’s just not the same.
This means when I do get the opportunity to talk, I do.
My cousin, mentioned something she was doing with a Bible Study group that they called “10 minutes of Silence”. I was intrigued. ( and my husband was hopeful… wink)
She described it as sitting for 10 minutes and just spending time with God. No pen, no paper, no electronic device. Just you and God and possibly something to drink.
After her video I grabbed my coffee, timer and went out on the porch. Set the timer for 10 minutes and sit back to sip on my coffee. When I looked up I saw Butterflies! Lots of butterflies in my Mimosa tree.
Who knew this was happening? It was beautiful. Each bloom seemed to have a butterfly on it. It was like a Golden Corral buffet during the $1 off lunch special.
I have NEVER seen this happen and I’ve lived in this location for over 20 years. Sad…I’ve been just less than 20 feet away from this spectacular display of God’s creation for over 20 years. Kind of makes you wonder about what else God is doing just outside of your view.
Just because you can’t see God’s handiwork going on, doesn’t mean it isn’t going on.
Needless to say I sat back in silence and just watched this live display of art. In fact I actually hit the snooze on the alarm when it went off for another round of silence.
What’s going on in your world that could be just outside on the proverbial porch?
Go sit, be silent, and see.
For those who like to journal, turn this into a week or even a 30 day activity. After your silence sessions write down the events, thoughts, and scriptures that came to you while you were spending time with God. Note changes along the way. When you first started was it uncomfortable to sit still for 10 minutes?
God bless you on your journey. This activity for me was a game changer.
an2g
#21DaysofPrayer
Thank you Church of the Highlands for providing an opportunity for corporate worship and prayer every year in January and August.
Whether you are starting out in a new year or a new semester, these prayer services are a great way to slow down and focus on your relationship with God.
Church of the Highlands 21DaysofPrayer page
We must wear Faith, Love, and Hope of salvation.
There is no need to write you, friends, about the times and occasions when these things will happen. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. When people say, “Everything is quiet and safe,” then suddenly destruction will hit them! It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labor, and people will not escape.
But you, friends, are not in the darkness, and the Day should not take you by surprise like a thief. All of you are people who belong to the light, who belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, we should not be sleeping like the others; we should be awake and sober. It is at night when people sleep; it is at night when they get drunk. But we belong to the day, and we should be sober.
We must wear faith and love as a breastplate, and our hope of salvation as a helmet. God did not choose us to suffer his anger, but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us in order that we might live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes.
And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing. We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances.
This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages.
Put all things to the test: keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil.
May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.
Pray also for us, friends. Greet all the believers with the kiss of peace. I urge you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 GNB)
Sometimes no commentary or explanation is needed. The Bible really is a straight forward letter of instructions for today. #ForeverTrue #ForeverApplicable
Want to do Ministry? Do the Dishes.
Oh my, I think the first time I heard that was from Joyce Meyer many years ago. At the time I thought “That’s weird.” It’s taken me a few years, but she or whoever said it first was right. If you want to serve in the ministry getting your dishes under control is a first step. If you can right now look at your kitchen and cannot see your sink or your counter tops. Stop what you are doing and go tackle that kitchen.
You know you can fellowship with God by turning on your favorite praise music, finally listen to that audio tape or podcast. Or just start singing praise songs and pray while you are doing the dishes.
If you’re overwhelmed with your house and you just stare and really don’t know what to do. Here is a website that will thrust your ministry into being. www.flylady.net By gaining control of your home you can and will have time to do Bible Studies, have a Bible Study at your house, or volunteer at your Church. The list of possibilities is infinite. So if you have been praying for help because you are just overwhelmed with your current situation. Find time and remove chaos with FlyLady. Then enjoy all the extra time you have to spend in fellowship with God and being about His business.
Hey what are you still doing here? If you need me I’m going to be shining my sink.
An2g
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Job & Zophar Round 2
In today’s Old Testament Bible reading Job loses it as he answers Bildad and goes for another round with Zophar. Now remember, Job had to repent for most of what he rambles off today as the three of them spend their time pontificating mistruths about God.
Stay tuned as the original drama between Job and his “friends” antagonize each other. I think this is where the phrase “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” came from.
I added The Message version for this Drama to read and hear it with today’s language.
Job Chapters 19-20 Scriptures (NIV) (MSG) Audio (NIV Dramatized) (MSG)
In the New Testament We pick up at the end of Verse 19 in Acts Chapter 9. Saul has received his vision and now he is starting to preach about Jesus at the synagogues in Damascus. Those that heard him were confused because they had heard about the havoc he caused in Jerusalem regarding the people who were believers in Christ.
Acts 9: 19- 43 Scriptures (NIV) Audio (NIV Dramatized)
Saul receives his vision and starts preaching the truth. Job however is losing his vision and hacks away at his faith as he continues to argue with his “friends”. Just like Saul, the things that are blinding Job’s vision will be removed and he will come to know the truth about God later on when Job has his own meeting with God.
Isn’t it nice to know that in spite of all the mistruths about God and poor representation by his people, we too can have our vision restored when we seek after the truth in God’s word?
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-22 KJV)
2015 My Favorite Free resources for Bible Study.
Favorite Free resources for Bible Study
- My favorite “Read through the Bible in a year” plan. The AWMI Bible Reading plan.pdf. This plan was amazingly fresh and new. It seemed that many of the nuggets from the daily reading were directly related to the circumstances of 2015. It was quite a year and it was very neat to have that perfect word for the situation of the day. It is also broken down in easy to read segments. Read the Old Testament in the morning and the New Testament at night or both in the same sitting.
- Bible.is Various dramatic and non-dramatic audio versions of the Bible some with text to follow along as you listen to the scriptures being read.
- BibleGateway.com Another free resource for audio Bibles and text to follow.
- e – Sword: This is an amazing resource for Bible Study. Various downloadable versions of the Bible in a platform to maximize learning. Also available is a Cd to purchase. Free modules of Commentaries, Dictionaries, maps, you name it there is a module available. They also have copyright protected versions available for purchase from the various publishers. If there ever was a Wal-Mart or Target for all things Bible e-Sword is it. They also have a lite version available for purchase in the app store.
- YouTube.com This website is filled with messages from Bible Teachers all over the world living and passed on. Every denomination is represented and all you have to do is type in a name and see what videos are posted. Almost all of the current ministries have videos.
- Itunes Itunes is similar to YouTube except you can save audio clips and subscribe to your favorite Bible Teachers and Preachers. You must set up an Itunes account first and have it installed on your computer either PC or Apple. Then you can subscribe to broadcasts and go to your own Bible School listening to the teachers you prefer and the subjects you are inspired to learn.
- Honorable mention: iTBN another free resource for Bible Teachers, Preachers, and Evangelists. It is not as user friendly as YouTube and ITunes and you cannot create a playlist. They do have a mini tutorial at the website. Please be sure to watch it. If you know the exact spelling of the minister/ministry or program name the search box is very helpful. If you do not know the exact spelling the best way to find teaching is to go the People tab and go through the alphabetical list of names and click on the names you know and trust for accurate Biblical teaching.
That’s all I can think of at the moment. Regardless what minister/ministry you listen to for Bible Study, ALWAYS – ALWAYS – ALWAYS double check what is said with the Bible for accuracy.
Stripping Strife from our Life
Gen 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Stripping Strife from our Life.
Let there be no strife between us for we are brethren. Abram and Lot are living in the land south of Egypt and between Bethel and Hai. Both of them together have too much for that area to support. Those responsible for the herds of cattle are fussing and fighting over the water, places to graze the cattle and numerous other issues. At this point, Abram makes a decision and gives Lot an opportunity.
“If you go to the Left I’ll go to the right, if you go to the right I’ll go to the left.” Lot looks out at the land and chooses the plain of Jordan for in his eyes the land was well watered everywhere. Basically he chose the best and left the rest. Before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah it was a lovely place. Later in the story we see God tell Abram of his plan for him and gives him some directions and promises. All the land is for him and his seed forever plus his seed will be as numerous as the dust of the earth. Abram made the right decision to remove strife at all costs.
Jesus said in Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Making peace and removing strife is very important. Many businesses, churches, communities, homes, the news, and the list goes on of places that are plagued with strife. It isn’t seen as the destructive force it is. We all know or have seen how a person under the influence of strife and an instigator of negativity can tarnish the workplace, church, home or a nation as we have seen of late. Abram and Jesus both knew the importance of peace and to remove strife.
We may not be able to change the world, but how about our area of influence. I have a friend that is an author and she is a genuine gift. The only thing I’ve ever heard said about her is “You know she is the nicest person I know. She hasn’t let her success go to her head and I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say a bad word about anyone and she absolutely loves the Lord.” Yep…she’s known as a child of God. She works very hard at keeping the peace and she’s been very successful and blessed. To know her she is a peaceful person and has a soft presence. It’s really odd…you would never know the success she has had or the trials she has faced. She is just a normal every day kind of godly person living life at its best with God in the center and peace at her side. You know those people that have been through so much and survived by the grace of God that they just can’t help but be happy? They are choosing a life of gratitude instead of having an attitude.
Let’s Pray: Dear God, help us to be mindful of our words and actions. Let us be peacemakers among our friends and family. Where there is strife, give us direction on how to bring peace. Help us be a light in our area of influence and give us wisdom on how to strip strife from our life. In Jesus name, Amen (so be it.)
Daily Scripture Reading: Genesis 12- 14, Matthew 5: 1-26
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Image courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalphotos.net
an2g@2015
Dealing with Temptation
Reading through the Bible in a Year Devotion 2015. They say it’s progress and not perfection and you can’t improve if you don’t start. I’m starting and I hope you’ll join me on this journey in 2015. I’m sharing my daily inspiration throughout the year and I hope to inspire others. It’s just me hanging with Jesus so I have no idea what topic or subject matter will come up over the year.
Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
After Noah and his family have left the ark and are working the land, they have a vineyard. Noah celebrates a little too much with his new wine and is passed out in his tent. His son Ham the father of Canaan for some reason decides to go his father’s tent and see what the old drunk man is up to. Well he finds his father who in a drunken stupor has left himself uncovered. Apparently, Ham looks on the old man with disgust and maybe a little pride wells up inside him to see the one who has maybe scolded him for drinking too much is passed out from his own overindulgence. He wants to tell of his discovery. Maybe he wants to make himself look better or just to embarrass his old man. Who knows?
When he tells his brothers, I think he is a little surprised. The juicy gossip that was to make him look good has backfired and his brothers do not join in with his delight of seeing their father’s error. They do the honorable thing and find a blanket. They walk in backwards to not see their father and drop the blanket over him covering him.
Jesus goes through a round of temptation also in Matthew 4. He has fasted for 40 days and nights and is a hungry man. It seems the tempter comes when we are at a certain point in our life just to kick us when we’re down. Or to rub whatever challenge we are going through in our face. Similar to Ham he waits for the right moment to find joy in another’s failure. He taunts Jesus about his hunger. Oh poor baby are you hungry? Well here, IF you are the Son of God turn these stones into bread and eat. Jesus answers him with the written Word of God.
Jesus shows us right here how to deal with temptation. However you are tempted; use the written word to fight back. If it’s an overindulgence of food use the word. “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt 4:4 KJV) Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. ( Deu 8:3b KJV)
If you’re tempted to gossip or as Zig Ziglar has said “Some people find fault like there’s a reward for it.” Fight back with Phillipians 4:8. If it’s not of good report then don’t report it. Ham, his family, and generations were made servants to the honorable brothers due to his actions. Dealing with this can be tough. In a society that gets great entertainment out of gossip and belittling those around them, it’s easy to forget and fail.
If that’s happened to you pray about it. Confess it and take God’s forgiveness and do a 180. If you need to make amends then go ask for that person’s forgiveness and move on doing the right thing regardless of their actions.
Even though Ham was at a different time and a different covenant, his actions took away his blessing. His position of authority was removed and he was to serve after his Brothers who were promoted due to their actions. In today’s terms, Noah said Happy, Happy, Happy is the Lord God of Shem and Japheth shall prosper. Now that’s a compliment and a good goal. Having someone come up and say. “The rightness in you and your actions must make God Happy.”
We also need to remember to be cautious around people. Like Noah, people make mistakes and we have a choice to cover them or share their mistakes. God help us all to do the right thing.
Let’s pray. Dear God, bring to our remembrance your word when we are faced with temptation. Help us keep it in our mind and use it to fight off undesirable situations. Let us focus on true, honest, lovely and things of good report. Help us to share one another’s successes and not their failures. Where relationships have been damaged show us how to make peace. Keep a guard over our mouths and help us to do what’s right in your eyes. Amen.
Scripture Reading for the Day: Genesis 9-11 and Matthew 4.
an2g (c) 2015
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Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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