Have you ever thought that? Or you ever thought "Why do good things happen to bad people?" Asaph did and recorded his thoughts in Psalm 73. It overwhelmed him. Ps. 73:2-3 "But I almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith because I was jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well."
Asaph tried to live right. He tried to live the way God wanted him to but he saw the injustice of those not living for God; in fact, brag about it, getting by without any worries, no struggles, no cares. They didn't have the troubles like the rest of them or have problems like other people (vs.5). Asaph's view was understandable but something changed. He began to see it through different eyes. God's eyes. Vs. 16-17 "I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see until I went to the Temple of God. Then I understood what will happen to them." Asaph began to realize they would be destroyed by God because they did not follow God. So whatever you see here on earth. Whatever you think is fair and what is unfair, remember God has your back. He sees it all. He keeps score very well. What one sows, one will surely reap accordingly. God's word tells us we WILL have struggles, trials and tribulation here on earth. Those who struggle the most, Jesus said will be blessed the most. Asaph confesses "My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever." (vs. 26)
Read the entire chapter of Psalm 73 for yourself by clicking here.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
THERE'S GOT TO BE PROOF
I am amazed how people actually claim to be a Christian yet their lives reflect something entirely different. You may think I'm judging. Oh contrare...I'm just looking for proof. Their lives are far from God. Their's is lip service, which is generaly when it's convenient for them. Oh, how my life used to be the same. That thought grieves my spirit! And I am saddened for those I see and know well, who are playing the same game.
As I sit here and reflect on my own life, I feel much like Paul who said he was the chief sinner of all sinners. I fall so short. I feel I am the worst example of what a Christian should look like BUT...my strongest desire is to be a reflection of God. By far, the majority of what I do and think about revolves around God, fulfilling His purpose in my life, encouraging others to know God deeper and to have consistent devotion and service to God. Am I perfect? Ha! Just ask my husband and be prepared for a list of things that would prove I am not. I think he could and would also give you a list of things, knowing me better than anyone besides God, that would indicate my true heart's desire.
I mentioned II Cor. 6:17 earlier but I have recently come along another verse to support my belief which has prompted my writing this blog.
"Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." Matthew 3:8, NLT
While we cannot look into the hearts of others, there SHOULD BE proof for us to see. You've heard the expression "if you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough proof to convict you?" Please evaluate your life as I close this post. Do you take your Christian walk seriously? Is your life truly a reflection of God's presence in your life OR do you blend in with the rest of the world? Your activities, how you spend your time? Do you need to make a new commitment? Or are you like me and realize you've never truly made that needed commitment to Christ? Do it today. Don't hesitate. Your eternity depends on it.
My greatest desire is that Jesus would be YOUR greatest desire.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
FOLLOW UP
This is a FOLLOW-UP on the How Can I Be Happy? post...A little while ago I spent a few minutes texting a friend who is going through a divorce. It's tough and brought up memories of how I felt back in 1985 when I found myself in similar circumstances. If you'll read my testimony on the "More About Me" page you'll see I wasted so many years not being happy. It was only after I finally. FINALLY. turned over my marital status to God. I had been single for almost 14 years so I figured that's the way it was going to be. God had other plans. I just needed to get out of the way so He could work in my life.
Jeremiah 17:7 says “Blessed (happy) are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”
The advice I gave my friend was consistent devotion and service. THAT'S how God becomes your hope and confidence. I think I'm pretty smart sometimes. :0) jk I'm just so glad I have realized what truly makes one happy.
Thank you, God, for being real in my life!
Jeremiah 17:7 says “Blessed (happy) are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”
The advice I gave my friend was consistent devotion and service. THAT'S how God becomes your hope and confidence. I think I'm pretty smart sometimes. :0) jk I'm just so glad I have realized what truly makes one happy.
Thank you, God, for being real in my life!
Friday, May 20, 2011
TEST
This is a test post. I'm trying out something new.
So...how are YOU today? :o)
You've gotten this because you're an email subscriber. Thanks for doing that too, by the way.
I hope you're having an awesome day...if for no other reason than knowing God loves you so much! Keep that perspective and every day will be awesome.
Take care!!!
So...how are YOU today? :o)
You've gotten this because you're an email subscriber. Thanks for doing that too, by the way.
I hope you're having an awesome day...if for no other reason than knowing God loves you so much! Keep that perspective and every day will be awesome.
Take care!!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
How Can I Be Happy?
Wow - let me know when you find the answer...just kidding, I actually already know the answer.
We're studying a David Jeremiah book in Sunday School called "God, I Need Some Answers." We all need answers, and I firmly believe God's Word is THE place to go for all our answers.
I love what King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:1-10. NLT "I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world. I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors."
Sounds like King Solomon thought it was all about him and would stop at nothing to ensure he got what he wanted and whatever made him happy. Solomon has an interesting opinion a few chapters further...He said in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness. The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth – except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers.” NLT
Reminds me of the song “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places” It was in the movie URBAN COWBOY with John Travolta. That’s our problem…we’re always looking in the wrong places...for love AND for happiness.
One thing is certain - There is nothing this world has to offer that will bring lasting happiness. Interestingly, I recently received a blog update from Kevin Connell titled "Searching for Happiness." It had some good stuff. Click here to read it.
How can you be happy? It's really not very hard at all. Jeremiah 17:7 says “Blessed (happy) are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”
Put your trust, hope and confidence in God. Pretty simple. Just sayin'...
We're studying a David Jeremiah book in Sunday School called "God, I Need Some Answers." We all need answers, and I firmly believe God's Word is THE place to go for all our answers.
I love what King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:1-10. NLT "I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world. I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors."
Sounds like King Solomon thought it was all about him and would stop at nothing to ensure he got what he wanted and whatever made him happy. Solomon has an interesting opinion a few chapters further...He said in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness. The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth – except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers.” NLT
Reminds me of the song “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places” It was in the movie URBAN COWBOY with John Travolta. That’s our problem…we’re always looking in the wrong places...for love AND for happiness.
One thing is certain - There is nothing this world has to offer that will bring lasting happiness. Interestingly, I recently received a blog update from Kevin Connell titled "Searching for Happiness." It had some good stuff. Click here to read it.
How can you be happy? It's really not very hard at all. Jeremiah 17:7 says “Blessed (happy) are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”
Put your trust, hope and confidence in God. Pretty simple. Just sayin'...
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Olivet Discourse
Sunday, our SS lesson was on Mark 13. This chapter in Mark is known as The Olivet Discourse because Jesus was on the Mt. of Olives. I have been in church all my life, and I cannot remember ever having heard that term. Where have I been, I wonder??? Oh well...
Karen Farah taught the lesson, which offered several challenges; the main one being about The Tribulation. There are different opinions in "the church" whether we as Christians will have to experience the tribulation or whether we will be raptured out before it starts. Some believe, we will experience the first 3 1/2 years but will be taken out before the really bad stuff happens.
Chapter 13 is broken into six sections. It's quite the reading material. Here are the headings:
* Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
* The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
* The Great Tribulation
* The Coming of the Son of Man
* The Parable of the Fig Tree
* No One Knows the Day or Hour
Karen was good to not disclose her opinion on what she thought about the Tribulation for us Christians. She challenged us to get in our Bibles, read commentaries, do a Google search, etc. and find out for ourselves what God's word says and ask God to show us what the truth is. We have no way of knowing what God's plans are completely on the matter but we should always be in God's word searching for ourselves and not sitting by, listening to what everyone else is saying without measuring it up to God's word and knowing what we believe. That should always be the case. Do some research...what does the Bible say about it? It's not always black and white but ask God to give you understanding and to show you what is true so you'll know what to process and what to throw out when you hear other's opinions.
Jesus gave three warnings: Take heed so you are not deceived (13:5 & 23); Do not quit (13:9); Watch and pray (13:33).
So what DO YOU believe about the Tribulation: Pre, Mid or Post? Be prepared to explain why when you decide. You can read Mark 13 HERE at www.Biblegateway.com.
Karen Farah taught the lesson, which offered several challenges; the main one being about The Tribulation. There are different opinions in "the church" whether we as Christians will have to experience the tribulation or whether we will be raptured out before it starts. Some believe, we will experience the first 3 1/2 years but will be taken out before the really bad stuff happens.
Chapter 13 is broken into six sections. It's quite the reading material. Here are the headings:
* Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
* The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
* The Great Tribulation
* The Coming of the Son of Man
* The Parable of the Fig Tree
* No One Knows the Day or Hour
Karen was good to not disclose her opinion on what she thought about the Tribulation for us Christians. She challenged us to get in our Bibles, read commentaries, do a Google search, etc. and find out for ourselves what God's word says and ask God to show us what the truth is. We have no way of knowing what God's plans are completely on the matter but we should always be in God's word searching for ourselves and not sitting by, listening to what everyone else is saying without measuring it up to God's word and knowing what we believe. That should always be the case. Do some research...what does the Bible say about it? It's not always black and white but ask God to give you understanding and to show you what is true so you'll know what to process and what to throw out when you hear other's opinions.
Jesus gave three warnings: Take heed so you are not deceived (13:5 & 23); Do not quit (13:9); Watch and pray (13:33).
So what DO YOU believe about the Tribulation: Pre, Mid or Post? Be prepared to explain why when you decide. You can read Mark 13 HERE at www.Biblegateway.com.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE?
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT
Can I just say WOW?!!!! When I saw this verse last week on Bible Gateway as Verse of the Day, it jumped off the page at me and was so full, I thought. So I will break it down - briefly - so you'll know what I thought was so awesome. Here we go...
* The Lord your God: He is MY God. He loves me. He sent His son to die for me. He's preparing a place for me in heaven. He provides for me. He cares for me. He watches me. I could go on and on but HE IS MY GOD!! I am very thankful.
* Your God is indeed God: It's true. I worship the one true, living God. He's been God since before the beginning of time, and He will always be.
* He is the faithful God: God is always faithful. He never lets me down. I may not always understand His ways because His ways are not my ways but He's never gone back on His word. The Bible is full of His promises and He has kept every single one of them.
* He keeps His covenant for a thousand generations: I just said He's never lied but He will always keep His covenant...for a thousand generations? Longer than I can count, for sure.
* Lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him: I am very loved. I remember after I'd been divorced many years ago, I knew God would help me through it but I also remember thinking "Lord, I hope it's soon." I did get through it and saw Him work in my life in amazing ways. Over. And over. And over. I've been happily married and blessed to have Terry in my life for over 10 years. Oh yeah! God is good to me, even though I am very undeserving.
* On those who love Him and obey His commandments: Some people only want to talk about God being a loving God and He is. His love is unconditional, no matter what I've done. His love is available but His forgiveness is not automatic. There is a stipulation. We have to love Him and obey His commandments as the verse says. My mother told me recently about a lady she knows who says she doesn't believe God will send her teenage grandchildren to hell. I'm sorry but she obviously has not read the Bible because His word is clear. There is life eternal in heaven if you've trusted Jesus as your savior and asked Him to forgive your sins. There is also life eternal in hell because you've rejected Him and not accepted His gift of love and forgiveness.
Life eternal in heaven is for everyone but not everyone accepts. The choice is our's. What decision are you going with? The decision to give God control of your life or the decision to keep control? Oh, my friend...give God control. Let Him come into your life. Life will have hope, purpose and contentment. It is so worth it, and I am so grateful for His love.
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I would love to spend time with you on a regular basis. If you would like, please sign-up to receive email updates automatically when I write a new post. I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Can I just say WOW?!!!! When I saw this verse last week on Bible Gateway as Verse of the Day, it jumped off the page at me and was so full, I thought. So I will break it down - briefly - so you'll know what I thought was so awesome. Here we go...
* The Lord your God: He is MY God. He loves me. He sent His son to die for me. He's preparing a place for me in heaven. He provides for me. He cares for me. He watches me. I could go on and on but HE IS MY GOD!! I am very thankful.
* Your God is indeed God: It's true. I worship the one true, living God. He's been God since before the beginning of time, and He will always be.
* He is the faithful God: God is always faithful. He never lets me down. I may not always understand His ways because His ways are not my ways but He's never gone back on His word. The Bible is full of His promises and He has kept every single one of them.
* He keeps His covenant for a thousand generations: I just said He's never lied but He will always keep His covenant...for a thousand generations? Longer than I can count, for sure.
* Lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him: I am very loved. I remember after I'd been divorced many years ago, I knew God would help me through it but I also remember thinking "Lord, I hope it's soon." I did get through it and saw Him work in my life in amazing ways. Over. And over. And over. I've been happily married and blessed to have Terry in my life for over 10 years. Oh yeah! God is good to me, even though I am very undeserving.
* On those who love Him and obey His commandments: Some people only want to talk about God being a loving God and He is. His love is unconditional, no matter what I've done. His love is available but His forgiveness is not automatic. There is a stipulation. We have to love Him and obey His commandments as the verse says. My mother told me recently about a lady she knows who says she doesn't believe God will send her teenage grandchildren to hell. I'm sorry but she obviously has not read the Bible because His word is clear. There is life eternal in heaven if you've trusted Jesus as your savior and asked Him to forgive your sins. There is also life eternal in hell because you've rejected Him and not accepted His gift of love and forgiveness.
Life eternal in heaven is for everyone but not everyone accepts. The choice is our's. What decision are you going with? The decision to give God control of your life or the decision to keep control? Oh, my friend...give God control. Let Him come into your life. Life will have hope, purpose and contentment. It is so worth it, and I am so grateful for His love.
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I would love to spend time with you on a regular basis. If you would like, please sign-up to receive email updates automatically when I write a new post. I look forward to seeing you again soon.
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