A Chronological Bible Reading 15 Noah

Noah found grace
Genesis 6:8


Thank you God for your grace on our lives. Help us to always look to you for guidance and wisdom.


Genesis 6:9-21 Instructions for building the ark


Birth of Noah's sons

Genesis 5:32; 6:9-10; I Chronicles 1:4, Shem, Ham, and Japheth


Death of Lamech (Noah's father)
Genesis 5:30-31 777 years old


Death of Methuselah (Noah's grandfather)
Genesis 5:26-27 969 years old

A Chronological Bible Reading 16 Entering the Ark


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 8 History of First Civilization

Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:1, Birth of Cain
Genesis 4:2, Birth of Abel
Genesis 4:3-10, Cain kills Abel

Abel was doing what God wanted him to do and it turned out bad. Sometimes doing good is not rewarded with good. God gave Cain good counsel but Cain was going to do what he was going to do. (Was Cain a teenage at this time?)

Genesis 4:11-15, Cain is marked

Again, we see how we can plan what we will do but we can not plan the consequences. We need to be careful of our choices.


A Chronological Bible Reading 9 Descendants Part 1


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 6 Consequences

Temptation and Fall

Genesis 3:1-7, Eve is talking to a serpent. The serpent puts doubt in what God has said.
vs. 6, Eve saw that the fruit was pleasing to her eyes. She then desired wisdom. (Wasn't she already wise?) Once Eve doubted what God said, she doubted herself.

Genesis 3:8-19, For the first time-God had to go looking for Adam and Eve.

Genesis 310, The One that created them was looking for them and they hid because they were now afraid of Him. They realized they were naked and were ashamed. They lost fellowship with God.  Looked what they "gained" by disobeying; Fear, shame and aloneness. No, they did not drop dead from eating the fruit but that would be a delayed consequence. There was so much immediate damage that they did not plan for. Isn't that true still today. We can't plan on everything that could go wrong when we disobey.

Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent.

Genesis 3:16, Eve should have had children before this...


A Chronological Bible Reading 7 Expulsion


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A letter to Anna

Dear Anna,

My dear, dear, lady. To have every one know your heartache. I can only imagine that is very overwhelming. Take a deep breath.

Foremost I want to say that this is in no way your fault. You did nothing wrong. There is nothing wrong with you as a woman or a wife. There is nothing wrong with your Christianity or mothering of your children. He built this kingdom and now you all have to live with the public shame and reproach not just on your family but on the name of Jesus. Your husband did this to himself and his family and to the cause of Christ. No matter what you did you could not have made difference. He would have made these choices anyway. This is the way he wanted to go. Everyone has temptations and choices. He was weak and did not pass by them he enjoyed sin for a season.

You have several options. You could stay with this man, you could separate for a while, or you could divorce.

If you stay you will have plenty of guidance from people who took this path. In my opinion, you should do a few things before you go down this path.
         1. Make sure there is true repentance. Things need to be different. You are making the rules
             now.
         2. The computers need to be put on lock down and put in a common room in the home. No 
              more late night computer sessions.
         3. Counseling as a couple and individually. Not with someone you know but someone who can
             hold your husband accountable. You need to be able to safely talk about your feelings
             about his behavior against you and your children.
         4. You need to forgive to go forward. You cannot drag bitterness with you if you are going to
             stay. That will take much prayer and time. You can not hurry this. It will not happen
             overnight.

If you choose to separate for a while that might help you with your healing. It would give you time to process things without the pressure of him being there watching you. You need time and you may need some space to decide what you want to do.

If you decide to leave and file for divorce, the world would not fault you for doing that. They would applaud you. They would say you did the right thing. Then they would leave you out in cold and criticize your parenting publically. Most Christians would leave you and you would be left with very few but true and loyal friends. If your husbands repentance is not true, if he still thinks he is the boss of the home, and if you know better and feel that this is the best for you and your children then you must do it. It will be a hard road but you deserve to be valued and cherished. You are an amazing woman your heavenly Father has a wonderful plan for you and your kids. He will provide for you. It will not be an easy decision but if it God's plan for you then it will be blessed.


Pray, my friend, lots and lots of prayer will help you through this difficult time of decision. Stay in the bible. You will find wisdom and comfort in those pages.  Please do not make the decision everyone expects of you. Please do not make a decision out of pressure. Make the decision that God would have you to make because then He will be there with you every step of the way.

What ever way you decide to go Anna, God bless you. Our prayers are with you.

A Letter to Mrs. Duggard

Dear Mrs. Duggar,

First of all, I can't imagine how you must be coping with everything about your family being broadcasted for everyone to see and feel that they have to give their opinion on how they would have done it. It is so much easier when things are going good and we can share Jesus with the good we are doing. When things happen that shame Jesus we may feel like we are useless to His cause and we can never be in the fold again. Those feelings are hard to get past. But they will pass.

I have prayed that my children would get caught when they are doing things wrong. I want them to feel like they cannot get away with anything. I am glad that your son got caught and had to admit that he was doing wrong. If allowed to keep going unnoticed it really could have been so much worse. He really was a hypocrite and living a lie. God said enough. God still has a plan for your son and his family if he is willing to make some drastic changing. It will take some time, healing and mending of trust but God can do it.

To watch our children go through hardship is very difficult. Watching them go through hardship when it is self inflicted has got to be torturous. Knowing that it was their choice to do wrong. That this did not have to happen. Feelings of helplessness are hard to get away from.

I think some day your family may recover from this but I think it may be in quiet undocumented ways. Ways that you can reach out to other mothers who have children that greatly disappoint. How do the parents go on? There is a mourning process, how long does that last? The trust that is lost, how do you give the child chances to rebuild? Is there more that needs to be dealt with before it is exposed to the world? Such difficult questions without clear answers.

Mrs. Duggar, please stay on your knees and stay in your Bible. The Bible will heal, cleanse and give wisdom. We have to remember that no matter how devastating our circumstances are that God is still on the throne. Since your son is a Christian than he is in God's hands. So he is in good hands.

I have to say that some would blame the wife for not taking care of her man that made him turn to the internet and other women to be satisfied but I completely disagree. Your daughter in law is most likely a very good woman who would have done anything for a loving and caring husband.  Your son is the one who is responsible for this mess not her. I just wanted to make my stance clear on that.

Finally, we are all just one choice away from being caught doing wrong. Most of us will never have to experience our deeds good or bad being played out on the news. I hope this makes your stand for God stronger and not weaker. I hope you discover who your true friends are through this trial. I hope you get to know God on a deeper level as you seek him in prayer. Stay strong for God. Your other children need you.



Respectfully,

Terri-Ann

The Weakest Link

"Parents of gay or transgendered children are the weakest link in the church."

Well, that is what Kathy Baldock author of "Walking the Bridgeless Canyon" said to me during her discussion at Truckee Meadows Community College in the Spring of 2015. She was invited to speak for about an hour on her book. She wants to help build a bridge between the church and the LGBT community. She gave some history about how the church has treated the LGBT community over the last several hundred years and how it has changed so much in the last couple of decades. The church is still very far behind the world's view.

I thought at first that maybe this could happen but it really can't. It is not that the church is against the LGBT community but it is one group that says die to the flesh and live for God and the other says be true to yourself and you should be able to express how you truly feel. One group says, "less of me and more of Jesus" and the other group says. "I have the right to do what ever I want and you have to accept that."

It is a bridgeless canyon for a reason. There is not meant to be a bridge built by man from one side  to the another. The bridge is Jesus and what he has done on the cross. You can see and then use that bridge when you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

What Ms. Baldock said at the end of discussion when I pressed her about the different bibles she was using was that it wasn't about the bible. Well if it is not about the bible then how can a profitable discussion occur about God's love and mercy to mankind. That is a Christian's guide and source of wisdom. It is not antiquated, it is the living book that God uses to speak to us.

She also said that the weakest link in the church is the parent of a gay child. That statement caught my attention. It took me a while to process that. So I am weak. Hmm...really. It made me instantly think of the verses about being weak.

"To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak:

I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

I Corn. 9:22 KJV

Is God putting me in this position for a bigger reason? Can I be a help to other Christian parents that have a gay or transgender child? How can I be blessing? I do not have the answer to those questions yet. I know through prayer and searching the scriptures the answers will come.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,

in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

II Corn. 12:10 KJV

 

 

Is it just me or do you find that when someone says something negative about you, you make a choice of determined effort not to be that? Well, I knew for sure that I was not going to be weak and I for sure was not going to be the weakest link when it came to supporting God's Word in the church house.

 

I have a lot to process about these verses. I will leave you with verses that have been such an encouragement to me since I left that meeting.

 

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

 

I Corinthians 1:25 KJV

 

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

Consequenses

I  chose to make a very difficult decision in my home a couple of weeks ago. It seemed  that it hurt me more than it did the child. It actually broke my heart. I felt like I was in mourning about it for several days. But I know that I did the right thing. I hate making the hard choices. I hate calling out one of my kids. I hate being the enforcer. I want to be the good guy too however that is not what I am called to do. I want children that know that there are consequences. That there is a price to pay for your actions. I want my children to learn that while they are here at home where it is safe instead of when they are older and out in the world where there is no safety net.

I pray for wisdom and God's word says it will be given liberally to me however at times I think that if this is my with wisdom than I can't believe how completely inadequate I would be with out it. I need God all the time. Every day and every moment.

I have doubts. Isn't that part of being a good parent? Making sure you are going in the right direction. Seeking wisdom and counsel so that you stay on track. It is not easy being a parent. No one can parent my children better than me. I am the best parent for them. Even when it is hard. Especially when it is hard.

Pride Festival Experience

Today I agreed to take my son to the Pride Festival at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno. I had some trepidations about it but I did not want him to go alone. When ever I talk to people about going to events like this they seem to wonder why I am nervous. They act like it is no big deal. It doesn't matter if I am talking to Christians or not. However, I still have concerns. Maybe rightfully so.

As we arrived parking wasn't that bad and a nice bonus, it was free. As we got closer to the event we saw quite a few people wearing rainbow attire and or flags and such. We saw the first entrance was blocked by a gate with a sign that read exit. There was a person there opening the gate and letting people out.

When we got to the entrance they were collecting a $5 suggested donation. It just did not seem like a suggestion when you got to the front of the line. I told them I was not expecting to pay and only had $3, one young man said he could swipe my credit card. I declined the offer. Then they said the $3 was close enough. I thought that was weird because through all the advertising I read, even on the website it did not mention this "suggested" donation.

I let my son lead the way and we approached the area we saw a sign. Adult side to the left and Family side to the right. Of course he wanted to go to the left but because of what was implied I said we may have to leave sooner if we did that. So we went to the right.

The first space we came to was a spot for "free speech." It was empty. My son said, "So in America if I wanted to speak my mind I could only do it there?" I replied that if you disagreed with this festival you were free to do it right there.

The next booth was religious booth that had rainbow stickers with the words "God loves you" on them.  This booth and the free speech spot were both located out side of the circle of booths that we were about to walk into. I found that interesting. As we walked past the booth some one hollered my name. It was from the religious booth. A man from my work was in the both. I stepped over and introduced my son and he introduced the other people in the booth. I asked how he was doing and he responded that he was doing well. Then the conversation just dropped. He did not explain what his booth was or what they were doing there. It was a little awkward. So I said I would see him later and to have a good day.

Then I noticed some other booths that were there. The TMCC Compass group was  there. That group is a LGBT group from the college. There was also TMCC and UNR. There was another college there but the name escapes me now. Washoe Legal Service, Wells Fargo, JCPenny's, Martini radio and 106.3 were there as well. There were a couple of other churches there but they were in the inner circle if you will and not with the first one we came across. They just let us walk by and did not engage with us. There were maybe a dozen booths there in total. No one engaging us as we walked by.

I met up with the Smith's from work. They were looking at the Greyhound dogs that were there. They were dressed in matching rainbow shirts and had been apart of the parade that had started the event. They were having so much fun. We exchanged hello's and they explained that they were very interested in getting dog but not for another year. Their young girls were still afraid of dogs. Little did they know that having a dog would be like having a third child. Anyway, we said our goodbyes and headed on our way.

There was nothing really left to do and it had only been about 10 minutes to walk around and see the booths. So my son suggested we go to the Adult side. I warned him that I was sure that it was not a good idea for me. He was not an adult and so he should not go over there and I WAS an adult and I know I should not go over there. So he in his great teenage wisdom suggests that he go over there by himself and walk around for just 10 minutes. I said no, like as in N to the O, no. If he wanted to go over there then I was going to go with him. Does that sound like fun? He said sure! What is wrong with that boy?

We start walking into the area and it was behind a wall so you really can't see what is going on until you get over there. You can hear that they are doing a karaoke contest but what I hear as we come around the corner is my son saying,"Mom turn around, don't look!"

I have to pause right here and say that when I raised my kids I tried to protect their eyes and their ears from the things I thought would not be good for them. There is a children's song that goes "Oh be careful little eyes what you see...oh be careful little ears what you hear...The Father up above is looking down in love...oh be careful little eyes what you see."  So very often as we were in the mall or I would be driving them down the street I would see something inappropriate I would instruct them to look down until we passed by. So my son has some idea of what would be inappropriate for me and really for him to be seeing.

Back to the festival. So my son has to say this to me a couple more times. "Mom, look over hear for a minute. Stand right here or just keep walking." He did not seem to be enjoying himself. You might say, "Well of course not, his mother is with him!" However, I still think he would have felt uncomfortable there. I will tell you why.

With all the talk of how the LGBT community is just like everyone else. They just want the freedom to be themselves. Society just needs to accept them for who they are. They give the impression that they are like the Family side of this festival with the churches represented and the business and health care providers. Nice and kid friendly.

But really it was the Adult side that showed who they are and what they want to be doing. The Adult side was not kid friendly what so ever. They had adult booths there. They had an individual walking around in a male body part costume. My son even commented, "Who would want to dress up like that and walk around in public?" There were some men there dressed in over the top drag, like the diva type you may see on TV. There were other men there half dressed with their upper bodies painted. There was the all gay men's choir booth and other booths along that line. We walked through this side much quicker than the Family side.

As I briefly looked around it amazed me what they were celebrating because it was not the lasted supreme court battle that was won about same-sex marriage. They were not celebrating monogamy, they were celebrating the flesh and all that it wants to fulfill. They were viewing each other like a peace of meat and how they wanted to prepare it before they feasted on it. Even the talented singer that was scheduled to show up was treated like a slab of meat. Who could get their hands on him first?

As my son and I were standing there getting ready to leave the area I saw a man walking in dressed like a woman. He had a wig on and a dress that looked very matronly. He looked to be in his forties. His hands were clasping a clutch purse right in front of him. He did not look comfortable. He looked scared and fragile. Not in a feminine way but in a way that made me think he was nervous about being here. Afraid to be seen by someone he may know.

On the way out we met up with an old friend from church. He was with a friend. They talked about looking forward to meeting the singer Lance who was arriving shortly for a meet and greet. Our friend could not wait to meet him and could care less about Lance having a husband. We said our goodbyes and then I ran into Cathy who is an author. She wrote a book seemly about building a bridge between the church and the LBGT community. It wasn't quite like that but we greeted each other and then went on our way.

We were done with the event in less than 45 minutes. It seemed to me that my son was disappointed. It wasn't about fun and freedom like he had expected. The event was boring unless you wanted to engage yourself with the atmosphere on the Adult side.

My son  saw a few people from school there but he did not speak to them. We did stop at the Hillary for president booth. We just wanted a sticker. She wanted us to sign up for a  reminder about voting. So we did. Well, my son did. Still no sticker. Then she wanted him to register to vote. I said no thank you, we just wanted a sticker. She reluctantly gave us each one. My son commented that he wanted to study up on the issue first and then make a choice. He then commented how he wanted to talk to me about the subject Adult 101. What?! He said he meant about voting, and other responsibilities of being an adult. You will have to read another blog to find out what he needed to know for passing the Adult 101 class from this mother/teacher.

I think the LGBT community is pulling the wool over the eyes of society. They are trying to make believe it is all about the "Family side" when in reality it is about the "Adult side." No one cared about what services where being offered on the Family side. The straight families that were there were alone on the Family side. The LGBT community was on the Adult side doing what ever they wanted. Is that why they want to be accepted? To act inappropriate in public? Is that why they want equality because they want to bring out what they do in the dark into the light? Is that supposed to be ok with everyone? I do not think when we stand up for a gay person being bullied that this is what we are agreeing to. I think we are agreeing to peaceful living not public display of lusting after the flesh.

The event showed me that
1. I must love people. That is what God would want me to do. No matter who they are.
2. I must lead by example. My kids are going to go do what they are going to do. I need to be right here in this spot when they return. They will need to know where to find me.
3. Stay on the family side. I never want to qualify as an Adult.

As for Me…

As for Me…

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15b

 

      This is where Joshua is making a proclamation to Israel that they can do what they want but he is going to follow after God. It is such an aspiring story of courage and defiance of the masses. We see this verse on signs in people's home making that same stand against the world; We will stand for God.

     As a family starting out you may see this verse and think, "yes, I want my family to stand for God." You might even put some decisions in place as your children start to grow of how you will train them and also what you may do if they choose not to follow God. Your strong and confident that your family WILL serve God. You will raise your family better then you were raised and better then what others may or may not be doing at church. If Joshua can make this decision in that primitive culture, surely we can do it today.

      

     I have so many pictures and videos of my children saying and doing things for the Lord. Whether it be memorizing verses, singing in the choir, or helping out in class. They are so adorable. My sons made commitments when they were young to be preachers. One of my sons said that he had made a decision to be a missionary to India. He also wanted to be a detective so he decided he would be a missionary but when he wasn't preaching he would be a detective. Oh, they are so cute when they are young. So many times we went out and did things together for the Lord.

    

     But then the day comes when your child says that he does not want to go to church any more. That it is not his church but his parents church. He does not know for sure if there is a God or not. He only knows of his parent's God. He wants to figure it out for himself. Is that wrong to do? Should it have been something to cause me alarm? I don't think so.

      Isn't it a good thing that I have encouraged honest and courageous talk from my children? The fact that he felt comfortable enough to talk about this in this manner is critical to our relationship. When he approached me he was defensive about it because he had already told his father about what he was thinking and it did not go very well. I knew that I had to act in a different way.

    The advise I get from the church is to show him to the door if he doesn't want to follow the rules in my house. I could tell him it is my way or the highway. He is 16 years old. Is that a wise decision on my part to present to 16 year old that he either goes to church or he has to move out? Is that what that verse was saying? As for me and my house, so just move out when you don't agree with the statement. I do not think so.

   What would God do? He would listen. He would not feel threatened. He would encourage him to search for the truth. He would be there for him as he went through this journey and answer more questions. He would not abandon him. He would guide him back to Himself. God does not need me to defend Him to my son. My son knows the bible and he has seen a lot. He has seen hypocrisy all the way from the preacher, the church, and in his own home. Mind you I realize no one is perfect but there are some things done on purpose with no care as to anything or any one else. It is just done out of selfishness.

     How does this verse apply to my household even when the children start going in their own way? It means I still stand. I do not move. I stay put doing what I am supposed to be doing. When the children take notice of me while they are searching for answers I need to be just doing what God would have me doing. That means I do not have the liberty of doing my own thing but making sure I am doing God's thing. As for me...I will serve the Lord.

 

 

 



 

Power - Day 48

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Song of Solomon 8:14

 

Whose Got the Power?

 

          We want to be empowered so can speak up for ourselves or others. We want to defend those who cannot defend themselves. In my experience, power is being used by people to their own demise.

 

          When you have all the power, you have no comforter.

 

"So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter." Ecc. 4:1

 

 

          When you have power over some one else it is to your hurt.

 

"All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt." Ecc. 8:9

 

 

          Instead of worrying about who has the power, we need to concern ourselves with living a life that is pleasing to God. Sometimes that means relinquishing the "power" to some one else. Jesus did not seem to concern himself with all the power he had. He came to seek and to save and not to show every one that he had the power. Which we all know he did.

 

 

 

On a lighter note, here is my thoughts on Song of Solomon.

 

 





Good - Day 46

Proverbs 7:1 - Proverbs 20:21

 

          This section of reading has over all themes but they are carried out with verses of little bits of wisdom. Each verse could almost stand on its own. I want to point out the benefits of doing good.

 

Doing good is favorable.

 

"He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him." Proverbs 11:27

 

 

Doing good is favorable with God.

 

"A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn." Proverbs 12:2

 

 

God sees the good.

 

 "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3   

 

There are rewards for doing good.

 

  "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good." Proverbs 19:8

 

 

          There are a multitude of benefits for good behavior. They are not instantaneous which may not be pleasing to our instant gratification society but they are well worth the wait. That is when the wisdom comes in to play. Living a good life pays off and God makes it clear he is watching us and beholding our good. It is not the easy way but it is clearly God's way.



 

Seek God - Day 41

Psalm 45:15 - Psalm 69:21

 

          David seems to be distressed in the section of reading with his enemies, with Saul, and with his own sin.

 

 

"Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice." Ps. 51:8

 

           David keeps seeking the Lord. He knows that as long as God is with him he will get through these trials.

 

 

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Ps. 57:1

 

 

          Whether I have troubles or someone is out to see me hurt or even if it is because of my own sin, I need to learn from David and keep seeking God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



A To Do List - Day 40

Psalms 25:1 - Psalms 45:14

 

          In this section of reading I focused on things that God would have me do.

 

"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths." Ps. 25:4

 

"Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." Ps. 26:1-2

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple." Ps. 27:4

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Ps. 27:14

"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Ps. 32:11

"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." Ps. 34:13-14

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil." Ps. 37:1-8

This will be the result of working on the Lord's to do list:

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Ps. 37:23-24










Power - Day 36

Nehemiah13:15 - Job 7:21

 

          As a Christian woman we are taught to submit and obey, especially when it comes to marriage. If we are not careful we will not see the power that we hold just by being a woman.

 

          When Queen Vashti disobeyed her husband and did not come when he called her, she did not realize who was watching her. The men in the court did. They knew that the women of the kingdom would do as she had done.

 

"For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not." Ester 1:17

 

          I wonder if the Queen had realized that other women were watching her if she would have chosen differently. If she would have used her position to strengthen the home instead of tear it down.

 

            Do you know that others are watching you? You may think, why would they watch me, I am not important or in a place of authority? People are watching how you raise your kids, they are watching you go to church every week. They are watching what you make a priority in your home. Right now, as you make the hard choices for the Lord's work you may be encouraging someone else to make those same choices in her home. If you quit, she may also.

 

          The world is watching you also. Your neighbors know more about you than you think. You are a Christian and that makes people wonder what is different about you compared to them. Is there a difference?

 

 

 



This was of God - Day 32

II Chronicles 7:11- II Chronicles 23:15

 

 

          After Solomon dies, his son Rehoboam becomes king. Rehoboam gets advise from wise men about how to treat the people. Then he gets advise from his peers on how he should treat the people. He takes the advise of his peers and treats the people harshly and with a heavy burden. Consequently, this was all part of God's plan.

 

"So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the Lord might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat."

II Chr. 10:15

 

 

          When I think of God's plan for my life I think of all the good things. Good health, successful business, and the kids doing well in school.

 

          I must say that when things are going horribly wrong my first thought is not how this might be fulfilling God's word in my life.

 

          God's plan does not always make sense but as long as it is His plan, I know I am in good hands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A World We Never Touch

Ever since I heard this song it has touched me and has spoken of how I have felt in my heart God would have me treat other people, Christian or not.

 

First Verse

He walked along the shores of Galilee

From clay He formed the healing balm

That caused the blind to see

When stones of wrath lay heavy in their hands

He knelt to write His mercy in the sand

Jesus came to set the captives free

Showed us by the way He lived

The way we need to be

Oh love is more than words could ever say

We must touch them with compassion

To help them find their way

Chorus

How can we reach a world we never touch?

How can we show them Christ

If we never show them love?

Just to say we care will never be enough

How can we reach a world we never touch?

Second Verse

Could we be so busy being saved

Trying to impress a world that's long since lost its way

We pride ourselves in being set apart

Yet we don't have time to touch a broken heart

Even if we found the time to care

Would we take the risk involved in always being there

Oh we hold the very thing they need so much

Sometimes the Word of life can pass

Through just a simple touch

Bridge

We hide behind these walls

And the security of friends

While beyond the stained glass windows

The world is lost in sin

How can we reach a world we never touch?

How can we show them Christ

If we never show them love?

Just to say we care will never be enough

How can we reach a world we never touch?

Mark Carouthers, Steve Richardson and Tim Pedigo – copyright 1996

Difference - Day 28

II Kings 15:27 - II Kings 25:30

          Israel is doing their own thing again. God removes them out of his sight.

"Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only."

II Kings 17:18

          So many bad things are happening to the men so they will turn towards God but nothing works. The men turn to the King of Assyria for help.

"Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land." II Kings 17:26

          The King gets a priest to teach the men to fear the Lord.

"Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the Lord." II Kings 17:28

          They learn to fear the Lord but they still worship others gods.

"So they feared the Lord, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places." II Kings 17:32

^"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence." II Kings 17:33

"So these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day." II Kings 17:41

         

          As Christians, is this what we are doing in our lives? Are we going to church on Sunday, learning about God and then going about our own business the rest of the week. But, hey, we know about godly things! Do we know how to act but are choosing not to do it?

          How will the world know about God unless we live a different life? We are in this world but we should not be acting like this world. We need to show them there is a difference between a Christian and a non-Christian.



Purpose - Day 26

I Kings 16:21 - II Kings 4:37

          Elijah the Prophet. The way I imagine him is strong, no nonsense, and authoritative. When he prays in front of 400 plus prophets of Baal, he meant business.

"And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again."

I Kings 18:36-37

          I bet the prophets and on lookers just snickered at Elijah. Their hearts were not going to turn towards the Lord. What was Elijah thinking?

          But when that fire came down from heaven after just one small prayer, yep, they turned towards God.

"And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God." I Kings 18:39

          God used Elijah in mighty ways, however, God still wanted Elijah to know what his purpose was in life.

"And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?"  I Kings 19:13 

           I want God to use me. I may not know specifically what God is doing in my life but I need to have a purpose and a plan to keep me focused. What is your purpose?



Gladness - Day 25

I Kings 7:38 - I Kings 16:20

          Solomon gets the Lord's temple built. Israel worships the Lord. They worship for days. They had gladness and joy.

"On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people."  I Kings 8:66

         When people from other parts of the world come to see what is going on in Israel, they are amazed at the difference in Solomon's servants. They were happy.

"Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom." I Kings 10:8

          Then things change. Solomon goes after strange women, which turn his heart away from the Lord.



"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father." I Kings 11:4

        You do not read of gladness, joy or happiness again.

  "So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day"

I Kings 12:19

          When we obey the Lord and do right, that is where we will find happiness. There is joy when we obey. There are rewards for obedience and they are consequences when we disobey.