Tag Archive for scripture

09 Jan 2012
Bible • Bible Study • Quiet Reflections

A Look at some Bible Studies

Bible study and reading; In today’s busy world, it seems difficult to find time for anything, even breathing it seems, but if you’re looking at starting small, there are some really great bible studies that are starting up that I wanted to highlight for you to consider.

For myself, I’m actually starting two on two separate days, due to the fact that they are perfect for the everyday busy woman.

Maybe you homeschool, volunteer, work at home, work outside the home, and find it hard to make time in your busy schedule to sit down, but if you have an e-reader, a smart phone, an iphone or ipod, it’s easy to find that five or ten minute time in your day to sit down and work on some of the following studies that will be going on and are focused directly in His word and the ones I will be doing are within the five and ten minute time frames.

First of all, for those of you who know about the, “Becoming You” bible study that I worked through in December, Stephanie Shott @stephanieshott , is going to start an online bible study, for this particular study, starting January 23, 2012. From personal experience, “Becoming You” is a great ten minute bible study that will still have you digging in deep and sharing principles that will help you change your way of responding to life.

If you haven’t had a chance to try her bible study, it is a free download that you can get simply by signing up to her blog and she will send you a copy and now with an online bible study to go with it, so worth taking the time (hey it’s only ten minutes out of the day) to work through this study.

Second, there is Kathy Howard‘s ( @KathyHHoward) , “Growing Up Together-A Study in Ephesians” that she will be hosting, starting January 18, 2012. It’s said to not be time intensive, but will be posted every Wednesday and the focus will be working through Ephesians, of course, to grow and develop spiritual encouragement.

Finally, another one to consider is, “Do Not Depart” and (@DoNotDepart)  the study, “Run to Him” , that will dig into selections from Psalms and starting January 13, 2012, and will be posted every Friday.

There’s already a study guide with a printable bookmark for easy access to the study schedule that is already available and can be downloaded.

With that said, I will be posting a few posts this week about, getting into the “Bible Study and Reading Mode” leading up to the start of these and no doubt other wonderful bible studies that are happening online and even offline for many of you.

If you are incorporating scripture memorization, with your many goals this year, and could use a little encouragement as you strive on memorizing passages from the bible, would love to have you join my January 2012-Scripture Memorization that I have going on.

Just drop on by and link up and every Saturday on the Sunflower Faith fan page, drop by and share how you are doing, tips and resources you are using for memorization (be surprised how this can cover memorization in other areas of your life as well) and just be encouraged in your goal to memorize scripture for the month of 2012.

In the meantime, keep an eye here, this week, for future posts about ideas and tips for setting time aside for bible study/reading, just general quiet time for devotional and prayer and building a basis for growing as a Christian.

If you’re not subscribed to my blog, yet, I invite you to fan, “Sunflower Faith” or sign up to my RSS or email to keep up to date with this and other latest posts from Sunflower Faith!

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07 Jan 2012
Scripture Memorization

January 2012-Scripture Memorization-Come Join Me!

Maybe you’re wanting to just learn all the books in the Bible to make finding a book easier, while in church or……memorizing scripture is something that you’ve been putting off and keep saying you’ll do, but then either forget about it or just lack of the motivation….

Well…..Whatever are the reasons, I hope you will join me either each month, or a month when you have time set aside to work on scripture memorization or even, through the whole year, and together, we can work together on memorization scripture for 2012.

From,”Why Memorize Scripture“, the following was poised to contemplate on:

“Is the Bible made up of the very words of God or is it a book of human wisdom?

Your answer to this question will determine your response to its teachings and will significantly influence your world view.

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified” (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61)
It is the starting point and most important doctrine of the Church and it will be a basis for the beliefs and practices of its members.

All other doctrine of the Church is based on the Bible, so if the Bible is not reliable then neither is the doctrine and neither is our faith and neither is our salvation.” 

As a follower of Christ, remembering, understanding and studying Scripture is part of understanding what the Bible is about, why we believe what we believe and like anything else that we seek to develop growth in, memorizing Scripture provides comfort to those who are followers of Christ and believe in our Father in Heaven and because of that, strengthen their faith and personal walk.

Nothing can be said better than as quoted from, “Why Memorize Scripture” the reason’s that a Christian would take the time to not just memorize, but along with memorization, read and study God’s

  • We are told to be prepared to answer questions concerning our faith in Christ. (1PE 3:15)
  • Paul was able to reason with non-Christians because of a knowledge of the word. (AC 17:1-4)
  • Having the word in our hearts allows us to encourage and teach others. (CO 3:16; 2 TI 2:14-17)
  • Knowing and using the Word teaches us right from wrong. (HE 5:13-14)
  • It can increase our ability to distinguish truth from error in doctrine
  • It will help our prayer life (John 15:7)
  • Knowing God’s word allows us to study the Bible more effectively
  • If we know the scriptures we can meditate on it anytime wherever we are. (Ps 119:97; Ps 16:7)
  • It helps us to stand firm against Satan’s attacks.

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11, New King James Version)

Learning scripture, for the follower of Christ, enriches one’s life with the words and comfort of the faith.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16, New King James Version)

Remembering scripture helps us in explaining why we believe what we believe.

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (1 Peter 3:15, New King James Version)

 

If you plan or if you are participating either through another blog or for personal reasons, to memorize scripture, I invite you to share, either here in the comments, or grab the participation badge on the right side and on your own blog (would be great if you would link back here to help spread the word too about this), share the following:

  1. List the verses you plan on memorizing this month
  2. What resources are you using to help you memorize those verses

For myself, for the month of January 2012, I plan on memorizing the verses, using the memory cards available at,”More to Be“. Right now, Elisa is having an “Immersed Challenge” at her blog and I thought that would be a fitting resource to use and who knows, it could work for you too!

The verses that her memory card covers and I will be memorizing are the following:

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16
  2. Romans 10:9-10
  3. Romans 12:1-2
  4. Ephesians 1:3-8
  5. John 14:6
  6. Hebrews 2:9
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:31
  8. Psalm 86:12

Some of the resources that I will be using is an app that is available on the ipod called Bible Memory Verse, that has:

  • audio recording as one of its features
  • flashcards
  • several different versions of the bible to choose from

In addition, it was shared on the post, Scripture Memorization for 2012, an online program, called, Scripture Typer, (that is free and has a widget available for those who use blogger as their blogging platform), to help with memorizing scripture and so far from what I’ve seen, its easy to use and looks to be very helpful. I also love the fact it has an option that you can input the scripture you are memorizing and then print it out on business cards.

If you would like to join me and others in memorizing scripture for January 2012, grab the January 2012 participation badge that is on the right sidebar, post about it on your facebook, twitter or blog to spread the word and more than anything, leave a link to your blog here!

Each Saturday on the Facebook page, we would do a weekly check-in to see how each other are doing, post words of encouragement and prayers and tips and advice to help with memorizing that can be help not only with just scripture, but hopefully, anything you are wanting to memorize!



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26 Oct 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

Proverbs 25:11-Word Filled Wednesday


Original image by xi90 from stock.xchng

This story about nails in the fence was shared by my pastor, one sermon:

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.”

The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said “I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you.”

“Of course I can,” said the father.

Our words can make and break a person and in today’s world, with social media at its highest, it surprises me how testimony’s can easily be broken or made with the simple typing of words.

I had a mentor, a very godly and wise woman, who shared, we have to be careful, sharing things over emails, text’s and even on blogs or facebook, because words typed out and sent over the internet, can’t be taken back as readily, but the difference in the typed word and the spoken word, is that the person affected, those words are there still on paper, or in today’s world, text messages, email and facebook.

They can go over and no amount of sorry, can take back what is there to remind them and us, of hurtful words that were sent out.

Forgiveness…..it helps mend wounds and move forward, but it doesn’t change the past that can’t be taken bad.

Words spoken, can’t be quickly retrieved when said to our loved ones, to friends, to strangers, to anyone.
Saying, “I’m sorry”, helps bridge wounds when both parties, are able to reconcile, but sometimes, the best words, are words that, are spoken in wisdom and prudence.

At the end of the day, is it really worth, saying something, just because in the fit of emotion, or impatience, we have to say what we have to say, instead of just walking away, taking a deep breathe, praying about it and also asking ourselves, “Is it really worth it”.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV), reminds us,”29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

At the end of the day, its more about tickling ears as it is about setting an example of maturity, grace and often prudence.

After all,

“18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
(Proverbs 12:18, New King James Version)”

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

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18 Oct 2011
In Other Words Tuesday

Why Worry-An “In Other Words Tuesday”

This Week’s “In Other Words”

“ When you have no helpers, see your helpers in God.
When you have many helpers, see God in all your helpers.
When you have nothing but God, see all in God.
When you have everything, see God in everything.
Under all conditions, stay thy heart only on the Lord. ”

~ Charles Spurgeon

Hosted this week at: Jennifer on her blog, Scraps & Snippets

Mark Twain once said,”I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” How much does this remind me of,”

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34, New King James Version)”

If you haven’t read Charles Spurgeon, I highly recommend his “Morning and Evening”, because he is one of those people who so eloquently reminded us of the more important things in life….in the case of his quote for,”In Other Words Tuesday”, that no matter what in life…..God is there, so why worry.

“Because I can’t help it….” is a great excuse that is often used, but reality, where does worry really get us but destroying the joy we have in the life we are given and the lives of those who are around us.

What do we have to gain, when we are on our deathbeds, do we really relish thinking, “Why yes….I embrace the times I spent worrying, or will we go, “Why did I worry so much when things eventually did work out or the things I worry about, never came to pass”.

As a follower of Christ, our hope, our trust, our faith, is all on God, not on an imperfect world where people will fail us, jobs will disappoint us, expectations will fall short, but the truth and reality that no matter what, in all that is done and said, God is the one in control and if we are with and for God, who and what can really be against us.

Sure, we can spend the evenings, mulling over the bank accounts, the bad day at work, maybe the people who broke our hearts, but what does that gain us in the long run? Nothing…except the time and joy we could have spent with the people that do matter to us and who care about us.

From the MHC (Matthew Henry Commentary), the believer is told,

“There is scarcely any sin against which our Lord Jesus more warns his disciples, than disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life. This often insnares the poor as much as the love of wealth does the rich. But there is a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not carry these lawful cares too far. Take no thought for your life.

Not about the length of it; but refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases; our times arein his hand, and they are in a good hand. Not about the comforts of this life; but leave it to God to make it bitter or sweet as he pleases.

Food and raiment God has promised, therefore we may expect them. Take no thought for the morrow, for the time to come.

Be not anxious for the future, how you shall live next year, or when you are old, or what you shall leave behind you. As we must not boast of tomorrow, so we must not care for to-morrow, or the events of it. God has given us life, and has given us the body. “

Contentment.

Gratefulness.

Charles Spurgeon capture it all when he tells us,

“ When you have no helpers, see your helpers in God.
When you have many helpers, see God in all your helpers.
When you have nothing but God, see all in God.
When you have everything, see God in everything.
Under all conditions, stay thy heart only on the Lord. ””

God is in everything. If you truly believe that, is it so far fetched that in everything, be it if you have everything or you have nothing, you are not as bad off as you may think you are, God is in everything and yes, there are days we will have our doubts and those worries overwhelm us, but is it so easy to ask ourselves,” What are we gaining in all that”?

Are we really adding anything to our lives or just taking away from our lives?

Yes, business matters, money matters, having a job matters and friends and everything, but we can be our own worse enemies sometimes, that we do more of a job, running ourselves down, than anyone else.

As the MHC advises (emphasis in some places, mine)

“Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world. Seek first the kingdom of God, and make religion your business: say not that this is the way to starve; no, it is the way to be well provided for, even in this world.

The conclusion of the whole matter is, that it is the will and command of the Lord Jesus, that by daily prayers we may get strength to bear us up under our daily troubles, and to arm us against the temptations that attend them, and then let none of these things move us.

Happy are those who take the Lord for their God, and make full proof of it by trusting themselves wholly to his wise disposal.

Let thy Spirit convince us of sin in the want of this disposition, and take away the worldliness of our hearts.”

I can’t help but notice that those who care and love the world and materials more, tend to be worry more and are unhappy more. Instead of seeing the blessings that they do have or what has been given, they are caught up in the, “If I have this then….”,”If I do that, then…” and try to justify why, with more excuses, “Well because if I don’t,”, “I just worry….”.

Notice a lot of “if’s” that often in the end, don’t come to pass?

Or the, “I trust God, but….”

We all dream of life on a tropical island, walking barefeet in the sand, but if we can’t find our tropical island, where we are right now, and embrace what God has given us and instead of facing it with worries and a scowl, change our attitudes, and show that hope and see Him in everything, because He is in everything, look at how much differently life can and will be.

Truth is, if we’re not happy and content with where we are now, even if we get what we want, what is to stop us, to fall back into that “worry mode” and long for something always bigger and better than what we have?

If we see Him in everything, no matter what the circumstances are, we will find that peace and contentment and find our lives maybe improving a little bit rather than less.

Source: galleryeight.blogspot.com via Sunflower on Pinterest

Sunflower Faith | 4 comments | Tags: , , , ,
05 Oct 2011
Internet Cafe Devotions • Word-Filled Wednesday

Romans 8:25-A Word Filled Wednesday

Romans 8:25; Image by HeartLight Gallery

Life seems a lot about waiting and when its for a phone call, waiting seems to go from a few hours to almost eternity.

This image that captures, Romans 8:25, is something that I think so many of us can relate in all circumstances of our lives.

Maybe its that phone call saying we got the job.

Maybe its the phone call waiting for lab results.

Maybe the results of an important test or for many that letter saying you got into the college of your choice.

Waiting is so much a part of life, but the hardest thing to do at the same time.

The “Dictionary of Bible Themes”, goes on about this that,”Being prepared to patiently look towards God for his guidance and accepting the timing he proposes. Waiting on God can lead to an atmosphere of expectation and confidence in God and a realisation of the unreliability of one’s own judgment.”

Try telling a young child to be patient for their birthday or to open their Christmas presents, not going to happen, but for adults, that wait often isn’t as filled with fun as it is with anticipation of,”what if”,”what about” “what could be” and its both a struggle and a blessing to be holding on to that hope, in and through Jesus Christ, that our Father, Lord in Heaven, will see us through whatever it is that has us holding our breathes in……wait.

God doesn’t work on our time frame and that is okay at the same time; We live too much in a world of have to have it now, fast food drive throughs, make it quick, “I don’t have two minutes to spare”, rush rush rush, but in the end, God is in control….much better control, than we often are, where in our impatience, we rush into judgements, decisions and emotions.

So like many, we wait….we hope…and we just…have…faith.

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

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01 Aug 2011
Devotionals

“Blank Pages” on Laced with Grace

Laced With Grace

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” ~Luke 10:38-42 ESV

I had one of those rare days when everything was caught up.

House cleaned.

Everyone was occupied and there was free time; Free time that was met with a blank stare, and the thought, “Wow..this is great…What do I do now…well let’s just find something for busy sake”.

Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. -Matthew 8:18 ESV

Every do that yourself?

No,not run across the street when you see someone, but take time to actually rest.

Or do you fidget and think,”I need to find something to do”.Maybe instead of making time in your schedule or taking advantage of time, using it for other work that wasn’t attended to.

Don’t worry, we’re all like that, but imagine what it would be like if we really took time, real time and rested, both to regain our energy and to devote a little more time to prayer and reading the bible.

Maybe a little more productive, maybe more rested and maybe remember what food tasted like, when it was warm not cold, but the same with His word.

Reading His word is a big thing and no matter how busy things can get, we live in an amazing time, where we can read (or listen) to the Bible, in every language, way and form.

So why do we hesitate? We seek everything else with abandonment, but its always a quick prayer, never a full, engaged prayer and maybe a verse here or there, but never a deep, take your time, reading the bible.

Drop by “Laced With Grace” to read the rest of this devotional and read other life encouraging devotionals as well.

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13 Jul 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

Matthews 6:27-A Word Filled Wednesday

Worry….it’s so easy to do, isn’t it?

We can spend a lot of time on it and what does it usually do? Okay…besides the grey hair and the weight not gained eating chocolate.

However, in the end run of things, what does it really accomplish? Nothing.

1. Worrying doesn’t solve problems and it is a great way to waste time isn’t it?

Matthew 6:27-29

2. Worrying can make a person sick, both mentally and physically.

Proverbs 12:25

3. Worrying is basically saying we don’t trust our Father in Heaven and as seen shared, a great formula to combat that is: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.

Philippians 4:6-7

4. Worry doesn’t really let you focus on the things that can be, but doesn’t worry have us keeping our heads down and worrying about, well things we dont’ know will come and keeping our focus off of our Heavenly Father?

Matthew 6:31-33

Via the Matthew Henry Commentary, it is shared to all of us, this perspective:

Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion. Something the soul will have, which it looks upon as the best thing; in which it has pleasure and confidence above other things. Christ counsels to make our best things the joys and glories of the other world, those things not seen which are eternal, and to place our happiness in them.

There are treasures in heaven. It is our wisdom to give all diligence to make our title to eternal life sure through Jesus Christ, and to look on all things here below, as not worthy to be compared with it, and to be content with nothing short of it. It is happiness above and beyond the changes and chances of time, an inheritance incorruptible.

The worldly man is wrong in his first principle; therefore all his reasonings and actions therefrom must be wrong. It is equally to be applied to false religion; that which is

deemed light is thick darkness. This is an awful, but a common case; we should therefore carefully examine our leading principles by the word of God, with earnest prayer for the teaching of his Spirit. A man may do some service to two masters, but he can devote himself to the service of no more than one. God requires the whole heart, and will not share it with the world.

When two masters oppose each other, no man can serve both. He who holds to the world and loves it, must despise God; he who loves God, must give up the friendship of the world.

At the end of the day, our trust and hope, as we say it is, is in and through our Father in Heaven, and worrying, well, wasted energy that really says, we don’t trust and focus more on the “Maybe’s”, “What If’s” and in the process, its easy to make bad decisions.

There are lots of things in our lives we can be worry about and no one is immune or perfected the art of not worrying as well as perfecting the art of worrying, but its something that we need to be aware of and encouraged to keep all things in prayers, work toward allowing our Father in Heaven, work in and through us, and use what ever our situation is calling, for hope, determination, perseverance and encouragement.

At the end of the day….what do we really have to gain by worrying?? Except maybe a grey hair…or two…or three …or four…or…..

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

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27 Jun 2011
Scripture Moment

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25, New King James Version)

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08 Jun 2011
Word-Filled Wednesday

Isaiah 42:3-Word Filled Wednesday

Isaiah 42:3; Original photo by ontzy

There is just amazing imagery in the verse, Isaiah 42:3.

The full scripture for this goes,” 3 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;
He will bring forth justice for truth.
(Isaiah 42:3, New King James Version)”

In “Pressing Into Thin Places” by Margaret Harrell Wells, EdD, she shared this scripture in the book, and as I really contemplated on that particularly verse….it presented to me of this wick that was determined,no matter what, to be blown out.

Isn’t that a perfect way to capture our faith in our Heavenly Father….that no matter what, no matter how hard life presses on us, no matter how hard the storm blows outside our home, that we hold on strong to our faith and trust in our Father in Heaven as He holds and shields us from the storm and that which presses upon us?

There are days when we may find ourselves pressed in, but think of the wick on a candle, and you’ve seen them, that no matter how hard you blow on it, the wick is determined to hold on to its flame and even though it may seem to slowly die away, there still is a subtle glow that maybe with the right encouragement, will burst into a mighty flame again.

Looking more into this verse, I came across a sermon by a Pastor John Turner, that looked into Isaiah 42:3 and shared some interesting points about this particular verse.

His sermon shared that,

1.The word “bruised” was translated to mean: “oppressed,” “crushed,” “discouraged,” and “struggling.” and was the same as mention and meaning as in II Kings 18:21,and

2.The word “reed” ” also refer to any kind of pillar of support, such as a rod or cane, or a lamp stand in particular.   In the context of this passage, it would seem to refer specifically to a lamp stand.“

But this isn’t what was just as interesting as what the Pastor later shared in the sermon,

“Here is a picture of the soul whom God has called to serve Him and to give forth a light in the darkness.  Standing tall at first, filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit and the fire of God, that soul radiates the light of Christ for all to see.  Yet, calamity strikes and that soul is now found lying on the ground, bruised, broken, crushed, discouraged.  The barely discernable light remaining within struggles with dullness, dimness and heaviness; issuing forth nothing more than pestilent vapors.  With its light diminished, it is barely seen and is shunted aside with no practical purpose or usefulness. No one wants a light that doesn’t light.  Already crushed and battered, that seemingly fruitless soul becomes an obstacle that serves only to trip up passersby.  Though that soul tries to get out of the path and hide in some darkened,  out-of-the-way alley, there seems to be no refuge from the scornful glances and vicious kicks of those who see it. Men pass it by in their daily business, shaking their heads and clucking their tongues at the baneful shambles of this dusky, dim soul which was once a plentiful source of light.  Too bad.  Someone should gather up this unsightly heap and dispose of it before someone stumbles upon it and is injured.”reference: A Bruised Reed and a Smoking Flax
,http://www.seewaves.com

What an image does that bring?

That the broken…..the lost…the hurt….the…..disciples that followed Christ weren’t perfect, had white picket, picture perfect pasts, but were often the worse of society,that in and through our Father, followed and was used by Him and served Him as His disciples.

No one is below….No one was beyond…Anyone….has hope in and through Jesus Christ.

Come join me and everyone else for “Word Filled Wednesday“;

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06 Jun 2011
Devotionals • In Other Words Tuesday

“Deciding on Worry”-In Other Words Tuesday

This Week’s “In Other Words”

“ If we can trust God for our eternal salvation,
How can we not trust Him to provide for the “little” things of life?”
~M.E.Howard

Hosted this week by:Urailak on her blog,Living for God

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
(Matthew 6:25-27, New King James Version)”

Ever asked yourself where does worry get?Well, besides maybe grey hair?

Matthew 6:25-27 is a reminder to the Christian that God does provides; He provides for the things that He knows we need, not want, and like the birds that fly….they are provided sustenance, so He will not abandon us.
We live in a world that seems to be filled and thrives on worry, but as the quote by M.E. Howard provides, how is it that if we trust in Him, that we have eternal salvation that we worry about things that in the long run are temporary.

What does worry really do? It can distract us. It can fill us with fear. It can take away not only our energy, but our time that can otherwise be spent focus on things we have a say in, but worry, in the long run, isn’t productive.

A sermon called, “How to Escape Worry” was shared on a site called the John Mark Ministries, and in that sermon by Rod Benson, it is shared, “When you worry about your life, does that change it? No. When you worry about the future, does that control it? No. Worry won’t change the past, and it won’t control the future. All it does is distract us, and waste our emotional energy, and make us miserable.”

Isn’t it true?

Worry is really just negative energy that can drag one down, leave one feeling worse than they already does, but does it make any changes for the better in a situation? Not really. Does it contribute anything positively that lifts up the situation? Not really.

God is in control and if we believe that and trust Him, we also have the faith that just as our eternal salvation is rested in His hands, whatever we are going through right now, He is working through it that it is to His Glory.

There are things in our lives we can’t control, but making the decision to believe and follow Christ is one thing we do have control of…all else…really is in God’s hands.

Ron Benson really put it well when he shared in his sermon,”We sometimes do that with God when we say to him, “You take care of all the big needs, and I’ll handle the job issues, or the health problems.” When you worry, you’re acting as though God won’t do what he’s promised to do – that he’s not there. Non-believers have a right to worry – they’re alone in a dog-eat-dog world.”

Several tips are offered through his sermon:

1. Put God first-focus on Him; Having a strong relationship and developing that relationship through reading His word is a huge benefit for the Christian facing struggles

2. Focus on Today-If anything else, don’t worry what you can’t change about yesterday and tomorrow is still unwritten so right now…focus on today.

3.Rely on God-Philippians 4:6-7 says give all things to Him. Anxieties, worries, fears…all of it….

When it comes down to it….if you know eternity has been taken care of….then remember…what happens today is only temporary…give it to Him and focus on what you can do for today.

If you haven’t participated in,”In Other Words Tuesday” before and would like to, feel free to drop by and find out more about it, or drop by,”In Other Words Tuesday” newest hostess, Urailak on her blog, Living for God and leave a link to your own,”In Other Words Tuesday” perspective of this week’s quote.

God bless you, Gentle Readers!

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