Blessings

Hello,

I'm finally back home from taking care of my mom, but I really need some rest, so it may be a couple of days before I blog. Just know that you're all in my prayers.

Thank you for your prayers for Mom; she's doing really well, all things considered.

Sandy

2 Corinthians 3:16

Hey Y'All,
That greetings a leftover from our short foray into Missiouri. How was your day? I prayed for you all that the Lord would make His presence known in your life today. I trust that He is.
Ladies, do you remember when you got married and you had a veil on your head? I know some of you didn't, but I did 34 years ago. When I looked through that veil, everyone was just not as visible as when it was turned back by Chuck before he kissed me.
2 Corinthians 3:16 talks about another type of veil, but one that keeps a person from seeing clearly the spiritual things of the Lord. When we trust Him as Savior, that veil is lifted and we see clearly what He wants for us to know. "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
You have to go back to the beginning of the passage to get the meaning behind this small verse. The veil here is the New Covenant that Christ brought. Christ fulfilled the law requirement for a blood sacrifice.
There are still things that are veiled: 1 Corinthians 13:12. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; than I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." Some day when we're in Heaven we'll know fully.
If you go on to read 17 and 18 you'll see two really great verses, full of doctrine. Part of the trinity is revealed in 17: now the Lord is the Spirit. This same spirit gives freedom. Many times I've talked about our freedom in Christ. Freedom not to spend eternity in hell, free not to sin but to live a victorious life with Him, even while we're still here on earth.
Because we've trusted Christ's work on the cross, we have unveiled faces. We are being transformed into His likeness (see Romans 12:2). This transforming happens by God's Spirit when we study the Word and apply what it says.
So, is your face unveiled? Do you take hold of your freedom in Christ? Are you being transformed daily? Food for thought. If there's conviction, look to the Lord.

Transforming daily,
Sandy

I Corinthians 3:16

Hey,
What a day I've had. I got to see our son and his family. I just love cuddling on the couch with two of my grands. Then the dreaded thing: shopping. I know, many women like to shop but I don't; never have. At least I found basically everything I went to find and that was good. The heat, well, it heated up!
Today's verse is wonderful and I can't wait to share it: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" Isn't that super? The Holy Spirit, a gift from God when we trust Him as our Savior, lives in us.
Let's back up this Biblical information just a bit. The Apostle Paul was talking about divisions in the church and they were pitting one teacher against another. It helps to read verses 10-15 first. You've all heard me use this portion of scripture many times. So, after you read it, including the first 9 verses to get a better idea of what led Paul to tell him in 16 that the Holy Spirit lives in us.
As Paul talks about the divisions that threaten to destroy the church, he's talking about God's dwelling place. In essence, God's temple was being threatened. But, because we are the dwelling place of God's Spirit, our very lives can be damaged.
How does this happen? Why sin of course. When we allow sin to rule in us, we aren't good representatives for Him. Do you remember what Ephesians 5:18 says? "Do not be drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
When we are filled with the Spirit, we are not allowing the 'world' to rule in us and negate the work of the Holy Spirit. When we walk with the Lord in obedience, we are not causing trouble with other believer's and are walking in such a way to then honor God.
I think the best part of this verse is the teaching that the Holy Spirit lives in us, and He's always with us. Remember some of his titles? Comforter, counselor, advocate, teacher, etc. Isn't it wonderful how He works in us to bring us to the Lord in completeness?
So, are you walking with the Lord and letting the Holy Spirit work His work in your 'temple'? If you are, wonderful. If you're not, why not? What is hindering your walk with the Lord?

His temple,
Sandy

Romans 3:16

Hey,
Yesterday I labeled my blog Mark 3:16 by mistake. It should have read Acts 3:16; sorry! I found out that blogger doesn't handle 'oops' very well, so we're stuck with my mistake.
Researching today's blog of Romans 3:16 I had to go back to Isaiah 59:7."Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways." Romans 3:16 says: "ruin and misery mark their ways"
The Apostle Paul is talking about when Isaiah was speaking to the Israelites about sin, confession and repentance. Paul actually quotes quite a few verses from all over the old testament. But, I want to concentrate on just verse 16.
Paul is making a statement about our sinfulness and that no one is righteous. As verse 16 says, ruin and misery mark their ways. When you look at your life, do ruin and misery seem to plague you? Do you ever see victory over your sin?
I think Paul made a very good argument that we ALL are plagued by sin, ours and others' sins. Our sin shows us that we need a Savior. When Paul ends this portion at verse 20, he states: Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
In verses 21-31 Paul goes on to teach about righteousness through faith. First we understand we're sinners, then we are justified through faith in Christ. I think it's really important that Paul showed us our sinfulness first, but then he gives us hope by how he ends the chapter.
Finish reading this chapter and delight that we are saved from spiritual death by the blood of the cross. Also remember, we are sinners, but we are also forgiven, past, present and future sins. That's freedom in Christ. Now, go and live like you're forgiven, without constant misery and ruin.

Living for Jesus,
Sandy

Mark 3:16

Hello Everyone,
I started my day receiving an email from a friend. I've been praying for her and she's let me know how she's doing. One of the struggles that she has and I can identify with is people who identify themselves as Christians but acting in very unlike Christ ways.
When I read today's scripture, it tells me a couple of things. Mark 3:16: "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see."
Twice the word 'faith' is used. Jesus is the author of faith. It's something that we decide to have and then the Lord grows it in us as we walk in obedience to Him. We are made strong as we walk in faith with Him and He gives us complete healing, spiritually, as we surrended everything to Him.
There are many people who never surrender their 'all' to Christ. Sure, they want fire insurance (eternal life) but they don't want to give up 'self' as the Lord requires of us. Because of this they don't walk in obedience and they are problems to other Christians.
They gossip, slander, criticise, etc. You understand because you've probably had something happen to you, or maybe you've done it to someone else. This type of behavior is a mark of an unsaved person, or a baby in Christ, one that's not willing to walk in obedience to Him.
I think the most important thing is to keep our eyes on Jesus. People are sinners, we all are. But, they are God's responsibility, not ours. When we are hurt, turn it over to Him. He's big enough to take our hurts and to work His justice. We may not see His justice at work, but trust me, it's there.
I think being an example to everyone is really important. We need to: do unto others as we would have them do unto us. So, be Jesus to people and let God work in their lives, too.

Walking in Faith,
Sandy

John 3:16

Ahoj! (hello)
How are you all on this Monday morning? I blogged this verse yesterday, but I somehow hit a button when I was selecting what I'd written so I could print it and it all disappeared. I was too tired to start all over, so here goes.
I know that you're all familiar with this verse and probably have it memorized. What I want to concentrate on is two things: God loves us and that He gave His Son as our Savior so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with Him. He loves us, sacrificially; unconditionally; forever. Have you thought about that recently?
There is some teaching out there that God choses some to be saved and some for condemnation in hell. So, let's look at verses 17 and 18. Verse 17 teaches that the Son didn't come to condemn, but to save. As the Savior of the world, that means: everyone who believes. How do I know this? Read verse 18: Whoever believes in Him is not codemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
Whoever believes tells us salvation is offered to everyone. Do you also realize that before you trusted Christ as your Savior, that you were already condemned? We are born with a sinful nature, we deserve condemnation. But, Christ's death, burial and resurrection, then our trusting what He has done, takes us from condemnation to salvation. It's our choice where we spend eternity.
When we were living in Czech, because we identified ourselves as missionaries, we were automatically aligned by the Czech people with the Jehovah's Witnesses. We stood condemned by the people because they didn't like the Witnesses because they would go door to door and that was not culturally sensitive. When we shared with those that asked us that we weren't J. W.'s, that condemnation melted away.
How are you identified? With Christ? Do people know that you are saved? Do they see a difference in your life? There's freedom in Christ because we have 'passed from death to life' because of Christ's death on the cross. So live like you're saved so people can see and know that they too can live a life that is free from condemnation. Romans 8:1 teaches us:Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus: Freedeom in Christ.

Not condemned,
Sandy

Luke 3:16

Hello!
Sorry that I didn't blog yesterday, but it was a busy day. I got to spend some time with Ami and that's always a blessing. Keep her in your prayers; thanks.
As you can see by the title it's our third 3:16 and this time Luke. "John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
The people who had been following John the Baptist were asking him if he was the Christ. Above is his answer. I think that it's interesting that he also mentions the Holy Spirit. John was baptizing a repentance baptism, but he clearly understood that when the Holy Spirit came, it would be from Christ's sending Him and that the baptism that He would bring would be different than John's.
Look also at verse 17: "His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." What he states is pretty dramatic. One of the Holy Spirits jobs will be to separate the believer's from the non-believer's. We who believe are the wheat, the chaff is the non believer.
So, what do you take away from these verses today? Do you see that the Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied by John and that part of the Trinity is proclaimed in verse 16? The work of the Holy Spirit, at least part of His role is laid out in 17.
How will you apply what you've learned today? Does it strengthen your faith to know that God will separate the believer from non and that they will burn up in an unquenchable fire? Everyone who does not believe, has been your enemy, God's justice will take care of, in His time. Remember that He is righteous and knows peoples' hearts and He works His justice and mercy according to that perfection.
I'm really glad that the Holy Spirit is here to work His will in my life as I surrender to Him. His will is perfect, mine is not.

A kernel of wheat,
Sandy

Apostles

Dobre Vecer! (Good Evening in Czech)
When Chuck and I first heard about the mission organization that we eventually joined, a friend asked us to go to Czech for them. Chuck was hesitant and I said: when do we go? I'd been praying for fourteen years to serve the Lord, I just never thought it would be overseas. After prayer and counsel, we went and served.
Today's scripture is from Mark 3:16-19. It's talking about Jesus' call on the men that He would call Apostles. The definition of Apostle is: Called by Jesus and sent out on a commission. If you check the scripture out it gives the list of the men.
Their commission was to go and preach the gospel of salvation through belief in Christ Jesus. He also gave them the authority to drive out demons (vs. 15). If you notice the names, you'll recognize them because of their various ministries throughout the New Testament. All, except for the Apostle John, were martyred. John died in old age.
What do you think about the men that Christ chose? Do you see that Christ changed names or gave nicknames to some? To me that showed the He knew them intimately. Of course being God, He knew them because He created them. But I also think that He had spent considerable time with them and watched them develop into men that He could mold and shape, usable vessels for His service.
What I think is the most important is that He knew their hearts and that their hearts were His. So, is your heart His? Do you hold back things from Him that keep you from being more usable? Can you truly hide anything from Him?
He gave authority to them and sent them to preach what He had taught them. He personally trained them. We have His Word the Bible to learn from. It's God's love letter to each of us, training us to be more usable for Him. Are you called? Do you want to be called?

Called,
Sandy

Doves

Monday greetings,
How is your day going? Mine's been busy working on discipleship material. When the Lord takes me out of my comfort zone, He does it in a big way. But, He's also helping me, so my trusting Him results in new material, and my faith is strengthened as its tested and tried.
I've decided to go through the New Testament and do a blog on all the 3:16 verses. So today's is from Matthew 3:16: As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him.
Even though the analogy of a dove is used, it doesn't say it was a dove, but the Holy Spirit coming down on Him. When I think about that visual picture, I try to see how it would be for our Lord. He's well acquainted with the Holy Spirit because they're part of the Trinity, the Godhead, and co existing for eternity past, present and future.
My visual includes seeing John the Baptist lowering Christ into the water, emerging Him and then helping Him to rise up. He's dripping wet, and even though the Jordan was fairly shallow, it might have been cold.
When the heaven opened, I imagine a bright light shining down, brighter than the sun through a cloud opening, lighting the earth with its brightness. I think this light was pure, whiter than white and brilliant, possibly causing those around to shield their eyes because of the brilliance.
Then the Spirit came to light on Him. I think the touch was gentle, soothing, maybe even comforting. The New Testament says the Holy Spirit is our comforter, so why couldn't He be Christ's too? A special touch anointed our Lord that day. How do I know this? Because of the next verse.
Verse 17: And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased." God ordained Christ's ministry with the anointing; proclaiming to the world our Savior had come.
Have you felt the touch of the 'Dove' in your life? He's our gift from the Lord when we got saved. Let Him touch you this day in a special way. Ask, seek and knock, and this door will be opened unto you.

Touched,

Sandy

'Grands'

Hey,
Because I'm tired, I'm not going to blog today, except for this little bit. You'll all have to wait for tomorrow for another installment.
We had our 3 grandson's overnight Friday. We had a blast and so did they. To have them come running to greet us and give smiles, kisses and hugs warms this grandma and grandpa's hearts abundantly. When the Lord says that He blesses us abundantly, He means it. We are blessed.
Because Nate isn't two yet, he's still working on balance and how to handle emotional challenges. After talking with Ethan (5) and explaining that in some ways Nate is still a baby and we need to help him, Ethan stepped up to the plate and delivered 100%. He encouraged him to play together with Nolan and him and made sure that Nate wasn't knocked over when the other two boys were playing (roughhousing to be exact!) Nate stood by and laughed big belly laughs over the boy's antics.
The three boys are starting to become 'cousin's' in the truest sense. It's a slow dance that starts while they're young and increases in tempo as they grow. This is the first time we've had them all without parents since they were all born. I wondered how it would go, but was amazed at how they helped me, played well together and just enjoyed being boys.
All this is written to say, God is good. He knows what we need and provided, abundantly. He blesses us even in the midst of our not being sure something will be a small or big blessing, or even a blessing at all. He sustains us when our energy level dimiishes and when we have to rise early because one little boy decides it's time to wake up and we need to join him!
Because God loves us, He works mightly to bring joy into our lives. Often I tell Him that I can't wait to see Him face to face and He shares with me: look into the face of a child and see Me. He's right, as always.

Enjoying His 'little' blessings,
Sandy