Greetings on this watery day.
It seems to rain non stop. After being part of an area of drought for literally years, all this rain is welcome. But, I don't like the cold rainy damp that penetrates to my bones. Enough
whining :).
I talked with Betty and she's improving daily. I'm sure she'll be glad when she can go home. she told me that Debbie Dorf is doing better after getting a blood transfusion.
I met a new friend today; her name is Patty. Our son connected she and her husband Dennis up with us and we met Sunday at a church near by. I wanted to gather information about this church and Patty and her husband have been going there for a year, after spending months and visiting 8 churches. They like what they see and hear; so we'll see if it's where the Lord wants us. Not ready to just jump in anywhere.
One day when we were traveling in Czech, we saw a family in their very large garden. I had to laugh because the scene was a wild one. They had a lawn/garden tractor, very old, and a 1 bottom plow was on the back. The dad sat on the tractor and out in front were the wife and two kids, son and daughter with ropes around their waists as they helped to pull the tractor so it could plow.
Because we were in the car I couldn't hear if the tractor engine was engaged. It's possible the family was pulling without the benefit of the engine. I thought, here's a word picture and now I'm going to use it.
Go to 1 Cornithians 3:6. "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." Some versions say: God made the increase. What does this mean? Why was Paul telling this? Go back to verse 1 and read this chapter to get the overview.
Divisions are always in a church because where you have two people, you'll have a difference of an opinion, somehow. Paul addressed this by stating that is God who makes it grow. In other words, keep you eyes on God, not people. What does His word say? How are you to apply it? These questions are answered as you study this portion.
I've used this portion, verses 10-15 as I've taught Sunday school and you may remember this. Whether the metaphor is for a building or a field, God is the planter/builder. When we trust Christ, then the Holy Spirit starts working in us to grow us into strong Christians, able to be used by Him for His good and perfect purpose.
So, are you a planter or waterer. Maybe you're both. There's something so special about leading someone to the cross for their salvation and then discipling them. But, always remember, God gives the increase. It's not of us or them that they grow, but God who wills it and works it.
Focus on God, serving Him and watch how He uses you to further His kingdom. What a delight to watch Him working in peoples lives!
Watering,
Sandy
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Jeremiah 6:16
Good Morning,
Chuck's busy with setting up the garage, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to blog. Hope you're all well.
I talked with Jack this morning and Betty's in a lot of pain, but the surgery went really well. Once she's healed, she should feel so much better than she has in years. You can call her room, 665 or her cell. If you need that number, call the church or Betty's home phone.
Each day I've been trying to take circumstances that we had in Czech/overseas and relate it to scripture. My stories won't last forever, but for now here goes. Jeremiah 6:16: "This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, as where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'
The last sentence is Israel's answer to God. They chose to keep on disobeying the Lord. Isn't that sad? They missed out on many blessings. They didn't find rest for the souls and some days, I need rest for my weary soul, as I'm sure you do.
The vehicle we had in Czech was a VW van. It was always in need of repair. We found a good repair guy, but he lived a few kilometers away. We'd drive there, then take the bus home. Unfortunately we had to switch buses.
The first time that we were to travel home, I checked the schedule and decided to take a direct bus back to Zlin. A bus came and I asked the driver if he went to Zlin and he said no. So we waited, again. After about and hour and a half, this same bus came back. By then we decided that the direct bus wasn't coming. This happened regularly, so no surprise.
So, Chuck and I took the bus and the driver looked at us really funny, as well he should. We had already turned him down. We got home after switching buses twice. That was the story of our lives in many cases of traveling.
If I had asked the driver if a direct bus would be coming, I would have saved us lots of time. We could have taken that bus and got home much earlier. As the verse says, we should have stood at the crossroads and looked (gathered information). Then we could have taken the right bus the first time. I thought I knew better (given the info I had). But, I wanted a easier way, my way.
When we finally got on the bus, we were weary, but knew that our journey in the right direction had started. We found rest and let the driver do the work.
When we go the direction we think best without checking with the Lord and seeking Him before we make decisions, we go the wrong direction; have to wait for the right answer, etc. Disobedience has a price to pay.
The moral to this story is: Seek God first, then do what He says and find rest for your weary soul. I'll deal with seeking next week.
Riding the bus,
Sandy
Chuck's busy with setting up the garage, so I thought I'd take a few minutes to blog. Hope you're all well.
I talked with Jack this morning and Betty's in a lot of pain, but the surgery went really well. Once she's healed, she should feel so much better than she has in years. You can call her room, 665 or her cell. If you need that number, call the church or Betty's home phone.
Each day I've been trying to take circumstances that we had in Czech/overseas and relate it to scripture. My stories won't last forever, but for now here goes. Jeremiah 6:16: "This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, as where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'
The last sentence is Israel's answer to God. They chose to keep on disobeying the Lord. Isn't that sad? They missed out on many blessings. They didn't find rest for the souls and some days, I need rest for my weary soul, as I'm sure you do.
The vehicle we had in Czech was a VW van. It was always in need of repair. We found a good repair guy, but he lived a few kilometers away. We'd drive there, then take the bus home. Unfortunately we had to switch buses.
The first time that we were to travel home, I checked the schedule and decided to take a direct bus back to Zlin. A bus came and I asked the driver if he went to Zlin and he said no. So we waited, again. After about and hour and a half, this same bus came back. By then we decided that the direct bus wasn't coming. This happened regularly, so no surprise.
So, Chuck and I took the bus and the driver looked at us really funny, as well he should. We had already turned him down. We got home after switching buses twice. That was the story of our lives in many cases of traveling.
If I had asked the driver if a direct bus would be coming, I would have saved us lots of time. We could have taken that bus and got home much earlier. As the verse says, we should have stood at the crossroads and looked (gathered information). Then we could have taken the right bus the first time. I thought I knew better (given the info I had). But, I wanted a easier way, my way.
When we finally got on the bus, we were weary, but knew that our journey in the right direction had started. We found rest and let the driver do the work.
When we go the direction we think best without checking with the Lord and seeking Him before we make decisions, we go the wrong direction; have to wait for the right answer, etc. Disobedience has a price to pay.
The moral to this story is: Seek God first, then do what He says and find rest for your weary soul. I'll deal with seeking next week.
Riding the bus,
Sandy
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Colossians 1:10-11
Hey,
Another beautiful sunny day. Tucker and I enjoyed our walk; she's sprawled out on the floor beside me, worn out from chasing her ball and sniffing doggy smells.
I talked with Betty a little while ago. She's waiting to go into surgery, which should be fairly soon. I know the Lord is with her and she's told me that she has complete peace. Isn't the Lord wonderful to give us peace in the midst of what we have to do? Keep her in your prayers as she does her work for the Lord. Thanks!
I've chosen Colossians 1:9-12 today because of a word picture that I want to share with you.
After you've opened your Bibles and read it, join me..... What I want to concentrate on is verse 11. It talks about being strengthened and having great endurance and patience and joyfully.
When we lived in Europe, we had a camp in the mountains near where we lived. There was a young man named Stanley. He was obnoxious and tiresome. Do you remember him Anne? He was from the youth group in Zlin, where we lived. Anyway, all of the adults had put up with his antics for most of the camp, but one afternoon between classes, we decided that we'd had enough of Stanley's attitudes and mouth. So, we duck taped him to a tree.
At first it was funny and even he was laughing. But, then people started to tell him why he was duck taped to the tree, and it wasn't funny for him any longer. It wasn't like we were trying to be cruel, it's just that our patience ran out. By the time we cut him down, he was humiliated and angry.
Later that day, I saw him sitting on one of the benches and I could tell by his body language that he was still mad and hurt. I went and sat down by him and apologized for what we had done. I think he was shocked that I apologized. We were adults and American's, ergo, we walked on water.
I could see his face soften as I talked with him about how we'd run out of patience with him. I told him that we shouldn't have done what we did, because it humiliated him. I could tell that he was surprised that I understood that.
My apology worked, and he forgave us and because I had told him that our actions did not honor God, my testimony worked to plant seeds. Eventually he did get saved and together with our pastor's son and another young boy, they started a Promise Keeper's for youth in their church.
So, what's my point? Verse 11 says: "being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully." Our strength comes from Him. When we're faced with trials, stop, pray and ask Him to strengthen you. It's kind of like a 'time out'. Out of His strength comes great endurance and patience and the fruit is joy.
So, when you're tempted to duck tape your child to a tree, don't. Call on the Lord and He will provide for you what you need, to His glory.
Joyfully,
Sandy
Another beautiful sunny day. Tucker and I enjoyed our walk; she's sprawled out on the floor beside me, worn out from chasing her ball and sniffing doggy smells.
I talked with Betty a little while ago. She's waiting to go into surgery, which should be fairly soon. I know the Lord is with her and she's told me that she has complete peace. Isn't the Lord wonderful to give us peace in the midst of what we have to do? Keep her in your prayers as she does her work for the Lord. Thanks!
I've chosen Colossians 1:9-12 today because of a word picture that I want to share with you.
After you've opened your Bibles and read it, join me..... What I want to concentrate on is verse 11. It talks about being strengthened and having great endurance and patience and joyfully.
When we lived in Europe, we had a camp in the mountains near where we lived. There was a young man named Stanley. He was obnoxious and tiresome. Do you remember him Anne? He was from the youth group in Zlin, where we lived. Anyway, all of the adults had put up with his antics for most of the camp, but one afternoon between classes, we decided that we'd had enough of Stanley's attitudes and mouth. So, we duck taped him to a tree.
At first it was funny and even he was laughing. But, then people started to tell him why he was duck taped to the tree, and it wasn't funny for him any longer. It wasn't like we were trying to be cruel, it's just that our patience ran out. By the time we cut him down, he was humiliated and angry.
Later that day, I saw him sitting on one of the benches and I could tell by his body language that he was still mad and hurt. I went and sat down by him and apologized for what we had done. I think he was shocked that I apologized. We were adults and American's, ergo, we walked on water.
I could see his face soften as I talked with him about how we'd run out of patience with him. I told him that we shouldn't have done what we did, because it humiliated him. I could tell that he was surprised that I understood that.
My apology worked, and he forgave us and because I had told him that our actions did not honor God, my testimony worked to plant seeds. Eventually he did get saved and together with our pastor's son and another young boy, they started a Promise Keeper's for youth in their church.
So, what's my point? Verse 11 says: "being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully." Our strength comes from Him. When we're faced with trials, stop, pray and ask Him to strengthen you. It's kind of like a 'time out'. Out of His strength comes great endurance and patience and the fruit is joy.
So, when you're tempted to duck tape your child to a tree, don't. Call on the Lord and He will provide for you what you need, to His glory.
Joyfully,
Sandy
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
John 9:25
Hi Everyone,
Wasn't the weather gorgeous today? I had errands to run and it was nice not to have a heavy coat. Tucker got a bath at a local car wash too (it has a doggy wash). She wasn't happy about having to walk up a ramp and as always, she hated her bath. But, she smells good. She still doesn't have much freedom and it's really hard on her.
Many things have changed for us since our move, but 95% of them are really good. When we decided to put the house up for sale, it came after months of prayer. We really didn't know for sure that moving would be for the best, but as always, hindsight is 20/20. It's good to be here and life is much easier for me. Thanks for all your prayers for us.
Speaking of knowing, when I got glasses the last time, I got some that I can use while I'm working on the computer. I have bi-focal's and I was getting a headache each time I used the computer.
The doctor put prism's into my computer glasses. What a world of difference for me to see. I use these glasses for reading too and it's far less eye strain.
There's a passage in John 9:25 that the blind man could now see, thanks to Jesus. To get the whole story, read verses 13-34. This is a wonderful story that speaks to us on many levels. But I've pulled verse 25 out because the once blind man says: "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
Christ healed this man and forgave him his sins and the blind man could "see" in every sense of the word. His theology is right on as he faces the Pharisees and I can just hear his understanding and knowledge coming out boldly in defense of Christ being God. He proclaims Christ's deity (30-33).
If you had been in this man's place, would you have been able to defend what you believe? Would you have had the guts to stand up against these religious 'nuts' and not let them have their way? Intimidation is a mighty weapon that Satan likes to use to keep the truth from being proclaimed.
Now finish reading the chapter, verses 35-41. Such a great story......
Proclaiming His Word,
Sandy
Wasn't the weather gorgeous today? I had errands to run and it was nice not to have a heavy coat. Tucker got a bath at a local car wash too (it has a doggy wash). She wasn't happy about having to walk up a ramp and as always, she hated her bath. But, she smells good. She still doesn't have much freedom and it's really hard on her.
Many things have changed for us since our move, but 95% of them are really good. When we decided to put the house up for sale, it came after months of prayer. We really didn't know for sure that moving would be for the best, but as always, hindsight is 20/20. It's good to be here and life is much easier for me. Thanks for all your prayers for us.
Speaking of knowing, when I got glasses the last time, I got some that I can use while I'm working on the computer. I have bi-focal's and I was getting a headache each time I used the computer.
The doctor put prism's into my computer glasses. What a world of difference for me to see. I use these glasses for reading too and it's far less eye strain.
There's a passage in John 9:25 that the blind man could now see, thanks to Jesus. To get the whole story, read verses 13-34. This is a wonderful story that speaks to us on many levels. But I've pulled verse 25 out because the once blind man says: "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
Christ healed this man and forgave him his sins and the blind man could "see" in every sense of the word. His theology is right on as he faces the Pharisees and I can just hear his understanding and knowledge coming out boldly in defense of Christ being God. He proclaims Christ's deity (30-33).
If you had been in this man's place, would you have been able to defend what you believe? Would you have had the guts to stand up against these religious 'nuts' and not let them have their way? Intimidation is a mighty weapon that Satan likes to use to keep the truth from being proclaimed.
Now finish reading the chapter, verses 35-41. Such a great story......
Proclaiming His Word,
Sandy
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Joyce Meyers
Hey Y'All,
Isn't this warm sunny day a delight? What a blessing from the Lord. And, tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer. I'm sitting here in the office with the sun streaming through the window, Tucker's laying by my chair and I've been on hold on the phone forever. Moving brings lots of changes and some are a pain in the......
Anyway, because of yesterday's blog on a cult, I thought I'd take a shot at Joyce Meyer too. Recently it's come to my attention that there's a couple that wants to have a bible study, but unless they study a Joyce Meyers book, they won't attend.
So ladies, you who have studied 1 John, what do you think about this? What does the Bible teach us about false teaching? Perhaps you should peruse 2nd and 3rd John too.
A few years ago I heard Joyce Meyer on T.V. say: Jesus had to descend into hell and become the first born again man. I couldn't believe what I had just heard and I asked the Lord: Lord, did I just hear what I thought I heard? I had been channel surfing and didn't hear her whole spiel. But she repeated what I told you and I was appalled and angry.
She has quite a following and what she was doing was teaching heresy. That makes her a heretic. Think about that. Look the word up in the dictionary.
Okay, so back to this Bible study. If it's allowed, just to get these folks to the study, what's happening is that false teaching/teacher's are being allowed into the home. Do you think they'll share Biblical truth? I think not. How many people who are attending will know the truth from false?
We need to be very careful about what's taught and learned. Know the Word!
I'll get off my soap box and wish you all a great evening and spring like day tomorrow.
Preaching again......
Sandy
Isn't this warm sunny day a delight? What a blessing from the Lord. And, tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer. I'm sitting here in the office with the sun streaming through the window, Tucker's laying by my chair and I've been on hold on the phone forever. Moving brings lots of changes and some are a pain in the......
Anyway, because of yesterday's blog on a cult, I thought I'd take a shot at Joyce Meyer too. Recently it's come to my attention that there's a couple that wants to have a bible study, but unless they study a Joyce Meyers book, they won't attend.
So ladies, you who have studied 1 John, what do you think about this? What does the Bible teach us about false teaching? Perhaps you should peruse 2nd and 3rd John too.
A few years ago I heard Joyce Meyer on T.V. say: Jesus had to descend into hell and become the first born again man. I couldn't believe what I had just heard and I asked the Lord: Lord, did I just hear what I thought I heard? I had been channel surfing and didn't hear her whole spiel. But she repeated what I told you and I was appalled and angry.
She has quite a following and what she was doing was teaching heresy. That makes her a heretic. Think about that. Look the word up in the dictionary.
Okay, so back to this Bible study. If it's allowed, just to get these folks to the study, what's happening is that false teaching/teacher's are being allowed into the home. Do you think they'll share Biblical truth? I think not. How many people who are attending will know the truth from false?
We need to be very careful about what's taught and learned. Know the Word!
I'll get off my soap box and wish you all a great evening and spring like day tomorrow.
Preaching again......
Sandy
Monday, March 10, 2008
Cults
Hello,
Hope you all had a great Sunday worshiping our Lord and learning His precepts to apply. We went to a new church, a baptist one. It's fairly large and non-personal from the aspect that no one greeted us except for the folks at the door, and then they didn't get very personal.
We were early for the 2nd service and stood in the entry, which is very large and has a coffee bar. People looked at us, but didn't approach. We've found that in large churches people don't know who is new and isn't.
The pastor shared before his message and worship about greeting, welcoming and inviting people to the church. But, I didn't see that happening. We didn't meet him at all. Why did the habit of pastor's standing at the doorway shaking hands with people as they leave, end? I guess we're just small church people.
This blog is about a church we passed that's called: Unitarian Universalism. I was familiar with unitarian, but what's universalism??? So, I researched our Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin. It has unitarian only. So, here's what I found.
In the Sunday school class as we went through 1 John we learned that there are lots of false teacher's and that they like to draw people to their way of thinking. This unitarian church seems to be just that.
In a nut shell, they believe that God exists and that's all. Everything else depends on them. They don't believe in heaven and hell (therefore no need for a savior). They don't acknowledge Jesus Christ's deity or the doctrine of the Trinity.
According to Martin they: forsake the real human Jesus and have substituted a Christ of dogmatism, metaphysics and pagan philosophy. Basically, they refuse Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Then, they say that Jesus was not from a virgin birth, is not the Messiah, but a Christian fantasy.
What about sin you ask?? Good question. They recognize evil and man's responsibility for much of it. They don't believe that God sent Christ into the world to save man from hell and they find it offensive, un-Biblical and immoral to believe that.
So what do they believe? (quoting Martin) In salvation of character.....God's help is not likely to come to those who cast all their burdens on the Lord. There is practical wisdom in the saying, "God helps those who help themselves,"... if by heaven, you mean an abode of eternal light, where the saved and redeemed enjoy everlasting bliss, and if by hell, you mean the devil's eternal darkness, where the wicked suffer unending torment-then Unitarianism emphatically repudiates such beliefs. This is quoted from the president of the U. church.
My mind can't understand why people would want to believe in this type of existence, one with no hope of a future with God. Basically they have the now, and that's all.
So, my question to you is, if you entered this church and heard these types of things taught, would you know truth from false? Do you know what the Bible teaches from what a cult teaches? Do you know what you believe about God, Jesus, heaven, hell, etc. so that you could defend what you believe?
Tomorrow I'm going to address Joyce Meyer's teaching. Come join me.....
Seeking Him,
Sandy
Hope you all had a great Sunday worshiping our Lord and learning His precepts to apply. We went to a new church, a baptist one. It's fairly large and non-personal from the aspect that no one greeted us except for the folks at the door, and then they didn't get very personal.
We were early for the 2nd service and stood in the entry, which is very large and has a coffee bar. People looked at us, but didn't approach. We've found that in large churches people don't know who is new and isn't.
The pastor shared before his message and worship about greeting, welcoming and inviting people to the church. But, I didn't see that happening. We didn't meet him at all. Why did the habit of pastor's standing at the doorway shaking hands with people as they leave, end? I guess we're just small church people.
This blog is about a church we passed that's called: Unitarian Universalism. I was familiar with unitarian, but what's universalism??? So, I researched our Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin. It has unitarian only. So, here's what I found.
In the Sunday school class as we went through 1 John we learned that there are lots of false teacher's and that they like to draw people to their way of thinking. This unitarian church seems to be just that.
In a nut shell, they believe that God exists and that's all. Everything else depends on them. They don't believe in heaven and hell (therefore no need for a savior). They don't acknowledge Jesus Christ's deity or the doctrine of the Trinity.
According to Martin they: forsake the real human Jesus and have substituted a Christ of dogmatism, metaphysics and pagan philosophy. Basically, they refuse Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Then, they say that Jesus was not from a virgin birth, is not the Messiah, but a Christian fantasy.
What about sin you ask?? Good question. They recognize evil and man's responsibility for much of it. They don't believe that God sent Christ into the world to save man from hell and they find it offensive, un-Biblical and immoral to believe that.
So what do they believe? (quoting Martin) In salvation of character.....God's help is not likely to come to those who cast all their burdens on the Lord. There is practical wisdom in the saying, "God helps those who help themselves,"... if by heaven, you mean an abode of eternal light, where the saved and redeemed enjoy everlasting bliss, and if by hell, you mean the devil's eternal darkness, where the wicked suffer unending torment-then Unitarianism emphatically repudiates such beliefs. This is quoted from the president of the U. church.
My mind can't understand why people would want to believe in this type of existence, one with no hope of a future with God. Basically they have the now, and that's all.
So, my question to you is, if you entered this church and heard these types of things taught, would you know truth from false? Do you know what the Bible teaches from what a cult teaches? Do you know what you believe about God, Jesus, heaven, hell, etc. so that you could defend what you believe?
Tomorrow I'm going to address Joyce Meyer's teaching. Come join me.....
Seeking Him,
Sandy
Friday, March 7, 2008
Jonah 2:8
Hello Everyone,
I'm finally up and running again. It seems forever since I've blogged, but I'm hoping to blog at least four days a week.
Since we've moved I've been very busy settling in. We've been here long enough that I've actually had to clean our new duplex! I still have a couple of boxes that need a home and I need to transfer some things into plastic tubs that are now empty, but it's beginning to look like a home.
I've been looking at curtains and think I've found something for the living room, but the office and our bedroom is a mystery. Everything here is 'renter's white' so color is badly needed. The location is great and I'm finding everything is quite central to our location. When God puts you somewhere He wants you, there are many blessings.
We only got internet on Tuesday and by the time the guys left I was too tired to do much except to check the many emails we got. I'll try to slowly answer everyone, soon.
Chuck is job hunting, so please pray! I miss our Sunday school class BADLY! I've visited a couple of churches. One is a good possibility and is the closest to our home. The other one believes that you get salvation and the Holy Spirit through baptism. So, needless to say, I won't be going back there. Chuck will be able to go to church with me this Sunday, so we'll check out a new church. There's a large baptist one nearby. Not sure I want to be a baptist again, but we'll see. Also, it's really large and I'm not a large church person.
I know the Lord will give me ministry, but I'm in a desert for now. I've completed 2 and 3 John and emailed them to Betty. I'm going to be doing Romans or Jude next. I need to see if you all want me to prepare another study for you or get a book for your next class. What do you think?
I ran across Jonah 2:8 in my daily study awhile back and liked what it said to me. So, here's the study for today. "Those who cling to worthless idols foreit the grace that could be theirs." So, what is this telling you.....
Jonah's name means: dove. Jonah was one of four O.T. prophets that Christ referred to. It was written around 793-753 B.C. and the king was Jeroboam. Of course this is prophecy about Israel. The location of this is the Northern kingdom (Israel). The southern kingdom was Judah. Assyria had been declining in strength, but the Lord awoke it and used them as judgment because of Israel's stubbornness. Hosea and Amos predicted God's judgment.
Nineveh was located on the east bank of the Tigris River, about 550 miles from Samaria, the capital of the Northern kingdom.
Keep in mind that even though Jonah is a key player in this book, the focus needs to be always on God. God has the first word, 1:1-2 and the last 4:11. He sends a storm, a fish, judgment to Nineveh and then compassion. He provides Jonah with a vine to shade him and a worm to destroy the vine. And Jonah had a hissy fit.
Keep in mind that God wanted to use the Jews to reach all people with His grace and mercy. See Romans 11 for this (predestination). Also, Jonah was a missionary, albeit a reluctant one. Jonah, being disobedient was also a symbol of Israel's disobedience. The book is only four short chapters, so take time to read it and enjoy seeing how the Lord works.
Now, our verse. Israel wouldn't experience God's grace if they wouldn't turn from their idol worship. So, what in your life is an idol? Another person, a thing, busyness, self, money, low self-esteem, a bad marriage, disrespect for your husband, unwilling to serve the Lord when He asks? The list goes on and I'm sure you know what your idol is. Perhaps you don't have an idol and the Lord is first in your life. Anything that takes your focus off of the Lord is an idol. Who's on the throne of your life?
When we moved to Hillsboro, I just didn't have peace about being there. I didn't 'see' why the Lord brought us there. I had many things that I had to endure and they weren't pleasant. The Lord took everything away from me, again. But, as I persisted in keeping my eyes on Him, slowly He revealed why we were brought there; what He wanted me to do. The peace came after a long time of prayer and service because I was willing to step out in faith and obey His call to where He wanted me to go.
I have peace about where we are now. I know the Lord is once again taking many things away from me, but I know because of past experiences that He will provide just what I need and will bless me in ways that I haven't yet experienced.
One thing He hasn't taken away this time, like in the past, is dear friends that I can see occasionally and communicate with easily. God is good and I am blessed.
From my heart to yours,
Sandy
I'm finally up and running again. It seems forever since I've blogged, but I'm hoping to blog at least four days a week.
Since we've moved I've been very busy settling in. We've been here long enough that I've actually had to clean our new duplex! I still have a couple of boxes that need a home and I need to transfer some things into plastic tubs that are now empty, but it's beginning to look like a home.
I've been looking at curtains and think I've found something for the living room, but the office and our bedroom is a mystery. Everything here is 'renter's white' so color is badly needed. The location is great and I'm finding everything is quite central to our location. When God puts you somewhere He wants you, there are many blessings.
We only got internet on Tuesday and by the time the guys left I was too tired to do much except to check the many emails we got. I'll try to slowly answer everyone, soon.
Chuck is job hunting, so please pray! I miss our Sunday school class BADLY! I've visited a couple of churches. One is a good possibility and is the closest to our home. The other one believes that you get salvation and the Holy Spirit through baptism. So, needless to say, I won't be going back there. Chuck will be able to go to church with me this Sunday, so we'll check out a new church. There's a large baptist one nearby. Not sure I want to be a baptist again, but we'll see. Also, it's really large and I'm not a large church person.
I know the Lord will give me ministry, but I'm in a desert for now. I've completed 2 and 3 John and emailed them to Betty. I'm going to be doing Romans or Jude next. I need to see if you all want me to prepare another study for you or get a book for your next class. What do you think?
I ran across Jonah 2:8 in my daily study awhile back and liked what it said to me. So, here's the study for today. "Those who cling to worthless idols foreit the grace that could be theirs." So, what is this telling you.....
Jonah's name means: dove. Jonah was one of four O.T. prophets that Christ referred to. It was written around 793-753 B.C. and the king was Jeroboam. Of course this is prophecy about Israel. The location of this is the Northern kingdom (Israel). The southern kingdom was Judah. Assyria had been declining in strength, but the Lord awoke it and used them as judgment because of Israel's stubbornness. Hosea and Amos predicted God's judgment.
Nineveh was located on the east bank of the Tigris River, about 550 miles from Samaria, the capital of the Northern kingdom.
Keep in mind that even though Jonah is a key player in this book, the focus needs to be always on God. God has the first word, 1:1-2 and the last 4:11. He sends a storm, a fish, judgment to Nineveh and then compassion. He provides Jonah with a vine to shade him and a worm to destroy the vine. And Jonah had a hissy fit.
Keep in mind that God wanted to use the Jews to reach all people with His grace and mercy. See Romans 11 for this (predestination). Also, Jonah was a missionary, albeit a reluctant one. Jonah, being disobedient was also a symbol of Israel's disobedience. The book is only four short chapters, so take time to read it and enjoy seeing how the Lord works.
Now, our verse. Israel wouldn't experience God's grace if they wouldn't turn from their idol worship. So, what in your life is an idol? Another person, a thing, busyness, self, money, low self-esteem, a bad marriage, disrespect for your husband, unwilling to serve the Lord when He asks? The list goes on and I'm sure you know what your idol is. Perhaps you don't have an idol and the Lord is first in your life. Anything that takes your focus off of the Lord is an idol. Who's on the throne of your life?
When we moved to Hillsboro, I just didn't have peace about being there. I didn't 'see' why the Lord brought us there. I had many things that I had to endure and they weren't pleasant. The Lord took everything away from me, again. But, as I persisted in keeping my eyes on Him, slowly He revealed why we were brought there; what He wanted me to do. The peace came after a long time of prayer and service because I was willing to step out in faith and obey His call to where He wanted me to go.
I have peace about where we are now. I know the Lord is once again taking many things away from me, but I know because of past experiences that He will provide just what I need and will bless me in ways that I haven't yet experienced.
One thing He hasn't taken away this time, like in the past, is dear friends that I can see occasionally and communicate with easily. God is good and I am blessed.
From my heart to yours,
Sandy
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