Bible – Page 2

It Is Time

July 15, 2024

If there was ever a time to exponentially increase our prayer and Bible study, it is now. In light of recent events, it’s time to take our time on earth way more seriously and our Father in heaven way more seriously. Engraved on my Bible is 1 Peter 4:1. I felt led to read verses 1 through 9 this morning and boy, do I thank the Lord for this inspired Word. It is so enlightening!

In my own limited understanding of 1Peter 4: 1-9…

A. The Overall Battle Plan-Peter compares our new life in Christ as a battle that’s ongoing. We are to arm ourselves with the right kind of thinking. No longer do we focus on selfish or sinful things we could enjoy; because we have been raised to new life in Christ, we do not strive for the flesh, but for God’s will. (v.1)

Hmm…Do I STRIVE for this or do I often relax, because I feel I have it figured out?

B. The Death of Sin- Peter says we are to live for Christ, since we have died to sin. I like how he says “the time is past” for pleasing ourselves and pursuing earthly pleasures like drunkeness, passions, sensualities and other things. People will judge and criticize you, as they are surprised at your not joining in their “debauchery.” However…We and they should fear God’s judgement, as EVERYONE will be judged.(v.4-5)

Hmm… How scary would that be for someone who does not believe! But, how wonderful that there is still time to die to sin and follow the Savior!

C. Judgement Comes for Everyone-We, they, everyone should fear God’s judgement, because it is for ALL believers, unbelievers, dead or alive. (v.5)

D. The Gospel Saves Lives- Peter explains that the gospel was preached to former believers to bring them back to life in Christ. We can either live in “the flesh” for self and sin or we can “live in the Spirit the way God does.” (v.6)

E. The End is Near, so Focus!- Verses 7-9 should be bolded and highlighted in our houses, offices, cars, hearts, souls and minds! Here goes the answer to the question, “What should my focus be, in these end times?

Peter says, The end is near so do something that is appropriate for the time. Be self-controlled, think straight, be soberly-minded devoted to prayer. But above all else…LOVE ONE ANOTHER! LOVE people despite their sins, their supposed sins, their appearance of sin, your suspicion of their sin. This is how my brain and heart read God’s Word today. Simply put, DO NOT JUDGE! Be hospitable, charitable, and loving to everyone, even if they are a republican or a democrat! They are God’s beloved!

Hmmm…Itd be cool if we stoppped watching any news that bashed the other political party, just saying. We are not to judge each other. That is not of God. God’s Word should be our guide to all we do, no matter if we don’t fit in to the world and because we are not MEANT to fit in this world, because if we do, we will not be fit in our world to come, with the Lord forever.

I pray that you readers and I both continue to grow in Christ, spreading love and God’s Word and praying with an urgency for others. Jesus is coming back and with our own gifts God has given us, we are meant to tell others that.

Dear Father,

Thank You for shining Your light on Your Word for us today. Lately the world has seemed to grow darker and a bit scary. Thank You for Your light that guides our minds, hearts and feet every day. Please comfort the families affected by the shooting at the Trump rally and guide others who know them to love them like Jesus does. Give us boldness to spread the gospel and to be constantly convicted of Your will for us. You are so great in every way, Lord and we are so thankful for You!

Sorry this was so long, friends. My heart is heavy for those affected by our world’s sin and violence. We ALL need love and the gospel. Let’s live it and share it generously, and love others deeply, as Jesus did and does:)

Tina

Solomon’s Chase

July 9, 2024

How about a poem day? Here is my reflection on Solomon’s chase for lasting happiness and meaning in life.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

In our church, we are studying the book of Ecclesiastes and I am grasping things in a fresh new way. It makes me want to testify to God’s everlasting goodness and joy. Solomon, over and over, stresses how futile it is to chase things that don’t last.

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 14:1 ESV

My brain considered the alternative to chasing the meaningless. What is the most meaningful thing I could do for God with whatever days I have left?” I asked myself. My answer?… to chase HIM, to fill up each day with praise to God, because that is worthy of the time He gives me, gives US!

Sooo..after much praying and soul-searching about all the “fun” and vain things I have chased, that did not leave me happy, I asked God to forgive me and help me put my realizations in a poem based on Solomon’s search for meaning. I hope this honors Him and encourages you to keep striving to enjoy all the blessings God gives, but also to resist the pull of the world to find happiness in things that do not bring lasting peace like He does. ( I am preaching to myself here!)

“Solomon’s Chase”

My vanity’s a futile chase, that ends up winning time erased

For nothing lasting have I found, I’d take with me when heaven-bound

Though many suns have come and gone, and I’ve exhausted all roads drawn

No lasting joy can I afford, save in the knowledge of the Lord

God’s truth outlasts the schemes of man, for joy without the Lord’s a scam

God-given hope lives past the grave where earthly sorrows will not save

Though trials seem to last too long and struggles take away our song

God has a plan for joy untold, while in His will and in His fold

The dreams of God, I now will seek, throught the day and through the week

Eyes focused on eternity, Lord send me what YOU want for me

I’ll treasure all Your hand will give, and love You ev’ry day I live

Though Your servant weak and small, my soul will gladly give You all.

With love from the Father to you, have a wonderful day and rest of the week!

Tina

Only God Can Satisfy

May 22, 2024

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

This devotion is inspired by my pastor’s sermon. It really hit home to me how we search for satisfaction in different areas of our lives, but often in the wrong places.

Solomon searched quite a bit! He discovered how and where to have a good time. He found delight wherever he could. He chased it through work, play, accomplishment, with no limits. Know what he gained? In his own words, “Nothing was gained!”

That makes me think…He did the research that we do not need to do! We do not need to chase after anything to satisfy us or make us feel worthy or accomplished or pleasurable. We need only seek Jesus. He has everything we need. Any “pride” we gain should be confidence in following His will for our lives.

These thoughts inspired this simple poem… “Only God”

Only God can satisfy a sinner’s guilty heart

quenching it with holy grace, forgiving every part,

Only God rejuvenates a tired and searching heart

He takes away what is no good and gives a brand new start.

Only God can satisfy, based on all that’s true.

Written in His Word we find good news for me and you.

Search the world for happiness and you may find some fun

but for lasting peace and joy, the answer’s in the Son.

Dear Father, Please forgive us for all the times we strayed from Your Word and will and looked to the world for joy. We never find it there. You supply all the joy we long for and even allow us extra blessings we do not deserve. You are a good Father. Please help us to strive for eternal things, not things that this world chases after. Thank You for being our shining light to truth. Amen

With love from the Father to you, have a wonderful day!

Tina

A Personal Day

April 24, 2024

Today’s post is a bit different, more personal. I want to share with you what the lord has done for me, although I do not deserve it. I am sure you, friend, have had a time where trials swirled around you and the best you could do was to keep your head above water. That has been my experience for awhile. However…

The Lord is faithful to deliver us from trials! Even DURING trials He can deliver us to a new perspective of trials, an eternal one. Trials are meant to produce perseverance and make us more like Him. We fight it though, don’t we?

Short and sweet for now, because I have the blessing of tending to a new grandbaby and must run, but…remember this…

Although we feel the best we can do is keep our head above water, keep in mind…

The VERY best we can do is to submit to HIS best. If He allows trials, they are for our good. There’s an eternal reason!

More about this later, I promise! I will tell what trials the Lord allowed and how I barely scraped thorough, but learned a lot for the next trial. For now, here’s a verse to encourage you! It is about our response to God when we have maybe had the wrong perspective of trials and ,if you’re like me, failed to use and shine His light at times I should have. He’s a loving God that forgives us for our mistakes and revives us with new energy and holy insight. Praise Him!

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

With love from the Father to you, have a great day. I will pray that your trials are lessened and your heart is lightened and your way is lit by God.

Tina

Who Do We Look Like?

January 18, 2021

Have you ever played dress-up as a child or have you seen children do so? It is so cute! With too-big shoes, glasses or clothes, they walk around trying to act like a parent. They mimic the actions that they have seen their parents do. As children of our heavenly Father, we can look like Him too! Our actions can show others what a loving Father our Lord is. It is our honor and responsibility to imitate parts of His character, like humility, gentleness and patience. Paul gives us this verse:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2

There is a saying, “You may be the only Bible some ever read.” What this means is…whether we realize it or not, people watch what we do and can learn much about Jesus by the way we behave when we humbly and unselfishly love others, even if they never read a Bible. When we suffer, for one example, it is the way in which we do it that others will notice. Paul suffered with a great attitude. Just as His example helps us. we can set an example for others. Jesus set the best, though most difficult example! Others need to see our heart, His heart. Let’s copy Him!

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

Glory Goal: Do others see Jesus in you? Would they say you look like your Father in heaven? May He receive all the glory of our actions and may we copy Him better every day.