Devotional Readings

[Star123]

Hi, as a devoted christian and holding onto the teachings of Christ for many years, I thought it would be a good idea to share some verses of scripture that would inspire each of us and a devotional once in a while on this thread. Anyone of you can post a scripture verse or devotion that has touched you in some way, as you walk with me on a spiritual journey into what God has or is doing in your life. Also if you have any prayer requests feel free to post them here as well.

This week our church is starting a weekly devotional for 10 weeks called, "Being a Disciple of Christ." Here's a summary of the devotional: Focus week #1 - "In the beginning God." Gen. 1:1

Prayer: "Eternal God. Open my mind today to the full reality of your existence and presence. Thankyou that you are the creater and sustainer of all that I know and see. Fill all of me with all of you, that all my life may be for the glory of Christ, amen."

God is real! Stop and think about that for a minute. Turn the phrase over in your mind as you say it slowly. "God is real." From the stars in the sky to the frog on the lily pad, all creation tells the story, shouts it out loud - there is someone behind all that we see and know. On a basic level everyone understands that design and order do not spring independently from chaos. Someone has to form it, shape it, and move it along.

Neither is it only by instinct that we know this to be true. Science itself tells us the same thing. Any matter left to itself always reverts to its implest form. In a word, left on its own matter regresses instead of progresses - order breaks down into chaos - not the other way around. So metals, rust, paints peel, energy is lost the further it gets from its original source. This is a basic and ovservable principle of nature. It's part of what we know and it forms a part of our collective common sense.

Thus all of creation tells the story, shouts it out loud - there is a designer for the universe, there is a shaper, there is someone who is ordering things - there has to be - simply because of the incredible complexity and fantastic order we see all around us.

The great designer - God - is real! Look at what a wonder the human body is; just consider the incredible complexity of the eye and of sight!

King David didn't know of the science behind the eye and what the electrical impulses were and what made the eye see, but he delcared, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Ps. 139:14. If only he knew the utter complexity of the design! He didn't understand how the leaves of the plants had been programmed to collect sunlight to produce energy for food, take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and make it into oxygen for life to exist. Yet he proclaimed, "The heavens delcare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour fourth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Psalms 19:1.

St. Paul said, "Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. Romans 1:20. God's fingerprint is everywhere we look, easy to be seen.

God is real! The complex yet delicate design of all creation sings it in perfect harmony. God's signature is in the DNA of every plant, animal, and every living thing. Even if we don't understand of all this complexity of creation, there is no doubt that there is a creator.

God's universe is just waiting to be discovered, His presence to be experienced and in the midst of all life's chaos, God's gracious order is waiting to be unfolded in your life today!

God is the one true and consistent reality in a world that is constantly changing and is lost without God being present in there lives.

Daily Readings from the Bible: Day 1: John 1:1 - 28; Day 2: John 1:29 - 51; Day 3: John 2:1 - 25; Day 4: John 3:1 - 21; Day 5: John 3:22 - 36; Day 6: John 4:1 - 21; Day 7: John 4:43 - 54.

God Bless You!

[Pcola Girl]

If its ok may I post this poem I found.
_____________________________________________
"No Jacket Required"


I shook my head in disbelief.
This couldn't be the right place.
After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here.
I had been given an invitation several times,
by several different people, and I had finally
decided to see what this place was all about.
But, this just couldn't be the right place.
Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation
that I clutched in my hand.
I scanned past the words,
"Come as you are. No jacket required"
and found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place.
I peered through the window again and saw
a room of people whose faces seemed
to glow with joy.
All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine
garments and appeared strangely clean
as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered
and torn clothing, covered in stains.
I was dirty, in fact, filthy.
A foul smell seemed to consume me and I,
couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body.
As I turned around to leave, the words from
the invitation seemed to leap out at me...
"Come as you are. No jacket required."
I decided to give it a shot.
Mustering up every bit of courage I could
find, I opened the door to this restaurant
and walked up to a man standing behind a podium.
"Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.
"Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up.
I thrust my hands deep into my pockets,
hoping to conceal their stains.
He didn't seem to notice the filth that
I was covered in and he continued,
"Very good, sir.
A table is reserved in your name.
Would you like to be seated?"
I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin
broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course!"
He led me to a table, and sure enough,
there was a place-card with my name
written on it in a deep, dark red.
As I browsed over a menu, I saw many
delightful items listed. There were things like,
"peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence,"
"assurance," "hope," "love," "faith,"
and "mercy."
I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant!
I flipped the menu back to the front in order
to see where I was at...
"God's Grace," was the name of this place.
The man returned and said, " recommend the
'Special of the Day'.
With it you are entitled to heaping portions
of everything on this menu.
You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself.
You mean, I can have ALL of this?!
"What is the 'Special of the Day'?"
I asked with excitement ringing in my voice.
"Salvation," was his reply.
"I'll take it," I practically cried out.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement,
the joy left my body. A sick painful ache
jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes.
Between my sobs I said...
"Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty.
I am unclean and unworthy of such things.
I'd love to have all of this,
but, but, I just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again.
"Sir, your check has already been taken care
of by that Gentleman over there,"
he said as he pointed to the front of the room.
"His name is Jesus."
Turning, I saw a man whose very presence
seemed to light the room.
He was almost too much to look at.
I found myself walking towards Him
and in a shaking voice I whispered,
"Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the
floors or take out the trash.
I'll do anything I can do to repay
You for all this."
He opened His arms and said with a smile,
"Son, all of this is yours
if you just come unto me.
Ask me to clean you up and I will.
Ask me to allow you to feast at my table
and you will eat.
Remember, the table is reserved in your name.
All you must do is accept this gift that
I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at his feet and said,
"Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life.
Please change me and sit me at your
table and give me this new life."
Immediately, I heard the words,
"It is finished."
I looked down and white robes adorned my body.
Something strange and wonderful had happened.
I felt new, like a weight had been lifted
and I found myself seated at His table
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served,"
The Lord said to me.
"Salvation is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and
I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him.
He told me, me of all people,
that He would like for me to come back
as often as I liked for another helping
from God's Grace.
He made it clear that He wanted me to
spend as much time with Him as possible.
As it drew near time for me to go back
outside into the "real world,"
He whispered to me softly,
"And Lo, I am with you always."
And then, He said something to me that I will never forget.
He said...
"My child, do you see these empty tables?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?"
"These are reserved tables...but the
individuals whose names are on each
place-card have not accepted their invitation yet.
Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations
to those who have not joined us as yet?" Jesus asked.
"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations.
"Go ye therefore into all nations."
He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry.
Stained in sin.
My righteousness as filthy rags.
And Jesus cleaned me up.
I walked out a brand new man...
robed in white,
His righteousness.
And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord.
I'll go. I'll spread the Word.
I'll share the Gospel... I'll hand out the invitations.
And I'll start with you.
Have you been to God's Grace?
There's a table reserved in your name,
and here's your invitation...
"Come as you are. No jacket required."

~Author Unknown~
"For by grace are you saved through faith:
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2: 8,9

[Pcola Girl]

Thirty Thoughts On Faith
an article by Lester Roloff

Faith is real. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Spiritual substance is the evidence of the only things that are real.


Faith is a gift. "As God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.

Faith is the life of Christ. "The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20. "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe." Romans 3:22.

Faith is the rope tied to the bucket of reality, dipping itself into the fullness of God.

Faith is stepping when there is no place to step, like Moses at the Red Sea when commanded of the Lord to go forward. Like the black man who was chided because of his great faith in God when someone said, "I guess if God told you to jump through that brick wall, you'd jump." He said, "Yes, sir; it's my responsibility to jump and God's to make a hole in the wall."


Faith is victory. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." I John 5:4b.

Faith is living the overcoming life.

Faith is more forceful than fire. Jesus became the fourth man in the fire for the Hebrew children and they came out without the smell of smoke.

Faith is the key to the lions' jaws. It delivered Daniel without a scratch.

Faith is the power that destroyed the walls of Jericho.


Faith is the road to the city not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Abraham must have become the laughing stock of his neighbors and friends and business associates and yet, faith justified him as we see Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. He certainly had found that city.

Faith became deliverance for the millions of Israelites without a shot being fired and with only one casualty, and that cost Moses a sentence of forty years in the wilderness. You know, faith never uses force or the flesh or pressure – it works altogether by spiritual laws and principles. That's the reason it is so despised and misunderstood by the world. Faith scarcely makes the headlines with man, but it makes the "Who's Who" of heaven.

Faith is seeing the unseen – the invisible. Moses, by faith, saw Him who is invisible. It looks like everything is in the very grip of the picture show hour and the seeing time now. The thing that got Eve – when she SAW. The thing that precipitated the flood – when the sons of God SAW. The thing that wrecked Achan – when he SAW, lusted, and took. The thing that knocked David from the pinnacle of power – when he SAW Bathsheba. The thing that brought about a brokenhearted Moses – when the people cried to Aaron for a god they could SEE. Oh, how could so much junk crawl up in our homes and churches to blind the eye of faith and dishonor God.

Faith is endurance. "He endured as seeing Him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27b


Faith is the opposite of fear. The parents of Moses were not afraid because they had faith. Hebrews 11:23.


Faith is pleasing God. "Without faith, it is impossible to please Him." "He that cometh to God must believe that He is." Hebrews 11:6. "Now faith is." Hebrews 11:1a. Faith makes Jesus current with your problems. Faith makes Him a today's Saviour and Helper.

Faith is Bible living. "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach," Romans 10: 8.

Faith is salvation. "By grace are ye saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8a

Faith is the Christian's keeping power. "Who are kept through the power of God through faith." I Peter 1:5


Faith is the hand and arm that is reaching after the garment of God for certain healing. The woman for twelve years had exhausted money, strength, and every hope and yet, when by faith she touched Him, she felt that she was made whole and she was. Even though she had an element of fear, she was still made whole and Jesus commended her.


Faith is man's extremity and God's opportunity. Faith works better when the last straw of human help has been exhausted. When Jacob was shut up to faith at Jabbok, he came out with the victory.

It's life's extension cord. Hezekiah prayed after the undertaker had knocked on the door, and God gave him fifteen more years.

Faith is the authority of God. The centurion cried out, "Speak the word only and my servant shall be healed."


Faith is the mixture that makes the Gospel effective, Hebrews 4:2.

Faith is the storm-stopper. Jesus said, "Peace, be still," and the waves laid down like obedient dogs. After fourteen days of abstinence, Paul stood on the wind and rain swept deck and said it would be all right, "For I believe God." Acts 27:25


Faith is man resting and God working.


Faith is receiving. Mark 11:24.

Faith is giving all. The little boy who came to hear Jesus and brought his lunch of five loaves and two fishes gave all he had. I don't believe he would have given his whole lunch away, or maybe any of it, before he heard Jesus, but after he heard the Saviour speak, he gladly offered it all. That's Scriptural. "...faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17


Faith is God in action on the battlefield, winning every battle and making real what Christ made possible.


Faith is complete surrender demonstrated by Jesus on the cross, denied by Peter, forsaken by His own, betrayed by Judas, with heaven's gates closed in His face, with the angels silent, his telephone line to the Father's house clipped, deserted by the Spirit, and yet, He said, "It is finished." Luke 23:46. "Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." John 19:13.


Do you remember the story of the little girl on the mission field who pled with the missionary to let her go live with her in her home? The missionary said, "Honey, I don't have the provisions to take care of you. Let us pray and believe that someone from the homeland will send provisions." When the missionary had gone back across the hills to the little neighbor village where she lived, she found a letter with a check sufficient to take care of the little girl. She said to one of her converts, a faithful servant, "Will you go back across those hills and find that little girl and bring her?" In a few, moments, the servant left and then in just a few more moments he was back with the little girl holding to his hand. The missionary said to the little girl, "How did you get here so quick?" She said, "Well, Miss Missionary, I knew that if you prayed and I prayed and we both believed, I might as well get on my way and so I did." That' s child-like faith.

"If you had been living when Christ was on earth,
And had met the Saviour kind,
What would you have asked Him to do for you,
Supposing you were stone blind ?"

The child considered, and then replied,
"I expect that, without doubt,
I'd have asked for a dog, with a collar and chain,
To lead me daily about."

And how often thus, in our faithless prayers,
We acknowledge with shamed surprise
We have only asked for a dog and a chain
When we might have had OPENED EYES!

Can you hear Jesus asking His disciples these questions – "Where is your faith?" "How is it that ye have no faith?" "Oh, faithless and perverse generation ... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove." "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."In this day when much of the work of God looks wilted and Christianity looks awfully pale, it is no time to retreat, but a time to retrench and retread and rewind, and even though we must be living in the days of the final apostasy, where faith has faded into form and lost its fire, I believe there can be something genuine when Jesus comes again. With Jesus interceding above and the Holy Spirit indwelling and abiding in our heart, there is no excuse or reason for failure. I keep hearing that song, "The thing that you have prayed for is on its way and paid for, so hold on a little longer, hold on." Yet, I've come to the place where I've had to confess to God that I couldn't hold on. He would have to hold me on. And my faith is unswerving and unwavering. I'm fully persuaded that what He has promised, He is able also to perform, Romans 4:21.

[Star123]

Hi Mary, you sure can!!! I love the poem you posted, it's lovely and reminds me of what God has done for us, and I'm so very thankful.

Thanks for your input,

[Star123]

Morning, Happy Thursday!!!

Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men, The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 KJV.


Have a fantastic day!!!

[Pcola Girl]

THE "REAL" PRAYER OF JABEZ

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 "And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

First Jabez was "more honorable than his brethren". It would seem here that Jabez honoured God by calling upon Him for blessing. He was a man of faith, no doubt, and the Lord took note of it. Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him."

When we look closer at the request of Jabez to God, we find it is a four-fold request.

First, "that thou wouldest bless me". The first part of the requst was for true happiness. Happiness only can be found when we put our faith and confidence in the God of all creation.

The second part "to enlarge my coast". The word "enlarge" carries several thoughts, "to make greater in quantity", "to expand", "to set at liberty" and to "release from confinement".

The word "coast" also carried several thoughts, "the exterior line, or limit or border". It also carries the thought of "a side" "an edge or margin" and carries the idea of "the whole country within certain limits."

So to "enlarge his coasts" would appear to mean that Jabez was praying that God would release him from all that was confining him, and was yearning to be set at liberty, not being restricted by any border, in his service to his heavenly Father.

Then the third part "that thine hand might be with me" would be protection that he desired that God would give him in whatsoever he did while in the service of his Father in heaven.

And the fourth part "that thou wouldest keep me from evil" As we all know, sin is the only thing that can separate us from fellowship we have with the heavenly Father. And his prayer is his plea that sin or evil of any kind, would not hamper his walk. And indeed this should be our prayer, in the wicked days in which we live.

And though Jabez' name means "sorrow" (as cited in Verse 9) God granted him that which he requested. And so too with us, though we here may have had sorrow, pain, and misery from the effects of sin, our Lord can grant us forgiveness, contentment, and protection as we endeavor to walk for the Lord Jesus Christ.

But we must call upon the Lord with a sincere heart, and the Lord will respond accordingly, according to His Will, and not always in the way we think he will.

[Pcola Girl]

"God Hears You"

"Did you think that I didn't hear you when you cried out to Me in your time of need?
Truly, I did hear you.
If I hear the final cry of every sparrow that falls in death, would I not hear you?
"Did you wonder if I was listening when you prayed to Me for an answer to the troubles that weighed you down?
Indeed, I was listening.

If I listen intently for the very heartbeat of every baby conceived in the womb, would I not listen when that child prays? I listened, and I remember precisely the instant that your heart took it's first beat; the moment that you took your first gasping breath upon leaving the security of your mother's womb; the contented sigh of relief at your first belly full of warm milk. And, though you've grown up, I still listen for every word spoken in My direction.

"Do you think that I don't know when problems come into your life? I know everything there is to know about you! Even the very hairs of your head are numbered! I've watched you daily, from those first tentative steps and groping words to your very first love; and I was there, cheering you on, though you never knew it. "Did you think that I was unconcerned because you didn't receive an instantaneous answer to your prayer?

My dear child, I am more concerned for you than you will ever know. If I were not, would I have sent my son to earth in the flesh and allowed your kind to mock Him, spit on Him, beat Him, and nail Him up on a cross for all to see? He gave His life for You! He poured out His very life's blood in order to pay a price for your life, and to set you free.! Would I have done that if I was unconcerned?

"Or did you accept the devil's lie that I didn't even exist? Can you really believe his lies when the very magnitude and complexity of the universe bears witness to the unquestionable fact that they are My handiwork? When everything that you can see and not see is a work of My perfection, delicately balanced and timed, from the spiraling galaxies to the spinning atoms? Is it possible to comprehend such an intricate work and say,
"There is no God"?

"Take a good look at yourself!
You are the very epitome of My work!
You are My greatest creation!
A one-of-a-kind human being.
Of the seventy billion humans that have lived and walked this planet, there has been no other exactly like you. I created you perfect! I created you with a hundred million receptors in your eyes so that you could see the beauty around you; I created you with twenty-four thousand vibrating fibers in your inner ears to hear the softest whisper of the wind; I designed five hundred muscles, two hundred bones, and seven miles of nerve fibers, all wrapped in a renewable, nearly indestructible layer of skin and tissue. I gave you a heart that pulses hour after hour, day after day, thirty-six million beats a year, pumping blood through more than ninety-six thousand miles of veins and arteries to give your body life and keep it free of disease; and I gave you a brain that is the most complex organ in all of the universe, made up of one-hundred-trillion cells and crisscrossed with twenty-five billion nerve cells to help you retain the minutest memory; and I equipped your body with four million pain-sensitive structures, five hundred thousand touch detectors, and over two hundred thousand temperature detectors! And then, to top it all off, I gave you the ability to reason, to dream, to imagine, and to speak; things that no other of My creatures can do.

And, as a final touch, after creating that magnificent body that you live in, I created the real you, the inner you, the spirit that I created in My likeness, and I breathed you into your body at the instant of birth. "And you were connected to Me then, but you never knew it. Deep inside of you you knew, because I planted that knowledge of Me there, but over the years you have allowed the things of the world to choke that knowledge out.

In the beginning, however, you were perfect; My greatest creation; molded in My own image. Don't you find it really quite humorous, to think that some could adamantly believe that this all came about by chance or evolution?
Could such a masterpiece have come about simply by chance?
"If you can see the truth in this, then how can you think that I didn't
hear you?


"Behold, I am standing at your heart's door, knocking and asking entrance, but I will not force My will on you. Call to Me now and ask Me to come in; into your heart and your life. Call to Me, for I am listening and waiting even as you read this. I'm only a word away, and if you will invite Me in, I will come in and never will I leave you alone. Give Me your heart and your love and, as I live, saith the Lord, this day you shall be one with Me in Paradise."

Forever; Jesus

[Star123]

Mary, thank you so much for your much needed input. I really appreciate what you're sharing, it is the knowledge of God and that spiritual input that we as christians can gleem from. For we are all God's children and are on a spiritual journey with the Lord. What we recieve and give to each other is a gift from God and is definitely important to our spiritual growth, as well as building up our christian character in Him.

For we are the sons of the most of High God, and heirs to his kingdom!!! He is refining us like fire and changing us daily into what we shall be, when He returns to call us home and live with Him forever in heavenly places. What a joy that will be!!! amen.

God Bless You!!!

[Pcola Girl]

Isn't it wonderful to be able to worship our Lord. He has given us that priveledge so that we can one day spend all eternity with Him in Heaven.
I think the creation of our earth in Genesis is one of the most fascinating book in the Bible. God was here before anything else was here, He created our world and everything in it.
There are so many skeptics in this world today that believe differently as we Christians do about creation, but in our own heart we know the truth, God created it all. We cannot force anyone to change their mind on God all we can do is tell them about Him and try our best to lead them to know God as we do.
How God created our world I will never know, at least not while I still reside on earth but I am hoping when I get the Heaven one day He will reveal it to me. He made everything so perfect for us to live here and so beautiful to and as long I am here I will respect Gods handiwork.

Here is my Bible study for today. God Bless you...
___________________________________________

"Incarnation, the Cross, and Resurrection in Genesis"

In order for sinful man to be reconciled to God, there must be a bridge between the two opposing parties. Sinful man could not reach up to God therefore God had to reach down to us. And this was done when Deity took on the form of man and came to where we were.

This is called the incarnation, where God himself took on the likeness of man. The divine intervention is graphically portrayed here in Genesis 1. First we see the work of the Holy Spirit:
Genesis 1:2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
In the incarnation we also see the work of the Holy Spirit:
Luke 1:35 "And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Second, the word comes forth as "light" - Genesis 1:3 "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light:"
So too of the Son of God at his birth. Luke 2:9 "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid". He is the light of the world.

Third, this light approved by God - Genesis 1:4 "And God saw the light, that it was good:..." Jesus, the light of the world, we read Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

Fourth, light was separated from darkness - Genesis 1:4 "...and God divided the light from the darkness." So too was Jesus - Hebrews 7:26 "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens"

Fifth, the light was named by God - Genesis 1:5 "And God called the light Day..." and of our blessed Lord we read, "And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus".

This incarnation is set forth on Day One of the creation.

Now on Day Two we see the cross of our Lord Jesus. John 12:24 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."

Of the firmament we read Genesis 1:6-7 "And God said, let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so." This graphically portrays two other separations. Our Lord was separated from God (on the cross) and separated from man (cut off out of the land of the living.)

To elaborate, first the firmament was purposed by God (Gen. 1:6-7). The cross of our Lord Jesus was indeed purposed of God - Revelation 13:8 "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Second, the firmament was set in the midst of the waters. Revelation 17:15 states that waters are peoples, nations, kindreds and tongues.

We cannot help but think of the Lord Jesus on the cross John 19:18 "Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." He came and died where we were.
**It is also interesting to note that geographically Calvary is in the middle or center of the earth. Look on a map.**

Third, firmament divided the waters, and so the cross divides people. 1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved, it is the power of God."

Now in Day Three, we see a glimpse of the resurrection. "Let the dry land appear" (V.9) Just as we read that the earth was submerged beneath the waters, but then we read that it was raised above the level of the seas. Is this not resurrection, in part? "And let the earth bring forth..." (V11). Life is now brought forth: grass, herb, fruit trees, etc. And the third day was also when our Lord Jesus rose from the dead. And if he be not raised, we would be yet in our sins.

The Fourth Day tells us of his ascension? Here we see described the two great lights, and the stars. This is above the earth, out of man's reach, in the heavenlies. And this is where our Lord Jesus is, preparing a place for us and will soon return to take us all to be with him.

[Star123]

Mary, thanks and here a devotional from John Hagee Ministeries:

Walking in the Spirit
Ezekiel 11:19, 20—“Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statues and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.”

A recent survey reveals that people tell an average of four ”white lies” a day which amounts to 88,000 by age 60. The most common fib reported was “I’m fine.” Others included: “nice to see you,” “I’m stuck in traffic,” “this tastes delicious” and “sorry I missed your call.”
Some people reported that it did not bother their consciences to tell a harmless fib, but most of us know that telling even a well-intentioned lie is wrong, so why are people compelled to betray their conscience and tell a lie? Let’s dig a little deeper to find the answer.

Why do you do the things you do? Why do you say the things you say? Why do you think the way you think? Do you understand the inner battle that goes on inside you over right and wrong? Do you listen to and obey the inner voice of conscience that some people laugh at as a primitive leftover that should be discarded?

The apostle Paul describes man as having a threefold nature: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23). You are body, soul, and spirit. In your physical man, you relate to the outside world through your five senses—smell, sound, touch, taste, and sight. Between your body and your spirit is your soul—your will, intellect, and emotions. This is the decision-making part of your personality. And then at the core of your being is your spiritual man, the conscience, where the voice of God speaks to you and guides you.

An angel is all spirit, and an animal is all flesh. When you walk in the Spirit, you are like an angel. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). When you walk in the flesh, you walk as a brute best, having lost sensitivity with God (Gal. 5:15). When you walk in the Spirit, you discover your highest potential. When you walk in the flesh, you can only experience your lowest potential. And in the arena of the soul, where decisions are made, you make up your mind whether you will obey the voice of the Spirit or the flesh. Herein lies the battle, and how you respond will affect everything about your life and every relationship you have. (The Life Plan Study Bible, p. 939)

God Bless You!!!

[Pcola Girl]

The Word "Cloud" simply means in scripture "a shapeless mass" that covers the earth. It may refer to literal clouds or it may refer to masses of people. In Hebrews 12:1 we are told of a great "cloud of witnesses" that have gone on before us and have left us an example for the way we can live our Christian lives today.

Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compasses about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

This cloud of witnesses is listed in part in Hebrews Chapter 11. They are exercised faith and leave us some very valuable lessons. Let's look at some of them:

Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness what he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."

Abel's name means "breath or vapor", so appropriate, for his life was very short. Abel was a shepherd who possessed flocks and herds and Cain, his brother, was a tiller of the ground. It was not their occupations that separated these two brothers, but rather their conception of what was pleasing to God and what was not.

Abel feared God and brought to God a sacrifice from the best of his flock. His was a sacrifice of blood for it was portraying Christ who would come, as the Lamb of God, who would shed his precious blood for the remission of our sins, whereas Cain's offering was from the fruit of the ground - his own efforts, having no blood represented therein. Abel's blood sacrifice is placed alongside of our Lord's shed blood in Hebrews 12:24 "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.", but the difference being that Abel's blood cries out by vengeance, but Christ's blood cries out by mercy. Abel's blood, though he was a righteous man, cannot atone for sin; but Christ's blood is sufficient for all the sins of the whole world.

It is only by the blood that our sins can be forgiven, and not by any merit of our own. Abel's sacrifice portrayed the blood, Cain's offering portrayed human merit.

1 Peter 1:18-19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

Then we have Enoch, Hebrews 11:5 "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

This man "walked with God" and was "pleasing to God". Enoch was separated from the world in that he walked not in the way of sinful men. His conduct and character were a distinct rebuke to the godless around him. His walk was that of steady progress, not stopping along the way to play with the pleasures or cares of this world. And this "life of faith" has but a glorious end....he was taken to be with the Lord forever. This man Enoch should be a rebuke to all of us who stop ever too often along the way to check out the cares or pleasures of this life.

Then we have Noah, Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

In the midst of an age of moral darkness, we now see Noah who also we are told "walked with God". In his communion with his heavenly Father, he learns of the judgment of the human race that would soon take place. He is instructed to build an ark, a large boat, in a place where it had never rained. This vessel would provide safety to all who would enter therein from the flood waters that would cover the earth. So here we have Noah, "moving with fear" in the constructing of this huge vessel. Laughed to scorn by all who pass by, for they could not imagine a universal flood in a place where the rains had never fallen. But Noah believed God and worked diligently for the Lord regardless of what men would say. We can certainly see a lesson here for us, can we not? You may get hassled, you may have people laugh at you, or maybe even persecute you, but remain steadfast. It will pay eternal dividends. Noah believed God rather than men.

Next we come to Abraham, Hebrews 11:8-10 "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in a the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

This is the man who believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Romans 4:3). This is the man who offered up Isaac, his only son (Genesis 22:2) even though he loved his son ever so much. There are so many profitable lessons to be gleaned from this great man of faith.

First, faith always has trials; the greater the faith, the greater the trial. Think about Job. Second, faith shines through the trials. No trials and there is no faith. Faith will be tested, even to you, brother or sister. Third, faith during trials glorifies the Lord. Look at the life of our Lord Jesus. Now look at the life of Abraham who obeyed what the Lord commanded him. He is labeled of God as "Abraham, my friend". John 15:14 "Ye are my friends also, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

Next we come to Sarah, Hebrews 11:11 "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised."

Here we see Sarah believing God even when things seemed to be impossible. She was far past the age of conceiving a child and yet the Lord promised her that she would bear a child. And she did. Sarah put her trust in the Lord regardless of what seemed to be impossible. And that is a lesson for us. Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto him that is able too do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us"

Then we come to Isaac, Hebrews 11:20 "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come."

Here Isaac remembered God's word regarding "the older brother would serve the younger brother" This was with regard to the two sons Rebekah would bear, Jacob and Esau. They would represent two nations. A plot in Isaac's later years by Rebekah and Jacob to give the inheritance to Jacob rather than to Esau, made Isaac to tremble, for Esau had been his favorite son. But Isaac remembered "what saith the Lord" in spite of his tendency to select Esau for the inheritance. Other notable traits for Isaac were:

Submission - Genesis 22:6-9
Trust in God - Genesis 22:7-8
Devotion - Genesis 24:67
Peace - Genesis 26:20-22
Prayerfulness- Genesis 26:25

Next Jacob, Hebrews 11:21 "By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff."

In this man we see the conflict of the two natures within the believer. Jacob was good and he was bad, he rises and he falls, yet he is a chosen instrument of the Lord.

Though he was selfish at times, crafty and deceitful, in his later years he mended his ways, and with that was called "into the promised land" (Genesis 31).

We also see that this man of faith was disciplined through great afflictions (Genesis 37:28, Genesis 42:36) and ultimately became the foundation of the nation of Israel. The "sons of Jacob" are the children of Israel, Jacob and Israel being the same person. In Jacob we see the transformation of a man who we find in his later years worshipping leaning on his staff. A man who learned faith "through it all" and now is in the position to bestow blessings (Genesis 48 and 49).

Next is Joseph, Hebrews 11:22 "By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones"

Though volumes can be written here on this great man, I will simplify the account of his life: This was a man who went from the pit to a palace, and from rags to riches yet remains humble in all of his ways. He manifested great wisdom, brotherly love, endless devotion and utter submission to God. (Genesis 43:20, 45:8,14,23, 47:7) He knew how to resist temptation (Genesis 39:7-13) and he knew how to return "good for evil" (Genesis 50:16-21). This great man of faith pictures our Lord Jesus Christ in numerous ways. And even his coat of many colors speaks ever so clearly of the spiritual "coat of many colors" our Lord possessed, speaking of all his attributes.

Isn't it interesting to note that a Joseph is associated with our Lord's birth (Matthew 1:18-19) and a Joseph is associated with our Lord's death - Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38). This man pictured Christ in all his ways, and is that not what we are called to do? to emulate Christ in our daily Christian walk.?

Then we see Moses, Hebrews 11:23-29 "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned."

This great Hebrew leader was born at a time when the Pharaoh of Egypt had resolved on the destruction of every newly born male child among the Israelites. Moses, at three months old, was rescued by Pharaoh's daughter, and is brought up by her in the royal palace.

This first forty years: Moses learned to be a "somebody"

His next forty years: After Moses murdered a man, he fled to the desert where he learned how to be a "nobody".

And the last forty years: Moses realized what God can do with a nobody.

And that's what we are, "nobody's". Will it take you 2/3 of your life to realize this? Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, across the Red Sea on dry ground heading for the Promised Land. He brought down the Law from the mountains of Sinai and is responsible for the first five books of the Old Testament. Note this ending to his life (Deuteronomy 34:6) God buried Moses in a valley in the land of Moab, and no man knows the whereabouts of his grave. Very suggestive here of our end, is it not?

Lastly, let us look at Rahab. Hebrews 11:31 "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."

Rahab became a Jewish proselyte. Her faith received a glorious test when the spies came to her home. Faithful to her country, or faithful to the Lord? She chose to stand on the Lord's side, by protecting the spies, thus sparing her family, while her neighbors perished.

A harlot, in the faith hall of fame, yes, that's what we all were in one way or another. Unfaithful, and yet the Lord came to save such as we and can do wonders in every believer's life.

Hebrews 11:13 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

These are the "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) Like clouds they are "above" but are not as it were spectators, but are those who have born witness to the truth.

So, dear people, as you live the Christian life, look up, view the clouds and in so doing, you will be reminded of the great people of faith who have gone on before you and have left you lessons that you can learn from their lives.

For we, as they, look for a city, whose builder and maker is God.

[Star123]

Hi Mary, well it's monday and a start of a new week. You and I share the subject of the 'cloud' in our devotionals this week.

Oh, I should mention that if you or anyone else has a prayer request, you can post it here. I would be sure to pray for that person or siduaiton. Last night at church we had our monthly prayer meeting, and it was a blessed one. God hears our prayers when we pray, some are answered quickly, while others are answered in his time. God's time. And sometimes we ask amiss, but He is faithful.

Here's a weekly devotional from John Hagee:

God's Glory:
Exodus 24:16—
"Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud".

Psalm 16:11— "You shall show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore".

A professor of psychology recently claimed, “As far as Moses on Mount Sinai is concerned, it was either a supernatural Cosmic event, which I don’t believe, or a legend, which I don’t believe either, or finally, and this is very probable, an event that joined Moses and the people of Israel under the effect of narcotics.”

The professor professes that he himself had “experienced visions that had spiritual-religious connotations” when he used “a powerful psychotropic plant, during a religious ceremony…”It is obvious that what these two men experienced, were two completely different events—The professor had a fleeting encounter with the bizarre, which dead-ended in confusion. Moses, on the other hand, experienced the presence and glory of the eternal God and emerged with the blueprints, which have paved the path of life in decency and civility throughout the ages.

Glory of God’s Presence:
Honor. Praise. Presence. Credit. Admiration. Holy. The word glory takes on a variety of meanings. When was the last time you longed after the glory of God? When was the last time you gave God the glory? Have you ever thought about the Lord’s glory showing through you? Sometimes the word glory actually refers to the presence of the Lord (as in the above example). Also, when Solomon dedicated the temple, God’s glory came in the form of a cloud and filled the house (2Chr. 5:13, 14). When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, the glory of the Lord shone around them (Luke 2:9). The Lord’s Prayer ends with “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” (Matt. 6:13).

God’s Glory in Christians:
Ever since the Holy Spirit fell upon those first believers in the Upper Room, God’s glory has been manifested through Christians. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Our capacity to reflect God’s glory is based upon the degree of our submission to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We are to serve the Lord with gladness and let people see His mercy and His love by the way we live, work, and worship—not for our glory but for His.

God’s Glory to Come:
We know that Jesus sits at the right hand of God and will soon come back “in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). One day we will walk in the Lord’s presence and see the glory for ourselves. For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matt. 16:27).
(John Hagee Prophecy Study Bible, Diamonds for Daily Living, P. 684).
Maybe the professor should reconsider the first of the three possibilities regarding Moses’ mountaintop experience!

© John Hagee Ministries 2008

God Bless,

[Star123]

Hi, here's a scripture passage that has inspired me over the years and still does each time I read it, reminding us that we are disciples of Jesus. Here's what Jesus said to them before He ascended into Heaven...

"Then Jesus Came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded to you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

When Jesus said this, He was giving some of His authority to His disciples, so that they would be equipped to preach the gospel and do the things that He did...

Jesus himself was baptized by John in the Jordan and made himself an example to follow. We are to do the same...

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17.

Jesus also commanded his disciples to go to all the nations... this is called 'the Great Commission'. To spread the Good News to all nations, baptizing them in His name with authority and doing what Jesus did when He was on earth. Jesus said, that we would do this and much more...

I believe that every Christian has the authority in Jesus's name, to do what the disciples did 2000 years ago. Today you hear reports about Christian missionaries and the like who go out on the mission field and are doing just that. Isn't it exciting to know that we are all doing something to help accomplish what Jesus started. God is on the move and I don't want to miss anything!!!

Something to think about...

God BLess,

[godsbeloved79]

This moment is what it is

Choose to accept all that comes your way and in it you will find great value. Resist the urge to impose your judgment on the people, places, things and events that surround you, and you'll connect with many more possibilities.

To make the very best of any situation, you must first acknowledge and accept the reality of what it is. That provides you with a valuable starting point from which you can move in any direction you choose.

To deny or to fight against what has already happened will merely waste your energy and resources. To wish that things had been different, or to pretend that they are, will do you no good.

Instead, visualize what can be in all the richness and detail that you can imagine. Then find a step you can take right now that will lead you in the direction of your dream.

Losers argue about what has happened and who is at fault, and put their energy into resentment for what is. Winners choose the life they wish to create, and find a way to move toward it from any situation.

This moment is here and now, and this moment is what it is. Accept it fully, with enthusiasm and gratitude, and take a big step in the direction of your dream.

-- Ralph Marston