After that, God mercifully gives us mental and emotional rest for a time. We can then catch our breaths, square our shoulders and see clearly that we are doing better, that we are closer than ever to God.
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Closer Than Ever To God
Sunday, September 19, 2021
How To Easily Memorize Scriptures
It's important to memorize scriptures in order to hide God's word in our hearts. Being able to accurately recall his word gives us power to think like God and to resist the devil. With all of the unrest in the world, we can't be sure that the time will not come when we will be persecuted for reading and carrying Bibles. One day, if Jesus does not come back before, it could become a crime to possess a Bible. It's also a good feeling to be able to quote scriptures. The Word of God is alive and springs into action when we have it within us.
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it will be done unto you. John 15:7 Abide means to live, stay or remain.
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! Psalm 119:11 In order for something to be hidden it has to be claimed, possessed and kept.
The Word that we read and hear has to be claimed, possessed and kept so that it will remain, stay and live within us.
The Word tells us about ourselves and what to feel and how to think. When we read or hear the Word, then walk away and forget that Word that we've heard, it's hard to walk in the light, be transformed and receive God's best. James 1:23-25
Jesus did not hesitate in quoting God's word to Satan. He didn't fumble around, try to quote it or misquote it. He spoke it with confidence and power.
"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
"It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God."
"Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." Matthew 4:4-10
The main way that I memorize scripture is to put notes or print-outs on my bathroom mirror or wall near the sink. I started with pieces of paper, then index cards, then I started designing printable graphics. This keeps the scripture that I want to memorize in front of me each morning or whenever I do my daily toiletries. Whenever we get up, we have to prepare for the day, so posting them in the bathroom is a good way to begin memorizing them.
When I want to learn a scripture passage (several scriptures in a book), I look at my note or graphic and start by reading the scripture reference. It's also important to know where the scripture is found. Then I look away and repeat it. I then read the first scripture or part of it if it's long, look away and repeat it.
I move to the second scripture, read it and then repeat it. I'm not trying to memorize the scriptures, I'm impressing them on my mind. Eventually, I can quote them without looking. It's really amazing. It doesn't matter to me how long it takes. I know that one day I will have committed the scriptures to memory.
I always select scriptures that have special meaning to me or that help me with struggles and difficulties. If you do this, you will have a better incentive to do your reading and repeating exercise each morning.
Remember that God is always willing to help us. If you feel the importance of memorizing scriptures, it doesn't matter if you've always had a problem doing that. Just ask Our Father and he will help you through His Holy Spirit. Write out on a piece of paper or an index card, a scripture that means a lot to you, or print it from the internet. Start committing God's Holy scriptures to memory, or start again, and realize new power each day.
Sunday, April 18, 2021
Freedom From Bad Memories
God shows us how to get free of the debilitating effects of these hidden facts. When the Holy Spirit allows a memory to surface, it's usually at the most unexpected time. It's often something that you think would be long forgotten and in which you are surprised that it has come back to memory. It was always there and we are adept at fooling ourselves that anything that we are not conscious of doesn't matter.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
His Love Letters To You
God's Word puts faith in me. If you're not reading God's Word, the Holy Bible, everyday you're cheating yourself. My question is Have you come to truly love God? You see, God's Word is really a love letter. It is a letter from The Greatest Lover to you, the person whom He loves dearly.
Everything in the Bible is not a good story, even though the entire Bible is ordained by God to bless you. Every word in the Bible can benefit us when accepted through the Holy Spirit's guidance.
In the same way that you would read and reread the letters from your fiance/fiancee, companion or spouse, you should be reading God's Word. It should be sweet to you and you should never tire of learning from it. Even though you may not feel like reading as much or at all on some days, you should be anxious to get back to it.
So again, Have you come to truly love God enough to desire to read his Word everyday? You should be feeding yourself the one thing that will grow your faith, strengthen you against the enemy and help you to store up your riches in Heaven.
The Word of God is quick and powerful... Hebrews 4:12
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one...I John 2:14
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Scourging, Crucifixion And Christ
Today, I am reading in the first part of John 19, where Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. I know something about scourging from previous light research. I wanted to read more about it today, both as a refresher and to learn new things. At the CBCG website (Christian Biblical Church of God), it is revealed that the Romans did not institute crucifixion, but they certainly perfected it. This vile form of maltreatment was generally reserved for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, the vilest of criminals and desertion by soldiers.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of scourging and the implications of crucifixion, CBCG provides a detailed account of these terrible punishments. It's not for the faint-hearted. If you are not aware, crucifixion was not unique to Jesus' torture and death. Crucifixion was a standard Roman punishment. I remember reading years ago that it was common to travel down a Roman road in ancient times and see hundreds of crosses with crucified victims on them. The abomination, outrage and enormity of Jesus' crucifixion is that he was pure and without any sin or imperfection whatsoever, and that he gave his life for me and you.
He was God's precious only son, and he was treated like trash and dirt, the lowest of the lowest on this earth. In addition, he experienced a moment in time unlike no other and totally devastating for that short period. He was separated from his Father completely, because of the sins, past, present and future, that he took and cleansed us from.
So, it was not that he was crucified that is so horrible, but that he was perfect and was sacrificed as a meek, submissive lamb. During that horrendous judgement, affliction and death, he endured even more antagonism, animosity and abuse than criminals, because of who he had claimed to always be. He really was slaughtered for each and every one of us. Why? Because it was needed. Because it was necessary that we have a total and complete sacrifice that no sin, imperfection or darkness could ever penetrate again. The reason is simple, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 And that precious son, who is God in the flesh, was obedient because he believed what the Father said.
Source: Christian Biblical Church of God website
Monday, July 9, 2018
Resting In Obedience
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Jesus decides to wash his disciples' feet to illustrate a principle. |
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Jesus humbly begins to wash the feet of his disciples. |
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Peter's ignorance causes him to reject Jesus' ministering. |
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Peter goes overboard in his acceptance of Jesus's ministering. |
Draw Nigh To Hope
for more insight into Christian growth
and resources for living a life devoted to God.
Images: FreeBibleImages.Org
Friday, July 6, 2018
The World Has Gone After Jesus
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The Pharisees were so disappointed that they could not stop Jesus' ascension to fame. |
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Today, we worship God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. |
Never has any one in history been able to stop the tide of love for Jesus and what he did on the cross for us. Because of his obedience to his Father, we are free today. We will be resurrected to life and don't have to fear the 2nd death. Our eternal destination is secure. Today, we worship God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We honor and respect him for his sacrifice on our behalf. Without him we would have no hope. Yes, the world truly has gone after Jesus, and we are still going after him today, just as God desired.
Monday, January 29, 2018
A Permanent Trip To The Holy Land
While reading about Jesus going to the Mount of Olives, in John 8, and vindicating the woman judged for adultery, I researched the place. Finding a lovely sun-touched image of the hill to the east of Jerusalem, I was suddenly overcome by a desire to go there. That happens often when I view images of The Holy Land, either current or from the far past. I'd love to walk where Jesus walked.
Though the areas where ruins have been unearthed have been modernized, the landscapes I am sure still hold some of the atmosphere and environment of ancient Bible times. Here in America, we don't have the flora or the air quality that exists in the Middle East today. For one thing, there aren't any olive trees near me, and I don't know where any ancient ones exist here in the U.S.
When I am struck with a longing to visit Jesus' land as it exists today, I immediately remember that if I should never make it there in this life, I will see that wondrous place. In The New Heaven and The New Earth I will live there. I will see the beautiful Holy Land whenever I want to. God will have reestablished his beloved Jerusalem, The Holy City, and all will be without blemish, decay, death and evil. I will come and go as I please, sit among the new and refreshed olive trees and Holy Land landscapes. Most of all, I will talk and walk with Jesus. I will ask him questions about his life there, when he came to redeem and save us. We will enjoy together The New Heaven and The New Earth, created for Jesus and those who love him.
If God allows me to tarry more in this world, I would like to visit there today in this flesh. I have to say, though, that when I live in The New Heaven and The New Earth, my visit there will be much, much better. My trip there is guaranteed, because I am locked into my seat in the Kingdom of God. My flight is set, and my ticket is The Holy Spirit. When I leave here, whether I take off before of during The Rapture, I will arrive at my permanent destination. Unlike in the world today, I will never have to go home from my vacation. I will be at home for good, on an eternal vacation in a beautiful new Holy Land that is like the old, but untainted and perfect, as it was meant to be in the beginning. I will be with the person who loved and saved me, so that I can live forever with him in His Holy Land.
Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God, and the only Savior. Come into my heart, and save me. I was born in sin and you died for me so that I can know God and not be blamed anymore. Thank you for my new life. Show me the way to understand and turn away from bad things. I don't have to fear death anymore, and thank you for Eternal Life. Amen
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Scripture Source: John 8:1-11
Friday, December 23, 2016
Sister Betty Jo On Receiving & Giving Blessings
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"So the blessings that you receive, let me tell you they are all from God, and with no strings attached." |
Praise the Lord everyone!! You are a blessing whether you know it are not. There are many who do not know that they are blessings to people. They didn’t even think they could be. This title came to me in a positive way, Receive Your Blessings, And Give Them As Well. I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful and grateful for (all) my blessings; and knowing that the blessings that I have received during my journey, have been a teaching given from Jesus Christ Himself.
When I sit and think about John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life, I realize that I have read that scripture just as I have read many others, over and over again. This time, I went so deep into it that I said to myself, This God has done something that no other would have done for me.
He gave me a blessing, and I didn’t even know that was what it was. I asked myself why would He do such? Did He not know that I didn’t love Him, or how I was living, and how I cared only to please others? The answers to these questions that I was asking were a mystery. He came back with the answer in John 3:17, For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
He wanted me to know that I was blessed by a gift called Salvation. And He wanted me to take this Word of blessing, and give it to others. Whether they accepted the blessing or rejected it was not to concern me. You still keep sharing it, is what He said.
He does what he does because He Loves us (all). You may hate Him…He still Loves you…You may use His name in vain…He still Loves you…You may be ashamed to speak of Him to your friends…He still Loves you. You may try to stop Him, but you can’t…He still Loves You.
His blessings are still spreading, and spreading. And those who are receiving them, are spreading and spreading them to people who do not know that they are to become blessings also. That man, that woman, that boy and girl do not yet know that they are to become blessings in return. Praise the LORD!!
So, receive your blessings, and give them as well. Those of you who have testimonies of what Jesus Christ has done in your life, tell It! Keep it real! Don’t allow the devil to stop you…his a liar, deceitful, and a hater. There is no love in him.
Sister Betty Jo is a strong woman of God who loves sharing her relationship with The Father, and what Christ has done for her. She lives in TX, and enjoys spending time with her daughter and granddaughters. She is a crafter and folk art painter, and likes cooking, especially trying new recipes.
This is what she has to say about her relationship with the Lord,
" My Life Has Not Been The Same since I Was Diagnosed With Lupus Some Years Ago. My Life Has Changed Quite A Bit, But Lupus Does Not Define Who I Am. I'm Blessed To Have Jesus Christ as my Savior. Also Loved One's & Friends Are My Blessings.
I Am A Bible Believing Christian. I don't like religion. I'm in love with Jesus Christ, whom I have a relationship with. I will Follow Jesus Christ, and not man. He will direct my feet into the right path. It isn't about how good I think I am, or what I think I can do for Him. I cannot work my way to Heaven, nor pay Him to take me. I'm blessed through SURRENDERING my all to Him. He has forgiven me of my nasty Sins.
I am in a Intimate Relationship with a man who gave His life for me. He loved me that much that He laid His life on a cross that was put together by man. My life has not been the same after I gave Him my heart, and my life. That is True and Honest Love.
No matter what I looked like, or the life-style that I was living that wasn't pleasing to Him, He still accepted me with open arms. He said to me at that moment..."your sins have been forgiven." That was a Promise that He has kept ever since. Halleujah!! My first and Only Love!! His name by the way is Jesus Christ. Amen!! Don't Give Up! Push On! Amen!! "
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Draw Nigh To Hope
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Just How Large Is The Sea Of Galilee Anyway?
Was reading about Jesus' 5th sign, walking on the waves on the Sea of Galilee, John 6:15-21. When the sea is mentioned in the Bible, I often forget that most of the time it is referring to a massive lake, rather than a body of water like the Pacific or Atlantic ocean, or the Mediterranean Sea. In verse 16, it says that "And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea" (KJV).
I remembered that this is referring to a relatively small land-locked body of water. I wondered, Just how large is the Sea of Galilee anyway? I realized that because they knew very little, if anything, about the topography of the Earth, this massive water feature would naturally be a sea to them. So what is the area and some interesting facts about this water area with the 3 names?
I thought that there were only 3 names that it is known by:
- Sea of Galilee
- Sea of Tiberius
- Sea of Gennesaret
- Sea of Chinnereth
- Ginnosar
- Bahr Tubariya.
Wikipedia, my fav place to do research (though it is not academically accepted), states that Lake Chinnereth "is approximately:
- 53 km (33 mi) in circumference,
- about 21 km (13 mi) long,
- and 13 km (8.1 mi) wide
- area is 166.7 km2 (64.4 sq mi) at its fullest,
- and its maximum depth is approximately 43 m (141 feet)."
An interesting mystery! But, where Jesus is there are mysteries galore, and revelations, lol. Wikipedia states that The Sea of Galilee was also called the Sea of Minya.
Wikipedia
BiblePlaces.com
King James Bible
Image: Wikipedia
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
WHY Am I Blamed For What Adam And Eve Did?
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What Adam and Eve did was not my fault, so why should I be judged because of it? |
Because I was repeatedly warned about sin from the standpoint of The Ten Commandments, and how Hell would be my eternal home if I made any slip-ups, I felt hounded and blamed for something that I did not do. I would ponder with disgust, "Is that ALL that this Jesus and God stuff gave me? Is that all that the Bible gave me to look forward to was eternal punishment for someone else's wrong turn?
My adult life took damaging twists and destructive turns, and having no one else to help me, I turned to that God that I'd learned about. Why I turned to someone whom I did not trust, and through whom I felt condemned is a whole 'nother story.
So I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart. I wanted to be saved, to live as a Christian. As I grew in the Lord, I began to understand more about what Jesus did for us at Calvary. You see, it is true that the failure of Adam and Eve is not our fault. It has just not been explained that way. It is that exact reason that God provided a way out of the unfair condemnation. No matter how much we hate it, and don't want it to be that way, it is a sentence passed on to us through the continuance of human life.
What that errant couple, who possessed free wills, did when they made poor choices, horrendously affects our lives today, and in the afterlife. God loves his creation, us, so much that he determined in his heart that this will not stand. The human life that he created must go on, but the evil that influenced the downfall will not.
In his love for us, he provided a plan of redemption, a way to restore the connection to him that Adam and Eve's choices severed. Because it is not your fault, nor my fault, he provided a way out of the sentence that no one likes to hear about. He sent a Savior, someone to right the wrong done by evil influence. That Savior is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Through the bloodline of Adam, we all inherited death, or separation from God. So Sacred Blood had to be given to restore our inheritance of life, or connection to God.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and what God offers through his Son, is not provided to take away anything we have, other than that unfair condemnation that we inherited by being born into this world. We all are descended from that tainted bloodline of that original, fallen couple. Alternatively, we each have the equal opportunity to have our bloodlines restored to purity by receiving God's provision for redemption. It's as simple as that.
God is a good Father, and a wonderful God! What loving father would let his children die for something that is not their fault, if he could in any way prevent it? God is the ultimate loving Father. He recognizes our unfair condition. Afterall, he is the owner of creation. He is the Most High God, the Only Wise God and the One True God. He asks for one thing from any who wants the unfair judgment lifted. Confess that we are born into sin and can't help ourselves, accept that we need to be saved, and accept that his Son is the only Savior.
So the condition that we find ourselves in when we learn about God is certainly unfair. God in his love, however, has provided a way out. Adam and Eve, who had free wills, had a choice, and they made theirs. You, who have a free will, have a choice, but you don't have to stay with theirs. You don't have to stay with the deception that you were born with. Do what they didn't do. Choose life. One day God is going to restore it back to the way it was meant to be on Earth. It's there in the Bible! Read it! There will be no more evil influence either. Don't you want to be there?
Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God, and the only Savior. Come into my heart, and save me. I was born in sin and you died for me so that I can know God and not be blamed anymore. Thank you for my new life. Show me the way to turn away from bad things and help me to understand. I don't have to fear death anymore, and thank you for Eternal Life.
Image: Pixabay.com
Sunday, July 31, 2016
FOR THE CHRIST-CURIOUS: God Loves And Keeps His Word
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At God's timing, we will know the reason for it all. |
God loves us, no matter what is happening all around us, and to us.
There is a reason for all of it, and one day, when it is time for God to abolish evil, we will know the reasons. I thank Him that when that time comes, it won't matter to me and many others all the reasons why. We will be ecstatic that the New Heaven and the New Earth have come, and we can live in the presence of God forever and ever.In the Bible, the story of Noah and The Ark says that he was faithful for decades in warning people that God's plan would be carried out. God had made a promise that he would wipe the face of the earth clean, but he gave all people a chance to escape the terrifying event.
The people who did not believe God continued with their unGodly lives,...
laughing at Noah, secure in their belief that it was all a myth. They were strengthened in their unbelief, because so much time passed with nothing happening. Noah continued to hold fast to his belief, and just as God had promised, in the end he and those who chose to believe with him were saved. Unfortunately, only his children and their spouses believed.
Today, many, many people, possibly the majority of peoples, believe that the story of Noah, and the Bible itself are myths. They believe that all that Christians like me say are myths, delusions and fantastical fiction.
Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God, and the only Savior as it says in The Bible. Come into my heart, and save me now. I confess all of my sins to you and believe that you died for me so that I can come to know God. I believe and I receive all that you have for me. Thank you for my new life. Show me the way and help me to understand. Thank you that I don't have to fear death anymore, and that I have eternal life in you.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
How To Replace Death With Life
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Jesus Prayed For You: Did You Know That?
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Jesus Christ prayed for us. |
Did you know that before he was led away to be crucified, Jesus prayed to his father for you and me? It was after he prayed for his disciples, who had the enormous and monumental task of remaining committed to their calling, that Jesus then prayed for us. His disciples were to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ on a speaking circuit that could have no other ending than that of a painful and humiliating death. Whom else did Jesus go on to think of as he finished his supplications for those who were fingered by God to wear the great mantle of propagating the Gospel? He thought of the ones who would take to heart the words that his disciples would speak.
He thought of you and I, knowing that the world would continue on for an undetermined length of time. He did not know when he would be returning to launch the reestablishment of the new heaven and the new earth. He had no idea of the appointed time to begin the abolishing of the regime of Satan and his army of fallen angels. Only his father knew the appointed day and time. He knew that we would need all of the grace and help from his father that we could receive. His compassion, foreknowledge and wisdom led him to stand in the gap for you and me, to serve as a proxy in prayer at the throne of God, to for a moment not think of what he was about to endure, but to pray for our strength in a corrupt and dying world.
These are the words, that John recorded, that Jesus spoke to God the Father on our behalf:
20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
(John 17:20-26 NKJV-New King James Version)
The Jesus Christ then is the same Christ that we honor today. |
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Scripture References: BibleStudyTools
Images:
- "Jesus Christ prayed for us," Pixabay Free Images
- "The Jesus Christ then is the same Christ that we honor today," ©SJHolland, acrylic and collage painting