John 8:1-11
This is a story of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees bringing a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery. Their goal was to trick Jesus so they may accuse him. In the end they fail but what of the woman? I have questions that cannot be answered just by reading the story.
First, where was the man and why only the woman. Leviticus 20:10 states both should be put to death. Deuteronomy 22:24 speaks of a man raping a woman. If the rape happens in town, where the woman can scream for help and she does not, then both should be killed. This is in the case of an engaged woman. Clearly, Old Testament law shows if there is consent proven then both parties should be put to death. So, why only the woman?
Secondly, if the woman was engaged or married to another, was the husband one of the accusers? Or was the man the one who was married? Did he seduce her? Or was she the one who pursued the man? Either way, at the end of this story Jesus tells the woman to go and stop sinning so it appears it was not rape.
Finally, what did Jesus write? Well, no one knows. There are a lot of speculations. I think, for the story’s sake, he was writing the names of the accusers and maybe their sins.
So, the story which follows is in part fiction, but is based on the scripture. The story is written in first person. Scripture is from the NLT version of the Bible and is in italics. I will call her Nina.
The Sudden Engagement
My father brought a young man to supper on evening. His name was Jamiah. He seemed pleasant at first meeting, but there was something about him which made me feel uneasy. It was the look he gave me. It said to me ‘you are mine and there is nothing you can do about it’. It was not until the end of the meal that I learned this was the man who was to be my husband.
Arranged marriages were normal in my time. I was sixteen and my father was being was in a hurry to marry me off. I was the oldest and my little sister wanted to marry her boyfriend. My father would not let her marry until I was married. I walked with a limp all my life from a mule kicking when I was little. I was looked down upon by all of the single men in my town. I felt unwanted but never unloved. My mother made sure of that. My father was busy with his farm to pay much attention to us girls.
After the announcement of my engagement was made, I was stunned. Why did my father pick him? I did not know him at all as he came from Jerusalem to buy wheat from my father. I had hoped after our year-long traditional engagement I would be moving to Jerusalem. But, no, I was to move next week into my aunt’s house in Jerusalem. She was a widow. At least that was a blessing. As a family we would stay with her during the Passover feast each year. She was a loving soul. Yet, I knew I would have to spend much of my time with my new fiancé when he was not working. That frightened me a little.
Who was this man and why did he want me in the first place. He was older, approaching his thirties and he already had one wife. Why me? I felt like I was a business deal my father made with the man to get a higher price on his wheat. I wish women had more say about their lives, but in arranged marriages women are often treated a little better than property.
A week later I was headed for Jerusalem with my maid. She was like a sister to me and we shared secrets no one else knew. That was a comfort and going to live with my aunt was a blessing. One of my older brothers took us to Jerusalem. I could tell he was not happy with the idea of my marrying Jamiah. My brother worked closely with our father on the farm and was involved in selling our crops. I tried to get my brother to talk more about the man I was marrying but he just looked at me with sad eyes saying it was what our father wanted and nothing could change it. He hugged me when he said goodbye at our aunt’s house and said, “try to make the best of things.”
I cried myself to sleep. The next day Jamiah came to get me to show me where we would be living after we married. It was near the Temple. He had a warehouse to sell crops from farmers. He was wealthy and had a nice home. I met his other wife. She looked at me with haunting eyes. She did not look well and it seemed like she was not much more than one of the servants in the large house. Is that what I am going to look like in ten years married to this man? I cried out in my heart to God to somehow make it not so.
The Chance Meeting
I adjusted to living with my aunt in the large city of Jerusalem. When our home duties were done, we would often go to the Temple to hear the teachers and pray. One day my aunt was not feeling well and told me to take my servant and go without her. I was standing there listening to the teaching outside of the Temple with a large crowd. There was a man next to me who “accidently” brushed up against my arm. At least I thought it was accidental. I looked at his face and he had the most beautiful eyes. He smiled at me and at once my heart did a flip flop in my chest. He asked me my name and I said my name and even told him I lived with my aunt on Straight Street. My servant looked at me with a shocked expression. Why in the world would I tell a complete stranger who I was and where I lived, I thought to myself. He said he was in Jerusalem for a month. He would be at the Temple nearly every day if I wanted to say hi. My heart wanted to do more than say hi, yet my head told me to stay away.
We went home and I gave myself a good talking to about how I should stay away from the man. I tossed and turned on my bed because of the battle going on inside of me between my heart and my head. My heart said maybe this man was God’s way of saying ‘here is a way to escape’ my upcoming marriage to a man I felt frightened being around. My head said you cannot break the engagement. See in my day’s engagements were a marriage without living together yet. The marriage would be consummated a year after the engagement started. So, for me to break my engagement would be like getting a divorce and that would leave me penniless and alone. It was best for me to forget this other man and make the best of things.
But the next day I saw him again. He came up to us and introduced himself to my aunt. She gave me a curious look but said nothing. Day after day I kept seeing him and often, he would approach us like he was an old friend. Why was I seeing him so often God, I asked Him in my prayers, when I was engaged to someone else?
The Mistake
Several days later I was caught up in shopping at the market. My servant was at a distant stall buying something for the household. Suddenly I turned and was looking up in those beautiful eyes my heart longed for. He said hello. Hi said hi back. He was smiling. He said he would love to sit and talk to me somewhere where we could be heard. The market was noisy. My heart won over common sense and I followed him to a quiet spot. There did not seem to be anyone around. Something did not seem right but I brushed the thought away. We talked awhile and he moved closer to me. Next thing I knew he had his hand on my back. Pleasure started to run through my veins. He leaned over and kissed me lightly. I had never been kissed. It was like eating honey and before my head kicked in and I kissed him back. I was enjoying myself. Somehow, I could not stop myself as my hands went about him. I wanted to know him more. And that is where my fiancé found me.
He came in to the area with four other men. They looked like Pharisees to me. I thought we would immediately be killed. To my shock my fiancé said to the man “Good job seducing her!” “I knew she was no good but her father insisted. Now I will not have to worry about her. She will be taken to the crowd outside the Temple tomorrow a dawn and be stoned.” I felt so ashamed and horrified. It was a trap to legally kill me and I fell for it. Then my fiancé said to the man, “better leave town today. We will not stop you because I have paid the Pharisees to keep quiet. They want her anyway to see if they can trap this new teacher, Jesus.”
I was led away to a house where I was guarded. I was given no food or water that night nor anything to lay down upon the filthy floor. I spent the night crying out to God to forgive me. I knew I was going to die and I did not want to die unforgiven. Everyone I hold dear will be so ashamed of me. I cannot bear to think about how this will hurt my dear mother or my aunt. Somehow, in the early hours towards morning I found a sense of peace and forgiveness.
They came for me soon after that moment. I was taken to the temple courts. There was a large crowd there already. Even my fiance was there. I saw there was a man sitting teaching the crowd. I caught some of the things he was saying. It was amazing! He was talking about the kingdom of heaven like he knew all about it. I was praying the whole time the teachers of the law and Pharisees were leading me to this man who I found out was Jesus. He looked up at me with such a tender look in his eyes. It almost as if he knew what I was praying and I felt God’s love coming from him. How unusual!
However, as I felt the end of my life nearing, I became afraid and started weeping. I saw the pile of stones, rocks actually, piled up just for me. I prayed in my soul God would somehow forgive me. The leader of my accusers, a teacher of the law, said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” Why are they asking this man named Jesus I wondered to myself? I was later told it was to trap Jesus so they religious leaders could accuse him and kill him.
Jesus did not say anything at first. Instead, he bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. I was amazed at what he was writing. It was a list of my accusers and their sins. Some of them had committed adultery, including my fiance, and had gotten away with it. I was shocked! Then Jesus straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then Jesus stooped over again and continued to write on the ground.
I watched as one by one started to leave. The older ones first and finally the last to leave was my fiance. Even the crowd had left. Then Jesus straightened up and asked, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” I replied. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Suddenly, I realized this Jesus was the Son of God and I was forgiven. I do not know how I knew it, but I did. I stood there a minute in shock. Then it dawned on me. Go, go where? I could not go home either to my aunt or my parent’s house. I know my aunt and probably my mother would forgive me, but I knew my father would not. Having a woman caught in adultery living in my aunt’s home would prevent her from being able to shop or go to the synagogue. So, I asked Jesus if I could stay with him and his group of followers. There were women in his group. Jesus consented and suddenly I was surrounded by a small group of women. I felt home and forgiven.
Years have passed since that day. I became a follower of Jesus through his death, resurrection and ascension to heaven. I am still a follower. I have married one of Jesus’ disciples and we have three children. They are all followers of Jesus and are leaders in their community churches.
Discussion
When I started to write this story, I did not know where the Holy Spirit would lead me in the story line. I love this story of forgiveness. We all need it as none of us is without sin. Jesus came to earth to die for us so we might have forgiveness and live with him forever. We only have to ask him to forgive us.

We know very little about this Simon. We know he is from Cyrene located in Africa in the modern Libya. There was a large Jewish community there. This Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Resources believe Alexander and Rufus were known by the early church. It is possible Simon was in Jerusalem for the Passover. Below is his story written as I believe he would tell it. Please note Simon witnesses some very violent acts. They will be very difficult to write.

Simon’s Story

My grandparents moved to Cyrene while they were still young. They were hoping for a better life in Cyrene for their family. They were one of many Jewish families to settle in Cyrene. My parents met and fell in love immediately. They had me along with two brothers and a sister. I grew up knowing the Jewish customs and studying Jewish law. I had grown up always hoping I could travel to Jerusalem and celebrate the Jewish Passover. The Passover is a Jewish holiday where they celebrate God passing over their house when He saw the blood on their door posts. It was when the Jews were still in Egypt as slaves hundreds of years ago. You can read about this in the book of Exodus written by Moses.

This year I finally get the chance to travel all the way to Jerusalem. I am taking my wife Miriam. We do not have children yet so it will be best to go this year. We were able to send word to relatives in Jerusalem and one of them said we could stay with them for the time we would be there. We were planning to stay almost two weeks. We arrived on Friday a week before the Passover so we would have plenty of time to visit all our cousins from both my family and my wife’s family. It is going to be great.

When we first got to my cousin’s house we got settled and my cousin started telling me about this guy named Jesus. He had become quite the famous guy. My cousin said this Jesus had healed many people and did other miracles. He must be some prophet from God to be able to do those kinds of things. I hope to get a glimpse of Jesus while I am here or even meet him.

The first day of the week we headed towards the East gate to get a look at the temple. There was a large crowd heading that way. Suddenly, the crowd opened up the road and took off their robes or cut branches from palm trees and laid them on the road. Was an important figure coming down that road? The crowd started shouting “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”! Could it be this Jesus my cousin keeps talking about? Why is this person riding on a donkey’s colt? Why not a stallion like a king or commander in the army? Such a humble way to enter the city yet the people seemed to think this Jesus was a great man. Someone in the crowd said the man on the colt was in fact Jesus. As he rode past me, he looked at me. Suddenly, he looked very sad when he saw my face. I wonder why he looked that way at me and none of the other people around me? That look stayed with me all week although I did not see Jesus again until early Friday morning.

My cousin said Jesus was hated by the Jewish leaders because he had many followers and they thought Jesus was going to have the people rebel against them. My cousin told me he heard Jesus was taken captured and was to be put on trial. This was right after we had our Passover meal. My cousin said get some sleep because we were going to attend the trial set to start at sun up the next day. My cousin woke me and said to hurry. What was going on? I had just fallen asleep. My cousin said Jesus was at the high priest’s house being questioned. What? I thought the trail would be in the morning. I kissed my wife and said I would see her later. I was curious what this Jesus had done to be treated like this in the middle of the night.

My cousin and I stood in the high priest’s courtyard. There were many people there, but we could see and hear what was going on as Jesus was being questioned on the porch. Jesus was being questioned about his disciples and teaching. Jesus replied “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.” Then one of them slapped Jesus and said “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” Jesus replied “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?” They questioned Jesus all night, but I still could not find anything he had done wrong. Just before dawn they sent Jesus to the Roman governor’s house. The governor came out wanting to know what Jesus did to come before him. The governor said to take him back and judge Jesus by their own laws, but the Jewish leaders pushed forward saying they had no laws to execute him. Pilate, the Roman governor, said to Jesus “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus’ only answer was “You have said it.” The chief priests and leaders kept accusing Jesus of different crimes, but he just stood there. I was so amazed at this man. He was so humble and seemed so defenseless yet very powerful at the same time.

My cousin said it was the governor’s custom to release one prisoner over Passover, anyone the people wanted. I was hoping they would release Jesus because it was clear to me this man did nothing wrong. Yet, while I was thinking this, I heard the crowd ask to release Barabbas instead of Jesus. I was shocked. Barabbas was a murderer. Then I heard Pilate ask “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?” The crowd grew louder prompted by the religious leaders, they shouted “Crucify him!”. My heart stopped. Why did they hate Jesus so much? I heard Pilate ask what crime had Jesus committed but the crowd grew louder shouting again to crucify Jesus.

Barabbas was released and Jesus was taken to an area where he was chained to a post and whipped thirty-nine times with a lead-tipped whip. As terrible as it was to watch more torture was coming. When they were done whipping Jesus, his back was torn open and bleeding in many places. Then the Roman soldiers took charge of Jesus. We followed as the soldiers to Jesus to the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters. There they stripped Jesus and placed a purple robe on him. Purple is the color of royalty. Someone fashioned a crown of thorns and they placed it on Jesus’ head. I could see the back of the purple robe turning red with Jesus’ blood and blood flowing down over his face and hair from the crown of thorns. Jesus said not a word, but I wanted to shout “Enough!” but I was so afraid! Oh, the shame of that fear. Yet the torture continued, not physically, but the mental torture. They pretended to worship Jesus shouting ‘Hail! King of the Jews” Some bowed down while others took reeds and beat him on his head. Still others spit in Jesus’ face. Jesus just stood there. He endured it all yet there was more to come. They took off the purple robe and cast it aside. Then they put Jesus’ clothes back on him. Two of the soldiers picked up a very heavy cross and put it on Jesus’ shoulders. Finally, the whole regiment led Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem.

Somehow my cousin and I managed to follow very close to Jesus. I watched as every step Jesus took was a huge effort. Jesus stumbled several times under the weight of the heavy cross yet he did not cry out in pain. One more step and Jesus fell to the ground. I looked in horror as the soldiers pointed at me and said “you carry his cross”. Oh, I was willing and able, but I surely did not want to carry this man’s cross. Jesus had suffered enough, why did he have to hang on a cross too? While I was thinking this one of the soldiers drew a sword and pointed at me. I ran to Jesus and lifted the heavy cross of his shoulders onto mine. It was far heavier than it looked. Jesus looked at me with such great love. If he only knew me, he would not love me. Yet somehow, I felt this love and more than that I realized Jesus was, as my cousin said, the Son of God.

Humbled I dragged Jesus’ cross behind him all the way up the hill called Golgotha. It really did look like a skull from a distance. There were two others getting ready to be hung on the cross. They were hard looking men, looking like they did not care they would soon be dying of the most horrible way to die known to man.

The soldiers took the cross off my shoulders and placed it on the ground. Cursing myself over my renewed fear I hurried to the crowd waiting to watch the crucifixion. Blood thirsty people! I noticed a small crowd towards the back who were weeping. I made me way to them and stood near them to watch. These were Jesus’ friends; I did not want to be included but I still wanted to be near the people who were the closest to Jesus. They seemed to welcome me. We all turned to watch what happened next.

I watched with horror as the soldiers laid the cross on the ground and dug long skinny nails, spikes really, near the cross. Typically, the accused is tied to the cross before they placed the cross upright. A couple of the soldiers took Jesus’ clothes. I saw them cast dice to see who would get each article of clothing. Next, they laid Jesus on the cross and nailed his hands to the cross. No, I wanted to scream, no! Yet they continued to nail Jesus’ feet to the bottom of the cross. Then they lifted the cross and dropped it into the hole. I started crying. Why is Jesus allowing this to happen? I could not understand it. My crying turned to weeping. I could not see through my tears. I must have shouted “Why?” out loud. One of the men, I later learned his name was John, left the group and came over and stood next to me. He said two things to me: “it’s because he loves us and not to loss hope because he will rise again.” I stopped weeping and just stood there wondering. Why would this Jesus die because he loved me? I am not worthy of his love, yet somehow I knew he was dying because of the sins of all people. How wonderful, yet I could not wonder if there was no other way? Then I remembered the sacrifices at the temple offered every day. These only covered our sins temporarily, Jesus’ sacrifice is a once and for all. No more animal sacrifices would be needed. I looked upon Jesus’ tortured face with thanksgiving. He looked back at me with such great love I suddenly knew I was forgiven.

My life was changed! I continued to watch as Jesus was struggling for breath. How long could he hang there suffering so much? The sky grew dark and it was hard to see. The ground began to shake, and I felt myself fall to the ground. Still, I watched. I finally heard Jesus cry out “it is finished”. It looked like he drew his last breath, and his body went limp. I started to cry again but then I remember the second thing John said to me. Jesus will rise again. Yes, I believe in the resurrection of the dead, but the way John said it, it seemed like it would happen soon. I saw a couple of men ask to take Jesus’ body for burial and they carefully wrapped his body and carried it away on a stretcher. John was carefully leading a group away, particularly an older woman who seem to take Jesus’ death the worse. I wondered if this was Jesus’ mother. I asked John if I could join them for a moment as I had a question about Jesus’ resurrection. John quickly told me Jesus said it would be in three days. I suddenly remembered it was the Sabbath and that I had a wife wondering what happened to me. I said goodbye and hurried back to my cousin’s house.

My cousin had been home for three hours. He did not go to the crucifixion. He saw me carrying the cross but he got lost in the crowd. He finally lost hope and returned home thinking I would return also. I told everyone there everything that happened. I said I truly believed Jesus was the Son of God and his sacrifice was for the sins of everyone. I also told them what John said about Jesus rising from the dead on the third day. I could tell some did not believe, but my wife said she believed me.

On Sunday around noon I went to the tomb where I heard they had buried Jesus. I was surprised to see it was open. There was a huge stone laying near the tomb. I looked inside wondering why it was not sealed yet hoping Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. There were the linens used to cover Jesus but he was not there. I wandered around until I found someone who told me they were saying Jesus’ disciples stolen the body during the night. I could not believe it as the stone was huge and sealed to the tomb. There was no way any humans could open the tomb, especially since it was being guarded. As I started back to my cousin’s house, I saw a familiar face. It was John. He said to come with him.

We went up to a room and there was a group of men and a few women there. There faces shown with happiness as they talked about how they had seen Jesus, alive. Suddenly, Jesus stood among them. He said to Thomas to come touch his hands and see where they had put a sword in his chest to make sure Jesus was dead. I saw Thomas face go from doubting to elation. He was touching real flesh. Jesus looked at me a smiled. I knew from that moment on I would live to tell Jesus’ story of how he saved the world.

We needed to return to Cyrene a few days later. I asked John to write to me any news. All the way home I shared my story of carrying the cross for the savior of the world. Many believed because of my testimony. A few months later John wrote and said Jesus had returned to heaven. He said Jesus was coming back. I cannot wait!

Discussion

I started this story a year ago in May. As Easter nears, I felt led to finally finish it. There are the four Gospel accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus. There are secular evidence too the Jesus’ death and over five hundred witnesses to his appearance after he rose from the dead. Jesus’ death was no accident. He died to restore our relationship with him. Jesus offers salvation to any who believe in him. Are you going to believe Simon’s story, or do you think he made it up?

Acts 9:36-42.

We do not know much about Dorcas.  We know she lived in Joppa which was a seaport city.  She was a member of the local church and was much loved.  She sewed clothes for the widows and the poor.  There was a belief she owned her own home.  There was no mention of relatives in this short story.  As usual much of Dorcas’ story is from my imagination as I seek God’s wisdom to make her story come to life.

Dorcas’ Story

My father named me Dorcas because he said I had the most beautiful big eyes he had ever seen, and it reminded him of a gazelle.  My father was a fisherman, and he was caught in a storm at sea and perished when I was only ten years old.  He was the first death which led me to a life of bitterness.  Later that year my mother died.  I think it was from a broken heart though the doctor said she had been ill but never told anyone.  I have four brothers who did their best to raise me after our parents died.  I hated the sea which took my father and God who took my mother.  When I was sixteen my oldest brother introduced me to a nice man named Ronald.  He was a merchant in fine cloth.  Ronald courted me and within two years we were married.  I started to love life again.  I used the skill of sewing to make fine garments for my husband to sell.  He said they were the best he had ever seen in his merchant travels.

When we were married about two years my husband went on a business trip.  I was hoping to have good news for him when he returned.  He was to return in ten days.  I was a few days late for my period and I wanted to be pregnant so we could start a family.  Then there were two blows which changed my life for the worst.  First, I got my period.  That broke my heart but what killed my spirit more was when I learned my husband had died at the hands of robbers who wanted his fine clothes, he was taking to another city to sell.  I became even more bitter against the world and especially at God.

For months I stayed in my house mourning my husband and my childlessness.  My servants tried to get me to eat nice meals, but I only ate a few bites.  I was too heart-sick to eat.  My already thin body became so thin one could see my bones.  I hated my life.

Yet for some reason I left the house one day and went to the marketplace.  There was a crowd that day and a man preaching to the crowd.  I thought to myself why is this man all excited about a man named Jesus?  I went to pass on, but the man said something I will never forget.  “This man Jesus was God’s Son, and He came to this earth to die for all your bitterness.”  It was like this man was talking directly to me.  I stopped in my tracks and was glued to every word the man spoke.  He told how Jesus lived on earth thirty-three years doing good and miracles.  He went on to tell how Jesus was crucified and rose again the third day.  He told of the many witnesses to Jesus’ death and resurrection.  He finally said something which changed my heart forever “It was God’s love for us He came to earth”.   Why would God do that?  Why would God do that for me when I hated Him for taking my parents and husband from me?  Then this man, whom I later found to be named Philip, said only believe and God will heal your heart.  Philip said many things that day and I felt God was speaking directly to me through Philip.  I became a believer that day.  Later I learned a group of believers were meeting at a home near my house every day.  I hurried home and told my servants what had happened.  Many of them seemed to believe me but when they saw my changed heart in action, they became believers themselves.

One day I was at the home of the group of believers my eyes seemed to be opened.  There were a group of widows there who clothes were all worn out.  They did not even have coats to wear, and it was getting colder out.  I thought to myself I have a whole room full of cloths just sitting there from when my husband was alive.  Why not make these widows proper clothes and coats.  I could not wait to get home and get to work.

I first made several coats as winter was coming.  Then I started on clothes for the widows.  I brought the coats to the meetings and handed out them to the widows.  They were in tears and my heart was filled with joy.  God had given me a wonderful purpose to serve Him.  It was as if I could not stop myself.  Everywhere I looked I saw the poor and needy who did not have proper clothes to keep them warm.  Every afternoon I sewed.  I would sing praises as I worked.  I had my servants bring the clothes to the marketplace and give them away to anyone who looked like they need clothes.  The Lord had me meet another cloth merchant at the meetings and when I ran out of cloth, I would buy more from him.  God really blessed me for the years I was able to sew for people.  I was never without my needs being met.  Then one day I got sick.

It happened so fast.  I was at the house where the Christians were meeting every morning.  We were singing praises and suddenly I had a pain in my heart which went down my left arm.  I could breathe.  Last thing I remember was singing Jesus, I love You.  Suddenly I was in a place where perfect light spread throughout the huge room.  There was Jesus standing there smiling at me.  I felt such love and peace there.  There were flowers and fruit growing trees everywhere along with animals of every kind.  Angels were singing.  It was the most beautiful music I had ever heard.  I fell to my knees and could not udder a word.  My heart was filled to overflowing with joy.  Then Jesus spoke to me.  He said my work on earth was not finished.  I was in awe I was being sent back.  I could not understand it all, but my heart knew it was right.

Suddenly I was back in my room at home.  There was a man there I somehow knew as Peter.  I sat up and Peter helped me to my feet.  He brought me downstairs and there were all the widows I had made coats and clothes for standing around and their wiping their tears.  Why were they crying I asked?  They said I had died.  I knew instantly what I had experienced was not a dream.  I also knew I had to keep my experience to myself.  Somehow Jesus had communicated to me not to tell anyone.  I knew it was the right thing to do.

There was a celebration that evening.  There was food galore and I ate so much.  I was so happy!  I felt such love from the people I had helped, and I could not wait to help more. 

As Joppa grew so did the poor population.  I had some of the widows help me sew clothing and coats for the poor.  We also gave out food when we could to the hungry among the poor.  Along with the growing population grew a large population of believers in Christ.  Many said it was because I was raised from the dead, yet others said it was from our charity to the poor.  I am so content. 

I am growing old.  My eyes can no longer see to thread a needle or to make the perfect stitches I once could sew.  I have taught the younger women to take my place.  The church has taken over my charity work but have asked me to help in any way I still can.  I have such peace and joy.  Gone is the bitter woman.  Because I believe in Jesus as my Savior my life has been complete.  Soon I will see Jesus again.  I cannot wait!

Discussion

Have you experienced times of heartbreak which could cause bitterness in your life?  How did you handle it?  Did you become bitter at God or the world like Dorcas did?  Or did you turn to Jesus and trust Him to see you through?

Bitterness is something I felt during my breakup of my marriage many years ago.  Fortunately, I have learned to forgive and to trust God.  He has restored my joy.  I am content to serve God through my writing.  Philippians 4:11 says “for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”  (New International Version of the Bible.)

Exodus 3, Joshua 5:15, Ruth 4, and John 13

As I was reading the insight for today’s Our Daily Bread, I saw the removal of sandals (shoes) had symbolism in Jewish customs which could relate to today. I was thinking of the snow and dirt we pick up on our shoes every day and how I take off my shoes first thing when I enter my home. My home is my place to get away from the dirtiness of the outside world. In Ruth we see the removal of sandals was a sign of a covenant between two parties. Finally, in John 13 we see Jesus washing His disciple’s feet-a sign of humbleness.

According to the Insight for today’s Our Daily Bread, “Theologians also postulate that the sandal, which are inconstant contact with the literal ground, symbolize all that’s earthly.”  We also read that footwear is considered “profane and common.”   My first thought when I read this is by taking my shoes off when I get home for the day keeps my home cleaner. Then I thought my home is place where I meet with God every day, so I also need to be careful of what I bring into my home whether it be something physical or through my internet-capable devices. Would Jesus like what I am watching on TV or the website I am looking at? What other things am I bringing into my home which might cause me to sin? Something to ponder about.

In Ruth chapter four we see Boaz asking the guardian-redeemer marry Ruth to carry on the line of her deceased husband, a custom of the time. The book of Ruth in the Bible tells a beautiful story of a woman and her mother-in-law, both widows, being saved from being destitute and without an heir. Verse seven specifically talks about how the removal of sandals is a covenant between two parties. 7(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.)  This reminds me of the covenant we can have with God through His Son Jesus. Jesus’ dying on the cross seals the covenant. See, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of the Lord had told them not to eat from, it broke the relationship covenant between God and humans. Because of that break all people carry the sin nature. We need to accept Jesus’ death and resurrection as a new covenant in our lives. Remember Jesus probably died with His shoes off since the Roman soldiers took His clothes and gambled to see who would get each article of clothing. Something to ponder about.

John 13 tells the story of the last supper Jesus had with His disciples before His death. It was the custom back then to have a servant wash the feet of the guests a person invited to dinner. Because sandals were worn everywhere the feet tended to get dirty. It was a servant’s job to wash the feet. It does not say why Jesus waited until the meal had already started, but it was the reason Jesus washed the feet of the disciples I want to stress. Here is the verse: After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Jesus was showing humility of serving others. Jesus was the Son of God worthy of being served, but He did not live like that. He became human so He could die on the cross to save us. How are we following Jesus’ example and humbling serving others? Something to ponder about.

In conclusion: we are to remove the “dirtiness” of our lives by entering in the new covenant Jesus is offering us and to live humbly like Jesus. Take off your shoes!

(https://odb.org/US/2022/12/03/christmas-light)

II Peter 1:3-9 (NIV translation, in italics)

I came across this scripture this morning when I was reading my Bible. As I was reading through the list of qualities one should work for in their Christian life I came across this verse, and it hit me: do I have my God glasses on? Here is the verse: whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. I will list the qualities later, but I wanted first to address this verse and why I thought of the title. When a person goes to the eye doctor and are told they are nearsighted, it means they cannot see anything in the distance clearly. Therefore, they are prescribed glasses to see things in the distant more clearly. It is like that in the Christian life. The more we put our God glasses on and practice the following qualities the more we can see what God is doing around us and more clearly what God has instore for our future. So let us look closer at this scripture through our God Glasses.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Once we become a Christian, God gives us everything we need to live godly. We became a Christian through the knowledge God loved us so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die a horrible death on a cross and on the third day rise from the grave. Why? Because God loves us and wants us to have a relationship with Him, to see Him more clearly. We will see His glory and goodness through the lenses of a godly life.

4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. With knowledge of God’s glory and goodness we see more clearly God’s great and precious promises found throughout the entire Bible. Looking closer at these promises causes us to have a desire to become more like Jesus. When we do, we will see how the world is becoming increasingly corrupt because of people’s evil desires. Yet, we look past the corruption to see the precious promises of life forever with God in Heaven. Focus on that!

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. It is a daily walk focusing on adding stronger lenses of faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. The stronger our God glasses, are the more we focus on God, the more we can see our way through life even when the bad things come. If we do not practice these qualities our God glasses become ineffective and unproductive. So, do you have your God glasses on and are your lenses getting stronger?

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

8They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop producing fruit.

Verses five through seven talks about how a person is cursed if they put all their trust in mere humans. I am thinking not just humans but money and the things it could buy. How many times have you been failed by a mere human or failed someone you love? We all fail. We can build strong relationships with others but at one point or another someone will fail the other. We must not put all our trust in one person, our boss, or even our government. But we can trust in God!

Have you ever been blessed by God because you have put your trust in Him in a certain situation? I have lots of times. This week we had severe storms come through my area on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday, we had a tornado west of me about fifty miles. These severe storms caused many trees to uproot and semis to be blown over. Thankfully no one was hurt or killed. I was just about to leave work Wednesday when my phone alerted me the area was under a tornado warning. I work at Walmart and everyone, associates, and customers alike, were told to go to the back of the store. Most people did. I made myself comfortable in the breakroom and waited. While I waited, I watched the news on the TV and saw the storm was worse where my brother and sister-in-law live so I texted them praying they were alright. They were in at Dells Christian Campgrounds which is south of where they lived. They reported later no damage was done there. Then I messaged my youngest kid to make sure they were okay. I was praying the whole time while sitting there. God kept us safe. Some lost electricity but no one was hurt.

You see we can have hope and confidence in God during our storms of life. We can be like this tree planted by the river. Its roots are deep. It does not have to worry about storms or drought. While it does lose its leaves in the fall it does offer wonderful shade in the summer heat. I know because Tuesday before the storm it was hot, and I was fishing with my kid at that park. At one time I took a break from fishing and just sat on a bench under that tree. I just sat there enjoying its shade and enjoying the surrounding nature. I do not think I even looked at my phone. While this tree does not produce fruit it does provide comfort and protection. It is beautiful to behold. Our fruit may not be noticeable but maybe it shows up as a comfort or protection to someone in need. We can bare fruit if we have hope and confidence in God. Do you have hope and confidence?

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Psalm 42

While reading this chapter in the Bible, I saw me in it. I saw me in my past as well as me now. Am I trusting God as I should?

In the past chronic pain and long hours on my feet at work kept me from sleeping well or enjoying activities. I was working until 11pm or later five nights a week. I was in constant pain which I did not know how to manage. I subjected my body to injections and nerve burnings where I found some relief.

I had no social life, and it was hard to make it to church most Sundays. My emotional state was a mess, and I had no real friends. I did not feel wanted and often felt like everything I did was wrong.

I did not even feel safe at home because there was a registered sex offender/creepy guy who lived in an upstairs apartment who sometimes would look in my windows. My skin crawled every time I saw him. He also smoked outside the door and the fumes would come into my apartment. I have asthma and chronic bronchitis.

I felt stuck with no alternatives to my life.

 3Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,

“Where is this God of yours?

4My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks

amid the sound of a great celebration! 5Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?

9“O God my rock,” I cry, “why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief,

oppressed by my enemies?” 10Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

Fast forward to today. When both my kids decided to move independently to Wausau, I thought it would be nice to move with them. I did not think it was possible, yet God found a way. He put me in a great apartment and my transfer went through okay. He also put me in a great church. But most of all God changed me. Slowly! Yet, I notice it every day.

My schedule at work is more daytime hours freeing me evenings to do stuff with friends from church and get involved. I also work four days a week, not five, leaving me three days in a row off from work. Some weeks I am so busy I do not have time to be lonely or feel unwanted.

I still have chronic pain, but I am managing it better. I still wear a brace on my left foot and walk with a cane often, yet it is less than before. I also am now wearing a brace for my back at work and increased the dosage of one of my medicines to help with the pain. Yet, the most help is having a physical therapist who worked with me over a period to make sure I was ready to be on my own with daily exercises to strengthen my back and knees. Chronic pain no longer rules my life!

My home life is better too. I feel safe here and have no worries about the people who live in the other apartments in my building. Smoking is not permitted near the building and the one who does smoke is considerate of my health whenever I must go near her when she is smoking. It is freeing not be afraid anymore.

Yet the change came within! I was spending more time studying the Bible and in prayer. Often a couple of hours in the morning with my coffee. I also have a clear signal for a local Christian radio station in my car. Having music on helps lift my soul and helps me cope with my problems. I also get to see some of my siblings more often since I am an hour closer to them than when I was in Rhinelander.

1As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?

8But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Yet, I still worry about rising prices at the pump and in the grocery stores. I also worry about changes in management staff which could directly affect my schedule and peace of mind at work. But with my worries is the reminder I can trust God for my future.

I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!

Where is your trust?

Below are selections from Christianbook.com Home. I am affiliate of Christianbook. If you click on the link and make a purchase I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Christianbook offers a wide selection on books, Bibles and gifts.

Deep Calling Deep: A Psalm of Faith – Psalm 42
By Carole Towriss / McPherson Publishing

As The Deer, Camp Mug
By Dexsa-the Giving Company

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• As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul longs for you O God. Psalm 42:1
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Thoughts of Ukraine

I Samuel 23:26-29 (NLT)

26Saul and David were now on opposite sides of a mountain. Just as Saul and his men began to close in on David and his men, 27an urgent message reached Saul that the Philistines were raiding Israel again. 28So Saul quit chasing David and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape. 29David then went to live in the strongholds of En-gedi.

I guess I should first explain what is happening in these verses before going into why they are important about the Rock of Escape. Saul was the first king of Israel but after awhile he quit following the Lord and became ineffective as king. At that time the Lord told Samuel, who was a wise judge in Israel, to anoint David as the next king. David was just a young man, perhaps even a teenager when this happened. A few years later Saul became depressed and angry and decided to put all his efforts into killing David. 13So David and his men—about 600 of them now—left Keilah and began roaming the countryside. Word soon reached Saul that David had escaped, so he didn’t go to Keilah after all. 14David now stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness and in the hill country of Ziph. Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn’t let Saul find him. God was with David even though I am sure there were times when David was afraid. Many of the Psalms talk about David being pursued by his enemies and how God is David’s Rock.

This is the only place where I have found the term “Rock of Escape”. Other translations of the Bible call it Sela Hammahlekoth or the rock of parting. Yet, in these times of war I feel the Rock of Escape is more appropriate. But why is it important? The Rock of Escape to me is Christ Jesus. We can escape to Him with all our troubles. He will help us escape our enemies, our worries, and He is our escape to comfort us and make us feel loved.

Most of us reading this live in the USA where we are at peace. We have safe homes with food and water. We take for granted having lights on when it is dark and electricity to charge our devices. Most of us can get into our cars and drive to any where we want, even if it is to work. We complain about gas prices and the costs of goods and services going up. Yet the people of Ukraine do not have any of these things. Today at church one of the men of the church is friends with a guy in a church in the Ukraine and he said earlier in the week the city he was living in had neither running water or electricity. Today we learned electricity was restored but the still had no water. They were melting snow for water to drink and cook.

Tonight, my church had a special prayer meeting for the people of Ukraine. I could not help but to think of how God caused the Philistine army to attack just at the time Saul was about to capture David to distract Saul. David escaped being killed by Saul. As we prayed for a miracle for Ukraine I wonder if God has something to distract the Russian army away from Ukraine and no more harm will come to them. It is my prayer the Lord will end this soon. It is also my prayer I will no longer take my American blessing for granted.

Jesus, the Rock of Escape is there for us as well as I am sure He is there in Ukraine. He is our rock of escape for our worries. In one way you can think of the Rock of Escape, Jesus, as a vacation. How many ads to exotic places say escape to our island…? Well, Jesus our Rock of Escape can be that momentary vacation in our lives if we give our worries to Him and gain His peace in our lives. It does not have to be momentary either it could be day by day. He loves us and is there for us. He is our Rock of Escape!

I Samuel 16 and 17

Ephesians 6:14-17

We have all heard the story of David and Goliath as we were children. We were thrilled to sit and listen to the story as David picks up a stone, puts it in his sling and hurls it at the mean giant Goliath. We wondered how a small stone could kill a giant like Goliath. Perhaps it was because David had better armor than Goliath? Wait a minute! You are probably thinking there is no mention of David wearing armor when he went into battle with Goliath. But David was, it just was not visible. David had on the armor of God spoke of in Ephesians chapter six. This post will consist of three sections of armor. Goliath’s armor, Saul’s armor and David’s armor, the armor of God.

Goliath’s Armor

Goliath was a giant even for these times. He stood nine feet tall. He probably was not skinny either as his armor weighed 150 pounds. He had a bronze helmet. His coat of mail weighed 125 pounds alone. He wore bronze leg armor. He also carried a javelin on his shoulder with a spearhead weighing fifteen pounds itself. He also carried a sword because after he fell, face down I might add, David ran over to him pulled out Goliath’s sword, made sure he was dead by stabbing him and cut off his head. Goliath also had a shield. It was carried by an armor bearer in front of him. I imagine it would have to be large to cover a man as large as Goliath. Goliath felt confident his size and his armor would protect him. Yet he was killed by a stone landing just in the right spot of his forehead. Goliath’s armor reminds me of people who put their trust in things. Things, like money. Even all the money in the world cannot save us.

Saul’s Armor

Saul was king at the time of this incident. He had become ineffective when he disobeyed God and God said Saul would be replaced by another as king. Saul still won some of Israel’s battles but when the Philistines opposed Israel and sent out Goliath as champion he and the whole country quaked in fear. Not David though, he went to King Saul and said he would kill this giant. Saul finally agreed after David described battles with large wild animals while tending his father’s flock of sheep. Saul was not trusting in God to save Israel, so Saul had David put on Saul’s armor. Now David was still a young man at the time. Historians say David was on the shorter side. Saul was taller. Saul had David put on his tunic, coat of arms, bronze helmet, and sword. In my imagination I see David felt weighed down in Saul’s armor when he was trying to walk around. I imagine David trying his hardest to get used to the heavy armor. Trying to please Saul, the king. Then I imagine David realizing he did not need to be burden by heavy armor he had the armor of God. Saul’s armor reminds me of those who are burden down trying to be good enough. Trying to please our parents, teachers and bosses and even trying to please God without having the freedom of God’s armor He has to offer each of us through faith in God’s Son Jesus.

David’s Armor

In chapter sixteen we read about Samuel anointing David as king of Israel. I Samuel 16:13 says “And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” David’s armor was the Spirit of the Lord upon him. He did not need a helmet, coat of arms or even a shield he had the Spirit of the Lord. He was free of the armor of trusting things or trying to be good enough, he was free to trust the Lord to save him. When I think of this, I think of another place in the Bible which talks about armor. Ephesian 6:14-17 talks about the armor of God. I believe David was wearing this armor when he faced Goliath. Let us look at the different components of the armor of God I imagine David was wearing that day. The following verses are from Ephesian 6:14-17 and are from the New Living Translation. “Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Belt of truth: David believed the truth about God when God said He would deliver Israel from their enemies if Israel was trusting God. Goliath and Saul were not trusting God to deliver them, and both were killed in battle. (It was years later for Saul.)

Body armor of God’s righteousness: notice it says God’s righteousness not David’s or our own. We could go to church every day, pray without stopping, give all our money to the poor, and do good constantly and still not be righteous enough to be saved. Only God is righteous. Do not lose heart though, God sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross and take all our unrighteousness on Him in our place so we can have God’s righteousness for our own by accepting Jesus. David knew God would send a Savior into the world. David looked forward to that time and had faith. David’s faith gave him God’s righteousness.

Shoes of peace which comes from the Good News: The Good News is God saves us through faith in His Son Jesus. Knowing the Good News gives us peace. It is not the same peace the world thinks of but the inner peace knowing we can trust God in everything. I imagine David stepped onto the battlefield with the shoes of peace God had given him because he trusted God.

Shield of faith: to stop the fiery darts of the devil. These fiery darts can be thoughts of doubt, anxiety, or depression. It also could be thoughts of low self esteem or even those 3am thoughts seeping into your mind of something you should have done in the past. Fiery darts could also be spreading gossip or outright lies to cause division. They are also hating someone because they are different than you are. None of these are from God. God wants you to remember your faith in Him and put up the shield of faith to stop the fiery darts. Perhaps David’s fiery darts came when he put on Saul’s armor before realizing he did not need it because God was his shield.

Helmet of salvation: salvation comes from trusting in God’s Son Jesus to save you. You must trust Him with your mind, soul, and spirit. All of these are in your head and is covered by the helmet of salvation. David knew he had the figurative helmet of salvation on his head because he was trusting in God.

Sword of the Spirit: which is also known as the Word of God. The Bible is the Word of God, but it is just a book until you read it, mediate on it, memorize it, and believe it is true. Then the Spirit comes in and fights your battles for you. The sword of the Lord divides the truth from the untruth in our lives if we are listening to what the Spirit if telling us through His Word.

David had the Spirit of the Lord upon him. He was not afraid of Goliath, and he understood he did not need Saul’s armor of good works to save him. He just had to trust God’s armor. What armor are you trusting in?

For further study on David and Goliath check out these selections from Christianbook.com Home. If you click on a link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage of that purchase without any additional cost to you. The earnings go directly to the costs of the website. Thank you for your support.

Slay Your Giants: Life Lessons from the Story of David and Goliath – eBook
By Nell Mohney / Dimensions for Living

David & Goliath
By Jacqueline Jeannette Pfister / Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

David & Goliath/ Realities of Life Today and the Christian Response
By Dennis Hayes / Xulon Press

This morning I was reading Genesis chapter three and doing a study of the first ten verses. The study brought up more questions than answers but then I noticed something. The Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. Adam and Eve heard the sound of God walking in the garden. Unfortunately, they had already eaten the fruit God had told them not to, so they tried to hide. No doubt God knew where they were and why they were hiding but He still went walking in the garden where they were. One of my questions was this something God was in the habit of doing before Adam and Eve sinned? Oh, what sweet fellowship that must have been! I cannot imagine what that would be like since we now live in this world of sin, brokenness, and pain.

Yet, there are examples in the Bible of sweet fellowship with God. Abraham was one of the first to record sweet fellowship with God. The Bible records long conversations between the two of them. It is all because Abraham obeyed God’s commands. This is true in every situation in the Bible. Let us look at other examples of sweet fellowship with God.

Joseph, Abraham’s great grandson, was a boastful boy. His brothers hated him, so they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. Joseph went through trails in his life but in the end, he became a great leader. I wonder if it was during those years Joseph was in prison, after being falsely accused, he became changed because he had sweet fellowship with God during those dark days of his life.

Moses is another one who experienced sweet fellowship with God. One time the Lord told Moses to go to the top of Mount Sinai to meet with Him. There the Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34:29 says when Moses came down from the mountain his face was radiant from being with the Lord. Have you ever seen someone just coming from prayer time or from studying the Bible have a special glow about them? It is because they just came from sweet fellowship with God.

The Psalms is full of King David’s praise and pleadings to the Lord. David was a great king in Israel, but he had trials before he was crowned king. The king before David did not follow God’s commands and became ineffective as a leader. God chose David to succeed Saul and Saul knew it. King Saul decided to kill David forcing David to go into hiding. You will find in the Psalms  examples where David cried out to God for help to save him from his enemies. I wonder if while David was hiding, he experienced sweet fellowship with the Lord?

Elijah was another of ones who experienced sweet fellowship with God. He was hated by the king because the king was going against God commands and setting up idol worship for the people to worship instead of the one true God. Elijah called the king out for it. The king’s wife, Jezebel, heard of it, became enraged at Elijah, and wanted Elijah dead. Elijah found himself on a mountain top talking to God. It was there God showed Himself to Elijah in a quiet whisper. God often tells us “Be still and know I am God.”

Finally, we come to Jesus himself. I recently read “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” by Sunday U. Bwanhot. I got the book from my church, but I am not sure it is available to the public yet. In the book Reverend Bwanhot describes Jesus’ prayer life. Reverend Bwanhot explains how Jesus was in constant face to face communion with God the Father, Jesus’ Father from before the beginning of time.

Reverend Bwanhot explains Jesus often went off by himself to pray. Often Jesus would go without sleep just to spend time with his Father. John chapter 17 gives us a glimpse of one of Jesus’ prayers. Jesus prays God’s glory be seen in him. He knew he would be going to the cross to die for us and Jesus knew his death and resurrection would glorify the God the Father. Jesus was obedient to his Father even though he suffered for our sins. It was on the cross when Jesus took the sins of the world upon himself when the sweet fellowship was broken. After Jesus died, the penalty for sin, the sweet fellowship was restored from now on.

We as humans can have this sweet fellowship with God. We do not have to be any of these before mentioned men. How you ask?

First, you must believe God loves you and He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. You also must recognize your sin. Sin is going your own way and not following God’s commandments. None of us can say we are perfect therefore we have sin. Once you believe you must accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Salvation is not something you can work for because one must be perfect to be saved but Jesus’ death and resurrection made salvation possible, and it is a gift to you. Just accept it.

Then spend time each day reading the Bible. Meditate on a verse or two. Let God guide you in what you are reading. The Bible is God’s Words to us. Then pray. Be sure to give God praise for even the trivial things in life. Give Him thanks! Confess any wrongdoing. Pray for others and yourself. It is that simple. The book “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” is a wonderful guide in having sweet fellowship with the Lord. It helped to change my life, but the change came when I really started listening to God through His Word and praying with a humble heart. Ah, sweet fellowship!

You can inquire about getting a copy of the book by emailing the author: bwanhot@gmail.com

Reverend Bwanhot was at my church to speak on January 9, 2022. Here is a link to my church where you can find the Live Stream link to You Tube to listen to him speak. bethanyschofield.org/home

Below I listed three books by the same title for your further study. These books come from Christianbook. I am an affiliate of Christianbook. If you use these links and make a purchase I may receive a small percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps with the costs of running the website only.

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Lord, Teach Us To Pray
By Dr. D. James Kennedy / Truth in Action

Lord, Teach Us to Pray
By Walter E. Patt, Jr. / Xulon Press

Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Study on Prayer
By Shirley Andrews / Christian Focus

In Lord, Teach Us to Pray, a Geared for Growth 12-session Bible study, you will come to understand prayer and learn how to explain it to others. The study aims to give participants a working, practical knowledge of prayer. Each session’s study includes daily Bible readings and questions followed by a one-page Notes section that expounds upon the week’s reading. The answers to the questions can be found at the back of the study guide.

Psalm 145

I was reading from Psalm 145, from the Bible, this morning and the idea came to mind to write a devotional on what God does according to verses found in Psalm 145. Then I went through the chapter and wrote down the key works or phrases of what God does. There are at least eleven of them which I found but you may find more. I took these actions from the New Living Translation.

The first three verses are praises for God’s mighty works so I will start with verse four.

1. Mighty Acts (verse 4). Throughout the entire Bible are stories of might acts of God. The most might is when Jesus, God in human form, went willingly to the cross. Why is this the most mighty you ask? It all started when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and brought sin into a perfect world. This ruined mankind’s relationship with God. God wanted to restore this relationship, so He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for all of us. But Jesus did not stay dead. He rose again on the third day and now lives with God the Father. You can have this restored relationship with God by just asking Him, no strings attached. (Read Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. Powerful (verse 4). Even more powerful than all the superheroes combined. Throughout the Bible you will find God’s powerful acts. One was when He rescued the Jewish slaves from Egypt. First there were ten powerful plagues on the Egyptian people because they would not let the Jews go. Later, after they left Egypt the came to the Red Sea. This sea is a large body of water and God caused it to divide so thousands of Jews crossed over on dry land to the other side. Yet when the Egyptians started to cross the water came together again and caused the Egyptian army to drown. This is just one example of God’s power.
3. Wonderful Miracles (verse 5). When David (the king of Israel at the time) wrote of God’s wonderful miracles I am sure he was thinking of times God saved the Jewish nation and miracles in David’s own life. Yet, my mind thinks of the miracles of Jesus, God in human form, did. One of my favorites is a short story of a woman who had a bleeding problem for twelve years. She just touched Jesus’ hem of his clothes and she was instantly healed. You can read her story in Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8.
4. Awe-inspiring Deeds (verse 6). The awe-inspiring deed which came to mind is when Jesus was asleep in a boat and a huge storm came up. The disciples with Him were doing all they could to keep the boat from sinking. They woke Jesus up. I imagine some were thinking “how can He sleep in such a storm?” They asked him do you not care we are about to perish? All Jesus said was “Peace, be still!” and the storm stopped immediately. Talk about awe-inspiring.
5. Wonderful Goodness (verse 7). A personal story of God’s wonderful goodness is my knee surgery. I work for Walmart. Walmart has a program to keep their employees working by providing certain surgeries at no cost to the employee if you go to the hospital of the program’s choice. The program for total knee replacement sends you to the location of the hospital for two weeks. You stay in a hotel the whole time and you need to provide a caregiver. Everything is paid for including airfare, hotel, transportation, and food allowance for both the employee and the caregiver. I heard about the program from a coworker in July. I looked it up and applied. It took a couple of months and a ton of paperwork, but I was accepted into the program. I had two different caregivers back out on me before my niece volunteered to go. She is married and has three children, but she did an excellent job caring for me. The program sent me to Missouri for my surgery. Everything went well and everyone was nice and helpful. The I saw the goodness of God the entire time I was gone and since I returned to recover and is still good. To me the whole thing is nothing short of a miracle of God’s Goodness.
6. Merciful (verse 8). When Jesus was dying on the cross, he had two thieves hanging there with him. The soldiers around the cross were mocking and insulting Him. One of the thieves dying on the cross beside Jesus also mocking Jesus. But the other one said to the other thief “Don’t you fear God when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said to Jesus “remember me when you come into your kingdom” and Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The thief had sense enough to realize Jesus was God and His dying on the cross was not the end of Jesus. He realized Jesus would be king. He also knew he was a sinner and needed Jesus to be merciful to him.
7. Compassionate (verse 8). Throughout the Old Testament and the life of Jesus we see God being compassionate. There were times in the book of Judges where the Israelites would turn their backs on God and God would allow them to suffer hardship for a time. They would usually repent of their sin and cry out to God to save them. Then God would have compassion on them and send a judge to deliver them from their hardship. Deborah is one of my favorites from the book of Judges.
8. Slow to Anger (verse 8). I have been a Christian my whole life yet there were times I did not act like one. Sometimes I would not attend church for months on end and not paid any attention to my Heavenly Father who just wanted a relationship with me. He could have given me up to go my own way. He could have become angry at my neglect of Him, but He did not. He waited patiently for me to return to Him. Have you ever felt like this?
9. Unfailing love (verse 8). This phrase reminds me of I Corinthians 13, the love chapter. Verse eight simple says, “Love never fails.” Yet, we as humans often fail the ones, we love the most. Yet God’s love for us is perfect, it can never fail no matter what we do or say. God’s unfailing love is trustworthy. Jesus dying on the cross for us is the perfect example of the unfailing love. Jesus did no wrong and He never failed anyone, yet He took all our failings Himself when He died.
10. Always keeps His Promises (verse 13b). From God’s promise to Noah, He would never flood the entire world again to Jesus’ promise He is coming back someday, God has every time keep His promises. I realize Jesus has not come back yet but reading all the stories in the Bible I can see promise after promise God has kept. Never once did God go back on His word and not kept a promise. Therefore, I can trust Jesus when He said He would be back. Are you ready for Jesus’ return?
11. Gracious in all God does (verse 13b). Oh, the gifts God bestows on us who genuinely love and serve Him. The most precious gift is the gift of Salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift of God.” When we believe Jesus died and rose again, confessing our sins, He forgives us and gives us salvation. In the following verses lists gifts God graciously gives us. They are helps the fallen, lifts burdens, gives hope, provides our daily needs, grants desires (if they are in accordance with His will), hears our cries for help, rescues us, and protects from harm. There are other gifts God graciously gives us. Finally, the gift of salvation includes Heaven where we will have the restored relationship with God. We will no longer have pain, illness or sorrow our bodies will be restored to perfection, and we will live in peace.

I go back to the first three verses of praise for what God does. Everything I listed is something we can praise God for because of all He has done for us and who He is. Lately I have been studying prayer. One way to structure prayer is using A-adoration (or paise), C-confession, T-thanksgiving, and S-supplication (praying for our needs and the needs of others). Start your prayer with praise for all God does. It will make your prayer more meaningful. For me, I find it humbling to praise God for all He does because I do not deserve any of it. Yet because of God’s great love I do!

Psalm 37: 3-7a (NLT)

3Trust in the Lord and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

6He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

7Be still in the presence of the Lord,

and wait patiently for him to act.

As I was reading this passage the other day, I could not help to notice it was full of actions we should take. There is deeper meaning to each action than what it appears through the first reading. I am going to break it down phrase by phrase.

Trust

Trust in the Lord. Not your church, career or job, your spouse or anyone. Trust in the Lord. Trust is the action of putting your faith in someone or something. This passage says God wants you to trust in Him alone. He is the giver of life, and He is in control of all things. God knows everything about you and if you put your trust in Him, He guide you through life. It is not saying you will not have problems or have dreadful things happen, but if you trust in God, He will be with you through those troubled times. Romans 8:28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Trust is also not worrying about things. I read somewhere recently worry is an insult to God. I struggle with this a great deal. Thankful God forgives me.

Do Good

This action is other-focused. Yes, we should behave ourselves, but this verse is saying “do good to others.” This makes sense when you read the rest of the verse. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. If you are doing good to others, they are less likely to harm you and more likely want to be your friend.

Take Delight

Have joy in your heart the Lord is with you and knows your needs. Also, be delightful. Other people would rather be around someone who is happy than someone who is complaining. I struggle with this sometimes when I do not feel well, or my chronic pain is acting up. (See my post on https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/do-not-let-things-rob-your-joy/ )

Commit Everything

Give everything to the Lord even if you think it is too small to matter. Pray about things on your heart. I write in a prayer journal every morning. It is my letters to God. I have been doing this for years. I commit my day to the Lord each morning. It gives me peace knowing God has my back even in the worst of days.

Trust Him

It must be important to trust God since He wrote it twice in this passage. Trust Him and He will help you. Even in your darkest hour you can trust God. The other day at church a guy asked me if I ever thought “What if…” I said no, I know I can trust God. Yet this morning I thought the “what if” about a problem I am having and had to stop myself. God knows our needs and our sufferings we can trust Him to help us.

Be Still

This is the hardest action of all. At least for me. Often, I find my mind distracted, especially when I am tired or have stressful things going on. I know this is true for everyone. Yet in Psalms 46:10 (NLT) “Be still, and know that I am God!” and other passages say to be still. One way to do this is to mediate on God’s Word. I find writing out my thoughts on a certain Bible passage helps me focus. Often, I write in my prayer journal a verse or two to think about. I think, with things, the more you do it the easier it becomes. I am a work in progress on the “be still” part of this passage.

There are other actions in this passage, but these stand out as important to me. Please study the passage yourself to find the actions God wants you to take in your life. They may be different than mine. Just trust, do good, take delight, commit, and be still.

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Take the Lid Off: Trust God, Release the Pressure, and Find the Life He Wants for You
By Smokie Norful / Thomas Nelson

Pastor and Grammy-winning musician Smokie Norful inspires readers to go to God and experience more fulfillment, delight, power, and success than they ever dreamed.

According to Smokie Norful, sometimes our lives feel like a pot of rice in his grandmother’s kitchen: hissing, boiling over, about to explode and create panic. The only way to avoid an explosion is to take the lid off-that is, to stop being trapped inside ourselves and instead look to God and his grace to make us all he intends us to be. Taking the lid off, Norful argues, entails four actions: look inward, experiencing the cleansing of forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit; look outward, seeking for others to experience the joy of living for God and have the best God has to offer; look upward and marvel at God’s love and strength to accomplish his purposes; and move onward, devising a strategy to accomplish all God has put in our hearts to do.

When we take these four steps, the pressure goes down, we gain peace and perception, and things work out much better in the end. When we finally take the lid off, we can become the people God has created us to be and do what we were intended to do. We get in touch with the unlimited power of his Spirit, we’re directed by the challenge of his purposes, and we experience the joy of seeing him use us to change lives. All of us need help in taking the lid off in order to trust God, take action, and reach our full potential.

Trust Without Borders: A Study of Psalm 37
By Pamela J. Alexander / WestBow Press

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Revelation 2:17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

When I first read this passage, I had no idea what the meaning of the white stone-new name meant so I did some research. Here is what I found.

Matthew Henry writes:  The white stone, with a new name engraven upon it. This white stone is absolution from the guilt of sin, alluding to the ancient custom of giving a white stone to those acquitted on trial and a black stone to those condemned. The new name is the name of adoption: adopted persons took the name of the family into which they were adopted. None can read the evidence of a man’s adoption but himself; he cannot always read it, but if he persevere he shall have both the evidence of sonship and the inheritance. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary)

Zondervan Bible Commentary thinks it may be an inscribed pebble which is like a ticket to gain entrance to the heavenly banquet. The new name is known only to the one who receives it. See verses 3:12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Zondervan believes the new name is Christ’s and they reference 22:4 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Expositor’s Bible Commentary also thinks the white stone may be an entrance to the heavenly banquet. It was a custom at the time to use an engraved stone as a ticket to a banquet. They also write the new name is a changed character because of redemption. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament)

NIV Application Commentary references the white stone “symbolize eternal life or purity from sin. The commentary goes on to note a changed name is associated with a promise. I think of Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel. It also references Isiah 56:5 and 62:2 which promises a new name and the removable of shame. Yet in the Revelation context it could be a hidden name of God and the Lamb (see 3:12; 14:1; 19:12-13).

Therefore, I conclude: the white stone represents purity which is needed to enter Heaven. No one can be completely pure enough to get to Heaven no matter what good works they do in their lives. However, John 3:16 states: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God’s Son is Jesus, the Lamb talked about in Revelations. Jesus came to this earth to die for us and rose again so we could forever live with Him in Heaven.

The new name represents our new life in Christ. In the time of the book of Acts the name “Christian” was given to those believing in Christ. The “ian” part of the word Christian means “one of” so putting it together the word Christian means one of Christ’s or belonging to Christ.

We do not know what our new name may be or if the white stone is a symbol or an actual stone. We need to wait until we get to Heave to find out. However, the new name is given and the one who receives it will know their new name. Do you know your new name?

Exodus 12

Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. 7They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal… 12On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt… 13But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you.

The Passover is celebrated among the Jews to this day.  It started when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt for 430 years.  God told Moses to tell the Israelites to prepare a lamb to be killed and eaten with unleavened bread.  They were to take the blood of the lamb and put it on the top and sides of the door frame.  God’s Spirit would go through all of Egypt and strike the first born of everyone unless He saw the blood on the door frame. Those in the houses with the blood on the door frame would be saved.  God commanded a Passover feast would be celebrated on the fourteen day of the first month of the Israelites calendar year.

Luke 22:14-20 14When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. 15Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” 

17Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”

19He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples the night before He was killed on the cross.  He knew He was going to die a horrible death on the cross the next day.  I wrote about this in my journal comparing Jesus’ death and the Passover lamb.  I wrote it about me, but you can put your name in place of mine.  Here is what I wrote:

Lord, You took on all my sin when You went willingly to the cross.  The lambs at the first Passover did not know they were going to die nor were they willing.  It is the blood forming a cross on the door frames saved the Israelites.  Your blood flowed from the crown of thorns, and the nails in Your hands and feet.  These same hands hold me when I hurt or feeling low.   You were beaten and laid bare against the rough wooden cross, hanging there bleeding.  A crown of thorns on Your precious head.   The lambs at the first Passover’s bones were not broken and neither were Yours.  Your body represents the bread, Your blood represents the fruit of the vine.  Christian churches all over the world celebrate this holy communion as a remembrance of Jesus, the Passover Lamb.

Yet, You so willingly went through this for me.  I do not deserve this!  You saved me from the coming tribulation and the lake of unending fire just like the lamb saved Israel from the coming disaster.  You did it out of love for me.  I cannot bare it!  I cannot say thank you enough! 

Do not delay asking God to forgive you for going your own way.  Recognize Jesus went willingly to be our Passover Lamb on the cross for the whole world.  He loves you so much.  There is coming a time of great tribulation and it may be sooner than you think.  Only those who accepts the Passover Lamb, Jesus, will be saved.  This terrible tribulation will be like nothing the world has ever experienced.  Do not delay!  God wants to save you and have a relationship with you right now and give you eternal life with Him.  Please accept the Passover Lamb!

Christianbook.com Home is a company for which I am an affiliate. Being an affiliate means if you click on one of these links and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage at no extra cost to you. Here are a couple of books about Jesus, our Passover Lamb.

Our Passover Lamb
By Sharon Ellis / WestBow Press

Christ Our Passover Lamb
By Joseph Agbi / Xulon Press

Isaiah 49:16a See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

John 19: 18 There they nailed him to the cross

John 20:25 nail wounds in his hands,

As I was reading the Isaiah passage this morning, I could not help but think of the cross and how they nailed Jesus’ hands and feet to the cross.  I know it is an abstract concept.  Yet maybe God was thinking about this when He had Isaiah write about my name on the palm of His hands. 

You see, I believe in the Trinity.  I believe in God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit.  I believe Jesus became human yet still God when He was born of Mary.  Jesus went willingly to the death on the cross.  Usually, when someone was sentenced to die on the cross it was the worst form of death back then, but they tied the person to the cross and left them to die.  It usually took days to die so they would speed things up by breaking the person’s bones while they hung on the cross.  Not so with Jesus.  They took big nails and nailed Him to the cross at the hands and feet.  When they went to break Jesus’ bones, they saw He was already dead but the put a sword into His side to make sure. 

It all has to do with sin.  Sin is rejecting God and living your life as you see fit.  Sure, we all try to live within the law and even follow the ten commandments.  Yet, we cannot do it perfectly and that is sin.  In the Old Testament God instructed the Israelites, God’s chosen people, to sacrifice a lamb for the forgiveness of their sins.  Jesus’ death is the ultimate sacrifice and He died for everyone for that has ever lived or will ever live.  You only need to believe and accept Jesus’ death and resurrection as payment for your sin and ask Him to be Lord of your life. 

There are many benefits to doing this.  One is Heaven.  John 3:16 says anyone who believes on Him will have everlasting life.  That means in Heaven.  Another benefit is God will be there for you in good times and the bad times.  He will comfort you, guide you and give you peace.  Just accept Jesus.

In the Isaiah passage the Jewish people had turned their backs on God and God allowed them to have trouble.  Israel cried out to God in this passage asking God if He had forgotten them.  He said no I have written your name on the palm of my hand.  Other versions of the Bible used the word “engraved”.  When Jesus died on the cross with nails in His hands and feet, He did it for you and me.  Jesus engraved yours and mine name on His palms with the nails that pierced His hands.  It hurts to think God loved us so much He used a nail to write our name on Jesus’ hands.  Have you accepted the nail wrote your name on God’s hands?

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Galatians 5:22-23

22But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

When I read these verses this morning, I felt prompted by the Spirit to write about them.  I felt led to go through each fruit and ask myself am I living like this fruit?  The world seems like it is in turmoil.  We as Christians need to live out these fruits more than ever before to a hurting world.

Love

This kind of love here is unconditional love.  I am sure God had Paul put this fruit first.  What the world needs more than anything is for us Christians to show God’s love to others.  Even the ones who seems so unlovable.  After all, Jesus came to earth to suffer a horrible death because God loves even the ones who hate Him.  So, am I showing unconditional love to those I do not like or have hurt me?   

Joy

Joy has always been a difficult fruit for me.  I have had so many things and people who have hurt me in my past.  Often, I could not feel joy from these hurts.  When I moved from Rhinelander to the Wausau area it seemed like a heavy weight of gloom was lifted.  It was a new beginning in my life.  I got to start all over.  I found the fruit of joy again.  Yes, I still suffered illness and chronic pain, but I still found joy in my suffering.  Am I showing my fruit of joy to this world?

Peace

There is so much turmoil in this world today.  Wars and rumors of wars.  Politics and social issues bring fighting on both sides.  Even among Christians there are differences of opinions which can bring strife.  What the world needs is peace.  Not just wars and strife stopping but the inner peace of letting go and letting God have control.  We cannot do anything about what others are saying or doing to each other, but we can give these worries to God.  Today I had to give something to God which was out of my control.  God gave me an inner peace about it.  Yet sometimes I fret about things.  Am I showing my worries to the world or am I showing God’s peace?

Patience

Awhile ago I adopted a new cat when my old cat died.  After a week or two I asked God why He have me adopt a cat who was constantly in hiding.  It was to teach me patience.  Little by little my cat came out of hiding and got less afraid of me.  He now will not leave me alone most of the time.  He loves to be petted but he has not allowed us to cuddle yet.  I have learned to be patient with my cat growing comfortable with me but am I patient with people?

Kindness

Some say I am too kind, but am I?  Am I kind to those who I do not like or who have hurt me?  What is my motive to being kind?  Is it so others will like me or am I being the kind of kind because of Jesus?  I need to work on the fruit of kindness in my life.

Goodness

What is good?  Jesus asked this question and said only God is good.  Therefore, if only God is good then I cannot be good in my own strength.  I need to rely on God to help me be good to others and how I behave.  To be the fruit of goodness I need to follow God’s laws, so I do not hurt God or others.  I need to ask God to help live the fruit of goodness.

Faithfulness

Being faithful to God and others takes work.  I believe another way to look at faithfulness is being loyal.  Am I being loyal to God in how I live?  Am I being loyal to others or am I talking bad about someone behind their back?  What about my job?  Am I loyal to the place that gives me a paycheck by being faithful to always doing my job well?  It is not easy to be faithful, but God does help me practice the fruit of faithfulness.

Gentleness

Most of the time I am gentle with others.  Gentleness is the opposite of being harsh.  It is easy to be gentle with a baby or a kitten, but what about someone who is yelling at you for something you have no control over?  This often happens at work when customers are impatient.  Being empathic and gentle goes a long way over yelling back.  Sometimes I need to practice the fruit of gentleness in a better way.

Self-control

I think God had Paul save this one for last because God knew this is a hard one for people.  Having self-control has been hard for me.  For instance, when I am tired and hungry after work it is sometimes easier to stop at a fast-food place rather than going home and cooking something.  I must remind myself going home is the healthier choice and better for my wallet.  Using self-control in what I say is even harder for me.  Only God can help me with the fruit of self-control.

Conclusion

I have read this passage of scripture many times.  I never really have sat down and broken the fruits down like this before.  I learned today living like these fruits is difficult.  Yet I know God will help me.  Are you living like these fruits?

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When I read this passage this morning, I read my name instead of Israel.  After all the Bible is God’s love letter to all who believe in Him, not just Israel.  So, when you read this put your name in the verses.

Isiah 43: 1-7

1But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

O Israel, the one who formed you says,

God created you.  He created you specifically as a one-of-a-kind person.  He knows everything about you and even knows how many hairs you have on your head. 

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

You do not have to be afraid because God ransomed you.  He saved you from all your wrong doings and He saved you from those who do you wrong.  There is no fear in accepting God’s ransom.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

God has called you by name.  Even if someone else has the exact same name as you, God knows you by your name.

2When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

God goes with you through all your troubles.  He does not say He will do away with your troubles, though sometimes He does, but He will be right beside you when you have trouble.  He is there to guide you and comfort you.  Just ask Him to be there for you and watch for signs He is there.

3For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

He is the Lord, your God.  He is the Holy One and your Savior. 

I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;

I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

4Others were given in exchange for you.

I traded their lives for yours

because you are precious to me

God is willing to trade the world for you!  You are precious to Him!

5“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

I will gather you and your children from east and west.

6I will say to the north and south,

‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel

from the distant corners of the earth.

7Bring all who claim me as their God,

for I have made them for my glory

God wants to bring you back to Him because you were made for His Glory.

It was I who created them.’”You are honored, and I love you.

Why did God do all this?  Because He loves you!  Will you claim His love and salvation?

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Lamentations 3:22-26

22The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

23Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

24I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in him!”

25The Lord is good to those who depend on him,

to those who search for him.

26So it is good to wait quietly

for salvation from the Lord.

The first part of this chapter is dreadful.  The author is deep despair over a sin.  He feels like God has turned his back on him.  Yet, when I started reading verse twenty-two, I found hope in God’s unfailing love.  Since having COVID the first time in November for three weeks I have struggled with asthma and bronchitis.  My prayer journal is filled with pleadings for healing.  I searched my heart to know if it was sin which was keeping me from good health.  I asked forgiveness for the sin I found and prayed I would do better each day.  God is ever merciful to forgive me.  Each day God gives me what I need to get through the day.

The Lord is my inheritance.  Without him I would be without hope.  This is so true for me.  Anything I have accomplished I have done it in the strength God has given me.  This past three weeks have been a great example.  I got bronchitis again.  For several days I did not have the energy to do much.  I took a medical leave and got tested for COVID.  Thankfully, it was negative.  It had only been six weeks since I had bronchitis and a positive test.  All I could do was do simple things to care for myself, but I spent a great deal of time on my couch and bed.  I finally went to see my doctor and she gave me another round of steroids.  Even after the five-day prescription was through, I had no energy.  Yet, I was back to work praying to get through my shift.  God was faithful.

I know I can depend on God.  Each morning I sit in quiet waiting for God to speak to me through his Word and prayer.  Yesterday I had more energy for work.  Today I cleaned my kitchen.  I feel more like myself.  I still cough now and then but that is getting better.  I am trying to eat healthy to build up my immune system.  I know God will be faithful to keep me going.  His love never ends.  Are you trusting God for his mercies each day?

Proverbs 16

Verse 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Do you ever have plans and they do not work out?  The last two weeks have been like that for me.  At the beginning of this month, I went to my doctor for my asthma.  She gave me Advair to use every day and it seemed to help.  Mother’s Day I enjoyed going up on Rib Mountain with my camera and capturing some beautiful photos.  The fresh air was wonderful.  I felt I was getting better.  I continued to struggle with certain smells like cigarette smoke, strong chemicals, and certain flowers but I was starting to feel better.  Until ten days ago.  I woke up with a cough that Monday morning.  Nothing I tried made it go away.  I thought it was my asthma, so I went to work.  That was the last day I worked.

Dentist Plans

I had plans last week to go to the dentist.  I have an ever-widening gap between two of my teeth and I think it is a cavity.  I was going to see about getting it filled since it is always getting food stuck there and I must floss constantly.  By the way, I hate going to the dentist.  As a child my mom did not enforce good dental hygiene.  Whenever we would go to the dentist, he would yell at me for no taking care of my teeth.  It was traumatic and it carried on through my adulthood.  These days I have finally developed good dental hygiene but with a cost.  I have several problem teeth.  Yet, I am finally making plans to fix it.  But God had other plans.

Work Plans

On Tuesday of last week, I was too sick to go to work, so I called in.  I had Wednesday off, and I thought ‘it’s just a cold, I will be fine’.   But I was not.  By Thursday I felt like I had COVID again.    I was supposed to go to work that day, but I went to the clinic for a COVID test instead.  So much for working.  I needed the income on my paycheck because rent is coming due on the first of June.  I filed for a paid leave of absence and waited for the test results.

Friday brought a negative test result.  I was so thankful for this, but I did not even feel up to taking a shower let along going out to shop for things I needed.  Later in the day I learned my paid leave was approved but would it be soon enough so I would get paid for the days I missed?  I was worried about my plans to pay rent and my other bills.  I tried to put everything in God’s Hands and leave it there but I still worried.

Shopping Plans

Saturday, I felt well enough for a much-needed shower.  Yet afterwards I needed a nap before I could do anything else.  I ventured out to go to the store for a lawn chair and other things I needed.  My cat was out of wet cat food.  The lawn chair was in hopes I was well enough to go to church and the picnic afterwards.  I stopped at my local grocery store and got a few things.  By the time I got home I was exhausted, and I knew my plans for the church picnic was out.

Church Picnic Plans

My church had planned a nice picnic with many outdoor activities.  However, it was a rainy day.  God sent the heaviest rain right at the time the outdoor activities were to take place.  Not what the church planned at all.  I do not know how the picnic turned out.  I hope everyone had a good time in the large fellowship room. 

Medical Plans

I had hoped to go back to work Monday but I still was not any better, so I stayed home and rested.  By Tuesday, yesterday, I decided it was time for me to seek medical help.  I wanted so much to avoid going to the doctor but nothing else I tried seemed to be working to get over this cold.  My doctor prescribed another round of steroids.  My plan is to go back to work tomorrow now that I have the right medicine to help me.

This past week and a half I planned to get so much done but God had other plans for me.  I kept asking why God had me home during this time.  My friend said maybe it is bonding time for me and my cat.  I think he may be right since my cat who spent his first two weeks at my apartment in hiding during the day now actually comes into my room when I am laying on my bed. 

God’s Plan

God’s plan turned out to provide for me financially and to help my kitty start to trust me more.  Not what I had planned, but this is far better.  Verse three of this chapter says, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed”.   Now I need to commit my plans to Him and not worry whether they will work out or not.  Are your plans God’s plans?

Below is a couple of items for God’s plan from Christianbook.com Home I am an affiliate for Christianbook and if you click on one of these links and make a purchase I may receive a small percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps support the monthly costs of this website. Thank you for your support.

Humbling Thoughts from Isaiah 55

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I was humbled when I read this passage.  We make our plans.  We go to work to provide for ourselves and family.  We go about our daily lives.  Are our thoughts on what God’s ways?  How can we know the Ways of God?  How can we even know God’s thoughts?  One way is to read the Word of God daily and the mediate on it.  I also pray and ask for guidance from God to know His Ways. 

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it

without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

This passage goes on to say like the snow and rain waters the earth and bring forth food for us so will His Word bring forth good things.  This makes me question as to whether I am living in a way which is pleasing to God, so His Word is going out by the way I am living.  Humbling!

Everything thing God sends out will accomplish His purpose.  Even when we fail God His purpose will still be accomplished.  God is still in control.  Even when the world seems to be going in the wrong direction God is still accomplishing His Ways.  Humbling.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

Therefore, I can go through my day with peace and joy knowing God’s ways are being accomplished.  I may not understand God’s Ways, but I can be at peace knowing He is in control.  This brings joy in the most humbling way. 

Spring is here!  The trees, grass and flowers are bursting forth with praise to the Lord.  Spring reminds me of things to come.  Heaven awaits!  There will be no more thorns of this life.  Only peace and joy with the Lord forever!  I humbly wait for Your Ways to be accomplished through me.

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Romans 8:38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yesterday my sister-in-law posted these verses on social media and I commented they were my life verses.  Later, my sister commented she needed to remember these verses because she was afraid of heights and deep water.  This got me thinking.  What are my fears which is keeping me from fully knowing how much God loves me?

Death nor Life

I am not afraid of death.  I am certain I am going to Heaven when I die.  I know this because the Bible clearly says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).   I believe Jesus came to this earth with the purpose of dying and rise again.  He did this because we all have fallen short of being perfect which is what God demands to get entrance to Heaven.  Since we are not perfect, we must die.  Only Jesus was perfect, so He died in our place.  This demonstrates God’s love for us since He sent His one and only Son to die for us to offer us the gift of salvation.  Have you accepted this gift?

Afraid of life?  No!  I am under God’s protection.  He gives me guidance and meets all my needs.  My life is not perfect, but all my needs are met.  I have a wonderful family and many friends.  I have a home and food to eat.  I have a job and a reliable car to take me there.  I also have a wonderful church family.  Every day I see God’s Hand in my life making it better.  My heart swells with thanksgiving and praise.

Angels nor Demons

There is a spiritual battle going on in the spiritual world.  Most of the time I am unaware of this battle going on.  Yet God gives us the armor to fight.  Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  I do not have to be afraid if I daily put on the armor of God.

The Present nor The Future

I do not have to worry about today.  I know God loves me and He will protect me.  Nor do I have to worry about tomorrow.  I do not have to worry about what food to eat or if I will have enough to meet my financial needs.  God has proven time and time again He will supply my needs.

Nor Any Powers

When I think of the word powers I think of the government.  We in America still have the freedom to practice the religion of our choice.  Yet that is not so in other countries.  Believers of Jesus in some countries have been persecuted for their faith.  Many have been in prison or even killed just for saying they believe in Jesus.  These people are heroes.  We need to pray for their protection and God would meet their needs.  I receive information about people who are persecuted for their faith from two organizations.  One is www.newsservice2000.com and the other is www.vom.org.  

Height nor Depth

We could climb the highest mountain or dive to the depths of the ocean, but God would not stop loving us nor do we have to fear.  No where on earth can we go can separate us from God’s love.  In a little while I need to go get ready for work.  I do like my job, but I do not like the toll it has on my body.   I have arthritis throughout my body and being on my feet helping people check out their groceries in self check hurts.  Yet, time after time God gets me through the day.  Why do I do it you ask?  Because I have reached the point in my life I would rather work part time at a job I know than go through the hassle of learning a new job.  I have my social security checks and working part time meets my needs.  What place do you fear?

Nor Anything Else in Creation

Ever since I was a small child, I have been afraid of snakes.  It does not matter if they are harmless, I am still terrified of them.  Yet, I love going into the woods and love being near or on the water.  God has always protected me.  He has also protected me in storms and other natural disasters.  God’s love is in me and creation cannot take that from me. 

Nothing Can

In all these things there is nothing that can separate me from God’s love.  I just need to own these verses every day of my life.  Have you given your fears to Him and own that nothing can separate you from a loving God?

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Exodus 40:34-38 34Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

36Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

Merriam-Webster defines presence as “the fact or condition of being present”.   As I read this passage today, I thought about the Israelites being able to see God’s presence every day and night.  The cloud represented God taking care of the Israelites and giving them direction.  As many of you know in Exodus God’s people escaped slavery in Egypt and made their way to the promise land.  During these travels God’s presence was with them in the form of a cloud and God provided food and water during their journeys.  He also gave them direction in which to go.

From this we learn God is present.  He provides for us.  He also gives us direction.

God is Present.

God is present in our lives.  He is there for us in our darkest nights, and He is there in our greatest joys.  Thinking about the cloud over the Israelites today made me wonder if the Israelites were in awe of God’s presence with them.  I sure would be knowing I could see His presence day in and day out.  What a blessing!  Yet I know, even though I cannot see God’s presence I feel it in my heart.  He is my best friend, and I can go to Him and talk to Him about what is going on in my life at any time.  I am in awe of this knowledge.

God Provides for Us

Other places in Exodus you can read how God provided for the Israelites needs.  You can read how He provided manna and quail for them to eat.  You can read how He provided water a couple of times.  Finally, there is mentioned the Israelite’s sandals never worn out.  It was everything they needed on their way to the promise land.  God also provides for us.  We have food, water, and clothes.  I have seen God’s provision many times.  I am often in awe of how He knows exactly how much I need at any given time.  Twice now I have been in quarantine for COVID.  This second time I have not been sick but had tested positive when I went to the doctor for bronchitis.  Never once did I run out of food or even toilet paper.

God Gives Us Direction

In the verses above we read “Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted.”  God literally told them when to move by His presence in the cloud.  Amazing!  Sometimes I wish God would give us a sign like this, so we know when to move on.  Yet we can sense His direction when we allow God to lead us.  God can lead us to pack up and move.  He can give us direction in our careers.  He can also lead us in our spiritual life.  I have seen this many times in my life, especially in this last year.  I felt He directed me to move to a larger city.  I felt God leading me in my career choices, especially with this blog.  And I felt lead to grow more spiritually through reading the Bible, praying throughout my day, and being involved in a local church.  I am in awe at God’s direction of leading in my life.

Life is a journey.  It is a better journey with God’s presence in it.  Have you asked God to give you His cloud of presence in your life? 

Below is a couple of books on God’s presence from Christianbook.com Home. If you click on a link and make a purchase I may earn a percentage of the price at no extra cost to you. This helps keep this website running. Thank you for your support.

I have written twenty stories this past year.  A few of them tell the story of the Holy Week in Christ’s life.  I am home this week with COVID 2.0.  I thought I had bronchitis, but my test came up positive, again.  I am not feeling as bad as I did before, but I am having a hard time focusing.  I also lost my cat this week.  Yesterday my cat crossed the rainbow bridge while I was holding her.  I cried most of the day.  She was my companion through thick and thin for close to sixteen years. 

So, I have not felt like writing until today when I was listening to a beautiful Easter song a friend posted on social media.  I started thinking about the stories I have written about this week so I thought I would combine them and call them “Eyewitnesses”.  There are three of them: John Mark, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Each story is longer than the excerpts below and you are welcome to follow the links to read their whole story.  Each story in written in first person so they are written as eyewitnesses to this holy week.

John Mark’s story (https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/second-chances-john-mark/)

I was there when they arrested Jesus.  I was amazed of the mob that came to arrest him.  Jesus had just been praying off by himself and the rest of us were waiting for him.  Actually, we fell asleep, I am embarrassed to say.  When the mob came, we awoke, and Jesus walked up to them.  I saw Judas come up to Jesus and kiss him on the cheek. I was so shocked at Judas.  I thought all those who were Jesus’ disciples were saints.  Judas has done Jesus a terrible injustice turning again him.

Jesus spoke to the mod.  “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”

Then they took him.  By then everyone had run away but me.  I wanted to go with Jesus and followed behind but suddenly someone from the mob grabbed my long linen shirt.  I was so scared I ran off leaving my shirt behind.  Yep, I was naked, and my Mom was going to kill me.  The only reason she let me hang out with Jesus and the disciple is because Peter is a family friend and he said it was okay.  She made that shirt just for me.  She said I look just like my Dad when I wear that shirt.  He had one just like it when he died.  It is just me and my Mom now.

The next day was Jesus’ trial.  I watched from afar.  It was unbelievable how they treated Jesus.  Then they crucified Jesus.  My Mom and I watched.  She cried as her and the other women hugged each other.  We went home so dejected.  It was the Sabbath and some of us gathered at our house to wait for it to be over.

Sunday morning, we heard from Mary Magdalene.  She came and told us Jesus had risen from the dead.  We were all excited and saw Jesus that very night.  He had risen, indeed!  We saw all his scars, including the nail prints in his hands.  Surely, Jesus is the Son of God.

About forty days later Jesus and his disciples were eating at my Mom’s house when he told them

“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Later, when Jesus was teaching on the Mount of Olives near my home he said:

” But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Then Jesus started to rise toward Heaven.  We were watching him go and he was getting small so we could hardly see him anymore.  Our hearts hurt.  Suddenly, there was two men, dressed in white, standing among us.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Mary Magdalene’s story (https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/?s=Mary+Magdalene)

I knew the Jewish leaders hated Jesus because he had so many followers.  He would gather large crowds when he was teaching and perform miracles.  Jesus did not care if it was the Sabbath, he only cared he was helping people.  On the first day of the week of Passover Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.  The crowds were shouting for joy “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  I was so happy that day but come Thursday night my joy turned to sorrow.

After the Passover supper Jesus went to the garden to pray.  He seemed very distraught.  Suddenly Judas and some soldiers came to arrest Jesus.  Judas had the nerve to come up to Jesus and kiss him!  Jesus did not resist and went with the soldiers.  I kept back with the other women as we followed Jesus to be tried.  It was the longest night.  I watched as they questioned him and then beat him.  He stood before Pilate and Pilate asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus?  They shouted, “Crucify him!”  No, I wanted to scream!  Yet I feared this crowd, so I kept my mouth shut.  The soldiers placed a heavy cross on Jesus’ shoulders and made him walk through town to the hill where they crucify people.  The other women, including Jesus’s mother, followed the crowd.  We were all weeping while we watched the soldiers place nails in Jesus’ hands and feet and nailed him to the cross.  Then they dropped the cross into a hole to hold it up right.  I saw the anguish on Jesus’ face.  He hung there for hours.  It grew dark yet it was only the afternoon.  Finally, Jesus cried out “It is finished!”  And he died!

We found out where they laid Jesus’ body.  It was in a tomb with a large stone rolled in front of it.  We decided to go Sunday morning after the Sabbath was over and put spices around the body to help with the smell.  I spent the Sabbath at Joanna’s house.  We tried to be brave to each other, but I know neither one of us got much sleep.  I woke up real early in the morning.  It was still dark, but I knew I could not wait for dawn to go to the tomb.  I lit my lamp and hurried to the graveyard.  How could I row the huge stone away from the door?  I thought to myself but when I got there, I saw the stone was rolled away.  I decided to tell Peter and John what happened, so I ran to where the disciples were.   “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

I watched as Peter and John ran to the tomb.  John looked in but did not go in, but Peter did.  Then John went in.  I stayed outside.  They came out and went home.  I was crying.  Where have they taken Jesus’ body?  I looked in and saw two white-robed angels sitting where Jesus’ body would have laid.  They asked me “Dear woman, why are you crying?”  I answered, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put him.”

Just then I saw someone standing near me.  I thought maybe it was the gardener.  He spoke to me “Dear woman, why are you crying?  Who are you looking for?”  “Sir,” I said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”

“Mary!” Jesus said.

Then I knew it was the Teacher!  I turned towards him and reached out to touch him, but he said, “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

I quickly returned to the disciples and told them what Jesus had to me.  “I have seen the Lord” I told them.  Jesus met with the disciples and many others before ascending to Heaven.  I watched him go up.  I can never thank Jesus enough for healing me.  I will live with him forever!

Mary’s Story (https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/lessons-learned-mary-jesus-life-through-a-mothers-eyes/)

Just after three years of ministry Jesus heads for Jerusalem.  Many knew the religious leaders wanted him dead, but he went anyways.  On the first day of the week before Passover Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey like a king.  We all thought he would take his throne and reign forever but that is not what happened.

By Thursday night I heard Jesus was arrested.  They questioned all night long and into the morning.  I watched in horror as they whipped him over and over.  They beat Jesus so badly it was extremely hard to recognize him.  Then they placed a crown of thorns on my son’s head and mocked him.  I could barely watch.  Such injustice for an innocent man.  Then I heard the crowd yell crucify him!   No!  Not my son!  To die such a horrible death was unbelievable!  I could not bear the thought!

They led Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem making him carry his own cross.  They had stripped Jesus of almost all his clothing and the heavy wood cross tore into his already beaten back.  He stumbled and fell.  They got someone to help carry the cross.  Tears flowed from my eyes as we headed up the hill where Jesus would be hung on a cross.

It only got worse from then on.  Instead of tying Jesus to the cross they nailed his hands and feet to it before hoisting it up and slamming it into the deep hole dug to keep the cross upright.  Jesus’ pain must have been unbearable!  Yet he endured the pain for a few more hours. At one-point Jesus looked at me.  I was with some women and a disciple of Jesus’ named John.  Jesus then spoke to me and John.

“Dear woman, here is your son.” He said to me then to John Jesus said, “Here is your mother.”.

From that day on John took care of my needs.  Yet, my story is not finished.  While Jesus was on the cross the world became very dark.  The darkness lasted from noon to about three in the afternoon.  I continued to watch this whole time.  Finally, Jesus said, “It is finished!” and he died.  My heart gave way.  I could not contain my grief.  My son was dead.  A death he did not deserve.  I did not want to live anymore.  John took me home.  It was the Passover and almost sundown.  The Sabbath was upon us, so we stayed put to observe it.  I cried until I did have any more tears.  Now I knew what Simeon spoke of so many years ago.

Somehow, I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up the next morning something unbelievable happened.  John had come home all excited.  He said Jesus’ body was missing.  My heart dropped to the floor.  Yet, as I listened to John tell his story I realized John believed Jesus had risen from the dead just like he said he would.  Wow!  Later that day we were all locked in a house afraid of the religious leaders.   There, suddenly, Jesus was with us.  Not just his spirit but Jesus in the flesh.  He still bore the scars of the nails in his hands and feet, but Jesus was there.  My heart burst with joy!  My son and my Savior lives!  Hallelujah!

Jesus was on earth another forty days.  He appeared to many people during that time.  Then one day Jesus ascended into Heaven with the promise he would be back.  My story is now complete.  I can die knowing I am saved, and I will live with Jesus forever.

Discussion

I pray you remember why this week happened.  When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, sin entered the world.  Because of sin we all sin and have turned against God.  So, God said a lamb had to be sacrificed for the forgiveness of sin.  All through the Old Testament of the Bible the lamb was sacrificed for the sins of the people.  But the lamb could not forgive everyone who ever lived or who would live sin.  So, in God’s timing He sent His Son, Jesus, to be the Lamb.  We all can accept this gift of forgiveness.  We just need to ask God for it.  Have you asked God for forgiveness?

Here is a few books on the Holy Week I recommend. If you click on a link and make a purchase I may earn a small percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. This help keep this website running. Thank you for your support.

Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

My Pastor shared this verse and his thoughts today on Facebook (Bethany) and it was just what I needed.  Today’s page in my prayer journal is filled with my worries today.  For three days in a row my car would not start due to a worn-out battery and very cold temperatures.  Last night I had to have it jump started by one of my kids and drove it to work at Walmart.  Instead of parking it and going into work I drove my car straight to the automotive department and told them to put a new battery in it.  My trusted mechanic in Rhinelander told me I would need a new battery when I had them service my car last year.  Now the only battery they had to fit my car cost over a hundred dollars.  I had to borrow money from my next paycheck to pay for the battery.

All this made me an hour late for work.  This caused me to not get my usual half hour meal break.  The only break I did get I had to walk back to automotive to pay for my new battery since they installed it while I was working.  The guy who was helping me was having problems with the cash register and it took almost my entire fifteen-minute break to finally make the sale go through.  Therefore, I did not get a chance to sit down my entire shift except two bathroom breaks.  This leads me to my next problem.

Recently my right hip has been bothering me at work sometimes.  I have ignored it and it usually goes away within a half hour of being careful.  Yet, today, after not getting enough time to sit and rest yesterday at work, I am having problems with my hip to the point I need to use my cane to walk around the house.  Ouch!  So much for going downstairs to do laundry.  I cannot afford more doctor bills right now, but I cannot ignore the ever-increasing problems with my hip.  Ad another reason why I made the decision to go part time at Walmart and collect social security early. 

There are other problems I am worried about.  They are problems my kids are having.  I am not going to go into them because they are their problems, not mine.  Still a Mom worries about her kids.

All this filled the page of my journal today.  Then I was on Facebook and there was this short message from my Pastor.  I am not to be discouraged or afraid.  I do not have to worry about the above things.   The Lord is PERSONALLY going ahead of me into my future.  He is with me.  He will NOT FAIL me or abandon me.  I have nothing to worry about.  Thank You God!

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Praying the Promises: Anchor Your Life to Unshakable Hope – unabridged audiobook on CD
By Max Lucado & Andrea Lucado / Thomas Nelson on Brilliance Audio

God’s promises are as precious as gold and as sterling as silver. Ponder, believe, and claim them for your own as you explore this treasure-trove of pledges from Scripture! In Praying the Promises, Max Lucado invites you into a deeper understanding of the peace and security God offers his people. Through thirty Bible promises, reflections on the lives of biblical people of faith, and guided prayers, you will see a clearer picture of the promises of God and how he is the rock you can build your life upon.

Unabridged MP3-CD; approximately 2 hours 43 minutes; performed by Ben Holland.

Isaiah 41:10 and 13

10Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

13For I hold you by your right hand—

I, the Lord your God.

And I say to you,

‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

As I read these two verses, I was amazed at the comfort they brought me.  This chapter talks about Israel’s enemies and idols and how God will defeat them.  We have enemies too.  Maybe not enemies of war but the enemies which keep us from serving the Lord effectively.  We all have these distractions.  Whether it be watching too much TV or spending too much time on Facebook, I am guilty of these.  Maybe you have something else which keeps you from serving. 

Yet, God will help you fight these enemies.  He says He is with you.  He will give you strength and help you.  You will serve Him victoriously if you rely on Him.  Just let God hold your right hand.

I asked myself what does it mean “For I hold your right hand”?   Why not the left hand?  I am right-handed so for me to hear God is holding my hand it seemed like the natural choice.  But I do not think this is what God means here.  You see, back in the day when a gentleman was walking down the street with his wife or girlfriend, he would automatically walk so he was closes to the street.  Perhaps he would hold her hand as if to say to the world “she is mine, I will protect her”.  The man would be on the left next to the street and if he were holding the woman’s hand, he would be holding her right hand.  Maybe that is what God is saying here?  Is God saying, “You are mine, I am going to protect you”. from the enemies in the “street”?  

So here I am metaphorically holding my right hand up saying to God “I am Yours, protect me!”.  I will not be afraid to serve Him.  I will not be afraid of my enemies.  God will help me defeat them.  I only must trust Him!  Hold my hand Lord!  Does God have your right hand?

But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  Matthew 10:29b (NLT)

Someone I am close to uses the term “sparrow” when referring to themselves.  They do so to remind themselves God has His eye on them.  The world seems to be in a turmoil lately.  Health issues, political issues, and social unrest seem to be the norm.  For me, my life seems a little stressful lately too. 

Last year was a year of major changes.  First, and the biggest change, was the move from Rhinelander to the Wausau area.  That meant a change in jobs and a new apartment.  I did not know anyone here but my kids and their friends.  Then three weeks after I moved to the Wausau area, I got COVID-19 and was home for three weeks.  I only had contact with my son Aaron and then only for short visits.  I got well enough to return to work but continued to have bronchitis.  It has been nine and a half weeks and I am still feeling the effects.

This year has already meant trips to the doctor.  First for the bronchitis, then an annual checkup with a new doctor and finally to an ear, nose, and throat doctor to learn why my hearing in my left ear has gotten worse since I had COVID-19.  The hearing in my left ear has been low for many years.  The ENT I saw in Rhinelander said it was from fluid in the tubes but did nothing to relieve it. 

Now I need to look for a new job.  My son Aaron also works at the same Walmart I do.  He recently interviewed and was offered a position which requires no other family or significant other can work at the same store as him.  It is a promotion for him with a nice raise.  I am so proud of him!  He is 24 years old and has his life ahead of him.  I am 62, on social security and work part time to meet my financial needs above what social security gives me each month.  I like my job, but I hate how I feel from working.  My body aches in the morning after work.  I am willing to give up my job so my son can succeed, but where do I go from here?

I have several possible options.  One is I could transfer to another Walmart.  The Merrill Walmart is about 25 miles from my home.  It would be mostly highway driving.  Yet it is winter and driving that far for a low paying/part time job does not seem worth it.  Yet, I would be able to keep my benefits.

Then there is Sam’s Club which is near the Walmart I currently work at.  There are many unknowns about transferring to Sam’s Club.  Even though it is the same company it goes by a different name.  Will my benefits transfer?

Then there is getting a job at some other store or business.  There are many jobs out there, but will I be able to do them?  Keep in mind, I have truly little hearing in my left ear.  I do not know yet whether it can be fixed or not.  I also have arthritis in all my joints and spine.  I have physical limitations; however, I would rather be on my feet than sit at a desk all day.  I tend to have a problem with weight gain when sitting around in active all day.

So, what should I do?  TRUST GOD TO KEEP HIS EYE ON ME!  He knows what I am going through.  He knows my future.  He also knows what is best for me.  Therefore, I will pray for God’s guidance, seek godly counsel, and keep watching for God’s leading.  God is saying “I got this!”

My decision has been made. I am transferring to the Merrill Walmart. Besides knowing the store manager, I found out I have another friend who worked at the Rhinelander Walmart, now works there. I am happy and am at peace. God is so Good!

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Many have commented how much they did not like this year.  Even I have joked about it as being a terrible year, but was it?  Sure, there was COVID-19 and violence.  Yes, there was natural disaster and senseless death.  Of course, there was injustice.  This year also was an election year and that may or may not have been a good thing in your perspective.  Was 2020 really that bad?

I looked back on this year and choose to reflect on the good things.  One of the ways I can reflect on how the year went for me is through my blog posts.  I have written fifty blog posts this year, including this one.  That is amazing considering I had a major move and was sick with COVID-19 for three weeks.  Yet, God gave me the ability to write.  I give Him all the glory for this.  I cannot do anything without Him.

The Stories

This year was the first year I ever attempted to write fiction.  The stories I have written are from the Bible.  They are written in first person about characters found in the Bible.  Some of them do not even have names so I gave them names.  Others are well known and some you must search to find them.  They all amazed me.  I do not know how else to explain except to say I felt God was telling the stories through me.  These stories of how the person endured hardship and suffering yet kept their faith.  I have learned so much from them.  I look forward to seeing who else God has for me to write about.

The Devotionals

Sometimes in my daily devotional I feel led to write from the scripture of the day.  Other times I come across a passage I am prompted to write about.  Sometimes a scripture comes to mind I cannot get out of my head, so I write about it.  God has richly blessed me through His Word in these devotionals.  I have learned so much.  I am sure God will teach me more in the coming year.

Christianity and Mental Health

I also continued to write in the Christianity and Mental Health series.  This series if from my knowledge and faith.  Several years ago, I finished my master’s degree in mental health and addictions.  Later, I also studied Pastoral counseling through Liberty University.  This knowledge, yet lack of experience, has enabled me to write to help people with mental health issues who are Christians.  I never became a counselor due to age and lack of experience, but God can still use my knowledge so that is why I write about mental health.  I wonder if God will give me more topics to write about in this series.

Other

A few times during the year I wrote directly about what was happening in my life.  In April I got sick with bronchitis and was tested for COVID-19.  In November I actually got COVID-19 and when I was able, I wrote about how God was with me even in those dark nights when I struggled to breathe.  I also wrote about my big move to Wausau and the blessings God has given me through that move.  I also shared a couple of recipes I made this year.  Now that I have a big kitchen, I am sure I will share more recipes.  I have a page on my website just for recipes.  Finally, God has blessed me with time with family this past year.  These times are reflected in my writings about hotel and restaurants I visited.  While I only was able to see immediate family this Christmas I hope to see more of my family in this coming year.  God has blessed me with an awesome family, and I miss them dearly.

Yes, this year had its troubles.  Yet what year does not?  Looking back, I can see how God has truly blessed me this year.  I look forward to the coming year because I know God is going to bless me.  What are your blessings from 2020?

As I read Psalm 8 this morning my mind wandered to my Christmas tree.  I read about how God made the stars and all the creatures on earth.  I read how God made man a little lower than the angels.  Then I got to thinking about Jesus coming here to earth.  He is God yet he made he made himself to be like us.  A little lower than the angels yet ruler of all the universe.  It is amazing!

I think about God’s creation I think how he made the mountains and valleys.  He placed trees and grasses and flowers for us to see his majestic works.  He also made the lakes and the rivers to water the earth.  All of God’s beautiful creation can be seen so we can see his glory.  I am drawn to God’s creation.  It is wonderful to know God created this beautiful world for us.

The Christmas tree represents the tree of life.  The lights are like the stars shining down on us and reminds me Jesus is the light of the world and I am to reflect his light.  It is an evergreen tree which reminds me of every lasting life.  While my tree is not real (it is easier for my arthritis ridden body to do a fake tree), it looks real.  I can worship the creator by looking at the beautiful tree he created.

Then my mind wandered to another tree God created.  A tree chopped down and formed into a cross.  The tree Jesus died on.  The reason for his coming to earth.  God’s creation used to kill him!  I wonder about that tree.  A special tree it was to hold a savior of the world.  A God willing to hang on that tree so we can be saved from our sins.  My heart is full of thanksgiving.  What do you see when you look at a Christmas tree?  I will never look at mine the same again.

Psalms 8

1O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Your glory is higher than the heavens.

2You have taught children and infants

to tell of your strength,

silencing your enemies

and all who oppose you.

3When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—

the moon and the stars you set in place—

4what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?

5Yet you made them only a little lower than God

and crowned them with glory and honor.

6You gave them charge of everything you made,

putting all things under their authority—

7the flocks and the herds

and all the wild animals,

8the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,

and everything that swims the ocean currents.

9O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

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This past Sunday morning I visited Bethany Baptist church in Schofield.  It is a church I strongly feel God wants me to become apart of and serve in.  My reasoning is simple.  When my youngest child was moving to the Wausau area, I helped them move by bringing some stuff down in my car.  They live about two miles from my new apartment.  While I was waiting for them to sign the lease, I got the approval call from Fox Run apartments.  The apartment manager said I could come and look at the outside of the apartment but not inside because they were not ready to show the inside yet.  My older son was there too, and he wanted to know where I was going to live.  He was driving a mustang at the time and it is too low for me to get into, so I suggested we take separate cars. 

I followed my son, and he took the back roads instead of going on the main roads.  When I was ready to return to my youngest child’s apartment, I told my son to go ahead I would find my way back.  Well, I got lost!  I was driving back the way I thought my son came and was driving by Bethany Baptist church.  I wondered what kind of church it was because I did not see the word Baptist on the sign. 

Then I was looking at Wausau churches and found Bethany was in the same conference as my Rhinelander church.  Finally, I asked my Pastor at Calvary about Bethany and he was excited for me to get to know Bethany before trying other churches.  Others from Calvary also said it was a good church.  I already feel at home there.

Back to my visit.  During the Pastor’s message he said something which hit home with me.  He was talking about God’s promises.  One of the promises laid out in Pastor Joe’s sermon is “Made for a Purpose”.   I moved here to the Wausau area and I am getting settled in, but I am not sure why God has me here.  I believe God will show me with time.  For now, I am trying to adjust to being at work and trying to do a better job at keeping house (not one of my strengths!).  I am waiting on God to show me why I am here.

Psalms 139 is a wonderful passage.  It reminds us we are made for a purpose.  I have outlined the Psalm as follows:

You know everything about me.  Verses 1-6

1O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  2You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  4You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.  5You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.  6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

It is so hard to understand how a God who holds the universe together still knows me so intimately.  I am overwhelmed by the thinking about this.

I cannot flee from You.  Verses 7-12

7I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!  8If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.  9If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.  11I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—12but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day.  Darkness and light are the same to you.

When I read this, I wondered why would anyone want to flee from God?  Then it dawned on me-Sin!  Thank You for forgiveness.  We can come to God with all our sins and He will forgive us.

You made me and ordained my days.  Verses 13-16

13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  14Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.  15You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  16You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

The miracle of the forming of a human being.  I think of my grandchildren’s sonograms.  Their faces so clearly showing they are a tiny human being.  My heart soars with love.  God knows every single tiny baby conceived.  He knows their future.  He knows my future.  I am Made for a Purpose!

Your Thoughts are beyond me.  Verses 17-18

17How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!  18I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!  And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Thoughts about me?  I am not worthy of Your thoughts.  Yet You were thinking of me when they nailed You to a cross.  Such love!

Slay the wicked. Verses 19-22

19O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers!  20They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name.  21O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?  Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?  22Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.

I have a hard time hating another being so when I read these verses, I thought of how the enemies are my thoughts.  So many times, I have let depressive and anxious thoughts take over.  These thoughts are contrary to what God says in His Holy Word.  Get out of my head!

Search me! Verses 23-24

23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  24Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Take the enemy thoughts out of my head and replace them with thoughts of You.  Show me why I was Made for a Purpose!  Have you found God’s purpose?

When I am thinking of books on this subject I immediately thought of Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? You can find that book (I provided a link below) at: Christianbook.com Home

Contains affiliate links. By clicking on the links and making a purchase I may earn a percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps support my website.

Numbers 13 and 14, Joshua 1

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5 and 6)

Here is the story of the Israelites going from Egypt to the Promise Land.  The Israelites were at the border of the Jordan and were planning on crossing over into the land God had promised them.  Moses sent out twelve men to spy out the land.  They came back and reported to the people.  Two of them, Joshua and Caleb, said there would be no problem crossing into the Promise Land.  Yet the other ten said no, there were walled cities, strong armies, and giants in the land. The people of Israel listened to the ten instead of Joshua and Caleb.  God was angry with Israel because they did not trust Him.  I thought of this story a few times during this move from one city to another. 

The Old Apartment

I had been living in my apartment for two years.  I hated the apartment for several reasons.  One was I had not had a working heater, other than a space heater since April.  My landlord would not come in and fix it because of COVID.  Another reason was a creepy neighbor who smoked.  He is a registered sex offender and I caught him looking in my window twice.  I could never be sure if he would do it again even though the landlord told him not to.  After all, the landlord told the creepy neighbor not to smoke inside the building and that never stopped him.  I have asthma and the smell of cigarettes causes a coughing fit.  Other reasons are a lack of storage and a serious mouse problem in the kitchen.  Even Princess, The Mighty Mouse Warrior, could not keep them under control.

In August, my kids independently told me they were moving to the Wausau area.  Wausau is a much larger city with a lot more job opportunities.  My oldest son was the first to move.  I went down to visit him the day after.  I was impressed with his apartment and suddenly I wanted a new apartment.  I got back to Rhinelander and started to think seriously about and prayed about it.  Yet, I could not imagine how I could possibly move.  God said Trust Me.

The Search

I started looking at apartments not really expecting anything.  I found a 55+ senior apartment and started the application process.  It was a lot of work and many papers to print.  After I sent off the first batch of paperwork I started to wonder if living in this type of apartment was what I really wanted.  I started to look at other apartments and found Fox Run apartments.  The 55+ place wanted more paperwork and a visit to the vet for Princess.  I filled out the application for Fox Run wondering where I would be able to come up with the security deposit.  God kept whispering to me Trust Me.  I sent the second round of paperwork and Fox Run’s application on a Wednesday.  The following Monday I called to make sure Fox Run had my application.  By Thursday I was approved.  (To this day I never heard back from the 55+ place.)

Suddenly I was moving to a nice two-bedroom apartment.  Heat was included in the rent.  No smoking within 25 feet of the building.  And best of all, a big kitchen with a dishwasher and tons of storage.  It was the promise land after being in the desert of my old apartment. 

Moving

Yet, moving is hard work!  At times I just wanted to give up and stay in the cold, ugly desert of an apartment and not move to the promise land of the new apartment.   The giants of moving were just too big!  All the planning and packing were wearing me down.  But God reminds me He is bigger than the giants that are keeping me from enjoying the promise land apartment. 

I am all moved in now. (somethings are still in my car, but they are here.)  I still have boxes in my living room to unpack and put away.  I had boxes in my living room for two years at my old apartment I had no room for, but I do now.  I have plenty of room in my big kitchen for all my kitchen stuff.  There are closets for coats, linens and all my clothes.  I also have a room for my office.  Right now, it is filled with boxes, so I am writing in my living room.  The boxes can wait. 

The Couch

During the moving time I fretted about a new couch.  I have not had a couch in about four years.  I had an old recliner which did not recline anymore.  I had no other nice chairs to sit on nor did I have room for them on account of the boxes in the tiny living room.  God said to Trust Him about the couch.  I looked on the marketplace and there were plenty of couches I could afford but I had no way of delivering a couch to my new apartment.  I thought of buying a new one at a furniture store, but I cannot afford that for now.  Then I saw a futon I loved at my Rhinelander Walmart which the Wausau Walmart did not have.  Again, I did not know how I was going to get it to my new apartment.  I was trying to sell my portable washer to pay for it but twice the sale fell through.  So, I was worried I would not have any place to sit in my new apartment.

Yet, God said Trust Me again.  I was telling a coworker I was having trouble selling my washer.  She came to me and said she would buy it from me.  That was Monday of moving week.  I told her what the money from the sale was going for and she said she had two blue chairs I could have.  Tuesday, I went on Walmart.com and found the exact same futon I saw at Rhinelander Walmart.  Better yet, there was a choice in colors, so I got a blue one.  After all, blue is my favorite color.  There was also two-day delivery, so I ordered it and sent it to my new apartment.  It arrived on moving day.

The Helpers

I also worried I would not have enough help moving.  My church ran an ad for helpers two Sundays in a row in the bulleton without my asking them to run it.  My Pastor said he would be there with a couple of guys.  I had asked friends to help but there was no guarantee anyone was showing up.  I set the time for loading for 11am on Thursday and called Uhaul to rent a ten-foot truck from them like I had the last time I moved.  After that I started packing like crazy and thought I will never get all this stuff in a ten-foot truck.  Last time I moved it was within the same city and we took two or three loads. 

The week before moving I was down at the Wausau Walmart trying to get transferred.  After I left Walmart, I went over to Fox Run apartments to drop off the paperwork from the vet.  Erin, the apartment manager was there, and she gave me my keys and told me I could move boxes in but not live there until the 28^th.  So, I thought I would go down as often as possible.

The Truck vs. The Trailer

I must have said something on Facebook about having to take down as much as possible to be assured there would be enough room in the truck.  My ex-husband Mark saw it and messaged me to get a six by twelve trailer instead of the truck and he would pull it with his truck.  It turns out by doing it that way it would save me a hundred dollars, so I called Uhaul again and reserved a trailer.  However, when I met Mark at Uhaul on moving day I saw the size and was worried it was too small.  Mark said it would be fine.  And it was.  Not only did we get almost everything in but about eight people from my church showed up to load the trailer.  It took them about an hour.  One of the older church ladies had dropped of sandwiches and stuff for the movers.  It was amazing!  When we got to my new apartment my niece came and helped unload.  She lives in a town about two hours from here.  It was a great day even though I only got a few hours of sleep the night before.

Conclusion

After forty years in the desert Joshua and Caleb led the people of Israel into the promise land.  God spoke to Joshua these words:

Joshua 1: 7-9

7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

God wanted me to be strong and courageous.  He also wants me to Trust Him! Notice the verses say to study and meditate in the Word and follow it exactly. If you do you will prosper and succeed in all you do. Now that I am here, I am waiting to see why God has moved me out of the desert apartment into the promise land apartment.

A couple of books I recommend from:

Christianbook.com Home

Joshua: And the Land of Promise – eBook
By F.B. Meyer / CLC Publications

From F.B. Meyer’s outstanding biographies series of the great Biblical figures of faith, here is the exciting story of Joshua. Meyer shows the readers that the story of Joshua’s life can serve to strengthen readers in their faith in God. Seeing God deliver Joshua from his enemies will encourage believers to also look to God for deliverance.

One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land
By Priscilla Shirer / B&H Books

Modern day Christians often hear and understand the promises of God each Sunday morning at church but then rarely choose to experience them in everyday life. In One in a Million, Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer invites us to change that pattern for good, living beyond our circumstances and expecting to see God move in miraculous ways day after day. Without a doubt, we can find and follow God’s purpose for our journey. We can make it to the Promised Land! Trade paperback.

This post contains affiliate links which I recommend. If you click on the link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Matthew 13:31-35

Parable of the Mustard Seed

31Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”

One tiny seed.  I went to baking aisle at Walmart to find mustard seeds for this post.  I was amazed at how tiny these seeds are.  I did not purchase them because I am moving, and I do not need it any recipe I make currently.  So, I took a picture of the small jar for all of you to see how small the mustard seed is.  This tiny seed can grow into a tree. 

But what is Jesus really saying in this parable of the tiny seed?  The study helps in my Bibles say the Kingdom of Heaven will start small and grow worldwide.  We see this happening today with the world wide web available almost everywhere.  But what other ways, besides the Kingdom of Heaven, can we use the tiny seed growing into a tree? 

When I first read these verses this week and I thought of how my blog has grown.  Not necessarily in numbers but how it has developed over the last two years.  It started out small like a mustard seed with me not sure of where I wanted to go with content.  I wrote about prayer journals and hearing problems.  I also wrote about some mental health issues such as grief and loss.  Yet, I really did not have a certain niche which I could specialize. 

I called myself a multi-niche blogger for lack of something more concrete.  I felt being multi-niche I could write about anything. Yet I needed all my writing to be faith-based.

Then I started to write a series on Christianity and Mental Health (https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/christianity-and-mental-health/) which are still popular.  I thought that was where I was headed.  I even started a Facebook group under the title of Christianity and Mental Health you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2513278299000084

But then in Sunday School one morning the teacher talked about Rahab and I felt lead to write about her.  I did my research and started to develop the plan.  I also borrowed a book called the Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers, which had the story of Rahab written in a fiction-like fashion about her life. 

I got the idea I could write Rahab’s story in first person in a short story format.  So, I did.  I was amazed because I did not know I could write fiction.  Before I knew it, I was writing stories in first person about several women in the Bible.  This is the Lesson Learned series found here https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/lessons-learned/   Each story comes with a short devotional at the end.  I love writing these stories and learn so much from them.

I also wrote three, so far, stories about men in the Bible under the title Second Chances.  I struggle with these stories because it is easier for me to write from a woman’s perspective.  My favorite one so far is the Prodigal Son.  It really tells the story of God’s love and forgiveness.

From time to time while reading my devotions I find a Psalm or another passage I feel led to write about.  I have written several.  These devotionals really touch my heart.

I also write about food and travel.  The food part I write posts which I put in my page called Dump in Cooking: A Lazy Chef’s Recipes.  There are several recipes on this page but you can get a free recipe book with more recipes under the same title by subscribing  https://northwoodsgirlblogging.com/  Subscribing to my blog means you will receive emails from me telling you about my latest blog posts.  This started from a few subscribers to now eighty getting emails from me.  Would you like to subscribe?

I have not traveled as much as I would like but I hope to do more in the future.  I have been to Arizona to visit my sister and I wrote about my trip.  I also have been to Wisconsin Dells hundreds of times and I have written about a couple of places I have recently visited.  Finally, I have written about restaurants right here in Rhinelander.  I cannot wait to write about Wausau’s restaurants!

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But what is my niche and how does it relate to the mustard seed parable?  Most of my writing is either directly from scripture or from a Christian perspective.  People landing on my website can read about God’s love for them and learn about salvation.  People from all over the world have landed on my site.  I believe God is leading me to keep on writing for those people.  One may never know how many hearts I have touch this side of Heaven because of my blog.  It is my ministry and it is ever evolving.  Therefore I will continue to be a faith-based multi-niche Christian blogger.

In just a couple of weeks I will be starting over in a new city with a new job and a new church.  I do not know what God has in store for me there.  I am trying not to be fearful.  I know God is with me.  I am just a tiny seed, but God can make me grow into a wonderful tree.

1Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2But as for me, I almost lost my footing.  My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

 3For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.  4They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.  5They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.  6They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.  7These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!  8They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.  9They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.  10And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.  11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”  12Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 

13Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?  Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?  14I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

17Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,

and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.  18Truly, you put them on a slippery path

and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

21Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

23Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.  24You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.  25Whom have I in heaven but you?  I desire you more than anything on earth.  26My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

I came across this chapter in Psalms.  It spoke to me.  I am not envious of the rich all the time because my head knows God supplies all I need.  Yet, I watch people.  It is my job to watch people.  I work at Walmart in the self-check out registers.  I see the nicely dressed people come in and buy steaks and seafood and sometimes wish I could afford more than hamburger.  Or at Christmas I see them buying hundreds of dollars in gifts and I cannot afford much. 

Am I slipping?

I just need to slip into church and realize I have it all in You!  I may not be rich as the world sees rich.  I am not sure I even want that!  But I am rich in knowing I am God’s and He is mine.  He leads me and counsels my heart.  Even more, God sent His Son to save me.  Jesus came to earth to die for my sins of wanting what the world has.  He rose again to assure me Heaven.  I am truly rich!

Yes, my body hurts and is getting older.  Sometimes I want to give up.  But God You are my strength!  You are mine forever! Are you slipping or do you slip into church to find all you need?

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A couple of books from Christianbook.com Home

Lost In The Middle: Midlife and The Grace of God

By Paul Tripp / Shepherd Press


The Bible never discusses midlife, just like it never discusses teenagers. Yet the Bible is able to unpack any of life’s experiences because it was written by the One who made them all. Life on this side of glory is hard. This world is a broken place. You will face things in midlife that beat at the borders of your faith, but you do not have to be lost in the middle of your story.

You do not have to be paralyzed by regret, defeated by aging, and discouraged by the passing of your dreams. You do not have to make greater trouble out of the trouble you are already experiencing. This time of life, which can seem like the end of many things, can actually welcome you to a brand new way of living. As is so often the case in your walk with the Lord, this moment of pain is also a moment of grace. Because of this, all of us need to occasionally step back, slow down, and consider where we are going. Lost in the Middle will help you to do just that.

One final word: Although this book is targeted at those who are struggling with the issues of midlife, it has a much broader net than that. Lost in the Middle can help all who are struggling with life in this broken world and have lost their way. The God who seems so distant to you in this moment is actually near and active. Lost in the Middle is written to give you eyes to see him, to see yourself more clearly, and to find the real hope that you need to carry on.

Your God is Too Small: A Guide for Believers and Skeptics Alike

By J.B. Phillips / Touchstone


In Your God Is Too Small, J. B. Phillips explains that the trouble facing many of us today is that we have not found a God big enough for our modern needs. In a world where our experience of life has grown in myriad directions, and our mental horizons have been expanded to the point of bewilderment by world events and scientific discoveries, our ideas of God have remained largely static. It is nearly impossible, Phillips argues, for an adult to worship the conception of God that exists in the mind of a child of Sunday-school age, the “God-in-a-box” notion, limiting God to such inadequate conceptions as “Resident Policeman,” “Grand Old Man,” “Meek-and-Mild,” and “Managing Director.” As a result of these insufficient ideas of God, many people live with an inner dissatisfaction, without any faith at all.

Your God Is Too Small explores the ways in which we can find a truly meaningful and constructive God for ourselves, big enough to account for our current experience of life and big enough to command our highest admiration and respect.

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Way back when I was in Bible college my English teacher read Psalms 86 and we discussed it that day in class.  I do not know why this stuck with me all these years.  I really do not remember much from any of my other classes, but I remember that day.  I reread this this morning because I was feeling lost and so very tired today.  You see I work as a cashier at Walmart and even though we are under a “Safer at Home” rule from the governor, it was busy yesterday.  Groups of young people and families were out shopping.  And, they were not just buying essentials they were buying from every department in the store.  I do not ever remember seeing so many kid’s bikes being sold in one day. 

I was very tired yesterday as I have not been sleeping well at all.  I guess I was letting this virus get to me.  I was stressed out because I work in the public at the self-check area and there is no barrier between me and the customer.  I live in a small town and we already have three confirmed cases of the virus.  Anyone of those people could have shopped at Walmart and used the self-check outs where I usually work.  I am constantly moving from one register to another helping people ring up their purchases.  It can be very stressful!  Most people are very understanding and give me some space when I ask them to move a few feet away from me.  But yesterday I have a group of young people at one register who were purchasing beer and they did not give me space to approve their purchase.  I asked them to move away from the register and they laughed and said, “she doesn’t want to get CORVID”.  I just walked away but I was so mad!  No, I do not want this virus!  I am over 60 years old and asthmatic.  I was forgetting God is our help in this stressful time. 

So, this morning I prayed this Psalms for myself and the rest of the world. 

(Scripture is from the New Living Translation of the Bible and is in italics.)

1Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help.

2Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you.

You are my God.

3Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.

Yes! God, you are my ever-present help when I need You!  I only need to trust You!

4Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you.

Instead of happiness I ask for joy.  I seem to be lacking joy in my life. Restore my joy Lord!

5O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

Ready to forgive! Oh, I need that!

6Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry.

7I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.

You answer me when I call on You.  Maybe not the answer I want but I know you will help me when You answer no or not now.

8No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do!

Only You can stop this virus!  Not the president, medical personal or all the money in the world.  Only You! Help us!

9All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name.

10For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.

I pray many will come to know You because of this virus.  You alone are God! You are our only help!

11Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

Yes, may I be reading Your Word often so I may honor You, every day. Help me to honor you!

12With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever,

Praising You makes me feel better.  It helps me focus!

13for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.

Even if I get this virus, I know You love me and will rescue me.  You will help me.

14O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them.

Unlike David, the author of this Psalms, I have no known enemies.  However, I can substitute depressing thoughts, anger, distrust, despair, and many other thoughts which keep me from thinking of You. Help me to keep my thoughts on You!

15But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Slow to anger when I forget You are there for me.  Thank You for always loving me.

16Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant;

save me, the son of your servant.

As I face another day at work help me be strong and help me to smile.  It has been hard to smile lately and so many needs someone to smile at them.

17Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame,

for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.

A sign Lord?  Maybe just leading me to read and write about this Psalms was the sign I needed! Thank You for Your help and comfort!

Now I am ready to face my day.  Psalms 86 is full of reminders God is our help in these troubled times.  I hope you found this as helpful as I did. 

Matthew 22:36-40

36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38This is the first and greatest commandment.39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Luke 10:25-27

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Today I was reading the Matthew passage about loving God and loving others.  Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 6 in the Matthew passage, but he uses mind instead of strength.  I wonder why that is?  Maybe because at the time he was talking with the religious leaders and scholars.  With these guys they probably work with their mind and not much with their body.  Yet, in the Luke passage it adds strength.  However, the point is Jesus wants us to love him with our whole being.  In my prayer journal I was writing this morning I laid out briefly what all this means. 

Love the Lord with all your…

Heart:  This is your emotions or how we feel.  This is the trickiest thing because our emotions are not steady.  One minute we are happy and the next minute we could be sad or mad about something.  It all has to do with what is happening around us and how that affects us.  Our mind can say ‘do not let that bother you’, but our heart does not listen.  We must give our emotions to God, and He will help us keep them in check.

Soul:  This is who you are.  This is your whole make up from your experiences, your talents, your likes and dislikes.  It is what makes you, you.  For instance, I have an identical twin sister.  We do not look exactly alike now as much as we did as kids.  As kids we had the same friends and did the same things.  We were very much alike.  Yet we were two different people.  We did not have all the same experiences.  I was molested as a child and she was not.  She fell off a cliff into a river and nearly drowned.  She is still married, and I am divorced.  Her life experiences are different than mine.  We are two different people.  So, what makes you, you?

Mind:  Your thoughts are what Jesus is talking about here.  Where are your thoughts?  What do you have entering your mind and what do you dwell on?  Where are you focusing throughout the day?  God knows we must focus on our work when we are working, but He wants us to know He is there helping us through each day.  Often when I am writing I often feel God helping say the right words. 

There are other things God wants you to love Him with such as your body (this is the strength part) and how you take care of it.  Your money, that is a hard one, but when you think about it, your money really belongs to Him anyways.  Your career and your time.  God wants to be a part of every part of you so you can thank Him and love Him the way He wants to be loved.

Neighbor: That is everyone else.  It is the people in your family.  Your church family, coworkers and friends.  It is even your neighbors, yes, even the ones who really bug you!  I have one neighbor who lives upstairs in my building who is the most annoying person on the planet.  I am trying to love him!  It is the people in your town, state, and country.  It is even the people all around the globe.  This is a hard one too but that is what God wants!  If you read further in the Luke 10 passage Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan to illustrate who your neighbor is, it is anyone we need to show compassion on.

In the ten commandments the first part is about loving God and the second part is about loving others.  No one loves everyone.  But God showed us how to love by sending His son, Jesus.  John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God knew we were not perfect in following the ten commandments so He sent His Son into the world to die (take our place) for us so that we might be saved.  In turn we can love Him with all our being and love other too!

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I Timothy 2:1 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people”.

For several years, I have been using a prayer journal to write out my prayers for everyone.  Today was no exception, I prayed for you.  This is my ministry to pray for all people.  However, sometimes my prayer journal is full of complaints and distracted thoughts.  I forget to be thankful above all.  I also need to focus more on worship in my prayer time.  Both should help me become less distracted.  I should also keep a spot for my to do list as sometimes when I am praying for someone it reminds me, I need to do a certain thing.  I often stop writing in my prayer journal and pick up my phone to do that certain thing and next thing I know a half an hour has gone by and I need to get ready for work.  God must feel insulted every time I do that. 

Yet, prayer does not have to be formal like a prayer journal or a prayer group at church.  Those things are helpful, but you can stop what you are doing and say a quick prayer in your head when a need arises.  My customers and coworkers would be surprised how often I pray for them.  But this is a reminder I need to pray for the ones I do not like as well as my favorites.  Sometimes, God will give me a customer who is going through a hard time.  I will often ask their first name and ask if I could pray for them.  Almost everyone I ask is grateful I asked.  I usually do not have time to write anything down, but I do have time to say a quick prayer for them in my head.  It is rare I find out how the situation turned out, but I know I have placed the person in God’s hands and can let Him handle it.

I guess when God kept denying me jobs in counseling, He knew I needed to be working at Walmart where I could be there at the right time to be a help to someone who was hurting.  It helps being able to feel God’s leading me to talk to someone.   There is a verse which says, “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17).  I do not believe God wants us to constantly be praying but to have open heart to His leading.   I am not perfect, but I try to sense God’s leading me to pray for someone just like He often leads me to write on a certain topic.  Reading the Bible every day helps keep me in tune to His leading.  It is wonderful sometimes how it works out.  One morning I will read something in the Bible and later I need it in a conversation or situation.  God knows what I need.  In this new year I pray I will always be open to pray!

Need a new prayer journal or Bible?

Isiah 9: 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

Isiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Gift of God was foretold back in Isiah chapter nine.  It was a dark time for Israel just like it seems like a dark time for many today.  But, throughout Israel’s history they looked forward to the Messiah being born.  Luke chapter two makes that hope a reality.  A Savior is born.  He is the gift given.   He is the Christ, or the Messiah, and He will save His people!  At the time of Christ’s birth, the Jews were ruled by the Romans.  Many were hoping the Christ would free them of Roman rule but that is not what God intended.  See God looked at their hearts and saw they had turned their backs on Him.  Yes, they still performed all the necessary religious rituals, but their heart was not in them.  Just like today many will flock to church during the Christmas seasons in hopes it will save them.  And many will give to charities in hopes to gain points with God.  Few will really understand the true meaning of why a Savior had to be born.

Matthew 1:20 tells us what the reason of God’s intended Gift “… an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  Sin?  Yes, sin because we have all sinned.  No one can say they are perfect.  It was God’s plan since Adam and Eve ate the fruit. 

The name Jesus literally means Savior.  Little did everyone know Jesus would have to die in order to be the Savior.  That is what Good Friday and Easter is all about.  In Hebrews we read about how the Jewish priest, the high priest, would sacrifice a lamb once a year for the sins of the people.  Jesus became that sacrifice once and for all by dying on the cross.  However, on the third day Jesus rose from the dead.  He is both God and man at the same time.  He was our sacrifice for our sin.  If we believe and commit to follow Him, we will have eternal life with God.  My Pastor said it best yesterday at church when he talked about God’s Gift-Jesus.  In John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

So, will you accept God’s Gift?    It’s Free!  If you have any questions feel free to ask me or go to a local church. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here are some books which tell the whole story which you can order through Christianbook by using the below links. Disclosure: if you make a purchase from these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.