It doesn’t matter which version you choose. It can be digital or paper. You can use one of those fancy coloring bibles and do a page or coloring along with the passage.
I will mostly do Homan Christian Standard Bible because of their copyright freedoms.
2 So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward!
6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you
14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing,[i] your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.15 But if you don’t forgive people,[j] your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.[k]
17 But when you fast, put oil on your head, and wash your face,18 so that you don’t show your fasting to people but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.[
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
24 “No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.
Choose today whom you will serve –
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?
27 Can any of you add a single cubit to his height[o] by worrying?
33 But seek first the kingdom of God[q]and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Quick Questions – if you have time, or to think about over the course of the day, and jot down thoughts later.
Consider your giving and if it is in secret
your answer
Do you know the Lord’s Prayer? Is it the same as is written in your Bible?
your answer
Do you pray the Lord’s prayer?
Your answer
What is the key to being forgiven?
your answer – and Open Bible has a list of verses that go along with forgiveness
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
M. Christine Wildman
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Today’s readings have a lot of songs in them that I know from years ago. I used these scripture songs to memorize scriptures and these became very special scriptures to my heart and to my walk with Jesus. Even the Psalms about enemies brings a joy and peace to my heart that God is with me through all storms. There is such a comfort in verses that just remind us about Who God is.
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.[b] 3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me.Selah God sends His faithful love and truth.
My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises. 8 Wake up, my soul![c] Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. 9 I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. 10 For Your faithful love is as high as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. 11 God, be exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be over the whole earth.
His foundation is on the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are said about you, city of God.Selah
And it will be said of Zion, “This one and that one were born in her.” The Most High Himself will establish her. 6 When He registers the peoples, the Lord will record, “This one was born there.”Selah
A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and a man for the words of his praise.[e]
~~~~~~~
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
By all evidences other than the test, I may have it.
fever rising and falling…but nothing really high…99.2 is the highest, but 95.5 is the lowest.
I’ve talked to my doctor’s office, and I know what to do and what to look for that would determine if I’m to go get testing.
I have basically no voice…
I’m very tired.
I am self quarantined.
Of course, I had planned to isolate for one to two weeks when we got back up here from Florida, since we drove all the way through, and were in many rest areas. Then, my son-in-law and daughter decided that our distancing from each other was ridiculous since we live on adjoining lots. I went over to plan out our garden for this year….son-in-law handed me the baby…and the next day, I’m having fever-ish symptoms.
Everyone thought the cop would be the one that was most exposed…and, he probably is.
As I look out on the sun breaking through the clouds in NE Ohio, and the wet ground shining like someone varnished all the mud…I worry that I exposed my daughter and her children to this bug. No worry about it, I did.
My symptoms are mild…I just don’t feel good. not even really achy, but achy non the less.
no cough, though I haven’t had much of a voice for a week.
no sneezing, but I’ve been medicating for allergies all Spring.
I’m doing breathing exercises that I do after surgeries to prevent fluid building up in my lungs…to prevent pneumonia.
Now, here’s my thoughts for what it’s worth.
Big World Tale talks about this being the seventh plague in the Bible.
Is it? I don’t know.
I know that in 1980, we were sure we understood the signs in the Bible as telling us to look up for our redemption drew near! Luke 21:28
I have followed Hal Lindsey’s ministry for many years.
My first big Bible Study after getting married (no job for the first few months) was trying to line up the various scriptural premonitions/prophecies for the Last Days, Tribulation and Rapture.
For a quickie reference to scriptures that mention the end, Christian Crier has put together these top 7 scriptures on the end times. It does not include Daniel and Revelation timelines.
This is a cool study, though I can’t confirm it’s complete theological correctness…besides, prophesy is best understood looking back!
Why am I talking about “THE END”? Isn’t that depressing? Isn’t that scary?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through[a] Jesus.
15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord:[b] We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over[c] those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,[d] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage[e] one another with these words.
In the Bible Hub, you can see that 1 Thes 4:18 can also be translated COMFORT!
In what is my comfort?
1 Thes 4:17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.
12:1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,
2 keeping our eyes on Jesus,[a] the source and perfecter[b] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him[c] endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
This chapter goes on to talk about being SON’S OF GOD!
I’m not going to belabor the point of salvation, and the benefits and rewards therein.
This is about fear.
and faith.
and knowing.
SCARY
The virus we are facing today is scary.
The unknown is scary.
I know fear.
A long time ago, I wrote about Giant’s in my land, based on David’s life, and his need to slay giants.
Number two was There are Giant’s in My Land, Part two. It’s about the Giant Fear.
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan was also an inspiration of recognizing giants, giving them names, then taking back my power from them through Jesus Christ.
FAITH
Faith replaces Fear
Faith is NOT ignorance, or ignoring.
I know faith.
Actually – just go do a search for the posts dealing with faith…I try to LIVE by faith.
Faith doesn’t make sense…because if it made sense, if you could see it, it would not be faith:
Job 19:25
All the things Job went through, and he still declares that I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!!! AND ON THAT LAST DAY…
Am I sick? yes…though getting better.
Is Jim fighting cancer? yes…though God’s got it in control.
Has the world gone crazy with COVID-19? Yes…but those that believe in the dominion of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will not be swayed to fear. Anxiety now and then? probably. I have.
But we KNOW our end.
People say about the Bible – “I’ve read the ending and guess what? God wins!”
There’s so many things that can pull us away from trusting in Christ. WE FORGET THE END OF THE STORY!!!
We do have authority over fear.
And if it’s a mental health issue…God has graciously allowed medicines, and research, and service dogs, and behaviors to be studied to help us with the flesh/physical part so that we can dwell in the spirit.
Micah 6:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Mankind, He has told you what is good
and what it is the Lord requires of you:
to act justly,
to love faithfulness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
James 1:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 Pure and undefiled religion before our[a] God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
John 13:34-35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Search your heart if there is any fear.
Search your faith if there is any fear.
There are so many great chapters in the Bible to comfort us, because they tell us of those that have gone before, and made it.
Think of the Exodus…and what they went through to get ready to walk to the promised land!
Think of Ruth, who gave up everything, after she lost everything including her husband, brother in law and father in law…and completely changed her whole life.
Think of Jesus, who came knowing that He would die to pay the price for our sins…yep…even Him!
I’m finally able to type again, without massive pain in my right shoulder…see that attitude there? “finally”
I haven’t been waiting patiently through this trial.
But I know that my redeemer lives, and that 1 John 1:9-2:2 lets me know that He’s not surprised that I mess up, that I’m not perfect.
All he asks is that I Love Him…and let Him be Lord of my life. And by loving Him, and receiving His Love, I can Love others.
It’s in that love and relationship that my faith can grow, and I can know.
So can you!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Character is what you are when no one is watching.
Hypocrisy is what you are when ONLY someone is watching.
Christ is NOT a hypocrite.
Can someone be a hypocrite without realizing it?
Yes, by lying to themselves.
The rich young ruler was certain that he had done all that he needed to do to enter into the Kingdom…until Jesus said “go, sell all that you have and come follow me” and he went away sad.
His heart was mixed up with those things!
He didn’t realize that he was bound by greed. THIS WAS HUGE!
Giants are huge. I wrote a few of my giants down in some blogs, which can be found at “there are Giants in My land”
The first three for me are
Fear
Depression
Unforgiveness
These giants make us do things that we would rather not do…like Paul saying that he doesn’t understand his own actions. Romans 7:15-20
Like someone sabotaging themselves for a promotion.
Someone not writing a book they have been called to write.
Like someone messing things up so that they cannot get a medical procedure.
Like someone refusing to go to the doctor because they are so afraid of what might be found.
When you get below the excuses, you usually come up with four basic reasons:
Mad
Sad
Glad
or Afraid.
These are the most basic human emotions.
From these, all others eminate.
FEAR or Afraid.
Afraid of something.
and, the giant wants to take control.
The giant wants you to believe that you are in control of the situation…by using fear to talk you out of something.
While the person sabotaging themselves against a promotion, or not writing the book would have obvious consequences, does the person refusing to see the doctor, or refusing a scan really have any control over what is going on in their body? Of course not…they are lying to themselves.
The sad thing about this giant is that not only does it keep one in the state of fear…it brings along it’s brother – Liar.
You see, the giant liar can weave a story around in your head (because that’s where they dwell) with all your thoughts, dreams, and fears, and make the excuses make sense to you. He’s a master manipulator!
“He didn’t call me, so I won’t call him.”
“I can’t do this right, and they know it, they’re just trying to humiliate me.”
“I’m not good enough for that scholarship, God knows that, so I’m not going to take it. It’s his fault”
“I can’t prepare if I don’t have total control of my appointment time, so it’s their fault.”
“They won’t give me a job, so why even show up for the interview, they lied to me.”
The rich young ruler said “all of these I have kept from my youth”…as in, I’ve walked in the law perfectly. Mark 10:17-22
He thought that Jesus would welcome him in!
Jesus saw his heart.
Jesus said – wait…there’s a bit more to this!
The Consequences are HUGE…possibly eternal!
There is the story of the Pharisee and the Tax collector.
Luke 18:10-14
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Pharisee knows all the ways and ins and outs of the law.
The Pharisee is revered by people, as he walks through the street as a holy man.
The Pharisee does what he does when others are watching, so as to be seen.
Jesus goes into even more detail about his thoughts about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:17-33
The Tax collector is honored, BY JESUS HIMSELF! I think that Jesus was talking about a REAL occurrence! I even wonder if this man was standing in the back of the crowd while Jesus was talking, and thought “he saw ME!”
There are so many promises given to those that humble themselves….here are a few:
1 Peter 5:6-7English Standard Version (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
2 Chronicles 7:14King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
James 4:6-10English Standard Version (ESV)
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
With humility comes peace, forgiveness, grace, and joy. What’s to be afraid of there?
Oddly enough – peace counteracts fear, forgiveness counteracts unforgiveness, joy counteracts depression…and grace…well, that will address another giant in my land…condemnation.
The Pharisee was deceived – he was lying to himself.
The Rich Young Ruler was deceived – he was lying to himself.
Lying is a serious sin.
It’s one of the 10 – Ex 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
So, does this mean it’s ok to lie to ourselves?
That line of reasoning would also go like this:
Ex 20: 13 “You shall not murder.
But that means only other people, so it’s ok to commit suicide.
You probably would disagree with that, wouldn’t you?
King James
Revelation 21:8King James Version (KJV)
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
ESV
Revelation 21:8English Standard Version (ESV)
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
If there was any question as to what God thinks of lying…or the rest of these, here’s His answer.
This is the final judgement.
These are giants that have taken over folks, and folks did not deal with them.
They may not have even recognized them.
They have been manipulated BY the giants.
They may have been blindsided by them, like David almost was, and his mighty men had to kill one for him.
Fear and Lying….
cowardly and faithless…
and idolatry.
Yep, idolatry is in that set of 10! the first four deal with our relationship with GOD!
I put this quote at the end of every blog and email:
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
For me, this is the simplest definition of idolatry I’ve ever found. I allow something between ME and HIM.
So, when I wrote there are giants in my land, I was taking down the rights of those giants to get between me and Jesus. I also confessed that I will not put ME between me and Jesus! My definition of LORD is that HE is given control(as if he needed me to give him permission) over my life, and I will yield to MY LORD.
Lying to myself gets between me and my God…and peace, forgiveness, grace and joy.
Lies...that is how the abuse in my life continued.
I suppose that folks that knew lied to themselves, as well as others.
Those lies almost destroyed me.
John 8:30-32King James Version (KJV)
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The truth of sexual abuse is not an easy truth to accept.
but by allowing the truth to open my eyes, so many things started to fall in place that had been chaotic, and confusing. Things that had never made sense were now making sense, in the face of this ugly truth. And the bigger TRUTH??? Jesus was in control. Not me. Not my abuser. Not those that knew and allowed it.
Even Satan has to get permission to mess with God’s Saints…Job 1 … and God puts limitations upon his efforts.
We cannot allow the enemy to rule in our bodies…Romans 6:12
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
THIS IS OUR CHOICE! But if we remain afraid…if we continue lying…we will not know this freedom.
So, fear, brings in lying, which brings in other things…for some of us, suicide and depression. Giving up.
Quitting.
Anger because things aren’t working out the way we want it to.
Because we think we are in control.
If God is not in control of our lives and our decisions, then the enemy is, and he doesn’t ask permission to mess with our heads…not from us.
The only way that we are protected from the enemy is when we are choosing to walk in faith and truth.
Will we stumble? yes.
Will we fall? yes.
Will be revert back to the old fearful, lying ways? Absolutely.
But every time we stand up to the giant, we are stronger for the exercise, and he is weakened because of the presence of God in our lives.
And by the power of the Holy Spirit within us…
Romans 6:11
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
1 John 1:6-7
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 2:3-6
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
We’re supposed to BE LIKE JESUS!
Here are some prayerful songs for humbling myself:
Here is a video of the service preached by Pastor David Uth, on Letting Go
I’d like to recommend this booklet by Syvia Gunter of The Father’s Business. I have no affiliation with her other than my respect for the things she has written.
We are called by HIS name – Christians – Christ followers – therefore, let’s
humble ourselves
pray
seek his face
turn from OUR wicked ways(they are ours, even if giants manipulate us)
AND HE WILL HEAR US
AND HE WILL HEAL OUR LAND.
Bottom line, isn’t that better than living with giants?
Jim & Christi 2017
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission. The same goes for my written work.
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Some artwork is from FreeClipArt Library. copyrights belong to them.
I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
This is today’s 750words. It’s about #mydays. Warning – it is NOT a theological discussion! It is my heart cry to understand.
today.
today is monday
I have cleaned the house for the ccarpet cleaners.
I may have upset a friend who was coming this weekend
my foot hurts
i forget what I was going to write about when I first woke up, then went back to sleep.
why why why why
these are my words that come up often.
why why why why
i don’t ask why me, I jsut ask why
if God is faithful – why am I hurting
oh that horrible connundrum of christianity
maybe of any faith – but christianity has that promise that by christ’s stripes we are healed, that he sent his word and healed them.
i know that in his life, he healed physically
he has healed me physically
so I know, KNOW that he is able, and sometimes willing
I guess, while the question to God is why – it’s not why me, though, it is why me, what am i supposed to be learning?
oh, i’m learning about the lack of patience~!
I’m learning about the irritability!
i’m learning about asking for help – oh i hate this one with a passion!
I’m learning about leeting go of perfectionism
i’m learning about timing – oh yea, counting my days – numbering my days –
i’m learning about choosing each and every step
the steps of a good man are ordered by the lord – and he delights in his way
though he fall though he fall he shall not be cast down for the lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23)
i’ve asked that the lord teach me to number my days that i might apply my heart to wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
hmmmm, i think i just wrote that this trial is providing that very thing!
count it all joy brethren when you encounter trials…for the trying of your faith worketh – PATIENCE – ENDURANCE!(James 1:3-4)
oh my –
the fruit of the spirit is lLOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE – GOODNESS…..SELF CONTROL(Galatians 5:22-23)
i asked why…and it would appear that i am getting my answer.
how does one go about learning patience quickly?
um, i think that is the problem!
i want patience and i want it now!
old joke.
how does one obtain patience…
the working of your faith produces patience…I’m going to have to look that one up. (James 1)
why why why – i don’t think this is a bad question…
as long as my heart is open to the answer.
why me?
well, that could also give an insight into my heart
what about my heart?
what about the anxiety?
fear?
dread?
they call it high functioning anxiety.
I call it a pain!
the thing is – i could say that the bible calls it sin!
that which is not faith is sin….(Romans 14:23)
lack of faith is doubt
doubt and fear go hand in hand.
how many times does the bible tell me do not fear?(I don’t know – a bunch)
be strong and courageous…don’t tremble or be afraid….for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go!(Joshua 1:9)
tremble – that’s anxiety!
naturally, i’m wired for anxiety.
but, i’m going to go out on a limb and say that naturally, we are all wired for anxiety!
that which is not faith is sin.
faith is not fear
fear not – (Isaiah 41:10)
the guys on the boat…in the storm….(Mark 4:35-41) PEACE BE STILL
oh ye of little faith.
again – asking why brings me to these lessons from my past
stirs up the words that have been hidden in my heart
and the question reminds me that I have a Father that loves me, and cares for me, and looks after me, and is interested in teaching me his ways, and bringing me about to the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)
I can wrestle – like Jesus did in the garden(Matthew 26:36-46)
I can wrestle – like Jacob did and his thigh was touched.(Genesis 32:22-32)
walked with a limp the rest of his life.
well, my hip issues come from the disobedience of God – going into the Navy instead of the college for music and art.
and he touched me on the third day.
I guess I need to be thankful that He allows there to be medical ways to relieve the pain.
I need to use this pain to remind me every day that I am here for a purpose – and that I have made wrong choices, and in those choices, I have caused myself pain, in more ways than one.
teach me to number my days…that I may apply my heart to wisdom.(Psalm 90:12)
sigh
the answer to why is that I asked for this!
I gave the Lord Jesus, and the Father the permission to do whatever it takes to bring me into the fullness of Christ.
Do I trust my Father?
you bet I do!
I edited this in only two ways –
one, to add the scripture links
two, to correct spelling.
750words is part of my teaching me to number my days for 2017.
I am being able to face anxiety better.
I am being able to face uncertainty better.
Because, I am bringing these things to the Lord in prayer, and meditating upon HIM giving me the guidance needed.
I believe I am healing.
And it’s still January!
It’s all about choice.
And I choose Jesus!
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission.
The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The first recorded version is found in Three New Christmas Carols, dated c. 1760.
God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
For Jesus Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s powers when we were gone astray
Glad tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Glad tidings of comfort and joy
In Bethlehem, in Israel this blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary did nothing take in scorn
Chorus
From God our Heavenly Father a blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
Chorus
“Fear not then, said the angel, let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might”
Chorus
The Shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a feeding, In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,This blessed babe to find.
Chorus
But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereas this infant lay,
They found him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay,
His mother Mary kneeling Unto the Lord did pray.
Chorus
Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
There is so much amazing theology in this Carol!
LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY!
FEAR NOT
COMFORT AND JOY!
The humility of the manger.
The messengers of God – Angels speaking to the unloved.
In the midst of life, there are so many things that come up that would cause one to dismay or fear!
In the midst of the storms, we need comfort and joy.
God came down to OUR level to give us these gifts.
I, for one, and very thankful that He did!
Now, here are a few upbeat versions! Enjoy!
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
Note~
this post was originally written March 24, 2016 update October 4, 2016
Ah, March in Florida – blooming, mild temperatures, sunny days – and planning to go to Ohio for A NEW GRANDBABY TO BE BORN!
Faith and all three boys
King James says my verse(Ps 90:12) this way:
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
NIV says it this way:
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
New Living says it this way:
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
New American Standard says it this way:
So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Each one of those has a slightly different perspective, though I do believe that they all present the truth. This is another blog! First – Preparing for Anything! Because our days are numbered!
A pregnancy has a beginning and an end.
The basic concept is 9 months, or 40 weeks(40 is a great biblical number!)
Babies don’t always adhere to these schedules! Even so, there is a time line!
Faith’s original due date was March 26, and then it was adjusted to March 29th. She and her husband wanted me here about two weeks prior to the baby coming, to get familiar with the routines, help out with the last minute efforts, and just to be here for Faith, seeing as I’m her mom.
The original date I was aiming for was March 15th.
Then Jim had a weight lifting competition on March 20th – and I wanted to attend – and, hey, Faith goes late with her babies, so, no problem. Two weeks before, two to four weeks after – no problem.
PROBLEM! Where to stay!
Last time, I stayed in our RV trailer right outside their rental house. It was like camping in a beautiful park, with the benefit of a daughter’s family right next door!
NO campgrounds open in Ohio in March that would be close enough, or even safe enough to meet Jim’s and Steven’s criteria. No one’s home had enough space for us to park the RV.
Hotel? $$$$ but we knew that the Residence Inn had long term capabilities.
So started the search for commercial temporary housing.
This process went back and forth for over a month – including if I was going to be able to go(health issues), could we afford for me to go(money issues), was I going to have surgery?
At one point, we were going to wait until Faith called and said she was in labor, and then I would fly up, and Jim would follow in the Tahoe. I would stay in the hotel for two weeks – starting when she called.
Then Jim’s schedule – Oh yes – March begins the new year for his company, travel travel travel to meet new clients, hand off old clients, get to know new partners. He was being gone 4 days out of the week! We were having difficulty talking out all the things we needed to talk out about how to get me to Ohio.
PROBLEM! How to get there?
Should I fly? Should I drive?
If I flew, I would be doing it alone, and probably driving myself to the airport! I would be lugging my own luggage, managing the service dog, all under the stress of knowing my daughter was giving birth! Thank God for Southwest Airlines! They have always been wonderful, but I was not liking this prospect – it was causing MUCH anxiety!
If I drove, again I would be doing it alone, and taking the dog AND all my stuff, so probably packing the car by myself. And how many stops? How long would it take? And, again, ANXIETY!
PROBLEM! What to pack?
Florida was just blooming for spring – 60s were becoming scarce, it was even hitting the 80’s!
Daisies from Faith
Ohio was going back and forth between snow and thaw. Oh yes, I remember the February teasers! Yet, I did not have a lot of warm clothes! Do I pack for two, maybe three seasons? This totally depended upon how long I was going to be there.
Of course, there was always the money problem looming.
A rental became the best option, and we were in the process of signing the papers, when we actually read the description of the ONE I would be staying in. Wall A/C? How old was this place? And the area was barely in the safety zone my police officer son-in-law was comfortable in. AGAIN – where would I be staying???
When would I be going?
What would I be taking?
Oh yes – would my health allow me to go at all?
Three months with no therapist?
Would my Psychiatrist be ok with me being gone for three months?
My glasses were in need of repair/replacement, but that takes time.
My chiropractor was just starting to get my back and hips working.
I had found a massage therapist that was beginning to get my muscles working from the fibromyalgia.
And then there was my marriage. Still horribly in flux from the conference in January, and I was going to leave for three months? With Jim traveling so much? How were we going to communicate?
What do we do with the cat?
5b All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Mathew 23:11
The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Luke 18:14
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Jesus spoke on a mountain, and his sermon, the beattitudes(attitudes upon how to be!) gives amazing depth of wisdom for our lives.
He knew the Psalms – He is a Jew!
and Peter learned this principle from Him.
Mathew 6:31 KJV
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
The NIV says it this way:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
WORRY! This is the opposite of faith, trust, confidence.
1 Peter 5 says that God gives grace to the humble!
James takes it further, that he draws near to the humble.
James 4:6-10
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[c]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
What am I doing? I am worrying about trip.
I am not resting in the Lord.
In my thoughts on Psalm 23, I talk about things that I put between My Lord and myself.
This hearkens back to one of the Giants in my life – fear!
I am not alone! The Psalmist felt this way – and this is the perfect prayer and confession for attacking fear and unbelief!
Psalm 20[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.[b]
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!
Matthew 6:33-34
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I
I believe
I believe God
I believe God is
I believe God is big
I believe God is big enough
I believe God is big enough to use
Me!
YES – I am to be prepared for anything – no matter what life, or the enemy throws at me.
NO – I’m not supposed to be worrying, anxious or lacking faith.
My God has provided for me, in His mercy He pours out His grace, and He has given me the gift of faith.
To trust in my own abilities (or to NOT trust in His ability to use me) is pride. And I need to humble myself – and HE will enable me!
Me and My Love
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
~editor’s note: while recovering from arm surgery, I am using voice to text software to write my blog. There may be some strange words or phrases that I missed. Please be patient me. ~Christi
I touched on one of the giants in my opening post.
my life has been greatly overshadowed by the giant of fear.
fear of monsters in the dark
fear of rejection
fear of abandonment
fear of anger
fear of failure
fear of success
fear of large groups of people
fear of dying in fire
fear of men
fear of man
fear of competition
fear of leaving my home
fear of getting lost
I’m sure I am missing some. Many of these fears go back to fear that came from the “monster in the dark”. I could list these almost, in a tree of fear that grew out of trust being betrayed. But the point is, once this giant fear entered my life, it had permission to reproduce many variables.
The Bible doesn’t really talk about many variations of fear.
fear of God
fear of man
The ratio, is quite interesting.
Prov 9.10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Job 28. 28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.
Psalm 111.10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.
Proverb 1.7 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 15.33The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.
Prov 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
In just this selection, it is 5 to 1 for the fear of the Lord. I’m not going into what the fear of the Lord is, just the fact that if were going to fear anyone we should fear the Lord.
Psalm 91 lists many things that dwelling with God will protect you from.
snare of the Fowler
noisome pestilence
terror by night
arrow by day
pestilence in darkness
destruction at noon day
evil
plagues
Psalm 91.11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
The rest of Psalm 91 tells why God would do this, and if Psalm 91 isn’t enough to fight off your giant of fear, God gave us Psalm 27:
Psalm 27.1[[[A Psalm] of David.]] The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
In fact, the whole Bible is full of words of truth that tear down strongholds.
2Cor 10.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Another of my favorite verses about fear is this:
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
When someone is standing up to the giant of fear, 2Tim 1.7 is the perfect stone to throw. What fears are not covered by power, love, and a sound mind?
God in his great mercy and wisdom, knows that in this world there will be fear. Adam and Eve, with the first sin, were afraid to see God. Sin separates us from God, which separates us from his love, and replaces it with fear. Separation was never God’s plan.
God intended for us to dwell in the secret place of the most high, and to live under the shadow of the Almighty.
God intended for us to say “[He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
God never intended for us to dwell in fear. Therefore, he has already taken down this giant, and all we have to do is speak the truth, embrace the truth, walking the truth, and rejoice in the victory that is ours through Christ.
When the giant of fear comes around, we can put the stone of Psalm 91 or 2Tim 1.7 into our Gospel sling and speak the truth in Jesus name, just as David did with Goliath:
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 1 Sam 17: 45-46
As we shout the truth to the giant, God will guide the stone to slay the the giant.
Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
I thank you Lord, that you have given us the tools we need to take down the giants that attack us. It isn’t armor that doesn’t fit, it isn’t swords that are too heavy, but they are weapons that You created specifically for us. As I said in my previous post, The weapons of our warfare are not carnal… And we do not war against flesh and blood.(2 Cor 10:4,Eph 6:12)
1 John 4:4 Greater is he that is in me then he that is in the world.(paraphrased)
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!
In 2006, the Kendrick brothers brought us the movie “Facing the Giants”
In that same year, Max Lucado wrote Facing Your Giants.
Years ago, Jim and I heard a talk about Goliath and his four brothers.
We also learned about how to conquer 5 giants in the Advanced Seminar through IBLP.
In 1 Samuel 17, a shepherd boy named David, came to the army of Israel to see how things were going. His brothers were in the Army. Saul was the king and the Philistines were taunting and ridiculing Israel.
David, a boy of simple faith, asked why no one was taking charge over this giant. He was ridiculed. He was taunted. His brothers accused him of being a busybody. When King Saul heard the words of this shepherd boy, he called him to his side. David, full of faith, said “let no man fear this giant, for I will go out and meet with him.”
Of course, all of these hardened soldiers including Saul, looked at the shepherd boy and said “you can’t do this”. David, having trusted the Lord to slay the lion and the bear as he protected his flock, knew the same God would deliver this giant into his hands.
The king tried to dress him just like everybody else in the Army. The armor was too big, the sword to heavy, and David had no experience with them. David said “let me use the tools that God has trained me with”. Saul was at his wits and. This Philistine was terrorizing the whole nation of Israel. If this little guy had an idea, let’s try it. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
So, David went out, as he had done so many days before in the keeping of his father’s sheep. As he crossed the brook he knelt down, and picked up five smooth stones. He put them in his shepherd’s bag and made sure his sling was ready to use.
Five stones.
Why five stones? David knew Goliath had four brothers, or sons. Five giants total. David was prepared to fight all the giants.
As the story goes, David took one stone and put it in his sling, and God directed that stone straight to the most vulnerable part of the giant’s head. And the giant Goliath fell! Little David was a hero! The whole army was energized, morale was restored, and the pride of Israel had been defended. Hooray!
But what about David? He didn’t become King anytime soon. What was this giant that David slew?
In the teachings that Jim and I heard many years ago, we were told the meaning of the names of Goliath and 4 other giants that followed David throughout his life. At this moment I can’t find any meaning of the names of the giants in the Bible. When I heard the teaching, each giants’ name represented some spiritual challenge in the life of David. When he was young, and full of faith, he picked up five stones, five stones, that could have taken out all five giants while he was young. For whatever reason, David only slew Goliath that day. Later in his life, one of the last giants almost slew him. It would be good to slay the giants in our youth. If we don’t, they will keep coming back.
The point of these teachings, the point of the movie, the point of the book, is, what giants am I facing? What giants are in my land?
FEAR
My whole life has been overshadowed with fear. My childhood had hidden, scary, nightmares going on. because of real monsters, I was terrified of the dark. In my adulthood, I have had to face those fears. It would have been nice if it was only one giant of fear. It seems, that if it’s one giant, he has many, many tentacles.
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
If God didn’t give me a spirit of fear, who did? Was it my abuser? Could my abuser “give me a spirit of fear”? Many who suffer abuse blame the abuser for is their spiritual makeup. That spiritual position keeps them under the thumb of the abuser, and they cannot embrace the freedom of forgiveness. What the abuser did was wrong, illegal, ungodly, horrific, traumatic, but not able to permanently affect, and especially not destroy our spirits.
The opposite of God is not an abuser.
In fact the opposite of God is not Satan.
Satan is our enemy, and he often seems to have more power over us than God does.
That’s because Satan pushes while God invites.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal… And we do not war against flesh and blood.(2 Cor 10:4,Eph 6:12)
1 John 4:4 Greater is he that is in me then he that is in the world.(paraphrased)
Back to my point, as a child, my spirit was molded by the horrors to which it was exposed. But when I came of age, and when I became aware, I was free to choose God’s gift of love, power and a sound mind rather than the life draining dungeon of fear. Jesus Christ gave me the keys the dungeon.
If you have not watched the movie “Facing the Giants“, I greatly suggest that you do.
At the inspiration of my Savior Jesus Christ, and with the encouragement of my dear husband, Jim, I am going to be reading the book “Facing your Giants” by Max Lucado.
And I will listen and listen and listen to this glorious song:
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
