Thanks for the LONG wait guys. I am so sorry. I have been so busy lately I've just been reading, working, sleeping, and thinking (when I have time). This first chapter of Samuel is focused around Samuel's birth and his childhood.
In the beginning (1:1-2) we are given the liniage of Samuel's father, Elkanah. It also tells us the setting, "Ramah in the region of Zuph in the hilkl country of Ephraim." To give you a better picture Look at any political map and find Jordan. It is south of Syria and Lebanon right above Saudi Arabia. In Jordan there is a river called the Jordan River, about 10 miles north of the Dead Sea there is a city to the left of the Jordan river called Gilgal about 10 miles west of it. About 20 miles west of Gilgal is the city of Ramah, or at least that where it was during this time period.. Now Ramah lies about 6 miles east of the Dead Sea.
This section also gives this very important detail. "Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Penninah had children, but Hannah did not." Hannah was barren. She was not able to have children at all. Can you already feel the story building? Do you know what's about to happen?
The next part sets up the drama. (1:2-7) Every year Elkanah would take his family to the a place called Shiloh to worship and sacrifce to the Lord in the tabernacle there. Now, Shiloh was a good 20 mile walk north of Ramah at the time. Today that would take about 20 minutes if you drove 60 miles per hour. A 20 mile hike then in the heat of day and the cold of night in Jordan would take a good 7 hours without any breaks and a whole family.
There is a fact that seems meaningless in verse 3, "The priests of the Lord at that time were the two sons of Eli- Hophni and Phinehas." This is VERY important. Mind you, the entire Word is important. ;D
At this sacrificial worship, Elkanah would take portions of the meat and give them to Peninnah and her children. He would only give Hannah a choice piece since the Lord had given her no children. Think about that. You are married. You and you spouse want children, but God is giving you none. You are polygamists. You husband's other wife is poppin' 'em out like crazy. Though your husband shopuld feel sympathy for you, he just gives you less because God has "given you less to work with" Would that not tear you down.
To make matters worse every year that the family traveled to Shiloh Peninnah (the wife that had children) would taunt Hannah (the barren one) about her not having children. And every year Hannah could never dop anything but cry. Why had the Lord not blessed her with chcildren?
Well, her husband, although the head of the household, could not stop Peninnah from taunting Hannah, but he could, however, try to cheer her up. (1:8) First he asks Hannah why she is crying., Then he asks why she is not eating. I'm sorry to interject here, but if I'm crying, the last thing I want to do is eat. So I know exactly where she is coming from with that one. He then asks her why she is "down-hearted: just because she has no children? Are you kidding me? The first question he asked was "why are you crying" even though he already knew the answer... I would have asked "why are you stupid?" but Hannah was way more humble than I could ever be. I mean the woman couldn't have children but her husband's other wife could...and rubbed it in her face. Wouldn't you cry? Plus he says the word "just" in there. Did you catch it? He tries to windle her problems down to help her.
He goes on to say that She has him, "isn't that better than having even ten sons?" No, but Hannah just remains quiet.
There, the drama is set. Now, lights, camera.....ACTION!
Hannah then rises from the table to visit the Lord's temple, where Eli is standing guard of the door. Eli is the priest. Once there, Hannah prayed in anguish that the Lord might give her a son. She even promised Him that if He gave her a son that she would, in turn, give him back to God for "all the days of his life" and his hair will never be cut.
The entire time she's praying Eli is watching her thinking, "Oh God in Heaven, this women is crazy! She's talking to herself with no voice. Only her lips are moving, she has to be drunk." So he says the Hannah, "How long are you going to stay here while you are drunk." He just won't have it in the temple. He even tells her to "put away [her] wine" Come on! Did she even carry the wine bottle with her, could he not talk to her and know that she was not drunk?
She tells him that she has not been drinking and that she was just pouring out her anguish to the Lord, that He might answer her prayer. Eli blessed her in her prayers and sent her on her way, but instead of leaving downcast, she left cheerfully. She gave all her troubles to God and that made her happy.
So the next morning everyone wakes up, worships God in the temple and they take the long trip back to Ramah. When they get there Elkanah (Hannah's husband) makes love to her because they are MARRIED and that's a gift that MARRIED people can enjoy together, only aftger they are MARRIED!!! (I hope you get my point :D ) And God remembers her and BAM, He gives her what she so desperately wanted. A son.
She (Hannah) also keeps her promise. She tells her husband the next time he is leaving for the temple that she isn't going. She tells him about what she promised God and he says, okay. WHAT!! You would think he would freak out, but he says if that what you think is right. So she weans him and take him to the temple to be with Eli the priest. They sacrifice a bull and then she told Eli who she was and what she prayed about and then told him that her son would live in the temple, and ofr his whole life, he would serve the Lord. Eli worshipped the Lord. He was so astounded by this work of God that all he could do or think of doing was worship the Lord.
The first chapter jnust sets up Samuel's life. Hope this helps you dive into God's word a bit. It's pretty wordy, but that's how I do.
Memory verse this week is:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Prayer requests? Email them to me or comment below.
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless!
Lanie
12.28.2009
11.28.2009
Still Haven't Forgotten
Guys, I still have not forgotten. I have become wrapped up in the rapture and tribulation lately. It's all I can think about... I keep having dreams about it, I keep thinking about it. The day Christ comes again will be a day to remember, are you ready? Half way through 1 Samuel I read Revelation... quite a few times..
I have also been working on memory verses like crazy. And working at a job that is only going to get me by until I get my LVN soon. Pray for me, please.
I recently began a study on prayer also. It's about the life-changing effects of prayer, what prayer is, and how we should spend our time in prayer.
If you have any prayer request don't hesitate to place them in my comment section or email them to me:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
You can also message me on my facebook page;
http://www.facebook.com/laniema
God bless you!
Lanie
I have also been working on memory verses like crazy. And working at a job that is only going to get me by until I get my LVN soon. Pray for me, please.
I recently began a study on prayer also. It's about the life-changing effects of prayer, what prayer is, and how we should spend our time in prayer.
If you have any prayer request don't hesitate to place them in my comment section or email them to me:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
You can also message me on my facebook page;
http://www.facebook.com/laniema
God bless you!
Lanie
11.16.2009
Samuel
No, guys. I have not forgotten about Samuel. I am currently in a study over it. I am reading it daily and will soon begin my blogs for the books of 1 and 2 Samuel.
God bless you! And remember you can send my prayer requests at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
or just leave them as comments below.
Keep working on your memory verses.
Lanie
God bless you! And remember you can send my prayer requests at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
or just leave them as comments below.
Keep working on your memory verses.
Lanie
10.19.2009
Joy:Giving - Part 4 of 4
The first part of this section of giving starts out with Paul and his words of encouragement to the people of Euodia and Syntyche who followed the Lord.
He asks them to settle their disputes (Philippians 4:1).
Always rejoice in the Lord, because He is coming soon (Philippians 4:4-5).
Don't worry about anything, just pray about EVERYTHING (Philippians 4:6)
"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." (Philippians 4:8 )
He GAVE them all this advice for their lives, and he GAVE them this advice with joy in God.
While Paul as was delivering the Good News in Philipi and other countries the Philippians were the only people to provide him with the financial aid God promised him. NOONE else helped him by GIVING any kind of aid. But after Paul thanks them for the many times they had helped him, he says that he isn't saying it to persuade them to give him more. He tells this he is thankful because he wants them to have a joy in GIVING, a "reward for [their] kindness" as he puts it in Philippians 4:17.
Guys, we should have that joy that Paul is tralking about here. The simple joy in giving, not only when we are thanked, but even when we give without recieving praise of any kind, reward of any kind. What will it take for us to realize that this is one of the things we are made for? That God made us to do these things? Come on! Pray the God will call you to help others in giving to, praying for, and building relationships with eachother and others.
Don't forget to be working on the following verses:
Psalm 119:11
Proverbs 4:23
Philippians 2:14,15
Print them out and place them somewhere you will see them often. Everytime you see one of them repeat it aloud and sooner of later you will have them memorized.
Any prayer requests? Just leave them as a comment or email them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless you!
Lanie
By the way, y'all, starting Sunday I will be trying to keep a daily blog here on 1 Samuel. it is 31 chapters long, and I am gonna start it soon. A chapter a day. So be ready. *SMILE*
He asks them to settle their disputes (Philippians 4:1).
Always rejoice in the Lord, because He is coming soon (Philippians 4:4-5).
Don't worry about anything, just pray about EVERYTHING (Philippians 4:6)
"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." (Philippians 4:8 )
He GAVE them all this advice for their lives, and he GAVE them this advice with joy in God.
While Paul as was delivering the Good News in Philipi and other countries the Philippians were the only people to provide him with the financial aid God promised him. NOONE else helped him by GIVING any kind of aid. But after Paul thanks them for the many times they had helped him, he says that he isn't saying it to persuade them to give him more. He tells this he is thankful because he wants them to have a joy in GIVING, a "reward for [their] kindness" as he puts it in Philippians 4:17.
Guys, we should have that joy that Paul is tralking about here. The simple joy in giving, not only when we are thanked, but even when we give without recieving praise of any kind, reward of any kind. What will it take for us to realize that this is one of the things we are made for? That God made us to do these things? Come on! Pray the God will call you to help others in giving to, praying for, and building relationships with eachother and others.
Don't forget to be working on the following verses:
Psalm 119:11
Proverbs 4:23
Philippians 2:14,15
Print them out and place them somewhere you will see them often. Everytime you see one of them repeat it aloud and sooner of later you will have them memorized.
Any prayer requests? Just leave them as a comment or email them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless you!
Lanie
By the way, y'all, starting Sunday I will be trying to keep a daily blog here on 1 Samuel. it is 31 chapters long, and I am gonna start it soon. A chapter a day. So be ready. *SMILE*
10.11.2009
Joy:Believing - Part 3 of 4
Okay guys, so far we have talked about the joy we should have in suffering for Christ and the joy we should have in serving in Christ's name. Now we are moving on to part 3, the joy in believing in Christ.
L/A Bible.........$60.00
Pen..................$.50
Notepad..........$1.50
The value of know, believing, understanding, and loving Christ, absolutely priceless!
This is how I see things. Philippians 3:8, 9 puts it, "Yes, everything else is worhtless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ, and become one with Him."
He explains that you don't become righteous but obeying the law, being good in school, having great work ethics, openning the door for others. You become righteous through your faith in Christ, who in turn gives you the desir to fulfill the laws of the land. It becomes a joy of believing in Christ and wanting to share that joy with others.. which makes you even more joyful, it's a never ending circle of joy, and believing, and serving others.
Now, I know that this is probably the shortest blog I have ever written, but it means just the same. Have joy in the Lord our God and His Son Jesus Christ and He will bring you more joy through your faith. That doesn't meant you will have a perfect life if you become a Christian, it just means that He will always be there for you. Everything will be in His will if you choose the right courses. And believe me, He knows what choices you will make before you are even thought about being created.
God loves us so much. He gave His ONLY Son for us. And when Jesus died, His death even brought some of His persecutors to His feet when the sun went dark, the ground broke and the veil was torn in the temple by "Noone". I recommend reading the Gospels. Especially Matthew.
Don't forget to be working on the following verses:
Psalm 119:11
Proverbs 4:23
Philippians 2:14,15
Print them out and place them somewhere you will see them often. Everytime you see one of them repeat it aloud and sooner of later you will have them memorized.
Any prayer requests? Just leave them as a comment or email them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless you!
Lanie
L/A Bible.........$60.00
Pen..................$.50
Notepad..........$1.50
The value of know, believing, understanding, and loving Christ, absolutely priceless!
This is how I see things. Philippians 3:8, 9 puts it, "Yes, everything else is worhtless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ, and become one with Him."
He explains that you don't become righteous but obeying the law, being good in school, having great work ethics, openning the door for others. You become righteous through your faith in Christ, who in turn gives you the desir to fulfill the laws of the land. It becomes a joy of believing in Christ and wanting to share that joy with others.. which makes you even more joyful, it's a never ending circle of joy, and believing, and serving others.
Now, I know that this is probably the shortest blog I have ever written, but it means just the same. Have joy in the Lord our God and His Son Jesus Christ and He will bring you more joy through your faith. That doesn't meant you will have a perfect life if you become a Christian, it just means that He will always be there for you. Everything will be in His will if you choose the right courses. And believe me, He knows what choices you will make before you are even thought about being created.
God loves us so much. He gave His ONLY Son for us. And when Jesus died, His death even brought some of His persecutors to His feet when the sun went dark, the ground broke and the veil was torn in the temple by "Noone". I recommend reading the Gospels. Especially Matthew.
Don't forget to be working on the following verses:
Psalm 119:11
Proverbs 4:23
Philippians 2:14,15
Print them out and place them somewhere you will see them often. Everytime you see one of them repeat it aloud and sooner of later you will have them memorized.
Any prayer requests? Just leave them as a comment or email them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless you!
Lanie
10.05.2009
Joy:Serving - Part 2 of 4
I think that my favorite part of chapter 2 of Philippians is the first paragraph. It's so full of questions that it makes me think I am doing so many things wrong.
"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?
Any comfort from His love?
Any fellowship together in the Spirit?
Are your hearts tender and compassionate?"
Philippians 2:1
Once you answer the questions you don't feel so much like you are being interrogated. You feel more like God is trying to tell you something. You should feel encouraged to know that you belong to Christ, He saved you from Hell and from bondage to sin. If all you can do for Him is "pray" every now and then, maybe sing a song "to Him" every other weekend, then you aren't feeling very encouraged. Go find some friends that you can attend a church with and learn encouragement again. With Christ's encouragement you can do ANYTHING.
If you run away from Him everytime you have a problem in your life, then you aren't feeling very comforted by Him. Talk to your Christian mentor, maybe he/she has been there before in their lives.
If you don't play games, hang out, or talk with the people you attend your Bible study groups with to build relationships in Christ, then you are NOT experiencing first hand fellowship that God has given us. See if maybe you can join a small study group first, then get to know each other really well, and invite "newbies". The fellowship will be never ending.
Care for others like you do for yourselves, pray for others, love others, feel for others. These are all things Christ calls us to do. He did them. In the midst of all that useless punishment, He did all of these things. Next Paul says to agree "whole-heartedly" with each other, love one another, and work together with "one mind and purpose". Think of others as better than yourselves. How often do you do that? Think of others as better than yourself? That's the exact attitude that Christ had. He served others over Himself, and He loved it. He absolutely loved it. Have you ever felt that way? I have, when helping Love Inc. I felt that joy in helping others. It's amazing. But you don't have to necessarily volunteer to serve others. Do it in your home. At your school.
Philippians 2:6 gives me chills when I read it. "Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to." He served others until the day He died. When He could have just said no. Because Jesus served others and died for [others] (everyone on the earth), God placed Him in a place of highest honor in His kingdom, gave Him the name above all other names, that others will bow and say Jesus is Lord and give glory to God. That is NOT to say that just because we serve others that we will become the King of Heaven or the Queen of Heaven. DEFINITELY NOT! We just have to aim to be like Christ. We should have that joy that comes along with serving others.
Further on in verse 13 of chapter 2 Paul reminds us that God is giving us the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Read it again.
One more time.
God gives us the DESIRE to do what pleases Him. And in so giving us this desire He also makes it POSSIBLE for us to please Him, to meet that desire with an ACTION. We will want to please Him with all of ourselves. We will WANT to give ourselves to Him and His glory. And we will either do this complaining and grumbling because we "have" to do these things or we will do it without grumbling and complaining. Verse 14 and the first part of 15 (our memory verse of this section) tell us to do "everything without complaining and arguing, so that noone can criticize [us]."
Share the joy of serving others with others. Guys, there is no greater offering to God that serving others for Him, and do it with joy. Don't miss out on this opportunity to strive to become more like Jesus.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that no one can criticize you." (Philippians 2:14, 15)
Put it somewhere you will see it often, and everytime you see it, read it out loud to yourself. It'll be no time until you'll have it memorized. Still be working on Psalm 119:11 and Proverbs 4:23)
Any prayer requests? Just post them in the comment section or e-mail them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God Bless You!
Lanie.
"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?
Any comfort from His love?
Any fellowship together in the Spirit?
Are your hearts tender and compassionate?"
Philippians 2:1
Once you answer the questions you don't feel so much like you are being interrogated. You feel more like God is trying to tell you something. You should feel encouraged to know that you belong to Christ, He saved you from Hell and from bondage to sin. If all you can do for Him is "pray" every now and then, maybe sing a song "to Him" every other weekend, then you aren't feeling very encouraged. Go find some friends that you can attend a church with and learn encouragement again. With Christ's encouragement you can do ANYTHING.
If you run away from Him everytime you have a problem in your life, then you aren't feeling very comforted by Him. Talk to your Christian mentor, maybe he/she has been there before in their lives.
If you don't play games, hang out, or talk with the people you attend your Bible study groups with to build relationships in Christ, then you are NOT experiencing first hand fellowship that God has given us. See if maybe you can join a small study group first, then get to know each other really well, and invite "newbies". The fellowship will be never ending.
Care for others like you do for yourselves, pray for others, love others, feel for others. These are all things Christ calls us to do. He did them. In the midst of all that useless punishment, He did all of these things. Next Paul says to agree "whole-heartedly" with each other, love one another, and work together with "one mind and purpose". Think of others as better than yourselves. How often do you do that? Think of others as better than yourself? That's the exact attitude that Christ had. He served others over Himself, and He loved it. He absolutely loved it. Have you ever felt that way? I have, when helping Love Inc. I felt that joy in helping others. It's amazing. But you don't have to necessarily volunteer to serve others. Do it in your home. At your school.
Philippians 2:6 gives me chills when I read it. "Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to." He served others until the day He died. When He could have just said no. Because Jesus served others and died for [others] (everyone on the earth), God placed Him in a place of highest honor in His kingdom, gave Him the name above all other names, that others will bow and say Jesus is Lord and give glory to God. That is NOT to say that just because we serve others that we will become the King of Heaven or the Queen of Heaven. DEFINITELY NOT! We just have to aim to be like Christ. We should have that joy that comes along with serving others.
Further on in verse 13 of chapter 2 Paul reminds us that God is giving us the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Read it again.
One more time.
God gives us the DESIRE to do what pleases Him. And in so giving us this desire He also makes it POSSIBLE for us to please Him, to meet that desire with an ACTION. We will want to please Him with all of ourselves. We will WANT to give ourselves to Him and His glory. And we will either do this complaining and grumbling because we "have" to do these things or we will do it without grumbling and complaining. Verse 14 and the first part of 15 (our memory verse of this section) tell us to do "everything without complaining and arguing, so that noone can criticize [us]."
Share the joy of serving others with others. Guys, there is no greater offering to God that serving others for Him, and do it with joy. Don't miss out on this opportunity to strive to become more like Jesus.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that no one can criticize you." (Philippians 2:14, 15)
Put it somewhere you will see it often, and everytime you see it, read it out loud to yourself. It'll be no time until you'll have it memorized. Still be working on Psalm 119:11 and Proverbs 4:23)
Any prayer requests? Just post them in the comment section or e-mail them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God Bless You!
Lanie.
10.03.2009
Joy:Suffering - Part 1 of 4
As I was doing my quiet time recently, I began reading Philippians. It is broken into four sections in my Bible. Part one is about suffering and having joy in your soul while doing so. It is a letter from Paul and Timothy to the people of Philippi. He tells them that he wishes grace and peace on them and their lives, first thing.
This brings to mind the questions:
Do I wish this upon my friends as often as I should?
Do I pray for my friends?
Though this has nothing to do with the topic of suffering, it still comes to mind from my time with God.
Next Paul says, "Everytime I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Again, do you pray for your friends? Do you take the time to thank God, the Creator, the Holy One, for your friends? He follows by saying the he does pray for his friends, and even better, he prays for his friends with joy! What greater thing is there besides our Lord in this world than the joy of praying for our friends? He continues that he is "certain" that God has begun a work in his friends in Phillipi, and that He will continue that work until Christ returns again. Yay! Christ will come back!! He tells them that because of that work God has begun in them, in their households, their towns, and their country, that he SHOULD feel that way about them. He should love them exactly the way he does already, he shouldhold them high in his heart.
Do we feel this way about our friends?
Do we let them know?
He then tells them what he prays for them about; peace, grace, understanding, that their love will flow in abundance, and for them to live pure and blameless lives...that is so beautiful.
After filling them in about how he misses them all so much and how he prays for them all so much, and how he loves them...so much, he begins talking about how he is so glad that people are preaching the gospel. Verses 12 and 13 explain the reason that we should have joy in suffereing for Christ's sake.
"And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ." Philippians 1:12,13
Follow up:
Verse 14 says that Paul, since he's been in prison, has been joyful because he can share the gospel with his prison mates boldly, and now they speak of God's grace boldly without fear. Some preach to look more "godly" than others, but some preach with meaning and love. He is frustrated with those who speak with their tongues, but have no relationship with God, but regardless, the gospel is still being preached. And that makes him happy.
Ha also rejoices because he knows that his friends are praying for him and that God will deliver him from his troubles eventually, whether through death or being let out of prison.
Then Pual brings up the question:
I will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die, but which is better?
I have two desires, my desire to go and be with Christ in Heaven, and praise Him forever...and my desire to stay on this earth until God calls my name to come to Him by natural death, so that I can spend my life teaching and telling others my testimony about Christ in my life...which is better?
Then he makes the decision that staying on this earth and sharing God's words would be better because it is better for the sakes of those whom he is sharing the words of God with...
What would you choose?
Life or the after life?
Heaven or being persecuted for the One we adore?
It's a hard decision to you? Easy for me, I am doing it now. Although the "persecution" American christians experience is only name calling, and being picked on...in other countries...people are being crucified and punished for their beliefs in the True God.
He also tells us to live as citizens of Heaven, pure lives and pray for eachother, because both trusting in Christ and suffering for Christ are privileges.
Lord, please open the heart of the Christians throughout the world to hear you word and give them an understanding that you are Who we live for, Your will will be done forever, and that they need to share their testimony and share the gospel as often as possible, because everytime the opportunity arises and they DON'T share...Satan high-fives his demonic angels.
Don't let the fear of being hurt stop you from sharing your love for Christ.
Memory verse of the week:
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that no one can criticize you." (Philippians 2:14, 15)
Put it somewhere you will see it often, and everytime you see it, read it out loud to yourself. It'll be no time until you'll have it memorized. Still be working on Psalm 119:11 and Proverbs 4:23)
Any prayer requests? Just post them in the comment section or e-mail them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God Bless You!
Lanie.
This brings to mind the questions:
Do I wish this upon my friends as often as I should?
Do I pray for my friends?
Though this has nothing to do with the topic of suffering, it still comes to mind from my time with God.
Next Paul says, "Everytime I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Again, do you pray for your friends? Do you take the time to thank God, the Creator, the Holy One, for your friends? He follows by saying the he does pray for his friends, and even better, he prays for his friends with joy! What greater thing is there besides our Lord in this world than the joy of praying for our friends? He continues that he is "certain" that God has begun a work in his friends in Phillipi, and that He will continue that work until Christ returns again. Yay! Christ will come back!! He tells them that because of that work God has begun in them, in their households, their towns, and their country, that he SHOULD feel that way about them. He should love them exactly the way he does already, he shouldhold them high in his heart.
Do we feel this way about our friends?
Do we let them know?
He then tells them what he prays for them about; peace, grace, understanding, that their love will flow in abundance, and for them to live pure and blameless lives...that is so beautiful.
After filling them in about how he misses them all so much and how he prays for them all so much, and how he loves them...so much, he begins talking about how he is so glad that people are preaching the gospel. Verses 12 and 13 explain the reason that we should have joy in suffereing for Christ's sake.
"And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ." Philippians 1:12,13
Follow up:
Verse 14 says that Paul, since he's been in prison, has been joyful because he can share the gospel with his prison mates boldly, and now they speak of God's grace boldly without fear. Some preach to look more "godly" than others, but some preach with meaning and love. He is frustrated with those who speak with their tongues, but have no relationship with God, but regardless, the gospel is still being preached. And that makes him happy.
Ha also rejoices because he knows that his friends are praying for him and that God will deliver him from his troubles eventually, whether through death or being let out of prison.
Then Pual brings up the question:
I will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die, but which is better?
I have two desires, my desire to go and be with Christ in Heaven, and praise Him forever...and my desire to stay on this earth until God calls my name to come to Him by natural death, so that I can spend my life teaching and telling others my testimony about Christ in my life...which is better?
Then he makes the decision that staying on this earth and sharing God's words would be better because it is better for the sakes of those whom he is sharing the words of God with...
What would you choose?
Life or the after life?
Heaven or being persecuted for the One we adore?
It's a hard decision to you? Easy for me, I am doing it now. Although the "persecution" American christians experience is only name calling, and being picked on...in other countries...people are being crucified and punished for their beliefs in the True God.
He also tells us to live as citizens of Heaven, pure lives and pray for eachother, because both trusting in Christ and suffering for Christ are privileges.
Lord, please open the heart of the Christians throughout the world to hear you word and give them an understanding that you are Who we live for, Your will will be done forever, and that they need to share their testimony and share the gospel as often as possible, because everytime the opportunity arises and they DON'T share...Satan high-fives his demonic angels.
Don't let the fear of being hurt stop you from sharing your love for Christ.
Memory verse of the week:
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that no one can criticize you." (Philippians 2:14, 15)
Put it somewhere you will see it often, and everytime you see it, read it out loud to yourself. It'll be no time until you'll have it memorized. Still be working on Psalm 119:11 and Proverbs 4:23)
Any prayer requests? Just post them in the comment section or e-mail them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God Bless You!
Lanie.
9.27.2009
Sorry Guys!
Sorry guys,
I've been so busy with stuff going on that I haven't kept up with my blog lately. I'll fill you in next week with Philippians. I really think y'all will like this book. It's about the joys of different aspects of life that we don't think about very often. Thanks guys. If you have any prayer requests or comments you can post comments below, or email me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
Hope to hear from you guys. May God bless your weeks and your lives.
Lanie
I've been so busy with stuff going on that I haven't kept up with my blog lately. I'll fill you in next week with Philippians. I really think y'all will like this book. It's about the joys of different aspects of life that we don't think about very often. Thanks guys. If you have any prayer requests or comments you can post comments below, or email me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
Hope to hear from you guys. May God bless your weeks and your lives.
Lanie
9.01.2009
Haggai the Prophet Part 2
Last week I wrote about how we needed to make sure we kept ourselves (temples) cleam and well kept up with for God. We need to worship Him with our entire being, no matter how we are percieved by others. This week will be a continuation of the last story. God told the people through Haggai that they needed to clean themselves up a bit, more than a bit, and rebuild their temples. Without God, they were nothing worth a piece of good sense.
After God told them to look carefully into their lives and "think it over", He directed them to go to the hills and cut down some trees to make wood to rebuild the Temple, and to "do it just for [Him]. Honor [Him]." They had set themselves up on pedistles and made great plans for themselves and their futures, but without God involved in those plans they would all fall to ruins. God took away those ambitions. He took away the crops, the fruits, He took away EVERYTHING they had to live on. He let nothing thrive. (Haggai 1:10-11).
Then all the people listened to Haggai, they listened to God speak. They listened with entirity, they gave their all to God in that moment...they turned a new leaf. Have you ever wanted to do that? God is always giving us opportunities to turn our lives around completely. We just have to listen to Him.
The people listened and obeyed God's every word through Haggai. He was nothing like the other prophets, but they listened to him. Once the people were building the Temple, the Lord said with great joy, "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, and in this place I will grant peace." (Haggai 2:9).
And it was...
Then it was time to change some laws that were senseless.
God brought a topic about sacrificial meats to mind. Of a piece of sacrificial meat was kept in a pocket of a priest , or anyone for that matter, and that pocket bumped into other foods...bread...wine...would those foods be made holy by the mere contact? "No." the priests would reply. Okay, so what if someone dies...the man to pick the body up and clean it for burial is made unclean by touching the unclean dead man, right? "Yes." the priests would say. These rules would be changed. God had given the Persians everything He could to support their lives then, so the Persian priest could not say no to God now. God had become their Savior in the sense of saving their physical bodies. Jesus Christ the Savior had not come to us yet in Haggai's time.
If God calls you to do something, will you do it immediately? Would you say to Him, "Hold on, God, let me check my schedule...I think I can make 2 minutes of time for you on Thursday."? Or would you say "No."? The Lord will still be calling you. Even if you say no at first, eventually you will hear His call stronger than ever. At that point accept the mission the Great One has given you. Take the challenge, "Fight the good fight of the faith"! (1 Timothy 6:12).
Memory verse of the week:
"Above all else, guard you heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)
Put it somewhere you will see it often, and everytime you see it, read it out loud to yourself. It'll be no time until you'll have it memorized. Still be working on Psalm 119:11!
Any prayer requests? Just post them in the comment section or e-mail them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless!
After God told them to look carefully into their lives and "think it over", He directed them to go to the hills and cut down some trees to make wood to rebuild the Temple, and to "do it just for [Him]. Honor [Him]." They had set themselves up on pedistles and made great plans for themselves and their futures, but without God involved in those plans they would all fall to ruins. God took away those ambitions. He took away the crops, the fruits, He took away EVERYTHING they had to live on. He let nothing thrive. (Haggai 1:10-11).
Then all the people listened to Haggai, they listened to God speak. They listened with entirity, they gave their all to God in that moment...they turned a new leaf. Have you ever wanted to do that? God is always giving us opportunities to turn our lives around completely. We just have to listen to Him.
The people listened and obeyed God's every word through Haggai. He was nothing like the other prophets, but they listened to him. Once the people were building the Temple, the Lord said with great joy, "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, and in this place I will grant peace." (Haggai 2:9).
And it was...
Then it was time to change some laws that were senseless.
God brought a topic about sacrificial meats to mind. Of a piece of sacrificial meat was kept in a pocket of a priest , or anyone for that matter, and that pocket bumped into other foods...bread...wine...would those foods be made holy by the mere contact? "No." the priests would reply. Okay, so what if someone dies...the man to pick the body up and clean it for burial is made unclean by touching the unclean dead man, right? "Yes." the priests would say. These rules would be changed. God had given the Persians everything He could to support their lives then, so the Persian priest could not say no to God now. God had become their Savior in the sense of saving their physical bodies. Jesus Christ the Savior had not come to us yet in Haggai's time.
If God calls you to do something, will you do it immediately? Would you say to Him, "Hold on, God, let me check my schedule...I think I can make 2 minutes of time for you on Thursday."? Or would you say "No."? The Lord will still be calling you. Even if you say no at first, eventually you will hear His call stronger than ever. At that point accept the mission the Great One has given you. Take the challenge, "Fight the good fight of the faith"! (1 Timothy 6:12).
Memory verse of the week:
"Above all else, guard you heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)
Put it somewhere you will see it often, and everytime you see it, read it out loud to yourself. It'll be no time until you'll have it memorized. Still be working on Psalm 119:11!
Any prayer requests? Just post them in the comment section or e-mail them to me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless!
8.25.2009
Haggai the Prophet Part 1
Haggai, for those of you who are new to the faith, was a prophet of God. God sent him on a three and a half month mission to get the Lord's people to rebuild His great Temple. The people Haggai had to minister to on his mission were so full of themselves that they let the real meaning of life fall behind them. Although most prophets spoke of how prayer, fasting, salvation, repentance, and other more "holy" sounding issues were important in our relationship with God, Haggai spoke of an issue just as holy, though less mentioned. The issues of repairing or building our places of worship. It is just as important, though it may not seem so. God gives us the supplies to repair such problems as leaky roofs, loose floor boards, and squeaky doors. God has also provided so much more for us. So what is one thing we can do for Him? Honor Him and his place of worship. Sounds easy, right? Not for the people of Judah (or the people of today). They didn't (and most still don't) see the place of worship as a connection between our beliefs and the world around us, but that is exactly why it exists.
The people of Judah were acceptioinally well off. Think of today's upper high class, mansion dwelling, feast eating celebrities, or the president and the white house. How well off would you think you would have to be to own a mansion and afford taxes, bills, food, entertainment, and insurance? That is how rich the Jews were in Judah. They spent all of their money on their houses, their food, and entertainment, but let the house of the Lord fall to pieces. They would say, "Yes, we will clean up the Temple...when the time is right." And what do you think God said through Haggai? Did He accept that answer? Did he say, "Okay, I'll wait patiently."? No, God's response was," How is it that it's the 'right time' for you to live in your fine new homes while the Home, God's Temple, is in ruins?" (The Message; Haggai 1:3-4) He later says through Haggai for the Jews to look at their lives:
a.) "You have planted much, but have harvested little." (NIV; Haggai 1:6)
This meaning, you put effort into things other that the Temple, and you have little to prove that effort with. In the words of The Message, for better understanding, state, "You have spent a lot of money, but you haven't much to show for it." It's kind of like buying a notebook to write prayer requests in. But, let's say you spent $100 on this said notebook, then you let it sit there and never write your prayer requests in it. Or you buy a $60 Bible to study, but you never study it, never learn God's Word, never find that love you're missing, never find that Truth. You spend all that money on a Bible to make it easy for you to memorize scripture, yet you never open it up to harvest the fruits of the Lord.
b.) "You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but you never have your fill." (NIV; Haggai 1:6)
Meaning, you try to fill your hunger with food, delicacies, entertainment,. For some, porn, others, money, even more, friendships that don't last. You attempt to fill your spirits with alcohol, drugs, suicidal thoughts, maybe even acts such as murder or rape. The Message says it this way, "You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up, you keep drinking and drinking and drinking, but you're always thirsty." I take this as trying to become as busy as we can to fill the emptiness we may feel in our souls. The Truth is, God is the only thing that can fill those empty spaces in your spirit, in your heart, in your mind. He is the only thing that can quinch your thirst.
c.) "You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages only to put them in a purse that has holes in it." (NIV; Haggai 1:6)
I love the way The Message puts this, "You put on layer after layer of clothes, but you can't get warm. And the people who work for you, what are they getting out of it? Not much--a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that's what." God is our warmth in this world, physically and spiritually. He brings us the Summer, He calms us when we cry for Him, He brings us fire in teh Winter, He cares for us, even when noone else wants to. People may forsake (or abandon) us, but our Lord will never forsake us. The Bible states this many times, two of which are in Deuteronomy. The first in chapter 31, verse 6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." and second in chapter 31, verse 8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Isn't it wonderful to have a God that cares so much about you? It is truely amazing.
Although, now-a-days we can't exactly ALWAYS take this in such a literal manner, by repairing and/or building the Temple ,we must think of it as renewing ourselves for God. Getting down and dirty and picking out the bad things we want to change about ourselves (even some of the things we don't think we need to change about ourselves and the way we live, breathe, or behave) to make room for Jesus. He gave His life and everything else for our sins, why can't we give up our time, money, effort, and sins to die to ourselves and live for Him? It shouldn't matter what others think of you, get out there and start living for God!
Next time you are down in the dumps and try to fill the spaces of emptiness around your heart with shameful things, foods, drinks, or disloyal "friends", think about the love Christ has for you. God loves you so much that words could not describe it. No. No words could describe it, so He sent His one and ONLY son to die on the cross for our sins to be washed away, or forgiven, forever.
"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." (NIV; John 3:16)
That means He loves you, everyone of you who is reading this. Even if you don't have a relationship with Him yet, He still loves you. But you have to ask Him into your heart. Ask Him, "Lord I come to you today to ask you to please come into my heart, Lord, please forgive my sins. Let me start over on a clean slate, let me fall in love with You. Today I will make a commmitment to You, Father, that I will begin to study your Word, that I will begin to share You with others and show everyone Your love. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen."
Memory verse of the week is:
"Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (NIV; Psalm 119:11)
Tape it up on your mirror in the bathroom, your bedroom, by a light switch, on your steering wheel. Place it somewhere where you will see it often. Every time you see it, read it aloud. You will then have a verse to use against the Devil when he tempts you. This verse will serve as a weapon toward Satan. Good luck! And God bless you! Oh and if you have ANY prayer requests, post a comment with them and I'll gladly pray for you. Or you can e-mail me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless!
The people of Judah were acceptioinally well off. Think of today's upper high class, mansion dwelling, feast eating celebrities, or the president and the white house. How well off would you think you would have to be to own a mansion and afford taxes, bills, food, entertainment, and insurance? That is how rich the Jews were in Judah. They spent all of their money on their houses, their food, and entertainment, but let the house of the Lord fall to pieces. They would say, "Yes, we will clean up the Temple...when the time is right." And what do you think God said through Haggai? Did He accept that answer? Did he say, "Okay, I'll wait patiently."? No, God's response was," How is it that it's the 'right time' for you to live in your fine new homes while the Home, God's Temple, is in ruins?" (The Message; Haggai 1:3-4) He later says through Haggai for the Jews to look at their lives:
a.) "You have planted much, but have harvested little." (NIV; Haggai 1:6)
This meaning, you put effort into things other that the Temple, and you have little to prove that effort with. In the words of The Message, for better understanding, state, "You have spent a lot of money, but you haven't much to show for it." It's kind of like buying a notebook to write prayer requests in. But, let's say you spent $100 on this said notebook, then you let it sit there and never write your prayer requests in it. Or you buy a $60 Bible to study, but you never study it, never learn God's Word, never find that love you're missing, never find that Truth. You spend all that money on a Bible to make it easy for you to memorize scripture, yet you never open it up to harvest the fruits of the Lord.
b.) "You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but you never have your fill." (NIV; Haggai 1:6)
Meaning, you try to fill your hunger with food, delicacies, entertainment,. For some, porn, others, money, even more, friendships that don't last. You attempt to fill your spirits with alcohol, drugs, suicidal thoughts, maybe even acts such as murder or rape. The Message says it this way, "You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up, you keep drinking and drinking and drinking, but you're always thirsty." I take this as trying to become as busy as we can to fill the emptiness we may feel in our souls. The Truth is, God is the only thing that can fill those empty spaces in your spirit, in your heart, in your mind. He is the only thing that can quinch your thirst.
c.) "You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages only to put them in a purse that has holes in it." (NIV; Haggai 1:6)
I love the way The Message puts this, "You put on layer after layer of clothes, but you can't get warm. And the people who work for you, what are they getting out of it? Not much--a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that's what." God is our warmth in this world, physically and spiritually. He brings us the Summer, He calms us when we cry for Him, He brings us fire in teh Winter, He cares for us, even when noone else wants to. People may forsake (or abandon) us, but our Lord will never forsake us. The Bible states this many times, two of which are in Deuteronomy. The first in chapter 31, verse 6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." and second in chapter 31, verse 8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Isn't it wonderful to have a God that cares so much about you? It is truely amazing.
Although, now-a-days we can't exactly ALWAYS take this in such a literal manner, by repairing and/or building the Temple ,we must think of it as renewing ourselves for God. Getting down and dirty and picking out the bad things we want to change about ourselves (even some of the things we don't think we need to change about ourselves and the way we live, breathe, or behave) to make room for Jesus. He gave His life and everything else for our sins, why can't we give up our time, money, effort, and sins to die to ourselves and live for Him? It shouldn't matter what others think of you, get out there and start living for God!
Next time you are down in the dumps and try to fill the spaces of emptiness around your heart with shameful things, foods, drinks, or disloyal "friends", think about the love Christ has for you. God loves you so much that words could not describe it. No. No words could describe it, so He sent His one and ONLY son to die on the cross for our sins to be washed away, or forgiven, forever.
"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." (NIV; John 3:16)
That means He loves you, everyone of you who is reading this. Even if you don't have a relationship with Him yet, He still loves you. But you have to ask Him into your heart. Ask Him, "Lord I come to you today to ask you to please come into my heart, Lord, please forgive my sins. Let me start over on a clean slate, let me fall in love with You. Today I will make a commmitment to You, Father, that I will begin to study your Word, that I will begin to share You with others and show everyone Your love. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen."
Memory verse of the week is:
"Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (NIV; Psalm 119:11)
Tape it up on your mirror in the bathroom, your bedroom, by a light switch, on your steering wheel. Place it somewhere where you will see it often. Every time you see it, read it aloud. You will then have a verse to use against the Devil when he tempts you. This verse will serve as a weapon toward Satan. Good luck! And God bless you! Oh and if you have ANY prayer requests, post a comment with them and I'll gladly pray for you. Or you can e-mail me at:
livin4christ0129@yahoo.com
God bless!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
