The Door.

"I looked, and behold; a door open in heaven." Rev. 4:1

"Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut." Rev.3:8

Jesus is the Door.

"I am the door, if anyone comes through me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9

Heaven is always open to us. God wants us to come in. But we must open the door of our hearts also.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20

The Law of Love.

Today, I read on the website of 'Our Daily Bread' that the law of Heaven is love. This is true. It is the only law that is needed in any government. If we are ruled by love we will not harm others in any way. If we are ruled by love we will help those who are in need. If we are ruled by love we would not harm animals or the earth.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Anyone who does not love, does not know God, for God is love."
1 John 4:7-8

The Strength of Eagles.

"...I bore you up on eagles wings, and brought you to myself."
Exodus 19:4

"Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not be weary,
They will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31

"When the dragon (Satan) saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place where she was nourished..."
Rev12:13-14


"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your sins,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the Eagle.
Psalm 103:1-5

Our Hearts.

1 John 3:20

"If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart and knows everything."

I am thankful God is greater than our hearts. Sometimes my heart condemns me, reminds me of my failures, or tells me I am stupid. But God is greater than my heart. He knows me and loves me just as I am.

Thank You God for These Gifts.

Some wonderful things happened this Christmas. My sister's son was able to come home from the oil rigs for Christmas Eve and Day. Thank you, God.

Some of us had the flu before Christmas, but no one was sick Christmas Eve or Day. Thank you, God.

There was love, happiness and good times in our home. Thank you, God.

Jesus' first miracle was at a social gathering - a wedding. He supplied more wine when it ran out. For the food and drink we enjoyed this holiday, I Thank you, God.

Christmas.

It has been difficult to post lately as I have been either sick or shopping for presents. Now I am helping my daughter a bit, who is sick with the flu.

Shopping for groceries after having the flu was a difficult day and I was feeling very sorry for myself. Sometimes the fibromyalgia affects my legs and it is hard to keep on truckin'.

Now, when I feel self-pity, I do what Joyce says and quote scriptures and remember all the blessings God has given me and the whole world.

I'm especially thankful for Christmas because the family can all be together loving one another in a special way. I'm thankful we live in a warm house, snug and cozy while the snow falls outside. I'm thankful we have enough food to eat.

I'm thankful that God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die, but have eternal life. I thank God that Jesus came and died for those who never heard about him, and will save them too if they listen in their hearts to his Spirit.

What was it like for Jesus to leave Heaven and become a little baby? Some day I will know the answer to this question and all my other questions. Sometimes I am so tired of this world, but I know that is ok because Jesus got tired of being here too. The Bible says so.

We weren't created for a world like this. We were created for a perfect world, and I believe that is what we are all longing for and why we feel so empty and lonely here. We were made for God and Heaven. Some day we will be where we truly belong.

Jacob's Dream.

Jacob had to leave home because his brother Esau was planning to kill him. His parents sent him to his uncle Laban's house in order to find a wife. On the first night of his journey, Jacob lay down on the earth and had a dream. He saw a ladder set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven, and angels of God were climbing up and stepping down on it.

Then he saw the Lord standing above the ladder who said, "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants...and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 28:13,14

God also promised to be with Jacob wherever he went and that he would bring Jacob back to his homeland.

When Jacob awoke he was frightened and said, "Surely the Lord is in the place, and I did not know it." In the morning he made a pillar and poured oil on it and called the place, Bethel, and promised that God would be his God and he would give him a tenth of all he had.

When Jacob left home, he must have felt discouraged and ashamed of what he had done to his father in decieving him. Perhaps he was afraid of the future and what would become of him. Kindly, God sent him a dream to tell him that he was with Jacob wherever he went. This must have encouraged Jacob, for now he knew his sin was forgiven and God was with him as he had been with his father Isaac.

The ladder from earth to heaven shows our connection with heavenly angels and the heavenly city and the Lord who is above all. The angels are constantly going back and forth from earth to heaven in order to help and encourage us. They are God's messengers and guardians to people. We are not alone. Wherever we are; God is there.

Wait For the Lord.

Isaac and Rebekah asked God for children, and when Rebekah was pregnant she felt the babies move so much that she asked God what was happening. God told her she would give birth to two nations. He also said, "The older shall serve the younger."

Esau and then Jacob were born to Rebekah. The Bible records, "Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob." It is never a good thing to love one child over another. This was perhaps the beginning of the trouble in this household.

In those days the oldest son received the greatest share of property and also became the spiritual head of the house. Esau, as the oldest, was the one to whom these blessing would go. But Esau had sold his birthright blessing to Jacob in exchange for food. Jacob also wanted the spiritual blessing.

When Isaac was ready to give this blessing, Rebekah decided to trick him into giving the blessing to Jacob. Isaac had asked Esau to go hunt game for him and make him a meal, so Rebekah did this quickly and sent Jacob into the tent. Jacob lied and said he was Esau. Isaac believed him and spoke the blessing over him. When Esau came in later Isaac said, "Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I
ate of it all before you came and I blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed."

Esau was furious and decided he would kill Jacob after their father was dead. Rebekah heard of his plan and sent Jacob away to stay with her brother.

Jacob and Rebekah believed it was God's will for Jacob to be the head of the family, and they were right. But they didn't wait for God to do this himself. They cooked up a plan of their own which separated them for the rest of their lives. They never saw each other again.

Waiting for God is a testing time. He does not want us to force issues, lie to people, or hurry things along with our own big ideas. Abraham was to wait patiently for a son, he did not do this and it caused heartache and pain. Rebekah and Jacob did not wait patiently either; this resulted in the fracture of a family and great sorrow.

"Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

Should We Ask For Signs From God?

When Abraham's son, Isaac, became a man, Abraham sent his servant to his family in a far off land. He wanted Isaac to marry a girl who knew about God. He didn't want him to marry a girl from the Caananites, for these people worshiped idols which had human sacrifices.
His servant went to Nahor and came to the well. He prayed to God and asked him for a sign so he could find Abraham's family and a girl for Isaac. Immediately, God gave him a sign and the servant found Rebekah. He now knew where to go and what to do.

I once asked God for a sign. At the time, I was living in Vancouver babysitting my grandsons. They had grown now to the age of 12 and 13. They no longer needed me after school. But my daughter in Kelowna did need me. She wanted to go back to work part-time and needed a sitter for her young children. The problem was my husband had a good job in Vancouver and was going to be promoted. His salary would be quite large and it was a job he wanted.

We didn't know what God wanted us to do. It was such an important decision that I told my husband we wouldn't go unless God gave us a sign. So we prayed and waited. A few weeks later I had a dream. In the dream I was on a plane with my mother and we were moving back to Kelowna. As I looked out the plane window, I knew this was where God wanted us to be. When I woke up, I told my husband the dream and we decided it was a sign from God. He began to look for work in Kelowna.

At the time, my husband's company had no work here. But soon the company decided to open up a shop in Kelowna and started hiring. My husband applied and was accepted. I moved here first, my husband followed later. Even though we lost a lot of money and my husband took a much lower job, we have never regretted our decision. Our daughter in Kelowna needed us badly and we have been a great help to her.

Should we ask God for signs? I have only asked the once as far as I can remember and God did give us a sign. The few times it is mentioned in the Bible people asked for an important reason. I wouldn't ask God for signs every day, but I think once in a while it is a good idea.

Why Did God Test Abraham?

"God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" and he said, "Here I am."

God said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

God had spoken to Abraham many times, so there must have been no mistake in Abraham's mind that this was God. He must have been shocked and asked why and tried to argue with God, but the scriptures don't record it.

Why did God test Abraham in this way? After Abraham obeyed God and took Isaac and was about to kill him, God prevented it and came and said, "Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."

At first, I thought this was an unusual test for one man. But things have happened in my life to show me that is not true. I now believe this test is given to every person.

Many years ago, when my daughters were young adults, something happened that caused them great suffering. I began to question God's love and goodness. I decided that if he could allow such suffering I wanted nothing to do with him. I left him for five years. I couldn't bear to speak to him. But one thing I did do; I read every book I could find on why God allowed suffering.

Finally, at the end of that time, I gave up. I hated living without God. I understood more thoroughly why God allowed suffering and asked him into my life again. I told him I might possibly get mad at him again and I heard him speak to my mind, "I can take anything you can dish out."

A few years later, my daughter Christine contracted strep throat. She became very ill and none of the antibiotics would work. They said she had one of those new "super bugs." They had to take her tonsils out. After she was home she began spitting up blood. She grew pale and shaky and her husband took her to the hospital. As they drove away, I knew she could die. I had known she could die of this illness at Christmas time when she was in the hospital and couldn't swallow, then got allergic to penicillin and her tongue swelled up.

She had suffered terrible pain, and I didn't know what would happen now. I looked up to God and told him I trusted him. If he let her die, I would accept it. I prayed for her, but I said, "Your will be done, not mine." It was an awful day.

When Christine went to emergency blood began to spew out of her mouth. They had to do an emergency surgery right then and there. Apparently, the surgeon had nicked something in her throat and it had now opened up. If she hadn't made it to the hospital on time, she would have died.

I think we are all tested on whether we will trust God when someone we love is suffering. Whether our children have an illness, or our husband leaves us or our mother dies or we have an illness ourselves. Will we blame God and hate him for it? Will we turn from him, or will we trust him. Do we love our family and ourselves more than God?

Jesus addressed this in Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."

Since Jesus had already preached how we must love everyone, including our enemies, he must not have meant we should hate people. He must have meant we are to put him first in our life above all others, even our own lives. Will we trust him in the face of death and suffering?

I was a tough case, it took me a long time to learn to trust God, yet he waited patiently for me. Then I was tested again. In the beginning, I thought I had loved and trusted God, but I didn't. When sorrow came, I turned away. This was shown to me and then it was up to me what to do about it. I hope I have truly learned to trust him.

Abraham and Fear.

Abraham married his half-sister. She was so beautiful that two kings wanted her for a wife; one was a Pharoah of Egypt, one was Abimelech, King of Gerar. Abraham had asked Sarah that when they traveled together to tell people she was his sister, not his wife. He was afraid men would kill him to have her.

Twice, God had to save Sarah from the kings who had taken her. Twice, he kept her from having sex with another man. She was to be the mother of a new nation and was to bear a child given to her by God. This was God's plan for Sarah and he would let no one change it.

Abraham did not trust God to protect him when it came to Sarah. He feared for his life, so he lied. Later on, his son Isaac did the same thing with his wife Rebecca.

How do we find faith when we believe our lives are threatened? How do we stay calm and believing in a situation like that? There are some statements from Jesus and God that can help us.

When the authorities were wanting to kill Jesus, the scripture says, "So they were seeking to seize him; and no man laid his hand on him, because his hour had not yet come." John 7:30

There was a time and an hour for Jesus to be arrested and to die. Many times people tried to kill him, but God did not allow it. Jesus lived as a man, he lived how we must live: dependent on God. After praying in Gethsemane, he said to his disciples, "It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners." Mark 14:41

In Psalm 91:7 it says, "A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not approach you." This verse doesn't mean we will never die when thousands around us are dying. But it does mean that if God doesn't will it, you will not die at that time. David also said, "My times are in your hands." Psalm 31:15

Abraham may have had an excuse for lying about his wife once. But why after God intervened with the King of Egypt did he do it a second time? He had still not learned to trust God with his life. But what is wonderful about this story is how God looks. He comes through shining in glory and goodness. He protected Sarah, he forgave Abraham, he talked with pagan kings and was kind to them.

Thank you Lord that you are a loving, patient and kind God. We are so fortunate to have you ruling the Universe. Be with us God as we live on this dark planet. Keep us from the evil one as you have promised. In Jesus name, Amen.

Helping the Poor.

Yesterday, I wrote how God said one of the sins of Sodom was that they were rich, yet they did not help the poor. This is a grave sin in the sight of God. All through the Bible God tells us to help the poor and needy. In Leviticus chapter 19 he told Israel not to reap all the food, neither grain nor fruit, but to leave it for the poor. Here are some more verses on helping those in need.:

"How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble." Psalm 41:1

"He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him." Proverbs 14:31

"He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13

"The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern." Proverbs 29:7

"Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy." Proverbs 31:9

"What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the face of the poor? declares the Lord of hosts." Isaiah 3:15

"The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice." Ezekiel 22:29

"For I know you sins are many and are great. You distress the righteous and accept bribes and turn aside the poor in the gate." Amos 5:12

Jesus said, "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back...Give and it will be given to you." Luke 6: 30 &38

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33,34

Helping Strangers.

Abraham was sitting under a tree in the heat of the day. Three men walked by and Abraham got up and asked them to come aside, have a drink and eat some food before they continued with their journey. Genesis 18

At first, Abraham did not know these three men were God and two angels. He merely wanted to help them and show hospitality. I have read that this custom is still practiced in the Middle East.

We don't do this often in western society. We barely speak to strangers, never mind asking them to eat with us. It is too bad we have become such an isolated people. Most of us don't even know our next-door neighbors.

My Spanish professor used to tell us what it was like growing up in Mexico. Every city has a town square where important events are celebrated - like a wedding. Every weekend people gather to sing and dance. People know each other.

I wish it was this way in our towns and cities. Once you know people, you find out what problems they have and can perhaps help them. If you are having a bad time or a good time, you can share this with your neighbors.

We help strangers by giving to charities, and that is a good thing. But when I think of Abraham giving lunch to God because he was just walking by, I feel like we are all missing something important.

Do We Deserve to be Sick?

John Chapter 9.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?"

Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."

"While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Then Jesus healed the blind man.

While Jesus was in the world he was showing what God was like. He healed every person who asked. He does not do that now. Jesus went back to heaven and he hears all prayers, yet he does not heal everyone now.

My husband has Carcinoid Syndrome, I have fibromyalgia, some people are paralyzed, and some are blind. I have known some Godly women who have died; one of diabetes and one of breast cancer. They both had small children. Many prayers were said for these women. They were anointed with oil, yet God did not heal them.

Sometimes I hear sermons on TV and preachers say that God doesn't want us to be sick. God will heal us if we will only believe. But I disagree. I think the reason God doesn't heal everyone now and didn't heal everyone before Jesus was a man on earth is because if he did - all sick people would come to God just to be healed. No one would die, because if faith can always heal us then we would never die.

We are not sick because of our sins. Jesus himself said this. We are not being punished and God is not mad at us. Jesus said that that this man's blindness was so God's works might be displayed in him. What did he mean?

My husband has been asked time and again why he is so cheerful when he is always in pain and constantly feels weak. This has given him the chance to tell people how God has helped him through his illness. God has given him peace and joy in spite of how he feels. He has learned to lean on God for strength and patience. What Jesus said has happened; God's works have been displayed through his illness.

Many people come to God when they are sick or dying. The pleasures and trinkets of this life pale in comparison to the unknown ahead of them. God can take something negative, like illness, and use it to bring people to an eternal life with him where there is no pain, no sickness and no death. Therefore, God's works are displayed.

Life can make us bitter. Chronic illness can make us bitter. Both my husband and I wish we weren't sick, we have both been tempted to feel angry about it and bitter about all the things we can't do any more. But we have both talked with God about our feelings and he has given us peace and acceptance. We believe God will always bring good out of evil for people who trust him.

At the Right Time.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a good person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." Colossians 5:6-

Hope

"May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope." Romans 15:13

Joy is never released through unbelief, but it is always present where there is belief. Believing is so much simpler than not believing. If we do not believe God, his word, and his promises, then we are left with the labor of reasoning and attempting to work out matters ourselves. (From the book, New Day, New You, by Joyce Meyer)

"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and over burdened, and I will cause you to rest." Matthew 11:28

I have been a Christian for many years, yet hope eluded me. So many awful things had happened in my life, I just gave up and hoped for nothing. But Joyce Meyer taught me to hope again by believing God could give me good things.

I began trusting God and believing he would work for me, that he would make my life happier. I started quoting the Bible each morning with words of praise for God and his power and goodness. Very soon I experienced happiness and hope, and soon God brought things and people into my life that made me happier and gave me the feeling of accomplishment. I no longer believed my life was useless.

Believe God loves you, believe he wants nothing more than to help you, and you will see some marvelous things happen.

The Whole Armor of God.

"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for you feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Renew Your Mind.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Romans 12:2

There is a dynamic principle shown throughout God's Word, and no person will ever walk in victory unless he understands and operates in it: right action follows right thinking.

Let me put it another way: you will not change your behaviour until you change your thoughts.

In God's order of things, right thinking comes first, and right action follows.

"Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind." Ephesians 4:24

These are quotes from the book, Battlefield In Your Mind, by Joyce Meyer.

Joyce helped me so much in my Christian walk. I used to wake up each morning wishing I had never been born. I hated facing a new day with all the problems it may throw at me. I used to ask God to let me die and have some peace.

This was my state of mind when I read this book. I wrote down all her suggestions on how to think differently. I read them every morning and quoted the Bible out loud as she instructed. Immediately I felt better about my life. Soon I didn't need to read the list of instructions, it just came naturally to think right thoughts.

My inner life has changed completely. I wake up happy to be alive. When something bad happens I now know that with God I can face it. I am so thankful to God and Joyce.

Jesus Asks Questions.

This is the last post on questions that God and Jesus have asked people. I conclude with Jesus and a few of the questions he asked.

"Why were you afraid, you men of little faith?" Matt. 8:26

"You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matt. 16

Faith is important to God. Jesus asked both these questions when he was on the sea with his disciples. In the first instance, they were all afraid of their boat sinking. There was a fierce storm at the time. Jesus was asleep and they woke him asking if he cared they would all die.

Jesus implied a person of faith would not have been afraid. Why? Why does it show faith when you believe you are about to drown and you are not afraid? I think that faith would say, "Trust in the Lord, if it is his will for you to die now then accept it. If it is not his will, no storm on earth could kill you."

The second verse came from Jesus when Peter came out onto the water to walk with Jesus. But Peter looked away and became afraid and began to sink. He looked at the storm instead of at Jesus. This it to teach us to look at God when we are in trouble. If we do, we will not doubt or be afraid.

Saul (later named Paul)was persecuting Christians; he was arresting them and taking them to jail. As he was going to Damascus a great light shone around him, he saw a heavenly person (Jesus) who spoke to him and asked him this question,


"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

Paul had an open mind, he asked, "Who are you Lord?"

Jesus answered, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."

Paul was converted that day, he repented and became one of the greatest Apostles.

If God ever questions you or I, how will we answer him? Will we be rebellious or will we open our heart to him?

A Question for Isaiah and Questions for All of Us.

Isaiah, like Elijah, was another great prophet of God. One day God took him to heaven and Isaiah saw, "the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted..."

God now asked a question of the ones in heaven, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for me?"
Isaiah answered and said, "Here am I, send me." What a wonderful answer! After seeing the majesty of God, Isaiah must have been strengthened for his great work in giving God's messages to the people of Israel.

Reading through the book of Isaiah, God asks the people many questions. Sometimes questions push us to examine why and what we are doing.

"What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the face of the poor?"
This is an important issue with God; it is mentioned time and time again in the Old Testament and the New.

"To whom will you liken me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One.

"Why do you say, 'My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God?'"

"Is my hand short that it cannot save? Have I no power to deliver?
Behold, I dry up the sea with my rebuke. I make the rivers in a wilderness."

"Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?"

The Lord God wants to talk with people. He doesn't just want a one-sided conversation, he wants us to hear what he says in the Bible and he listens to what we say to him. If we have questions for God, he will answer them. Sometimes, like with Job, he will not explain all his reasons for doing things, but he will show us that he is trustworthy.

God Questions Job.

The book of Job tells the story of a man who endures terrible psychological and physical suffering. God shows us in the first chapter how Satan tells God Job only loves God because he has given him many gifts: children, money, lands, animals, and servants.

Satan tells God if he lets him take away all Job has then Job will curse God and leave him. God tells Satan he can touch everything of Job's but cannot take his life.

When Job loses everything and everyone but his wife, he cannot understand why he is suffering. Job's three friends tell him he must have sinned greatly for God to punish him in this way, but Job can think of nothing he has done. He wishes he had never been born and wishes he could talk with God and question Him.

God appears to talk with Job. He never explains why Job has had these tragedies. Instead, he asks him a long list of questions which I won't quote since there are too many. I will quote four of them.

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?"

"Will the fault-finder contend with the Almighty?"

"Will you really annul my judgement?"

"Will you condemn me that you may be justified?"

God explains his great wisdom and power by pointing to all creation. He is trying to tell Job he knows what he is doing.

Job answers God, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted...Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know..."

"But now my eye sees you; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes."

The Question for Elijah.

Elijah was a mighty prophet of God, one of the greatest who ever lived. Yet, even he could become discouraged and fearful. When Jezebel announced she would have Elijah killed he ran into the desert to hide. He ran until he became hungry and tired; he sat under a tree and asked God that he might die, then fell asleep.

God sent an angel who woke Elijah and said, "Arise, eat." When Elijah looked there was warm bread and a jar of water. This happened twice, he regained his strength and went further into the wilderness until he found a cave in which to hide.

Now God himself appeared and asked Elijah a question, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah explained to God all that had happened and told God he was the only person left in Israel who believed in him and they wanted to kill him. But God told him he was wrong, there were 7,000 people in Israel who had not worshipped Baal (an idol that demanded human sacrifice).

He then asked again, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He asked this because he had not sent Elijah into the desert. He had not told him to flee Jezebel. He now told him to return to Israel and Elijah obeyed.

I love how God deals with his people. He is so patient and understanding. "May everything that breathes praise the Lord!"

Questions II

Yesterday, I blogged about how God asks questions. I studied some more and found quite a few more examples.
Most people know the story of Jonah and the whale, but did you know that Jonah was angry with God when he didn't destroy the people of Nineveh? He probably didn't think they deserved to live, and also that he might be thought of as a false prophet.

So God came to visit Jonah and asked him, "Do you have a good reason to be angry?" Jonah 4:4

Isn't it wonderful to see the patience of God. Someone was angry with him, yet God didn't yell or punish, he simply asked a question. And what was Jonah's reply? "I have good reason to be angry, even to death." He was so angry, he wanted to die rather than accept what God had done.

Again God shows patience in explaining to Jonah his reasons.

"Shouldn't I have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who don't know their right hand from their left, as well as many animals?" Not only does God care about the people, he cares about the animals that would have died.

You may ask, "If God loved Nineveh so much why would he threaten to destroy the whole city?" The Bible has long lists of evils that push God to punish nations. The most prominent reason is child sacrifice. In many religions of that day the people laid babies and children on an alter and burned them to death. The other reasons were cruelty to strangers, murder of innocent people, sexual sins, robbing the poor, widows and orphans and not helping those in need. God will let nations go so far, and then no farther.

To those who turn to God, he will gladly accept and forgive. He will give them a new heart that loves to do good and not evil.

When God Asks a Question.

Genesis 3:9-13

After Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit, God came to the garden and started to ask questions.

"The Lord God called to the man Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

"I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself."

"Who told you that you were naked?"

Why would God, who knows everything, ask these questions of a man? Is it because he wanted Adam to run to Him in trust, telling him all about what had happened. But instead, Adam pointed at Eve and blamed her.

God now questioned Eve, "What is this that you have done?" She evaded he responsibility and pointed at the snake and blamed him.

God gave both Adam and Eve a chance to say they were sorry, but it didn't happen. Perhaps later, but not at first.

Then there was Cain. God spoke to him with questions also. Cain was upset so God said, "Why are you angry? Why do you look sad?" He wanted Cain to open up to Him, to tell God his feelings, but instead the Bible says Cain went and told his brother Abel. Abel must have said something Cain did not like, for he rose up and killed him.


God came again, "Where is Abel, your brother?" God gave him a chance to confess his terrible sin. But Cain gave the answer, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" Instead of repenting, Cain lied.

I see in the actions of God a patient and welcoming personality. Even though he knew what these people had done, he didn't open up with an accusation. He asked them to tell him what has happened.

This is what prayer is - telling God all about our feelings, our plans, our day. He wants us to share everything with him and ask for his help and strength. If Cain had done that when God first spoke with him, he probably would not have killed his brother. If Eve had waited after she met the serpent to talk with God about what had happened and asked his advice, this world would still be a paradise.

Tomorrow, I will show some more examples of God and Jesus asking questions.

Paul

I was reading II Corinthians yesterday and it hit me how much Paul had suffered for preaching the gospel. Some preachers tell us God will bless our lives with money and other comforts is we ask him. Compare that to what Paul went through.

"Five times I received 39 lashes, three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." These are some of Paul's words taken from Chapter 11.

Paul said he also had a "thorn in the flesh" that he asked God three times to remove. But God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." I take this to mean God can use our weaknesses to show forth his power.

If we think God will protect us from all trouble, we are mistaken. But, he will be with us in that trouble. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 I love that verse. In tribulation - look at what Jesus did and know he is with you. "Behold, I am with you until the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

I Press On.

Philippians 3:12-14


"Not that I have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

When mountain climbing you don't look down, you look up. You forget what happened on the way up, you keep looking up towards the prize of reaching the top. So it is with us and our walk with God. Don't look back at your mistakes, don't look back at the hard times, look up and keep your eyes on Jesus.

The Value of Jesus.

Philippians 3:8-11


"I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and may be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death in order that I may obtain the resurrection from the dead."

Put On Love.

Colossians 3:12-15


"As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Seek the Things Above.

Colossians 3:1-4


"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

For you haved died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

From Darkness to Jesus.

Colossians 1:13-16


"God delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

And Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created by him and for him."

I once was in darkness, but am now in the light of God. I am so thankful for this.

Walking On the Sea.

"They saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." John 6:19-20


I believe this excerpt comes from the book, "My Utmost For His Highest."

"What is my vision of God's purpose for me? Whatever it may be, his purpose is for me to depend on him and hon his power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me.

God is not working toward a particular finish - his purpose is the process itself. What he desires for me is that I see "Him walking on the sea" with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see "Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.

Jesus

"Jesus did not entrust himself to them, for he knew what was in man." John 2:24-25


"Our Lord never put his trust in any person. Yet he was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because he put his trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God's grace could do for others.

If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be - absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God."

I don't know what book this quote came from. I hope whoever wrote it won't mind if I print it.

Suffering

This is an excerpt from the book, "Where is God When it Hurts?" by Philip Yancey.

"It seems to me that suffering involves two main issues: 1) whoever caused my discomfort, and 2) my response. Most of us expend our energy trying to figure out the cause of our pain before we'll decide how to respond...

In the book of Job, the portion of the Bible which most vividly poses the question "Who causes pain?" God deliberately sidesteps the issue. He never explained the cause to Job. All the way through, the Bible steers from the issue of cause to the issue of response. Pain and suffering have happened - now what will you do? The great discussers of cause, Job's three friends, are dismissed with a scowl. The Bible is so clear on this point that I must conclude the real issue before Christians is not "Is God responsible?" but "How should I react now that this terrible thing has happened?"

I remember reading a book by Viktor Frankl who was in a concentration camp in Germany during World War II. He said that his captors could take everything away from him (and they killed his wife and parents) but his attitude.

My attitude during suffering is that I want to just die. Yet God doesn't answer this prayer, he keeps my heart beating. Therefore, I now try to have the right attitude towards suffering - that God is with me, he suffers with me, and he loves me. This makes all suffering bearable for me.

It's Ok to Be Different.

"The sun is glorious in one way, the moon is glorious in another way, and the stars are glorious in their own way; for one star differs from and surpasses another in its beauty and brilliance." ICorinthians 15:41

This is from the book, New Day, New You, by Joyce Meyer.

"God has created us to be different from one another; and he has done this on purpose. Each of us meets a need, and we are all part of God's overall plan. When we struggle to be like others, we not only lose ourselves, but also grieve the Holy Spirit. God wants us to fit into his plan, not to feel pressured trying to fit into everyone else's plans. Different is okay; it is all right to be different.

We are all born with different temperaments, different physical features, different fingerprints, different gifts and abilities, etc. Our goal should be to find out what we are good at and then throw ourselves wholeheartedly into it."

Do Not Fret

I found this quote in my drawer, I don't remember where I found it.


"Do not fret - it only causes harm." Psalm 37:8

Fretting means getting ourselves "out of joint" mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, "Do not fret," but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It's easy to say, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him," until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to "rest in the Lord" then? If this "Do not" doesn't work there, then it will not work anywhere. This "Do not" must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.


Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply and indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because his purpose was never to accomplish his own plans but to fulfill God's plans.

Falling Leaves

1 Corinthians 15:31 "I die daily."


This morning, as I sat outside, I looked across at a large maple tree. It is taller than the houses and covered in golden leaves. Winter is approaching, there is a chill in the air.

There was no breeze, but as I looked, I noticed leaves were falling off the tree. One here, two there - bit by bit the tree was losing it's leaves and going to sleep for the winter months. Little by little, it's glorious covering would fall.

The thought came to me it is like dying to self. Little by little God takes away our sinful nature. Bit by bit he shows us things in our lives that have to die. He does this slowly and for as long as it takes until we are left with nothing but Him.

Then the sun shines - the Son of God. He makes new and beautiful leaves grow. At first they are just buds on the branches. Slowly they grow, we cannot even see the growth as it happens, yet one day the tree is covered in new leaves to give beauty, shade and fruit to make people glad.

The God Who Comforts

God is always comforting me. When I talk with him about my worries, I feel his presence and comfort. These are some Bible verses on the word, "Comfort."


"I, even I, am he who comforts you." Isa. 51:12

"Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psa. 23:4

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort." 11 Corinthians 1:3

"This is my comfort in my affliction. That your word has revived me." Psa. 119:50

Sowing and Reaping.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7



This is an excerpt from "New Day, New You," by Joyce Meyer.

"These scriptures plainly tell us that we will reap what we sow. Sowing and reaping applies no only to the agricultural and financial realms, but also to the mental realm. We can sow and reap an attitude as well as a crop or an investment. One pastor I know often says that when he hears someone has been talking about him in an unkind way, he asks himself, "Are they sowing, or am I reaping?" Many times we are reaping in our lives what we have previously sown into the life of another."

Psalms 71:17-24


"O God, you have taught me from my youth;
And I still declare your wonderful deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, Oh God, do not forsake me.
Until I declare your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.

For your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens.
You who have done great things,
Oh God, who is like you?

You, who have shown me many troubles and distresses,
Will revive me again.
And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
May you increase my greatness
And turn to comfort me.

I will also praise you with a harp.
Even your truth, O my God;
To you I will sing praises with the lyre.
O you Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you,
And my soul, which you have redeemed.
My tongue also will utter your goodness all day long.

God Loves Me?

I heard a sermon today by Joyce Meyer. She was preaching salvation in India. As I listened, I realized I still needed to understand the basics - that God loves me no matter what I do. That he is pleased with my efforts to follow him, even though my efforts are full of stumbling and mistakes. That he doesn't want me to worry about my sins or my failings - that he accepts me just as I am each day. That I should enjoy God and my relationship with him. I am learning this, but I still fall back to my old ways of fear.

I was raised in a works-oriented church. The Ten Commandments were memorized, and yet I have read that Jesus said the most important commandment is love. My church is so afraid of sin that they make everyone else afraid of sin. But the Bible says, "Perfect love casts out fear." Love should be preached, love should be emphasized, love should be our ideal - not obedience.

I cried as I listened to her sermon because I knew I still have trouble believing God loves me just as I am. I still have times when I am uncomfortable with him. This is why my daughters don't take their children to church. They have taught their children God is a loving God, and the kids are happy with that. They feel at peace with God. They pray and don't feel condemnation. I am happy for them because they don't have years of brain-washing to overcome in their relationship with God.

Sharing.

Acts 4:32-35

"And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostle's feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need."

I wish our churches were like this. I know churches do a lot of good, but think of the good each member could do if he sold the extra things he had and gave to the poor. I know of a person in the news who owns 7 houses. What if he sold 6 and gave to the poor? He would still have one house, which is all he needs.

I have read that Bill Gates has challenged all the billionaires of America to give half what they have to the poor. I was thrilled to hear him say this, and excited to see that a lot of rich people have agreed with him. This is a wonderful thing and I hope they especially help the people who are out of work right now and people who are losing their homes. May God bless them for what they are doing.

Have A Dream

This is from the book, "New Day, New You," by Joyce Meyer.



"I would rather have a big dream and see half of it come to pass than to have a little dream and see all of it come to pass. I believe that when God created all of us he breathed the breath of life into us and then took a little part of himself and placed it within each of us. One of us may have a musical gift, another may have a gift of writing. The problem comes when we try to take the gift God has given us and use it to do what someone else is doing instead of developing our own potential. We have a part of God in us. We are not a mistake. We don't have to spend our lives on the back burner.


We are not too old or too young. We have God-given dreams and visions. But the dreams and visions God gives us for the future are possibilities not "positivelies." (That's the way God spoke it to me a long time ago.) With him, nothing is impossible, but it also takes our cooperation and willingness through determination, obedience, and hard work to develop what he has put in us."

Comfort

ll Corinthians 1:3-5

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.

He comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the same comfort he gives us.

For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ."

Surprise!

A poem from the book, "Outrageous Joy."

Heaven's Misfits - by Barbara Johnson

I dreamed I went to heaven,
And I was quite surprised
To see just who had made it to
That home up in the sky:
The ragged, dirty drifter,
The kid who barely spoke,
The loudmouthed woman down the street -
Was this some kind of joke?
Then I noticed they were staring
Right at me. They made it clear
That all of them were thinking,
"What are you doing here?"

From the book, "New Day, New You." by Joyce Meyer

"Years ago, out of my selfish, self-centered lifestyle, I began to cry out to God, "What is wrong?" God showed me how selfish I was. The truth changed my heart. Now I just want to help people. It's the reason I write, travel, and speak. I don't do things to impress people; I just want to please God.

If we can forget about our little aches and pains, our little personal trials and tribulations; if we can get ourselves off of our own minds and go find somebody else to help, our lives are going to get better. This is an marvelous discovery."

I have a chronic illness. Because of this, I think about myself a lot. I feel sorry for myself sometimes, even though I know many people are worse off than me. I think about my physical limitations, instead of rejoicing in what I can do. I feel useless, even though I am not - my family needs me. Selfishness. Yes, I know about that.
I pray God will help me to think of him and others more than myself. I pray he will use me to help people.

Simple Prayer

This is an excerpt from Joyce Meyer's book, "The Power of Simple Prayer."

Prayer is so much easier than many people think. In fact, Charles Spurgeon, who had a very sophisticated mind, said succinctly: "When we pray, the simpler our prayers are, the better." God hears the simplest, faintest cry and receives the most childlike requests. I have raised four children, and as of this writing, I have eight grandchildren - and I can tell you that one thing children are not is complicated. Children have no trouble letting you know what they want, running into your arms when they are afraid, or giving you a big generous kiss, sometimes for no apparent reason. They need to be encouraged to do things that are hard, but they will gladly do almost anything that is easy. They are not sophisticated enough to hide their hearts or feelings very well, and as a result, communicating with them can be easy and refreshing.

That's the way God wants us to be when we talk to him. We need to approach God with childlike simplicity and faith. Just as children are naturally inclined to trust their parents completely, we also need to be guileless, pure and free from doubt as we trust God. When we pray with simple childlike faith, we can experience God's miracle-working power and see things change."

Christine is Doing Well.

I just thought I would continue on yesterdays blog. Christine was in a lot of pain at first, but today she is much better. She can talk and eat soft food. I even went out and got her some baby food. She isn't allowed to chew for a whole month because they had to chip some of her jaw bone out.

Well, I thank God for his kindess in helping us through this. There were no complications, for which we are all grateful. Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I Will Comfort You

"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:13


My daughter, Christine, had surgery on her wisdom teeth today. She has been worried and afraid about it for weeks. I was worried too, because she has had problems with other surgeries, and also because I knew she would be in a lot of pain afterwards.

I've been praying for her all the while, but last night I could feel my stomach go in knots about it. I felt a little panic well up inside. But immediately I felt God's Spirit say, "It's alright, don't worry." I just relaxed and felt better.

I'm so thankful for God's comfort and strength in times of need. I know he wasn't telling me that she would have no pain or troubles, but that he was here with us, with my family. Thank you God.

The surgery went well, they had to cut into her jaw bone and she is in pain of course, but I know God will help her.

Forget the Past.

"Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward." Philippians 3:13

This is an excerpt from the book, "New Day, New You," by Joyce Meyer.

I spent many years hating myself for each of my failures. I desperately wanted to be a good Christian. I wanted to please God. But I still thought it was my perfect performance that would please him. I had not yet learned that he was pleased with my faith.

If you made a mistake twenty years ago or ten minutes ago, there is still nothing you can do about it except ask for forgiveness, receive it, forget the past, and go on. There may be some restitution you can make to an individual you hurt; and if that is the case, by all means do so. But the bottom line is that you still must let go of the past in order to grasp the future. Until you do so, you will not enjoy life the way god intended when he sent Jesus.

What to Rejoice About

Here are some things the Bible tells us to rejoice in.

Rejoice in your work, family and food.
Rejoice in God's blessings.
Rejoice in every good thing.
Rejoice in salvation.
Rejoice in God.
Rejoice in the shadow of his wings.
Rejoice in God's word.
Rejoice in your wife (or husband). Rejoice in the Second Coming.
Rejoice in good government.
Rejoice in Jerusalem.
Rejoice in the birth of Christ.


Rejoice your name is written in heaven.
Rejoice when the lost are found.
Rejoice in hope.
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Rejoice when Christ is proclaimed.

Paul said, "Even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your raith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all." Phillipians 2:17

Jesus: "For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Rejoice Always? Yes.

"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Awhile ago I said I was going to try to rejoice in the Lord even when I felt upset or depressed. I have been doing that each day and I can testify that this has made my life calm and serene. I rejoice because of who God is, and because "my name is written in heaven."

Joyce Meyer says to, "Think on purpose." We shouldn't let our thoughts control us. If they are sad thoughts or bad thoughts, we can give them to God, quote some scriptures and go on with your day not dwelling on negative ideas.

A few days ago someone hurt my feelings. I talked with God about it and told him how I felt, then I told him I would not dwell on it but leave it with him. I realized that God is my best friend; even if other friends hurt me, he would not. He would always be there for me and he is all I need.

Whereas before I would have felt sad for a long time, it was only a few minutes this time. In fact, I felt happy for I felt God understood and was helping me.

We cannot rejoice over bad things that happen, but we can rejoice in the Lord. For the joy of the Lord is our strength.

The House On a Rock

"Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on a rock.

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of
it." Matthew 7:24-27

Be Yourself

Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.


This is an excerpt from the book, "New Day, New You", by Joyce Meyer

"Whatever I thought people wanted me to be, that was what I tried to be. I wore many masks, trying to be accepted by everyone.


This type of behaviour can become a real problem if it is not addressed and changed. God will never help us be anyone other than ourselves. At times I felt like a vending machine. Everyone who came near pushed a different button, expecting a different thing...

I said yes to everything until I finally became sick from stress and realized that if I did not learn to say no, I was in for serious health issues. I wanted everyone to love and accept me I desperately wanted their approval - but I was trying to get it the wrong way. The Lord told me that he would give me favor with people if I would pray for them and trust him."

Jesus told this parable:

"If a woman has ten silver coins and loses one of them, she will light a lamp, sweep out the house, look in every corner until she has found it. And when she has, she calls her friends and neighbours together, and says, "Rejoice with me! I have found the coin I lost." In the same way, I tell you, there is joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:8-10

This is an excerpt from the book, "Faith That Works," by Morris Venden:

In this story Jesus is telling us, through the symbol of the coin, that it is possible to be lost and not to know that we are lost, and not to know the way back. And the One (Jesus) goes out and looks for this lost coin...

It is just a piece of silver, yet it is still of value, and the value of one soul can never be overestimated in the eyes of Heaven."

Rush Limbaugh

I was watching the news last night, and they showed Rush Limbaugh looking at pictures of President Obama while he said, (I'm paraphrasing) "I don't know, but I think I see something demonic in his eyes. I'm not saying he's possessed, but I think I see something demonic there."


Well, maybe I see something demonic in Rush Limbaugh. How do you know if God is speaking through someone? It is plain in the Bible.

1 John 4:1 Jesus said, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Matthew 7:15-16 "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will know them by their fruits."


Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

John 15:8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples."

What am I to do with my life? Joyce Meyer writes about how to know the answer to this question.

Excerpt from the book, "New Day, New You".

"God answers these questions through our natural gifts and abilities. He leads us to our purpose through the natural skills and unique talents he bestows upon us. God-given gifts are the skills a person easily performs without formal training. We derive great pleasure from doing what we are naturally good at doing.

If you aren't sure of your purpose, just do what you do well, and then watch God confirm you by blessing your endeavors. Don't spend your life trying to do what you are not gifted to do. I tried to grow a garden and can tomatoes and sew my husband's clothes. I wasn't at all good at any of these things, and I even despised trying!...

We know we are operating in our gifts and calling when what we do ministers life to others."

The Lord is a Shield

Psalm 3:3-6


You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the one who lifts my head.

I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And he answered me from his holy mountain.
I lay down and slept,
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people,
Who have set themselves against me round about.

This Scripture is Fulfilled.

Luke 4:16-21


"Jesus was in Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and as his custom was he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read...

'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.'

And he closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he said to them, 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'"

According to Mercy.

Titus 3:4-8

"When the kindness of God our Saviour and his love for man appeared,
He saved us, not on the basis of good deeds which we have done,
But according to his mercy by the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

He poured the Holy Spirit upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
For being justified by his grace we would be made heirs
According to the hope of eternal life.

This is a trustworthy statement,
And concerning these things I want you to speak confidently,
So those who have believed in God will engage in good deeds."

Think On These Things.

Phillipians 4:8

Whatever is true


Whatever is honorable

Whatever is right

Whatever is pure


Whatever is lovely

Whatever is of good repute

Whatever is excellent


Whatever is worthy of praise

Think on these things.

Consider the Ravens...

Luke 12:22-31

"Don't worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.


Consider the ravens for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds.
And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?

Consider the lilies, how they grow. They neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even King Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.


But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will be clothe you? You men of little faith!

And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.

But seek his kingdom first, and all these things will be given to you."

Luke 17:21

Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is! or, 'There it is!' For the kingdome of God is within you."

Matthew 13:31-32

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."




"The kingdom of heaven is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it had risen."




"The kindgom of God is like a man who sowed good seed in his field..." Matt:13:24


The kingdom of God is not a place, event or something to be seen. It is the Spirit of God working inside you to change you into a more beautiful person. You slowly become more like God as the seeds he has implanted in you grow into maturity.

This is not something others see working, nor even ourselves. How God does it, we do not know. Growth and maturity take time - a life time. This is why we can never judge someone else, for we cannot see the heart and the work God is doing.

Ezekiel was given a vision of heaven. He had no words to describe what he saw, so he compared the vision of God on his throne to things he had seen on earth. To see God must be amazing and wonderful.

Ezekiel 1:25-28

There came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.


Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man.

Then I noticed from the appearance of his loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around him.


Like the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

The Company God Keeps

This is an excerpt from the book, "The Bible Jesus Read," by Philip Yancey.


You learn a lot about a person by the friends he selects, and nothing about God proves more surprising than his choice of companions, the hand-picked objects of his intimacy. Abraham pimped for his wife, Jacob cheated his brother, Moses murdered, David murdered and committted adultery both - yet all of these ended up on God's list of favorites...

God has it out with loud complainers like Job, Jeremiah, and Jonah. He engages Abraham and Moses in lengthy arguments - and sometimes lets them win! In his wrestling match with Jacob, God waits until daybreak to inflict the wound; till then, Jacob hold his own. Quite obviously, God prefers honest disagreement to dishonest submission. He takes human beings seriously, conducts dialogues with them, includes them in his plans, listens to them.

If the Old Testament's overwhelming lesson about God is that he is personal and intimate, its overwhelming lesson about human beings is that we matter. What we say, how we behave, even what we think and feel - these things have an enormous effect on God. They have, in fact, cosmic implications."

Don't Be Discouraged

11Corinthians 4:16-18

Don't lose heart, even though we age and our bodies may become sick. Our inner life is being made new every day!

This transitory suffering that we go through is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory, far beyond all comparison.

Don't look at the things which are seen with your eyes, for they will not last. But look at the things that are unseen, for these things are eternal.

Forgotten

Isaiah 49:14-16


Some have said, "The Lord has left me, my Lord has forgotten me."

God replies: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the child she has borne?"

This is possible, yet I will not forget you. Look, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Your life is continually seen by me."

Don't Worry

Phillipians 4:6-7

Don't worry about anything, but in everything by prayer, and asking with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Contentment.

Philippians 4:11-13
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little money, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and ever circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through God who strengthens me."

You Are My God.

Psalm 63:1-8

"Oh God, you are my God; I shall seek you earnestly.
My soul thirsts for you, my flesh yearns for you.
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Thus I have seen you in the sanctuary, your power and glory.
Because your loving kindness is better than life.
My lips will praise you.
So will I bless you as long as I live.
I will lift up my hands in your name.

When I remember you on my bed,
I meditate on you in the night watches.
For you have been my help,
And in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand upholds me.

The Way of Love

1Corinthians 13:1-13

If I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own way, it is not easily provoked, and does not take into account a wrong suffered,

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails; prophecy will be done away, tongues will cease; knowledge will be done away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

But now faith, hope, love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27


"The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.

And he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love him, and to those who are called according to his purpose.

How Blessed.

This is my husband's favorite verse. He used to quote it to me when we were dating.

Psalm 1:1-3

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord
And on his law he meditates day and night.


He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

You Have Done This To Me.

Matthew 25:31-40

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne...

Then the King (Jesus) will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.

I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.




I was a stranger, and you invited me in.


I was naked, and you clothed me.


I was sick, and you visited me.

I was in prison, and you came to me.

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink. And when did we see you a stranger, and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison and come to you?"

The King will answer and say to them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me."

Sin

Romans 7:14-25 and 8:1-2

Paul writes about himself:

"For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate...

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.

For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want...

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my body.

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did in sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as an offering for sin. God condemned sin in the flesh."

1 John 1:8-9

"If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Hope

Romans 8:18-25
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

For the anxious longing of creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

For the creation itself was subjected to sin, yet has hope. For creation itself will also be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
For we kinow that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughter and the redemption of our body.


For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."

I Desire Mercy

In Jesus' day most people hated tax collectors. They were usually dishonest and charged more money than they should have.

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus was walking he saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

Later, as Jesus was eating a meal at Matthew's house, many tax collector's and sinners came also and were eating with Jesus and his disciples.

When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, "Why is your teacher eating with tax collector's and sinners?"

But when Jesus heard about this he said, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

The Pharisees thought that because they kept the letter of the law of God they were righteous. But they did not take to heart all the other teachings in the Old Testament about mercy, forgiveness and helping the poor. They judged harshly the people who did not keep the law as they did. They shunned these people and thought Jesus should too.


Even in the Old Testament God told Samuel, "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7

"Let the wicked return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,
And to our God,
For he will abundantly pardon."
Isaiah 55:7

I Am the Bread of Life.

John 6:35-40

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

All whom the Father gives me shall come to me, and whoever comes to me I will certainly not cast out.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that of all those he has given me, I lose no one, but will raise them up on the last day.

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him, may have eternal life. And I myself will raise him up on the last day.

Knock at the Door

Luke 11:9

Jesus said, "Ask and it shall be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened for you.

For everyone who asks, receives;
and he who seeks, finds;
and to him who knocks, it shall be opened.


Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish?
You will not give him a snake will you?
Or if he asks for an egg? You will not give him a scorpion will you?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more will your heavenly
Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?

Psalm 27:8

"When you said to me, "Seek my face,"
my heart said to you,
"Your face, O Lord, will I seek."

Isaiah 55:6

"Seek the Lord,
While he may be found.
Call upon him while he is near."

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the kingdom of God,
and his goodness.
And all these things will be given to you."

Matthew 13:45-46

"The kingdom of God is like a merchant
seeking fine pearls.
He found one of great value,
so he went and sold all that he had and bought it."

Puzzled?

From the book, "For This Day," by J.B. Phillips.

"I think of the many unsolved problems and puzzles of this life. It is true that, by the same Spirit, we are given an insight and an understanding into God's ways and workings that we should never have possessed by ourselves. But it is still true that life often baffles and perplexes us, and if you will not think me too childish, what I think we need is a good solid "shelf" on which such things may be left until the time comes for us to know even as we are known.

The "shelf" is, of course, God himself. When we are able to cast all our care upon him, I feel our care may rightly include our unsolved problems and difficulties.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose."

Colossians 3:12-14

As therefore, God's picked representatives, purified and beloved,
put on that nature which is merciful in action,
kindly in heart and humble in mind.

Accept life,
and be most patient and tolerant with one another,
always ready to forgive if you have a difference with anyone.

Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you.
And, above everything else, be truly loving,
for love binds all the virtues together in perfection.

I Am Like a Lonely Bird

Psalm 102

"Hear my prayer, O Lord!
And let my cry for help come to you.
Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress;
Incline your ear to me;
In the day when I call answer me quickly.
For my days have been consumed in smoke,
And my bones have been scorched like a hearth.
My heart has been smitten like grass and has withered away,
Indeed, I forget to eat my bread.
Because of the loudness of my groaning
my bones cling to my flesh.
I resemble a pelican of the wilderness;
I have become like an owl of the waste places.
I lie awake.
I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop."

Have you ever felt like a lonely bird on a housetop? I have. Have you ever felt like your heart has withered away? I have. Sometimes I think the Psalms have been written for those who have suffered and felt alone. When David felt that way he told God all about it, and God has made sure these prayers of David and other people were saved for all the ages.

The 102nd Psalm seems depressing, yet the very next chapter begins:
"Bless the Lord O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of his benefits;
Who pardons all your sins.

Whenever David talks about his troubles he ends up praising God for all his benefits. Let's never forget God's gifts to us, especially his presence in our lives.

Wealth or God?

Mark 8:36-37

"For what profit is there for someone who gains everything in the world, but loses his own soul?
For what will a person give in exchange for his soul?"

Someone could have all the wealth and power the world could offer, but what then? When they are dying, what would they give to live forever? What if someone said to them, "You can live healthy, strong and happily forever, but you must give me all you have."

What would the billionaire say? Wouldn't he say yes? Isn't a good life worth everything?

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

One of these two things must be chosen by everyone. Money or God, who will we serve? The Bible tells us to give, share, lend and help people in need. If we put money first, will we do these things? Probably not. If we put God first, will we do these things? Probably. That is the difference between loving God and money. It isn't that he wants us to be poor or not have anything nice. He wants our first priority to be helping others. And if we do, he says not to worry about our lives.

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body as to what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"

The Passion

Matthew 26:38

Jesus said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with me. And he went a little beyond them, fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will."

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping and said to Peter, "So, you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done." Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And he left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.

The word "Passion", when used in connection with Jesus means "suffering." We have a God who not only understands our suffering, but also suffers.

"We would all like life to be free from suffering, and our love to be free from pain. But there is no true love without suffering. So the highest love of all, the love of Christ for men, showed unforgettably how deeply he must suffer in order to bring men to himself.

'God was in Christ, reconciling men to himself,' wrote Paul. There compressed in a few highly-charged words, is the heart of the Good News.

We have a God who loves.

That means we have a God who suffers."

From the book, For This Day - J.B. Phillips

In Him We Live.

Acts 17:28 "In Him we live and move and have our being."

The excerpt below is from the book, For This Day, by J.B. Phillips

"Let us keep ourselves in the love of God. Tragedy, bereavement, suffering, disappointment, frustration...all these things I see in the lives of people every week of my life.

Often they cannot be explained. Often a kind of mute sympathy is the most that we can offer in the name of the Lord. But how much better if we can somehow, even though it be by a single sentence, suggest that nothing is really beyond the power and purpose of God?

However we may be hurt by life, whatever our mistakes and failures, and even though death itself touches us or our loved ones, we can at all times and in all places say, 'In him we live and move and have our being.'"


Habakkuk 3:17

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord is my strength,
He makes my feet like a deer's feet,
And makes me to walk upon high places.

God Takes Pleasure In Us

Zephaniah 3:17

He will exult over you with joy.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Psalm 149:4

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people.
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.

Jeremiah 3:13

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have drawn you to me with loving kindness.

God Takes Pleasure In Us

Love is the Greatest

Love is the greatest for, without it, there is no worthwhile success and no real security.

Love is the greatest, for men are never transformed at heart, permanently, except by love.

Love is the greatest for, without it, knowledge can become dangerous and destructive.

Love is the greatest, for it persists beyond the confines of this temporal existence.

Love is the greatest.

The life of Jesus is love.
It is the working out, on a miniature stage, of exactly that quality of person that is the power we call God.


"For This Day" by J.B. Phillips

Humility

Paul wrote to the new believers in Phillipi and told them to love one another. He went on to say, "Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Do not look out for only your own interests, but also the interests of others.

Have the same attitude which was in Jesus who, although he was God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or held onto, but he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and was made into the likeness of men.

As a man, he humbled himself further by being obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him a name above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every mouth will confess that Jesus the Messiah is Lord to the glory of God the Father."

The Children Came

Mark 10:13-16

The people were bringing their children to Jesus so that he might touch them;
But the disciples told them to leave Jesus alone.

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them,
"Let the children come to me, do not stop them;
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as them."

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

And he took them in his arms and began blessing them, laying his hands on them.

Rejoice - What I Have Learned So Far.

On Tuesday, I said I was going to try to rejoice in my problems and trials. I started doing it immediately all through the day and on Wednesday. I have learned some interesting things in two days.

1. I used to say, "Praise the Lord anyway." I didn't like the word 'anyway'. It says,"In spite of all this crap going on in my life, I will praise God anyway.

2. I wanted to rejoice in my problems without a qualifier, but found out there is one after all: Because.

3. "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn you name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for (because) your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:22-23

4. Jesus said, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that (because) your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20

5. "Let us lay aside every encumbrance and sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for (because of) the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

6. "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials..." I Peter 1:6 What is the 'this' that we should greatly rejoice about?
Verses 3-5 talk about being born again, having hope and an inheritance in heaven.

7. I woke up this morning, and instead of thinking of how bad my nightmares were or how my legs ached, I said, "I rejoice my name is written in heaven." Not only did that bring a smile on my face, but joy to my heart. I kind of like this rejoicing business!