Do You Observe Lent?...

Observing Lent

I have never observed Lent Season before,

I took the time and did some interesting research;

I found it all very refreshing and rich.

And with a sincere heart motive I am participating.

Lent Season

Repentance and understanding Christ sacrifice for us!

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of this season.

But I know you can start it any time as long as it is

Before Easter or shall I call it Resurrection Day!

When we sang this song on the evening of Ash Wednsday;

It was something that touched and stirred my heart!

It is only God who can grant us pardon from our sins!

And the prison we are captive in!

I always wondered what the Ashes signified?

Ashes are really just dust.

After Palm Sunday, they take the palms and burn them!

These are the ashes they used for the service.

 Ecclesiastes 3:20

All go to one place;

All are from the dust,

And all return to the dust.

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread

Till you return to the ground

For out of it you were taken;

For dust you are,

And dust you shall return.

All I can say it has a very rich meaning,

if taken to heart and not done as some ritual.

Sometimes when I pray that phrase has been used,

 I am but dust...

Life is so fragile and its good to be reminded of that.

I can truly say I have never given up anything for Lent!

Wasn't even sure if I wanted to.

This line in the song convicted me;

We are jealous, proud and impatient,

loving over much our things;

may the yielding of our failings be

Our Lenten offerings.

So as I have chosen to give up something for 40 days

I will pray to consecrate myself

 in my thoughts and words and deeds.

Even the 40 days are symbolic!

Have you ever given up something as onto the Lord?

I have so much to learn!

So thankful for God's grace to learn for eternity...

Blessings, Roxy

We Have Lost Our Shame In This Culture...

 

Lovely and Innocent

We have lost are shame dear ones in this culture;

There was a time when you knew who the Harlot was;

Now, we have the results of free love and no correction!

Every top has very low necklines

Every design is provocative

When was the last time you blushed?

How often do our young women blush anymore?

Look they have been exposed to everything

(Between the movies and magazines and books)

This has gotten so out of control!

Even the kids that were supposedly protected many have been exposed through

The internet, and other friends!

We are sex crazed and sweet romance is long gone.

But, may I say that even if the world is living like this.

We can stay pure in our hearts and thoughts!

True romance is from the Lord;

Where HE brings two together to become one!

Protect your eyes!!

Protect your heart!!

We are told in the Word that we should make a covenant with our eyes.

We need the washing of the Word!

But a crooked and perverse heart will bring ruin and destruction,

On both men and woman!

I can't change the world, but I can guide my home;

And there lies my effect on society...

Your HOME is a sacred place!

Having good boundaries and keep the fruit stealers away...

Please be diligent, keep active and alert!

Read good wholesome books!

Watch good wholesome movies!

Look the other way when weirdness and sensuality struts by!

They just want to shock us and demand we except their stuff!

Hate the sin, but love the sinner...

What I usually do is smile and say hello and go about my business!


Blessings To You All
I so appreciate Your visits here;
My Little Part Of A Happy Home!
And a better world...

Do You See Giants In The Land Or Do You See The Promises In The Land...

In This Life...

We are either going up a hill or we are going down an incline!

And when we are given the brief moment of the flat straight away;

It is like a walk on the beach!

~So many things appear to be but fleeting moments~

But we can learn to embrace each special portion of our walks!

And we have had a little saying in our home;

Look, we cannot both have a bad day at the same time!!

Everything at times can seem like a test...

But each thing we go through will teach us to be flexible and patient,

We build endurance and perseverance!

Once we get to the ocean shore;

We are either in heaven or on a holiday...

If life was but an eternal holiday, we would become weak and spoiled!

Our skin would even become tough and wrinkled.

Why must we always feel we need to be perfect without trials?

It is in these very trials that transforms us into mature believers!

I think when you do not believe or understand God's sovereignty;

You will not trust that even these trials and the walks on the beach,

Can and will be used to bring us into a closer walk with thee!

12 spies went into the promised land;

10 can back with a report of how they could not overcome the giants

2 looked to God and not at the giants

Where is your focus?

I for the grace of God look at the Sovereign God as my Lord and Savior

I will choose to enjoy the new land He has given me!

And each new day is part of His promise to you!

As I walk in this land of promise I know He has given me a better country!

I will keep my eyes open for the treasures along the shore;

Far in the distance I can see the prize awaiting me;

But if I do not give up and fall by the wayside!

Ask yourself what is needed?

Another recipe for you to prepare?

Another craft to make?

Another committee to be on?

Or to walk and not grow weary until you no longer see the giants;

But, are bound to dwell in the promised land...

We are but on a journey!

Christian Bookstores And Those Bestsellers, Are They Going to Help Or Harm...

I read a very interesting statement a while ago;

And let's just say it rocked my thinking.

The statement was this;

~One Of The Most Dangerous Place For A Christian Was A Christian Bookstore~

Okay, now this article had my full attention now!

It stated that in these Christian book stores there is every kind of popular book,

Every bestseller, and every belief system known to man.

These displays made up of the Bestseller List, and are jumping up and down saying

"Buy Me"

The article said the object is still to sell books...

It is not necessary for these books to be biblical, just bestsellers!

Spending our hard earned money on something that will not be a good read;

But rather something that twists or contorts biblical truth.

Is there anything really new under the sun?

I think every lie, since the beginning of time is actually the same old lie.

But it has been remolded and shaped to fit the culture we're in.

Ask yourself this question, why are all these new books being written?

They are selling their wares, book peddlers.

Every author will tell us to be watching for their next new book!

I am not talking about fiction or biography, but rather the teaching kind!

Or how many times they died and went to heaven.

The worst are those that don't even die, but travel to heaven!

(Just like Paul right!)

But he even didn't know if he was in his body or not!

And he was very careful what he was to share.

Tell all and nothing can be verified except I just thought or felt this and this and this...

I for one have decided to do my homework on anything else I buy or read!

Firstly, we need to know the truth to be able to distinguish the counterfeit!

I will still visit our Christian Bookstore;

But let's just say just because she or he is a popular author does not make them safe!

I always like to know the background of the author!

Ask the questions that matter;

What do they believe?

If it is a woman is she living as the scripture teaches?

Look, most of this stuff is physiological babble,
Umbilical nonsense and un-scriptural, things taken out of context!
They make God sound like our lover and magic genie.
BEWARE

Just watch and read the Bible first, and be leery of what is the new way of thinking!
I do believe I have heard about almost every bit of nonsense I can possibly hear!


We now live in an Ecumenical spiritual whirlwind!
Tornadoes will cause destruction and death...
Yet a gentle breeze can refresh and inspire.

Please be very cautious in these days of anything goes!
Remember those that died to preserve the TRUTH...

Ask yourself this;
"All these books and authors have they drawn men to Christ or themselves?"

The Continental Divide Of Theology

The Continental Divide Of Theology

By Steven Lawson, Ligonier

Through the western regions of North America, there runs an imaginary geographic line that determines the flow of streams into oceans. It is known as the Continental Divide. Ultimately, precipitation falling on the east side of this great divide will flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Likewise, water falling on the western slopes of this line will surge in the opposite direction until it finally empties into the Pacific Ocean. Needless to say, a vast continent separates these immense bodies of water. It is seemingly far-fetched to ponder that a raindrop falling atop a mountain in Colorado will flow to the Pacific, while another drop, falling but a short distance away, will flow into the Atlantic. Nevertheless, once the water pours down on a particular side of this great divide, its path is determined and its direction is unchangeable.


Geography is not the only place we find a great divide. There is a high ground that runs through church history as well—a Continental Divide of theology. This great divide of doctrine separates two distinctly different streams of thought that flow in opposite directions. To be specific, this determinative high ground is one’s theology of God, man, and salvation. This is the highest of all thought, and it divides all doctrine into two schools. Historically, these two ways of thinking about God and His saving grace have been called by various names. Some have identified them as Augustinianism and Pelagianism. Others have named them Calvinism and Arminianism. Still others have defined them as Reformed and Catholic, while others have used the terms predestination and free will. But by whatever name, these streams are determined by the Continental Divide of theology.


This metaphorical divide differs from the geographical Continental Divide in one key respect. Whereas streams flowing west and east of the Rocky Mountains descend gradually to the plains and lowlands where they meet the oceans, the terrain on the two sides of the doctrinal divide is quite different. On one side we find solid highlands of truth. On the other side there are precipitous slopes of half-truths and full error.

Over the centuries, seasons of reformation and revival in the church have come when the sovereign grace of God has been openly proclaimed and clearly taught. When a high view of God has been infused into the hearts and minds of God’s people, the church has sat on the elevated plateaus of transcendent truth. This lofty ground is Calvinism—the high ground for the church. The lofty truths of divine sovereignty provide the greatest and grandest view of God. The doctrines of grace serve to elevate the entire life of the church. The great Princeton theologian Benjamin Breckenridge Warfield, writing more than a century ago, perceptively noted, “The world should realize with increased clearness that Evangelicalism stands or falls with Calvinism.” At first glance, this stunning statement may appear to be an exaggeration, even hyperbole. But the more it is weighed, the more one discerns that evangelicalism—that part of the body of Christ that rightly adheres to the inerrancy of Scripture, the total depravity of man, and the sovereignty of God in all aspects of life—always needs the doctrines of sovereign grace to anchor it to the high ground. For without the theological teachings of Reformed truth concerning God’s sovereignty in man’s salvation, the church is weakened and made vulnerable, soon to begin an inevitable decline into baser beliefs, whether she realizes it or not.


Whenever the church becomes increasingly man-centered, she begins the downhill slide, often without recovery, and always to her detriment. Once yielding the high ground of Calvinism, a self-absorbed church puts its full weight onto the slippery slope of Arminianism, resulting in a loss of its foundational stability. Tragically, however, the descent rarely stops there. Historically, man-centered doctrine has served only as a catalyst for an even greater fall.


Rappelling down the slippery slopes of Arminianism, one is soon to find the church sinking deeper and deeper into a murky quagmire of heretical ideas. Such a descent inevitably gives way to liberalism, the utter rejection of the absolute authority of Scripture. From liberalism—given enough time— the church always plunges yet lower into ecumenism, that deadly philosophy that embraces all religions as having some part of the truth. Continuing this downward spiral, the church plummets into universalism, the damning belief that all men eventually will be saved. Yet worse, universalism gives way to agnosticism, a degenerate view that one cannot even know whether there is a God. Finally, the church falls into the deepest abyss—the hellish flames of atheism, the belief that there is no God.


Never has the need been greater for the truths of sovereign grace to be firmly established in the church. Her thinking about God desperately needs to be flowing in the right direction. As the church thinks, so she worships; and, as the church worships, so she lives, serves, and evangelizes. The church’s right view of God and the outworking of His grace gives shape to everything that is vital and important. The church must recapture her lofty vision of God and, thereby, be anchored to the solid rock of His absolute supremacy in all things. Only then will the church have a God-centered orientation in all matters of ministry. This, I believe, is the desperate need of the hour.


This excerpt is adapted from Foundations Of Graceby Steven J. Lawson.


Resource The Continental Divide of Theology (http://www.ligonier.org/blog/continental-divide-theology/), Copyright 2016 by Steven J. Lawson, Ligonier Ministries (http://www.ligonier.org)

I remember when I was a young Christian I always felt the tension of these

two opposites of theology!

But it has taken much thought and reading of the scriptures,

And a good scriptural Bible teacher;

I have learned that expository preaching is the only way to

understand sound doctrine.

I enjoyed this article on this subject and thought I would share it!

I have realized many people do not even realize that there are these

two different camps!

Here is another link explaining the difference of the two theologies

Click The Link Below

What Arminianism Means

God Speaks Through His Word Only...

 

Ordinary Days

Some days just seem ordinary...

But I can assure you every day is far from ordinary!

I have been hearing so many people speak this phrase;

I am waiting to hear God speak!

I am listening to, hear God's voice!

Be very careful in this matter of communing with God!

He has spoken through HIS Word...

There are a lot of voices out there and many of these voices are not God!

The self is always talking and having a dialog in one's head.

Many false prophets are speaking heresies!

They say they are the voice of God!

I know the Holy Spirit can prompt us and lead us in our lives!

But waiting to hear God's voice can and will lead you away!

The Word says;

The Lord orders the steps of a good man!

He directs us,

But the WORD is the way God communicates with us!

Even when there was only the Old testament God did not speak in an audible

voice  to His hand picked prophets often!

Abraham went between 12 to 14 years between hearing from God!

Why are we always looking to hear a new word or message?

This is where you can really get off from the truth!

And another thing when God did speak it was always about,

Correction and Warnings!

If you would read the Word and then examine your own heart

You will see how God speaks...

The Holy Spirit will illuminate the truths of His Word!

Please do a study and be watchful of this abuse of expecting God

To speak in ways He has stopped doing!

We all hear about others hearing God and then we begin to think

why are we not hearing God speak? 

Then we start to look at these others thinking they are more spiritual than me!

We are diverting from the very source that was given us to know

what God wants us to know about every matter!

Believe me anyone can hear voices;

But there is a great danger there!

It is the Holy Spirit that will guide and comfort and correct us!

But even the Holy Spirit is here to convict us of our sin!

There is even another disturbing thing going on saying that,

We no longer have to repent of our sin!

Because Jesus died for all our sins.

But if we do not repent, we lose fellowship.

(See what I mean)

Too many are reading way too many bad books on,

what God has said, or is doing!

What has happened to expository preaching?

These people are going around telling us about what they think or hear!

(Really)

And these guys make a ton of money and it is for their own profit!

The Word Is Perfect...

The Word is Complete...

Why do so many want more and are willing to believe all these crazy

stories and to think they want the same experiences.

Tend To Your Own Front Porch...

 

Tend To Your Own Front Porch

There was a Sunday school lesson that was taught to me years ago,

And I wanted to share with you what that lesson was

 And how I still try today to live up to that lesson.

Every single day we will have things that will come into our lives,

That are problems that we had nothing to do with!

Some of these things or people will try to control and take advantage of us!

We need to learn to discern which are from the Lord;

And those that are stumbling blocks to steal, kill and destroy us.

Lesson

We all will have things that try to bombard us on a daily bases;

But we must be very careful that we do not try to take another persons problem

upon ourselves. And subject ourselves to things never intended for us.

God has given each of us our own homes and front porches.

We need to tend to our own porches daily.

We must sweep them daily to clean off the debris that blow upon them.

(Sin, Sorrow, Unforgiveness, Self pity, Lies, Jealousy, Hatred)

We talked about the only way we could help others was when we

Swept our own front porches off;

Getting the plank out of our eye,

So we could see to help them get the speck from their eyes removed.

But we all know that takes the power of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit!

He told us way too many times we as Christians get involved with other peoples

 Problems that we were never intended to be involved in!

He was a very wise man and he spoke truth!

We now have what I see as a social gospel, we need to enable and help everyone!

When we do not forsake our sins and yet expect others to support us!

Wrong theology, and unhealthy thinking!

We are told to disciple others not enable them to live in ungodly ways!

I believe we are all seeing, so many people that do not take responsibility

for their own choices and lack of godliness and willingness to work.

Holding grudges and really not forgiving others is sin!

But when we continue to do the same thing over and over again,

Yet expect a different outcome is insanity

One thing that I am learning as I see so many people hurting from

being mistreated by others is this;

Be very wise with whom you get involved with!

Be careful what you say to them!

Do not give your time or money unless you have prayed about it!

Learn to know when to say enough or when to say NO!

You ladies have been given the charge to keep your own front porch,

Cleaned and swept off and in order.

If you are spending all your time and strength and words to enable others is 

not pleasing to the Lord or being a good helpmate to your own husband!

Do not waste your resources for a sloth or a person who will not repent!

We need to love others, sometimes by not helping and yet praying for them!

The Candle And Preparing To Be A Homemaker...

The Candle Stick

A candle placed within a candelabra, or a simple candle holder.

Can cause a soft and loving atmosphere.

It has always been a very visual and symbolic picture of being the source of light!

Years ago these were the only source of light used as it was carried from room to room.

I think the use of those tapered candles for the home lighting, were very simple.

Yet they were a major item of a home.

The making of these candles was a very big job and needed to be completed

In a timely fashion. It did take a long process to make them.

They would have to use quality ingredients.

And to also make enough to get through the long winter nights.

I believe when a young maiden fills their Hope Chest;

They know that they will need a strong and sturdy candle holder!

Having the actual candles will be an ongoing need.

But the holder was something that needed to be unbreakable,

Yet, lovely and functional!

And as a contrast

We are carriers of the light as lady's we must shine with love.

We will need to be strong;

And not easily broken or haphazardly put together.

One thing we can be certain of as we walk and live out our calling;

We can either be a bright and happy light that fills a room with joy.

Or a dark shadow of doubt and worry.

We must try to be a positive light for others to see the love of Jesus in us!

For He has asked us to let this light shine…

Keep your candles and candlesticks handy!

For as soon as the sun starts to set we will need them to make

All the rooms of our hearts bright and filled with light.

I have always loved how the word tells us to expose the darkness!

Allow the Lord to work in your heart to keep the flame flickering brightly!

He is our only HOPE…

The Famine Of Hearing God's Word...

Everyone is looking for truth and meaning to their lives!

Well, I will tell you this that you will not find the true answers
in this old world!
Yet God will use this creation and all our situations to bring us to the truth.
I believe He is always tenderly calling...
I told my Hubby this morning I am pretty sure we don't live forever
 in these old bodies.

I found this and I thought I would share it with some of you!

John the Baptist was such a powerful light that God chose to use!
Check out this link below and save it to your favorites!

We must learn to feed ourselves as the church is suffering
from a famine of the Word...

We live in a day in which there is a famine in the land for the hearing of God's Word. This famine has produced a generation of starving Christians who greatly desire the presence of the truth of God's Word in their lives. Our purpose is to use the means of the Internet to propel the Word of God to every tribe, tongue, and people.

To help accomplish this goal, we have launched Expositor.FM, a 24-hour Christian internet radio station featuring the biblical preaching and teaching of many prominent pastors, teachers, and leaders proclaiming God's Word.

Google... www dot expositor dot fm

Expositor.FM is committed to daily programming that will aid your personal Christian Walk.
Be encouraged by men who have established ministries founded on the Word of God.
Be instructed in verse-by-verse exposition for the renewal of your mind and transformation of your life.

Are You Following After Every Wind Of Doctrine...

The Wind Is Blowing In So Many Directions...

I have felt and seen such a strong resistance from so many people.

I believe it is because no one wants to be corrected or instructed in anything.

We all need to be willing to learn and to be able to  respond to wise direction!

Just because it's not new or improved, does not make it incorrect!

It seems that everyone is the boss and their own master;

Do we not summit because there is no one capable to lead...

 That could be the problem, or we are just not going to listen to sound doctrine.

Hey, if my ears are not being tickled what fun is that!

Now, what has happened to the older teaching the younger?

Oh wait, I forgot...

You all know everything//

Before you get your hackles up; I am also referring to myself,

Being teachable is a gift that some just do not have;

If we are very quick to respond when we are being spoken to,

This can be a sign of not being teachable...

If you find that you do not agree with anyone that does not hold to your

Personal ways of doing things, not able to see error easily.

Being dogmatic, is a sure way for us to find ourselves in a valley.

Even in the book of Ezekiel, he was in the valley

And I can just imagine he was wondering well these are just old dead bones;

But it was God who told him what and when to speak to the dry bones,

Even, This Prophet had to do it in just the right way!

Instruction is good if we will listen!

As a child, I did not take kindly to people telling me what to do and when to do it!

But as an older mature woman, I now see the wisdom in listening to instruction.

Our God has been so gracious to us by giving us all an instruction book!

~ ~ ~

The Holy Bible

~ ~ ~

I think we have all taken way to many new ideas from books written by mere men

I was wondering as I walked through a Christian bookstore;

Are we to take all this in as a new revelation?

Has a new book that you may have read left you feeling empowered?

I tend to think so many of these books appeal to the flesh and the natural man!

Maybe I am just very cautious;

But, I tend to see how they always turn into what I need to do...

I believe God can still do anything that has been written in the Bible,

Old or New testament!

But I also know that we can not just go to a school or read a book;

 And become equipped to do everything!

Always error on the conservative side,

 I would rather be a bit slower

And not jumping on the bandwagon of every new doctrine that is being taught

In so many books and ministry!

~ ~ ~

Trust me, when God shows up you will know it!

This could be the rapture or judgement;

He does tell a group of people in a parable this;

Depart from me, I never knew you;

(What was their response?)

Why did God warn us of false doctrine and apostasy that would come?

Oh that's right, you can't be deceived...

Your too smart for that!

Well, it sure wouldn't hurt to ask the Lord to reveal any false belief systems

You may be involved in...

I have seen or heard so many fleeing from the church's;

They have said it is because the church is embracing so many false doctrines.

These people have been in these church's for twenty or thirty years.

 We can choose sound doctrine and wisdom,

Or believe every powerful man made doctrine and book and do just what you want;

Or is this just being stiff neck and not teachable?

Sound doctrine looks boring after you have had a dose of the supernatural programs!

You very well may start thinking that we all should be doing that!

And mind you that is possible, but only if He wills it!

I know you must defend your way of doing things; I guess I have seen

So many ways that people defend each person's position and belief.

So, I think I will just keep busy sweeping off my own front porch;

And always be ready in season to tell others the Gospel!

And hopefully I will not add my own things to it;

As it is truly all about Him and His finished work...

No New Revelations, it's all been written!

But He does tell us not to despise prophecy;

Or have words of wisdom and knowledge to love and encourage the body!

Are you seeing a false doctrine or apostasy creeping into your church or lives?

Where Are You In The Rising And Setting Of The Sun...

Sunshine

Everyday starts with the sun rising in the eastern sky,

It can be counted on to do it day after day.

Sunrise and Sunset...

What happens between the rising of the sun to its setting in the west

This is where we get to shine...

As we learn and grow as children that belong to an awesome Father;

We are starting to have some of His traits;

 Remember the soap opera called the guiding light?

Well, I can surely tell you by watching that program you will not look

More like your heavenly Father;

Because it would be the wrong light to follow!

{There are many lights in this world beckoning to us all}

Just because there is something giving off light does not mean;

It is of God!

We are warned that if even an angel preached another gospel

Do Not to follow it!

There are so many shades of gray that are telling us it is okay to do this

Or do that!!  Really??

Ask God and He will show you where the shadows are.

We are not left alone! As we have a heavenly Father that,

Loves his kids...

Do not follow someone who is not following in the steps of the only Father that

can bring light into total darkness!

Do you awake with the SON shining in your hearts?

Is there a song upon your lips?

I know the sun is setting...

Work while it is yet day!

I had an older Pastor friend tell me the other night

That a day would come when we would only be able to

Take care of our own households...

I want to know where this scripture is and how it may be written.

{ I loved the thought of it}

Do any of you know where it is in the Word?

I have not done any research as of yet:

Please share with me in the comments if this is a scripture you

are familiar with!

May we give all our burdens to the Lord and lay down and go to sleep!

~As we know He alone holds the setting sun in His hand~

How To Stay Girded Up While In The Wilderness Of Life...

Living Our Days In Simplicity...

So many days are filled with hard things.
They may be little things in the grand scheme of things;
But they make you stop and you have to realign and gird up...

Why are we all having to gird up?
The Word speaks about this very thing.

I believe God is teaching us endurance to overcome!

Trials have a way of helping us to have a tough external reaction to
Trials and troubles.

Kind of like a horse or cow, they barely flinch when the
Flies and mosquitoes land on them to feast from their very hid...

And may I remind you this kind of girding up, does not make one insensitive!
But rather able to discern where to use its energy and strength.

Many longed to live the simple life, but we are always in training.
"To endure to the end"

You all know the diligence that is required to even grow a garden;
You know the strength required to keep a home running smoothly.
You know the importance of keeping your husband's heart filled and encouraged!

Why do these trials just keep on coming for so many, you may be asking?

Sometimes plain and simple it is the enemy of your soul,
Like Erckle use to say---- I am wearing you down Baby---

Or it is our Lord and Savior, training and teaching us in the wilderness;
Or on the backside of the mountain....

We are learning to be flexible and not falling apart when trouble comes knocking.

Sometimes you can answer the knock and see who it is and if it is the enemy
Close the door and tell him, I don't talk to snakes, go away in the name of Jesus.

If it is the sweet Lord Jesus, invite Him in and tell Him your every burden!
Wipe your tears away and begin to do what is required of you!

I choose this day to arise and let my enemies be scattered;
But I will study God's Word
 and I will dust my home and sweep the floors
 and encourage you all to do the same simple things!

We get into our heads and hearts we have to be doing huge things or projects;
But to do what is required of you is a powerful strength!

I choose to look for the simple combinations of things in my life and home.
Making a lovely space of a pretty old blue kettle and a lace tablecloth over an old oak chair
 and a clump of lavender can make a bright spot in any room.
 This is called working with what you have. And making all things lovely!

...I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep
that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2Timothy 1:12 KJV

If you will just quickly respond in trust and faith;
God will bring you to this place of peace;

Your response and attitude  determines how long you stay in the wilderness!

Do you know someone who is just very bitter?
But it is the very choice they have made,,,
There is a fruit that is being grown from your very response of life's wilderness
Experiences and Trials!
Responding well is how we grow and gird up according to God's pattern.

Are you going through a trial?
Well rejoice for you are in training to endure to the end...

How Do We Live The Abundant Life...

How Can We
Enjoy The Fruits Of Our Labor

Having an Abundant Life requires knowing that you cannot fix the world:

 you can only change yourself.

 Abundant living is being free to enjoy the beauty and richness in life,

 knowing it comes from the Lord.

So many do not enjoy the fruit of their labors.

 If you will invest in relationships that are based on Godly principles;

you will reap a harvest of joy...

If you will invest in creating a home life based on Godly principles;
We will have a peace and joy that endures changes.

The key word here is labor

This labor is entering into a rest of His provisions;

When we work hard and take care of what He has given us;
We can enjoy more fully His abundance..

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink,
 And that he should make his soul enjoy the fruit of his labor.
 This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2:24

I am sitting here after an aftermath of a hailstorm
Of what seemed like biblical proportions...
The damage is pretty bad, but I am praising God for sparing us
So much more damage that could of occurred!
We had hail 2 feet deep!

This post got published and I don't even know how that happened!
It was in my Drafts file, so I must of needed to read this one myself.
God does work in mysterious ways!
We had to take cover for two tornados that were seen!

I live the abundant life everyday...
I will invest in real people and take care of my family!
I will run my race with the goal that is just ahead.

Live life with honor and respect for those who care for you!

What are the things that make your life abundant?

The Shaking Of Mount Everest...

 Everything That Can Be Shaken Will Be Shaken...

This Earthquake touched me personally;

I have on the ground three young adults living in that area,

That I know personally and attended the one couple's wedding!

I received a TXT message shortly after the earthquake

 and we heard that all of them were safe.

We saw images of this massive mountain just moving and shaking...

Well, we are seeing the destruction and the loss of life!

I will say that I just think that many of these lives will not see the Lord.

The pagan gods and their idols were smashed, their temples are no more...

I have prayed and my heart does feel heavy for this upheaval,

And destruction and loss of loved ones for so many.

There is fear for them that it is still very dangerous to go inside any structure.

I wonder is this the shaking that might cause the world to look

and see that they need a Saviour and how they must make

Him Lord of their lives!

I am so grateful that my friends were on a bus traveling in a remote area!

God does know where each of us are at any given time.

We are told in the Holy Bible that earthquakes will happen!

We must all be ready for any such thing that might shake our lives or our world!

~Everything that can be shaken will be shaken~

Pray For Those To See and Hear The Truth

As destruction can come swiftly and some are not ready

To meet The Only One True God

How To Study The Bible That Is Fun And Powerful...

~My Notebook~

 Why Study Gods Word?

We are told to study to show ourselves approved...

There is a fun and powerful way to study God's word!

Firstly purchase a nice hard cover notebook;

As after you start this learning process you will want to keep your work

 of the study of the scriptures...

Learning to study can be fun when you use some tools available to us!

What fun would it be to be given a coloring book with no crayons?

When we are looking at a portion of scripture is is just plain writing;

And I do hope you, feel free to underline passages that speak to you!

It is best to have one Bible you can underline and comment in and add things you have learned!

Open your new notebook

 and leave the left side of your notebook for notes only

What I do is start writing the scripture on just the right side of the book!

I Hand write out the scripture verse on the right;

I use the New King James Version as I prefer this version,

And the study tool I use of the Blue Letter Bible dot org is comparable with this version!

~You will need an array of different colors of highlighters and colored pencils~

Make sure you buy the ones that do not bleed through the paper of your

Notebook or Bible...

Using my different colors to study God's word is my favorite part!

What women do not just love new bright colors!

~My Colored Highlighters And Markers~

Okay, after you have your scripture written out, start using some tools

A dictionary to look up words, a commentary!

Circle any word that you can look up its meaning;

Underline words that interest you

Draw little pictures of something that relates, like a heart or a question mark.

Being creative with your circles and underlining and pictures, will help you

retain the information and help it stick in your memory.

If you have access to a compute this is a great study tool to help you

with the Greek meaning of different words;

Blue Letter Bible dot org

Also a Strong's Concordance works just great also!

A Bible dictionary is helpful;

Having a few study tools always available will bring much profit!

~This is money well spent and can be used by the whole family~

Make studying God's word fun and let it be something you do often!

Spending time reading so much christian material is okay;

But studying God's word will have a much greater impact on your life...

I hope you enjoyed and maybe gleaned something from this article in my Blog

Sometimes it is nice to see how other women are learning and growing!

I find this form of study fun and very powerful and effective!

~Please~

Share with us on this forum what tools or ideas you use to study the Bible!

For The Revelation Awaits...

All things have an appointed time...

~It speaks~

Waiting for all that God has planned for you, is well worth the wait!

All things will come to pass for you dear ones...

As we wait, we must stay busy and occupy till He returns!

 We have many days and years to fill with fruits and works,

"For His Glory"

When you wait patiently for His timing all things just unfold...

We are all just so impatient

Could you not tarry for one hour?

Would you not watch for three days?

Would you persevere for forty years?

We sometimes may feel we are wasting our time;

But what may be really going on is that we may not be using our time wisely.

I have seen a pattern in my life;

I work hard and then I rest...

We work so we can enjoy the fruits of His good pleasure towards us!

I find great joy knowing that every promise in God's word will be

Fulfilled, just as He foretold.

When we are waiting for something, we grow!

~Learning to find the pleasure in the waiting~

When we conceived a child, we have nine months to prepare

When we plant a seed we have months till we harvest

When we plant a tree we have years till we have shade or fruit to harvest

A great marriage may take many years

It can take decades for your children to rise up to call you blessed

Wait...

All things in its appointed season

Even if the enemy of our souls tries to bring destruction

God will use it for His glory

Nothing is wasted...

All will be used to build up or prove false...

The truth will win

The King on His white horse called

Faithful and true!

Be faithful dear ones;

Be a faithful daughter

Be a faithful woman

Be a faithful wife

Be a faithful witness

(Those that wait will see)

For it shall surely come...