March 30, 2013
Friends,
I wanted to share what I just read -Good Friday from a mother's view with the inspired writings of Ann Voskamp. It can be read @aholyexperience.com.

Also, a wonderful 3 minute video "The King" found on Renee Swope.com. Just scroll down to it and be blessed.
Have a wonderful weekend with your family.

He is risen!
Death and the grave could not hold our Savior down!
He reins forever!

He is The King of kings and our LORD of lords!

See ya Monday.
Linda

Marriage

O.T. 14. "Marriage" March 29, 2013
Genesis 2-Part 4
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Genesis 2:23

LET IT GLOW

Here I am, married over 40 years. How quickly time has passed. Are you committed to a marriage partner? Is your marriage committed to God? What are we teaching our children? Is marriage for a lifetime or until we get tired of each other?

In the first two chapters of Genesis we see the first man, first woman, first surgery, first marriage, first home, first family, and first institution. God created them all.
In verse 20, Adam was busy naming the animals and birds. Did he need help in such a big task? (Today, we have over 17,000 air-breathing species of animals.) But man was alone. Did Adam talk to God about the situation? God had said in verse 18 that it wasn't good for man to be alone. Of course, we know that God  had planned out the solution before the need arose.

Adam needed a help meet, which is neged in Hebrew, with several meanings. One is a counterpart or mate; opposite.

What procedure did God use in making woman?
God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. This was a divine anesthetic used by the Great Physician and the first surgery performed.
God took one of Adam's ribs out and closed up the flesh. Rib in Hebrew is tesela, meaning side, wing of a building, and a panel. God made woman, not out of dust of the ground like man, but from Adam's side in order that she may labor alongside of him.

Man was to hold the woman ever so dear to his heart-loving and respecting her ever so deeply-for she came from both God's hand and from man's very own body. Man and woman have different roles and purposes on earth.Thus their bodies and brains are made differently so they can perform those.

[Resource: The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible]

Men should act and dress like men and women should act and dress like women. Why are they allowing the deceiver to persuade them that they are born gay when they are not? Are we letting our roles change?

LET IT GROW

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.(Ephesians 5:22)
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. (Ephesians 5:25)

God brought the woman to the man, so God performed the first marriage. He sanctified and blessed the first home and the first family.
Matthew 19:6 says in NIV, So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

Our society has sunk so low that it is trying to twist the standards of marriage from how God established it, between and man and a woman, to include homosexuals. Will Christians take a stand against this or let them pass laws accepting the sinful lifestyle? Is our nation heading toward a Sodom and Gemmorah lifestyle?

 Liberty Bible Commentary says that the creation of Adam and Eve teaches us much about the marriage relationship:

1. Marriage was instituted by God, not by man, thus God's Word must give us the proper guidelines;
2. Marriage was, and is to be, monogamous; God gave Adam only one wife;
3. Marriage is to be heterosexual; homosexuality does not have a case in the light of biblical revelation;
4. The husband and wife are to be unified physically and spiritually. He is to leave his parents and become "glued to his wife." This implies the permanency of marriage;
5. The husband is to be the head of the wife. Adam was created before Eve and she was created as a helper for him. The chain exists because God instituted it, not because men are superior.

Marriage is the first institution established upon earth and for our society.  Here are three rules of the marriage bond:

1. There is to be a leaving of parents, a permanent separation from parents by man
     and woman. Marriage is to be the srongest and primary relationship between persons.
2. There is to be a cleaving to each other. The union is to be intimate and permanent.
3. There is to be one flesh. He is to be hers and she is to be his, as one person. There is
     a spiritual union and physical intimacy so binding that they become one person in
     body, mind, and spirit.
 

The family is an institution. God established the family as the first institution of society. He later established the worship center and the government. All institutions of society find their roots in the family-education, health care, worship, government.

Will Christians take a stand for God's Word and against evil? We shall see.
In what kind of society will our grandchildren live?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN, JUST AS HE SAID. Matthew 28:6

Jesus gives us hope for eternal life and a resurrected life. Are you trusting in the Savior?

LET IT GO

Be content with the role I was created to serve Jesus in, a woman.

Honor Him in all I do.

Stay faithful to my husband.

Take a stand against homosexuality and gay marriages.

Are You in Agreement?

O.T. 13. "Are You in Agreement?"
March 28, 2013
Genesis 2-Part 3
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.  Genesis 2:15 NIV

LET IT GLOW

I remember how important it seemed to share in the "firsts" of our children's lives. We often took pictures or recorded the event so we could look back on the experience and talk about it. There was the first word, first step, first birthday, first haircut, first tricycle/bicycle, first day of school, first report card, first A/F, first teacher, first game, first date, first car, first job, first love. Did those events pop into your mind like they did mine?
As I mentioned on the last lesson, there were several "firsts" found in Genesis 2:

• the first man, Adam (2:7)
• the first garden, home (2:8-14)
• the first charge or covenant (2:15-17)
• the first woman, Eve (2:18-25)

We have previously discussed the first two, now let's see what The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible has to say  about the first covenant, charge, in Genesis. A covenant  is a specific agreement between two or more persons. There are three types of covenants seen in the Bible:

1. an agreement between two or more persons who freely agree to the terms of the contract or covenant (Gen. 21:32);
2. an agreement imposed by a superior party demanding obedience from the weaker party (Gen. 2:16-17, Ezk. 17:13-14);
3. an unconditional agreement or promise-what might be called a covenant of mercy or grace-whereby God obligates Himself to help or to reconcile sinful man (Gen. 3:15, Deut. 7:6-8).

The word covenant is used 253 times in the Old Testament and 20 times in the New Testament. Many of these are used in reference to the Ark of the Covenant that sat in the Holy of Holies.

Scripture discusses at least nine covenants or promises and charges. The first is the covenant of Eden whereby God meets man's most basic needs (Gen. 2:15-17). Adam had all the fruit he could eat at his disposal in the Garden. He was free to eat from all the trees except for two. He had the restriction of not eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life. When he did, man would die, which was a warning from God. We aren't told how much time elapsed before Eve was created to help Adam. I wonder if he became overwhelmed with the tasks of taking care of the shrubs, orchards, growth, in the Garden and naming and caring for the animals.

How faithful am I in doing the tasks God has for me? Do I do my best and honor Him? Are we in agreement or disagreement with God?


LET IT GROW

Here was are in the midst of a perfect creation, watching a perfect man obeying his Creator. What were some of the purposes of man? I found some words ending with -ship to help answer that question:

1. kinship-to be like God and sonship (1:26);
2. workmanship-to rule, have dominion and authority over God's creation (1:28);
3. worship of only God(2:3);
4. fellowship and enjoyment (2:8);
5. partnership and service (2:15);
6. relationship, obedience and loyalty (2:16-17);
7. companionship with another (2:18-25).

What kind of ship do I live in? How about you?

LET IT GO

Thank Jesus for His provisions.

Allow God to be first in my life, giving Him first place.

Keep worship, fellowship, and relationship with God of foremost importance.

Pray and study His Word the first thing of my day.

Be faithful in what He has called me to do and be.

What a Garden!

O.T. 12. "What a Garden!"      March 27, 2013
Genesis 2-Part 2
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  Genesis 2:7 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Have you had the privilege of seeing any beautiful gardens? I have enjoyed walking through a few in my day. Oh, the sight of the flowers in bloom, the apple blossoms, the greenery and their scents. A few years ago, we went to Sands Springs for a business meeting. They had such huge gorgeous flowers in the resort outside, along the path to the pond and the golf course. Then there were those huge flowers in Porte Rico. I have dreams of having a wonderful garden in my yard. I haven't achieved it yet. Does one rose bush count? Can you imagine the exquisite garden that Eden was? We will talk about it later. First, let's look at a first mention.

This the the first mention of the word for God, the LORD. I looked it up in several sources and wanted to share them with you.

Liberty Bible Commentary states the LORD, is literally YHWH (pronounced Yahweh), the most significant name for God in the Old Testament. It's two-fold meaning of (1) the active, self-existent One (Ex. 3:14) and (2) Israel's Redeemer (Ex. 6:6), is used in contrast to the Elohim (the powerful God) of chapter 1.

Young's Analytical Concordance lists scriptures where a word is found in the Bible, has 13 different meanings for LORD-He (who) is, yahweh (read adonai).

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says LORD is Jehovah (pronounced yeh-ho-vaw) meaning self-Existent or Eternal; a Jewish national name of God. (There are almost 22 pages of scriptures listed  where the word is found in the Bible.)

Chapter 2, dictated by Moses, revealed to us by the LORD, tells several things He did, as an overview:

• He made the earth and the heavens. (verse 4)
• He had not caused it to rain upon the earth yet. (verse 5).
• He formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.    (verse 7)
• He planted a garden eastward in Eden and put the man there. (verse 8)
• He made every tree pleasant to see and good for food, the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil to grow out of the ground. (verse 9) The tree was planted by God, but the cross was made by man. (John 19:15-16)
• He put the man into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (verse 15)
• He said that it wasn't good for man to be alone and made him a help meet. (verse 18)
• He formed every beast of the field and fowl of the air out of the ground, then brought them to Adam to name. (verse 19)
• He caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep, then took on of his ribs and made woman from it. (verses 21-22)

Only God, our Jehovah, could do those things. Yahweh, Holy is Your name.


LET IT GROW

What was mentioned above that is new, not previously mentioned?
First of all, God made the Garden of Eden. It was a lush and perfect home for the man and woman.
(Later, it will be the sight of the Battle of Armageddon.)
God made the two trees of which man and woman were forbidden to eat the fruit-life and knowledge trees.
God made woman from a rib of man, to be his helper.

We read of a lot of "first" mentioned in chapters 2 and 3. There is the first man, first garden, first charge, first woman, first temptation and sin, first consequences of sin, first judgments upon sin, the first provision of God for man, the first act of salvation. (The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible)
We will touch on these later.

Here we have a perfect world with perfect people. But all that was going to change soon. (We don't know how much time lapsed, actually.) Eden could have lasted only a few days or a thousand days. (Guess we can ask about that when we get to heaven.) Notice that the warning was given to Adam that he would die if he ate from those two trees. (verse 17)

Here was Adam's first task, charge, and quite a job it was-name the animals. Today, there are some 17,000 air-breathing species of animals in existence. (Falwell)
Of course Adam was to dress (to serve) and keep (to look after or to have charge of) the garden, unlike that activity of work after the curse. It was productive and enjoyable. He was the caretaker.
Let's leave the man to his task. Tomorrow he will get some help.

How do I treat my world, my garden?

LET IT GO

Keep Jesus as LORD of my life.

Dress, serve, and keep, look after, my garden, own little world. Honor Jesus in all that I do.

Sundays

O.T. 11 "Sundays"
Genesis 2-Part 1
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:1-3 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Some of you may recall, along with me, the days when stores were closed on Sundays, factories stopped their work, amusement places were not open, even the gas stations were shut. It was a way of life for our society. God provided what the working man needed in 5-6 days. People went to worship on Sunday and didn't mow their lawns. Nowadays, a person can't tell the difference between one day of the week and another. There is no significance of the day. It has no special meaning for a lot of folks. How much we have compromised! Do my neighbors see the difference in my days?

Only a week earlier there was no universe and earth decorated, no living things, animals, nor man. Now God's work was completed with no flaws.
The vast cosmos was full of countless wonders, each of which displayed the glory and wisdom of a good and perfect Creator. God had completed all of creation, so there was nothing more for Him to create. (MacArthur)

What are the verbs used in verses 1-3 of chapter 2, denoting what God did?

• finished (verse 1) heavens and earth, and all the host of them;
• ended (verse 2) his work, stopped creating;
• rested (verse 2) from all his work(rested means to cease);
• blessed and sanctified the seventh day (set apart).

god did not rest because He was tired, exhausted, burdened, nor pressured from His creation work. He doesn't need rest like man needs it.
He rested from all His work which He had made (or created). The word work (melakhah) means a special work, a very special job or task. The special work or task under taken by God was creation. He ceased from the work that He had been doing that week. Creation was completed. His rest wasn't idleness, laziness, slackness, slumber. See Isaiah 40:28. (The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Book)

Does our society cease from work in observance of the Lord's Day? It used during my childhood. The Lord blessed our nation during those times.

LET IT GROW

Later, the Sabbath ordinance of Moses found its basis in the creation week (Ex.20:8-11). The Sabbath was God's sacred, ordained day in the weekly cycle. Jesus said, The Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27) and verse 3 stated that God "sanctified" or set apart the Sabbath day because He rested in it. Later, it was set aside for a day of worship in the Mosaic Law. The church began worshiping on the first day of the week to commemorate the Resurrection of Christ (Acts 20:7). (MacArthur)

Christians call the day of worship  "The Lord's Day," which is Sunday, not the Sabbath, our Saturday, the seventh day of the week. It was on the first day of the week that Christ arose from the dead, the tomb (Matt. 28:1). I hope you will be in a worship service praising our Risen Savior.

Do I finish my projects on Saturday so I can rest on Sunday?
Do I make Sunday a day of worship and rest?
Do I praise the Creator, thank Him for life, acknowledge Him as Lord and Majesty of the universe, bless Him for work and health, serve Him with a loving heart, and ask Him to meet our needs?


LET IT GO

Do my house duties by Saturday and rest on Sunday.

Worship the Risen Savior on Sunday.

Geepers Creepers

O.T. 10. "Geepers Creepers"
March 25, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 10
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Growing up, my favorite book was Millions of Cats, by Wanda Gag. Probably that stemmed from my have lots of cats as pets. As I have said before, I grew up on a chicken and cattle farm. Dad raised broilers, which were young chickens for eating. Because of the mice and rats liking to eat the chicken feed and their swift reproduction, we always had them around the chicken houses. The problem was, those rodents would eat things you didn't want holes in. Thus, the cats would help keep down the rodent population. And I made pets out of them too, the cats I mean.
What would our world be like without our pet cats and dogs, rabbits and gerbils, that add to our lives?

Can you believe that today we are on day 6 of creation? Now, we know what God created on that day, the rest of the animals and man. He has already made the water and air creatures, now it was time for the land animals. Something new I realized-out of the earth God brought forth the living creatures and cattle. Don't know why I never noticed that before. Again God spoke it, and it happened.

The earth served God. God told the earth to "bring forth" animal life, and the earth did. The earth had a very special task to perform for God-God's appointment. The earth was the substance and material, the elements and particles that God used to form and create animals.

The animals were created in three classes:

• cattle (behemah): the domestic animals; those that can be tamed and used in servicing man, such as cattle, oxen, camels, horses, dogs, sheep, donkeys;
• creeping things (remes): the smaller animals that glide on their bellies or creep with small feet, such as worms, ants, animals;
• beasts of the earth (chayyah haarets ): the wild animals, daring and untamed, such as lions, bears, wolves, elephants. (The Preacher's Outline and  Sermon Bible)

God created animal life by the power of His omnipotent Word. It was the wild, domesticated, and creeping animals. They were told to carry on their own species. Man has tried to change that, but without success.

I suppose even the 'possoms, skunks, moles, and armadillos have a purpose. Hopefully other than getting under my house and messing up the yard. Anyway, we are supposed to give thanks for everything. Do you have a friend or foe in the animal kingdom?

LET IT GROW

Are you ready for the grand finale? We learned that God created certain things on certain days-
1. light
2. firmament, air
3. waters, dry land, and vegetation
4. seasons and years, sun, moon, stars
5. water and air creatures
6. land animals and man

On the second half of the sixth day of creation, the crown and summit of God's work occurred-the creation of man, male and female. God didn't speak man into being, but reached down and formed him out of the dust of the earth (2:7). Then He breathed life into man, who became a living soul. (2:7)

What was man's assignment in verse 28?

• replenish-fill something the first time;
• subdue-to tread upon;
• dominate, have dominion over it-to dress it and keep it.

LET IT GO

Thank God for all the animals.

Be thankful for everything I have, and thank God for it.

Fins and Feathers

O.T. 9. "Fins and Feathers"
March 25, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 9
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.  Genesis 1: 22 KJV 

LET IT GLOW

Fins and feathers, whales and eagles-I have been blessed to have seen them in their habitats. Years ago, while visiting our daughter and husband, they took us (son and wife and my husband) to Boston whale watching. I was rather hesitant to go out in a boat away on the ocean, far from shore, since I am afraid of water over my head. We had a good time, watching the enormous whales jump out of water, then their tails fluked, splashing that made rings in the water. What a show!
Another time I was blessed seeing the most beautifully colored fish (blue, orange, yellow) while I was snorkeling in the China Sea. It was a wow moment!
Then, in the last month, I was fascinated watching many bald headed eagles and brown, younger eagles fly, sit in trees, play in the pond. One even sat in a tree in my yard. I have some good pictures of them.
The Lord has blessed me with these sights. I know He must have been pleased to watch the fish, whales, and birds that He created on the fifth day.

Since the waters, rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans were set with their boundaries, he had the homes ready for the marine life. At God's command, they were swimming and swarming in the waters. I find it amazing that fish can breath under water with fins. God knew how to make their lungs capable of such.

These creature, including the extraordinarily large ones, fish, mammals, and dinosaurs (Job 40:15-41:1). (MacArthur)

What water creatures were made then? Crocodiles, sharks, whales, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and very small animals were created on the fifth day.
What winged fowl were then flying and moving on the earth? Birds, chickens, ostriches, and insects were flying and moving.
Didn't Jonah travel by whale in order to get to Nineveh?

If I keep food available during the winter, I am visited by blue jays, red birds, woodpeckers; and in the summer, the hummingbirds visit. I find it fascinating that feathers can take birds on vast speeds through the air.
The Law allowed two turtledoves or two pigeons to sacrificed when a son was born to an Israelite (Lev. 12:2). (Poor Jews could not afford the required animals.) thus, Mary and Joseph made the offering as they dedicated Jesus to the Lord God. (Luke 2)

LET IT GROW

In verse 22, we read for the first time when God blessed, barak in Hebrew, means to declare blessed.
(Young's Concordance)

This is the first occurence of the word in Scripture. God's admonition to "be fruitful and multiply" was the substance of the blessing. (MacArthur)

It is also found in verse 22 when God blessed man and woman telling them the same thing about reproducing.

How blessed are we? Or maybe I should change the the punctuation: How blessed are we!
Isn't it God that we should be blessing, praising?

The book of Psalms tells how we can be blessed and how blessed we are:

• if we walk not with the ungodly, stand with the sinner, nor sit with the scornful (1:1);
• all they that put their trust in the Son (2:12; 34:8; 84:12);
• whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered (32:1)
• whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and who has no guile in their spirit (32:20;
• that makes the Lord his trust, respects not the proud, nor nor turn aside to lies (40:4);
• that considers the poor, weak, sick; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble (41:1);
• that God chooses and brings near to live in His courts; they are filled with good things of His house (65:4);
• who dwell in God's house; they are ever praising Him (84:4);
• whose strength is in God (84:5);
• whom the Lord disciplines (94:12);
• those who maintain justice, constantly do what is right (106:3);
• who fears the Lord, finds delight in His commands (112:1);
• whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord (119:1);
• who keep His statues and seek Him with all their heart (119:2);
• who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways (128:1).

That is a long list, isn't it?

LET IT GO

Thank the Lord for His creation of the fin and feathered friends.

Seek to be blessed by obeying.

Lights shining on the Water

O.T. 8."Lights Shining on the Water"
March 22, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 8
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons, and days and years."  Genesis 1:14 NIV

LET IT GLOW

Several years ago we went to see the fountain show at Precious Moments in Missouri. Even though they used artificial colored spot lights to shine on the water, it was a beautiful sight. In the background played Christian music.  Of course while there, we toured the chapel surrounded by huge stained glass pictures and paintings of the Bible. I recommend visiting the secluded place. It is very inspiring. speaking of lights, our passage deals with some bigger than spot lights.

Here we are on the fourth day of creation. What did God speak into existence this day? He spoke the sun, moon, and stars into existence on the fourth day of creation.

Liberty Bible Commentary says there is a three-fold purpose of placing the light in the firmament:

1. to divide the day from the night,
2. for signs,
3. for seasons.

How is all this useful? Agriculture, commerce, migration of birds, travelers, and workers benefit. I think mothers should go on that list. They need night to recoop from a day with preschoolers. As a grandmother, I certainly need it.
Days, months, seasons, and years are evidence of time elapsing. It takes the earth 365 days, 5 hours, and 18 seconds to travel 1 revolution around the sun. I wonder what I have accomplished for the Lord in that amount of time.

According to The MacArthur Bible Commentary, the Hebrew word for signs means beacons or signals. It suggests that the heavenly bodies were set in place to serve as markers to indicate times and seasons. These certainly included:

1. weather (Matt. 16:2-3);
2. testimony to God (Ps. 8; Rom. 1:14-20);
3. divine judgment (Joel 2:30-31, Matt. 24:29);
4. navigation (Matt. 2:1-2).

It is the earth's movement in relation to the sun and moon that determines the seasons and the calendar. The earth travels along in its orbit about 66,000 miles per hour. It is the tilt and the earth's revolving around the sun that creates the seasons of the year. Because of the tilt, different parts of the earth face the sun more directly at different times during the year. Seasons provide periods for farming and agriculture and the migration of animals, periods of religious festivals and celebrations on the earth, along with variety and beauty. (The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible)

Are my activities revolving around the Son of God?

LET IT GROW

The sun reflecting on the moon is 50,000 times less intensity and effect as on earth. (Calvin)

Here's some interesting information I found in the 1984 World Book Encyclopedia:

The moon travels around the earth once about every 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes. The distance between the centers of the earth and the moon is 238,857 miles. The moon measures about 2,160 miles across. If the moon were placed on top of the United States, it would extend almost from San Francisco to Cleveland. It has no air, no wind, and no water.

The gravitational pull of the earth keeps the moon in its orbit. Just as the earth's gravity pulls on the moon, the moon's gravity pulls on the earth and its large bodies of water. The moon''s gravity pulls up the water directly below the moon. On the other side of the earth, the moon pulls the solid body of the earth away from the water. As a result, two bulges called high tides are formed on the oceans and seas. Every place along the seashore has two high tides and two low tides daily.
 

Watch out that we don't join the world in worshiping the creation rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:25).
In His divine wisdom, God placed the sun, moon, and stars in their appointed place. He has done the same thing with us. He placed us in the appointed place to live, family to grow up in, and for His purpose and glory.
I recall that it was an extraordinary star that the wise men, kings, Magi, followed so they could find Jesus.
Abraham was promised that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. (Gen. 15:6) Indeed, the Jews and Gentiles, children of faith, are so numerous.

What is taking me to Jesus? What do I follow after?

What an awesome God we serve!

LET IT GO

Surrender to the Son of God when I see the sun shining.

Marvel at the moon and God's marvelous work.

Follow Jesus and make Him the star of my life.

Thank You Lord for winter, spring, summer, fall here on my country road.

Dry Spiritually

O.T. 7. "Dry Spiritually"
March 21, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 7
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Genesis 1:9 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Last summer was a record setting one. It was the driest and hotest in several years in my area. We prayed and prayed for rain and cooler temperatures. The ground around our sunflowers was hard and dry, even though I watered them daily. They only grew to be about 3 feet tall. The sun was too hot on them. It was a season that I shall remember. I recall some dry times in my life, spiritually speaking. It was when I turned to Jesus, the fountain of living water, that I revived. How about you? Have you ever been dry spiritually?

Here we are on the third day of creation. If you read verses 9-13, you will notice that God made several things on this day. In fact, He did it in two different sessions.
First:
*dry land called Earth, dry (hayabashah in Hebrew) is the common term used to describe solid
  ground; Earth ('erets in Hebrew) may refer to that which is lower; in opposition to the firmament
  above;
 *the Seas, (yamim in Hebrew) is used in a very broad sense to include every body of water, even
   lakes and rivers.

The dry land was caused by a tremendous, cataclysmic upheaval of the earth's surface, and the rising and sinking of the land, which caused the waters to plunge into the low places, forming the seas, the continents and islands, the rivers and lakes. (MacArthur)

It was in the cave, tomb, where Jesus was buried for three days. But it did not have the power to keep Him there. The stone was rolled away and He arose from the dead on the third day. What is the significance? Both occurred on the third day. Though Jesus created the stones, He still had power over them. They submitted to Him. Do we?

The waters of the earth show the amazing intelligence and power of God. The waters are all interconnected and intertwined. They provide the water that the plant life and human life need.

Are our souls dry and thirsty for the Living Water, Jesus?

LET IT GROW

I had to laugh as I typed the heading, "let it grow", because that is what God did after the second session of the third day of creation-He made the plants and then let the plants grow.

Second:
*grass,
*herbs,
*trees; all of which came from the earth, so evolution is shot down. The plants produce their own
  seeds.

This is the basis of the principle of reproduction that marks all life. God made the vegetation not only capable of reproduction, but also ready for it. He created fully mature vegetation with seed already in it, ready to be dispersed. God set in motion a providential process whereby the vegetable kingdom could reproduce through seeds which would maintain each one's unique characteristics. (MacArthur)

Do I see God's hand in the things of creation, nature? I enjoy seeing the evergreen trees and winter wheat during the winter time. Also, who doesn't enjoy all the spring flowers and tree blossoms that pop up while it is still cool and after a long, dark winter?

Are we growing spiritually and producing fruit as the plants and trees produce physically?
Galatians 5:22-23 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


LET IT GO

Don't dwell in a dry land spiritually, but live by the sea of living water, Jesus and His Word.

Produce spiritual fruit.

Water

O.T. 6. "Water"
March 20, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 6
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. and God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.  Genesis 1:6-8

LET IT GLOW

This morning, early, I had to get out and run an errand. As I was driving toward the east, (remember I live in a rural area) I watched the sun come up. It put off  a beautiful orange glow. There were a few dark blue clouds around it. What a scenery for driving.
When I see something gorgeous that God has made, I say, "Look Lord, what a beautiful _____. Then I remember that He made it and thank Him for it."
As though He had not seen it yet. Huh. He made it for me to see. So I brag on my Lord's creation.
I hope I don't appear too simplistic. Oh well, it doesn't matter. I'm sure God likes compliments and praise, too.
After I finished my errand, on my way home, I stopped on my dirt road and picked some daffodils. Their scent was ever present in the car and on my hands. Some are still green and haven't turned yellow yet. Thank You Lord for eyes to see, a nose to smell, hands to touch.
Do you notice the little, special things around in your world that God has made? Whenever you do, whisper a word of thanks or give Him a thumbs up. I know that I don't do it enough.

Are you ready to focus on day two of creation? Day one was when He made light, day, and night.
Again, God spoke and it happened. Remember the earth was covered with water. God wanted to divide it and so He did.

Firmament, raqiya, (raw-kee'ah)in Hebrew  means expanse; the firmament or visible part of the sky.
(Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)

The Hebrew word speaks of something spread out. God commanded the water to separate, and He placed an expanse, or a "firmament," between the water that remained on the earth and the water that now rose above the expanse. The imagery is that of a vast expanse, a protective layer that overlays the earth and divides the waters below from the waters above. The expanse in-between includes the earth's breathable atmosphere. The firmament below refers to subterranean reservoirs (7:11) and the above firmament could have been a water vapor canopy which acted to make the earth like a hothouse, provided uniform temperature, inhibited mass air movements, caused mist to fall, and filtered out ultraviolet rays, and thereby extending life.  (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

The earth and atmosphere have just the right amount of water for the water cycle to continue meeting needs on the earth. What would happen if we had too much water (What a hair day for us ladies.) or if we didn't have enough water? He does everything just right.

Scientists have discovered that water is made up of 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen, H2O.

The work of the second day is to provide an empty space around the circumference of the earth, that heaven and earth may not be mixed together. (John Calvin)

Bless the Lord, O my soul. OLord my God, thou art ver great: thou art clothed with honor and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind. Ps. 104:1-3

LET IT GROW

I sum it up by saying God made our atmosphere where rain falls and cloud float; the outer space where the planets, moon, and stars hang around; then the Heaven, an eternal home for angels and us, and Jesus' and God's throne.

The first heaven is the atmosphere and air space encircling the earth, the heaven or sky where birds fly. The second heaven is outer space where the heavenly bodies are. It is where all the suns and stars and planets of the material universe operate. The third heaven is the place where God is, the place where he and all believers live and are to live eternally. It is the spiritual world, the spiritual dimension of being.  (The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible)

Have you ever flown in an airplane? What a magnificent view from up there!

Jesus is our Living Water; Light of the World; our breath of life; Bright and shining star.

Are you thirsty? All this talk of water made me thirsty.

I became overwhelmed with the realization of how powerful God is. And to think, He is the One to whom I pray and talk. My, my, I feel so unworthy.
Friends, we are loved by this awesome, all-power God.


LET IT GO

Share with others the Living Water.

Make them thirsty for Jesus by the way we live.

Point out His creation and the Creator.

Thank Him for being such an awesome God that loves us.

What's Your Power Source?

O.T. #5. "What's Your Power Source?"
March 19, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 5
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and morning were the first day.  Genesis 1:3-5 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Yesterday morning, our power kept going off, so my computer battery took over and I continued to type the lesson. Here I was sitting in a dark room and dark house with the computer plugged into the electrical outlet. There was no power to other appliances, but I did have the light of the computer screen. (My lesson was not saved, so I am redoing it. Maybe it wasn't pleasing to the Lord, so I needed a do-over.) It seems to be a good illustration for today.
Just as the battery provided a different source of power for light for my computer, God was the source of light on day one of creation. Now, the sun, moon, and stars aren't created until day 4, verse 16.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary states:

God effortlessly spoke light into existence, which dispelled the darkness of verse 2. That which most clearly reveals and most closely approximates God's glory (Dan. 2:22). Like Him, light illuminates and makes all else known. Without light, all creation would remain cold and dark. What form this light took is not clear. But light itself, the reality of light, was created on day one and instantlly separated day from night. God was the provider of light (2 Cor. 4:6) and will in eternity future be the source of light (Rev. 21:23).
 

God had a divine plan and purpose for the creation, not the result of mere accident or chance. Neither is it seen to be self-sustaining or self-perpetuating. I also demonstrates God's power. God merely spoke creation into existence by the word of His mouth. He spake and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast. Ps. 33:9 Each of the six days begin with an announcement.
This light is not the sun, which was created on the fourth day according to verse 16; it must have been some fixed light source outside the earth. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

God didn't fashion light with His hands. It was enough for God to merely speak. Light is more than a physical sustance; it's also a supernatural aspect.  (David Guzik)

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Rev. 22:5

Are we daily plugging into the power that spoke and there was light? Do I surrender throughout the day to Him? Is Jesus your/my power source?


LET IT GROW

God saw the light and it was good. This light was good for the purpose it was intended to serve.
Come to think of it, God never messed up or had to do anything over. I sure do. If only I had pushed the save button before completion, I would not be redoing this lesson.

We see the rotating earth resulting in a day-night cycle. According to Liberty Bible Commentary, the word day is used in three different senses in Genesis:

1. a twelve-hour period of light (verses 5,14, 16, 18);
2. a twenty-four-hour period;
3. the entire creative week (2:4).

So this is a 24-hour period of time. God tells us what He did for the next 6 days of creation. He put a distinction of what was created on which day. Couldn't He have made everything on one day and be done with it? Yes, God had the power, but His plans were organized.

God does not want man in spiritual darkness. God has given man the Light of Life so man can see and know where he has come from, why he is here upon earth, and where he is going. What is that Light of Life? It is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Am I looking for what God is doing in my little world in this day and night? Are you walking in darkness or light?

*If you want more indepth reading, check out David Guzik on Genesis found at studylight.org.

LET IT GO

Thank You Lord Jesus for the days and nights of my life.

Turn from darkness to the Light.

Stay plugged into my power source-God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

What's Hovering Over You?

O.T.  #5  "What's Hovering Over You?"
March 18, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 4
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Sprit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Something I left out as we studied the creation of the universe, heaven, which may refer to the three heavens of Scripture (2 Cor. 12:2): the atmospheric heaven, the heaven of the outer space, and realm of the angels. apparently, the angels were created at the very beginning of the first day of creation week; for they were already on hand to rejoice at the creation of the earth (Job 38:7). (Falwell)

What was the earth like when it was first made?

• It was without form.
• It was void.
• It was dark.
• It was covered with water.

Earth was not finished in its shape and as yet, uninhabited by creatures. Isaiah 45:18 backs this up.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary has this to say about verse 2:

The Hebrew expression signifies a wasteland, a desolate place. Earth was an empty place of lutter desolation, existing in a formless, barren state, shrouded in darkness and water or mist of some sort. It suggests that the very shape of the earth was unfinished and empty. The raw material was all there, but it had not yet been given form. God would quickly (in six days) decorate His initial creation. Deep is sometimes referfed to as primordial waters, tha is the term used to describe the earth's water-covered surface before the dry land emerged (verses 9,10). The earth's surface was a vast ocean-a global, primordial sea that covered the entire planet.
 

I picture earth like clay in the Potter's hands, being molded into the shape He wants. To me, it was dark because the sun and light were not yet created.

Now, I didn't think about our ten planets orbiting around the sun. God placed them all in the perfect places and started them spinning when He started time spinning.

What an empty, void place earth was. There was only water here.
Isn't our lives empty with God filling it? Do we allow Him to shape us into what He wants us to be?
How about it friend, is your life empty? Jesus wants to fill it.


LET IT GROW

Living on a farm, I have seen vultures flying around in a circle, hovering over a dead corpse of an animal. They peck at the animal, eating its body. It's like their hovering is saying to other birds, "This one is ours; don't even try to take it."
Maybe Jesus does that for us when the devil comes around to peck, pick on us.

...and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Spirit means wind, air, according to Thayer's Lexicon.

Liberty Bible Commentary tells us:

It seems to be a reference to the third person of the Godhead (Job 26:13). The Spirit is the subject of the verb, which is an active participle that means "hovering over" (Deut. 32:11). Thus, the Spirit of God is seen hovering over, protecting, and participating in the creation of God the Father. John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16 make it clear that more than one person of the Godhead was involved in creation.
 

Isn't it comforting to know that God's Spirit is hovering over, protecting, and participating in our lives? Are we letting Him have freedom do interveen whenever He wants? When the demons of discouragment are pecking at me and hovering around me, do I ask the Holy Spirit for help?

The earth's creative agent enveloped, surrounded, and guarded its surfact. Not only did God the Holy Spirit participate in creation, but so did God the Son (Heb. 1:2). (MacArthur)

Hebrews 1:2 states, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.

So Jesus was busy making everything as God directed, and the Holy Spirit assisted.

LET IT GO

Let go of my life and let Jesus shape me, mold me, fill me as He wants.

Ask the Holy Spirit to hover over me.






 

Who Made the Heavens, the Universe, the Galaxies?

O.T. #3 "Who Made the Heavens, the Universe, the Galaxies?"
March 15, 2013
Genesis 1-Part 3
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1 KJV

LET IT GLOW


So far, we have talked about the Bible being the Word of God and is true. Therefore, what God tells us in His Word, we are going to believe it as the truth. I think you are agreeing with me on some of these main points. They are the foundation of our Christianity.
*God is.
*God actually exists; God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit and angels existed before anything else existed.
*God made the universe. He is the Supreme Intelligence and Power of all beings and things.
*God predestinated, chose us to be His children before He made anything. (Eph. 1:4-5).
*God made everything that is, has been, or ever will be out of nothing; no atoms, no materials, no
  matter, no energy existed when He created.
*God spoke everything into existence. He didn't have to speak in order to create, but He did it that
  way.

What a creative, loving God! He created everything that we would need in order to live here on earth. consider that as we discuss each of the days of creation and what He made on particular days. Also, there is no time mentioned. How long did the earth remain void? How long did it take God and Jesus to plan out everything? He didn't tell us, so it isn't important, is it?

LET IT GROW

Last night, while walking from the truck to the house after church service, I looked up into the sky. It was a clear night, no clouds blocking my view. I could see a sky full of stars shining so brightly. Although, it was not as dark as it used to be when I was a child. My farm is now close to big cities which light up their world at night, resulting in lighting up mine.
As I read the first chapter of Genesis, I realize, there is a huge universe, galaxy out there.

I could not go onto the second verse until we discussed our vast universe which God created. I don't know about you, but I tend to be focused on my own little world, my family, home, community, church and not consider what's out there in space.

My source is  a study book published back in 1992 and 1996, so I am sure there are new informations and new discoveries made since that time.
 Here is what The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible has to say:

• The earth is only 8,000 miles in diameter and only 25, 000 miles in circumference. The earth measures less than one grain of sand on all the seashores of the the earth in comparison to the universe.
• Our earth is within a solar system, a system of 9 other planets that revolve around the sun (10 total).
• Our sun is so large that it is about 864,000 miles in diameter. The sun could hold 1,300,000 earths. It is 93,000,000 miles away from the earth.
• Our solar system is one solar system of millions that make up what science calls a galaxy. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way. Our galaxy has billions and billions of stars.
• Science tells us that the galaxies are moving away from each other at an incredible speed, a speed that exceeds millions of miles per hour. The stars and galaxies of the heavens are moving away from each other, traveling millions and millions of miles every hour. We live in what is called an expanding universe, an ever growing universe.

As I stood gazing up into the heavens last night, I didn't consider the other planets in my solar system, nor did I consider other solar systems existing out there. It is so stunning, so enormous that my mind cannot comprehend it all. and to think that our God who made it all and keeps it all going in proper order is behind it all. And yet, this God who made the universe, galaxies, etc. takes the time to listen to my prayers, to be involved in my life and yours. To think, it all began with nothing. It's that astounding?
Our God is an awesome God! He reigns from heaven above.
I stand in awe of You, King Jesus!


LET IT GO

Thank You God that you created me and let me enjoy Your creation.

Thank You for all You have blessed me with-earth, sun, moon, stars, 9 planets, other galaxies and so much more. How beautiful they are. How creative You are.

Thank You that You are in control of everything and I trust You with my everything.

How awesome and wonderful You are, Jesus! Thank You for your love, grace, and mercy.

How incredible to think that the God who has the power and knowledge to speak all of this into being gave up all to be my all, to die for me a sinner so I might live forever.

Glory to the name of Jesus! Praise  and honor to our Father God!

In the Beginning

O.T. #2  "In the Beginning"
March 14, 2013
Introduction to Genesis-Part 2
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  Genesis 1:1 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Background

I remember as a little child looking up into the heavens and wondering how everything got here. In my heart, I knew God did it. I would go outside and sing to Him. They were not Christian songs nor church hymns. I didn't know them back then. (I wasn't a faithful Sunday School goer in my early years.) All I can say is, God must have a sense of humor. Although, even the cows' moos and birds' tweets praise Him in their own ways. Nature reveals there is a God. Shall we get started now?

The English title Genesis comes from the Greek translation meaning "origins." The Hebrew title is derived from the Bible's very first word, translated "in the beginning." (MacArthur)

The first book was titled Bere'shit (pronouncing the second e long and the i long), meaning "In the beginning" in Hebrew, which means "origins." (Falwell)

Matthew Henry says it is the history of origins-creation, sin and death, invention of arts, the generations of God's chosen people, the Law, as well as the prophecies of Jesus Christ the Savior and Messiah,

Who is the author of the book of Genesis?

• Genesis is the first book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and the Pentateuch is said to be written by Moses. In face, the Pentateuch is sometimes simply called "Moses."
• Each of those five books says that Moses is the author, except for Genesis.
• The New Testament always refers to Moses as the author of the Pentateuch which includes Genesis.
• The Talmud, the earliest writings of the Jews, says that Moses was the author of Genesis.
• Moses was an eyewitness, an actual participant in the events of Exodus to Deuteronomy.
• Moses was well acquainted with Egypt. The author of Genesis is familiar with Egyptian names, and  Genesis is actually has a larger number of Egyptian words than any other book in the Old Testament.
• We know that God's Holy Spirit inspired man to write His Holy Word (2 Peter 1:21).

I thought it was an understood thing, considering Moses as the one who penned Genesis. After reading several commentaries, I now agree with them that it is so.

When did Moses write Genesis?
As to when he wrote it, now that's a different story. It could have been during the first 40 years of Moses' life, which he spent in Egypt. He must have studied Israel's history  and God's promises to Abraham's descendants at this time. It could have been during the second 40 years of Moses' life, which he spent in Midian. Although, he would not have had access to all the records of his people while there. It could have been written during the last 40 years of Moses' life, while leading Israel through the wilderness. Though he was busy being the deliverer and leader of his people and writing the other books of the Law. (Norman Geisler)

It really doesn't matter to me-when Moses wrote down these early events, beginnings. Personally, I always thought that was part of what God told him while Moses was up on Mt. Sinai, but I could be wrong.

Liberty Bible Commentary informs us that the great questions of life are answered in Genesis:

1. Where have I come from?
2. Why am I here?
3. Where am I going?

Okay, are you ready to start our walk through Genesis? I am. I feel like I should go put on my sandals.

LET IT GROW

The whole Bible starts out at the beginning of everything created and tells who created it. Let me be the first to admit that my mind is not smart enough to comprehend all of this. I know that God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit existed before anything and everything was created. All the things we see in what we call nature was created at some point in time out of nothing. All was an idea in God's mind, yet God is a Spirit. I wonder if God and Jesus conversed and planned out everything from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 and beyond into eternity before He created anything. This can definitely be deep thinking if you let it.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (verse 1)

Beginning, in Hebrew, is the word reshiyth (ray-sheeth') means the first, in place, time, order, or rank; chief. (Strong's Concordance)

The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible states:

The stress is God. God was there in the beginning, already existing when the universe first began. He is the God of power who actually existed before the universe and who acted and created the universe. God (Elohim) is the subject, sovereign Person who stands behind all things. this is the great declaration of the very first chapter of Genesis.
 

This description of God creating heaven and earth is understood to be:

1. recent, thousands not millions of years ago,
2. out of nothing (ex nihilo),
3. special, in 6 consecutive, 24 hour periods called days. Scripture does not support a creation date that makes the earth any more than about ten thousand years old.  (MacArthur)

God, in Hebrew is elohim, a masculine plural noun that emphasizes His majestic power and glory. the noun's root is generally agreed to mean power, strength, glory. (Falwell)

Created, is a Hebrew verb bara, which convey the idea of an absolute creation. (Falwell)

What was created in the beginning? The heaven and the earth, in reference to the universe.
Heaven may refer to the three heavens of Scripture: the atmospheric heaven, the heaven of outer space, and the realm of angels. Apparently, the angels were created at the very beginning of the first day of creation week; for they were already on hand to rejoice at the creation of the earth (Job 38:7). (Falwell)

While God exists eternally, this marked the beginning of the universe in time and space. God brought the created thing into being. Matter emerged from that which was immaterial. Out of nothing, in an instant, the universe-with all its space and matter-was made by God's decree.  The universe-at least its energy and mass-began to exist in some form. (MacArthur)

All this happened before all the details of earth were perfected and before man was created.
What I gleam from this very first verse is that God, Elohim, declared Himself to be the great Creator, the Sovereign Lord and Majesty of the universe. I think it all boils down to that. If we agree or disagree, it does not change the fact. People can choose to believe that everything got here through evolution, disbelieve the Word of God to be only a fairytale, but one day they will bow before this Elohim and confess Him as Lord.

Where do you stand, my friend?

According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:4-5

Before God created anything, He decided to adopt us, you and me, as His child through Jesus. Do I hear an amen?

LET IT GO

Dismiss all the false teachings and believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God.

Trust God/Jesus that what He says is true; He created everything out of nothing.

Thank our loving, creative God for all He has given me.

 

New Beginnings

O.T. #1  "New Beginnings"
March 13, 2013
Introduction to the Genesis-Part 1
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

LET IT GLOW

Welcome Friends, faithful and new!!!!!!!!!

A New Beginning.
Don't you just love a new day? a new project? a new item for your house? new clothes? a new road? new things? Yes, I like new things.
I especially like starting a new Bible study with a group or by myself. It is exciting for me to read or hear something different. That is how I feel today. Excited about the new road we are going to travel on as we study the Old Testament together. Though I have read it through and with a study group, this time will be different for me. I will be the one digging for gold nuggets from the Word of God to share with you. I will be the one listening for a fresh word from our Lord that He has for me to apply in my own life.
Are you up to this long journey with me? Let me warn you, it took 3 years to travel through 27 books of the New Testament. I don't know how long it will take traveling through 39 books. Of course, I realize time is an important commodity that we all cherish, so I will try to hold it down to a minimum.
I welcome your comments or insights. So run into the kitchen and get something hot to drink, find your Bible, and we will get started.

Originally, I started writing this post as a way to preserve my childhood experiences with my children and grandchildren, applying them to the Word. Then it became more than that. God was speaking to me as I studied the Scriptures and working in my life in a special way. So I am truly blessed as I travel this journey of life. Please join me throughout the week.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

LET IT GROW

Here's an explanation of the format I will be using:

LET IT GLOW
Name something you read today that's a promise, an encouragement, or an example of how God worked in this passage.

LET IT GROW
Describe a principle, a lesson to be learned, or a challenge from these Scriptures.

LET IT GO
Tell how to apply, share, or go do the Word read. What do we need to let go of so this can be accomplished?


First of all, I did some reading in commentaries for this background. It got me to thinking, maybe you are like me, had not really given much thought to the backgound of the Bible. I just believe it is true and the Word of God. But not all people nowadays have grown up going to Sunday School like me. Maybe it will help you to share with others about the validity of the Bible.

The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible is a commentary that has this to say about the Bible:

1. The word Bible comes from the Greek word biblos, meaning a book. The Bible is also called The Holy Scriptures, The Scriptures, The Word of God.
2. The Bible is not a book, not in the technical sense. It is a collection of books, a great library of 66 books. It was written by about 40 different authors. It is divided into two parts-The Old Testament, which was written before Jesus Christ came to earth, and The New Testament, which was written after Jesus Christ came to earth.
3. The Old Testament contains 39 books. They are combined to form the 5 books of the Law, 12 books of History, 5 Poetic books, and 17 Prophetic books. The New Testament has 27 books of the four gospels, one history book, 14 Pauline Epistles, 7 general Epistles by several authors, and 1 Prophecy book.
4. The original manuscripts of the Bible were written in three different languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
5. The Old Testament was translated into Greek some time between n 250-150 B.C. It is called the Septuagint, symbolized by the letters LXX.
6. The Bible is the Word of God, but God did not pen and write His Word down for man. God inspired, "breathed His Word", into the hearts of holy men and they proclaimed and wrote God's Word down for us all. As 2 Peter 1:21 says, For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.           2 Timothy 3:16 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
7. Hundreds of archaeological discoveries have been made that verify various facts and events mentioned in the Bible.
8. How God intervenes time and again and saves man is the story of the Bible. God's supreme intervention and salvation in human affairs is seen in the promised seed-the Savior and Messiah of the world-Jesus Christ.

Is the Bible relevant?The stories we read in the Bible are actual events that occurred in the lives of real people. It is also given for spiritual direction. It is God speaking to His children. Yes, although the Bible was written so long ago, it can still be applied to our lives today.


LET IT GO

By faith believe the Bible is true and the living Word of God.

Listen as God speaks to me through His Word and obey.

Share with others God's Words of hope and love.

Names

712.  "Names"
March 12, 2013
Summary of Revelation

Names have meanings. It is fun to look up what our means. There is one who has several name in the Bible-Jesus Christ.
As I pondered what to share for today, I realized this book is loaded with descriptive words/names of Jesus Christ. I wanted to share with you what I found:

• The Faithful Witness (1:5)
• The first begotten of the dead (1:5)
• The Prince of the kings of the earth (1:5)
• Alpha, Omega, beginning, and end (1:8; 21:6; 22:13)
• The Almighty (1:8)
• The Son of man (1:13;14:14)
• The Son of God (2:18)
• He that is holy (3:7)
• He that is true (3:7)
• He that hath the Key of David (3:7)
• The Amen (3:14)
• The faithful and true witness (3:14)
• The beginning of the creation of God (3:14)
• The Lion of the tribe of Judah (5:5)
• The Root of David (5:5)
• The Lamb (6:1;7:14)
• Lord God Almighty (11:17)
• His Christ (12:10)
• King of saints (15:3)
• God, who liveth for ever and ever (15:7)
• Righteous, O Lord (16:5)
• Lord of lords (17:14)
• King of kings (17:14)
• God that sat on the throne (19:4)
• our God (19:5)
• The Lord God omnipotent (19:6)
• Faithful and True (19:11)
• The Word of God (19:13)
• KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS (19:16)
• The Great God (19:17)
• The First and the Last (22:13)
• The Root and Offspring of David (22:16)
• The Bright and Morning Star (22:16)

What a list! He is everything we need! I He everything we want?

Earlier, Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

Believing that Jesus is the Savior, the Messiah, is the only way to come to God the Father. Have you come?

Either we reign with Him or we run from Him.

I pray that you will come to know my gracious and merciful Savior as your Lord, too.

I thank you for being so faithful in walking with me on the exciting journey through the New Testament, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. It has taken almost 3 years. Some day will will meet and join together in praising our Lord and sharing our life's story. I will be venturing into the Old Testament next, so you are invited to join me.

Until then-Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen (Rev. 7:12)

May the Lord bless you,
Linda

The End is Only the Beginning

709.  "The End is only the Beginning"
March 11, 2013
Revelation 22-Part 32
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly, Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.  Revelation 22:20-21 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Isn't it exciting to get a hand-written letter, note, or card? I think so. Verse 20 is  like Jesus Himself has signed this book at the end. Of course, He IS the author, penned by John.

Here is the benediction. Benediction comes from a latin word, bene, meaning well and dicere, meaning to say. It has been an ancient custom for leaders to dismiss a congregation or close a letter with a "good word," a blessing. After all the visions of John and the descriptions of eternal destinies of both believer and unbelievers, our Lord Jesus Himself offers this good word of reassurance:
Yes, I am coming quickly.

How does John respond? He adds "Amen" to Jesus' words. Amen comes from a Hebrew exclamation based on a verb that means to confirm, support, uphold; to be certain. A literal rendering could be, "So be it!"

Then John added a personal prayer: "Come, Lord Jesus!" This last phrase may be derived from an Aramaic saying common among first-century Jewish Christians: Maranatha, or "Our Lord, come!" The Aramaic word mare was the word used to refer to YHWH-the divine name. So here, at the end of Revelation, John confesses Jesus as the God-Man who is coming soon.

[Resource: Swindoll's New Testament Insights on Revelation]

The Old Testament concluded by mentioning a curse (Mal. 4:4-6), while the New Testament ends with a blessing of grace (22:21). (J. Vernon McGee)

LET IT GROW

If you are like me, you still have some questions that are not yet answered. Perhaps we will be experiencing some of what was foretold to John. We may just be the generation that is caught up with Him in the air when the trumpet sounds.

Oh, friends, it is hard for me to end our study of the New Testament, much less our study of Revelation. But in reality, the end is only the beginning; the end of the world will be the beginning of a new world and new heaven. Now that is exciting!

As John said in verse 21, I shall conclude also: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

As John wrote the end of the book, I want to spend a little time for personal reflecting:

• My daughter exposed me to blogging back in 2010. In fact, she set up everything for me and instructed me along the way.
• While reading Lysa TerKeurst's book, What Happens When Women say Yes to God, that I surrendered to the possibility of writing a study through the New Testament.
• My first purpose was to leave a legacy of intertwining the Scriptures with my childhood experiences for my children and grandchildren to read. It is my prayer that they will grow as a Christian and perhaps use some of these writings in their sharing of the gospel and ministry.
• I found that as I began spending hours researching and reading commentaries, my faith was challenged and growing. I began to hunger more for the Word of God.
• I realize that God has used me to be a missionary while staying on my country road of faith, at home. Through internet, I have been able to reach not only my nation, but countries around the world, with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• To God be the glory and all credit goes to Him for any good that has been accomplished.
• I agree with Luann Prater of Proverbs 31 who wrote, "God didn't show me the entire road ahead, just the next step."
• It is my prayer that you have found a stronger faith, or perhaps new faith, in our Lord Jesus Christ through any of my efforts; that my writings and research of the writings of others, has equipped you to better live for Him and share His love in your world.
• So I want to thank you dear friends for sitting down with me on my country road of faith, sharing your experiences, sending encouragment to me. You are loved by me and the Master Teacher.
• If you are interested, I am going to continue my walk of faith, stepping into the Old Testament. So come along with me when you can. May I add, please pray for me as I seek God's wisdom and words each day. 
• I will post one more time on Revelation, doing a summary of the scriptures that stood out to me. As this road has come to an end, I must continue to walk with Jesus by faith, taking the fork in the road of my life, into the Old Testament. Will you join me? 
• As the song says, His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.
• Nothing can seperate us from the love of God. 

LET IT GO

Give my time to God to use for His purpose and will to be accomplished.

Surrender my thoughts, heart, and life to Him.

Share the truth in love with others.

REPENT OF MY SINS.

Quote 1 Chronicles 4:10 daily.

Keep on keepin' on, y'all.

Have You Received Your Invitation Yet?

708.  "Have You Received Your Invitation Yet?"                March 8, 2013
Revelation 22-Part 31
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.  Revelation 22:17 KJV

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come, and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. NIV



LET IT GLOW

Have you received your invitation yet? Oh, don't go to the mailbox outside or the inbox on your email to look for it, because  it won't be there. I'm talking about the invitation that the Holy Spirit writes upon your heart. The one that He sends out to the lost, to come to Jesus.

If you have received the invite, how did you answer? Are you going? Have you accepted it yet? I got mine when I was 16 and accepted it. How about you?

If not, then why? Everything has been paid for, so it is all free to the recipient. Please say yes and come to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, come into your heart, and be your Savior.

Jesus lovingly awaits your answer. The invite may not come again. Today is the day of salvation. Don't put it off any longer, friend. Your eternal life depends upon it.
Come, so you can be a part of the celebration in heaven with us. Jesus has His hand outstretched to you.

Here are three invitations:

1. To the one who hears,
2. To the one who is thirsty, living water is extended without cost,
3. To the one who will come.

This is an unlimited offer of grace and salvation to all who desire to have their thirsty souls quenched.
Is your soul thirsty for God? Do you hear His invitation? Will you be the one to come today? I am praying for you.

LET IT GROW

Verse 18 has a stern warning-if you add to the Words, God will add to him the plagues described in this book; if you take Words away, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, described in this book.

That is a serious thing, to add or take away from what John wrote in Revelation. Don't even treat it carelessly, but take it seriously. God will punish anyone who does such a thing. It is the inspired Word from God.

Swindoll says there are other ways of altering God's Word, other than using the pen or eraser:

• disobeying-willfully rebelling against clear commands of Scripture,
• disregarding-intentionally ignoring what is wwritten,
• distorting-purposely twisting the true meaning of God's Word to accomodate our opinions,
• diluting-adding other traditions, texts, or teachers as "authoritative truth."

Keep the words of God by hearing, accepting, internalizing, and applying them to our daily lives.

LET IT GO

Let go of sin and come to Jesus.

Let go of pride and come to Jesus.

Let go of the world and come to Jesus.

Accept His free gift of salvation today, friend.

Trees

707.  "Trees"   March 6, 2013
Revelation 22-Part 30
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  Revelation 22:14

LET IT GLOW

As a child, I learned to climb trees. Why, I can't say. Maybe it was because I was short and being
up in a tree allowed me to be able to look down upon things. We had a tall pine tree in our front yard that was a challenge to climb, due to the branches being far apart, but I could shimmy up it, slowly, Then I would enter my pretended domain. Now the old tree stands dead, with the top blown out from a strong wind seven years ago. I am sad to see it shed its bark and gradually loose its branches. The other day, an eagle sat on one branch, looking down at me. I know that one day it will have to come down. Until then, I will remember those times and continue to pick up broken branches and shed bark. There will be another tree that I will become fond of in the future, the tree of life.

The tree of life is a symbol of both eternal life and continual blessing (Gen. 2:9). The tree bears twelve fruits, one for each month, and is symbolic of the abundant variety in heaven. The leaves somehow enrich heavenly life, making it full and satisfying. (MacArthur)

Here are five declarations by Jesus which summarize the message of Revelation. They are:

1. Behold, I am coming quickly. (verses 7 and 12) The word quickly means shortly, suddenly, without delay, soon, readily, according to Strong's Concordance. Less we think 2,000 years is not very quick, it has more to do with the suddenness of the event rather than how soon.
2. My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. (verse 12) When Jesus returns, He will bring judgment to those who reject His free salvation by grace through faith. The time for repentance will expire and their eternal destiny will be sealed.
3. I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (verse 13) In the Greek alphabet, alpha is what the first letter is called, and omega is what the last letter is called. The letters of an alphabet convey knowledge when combined to form words. Christ is the supreme, sovereign alphabet. He is the source of all that is true, from beginning to end.
4. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. (verses 14-15) Saved, forgiven, believers in Jesus Christ will be the only ones allowed to enter the gates of the New Jerusalem. Their sins have been washed away by the blood of the Lamb of God.
5. I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root of the descendant of David, the bright morning star. (verse 16) Jesus ties his reputation as Son of David and Son of God to the prophecies of this book. The words of this book are faithful and true because they were given by the One who is altogether faithful and true. (Swindoll)

Will we heed His words?
What will be my last words?

LET IT GROW

I don't want to be like one of these morally impure mentioned in verse 15:

• dogs-a man of an impure mind
• sorcerers-Pertaining to magical arts (Thayer's Concordance); an enchanter with drugs (Strong's Concordance)
• murderers
• idolaters
• liars

Unfaithful leaders (Is. 56:10) and homosexual prostitutes (Deut.23:18) are among those who received such a designation. (MacArthur)

Those mentioned are excluded from within the gates and walls of the New Jerusalem.

LET IT GO

Look to Jesus, the first and last.

Keep looking for Jesus' return.

Be sure my robe, heart, is washed in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus.







  

The 5 W's

706. "The 5 W's"          March 5, 2013
Revelation 22-Part 29
And he said to me, These sayings are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 
Revelation 22:6 KJV 

LET IT GLOW

While in school I remember the 5 W's that we used in reading or telling about a story, a book, or even writing. I think they will apply here:

Who? The Lord God sent His angel to His servants. (verse 6)
What? He sent the sayings of the prophecy of this book. They are faithful and true.
When? The time is at hand. (verse 10) It will be shortly done. (verse 6) Jesus is coming quickly.
             (verse 7) It's the end of this age.
Where? It's talking about the old world as we know it, and the beginning of the new world.
Why? So we can serve God. (verse 3)

We are promised a blessing to whoever heeds the words of the book in light of the soon coming of Christ. (verse 7) It has been a blessing to study in depth this book, which I have avoided some 40 years. It has been challenging me, also.

Do we believe what is faithful and true? It's warnings and blessings come from God the Father, through Christ, by the power of the prophetic Spirit, and could not be more reliable. This inspired source of truth can be trusted. (Swindoll)

Do we anticipate what has been predicted? Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. (Isaiah 46:11) We are to live in a constant state of readiness, always looking to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.

Will we heed what has been revealed? Hearing isn't the same as heeding. Heeding implies responding to admonitions and obeying commands. The primary purpose of prophecy is not knowledge but obedience. By seeing the ultimate consequences of sin, we should turn away from wickedness in our own lives. (Swindoll)

Things to ponder.

LET IT GROW

The angel completed his message to John by instructing him not to seal up the prophecy of the book (verse 10). It was meant to be read, studied, understood, and applied, not sealed up and stacked on a shelf to collect dust. They warnings of this book must be proclaimed in order to turn as many as possible away from the lake of fire. At the same time, we believers must keep our eternal home in the center of our current hope, letting its truths purify us as we await our coming Lord. (Swindoll)

Could the final words of the angel be warning: You wrong-doers, go ahead and keep doing wrong. Just see what happens in the end. All unclean sinners, keep rolling in the mud. If you ignore God's free grace for cleansing, you will be ashamed later. You righteous and holy saints, keep practicing righteousness and keep being holy. In due time, you will get your reward.

Worship God, is what the angel told John as he got caught up in the moment and bowed to the angel. God alone is to be worshiped, only Him. It can only be done through Jesus, for God cannot look upon sin. Jesus covers us with His blood, washing our heart clean, when we confess our sins and ask forgiveness. I recall the first of the Ten Commandments-Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Ex.20:3)
And Jesus said the greatest of those commandments was Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matt. 22:37)

LET IT GO

Love God most and first.

Heed His Words.

Look for His coming.

Share the truth with others.