Weekly Verse and Song for Tonight Weeks 294 - 303
September 11, 2019
Week 294
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots
Touching on the topic from last week in regards to getting rid of all bitter, anger and hostility from Ephesians 4:31-32, this week I encountered something that again reminded me of forgiving others and doing so as a continuous practice. This continuous practice is important in our lives as Christians where we strive to honor the Lord.
Just yesterday, a person approached me and in a loud voice almost so that the people around me could hear, he said "How much do you weigh now since your surgery?" . I must admit, for me and in my line of sport, losing weight is not something I strive to achieve, so my response was "I don't know" and I just walked away. I really do not know how much weight I have lost as I do not weigh myself, for personal reasons. As I walked away I started thinking to myself, I need to forgive this person. In tonight's verse we see Jesus on the cross as the people below shouted insults at Christ, Jesus asked the Father to forgive them for they do no know what they are doing. After everything that has been done to Jesus as he hung on the cross dying, He still in His heart felt to ask the people be forgiven as this flowed through His lips.
This struck me so deep, if Christ forgave others when offenses came why can't I forgive. I myself can be counted among those people who crucified Christ in a sense, because His death paid for my past, current, and future sins.
I know my mom who was not perfect, but mom came to a place in mom's life where mom forgave. Even when mom was left a lone after mom's marriage ended, there was a time in mom's life when mom forgave (though this was not overnight, mom got to that proverbial place). See what I am describing here is that forgiveness should be given for the littlest offense to the greatest offense though non of this may happen suddenly, we must forgive because as followers of Christ we know that we too have been forgiven.
The person came up to me a few minutes later and said sorry, I explained myself to him, and I believe he realized why I was "taken back" however, the important thing is that for us as Christians forgiveness is not an option.
Note: Today America is remembering the crime against her, that was done so callously, it is a great offense to the people and families who have and are suffering. Here too forgiveness is not an option, though it's not easy.
With all this we must always remember God is in control
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with our Savior
Song: God Is In Control by Twila Paris
Week 294
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots
Touching on the topic from last week in regards to getting rid of all bitter, anger and hostility from Ephesians 4:31-32, this week I encountered something that again reminded me of forgiving others and doing so as a continuous practice. This continuous practice is important in our lives as Christians where we strive to honor the Lord.
Just yesterday, a person approached me and in a loud voice almost so that the people around me could hear, he said "How much do you weigh now since your surgery?" . I must admit, for me and in my line of sport, losing weight is not something I strive to achieve, so my response was "I don't know" and I just walked away. I really do not know how much weight I have lost as I do not weigh myself, for personal reasons. As I walked away I started thinking to myself, I need to forgive this person. In tonight's verse we see Jesus on the cross as the people below shouted insults at Christ, Jesus asked the Father to forgive them for they do no know what they are doing. After everything that has been done to Jesus as he hung on the cross dying, He still in His heart felt to ask the people be forgiven as this flowed through His lips.
This struck me so deep, if Christ forgave others when offenses came why can't I forgive. I myself can be counted among those people who crucified Christ in a sense, because His death paid for my past, current, and future sins.
I know my mom who was not perfect, but mom came to a place in mom's life where mom forgave. Even when mom was left a lone after mom's marriage ended, there was a time in mom's life when mom forgave (though this was not overnight, mom got to that proverbial place). See what I am describing here is that forgiveness should be given for the littlest offense to the greatest offense though non of this may happen suddenly, we must forgive because as followers of Christ we know that we too have been forgiven.
The person came up to me a few minutes later and said sorry, I explained myself to him, and I believe he realized why I was "taken back" however, the important thing is that for us as Christians forgiveness is not an option.
Note: Today America is remembering the crime against her, that was done so callously, it is a great offense to the people and families who have and are suffering. Here too forgiveness is not an option, though it's not easy.
With all this we must always remember God is in control
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with our Savior
Song: God Is In Control by Twila Paris
September 18, 2019
Week 295
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
It's a very significant thought and question in most people's life today, and that is "what are you living for?". I think if you ask many people you encounter in a day the answer is very different. In tonight's verse just before Jesus ascended into Heaven He met with His followers and gave them a command, and that command is to go out and preach the good news of Jesus Christ, this is known as the Great Commission. See as Christians this is also for us, we must remember that as long as we are here on Earth we live for Jesus, we live to spread the good news of our Savior to others wherever we go.
As a kid my mom held Bible Studies in the home and we would have time of prayer daily. It was hard for me at times being about 7 or 8 years old I understood what my mom was doing but not necessarily why. Mom was fulfilling the Great Commission, teaching us as kids about Jesus.
Now as an adult it's something that is my number one focus and is my answer to the question: "What are you living for?" the answer is to spread the news of Jesus Christ. As believers it's important to note that this is not always and only through words, but it is just as important through our actions. Can you as a follower of Jesus Christ confidently answer the question: "What are you living for?"
I love you mom and I love you LORD.
Home with the one we live for.
Song: Hillsong Worship - Christ Is Enough (Live - Acoustic)
Week 295
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
It's a very significant thought and question in most people's life today, and that is "what are you living for?". I think if you ask many people you encounter in a day the answer is very different. In tonight's verse just before Jesus ascended into Heaven He met with His followers and gave them a command, and that command is to go out and preach the good news of Jesus Christ, this is known as the Great Commission. See as Christians this is also for us, we must remember that as long as we are here on Earth we live for Jesus, we live to spread the good news of our Savior to others wherever we go.
As a kid my mom held Bible Studies in the home and we would have time of prayer daily. It was hard for me at times being about 7 or 8 years old I understood what my mom was doing but not necessarily why. Mom was fulfilling the Great Commission, teaching us as kids about Jesus.
Now as an adult it's something that is my number one focus and is my answer to the question: "What are you living for?" the answer is to spread the news of Jesus Christ. As believers it's important to note that this is not always and only through words, but it is just as important through our actions. Can you as a follower of Jesus Christ confidently answer the question: "What are you living for?"
I love you mom and I love you LORD.
Home with the one we live for.
Song: Hillsong Worship - Christ Is Enough (Live - Acoustic)
September 25, 2019
Week 296
James 1:19 - "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Today marks exactly 6 years that my mom went home to be with the Lord. I been sort of thinking through this month in anticipation of today, it also an anniversary of the literal day - Wednesday as well, so I think this made things a little more rough. In tonight's verse we see James the brother of Jesus challenge Christians, yes Christians. See what I learned is that the book of James is meant for the follower of Jesus to read, in other words the book is for us Christians and it is to challenge us. James writes that every Christian person should be quick to hear, slow in their response and slow to get angry. In my days following surgery I mentioned a few weeks ago that people constantly do not listen, when I explain why I am in a sling after they ask, they are always stating things like "well I have a friend that also...", "I had that too...", "I know a guy that went through that and it's scary...". The thing about this is that it can "anger" me to hear things like this as I try to walk in God's word daily, my thoughts are always "why aren't they listening to me". Well the truth, this challenge laid out by James is for the believer not the unbeliever, and I am (we are) the one that needs to remember my place with God and not get angry.
In the days following my mom's passing from this life to the next many people would come up to me after I would tell them why I was down and say "I cannot imagine what you are going through". On the surface this may see like the best response but the truth is, it shows the person is not listening, they have shifted the focus from what I'm going through to what themselves as they use the words "I can't....". In a sense this is tough for a Christian who is grieving to respond as I would ask myself why aren't they listening. However, James gives us instructions in our response.
As Christians we all face obstacles that may make us wonder how to respond, however God always gives us answers, in this specific case through His word. As Christians we must keep God's word on our hearts and follow Him. We are followers of Christ it's not always easy but we must try.
I love you mom, and I love you Lord.
Home with the our Savior.
Song: Phillips, Craig & Dean - Jesus, Only Jesus (Official Pseudo Video)
Week 296
James 1:19 - "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Today marks exactly 6 years that my mom went home to be with the Lord. I been sort of thinking through this month in anticipation of today, it also an anniversary of the literal day - Wednesday as well, so I think this made things a little more rough. In tonight's verse we see James the brother of Jesus challenge Christians, yes Christians. See what I learned is that the book of James is meant for the follower of Jesus to read, in other words the book is for us Christians and it is to challenge us. James writes that every Christian person should be quick to hear, slow in their response and slow to get angry. In my days following surgery I mentioned a few weeks ago that people constantly do not listen, when I explain why I am in a sling after they ask, they are always stating things like "well I have a friend that also...", "I had that too...", "I know a guy that went through that and it's scary...". The thing about this is that it can "anger" me to hear things like this as I try to walk in God's word daily, my thoughts are always "why aren't they listening to me". Well the truth, this challenge laid out by James is for the believer not the unbeliever, and I am (we are) the one that needs to remember my place with God and not get angry.
In the days following my mom's passing from this life to the next many people would come up to me after I would tell them why I was down and say "I cannot imagine what you are going through". On the surface this may see like the best response but the truth is, it shows the person is not listening, they have shifted the focus from what I'm going through to what themselves as they use the words "I can't....". In a sense this is tough for a Christian who is grieving to respond as I would ask myself why aren't they listening. However, James gives us instructions in our response.
As Christians we all face obstacles that may make us wonder how to respond, however God always gives us answers, in this specific case through His word. As Christians we must keep God's word on our hearts and follow Him. We are followers of Christ it's not always easy but we must try.
I love you mom, and I love you Lord.
Home with the our Savior.
Song: Phillips, Craig & Dean - Jesus, Only Jesus (Official Pseudo Video)
October 2, 2019
Week 297
Daniel 9:9 9 The LORD our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
One of the things I been pondering a lot since Thursday of last week was forgiveness. It turns out I said something that was mean to a dear friend of mine, now I didn't intend to be mean to her but direct, however she stopped talking to me. After a few days of not hearing from her I realized I was wrong and I sent her a message apologizing basically asking for forgiveness. Within 5 minutes my friend responded back to me and said it's OK thank you for apologizing, she was not mean back to me nor did she make me feel worse.
In tonight's verse we go to the book of Daniel Chapter 9. In this chapter Daniel prays to God and pleads with Him for His mercy upon Jerusalem for it not to become "desolate" and destroyed. However as we read the rest of the chapter we see God honored Daniel but the destruction of Jerusalem came because of the transgression of the people, but at the same time God promised Daniel that it will be restored.
In our lives we must understand that we will all sin, we will all do things that are wrong, we will pay for those things in some ways and learn. For example my friend forgave me for being mean towards her, I realize over the last few days how I was wrong and I felt horrible. In the end when I went to her and asked for forgiveness she forgave and the friendship was restored. Now there is always a varying level when someone wrongs us, but out intention should always be toward forgiveness we may not forgive easy but we must forgive. There is no greater gesture when we forgive, because we show our love towards others, however more importantly when we forgive we recognize that we are not blameless we look towards God and realize we forgive because He first forgave us. The person we are forgiving may have already or will have suffered enough and we are not to expect that we should control that person's suffering by constantly allowing them to be as they are.
My mom I know had many things that were harsh done, for one through a failed marriage that could be described as a nightmare. As I think back about how mom handle that situation, I know it was not easy for my mom to forgive, but mom I know did in time.
Here I am not suggesting that when we forgive we can go on and be best friends or whatever level of friendship there was, but I am stating that we must forgive, because God has first forgiven us.
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One Who Forgives
Song: Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her
Week 297
Daniel 9:9 9 The LORD our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
One of the things I been pondering a lot since Thursday of last week was forgiveness. It turns out I said something that was mean to a dear friend of mine, now I didn't intend to be mean to her but direct, however she stopped talking to me. After a few days of not hearing from her I realized I was wrong and I sent her a message apologizing basically asking for forgiveness. Within 5 minutes my friend responded back to me and said it's OK thank you for apologizing, she was not mean back to me nor did she make me feel worse.
In tonight's verse we go to the book of Daniel Chapter 9. In this chapter Daniel prays to God and pleads with Him for His mercy upon Jerusalem for it not to become "desolate" and destroyed. However as we read the rest of the chapter we see God honored Daniel but the destruction of Jerusalem came because of the transgression of the people, but at the same time God promised Daniel that it will be restored.
In our lives we must understand that we will all sin, we will all do things that are wrong, we will pay for those things in some ways and learn. For example my friend forgave me for being mean towards her, I realize over the last few days how I was wrong and I felt horrible. In the end when I went to her and asked for forgiveness she forgave and the friendship was restored. Now there is always a varying level when someone wrongs us, but out intention should always be toward forgiveness we may not forgive easy but we must forgive. There is no greater gesture when we forgive, because we show our love towards others, however more importantly when we forgive we recognize that we are not blameless we look towards God and realize we forgive because He first forgave us. The person we are forgiving may have already or will have suffered enough and we are not to expect that we should control that person's suffering by constantly allowing them to be as they are.
My mom I know had many things that were harsh done, for one through a failed marriage that could be described as a nightmare. As I think back about how mom handle that situation, I know it was not easy for my mom to forgive, but mom I know did in time.
Here I am not suggesting that when we forgive we can go on and be best friends or whatever level of friendship there was, but I am stating that we must forgive, because God has first forgiven us.
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One Who Forgives
Song: Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her
October 9, 2019
Week 298
Ephesians 5:15-20
15Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the LORD, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Sometimes when things unexpected come our way the first thing we tend to do is either get happy or get worried. We all go through life in different ways depending on how God has shaped our lives to be, but when something unexpected happens depending on what it is it can cause us to feel a sense of happiness or a sense of worry. In tonight's verse we Paul writing to the Church in Ephesus, telling the Church to be careful on how they live, to be wise making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Paul continues by telling the Church to understand what the will of the Lord is, to not get drunk on wine but to be filled with the Holy Spirit, sing, rejoice, and to always give thanks to God for everything in Jesus' name.
Recently when I had surgery I could barely do anything, it was a steady unexpected surprise that came my way that actually made me feel really down (worried). However, after the surgery I felt a sense of peace (happiness) knowing that God was doing something here. I used the days following surgery as an opportunity to do what I felt led to do, by the Holy Spirit. I was praying one morning and felt the peace of God leading me to what I was to do first in regarding surgery, which I was obedient to and the subsequent days that followed. I know my mom would advise me the same way, a lot of times when I would do something (even as an adult) my mom would give me a different perspective on things that I never thought about. I cannot say mom was quoting from our verse tonight in Ephesians, but I know that mom was getting me to see what God was doing, His perspective. It was in 2010 that I bought a house, and ever since that move I was distraught for one reason or another for about 6 months, mom was there to help me see the benefits of such a large purchase "down the rode it will be good for you to have your own house".
In everything we do whether the unexpected happens that can make us happy or worried, we must remember that those feelings are temporary. When the unexpected happens to seek the will of God even for if we feel the unexpected is a minute or a significant thing(s). As we do so we can make the most of every opportunity, as we see everything from God's perspective not our own as the Holy Spirit guides us we are to be thankful in our Savior's name.
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One who give us our perspective.
Song: Casting Crowns - Great Are You Lord (Live)
Week 298
Ephesians 5:15-20
15Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the LORD, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.
Sometimes when things unexpected come our way the first thing we tend to do is either get happy or get worried. We all go through life in different ways depending on how God has shaped our lives to be, but when something unexpected happens depending on what it is it can cause us to feel a sense of happiness or a sense of worry. In tonight's verse we Paul writing to the Church in Ephesus, telling the Church to be careful on how they live, to be wise making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Paul continues by telling the Church to understand what the will of the Lord is, to not get drunk on wine but to be filled with the Holy Spirit, sing, rejoice, and to always give thanks to God for everything in Jesus' name.
Recently when I had surgery I could barely do anything, it was a steady unexpected surprise that came my way that actually made me feel really down (worried). However, after the surgery I felt a sense of peace (happiness) knowing that God was doing something here. I used the days following surgery as an opportunity to do what I felt led to do, by the Holy Spirit. I was praying one morning and felt the peace of God leading me to what I was to do first in regarding surgery, which I was obedient to and the subsequent days that followed. I know my mom would advise me the same way, a lot of times when I would do something (even as an adult) my mom would give me a different perspective on things that I never thought about. I cannot say mom was quoting from our verse tonight in Ephesians, but I know that mom was getting me to see what God was doing, His perspective. It was in 2010 that I bought a house, and ever since that move I was distraught for one reason or another for about 6 months, mom was there to help me see the benefits of such a large purchase "down the rode it will be good for you to have your own house".
In everything we do whether the unexpected happens that can make us happy or worried, we must remember that those feelings are temporary. When the unexpected happens to seek the will of God even for if we feel the unexpected is a minute or a significant thing(s). As we do so we can make the most of every opportunity, as we see everything from God's perspective not our own as the Holy Spirit guides us we are to be thankful in our Savior's name.
I love you mom and I love you Lord
Home with the One who give us our perspective.
Song: Casting Crowns - Great Are You Lord (Live)
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October 16, 2019
Week 299
John 16:33
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
In the days following the first and second surgeries that I had there was a sense of peace that came over me and this peace I know came from God. It's so important to for me and us as Christians to understand and know that God is always for us not against us. In tonight's verse we see Jesus addressing His disciples encouraging them that their grief will turn to joy.
As I wrote of before, my mom's life was very tumultuous. Mom had many lows and very few highs, from family, to marriage, to health, all of it was a struggle. However towards the end of mom's time here I noticed a difference mom had this peace that humanly I could not explain but this peace was clear as I think about it today, it was from Jesus.
Now as I ponder tonight's verse I know that though the Bible was not necessarily written directly to us, it is however written for us. The Bible was written for us so much that we too may find peace, not in the world, but in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with Jesus our Peace
Song: Perfect Peace - Laura Story - with Lyrics
Week 299
John 16:33
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
In the days following the first and second surgeries that I had there was a sense of peace that came over me and this peace I know came from God. It's so important to for me and us as Christians to understand and know that God is always for us not against us. In tonight's verse we see Jesus addressing His disciples encouraging them that their grief will turn to joy.
As I wrote of before, my mom's life was very tumultuous. Mom had many lows and very few highs, from family, to marriage, to health, all of it was a struggle. However towards the end of mom's time here I noticed a difference mom had this peace that humanly I could not explain but this peace was clear as I think about it today, it was from Jesus.
Now as I ponder tonight's verse I know that though the Bible was not necessarily written directly to us, it is however written for us. The Bible was written for us so much that we too may find peace, not in the world, but in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with Jesus our Peace
Song: Perfect Peace - Laura Story - with Lyrics
October 23, 2019
Week 300
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)
“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
After many months I am getting much more focused on the goals set before me with exams and ideas. I had a few setbacks this year but slowly I'm getting to where I feel I need to be as I am following God's will. Now to be clear these setbacks were all part of God's plan if you have been following through this year with some of these posts you'll know about my surgeries and all. In tonight's verse we read about the Psalmist praising God, as he confirms that it is the Lord that makes steps of the one who follows Him firm, though they he will stumble, they will not fall because the Lord holds them.
It's so appropriate to understand that as life continues, and when we stumble and have a setback (or setbacks), if we first put out trust in Jesus Christ we are following His will, and the things that go on in life will makes us trust Him more. My mom had many setbacks in life, as I think back and ponder I can think how mom must of felt as I ponder these thoughts, though mom never said these things perhaps mom wondered: "Why is life like this"; "I feel lost". All in all though I wonder I can truly say that mom placed mom's trust in God, though it may not have been easy or immediate, mom's trust was in Him.
As I had some setbacks this year I can think how I felt: "What's next"; "What if this or that happens". However in the scenarios that caused my setbacks though it wasn't immediate, I placed my trust in God. As I continued I saw God's hand with me and I was thanking God as it was He who provided for me, He who took care of me.
This is true for every follower of Jesus, once we placed our trust in Him, we begin getting stronger for Him and the troubles that come may at first seem insurmountable we can trust Him, knowing fully that He will take care of us.
If you never trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior begin today, get to know Jesus through reading the Bible, and prayer. Let your faith become genuine and serve Him. It's never too late.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who lifts our troubles.
Song: Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up (Official Music Video)
Week 300
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)
“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
After many months I am getting much more focused on the goals set before me with exams and ideas. I had a few setbacks this year but slowly I'm getting to where I feel I need to be as I am following God's will. Now to be clear these setbacks were all part of God's plan if you have been following through this year with some of these posts you'll know about my surgeries and all. In tonight's verse we read about the Psalmist praising God, as he confirms that it is the Lord that makes steps of the one who follows Him firm, though they he will stumble, they will not fall because the Lord holds them.
It's so appropriate to understand that as life continues, and when we stumble and have a setback (or setbacks), if we first put out trust in Jesus Christ we are following His will, and the things that go on in life will makes us trust Him more. My mom had many setbacks in life, as I think back and ponder I can think how mom must of felt as I ponder these thoughts, though mom never said these things perhaps mom wondered: "Why is life like this"; "I feel lost". All in all though I wonder I can truly say that mom placed mom's trust in God, though it may not have been easy or immediate, mom's trust was in Him.
As I had some setbacks this year I can think how I felt: "What's next"; "What if this or that happens". However in the scenarios that caused my setbacks though it wasn't immediate, I placed my trust in God. As I continued I saw God's hand with me and I was thanking God as it was He who provided for me, He who took care of me.
This is true for every follower of Jesus, once we placed our trust in Him, we begin getting stronger for Him and the troubles that come may at first seem insurmountable we can trust Him, knowing fully that He will take care of us.
If you never trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior begin today, get to know Jesus through reading the Bible, and prayer. Let your faith become genuine and serve Him. It's never too late.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the One who lifts our troubles.
Song: Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up (Official Music Video)
October 30, 2019
Week 301
Acts 12:5
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
One of the main questions I wonder and even hear about is why pray. This week in Bible Study class we have been studying the book of Acts chapter 12, and specifically as it pertains to Peter being put into prison and the church praying for him as it is tonight's verse. Reading on throughout the chapter we find out that on the night before Herod was to put Peter on trial (Herod was the one who imprisoned Peter) an angel appeared to Peter and freed him.
As I pondered these verses I wonder if the reason that Peter was freed from prison was because the church prayed for him. Studying this I am left with this, "Peter was freed because it was God's will", the reason I came to this conclusion is because in the previous verses James was killed by Herod, knowing this I can conclude that the church, that is the believers prayed for James and the other apostles yet, God's will was done regardless. So why pray?
Growing up I remember mom always praying for us, I would see mom praying in a corner of the house that was in mom's room, and I know mom was bringing mom's petitions before the Lord. One of the reasons we pray is to connect with God and for us to know His will. When God's will is known and we experience it, we have better understanding to accept it regardless if it's the way we want it or not. In James' case he was killed, in Peter's case he was freed from prison, in both cases God's will was done and the gospel goes forward for His glory.
We must follow Christ, as Christians we must understand that Christ is our leader and He knows what is best for us. In every and all situations we must remember God's will, is done and we trust Him.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the Jesus our Leader.
Song: Give Us Clean Hands - Chris Tomlin
Week 301
Acts 12:5
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
One of the main questions I wonder and even hear about is why pray. This week in Bible Study class we have been studying the book of Acts chapter 12, and specifically as it pertains to Peter being put into prison and the church praying for him as it is tonight's verse. Reading on throughout the chapter we find out that on the night before Herod was to put Peter on trial (Herod was the one who imprisoned Peter) an angel appeared to Peter and freed him.
As I pondered these verses I wonder if the reason that Peter was freed from prison was because the church prayed for him. Studying this I am left with this, "Peter was freed because it was God's will", the reason I came to this conclusion is because in the previous verses James was killed by Herod, knowing this I can conclude that the church, that is the believers prayed for James and the other apostles yet, God's will was done regardless. So why pray?
Growing up I remember mom always praying for us, I would see mom praying in a corner of the house that was in mom's room, and I know mom was bringing mom's petitions before the Lord. One of the reasons we pray is to connect with God and for us to know His will. When God's will is known and we experience it, we have better understanding to accept it regardless if it's the way we want it or not. In James' case he was killed, in Peter's case he was freed from prison, in both cases God's will was done and the gospel goes forward for His glory.
We must follow Christ, as Christians we must understand that Christ is our leader and He knows what is best for us. In every and all situations we must remember God's will, is done and we trust Him.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the Jesus our Leader.
Song: Give Us Clean Hands - Chris Tomlin
November 6, 2019
Week 302
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
I recently spoke with a friend last night via text message, who I haven't heard from her in a few weeks so I was concerned. She responded to my text and said "things are going well, I met a Christian man and we bought a house together and are planning to get married", then she wrote "God has performed a miracle" . I was dumbfounded and asked if she was joking but in her few responses she wasn't joking, then I finally asked how long have you known this person? Her response was "we are at dinner, God's best to you."
In tonight's verse we see Peter, who the text addresses as "a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ," (2 Peter 2:1) write that by God's divine power we have everything we need to lead a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and goodness, it's important to note that we gain this knowledge by reading the scriptures and getting to know Jesus. How do we know whether something is from God or not, by knowing His word, for one, as it would not lead us wrong and God will not contradict what He says in His word, to what we feel led to do.
At times we may pray about something and feel led in a certain direction, or have a certain thought about something. I recall when I moved out of town, and was looking for a job, my mom prayed about me finding one. Fast forward weeks after I found a job, mom told me mom knew that the job I interviewed for would be mine. Mom felt led in mom's heart that I would get this job, stating this and stating something is truly from God are two different things. Feeling led can also mean that one could be wrong, and truly knowing something is a miracle from God, however, doesn't allow for the possibility of it being wrong. For example, we only need a few lines from my friend's text to know and to discern whether this "miracle" can truly be called this.
My friend in her text wrote "...CHRISTIAN man...we BOUGHT a house and are PLANNING on getting married", "God has performed a MIRACLE". The words I capitalize speak for themselves would a Christian person, buy a house with someone they are planning on marrying, is this a miracle?The answer is no. No where in His word does God allow someone to lead a perceptually sinful life (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Buying a house together, living with that someone that you are planning on marrying is not right in God's eyes not according to this author, but according to God's word.
Today and everyday we must strive to know Christ, by knowing Him through His word. Then by doing so we will not let ourselves go astray to things we only "think" are from Him.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the Jesus the One we Know.
Song: Casting Crowns God is With Us
Week 302
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
I recently spoke with a friend last night via text message, who I haven't heard from her in a few weeks so I was concerned. She responded to my text and said "things are going well, I met a Christian man and we bought a house together and are planning to get married", then she wrote "God has performed a miracle" . I was dumbfounded and asked if she was joking but in her few responses she wasn't joking, then I finally asked how long have you known this person? Her response was "we are at dinner, God's best to you."
In tonight's verse we see Peter, who the text addresses as "a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ," (2 Peter 2:1) write that by God's divine power we have everything we need to lead a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and goodness, it's important to note that we gain this knowledge by reading the scriptures and getting to know Jesus. How do we know whether something is from God or not, by knowing His word, for one, as it would not lead us wrong and God will not contradict what He says in His word, to what we feel led to do.
At times we may pray about something and feel led in a certain direction, or have a certain thought about something. I recall when I moved out of town, and was looking for a job, my mom prayed about me finding one. Fast forward weeks after I found a job, mom told me mom knew that the job I interviewed for would be mine. Mom felt led in mom's heart that I would get this job, stating this and stating something is truly from God are two different things. Feeling led can also mean that one could be wrong, and truly knowing something is a miracle from God, however, doesn't allow for the possibility of it being wrong. For example, we only need a few lines from my friend's text to know and to discern whether this "miracle" can truly be called this.
My friend in her text wrote "...CHRISTIAN man...we BOUGHT a house and are PLANNING on getting married", "God has performed a MIRACLE". The words I capitalize speak for themselves would a Christian person, buy a house with someone they are planning on marrying, is this a miracle?The answer is no. No where in His word does God allow someone to lead a perceptually sinful life (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Buying a house together, living with that someone that you are planning on marrying is not right in God's eyes not according to this author, but according to God's word.
Today and everyday we must strive to know Christ, by knowing Him through His word. Then by doing so we will not let ourselves go astray to things we only "think" are from Him.
I love you mom and I love you Lord.
Home with the Jesus the One we Know.
Song: Casting Crowns God is With Us
