Month: April 2007

Please Pray for Ryan, Amy and baby boy

On By KateIn Various3 Comments

I am not led to post these types of things very often. However, as I was reading prayer requests on the Fundamental Baptist Forum, I came across this unique prayer request. I ask that you include this dear Pastor and his family in your prayers. What a Mighty God we serve and He can do this. Here is Pastor Ryan’s letter sent out after Resurrection Sunday. I changed only one thing in his letter and that was to quote the King James Bible in his Bible reference.

“The baby boy that my wife Amy is carrying in her belly right now has not been given any chance to live once he is born. Every doctor and website that I have been to has stated this unfortunate outcome. There is not, to my knowledge, one person that has survived for any amount of time with this condition. I know some people would say well then let’s pray for the family as they begin now until September 14 to deal with the loss of their son.

Let me pause and say – hold off on those prayers for now. As this past weekend has brought to my attention in a very real and relevant way – our God conquers death. Hello? He thrives on the impossible! Let’s not get caught up in believing only what octors say when the God who conquers death hasn’t had any say. We will know what God wants to do when this child is born. So please pray that God would form this little boy’s brain and close the skull and scalp. This isn’t supposed to happen – I get that. But dead guys aren’t supposed to come back to life either!

Some people probably think that Amy and I are setting ourselves up for heartbreak. No – we are asking God to give us our heart’s desire. If He doesn’t – He is still God and He is still good. How do you want to be remembered? Praying for God to comfort us (He has already promised to do that) or having a part in praying for the impossible?

Please help us pray for the impossible! We will leave the rest up to the God who hates death so much that He overcame it. Psalm 40:3 – “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” Our goal is that many people would see that we believe God is good even when life is not, begin to fear (respect), and trust in the Lord.

Thank you for coming in this journey with us! We need you!”

If you place Pastor Ryan, Amy and their baby boy on your prayer list, please encourage them with an e-mail and let them know you are praying. It would be awesome if this dear family received emails from all over the world letting them know they are praying to the God of miracles on their behalf. Their e-mail is:

northline@northlinebaptist.org

Thank you!

Mini-Manna for Little Lambs – Day 16 – Lying

On By KateIn Devotionals, Toddlers2 Comments

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color the picture of Bobby and his teddy bear! Bobby is praying with his teddy bear. Why do you think Bobby is praying? We will find out in today’s lesson.

You Must Not Tell A Lie
(sung to The Farmer in the Dell)

You must not tell a lie
You must not tell a lie
God says that lying is a sin
You must not tell a lie

I must not tell a lie
I must not tell a lie
It makes my parents really sad
I must not tell a lie


Bible Time

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Exo 20:16)

Story

Bobby and Andy were playing with their toy cars. Andy did not want to share with Bobby and that made Bobby angry. Bobby threw one of his toy cars at Andy and it hit the wall and made a hole in the wall. (make a sad face) Bobby knew that Mommy would be very upset with him. Bobby told Andy not to say what happened or Bobby would be punished. When Andy went home, Mommy saw the hole in the wall and asked Bobby what happened. Bobby told Mommy a lie. (make a sad face and shake your head No) He said that Andy threw the car and it hit the wall. Bobby felt awful for lying to Mommy but he was afraid to tell her the truth. He knew that she would be very sad if she knew he had lied to her. (make a sad face again) So Bobby decided not to tell his Mommy he had lied.

The next day, Mommy hung up the telephone and came to Bobby. Mommy said, “Bobby, Andy’s Mom told me that Andy said you did not want him to say how the hole got in the wall. Bobby, would you like to tell me the truth now”? Bobby told his Mommy that he had lied and that he threw the car and it hit the wall. Bobby felt better now because he had told the truth. Mommy said, “Bobby, God’s Word says not to tell a lie because it is sin. You need to ask God to forgive you.” Bobby began to cry and hugged his Mommy. He told her he was sorry. Bobby knelt down with his teddy bear and began to pray to God and asked God to forgive him. Bobby was so happy now that he had been forgiven! (clap your hands and smile) Bobby said to his Mommy, “I’ll never tell a lie again, Mommy”! (smile again and clap your hands)

Dear God…
Help me to always tell the truth. Amen!

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God’s Goodness – Day 12 – The Wind

On By KateIn Various3 Comments

Wind is defined as the rough horizontal movement of air across the earth. The Holy Spirit is likened to the wind in the Word. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (Joh 3:8 ) Wind does not blow from the bottom or from the top but horizontally. The Holy Spirit does not crush us with burdens too great to bear. Nor does He cause us to stumble or be swept off our feet. Instead, he guides us through the Word in a Godly direction.

I found it interesting that the first time the wind is mentioned in the Bible is in chapter 8. And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; (Gen 8:1) The number eight is symbolic of “new beginnings.” Jesus Christ is our New Covenant. Through His shed blood, we have remission of sins. After His resurrection, He left us the Holy Spirit to reside within us and to stir us, move us to be more like Christ. The Holy Spirit is compared to the wind. Isn’t that neat? I believe that even the chapter and verse divisions in the Word of God are there for us to be blessed with! The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (Joh 3:8 ) Isn’t it interesting that this chapter heading is the number three (indicative of the Trinity) and the number eight, New Beginnings? I won’t know for sure until I reach Heaven if the chapter and verse numbers were meant to bless me in this way, but in the mean time, I consider myself blessed!

In my research on the wind, I discovered that still air is a great insulator. That means that heat does not flow well in still air. This is the reason why heat rises in a still room. When there is a fire, we’re told to lay on the floor and crawl out of harm’s way. Where there is no breeze, that heat goes upward. The wind (breeze) stirs up that heat, circulates it and the fire grows. When we are spiritually not moving forward, we are still. We are like that still air, insulating our spiritual lives and not moving. When we are not growing in Christ, the fires of the Holy Spirit aren’t moving within us. Our spiritual embers need to be stirred by the movement of the Spirit in our lives. Only then are we productive Christians and yielding spiritual fruit.

We’ve had some pretty powerful wind storms the past few days due to a Nor’easter sweeping up the East coast. Prior to the winds, the ground was saturated with rain and the root systems of the trees were weakened. The wind caused much more damage because of this. We have a cedar tree on the side of our house that is leaning into another cedar tree. If it weren’t for that supporting tree, this leaning tree would have come down on our fence. If the wind were to switch directions, it would push that leaning cedar into our house. The winds are now dying and I’m thankful that my Heavenly Father has protected us yet again! As I meditated on the power of this Nor’easter, I made some beautiful correlations to the Spirit’s movement within our lives. When our lives are not saturated with worldliness, we are yielded and the Spirit’s wind will move us, conforming us to the beautiful image of our Saviour.

However, when our lives are saturated with worldliness, we are unyielding to the Spirit and He must draw us back with stronger winds. Sometimes the spiritual winds break us, sometimes the winds cause havoc in our lives as a result of our own actions. Isn’t it easier to yield to the Holy Spirit than to have to pick up the broken pieces later on? God will not force us to submit to Him but, like a loving Father, will allow the storms of life to come upon us so we can turn once again to Him. Look at your own children and how you deal with them. You don’t force them to decisions but you guide them. When they make the wrong decision, they have to reap the consequences of those decisions. It’s the same with the Holy Spirit in our own lives, my friend.

This same wind has the power to rejuvenate and encourages new growth on this earth. The wind carries pollen from one place to another to create new life. The wind stirs up the ground from the winter’s effects. The wind prepares that ground for Spring. What a beautiful picture of the Holy Spirit. Our dead heart is made alive by the Spirit moving in us. He converts that fallow ground of our heart into a good soil, ready to receive the precious seed of the Gospel. Upon salvation, that seed will grow and will bare the fruit of the peace of Jesus Christ! And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (Jam 3:18 )

What a blessed analogy the Lord has given me this morning! I love to find Him in His creation, don’t you? The Word could not describe the Holy Spirit in a better way than to compare Him to the wind. Thank You, Lord!

Dear God…
Thank You for Your Spirit
May He direct my way
Help me to be yielded
With each and every day

The Thinking Blog Award Goes to…

On By KateIn Various5 Comments

Much to my surprise, I made my daily visit to Sis. Julie’s blog only to see that I had been selected as one of the winners of her Thinking Blog Award.

I believe my strongest drive as a Christian is to challenge others to righteous living. I guess that causes them to think :-) We should be searching, seeking, learning and conforming to the image of Christ. That should be a drive within all of us, don’t you think?

To continue passing on this Award process, I reviewed those blogs that I frequent daily. Those five that I’ve chosen are not chosen to reciprocate but because I am always challenged at their blogs to think about my spiritual condition. Thank you, my brethren, for continuing the challenge!!

Bro. Jerry – has been instrumental in causing me to dig deeper when I study and research. He has always encouraged me to search for golden nuggets :-) I know that when I go read his blog, I need to put my thinking cap on ;-)

Sis. Julie – has a heart for the Lord. Each post blesses me in some way and causes me to meditate and search out my heart. She truly is a Pastor’s wife and I’m thankful for the heart she has for the ladies God has entrusted in her care.

Bro. Tim – packs a punch in each of his blogs. I always walk away with something that encourages me to live right or glean from. I’m never disappointed :-)

Bro. Jim – Standing in the Gap always has some kind of exhortation for the reader. We’re always encouraged to live right and do right. Again, I walk away challenged to think.

Bro. Joshua & Bro. Caleb – are the youngest men I read after but they never cease to amaze me with their posts. Whether it is something they have written or have gleaned from, I am challenged to think. These young men are going to pack a whollop when they are grown!

Thank you all for the blessings you give this lady every day!!

God’s Goodness – Day 11 – The Pearl

On By KateIn VariousLeave a comment

The pearl is a beautiful gem stone. All other gems are taken from the ground by man. However, this gem is formed by one of God’s creation. I had learned in school that pearls were formed by a grain of sand entering into an oyster shell and irritating that oyster. This causes the oyster to deposit layers of mother-of-pearl. In my research, I discovered that the irritant is rarely from a grain of sand but typically from parasites, organic material (ingested when the shell opens for feeding) or other broken pieces from other parts of the oyster’s body.

Two beautiful analogies can be seen when looking at the pearl. The Lord Himself compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a pearl of great price. The merchant found this pearl of great price and sold all he had to purchase it. This merchant had to be willing to sell everything in order to buy this pearl. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mar 8:36) A major hurdle for unbelievers is that they do not wish to part with their sin or worldly ways. Repentance has a cost – forsaking known sin for salvation is not easy but necessary. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luk 13:5) Otherwise, the unrepentant sinner is no better than these disciples who followed Jesus but could not continue to do so for His teachings were too difficult for them. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? (Joh 6:60) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (Joh 6:66) It’s not that Jesus’ teachings were so intellectual, they could not understand what He was saying. Jesus taught repentance and salvation but they did not believe. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (Joh 6:64) Don’t you find it interesting that those unbelievers who chose not to walk with Jesus were described in Chapter 6, verse 66 (666)? They went the way of the devil in this verse. I love how every jot and tittle was inspired by God – even the chapter divisions and verse markers.

Another wonderful analogy is to the Christian’s life and how the pearl is formed. As believers, the Holy Spirit brings convictions which form us into the image of Christ. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Col 3:10) We will have trials and tribulations in our lives – each one teaching us and growing us spiritually – each layer making us more like Christ. With each one, we learn to draw nigh to Him. Just as the irritation in the oyster produces a pearl, our trials and tribulations will strengthen our faith and conform us into the image of our Saviour.

I also noticed that there are different types of irritants which bring about this pearl of great price: parasites, organic material, other broken pieces and occasionally that grain of sand. All sources were different but all produced a pearl! Our trials, like the pearl, come from various sources also. The parasite in the Christian’s life can be those unsaved friends or those we think to be friends. Noah Webster defined a parasite in his day as:

2. In modern usage, a trencher friend; one that frequents the tables of the rich and earns his welcome by flattery; a hanger on; a fawning flatterer

No wonder we are warned not to be unequally yoked. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Co 6:14) These parasitic friends can produce quite the irritation in our spiritual lives and yield tribulation. You become who you hang around with and we must guard ourselves in this area. Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: (Pro 22:24) The key here is to grow from it and not repeat it. This is a trial that we can avoid if we heed the Word. It is also a trial that will build us and form us as we grow from our experiences.

The second irritant is organic material which I liken to the world’s goods and what the world offers. We are not to love the things of this world. It is difficult to control the lust of the flesh. However, in so doing we are building up our pearl – we are being conformed to Christ’s image Who is the pearl of great price. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 Jo 2:15) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 Jo 2:16)

Notice the pearl is also formed by broken pieces from inside the oyster’s body. What a beautiful comparison to the believer letting go of sin in our lives – breaking away from sinfulness and being more and more like Jesus. When we are broken, we are ready to receive what the Lord has to teach us. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psa 34:18 ) As a broken vessel in the Potter’s Hand, we can be molded and reshaped into a vessel unto honour. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (2 Ti 2:20)

Lastly, on occasion that one grain of sand can produce a pearl as well. Do you realize how small a grain of sand is? A grain of fine sand is measured between 1/8 mm – 1/4 mm!! No matter how small the trial you are going through, God will still use it to produce this pearl – conforming you into the image of Christ, the ultimate pearl of great price.

What trials and tribulations are you experiencing today in your life? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit of God to conform you into the Saviour’s image? What kind of pearl are you producing in your spiritual oyster? Are you producing a pearl at all? It’s only through our submissiveness to changing as we experience these irritations that we produce that pearl. If we do not yield to the Holy Spirit’s convictions and forsake sin, we won’t yield a beautiful pearl. But a yielded vessel will grow from each trial and will become more and more like that Pearl of Great Price, the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

More Like the Master
by Charles H. Gabriel

More like the Master I would ever be,
More of His meekness, more humility;
More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,
More consecration for work He bids me do.

Refrain

Take Thou my heart, I would be Thine alone;
Take Thou my heart, and make it all Thine own.
Purge me from sin, O Lord, I now implore,
Wash me and keep me Thine forevermore.

More like the Master is my daily prayer;
More strength to carry crosses I must bear;
More earnest effort to bring His kingdom in;
More of His Spirit, the wanderer to win.

Refrain

More like the Master I would live and grow;
More of His love to others I would show;
More self denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be.

Refrain

God’s Goodness – Day 10 – The Dove

On By KateIn Various1 Comment

The dove brings with it the connotation of gentleness, peacefulness and rest. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psa 55:6)

Everything about the dove is gentle – its appearance, its sound, and even its motions. Have you ever observed one in flight? The grace and beauty of its landing upon a rooftop appears to be effortless – light as a feather. One of the most relaxing sounds I have ever heard is the cooing of the morning doves in the mornings. Their beautiful sound could calm the most restless soul. I can’t think of a better way to start my day than to hear those coos. This helps me to truly appreciate why God used the dove to represent His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not barge into our lives. His entrance is gentle, His sound is gentle and His motions in our lives are gentle. He speaks to us in that still small voice. I once heard preach that the Holy Spirit was a Gentleman – He does not force Himself upon us like a roaring lion but as gentle as the dove. I love that about Him, don’t you? For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Co 14:33) Therefore, when our lives are filled with noise and confusion, we know it is not from the Holy Spirit but from the god of this world.

All four Gospels give the beautiful account of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus after He was baptized. It is in this account that the Trinity was evidenced – The Son submitted, the Spirit rested upon Him, and the Father spoke. The first appearance of the dove in the Bible is in Gen. 8:8, Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; Isn’t it wonderful that The Holy Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters in Gen. 1:1 and the first mention of the dove was to send it out over the face of the waters to see if the waters had abated? God’s Word is so thorough – nothing is by chance – God reveals Himself throughout the Word. I thought that was so like God to show His Spirit in these two verses! Gen. 1:1 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

I also discovered that the dove (turtledove or young pigeons) was the only bird that was used in sacrificial offerings, Luke 2:24. God’s justice requires atonement for sin but sacrificial offerings could never provide complete atonement because our sin is never ending. But God’s love was so great for us that He provided the perfect atonement by taking on the form of man and becoming the perfect, sinless sacrifice on our behalf. It is only through the sacrifice of the Cross that we can have atonement for our sin. God no longer sees the born-again believer as a sinner because His Son’s blood was the atonement needed – the price had been paid over 2,000 years ago.

The gentle and quiet Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus Christ. He testifies to us of Christ through the Word of God.But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (Joh 15:26) What a beautiful depiction the two turtledoves were – they were a testimony of the coming of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Christ to us and presents us this wonderful Gift. Oh thank you, Lord!

With the acceptance of Christ’s work on the Cross, we receive eternal life and the sweet peace that accompanies salvation. I can’t think of sweeter more gentle animal than the dove to depict the Holy Spirit and how He introduces us to Christ. We are not forced to believe in Christ. We are gently stirred and called – and when we yield ourselves and accept Christ, the Spirit comes to reside within us. Thank You, Lord, for the beautiful picture of Your Holy Spirit today!

My Father lovingly prepared a way
And provided an atonement for sin
The Holy Spirit like a dove
Pricked my heart and entered in!

God’s Goodness – Day 9 – Volcanoes

On By KateIn Various4 Comments

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; (Rev 8:8 )The beauty of volcanoes lighting up the night sky is breath taking, isn’t it? How can something so beautiful also cause such destruction!

Throughout history, we have seen the havoc wreaked by one of these awesome mountains. As we look at the volcano, we can see how God can use one to accomplish His wrath, but what good can come from them? As I searched the Internet, I learned that volcanoes provide hydrothermal vents which are responsible for almost all of our iron, copper, nickel, platinum, gold, silver, zinc, etc. The metals available to mankind are a result of this fabulous creation! Don’t you see God’s Goodness in that? The Lord can take something He created, which we consider bad and destructive, and He can use it for good. That is why I included the volcano in my series on God’s Goodness.

The Word is filled with God using His creation to fulfill prophecy – the Great Flood, the plagues on Egypt, etc. It is no different with the volcano. Our text verse in Revelation shows a possible volcano turning the sea into blood. Volcanoes which erupted in history will be considered child’s play compared to the end times.

In history we learned that Mount Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. In May 1980, Mount St. Helen destroyed 57 people, miles of highways and flattened millions of Douglas fir trees over a fan-shaped area of 230 square miles! The blast was likened to 2500 Hiroshima’s! This picture shows trees knocked down like match sticks. The ash columns were almost as high as 6,600 feet (that’s 1.2 miles)! My brother lived 250 miles away from Mount St. Helen in 1980 and everything in his town was covered in ash! This was from 250 miles away! Today, just six miles from the base of Mount St. Helen, are small Douglas firs rising through the flattened trees. The devastated landscape is now scattered with green and various wildlife. It will take years for a new landscape to emerge but new life is sprouting.

Brother Ken Haines, from Fundamental Baptist Forum shared a story he remembered about Mount Pelee.

I thought I would share some of what I remember. I used the illustration once in a message on soul winning.

The story was the eyewitness account of a local scientist who lived in the town or close to it anyhow. He was very well educated in the earth and I believe he was a vulcanologist(?) This town was a sea port, a very rich seaport. It was the main revenue for the town.

Any way, the scientist started noticing different things starting to happen. Water turning color and putting off odor, fish dying, animals disappearing, minor thing at first. As he investigated he started to become sure that the volcano would soon erupt. He went and told the town counsel, but they were more concerned with their revenue than anything this guy had to say.

Well more and more strange things started to happen, people started disappearing, small fissures opening in the ground,and smoke starting to rise from the mountain. The signs were becoming more and more evident that disaster would soon strike and if the town did not evacuate thousands of people would perish. still the counsel would do nothing. The scientist warned who he could but few would listen, they were to tied up in their affairs to really care.

Then it happened, the Mount exploded with such violence, it is hard to imagine, some people most likely did not even know what happened, they were simply dead. The pyroclastic(?) flow, which is nothing but intensely heated gas vapors moves so fast and with such force and with such a searing heat, something like an atom bomb. Many people were killed were they stood, it is the ones that survived, for a while that stuck in my mind. That flow of super heated vapors was so hot that it burned the eyes out of the socket, seared the throat shut, and burned limbs so severely that they could no longer feel anything but burning. They could not see(utter darkness) they thirsted but could not drink, the only thing they could do was hear the weeping and feel the burning.

So my point was that these people were suffering yes, But the suffering in Hell is much, much worse, and their will never be relief. Jesus, like the scientist has warned us that the end is coming, we see the signs, we have the evidence, but will we sacrifice our comfort, our lifestyle, our income, to go out and reach those that are lost.

Who, who will go, Salvation story telling, Looking to Jesus, counting not the cost?

I liken the eruption of a volcano to unconfessed sin in our lives. If a person is not saved, sin will wreak havoc and cause destruction in his life and in his path. Sin separates man from God. It will also destroy the unsaved person’s relationship with his family, and it can destroy him in death, both spiritually and physically. But as Pastor John, also of Fundamental Baptist Forum, pointed out, he looks at volcanoes as “the joy of the Lord which erupts from a heart surrendered to the Holy Spirit within”! What a beautiful picture! When a yielded believer allows the Holy Spirit to work within, everyone who comes in his path will be permanently affected as that believer shares the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Another member said that she remembered hearing a message once where the preacher said that whenever a volcano erupted it was Hell expanding because more people had died and gone to a Christless eternity. What a thought, huh?

Dear God…
Your creation brings such wonder
To this simple heart of mine
Through each and every aspect
I can see Your handiwork so fine

Your Salvation Day!

On By KateIn VariousLeave a comment

(Written for my son, Adam, who was saved last night, 04/05/07)

In awesome wonder and praise I sit
Going over that glorious day
The day you came to the Saviour
And your sins were all washed away

Your prayer was so sincere and sweet,
It reached heaven with opened ears
Angels rejoicing with hymns and songs
And Your Father so moved to tears!

A hurting son came to Him last night
Who had been wandering for so long
Your Father so patiently waited
For His son to repent and come home

In the still of the night you were broken
And your desperate cry He did hear
Salvation was given to you freely
Now He’ll hold you ever so near

Your Father awaits you each morning
In a place that is special to you
With the Bible ready and waiting
So His Spirit your heart can renew

Be faithful and strong, my precious son
God’s Word daily feeding your soul
Be vigilant, guarding your spirit
In your walk toward your Heavenly Home

I love you, Adam!
Mom

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God’s Goodness – Day 8 – Water

On By KateIn VariousLeave a comment

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (Joh 4:10) The term “living water” appears only three times in the Word. What a wonderful depiction of the Trinity, once again. The Father provides a way, the Son IS the way, and the Spirit prepares the way (the heart of man) for salvation. All Three are One pointing to the Living Water – salvation through Jesus Christ. Without each of the Truine God working, we would not be able to be saved!

As I meditated on the water molecule, I began to see several correlations. The water molecule is made up of three atoms: two atoms of Hydrogen and one atom of Oxygen. God gathered the waters together in Gen. 1:10. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. The Hebrew word for God in this verse is Elohim (plural use of the Supreme God). The Trinity created water (which is made up of three atoms) and all known forms of life on earth depends upon it to live. Without water, they die.

When we look at water, we see that it can be in three different forms: liquid, frozen, and gas. All three forms are made up of two atoms of Hydrogen and one atom of Oxygen. However, each is in a different form – each having a different function. What a beautiful depiction of the Trinity! Each member of the Trinity is God, but each has a different function. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 Jo 5:7)

Seventy-five percent of the earth is covered with water and only three percent of that is drinkable. Out of the three percent, 75% of it is frozen in the polar ice caps. It is not only a precious commodity, but it is vital for life. It amazes me that only a small percentage of the water on this earth is drinkable. It reminded me that only a small percentage of mankind will accept Jesus Christ, our only source of Living Water. For many are called, but few are chosen. (Mat 22:14)

Although a person can live without food for more than a month, a person can only live without water for approximately one week. Only God can sustain a person after a week. We know that He is able because the Word says God sustained Moses twice for 40 days and 40 nights. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Exo 34:28 ) and And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. (Deu 9:18 )

As vital as water is to sustain life here on earth, it can never cause us to live forever. Only the Living Water can give everlasting life. Jesus gave Himself for us so He is the only One who is able to give us everlasting life. It is His to give. There is nothing we can do on our own to achieve this. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (Joh 4:10)

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (Joh 4:14) The only thing we must do to get everlasting life is to drink of the Living Water. We must be born again. Jesus says we will never thirst again! What a wonderful depiction of eternal security! If we were to lose our salvation, we would thirst again. Even for those who say that we can freely give up our salvation – in doing so we would have to thirst again to be saved again. But Jesus said that we would NEVER thirst again. Never is forever. Only man adds a time limit to the word never. God does not. God says He never breaks His covenant (Judges 2:1) which means NEVER. Jesus is our new Covenant and is everlasting. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (Heb 13:20) Praise the Lord that our eternal life is secure through the everlasting life provided by Christ and His Living Water! Glory be to God!

Dear God…
Thank you for the Living Water
In which our salvation rests
Its bless’ed life giving power
If the work of Your Son we confess

God’s Goodness – Day 7 – The Eagle

On By KateIn Uncategorized4 Comments

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31)

According to Wikipedia, there are 8,800–10,200 living bird species! Does this not simply amaze you? If we did not have any other living, breathing creature on this entire earth, just looking at the number of different birds should be enough to point us to the Creator! Each has something different – a different size, a different color, a different song to sing – some can fly, some cannot. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psa 8:9)

The eagle is a beautiful and majestic bird with strength in its wings. He is quite the fisherman – fish is 90% of his diet. The Master Fisherman, Jesus Christ, came to be a fisher of men and teaches us to be fishers of men as well. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. (Mar 1:17)

Eagles have exceptional eye sight and can spot a fish from one mile away! Have you ever tried to spot a fish more than three feet away from you? It’s not easy. This is how we should be able to spot sin – from “a mile away.” Sadly, however, we venture way too close to sin and come away with its stench upon us. A good analogy is the skunk – you only have to come within a few feet of it to walk away smelling like one. God promises us that His Word shines a light on our path so that we can plainly see sin – we can spot it from afar. NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105)

Most of the time, the eagle snatches fish from the water’s surface rather than diving into the water like other birds. I see a beautiful analogy of the Christian’s soul winning techniques here. We should fish for men but not plunge into their life style just so we can win them. We must keep ourselves spiritually above them so we can be a testimony. How can we throw them a Life Saver (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) if we are treading water right along side of them? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Cor 6:17) The Lord does not tell us to become “like the world” to win them. This would contradict 2 Cor 6:17. Yes, Christ ate amongst the sinners but so do we whenever we go to a restaurant, don’t we? That excuse just doesn’t hold water. Would you buy stocks and bonds from a homeless person or someone who had the “Wall Street” look about him? We are children of the King of Kings, let’s put on the appearance of princes and princesses.

I also love how the Word compares this beautiful eagle to God. The eagle’s wings portray strength and we can rest in the strength and protection of the Lord – under His wings. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. (Deu 32:11-12) God protected Jacob just as an eagle protects her young. This same protection is available to the born-again believer! What comfort! Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. (Exo 19:4)

Another beautiful analogy is that of God renewing our strength as that of the eagle. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psa 103:5) Remember the joy of your salvation? God had filled your mouth (your soul) with His Word and you felt as though you could conquer anything! Your spirit had been renewed like the eagle! I remember a time being in the depths of despair and cried unto God to restore me, and He did. I came out of that trial feeling renewed and as though God had lifted me up! My spirit soared as the eagle! The most popular verse in Scriptures depicting this is: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31) What a blessing! This has been an encouragement to many throughout these thousands of years!

God also used the eagle’s flying capabilities in His Word. Did you know that an eagle can fly as high as 10,000 feet? It is no wonder that God used the eagle in describing the height and depth of a man’s pride. Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD. (Jer 49:16) I find it interesting that Hitler named his command complex the Eagle’s Nest. A coincidence? I don’t believe so. If you’ve ever seen pictures of it, you’ll note that it sits high on a mountain overlooking the German and Austrian Alps. Hitler was definitely full of pride, but God sure brought him down.

The Word compares God’s judgment to the strength of eagles. Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled. (Jer 4:13) Yes, woe unto those who deny Christ as their Saviour. Woe to those whose pride stands in the way where they wish to seek “another way” to Heaven. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Joh 14:6)

Acts 4:10-12 says it clearly. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (10) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (11) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (12) You can justify your religion all you want, but the Bible still says there is only one way and that way is Christ Jesus. Wouldn’t you rather mount up with wings as eagles and be saved rather than be spoiled (burn eternally in hell) when He returns on horses swift as eagles?

Under His Wings
William O. Cushing

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

Refrain

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.