Tag Archives: Tea Pot Testimony

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Scientific and Spiritual Analysis

 

CROPPED NOVEMBER 2012 PROFILE PICTUREWho says science and spiritual analysis cannot mix? Today many scientists boldly take a stand for creation and archaeology has verified scripture. I believe Moses had both a scientific mind and a spirit in tune with the Creator. Seeing a burning bush spurred him into action.

“Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up (Exodus 3:2b-3 NIV). Scientists investigate and seek truth. Moses’ seeking led to a spiritual encounter.

“When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am (Exodus 3:4 NIV).” God called Moses as his servant to carry a message of deliverance to the Israelites and to Pharaoh.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Rejuvenation

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“He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3 Amplified Bible).”

Visualize a dog day of summer with sweltering three digit temperatures. You are caught in rush hour traffic; your vehicle AC is on the fritz and you are running thirty minutes behind schedule. Company is coming for dinner and you become frantic.

Swerving into your driveway, rushing inside your home, you hustle to your bedroom, slip out of perspiration-drenched duds and step into the shower. Cool water cascades down your shoulders and back; instantly you feel refreshed, restored and rejuvenated.

“He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it abound (Isaiah 40:29 Amplified Bible).” Draw from His well.

Forget the standard R & R get away for rest and relaxation. Seek the shepherd for refreshing and restoration. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] (Matthew 11:28 Amplified Bible).”  

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Mission Statement

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It is becoming the norm. A new ministry or business prepares to open its doors. The leader appoints a committee and gives them a great responsibility. They are to brainstorm, come up with a mission statement, and bring it back for final approval. Apostle Paul’s mission statement  wording would come  from scripture.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20 KJV).” Everything Paul did, every thought or action had Christ as priority and purpose.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Moral Majority

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Deceased, Reverend Jerry Falwell tagged concerned Americans as the Moral Majority. Are we still concerned, seeking a national moral renewal? Are we a majority, united in purpose and priority? We must not lose heart or we will lose the land. The words of Moses resound in our ears.

“I said to you: You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged (Deuteronomy 1:20-21 HCS).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

In Summation-Love

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In summation:

“The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. [Exod. 20:13-17; Lev. 19:18.] Love does no wrong to one’s neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law (Romans 13:9-10 Amplified Bible).”

 

 

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Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Up a Tree

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Ever watched a playful or panicky cat scurrying up a tree? It’s amazing how fast and how high the felines can climb. Once they ascend, they have a birds-eye view of the ground below. Some kitties go up and down trees with ease; others panic and cry out for rescue. Their owners enjoy the shade of trees and fruit they bear; yet, most curtail their climbing of trees. Neighborhood boisterous little boys find the taller the trees, the bigger their yearning to shimmy up to the top. They may skin their knees but it is worth the risk.

Zacchaeus was up a tree and bravely took the risk of ridicule by his peers. “There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was a little man and could not see Jesus because of the crowd. So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to Zacchaeus, ‘Hurry down, Zacchaeus, because I must stay in your house today (Luke 19:2-5 TEV).”  Zacchaeus did not turn over a new leaf. He clung to the Vine.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships, The Church

Listen to Your Body

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I easily understand the four-word-sentence. “Listen to your body.” As a senior adult, I have my share of ailments; though none is life threatening, they are chronic. I have learned to listen to the inaudible sounds of symptoms alerting me to trouble. When I hear a message, I pay close attention. I have learned that dealing with a problem, when it first surfaces, averts more serious discomfort and trips to see my doctor. I listen to my body.

As a member of the body of Christ, His church, I listen to my body. “ For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) (1 Corinthians 12:12 Amplified Bible).” If one of the members cries out in pain, or causes conflict within the body, I listen closely. I am no medical doctor; yet, I know I am wise to seek early prevention in all matters of the church body.

“So there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25 Amplified Bible).” I am hard-of-hearing and plan to invest in an affordable hearing aid soon. I tire of missing parts of conversations and repeatedly telling my husband, “I can’t hear you.” My body is talking. “I beg your pardon, what did you say? “

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Hidden Agendas

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Beware; there may be a hidden agenda! We view our homes, communities, workplaces, nations and even our churches, as being deeply divided. We keep our guard up, knowing individuals and groups often have hidden agendas. On the surface, they may say or do something, which seems to be in harmony with our convictions. Yet, beneath the facade, they have an agenda radically opposed. God the Father has an agenda. He hides it briefly within our life experiences.

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified (Romans 8:28-30 HCS).”  He, through hidden agendas, transforms lives!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family, Friends, Relationships

A Walton’s Mountain-Walnut Grove Christmas

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As a writer, I get emotional each time I hear narratives of Laura Ingalls and John Boy Walton. Their descriptive entries into journals are like music to my ears. Through my imagination, I share Christmas on Walton’s Mountain and Walnut Grove. I learn the real meaning of Christmas.

The number of gifts, their sizes or the price tags does not measure a Merry Christmas. With Laura and John Boy, I discover joy in relationships and find warmth and security in a place called home. Their gifts were meager; yet, they treasured a wealth of family experiences.

Not all have the wealth of Magi. They offered their treasures to the newborn King. “Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11b HCS).” If you have faith, family and friends, you know the real meaning of Christmas.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Job Description

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Employers and employees have reciprocal agreements. The boss explains the job description to newly hired staff. In return, each new employee makes a firm commitment to do all that is expected of him or her. Imagine a job description for Jesus…

“And she will have a son, and you must name Him Jesus, for it is He who is to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 Williams).”  The Savior saves. No one else could do His job. Sinless, He alone is qualified. The Son of  God came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10)

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