Faith, Family & Friends

We are thankful to God for these. My prayer for each is this: Colossians 3:16

What the Bible Does

What does it not do?" One has tersely said of the Bible in a general way: "Every hour I read you, it kills a sin, or lets a virtue in to fight against it."
Many are the things the Bible does; the following will illustrate a few of the things:
Acquaints us with the theme of the Gospel -- I Corinthians 15:3,4.
Blesses us as we obey its precepts -- Psalms 119:2.
Consecrates us as we follow its injunctions -- Numbers 6:1-7.
Defeats the enemy as we use it against him -- Matt. 4:4,7,10.
Edifies the life as we heed it -- Acts 20:32.
Fires the heart to a faithful testimony -- Jeremiah 1:1; 23:29.
Guides those who follow its light -- Psalms 119:105.
Heals the spirit as it is applied -- Psalms 107:20.
It forms the mind as to its secrets -- I Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4.
Judges the conduct and maketh wise -- Psalms 19:9-11.
Keeps us abiding in Christ's love -- John 15:10.
Leads to the true and beautiful -- Proverbs 6:20-24.
Moulds us like to itself -- Romans 6:17.
Nourishes the spiritual life -- I Peter 1:2.
Orders the steps of our life -- Psalm 119:133.
Purifies the mind -- II Corinthians 7:1.
Quietens the heart -- Isaiah 30:15.
Rewards those who keep it -- Psalms 19:11.
Sanctifies those who live in it -- John 17:17.
Teaches those who are led by it -- Psalms 25:4,5.
Unites us to the Lord -- Psalms 86:11; John 17:8.
Verifies the experience -- II Peter 1:19,20.
Warns the observant -- Psalms 19:11.
'Xamines the heart -- Psalms 26:1-3.
Yokes us with Christ -- John 17:8.
Zeals the soul -- Psalms 69:9; John 2:17.

The Bible, this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.

Read this Outloud and Be Encouraged!

~He Is God~
He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
I love the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done in my life.
Author Unknown

A Day in the Life of a Temple Priest

I made a list of the duties of the priests. These included: Performing the daily and weekly services, served as doorkeepers, guards, and servants of the temple. Taking care of the tools and vessels of the temple. They were singers, musicians, and choir leaders. Lighting the altar fires, disposing of the ashes. Keeping the candle stick lit. Attending to the offerings of incense. Maintaining the temple treasury. Placing of the Show Bread (unleavened) bread. Offering up the sacrificial animals. The high priest's responsibility of offering atonement on the Day of Atonement.
Today we have the honor as part of Jesus' royal priesthood to lead His people as we teach them about giving, worshiping, praying, and understanding God’s Word as we learn to serve Him. Jesus is the Bread of life, the light of the World and God's ultimate sacrifice for sin. At church I portrayed the role of Zechariah before his angelic encounter. I think his son John described Jesus well in John 1:29.

Learning About the Temple

An eye catching site at the Holy Land Experience was the mock up of Herod's temple. The area was great for presentations. We learned the most about the temple when we viewed the model of the city of Jerusalem as a teaching tool to show what was present at the time of Christ. This was the largest known indoor model of the city. It was very interesting and got us looking into the role of the priest. My son and I had a great adventure!

He's Not Here, He Is Risen!

While visiting the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, We had the chance to go behind the scenes and see the props used for making the presentations of the Good News of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ! There is no greater joy then to realize that Jesus is alive forevermore! The tomb was temporary, death is defeated! The grave could not hold the King! He is risen indeed. The dramas were gripping as you witnessed what was happening up close and personal. My eyes welled up as so many images and Bible studies rushed through my head and my heart. To know Jesus and the power of His resurrection as a born again believer is tremendous. There is no greater experience in this life.
Matthew 28:5-7

http://www.holylandexperience.com/

Having fun celebrating the events surrounding the life of Jesus!
Hearing about the wine/olive press and the garden by the tomb carved from the rock and seeing the stone that sealed the tomb rolled away, brought a smile to my face and a thrill to my heart. I enjoyed the visual helps and these helped me to better understand the significance of the surroundings. I was refreshed and found out more information regarding the original sites.

Here is an interesting link: http://www.lifeintheholyland.com/gordons_calvary.htm

An Angel Strengthened Him

There appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Did the angel help Jesus pray in earnest? Was the angel there to wipe His brow? Or to collect His tears that were like drops of blood? Did he rest his hand on His shoulder and remind Him that all of His life was for the very day that was now at hand? Perhaps the angel encouragingly delivered the loving message, "The Father is well pleased with what You are about to do."

Jesus Is Knocking

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me [Rev. 3:20].This is a picture of the Lord Jesus at the heart’s door of the sinner.
But, the artist left off the handle of the door?!
This door is a picture of the human heart, and the handle of the door is on the inside. He stands at the door and knocks. He will not crash the door. The Lord Jesus has moved heaven and hell to get to the door of your heart, but when He gets there, He will stop and knock. You will have to open the door to let Him in.

Don't Be Slow To Believe

Then Jesus said to them, “You are foolish and slow to believe everything the prophets said. They said that the Christ must suffer these things before he enters his glory.” Then starting with what Moses and all the prophets had said about him, Jesus began to explain everything that had been written about himself in the Scriptures.

Reflect Him

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men

This Water

Then Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from the water from this well will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst again."

He Leads Me to Calm Water

A song that went "Don't Worry; Be Happy" some years ago can only truely appreciated, when combined with scripture: Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. Philippians 4:6
Jesus leads us, for it is written, He leads me to calm water. Psalm 23:2b

Jesus' Baptism

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit together before witnesses! What an awesome start to the most amazing minister of all time!!
John said it this way, "I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."

Become Strong

Even children become tired and need to rest,
and young people trip and fall.
But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.
They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;
they will run and not need rest;
they will walk and not become tired.

Attitude Determines Altitude

Refuse to let your situation determine your attitude!

With the New Year....

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows.

Last year's essay contest entry

http://www.logos.com/nationalbibleweek/selectedessays/59

Keepers of the peace vs. Peace makers

At this time of year, resources are strained and crime is on the increase. But thanks be to God for the men and women in law enforcement who are on the streets to help us hopefully enjoy this special season. May the Prince of Peace return soon and put the peace keepers out of business!

The Gospel According to John Movie

This movie came out in 2003. It is an excellent word for word presentation of the good news book. It is a must have for any Christian Library. I found them on the $5 rack at the Family Christian Bookstore. I hope everyone will see this and get a copy.