7 Deadly Questions Question 5.

Question 5 Acts 17:26, Genesis 11:9 Did God color me?       

Race is a wall we build to keep others away!

“That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.” (Genesis 11:9 NLT)

“From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.” (Acts 17:26 NLT)

We live in a world of amazing diversity.  The word cat brings thousands of pictures to our mind.  The same can be said for dog, chicken and many other animals.  Though we are not animals we shouldn’t be surprised at the difference in people.

The history of humanity is often seen as different nations against each other.  As time progressed we have seen an increase in racial division and warfare.  Is there a difference between people of different races?

In our scriptures we are told that God created all nations from one man and woman.  Every person ever born is from this one set of parents.  Adam and Eve are the father and mother of all humanity.  We are one family, one blood.

With the advent of evolution as the center of our view of the world the belief in one blood was cast aside.  We now hold that humanity is an accident of nature formed by death and destruction over aeons of time.  From this came belief that humanity could and should be made pure by the removal of “lesser” creatures. 

The concept of Eugenics (forming a purer humanity through controlled breeding and culling) can be seen in the growth of African slavery, eradication of American Indians, eradication of Aboriginal tribes in Australia on to Nazism and Communism. 

Why are there differences in human beings?  After the fall and the flood humanity came together in an early attempt at Eugenics.  They attempted t elevate humanity to reach God by coming together to build a tower.  God saw the terrible destructiveness to come from this and set up distinct groups and dispersed humanity into peoples and nations.

The dispersion and separation of people was to protect us from ourselves and is a sign of God’s protection and love.  It is not a sign of any groups superiority or degradation.

It might surprise you to know Adam and Eve were probably not white but more medium in color like the people of the Middle East.  From them would come darker and lighter people based upon where they lived and their conditions.  God colored us because we are all really the same “color” of melanin and the amount of melanin we have determines the darkness of our skin.  But our different shades , like the rainbow, shows God will go to tremendous lengths to spare us rather than destroy is, or even let us destroy ourselves.

The only “color” that destroys is the darkness of our heart which we create by our own choices and decisions!  From that darkness comes racism.

Judgment

God awoke me and told me to write judgment is coming!  Our response to God’s call for judgment is anger and fear.  So we live in constant anger and fear.

          Arrogantly we believe our time is unique but the clarion call of judgment and the fear and anger it brings is part of the flow and fabric of our history as well as our present.

          Some will say that I am a fear monger trying to guilt people into doing what I want.  But that is just their way of not seeing what they do not want to believe.

          Why judgment?  Why this cry to fear?  Because God loves you and is warning you that for everyone born of a woman our time is limited in which to make ourselves right with God, with ourselves and with others. 

          Judgment is not God’s call to fear but His call of love!!!

“Make yourself right with Me.  Come and receive the greatest gift a Loving Father can give by giving His only begotten Son so you can become God’s son and live with Me forever!!!”

          Leave behind your fear and anger, your doubt, your arrogance and your god’s who kill rather than give life!  Come to God who gave His life that you may have life.  Come to the God who drank for you the Cup of His wrath so you can drink of the Cup of His blessing!  Jesus was born of a woman, the seed of a woman, so that He could die your death so you can receive His Life!

          Come and receive the love of a God who cries judgment in His last attempt bring you back to His love and fellowship.  Hear God’s call through history for broken humanity “Adam where are you?”

          Think of it, God’s first response to our fall is that He misses us!  And then He clothes us by shedding blood and sends us from the garden not to punish us but to keep us from the Tree of Life and cutting ourselves off from the hope of His Life that can happen with our death to sin and our bodily death.

          REJOICE for judgment is coming and our Loving God is ready to receive us!!!

                                       Ronald Ramsey at 4 AM July 31, 2017

July 30 Romans 8:26-30 Timeless King         God works outside of time to bring those who will come to Him.

Psalter reading Psalm 128:1-6

“1 ¶ «A Song of Ascents.» Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!” (Psalm 128:1-6 NKJV)

“26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 ¶ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (Romans 8:26-30 NKJV)

It is hard to think about God without our limitations.  Yet God created us and is above our limitations.

Long ago I heard a song “Timeless King” which helped me see God is not limited by time.  As we began our ministry we underpaid our taxes in trying to figure them out.  The day before they were due we were $100 short and so we prayed God would provide. The next day we received $100 from Bonnie’s Aunt mailed before we prayed saying she felt we needed this.

Existing day by day we find it hard to understand how God can know the future?  How can God know our needs before we do?  How can God know our end?

It helps me to see God as outside of time yet looking on seeing, intervening while leaving us free will and guiding us toward the future He already sees.  To God it is not today but every day!  Before creation God knew we would fall and that the Father would have to offer His Son to die for our sin. 

Before you were born God knew you and while you were growing in the womb He touched and prepared you for life.  God prepared you for the future He has for you and makes adjustments as you follow or fail. 

The God who knows if someone will come to Him or not still reaches out and calls them to Him!  The Amazing part of Grace is God still offers it to those He knows will refuse His love!!!

July 29, 2017 Saturday

            Yesterday was a tale of two days.  It was a bad day for pain and for my mind.  It seemed as though I was always a step behind and as though I was out of step with what was going on. That still continues today.  Then it was a day Bonnie and Rebecca went and got me a new laptop on tax free weekend with my Birthday money.  Also the replacement for my broken Kindle came in.

            Bonnie and Rebecca are such a blessing.  We also were able to spend some time with Jonathan last night and Rebecca made her famous Fried Rice Chicken.  It was so good.

            Today the being out of step and the skin issues continue.  It is like my skin is like sandpaper and rubs as I go through the day.  It is incredibly painful and by the end of the day my skin feels raw.

            Bonnie and I caught up on our Hymn devotion and though very basic they are very deep.  One of the Hymns is called Heaven and speaks about wanting to go to Heaven for no other reason than to see Jesus.  That speaks to my heart so much!  I just want to see My Love’s face and to sit in His lap.  I want to lean back and smell Him and to feel His love flowing through me.  That is worth anything I go through now.

            Bonnie got to get away and visit with a friend and Rebecca and I got back to watching the Great British Baking Show.

7 Deadly Questions Question 4. Remember these questions are only deadly if you DON'T ask them!

(Many may react to this title.  Please read it through and read the scriptures.  Than ask God to speak to your heart, mind and soul.)

Question 4 1 Corinthians 6:9, John 3:16-17 Does God hate homosexuals?       Jesus came not to condemn, but to free us from condemnation!

“16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17 NLT)

 “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,” (1Corinthians 6:9 NLT)

Before America divided over slavery most of the major denominations had divided.  By refusing to seek God’s wisdom the Church failed to lead society.  We must decide just who is God.  Does God have the final say?  We may have the right to ask the question but will be obey God?

Some have questioned my sanity or wisdom in talking about this.  But that is the problem.  As the people of God we are called to teach the Truth that others can be free!

Many try to word study their way out of the issue but several places  in the Bible are very specific that homosexuality like so many other things is sin and destructive and deadly.  It is a sin just as worshipping money, stealing, adultery and those who allow addictions to turn them from God!

Sexual sin is seen in different ways:

Fornication – an unmarried person having sex with someone of the opposite sex.

Adultery – a married person having sex with someone of the opposite sex they are not married to.

Homosexuality – literally means “of uncertain affinity” and means having sex with someone of the same sex.

All are wrong and all are sin.  Jesus even takes it so far to say that if you are thinking about having sex with someone it is a sin.  That is why pornography is a sin.

“But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28 NLT)

If we deny homosexuality is a sin we do two terrible things.

First we call God a liar!

Second we leave those who live a homosexual lifestyle without hope!  If the Church says homosexuality is okay they are left without

t the hope of redemption because they believe they do not need it!  WE WILL BE JUDGED SEVERLY FOR THIS!  For to steal hope is to steal someone’s soul.

Does that mean God hates homosexuals?  Does that mean we should?  GOD FORBID!

God loves all sinners so much that He was willing to let His only and precious Son be slaughtered by us and for us!  Not merely killed, but slaughtered for you!  Because of you!

God makes a distinction between the sin and the sinner.  God hates the sin that destroys and perverts us, that makes us a slave to our desires and fears.  That separates us from Him.

But God is able to look beyond the chains to see the pains in the hearts of those who are bound by them.  The men who tortured Jesus were not good people doing bad things.  They were lost and horrific people who enjoyed the suffering of others, but Jesus forgave them because He loves them!

We have no right to hate those whom God loves!  In the Lord’s Prayer we ask for God to forgive us as we forgive others.  We are to love those who sin and call them to the love and redemption of Jesus Christ who loves them most!

We forgive because we are forgiven!  We love because we are loved!

To hate or be repelled by a sinner is as much a sin as homosexuality.  We, like our Lord, must not condemn but seek to lead them to the God who loved us enough to give His own Son for them.  We must love God enough to love them!  For we are warned:

“If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?” (1 John 4:20 NLT)

Next lesson:  Acts 17:26, Genesis 11:9 Did God color me?      

Race is a wall we build to keep others away!

7 Deadly Questions Study. Question 3.

Question 3 John 3:16-17, Genesis 3:22-24 Does God really care?  

How can we know if God really cares?  Look at His cross!      

“22 ¶ Then the LORD God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” 23 So the LORD God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. 24 After sending them out, the LORD God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:22-24 NLT)

“16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17 NLT)

Death.  We talked about the gift of life but have you ever thought about the gift of death.  Yes the GIFT of death!

After the Fall if we had eaten of the Tree of Life and continued to live forever that would have been a horror movie of all time.  Growing weaker, frail by disease would be a non-ending nightmare.  God protects us from ourselves with a guard to keep us from eating our way to hell on earth!

When our loved ones die we blame God and want them back.  Yet do we really want them to suffer again? Do we want them to be with us at such a cost to them?

Death becomes a gateway back through the sacrifice of Jesus for you.  Death is a doorway to true life itself.

YOU ARE A SINNER!  Does that amaze, astound or even anger you?  GOOD!  For you must know you are a sinner if you are to ever know you need His forgiveness.

So how does God respond to our rebellion and fall?  The God who is absolutely Holy cannot accept sin so He must reject everything and everyone touched by sin.  WE ARE SINNERS!  WE DESERVE HELL!  God should reject and destroy us for destroying the goodness of His creation!

But God chose a more radical way.  God gave His only begotten Son to die for you in your place! Knowing we are sinners God chose not to condemn us but to save us!

Save comes from the Greek word sozo which means to make safe, to deliver or protect, to heal or preserve, to save or make while.  God in Jesus Christ offers to make you safe, to deliver and protect you (even from yourself), to heal and preserve you and to make you whole!  This is the fullness of what God is doing for you and in you through Jesus Christ!

The deepest meaning is healing and making us whole.  We all die from sin which like cancer destroys and kills!  Jesus came to heal us not only of the infection of sin, but the symptoms and disabilities of our sin.

God chose forgiveness over condemnation, life over death and hope over despair.  Why?  Because that is who God is!  God not only cares but does something about it!

July 26, 2017 Wednesday

            Awoke better rested and with less pain.  In the Psalms I was touched by Psalm 102 which is a lament of a person suffering and then Psalm 103 which is one of the beautiful works of Praise!  Sometimes I think that people who suffer and have faith in God receive God’s presence and respond with Praise!  Though I do not want or find happiness in the suffering, pain, loss, grief and the cost to my family I rejoice in my suffering and loss at the Joy of experiencing God so intimately!!!

            Our devotion today was a Hymn with the words of the Scottish Psalter for psalm 23.  The Scottish Psalter has such a beautiful way of translating the Psalms.  Worth the read.

7 Deadly questions Study. Question 2

Question 2 Genesis 2:7, John 11:25-27 Just what is life?

Life is a gift coming directly from God.

“Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” (Genesis 2:7 NLT)

“25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”” (John 11:25-27 NLT)

When I was a boy I was taught scientists had created life, but really the scientists created a mere building block of life (an amino acid) this was achieved using knowledge of design and using what turned out to be unrealistic conditions.

Life is an incredible mystery.  I have seen life slip from so many people.  There is an instantaneous change that makes it so obvious life is gone, but I can’t explain to you how I know.

God formed us from the dust of the earth like a potter forming a vessel.  The intimacy of touch as the hands of the Potter formed us is also seen in God’s declaration that He formed and made us in the womb.  But even that is not life.  For we are told that God did the first CPR and breathed His very life into us!  Again look at the intimacy involved.

Jesus declares He is the resurrection and also life itself!  And we can see why.  As God, Jesus continues the life breathed into us by God.  So what is life?  It is the breath of God!  The very life of God breathed into us.  Breathe is a primitive root meaning to puff, to inflate, to kindle and to expire.  Breath is wind, divine inspiration, intellect, soul or spirit.

Part of what we call life is our intellect and mind, which are a gift of God.  God actively breathed His breath into us and from that we are kindled to be, to know and to grow!  From this we get our hunger for knowing, discovering and growing.

This life was meant to be eternal.  We were meant to live forever growing, learning and experiencing.  But we chose our own way and that always leads to death.  Death is not just the absence of life.  I have seen that also over the years.  Just as sin is a rejection of God so death is a rejection of life.  We do not die because we did something wrong, we die because we rejected the life found in the God who made us.

To reject God is to reject life!  Look at the societies that reject God.  They always choose death.  Whether building a better human or a better world through abortion and sterilization (Eugenics), by killing those considered than (Nazism), building a better society by killing those who dissent (Communism), or controlling population through abortion (China) when they leave God behind they always choose death over life!  It is that desire to “do it our way” that leaves behind broken lives, dreams, families and societies.

Life is not just the continuing of breath but the continuation of God within us.  That is why Jesus could say “I am the resurrection and the life.”  For it is Jesus within us that not only keep death away but allows life to flow through us!  More than mere existence, the life of God flowing in and through us to share His life with others!

July 25, 2017 Tuesday

            Rested better last night after a day of less pain but of great weariness.  I wondered why I was so weary and I think it is because hurting so much over a couple of weeks makes me so weary.

            Continue to read in the Psalms as I read through the Bible for the second time this year and this verse touched my heart and my soul.

“1 ¶ A psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite.  I will sing of the LORD’s unfailing love forever!  Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. 2 Your unfailing love will last forever.  Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.” (Psalm 89:1-2 NLT)

            I too sing of Your unfailing love My Love!  For even as my body weakens and is in terrible pain, my mind loses so much You strengthen my soul with each breath and each beat of my heart.  For Your heart beats as my heart and Your mind works for my mind.  All will hear of Your faithfulness from my soul, heart and mouth!  My Love You are my life, my hope and are the provision for my family!!!

Over the years God has given me a sermon series called The Seven Deadly Questions.  I will be sharing this as a study help for those who have these questions which truly is only deadly of you don't ask them and seek the answer God has in His written Word.

Question 1 Genesis 1:1-5, John 1:1-5 Is there really a God?

Is there really an active and interested God?

“1¶ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 ¶ Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”  And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.” (Genesis 1:1-5 NLT)

“1 ¶   In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him,     and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,  and his life brought light to everyone. 5 ¶ The light shines in the darkness,     and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:1-5 NLT)

There are two questions we must explore.  Is there a God?  Is God actively interested?  There are also two ways of looking for evidence.  We can accept the testimony of the Bible or we can look outside the Bible.

Is there a God?

Biblically

Opening of Bible assumes God.  “In the beginning God…” God is assumed in all of scripture.  The Bible is actually History, or His Story, the story of God working in creation.  God is the foundation of all that is because nothing exists without God.  In those “beginning” words God creates, thinks, feels, cares and plans.  All in the “beginning” chapter.

Non-biblically

Design – Because there is such order and design to all that is we see the hint of a designer.  Evolution does not explain the essential that all things evolved from!  Nor can it explain the connecting parts necessary that would have to evolve at once!  Birds need light feathers, hollow bones, and unique respiratory system to name just a few things essential for flight.

The many common designs within different creations like where pig valves can be used for humans.  This speaks of a common designer who used the simple and best design over and over when possible. 

A universal intricacy of movement as planets “dance” around their suns and then they “dance” around others to form a galaxy.  Galaxies “dance” and form the Universe!

Information – Our DNA is made up of a library of information in a code that defines who we can be.  At a minimum each cell contains 500,000 typewritten pages of information.  For there to be such volumes without an author or codes without a code maker takes more faith to believe.

Some say that this information was formed by many mutations happening many times over many years.  But studying mutations finds that mutations not only do not produce more information but actually reduce information.  Most mutations are actually destructive to the host.  Cancer is a mutation of healthy cells.

A world of gods- Why does humanity always seek a god? Why are there so many gods out there?  Maybe because the God who created us placed in us a desire to discover and know Him?  Most cultures have a small group who will not accept the existence of god, but the vast majority believes.

Is God active and interested?

Biblically

All life comes from God – in Genesis 1 and 2 we see God form man and breathe life into him.  God touched and formed the man and then performed the first CPR to bring him to life.  The word for breath and the Spirit of God comes from the same root of breath or breathing.  God breathed His very Spirit into us that is our source of life.  John tells us that Jesus is Life itself and that life is the “light of men”.  If you are alive then God is actively working in you with every breath you take!

God cared enough to give His Son to redeem you – This Word named Jesus came to give you life.  Jesus cared enough to come, to teach, to share, to suffer to die and to rise again so we can have an abundant as well as an eternal life.  God not only gives you life but overcomes the darkness that threatens all of us.  The Light of Jesus Christ offers us hope and has overcome the terrible darkness that causes war after war and suffering after suffering.

Non-biblically

Spring – Every winter we go through a time of shutting down and death.  Winter reminds us of our death but spring reminds us that life can be renewed and even resurrected.  Easter is a spring time reminder that we celebrate the coming of life and hope.

Cycles of renewal – All around us are cycles of renewal.  The life cycle of birth (a renewal of family and humanity), youth (a renewal of gifts and talents), adulthood (a renewal of creation), old age (a renewal of wisdom and grace) and death (a renewal of life itself)! 

Every species or kind has a cycle of renewal; plants have a cycle of renewal and so do planets and the universe.  We all live and exist within these cycles of renewal.

The fall brought the curse to these cycles and they led toward disintegration, destruction and death.  But by His death and resurrection Jesus has redeemed death, the worst part of the cycle, to actually become the one with the most hope!

Life itself begs for the existence of God and that He is active and interested.  That creation and life continue despite the fall and brokenness of humanity.  God could have destroyed us because of our arrogance and foolishness but we are still here because of the love of God and His compassion.

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NLT)

July 23, 2017 Sunday

            Rose in pain but had a prayer time and read in the Psalms again very early.  Lately the Hymn “He Leadeth Me” has been such a help to me.  It is a comfort to KNOW that My Love leadeth me and that His hand is always with me to guide and watch over me no matter what I go through.  “Lord I would clasp my hand in Thine, nor ever murmur nor repine.  Content whatever lot I see, since tis God’s Hand that leadeth me.”  I must admit I do murmur at times but I also am content and offer my Praise to My Love Who leadeth me. 

July 23 Genesis 28:10-19 Once upon a time           

Genesis is more than stories, it is God’s truth.

                                Psalter reading Psalm 139:1-6

“1 ¶ «For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:1-6 NKJV)

“10 ¶ Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 "Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." 16 ¶ Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." 17 And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" 18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.” (Genesis 28:10-19 NKJV)

We think of the Bible as a bunch of stories that seem unreal to us.  For many having a wrestling match with God is as foreign as well, as talking with God.

With the Ascension of Jesus the Holy Spirit came into our lives and we were enabled to have a very real relationship with God.

Because we are so marred by sin and our own arrogance we do not seek a relationship with God on a daily basis. Like Jacob we seek God when our life changes or it falls apart.  Rather than seeking a relationship we use God as a Celestial ATM.

But if you take time to wrestle with God that place becomes Holy and it and you change so much that a new name is needed!  For you experience the working of God and see His presence in your life, the Church and throughout the world!!!

July 22, 2017 Saturday

            Couldn’t get to sleep for a long time.  Woke up still tired and feel very worn.  Each day it seems to get a little worse and I seem weaker. I didn’t even work on my sermon until recently and that has never happened before.  My mind is getting more clouded and I cannot seem to connect the dots.

            The meds help but seem to help less each week.  More and more I depend on God and spend more time reading in the Bible but I remember less and often read the same passage over and over.  Reading in the Psalms gives voice to the cries of my heart and also to the praise I have for My God and My Love. 

            In the midst of so much pain and loss God has been very near and I have been able to spend even more time with Him in prayer and through His written Word.  God indeed is the joy of my heart!

Last lesson!

Psalm of the Good Shepherd Part 13

“1 ¶ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” (Romans 12:1-9 NLT)

How do you respond to such love?  You can sit back and just receive God’s love and blessing but there is a warning throughout the Bible that if we get complacent we can lose our appreciation of God’s love and maybe even God!

From the scripture above what can you do to respond to God’s love for you?

What do you think is God’s will for your life?  If you don’t know how can you find out?

What are your gifts and how best can you use them?

Thank you so much for finishing this study. I pray God will use it to bless your life and help you understand the passion God has for you!

July 20, 2017 Thursday

            Slept long but not very well.  Today the pain is still rough and it seems like so much is getting worse.  One thing I always knew about pain but is more real to me is that continuous and unrelenting pain wears on you and each day it is harder to cope with it.  Pain wears you down physically, emotionally and Spiritually. 

            Without God I would not be able to make it though each moment of each day.  But His presence encourages and enriches me and renews my broken body and soul.  I am reading in the Psalms and I so understand the cry of the Psalmist’s heart and for the requests.

            Pain can cut you off and make you feel alone and very vulnerable.  But God, family and friends remind me that I am not alone and they are there for me.

            For my family I feel at times as though they suffer more than I do.  They have been so faithful to me and God has used them to bless me.

Lesson 12!

Psalm of the Good Shepherd Part 12

“1 ¶ “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. 17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”” (John 10:1-18 NLT)

List the characteristics of the Good Shepherd.

Compare the Good Shepherd to the hired man or thief.

What to you do verses 17 and 18 mean?

July 19, 2017 Wednesday

            It is hard to believe this is Wednesday.  The last week has been so terrible.  The pain has not let up and coming off the medicine that helps with the brownouts and blackouts has left me with the beginnings of brownouts.  It is hard to stay awake and now I hurt more when I sleep so my sleep is restless and leaves me weaker.  It has been like a nightmare and a daymare combined!

            Since reading the Bible helps in bad times I am today beginning the Psalms even with reading three times the first ten chapters of Job.  In some ways I feel like Job but with better family and friends.  I know some wonder what I did wrong that God hasn’t healed me but over and over God pulls me back to the story of Lazarus and the blind man who suffered for the Glory of God.

            I do not understand what God is doing but I know God is with me and the God who healed me when I was 19 and just a couple of months to live could heal me now but has chosen as He said to me to “heal me through it and not from it.” So I wait upon my Lord and My Love praying that I will glorify Him by my love and bring a smile to His face.

            Remind me My Love to;

“Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling.

Kiss His Son, or He will be Angry and your way will lead to your destruction,

for His wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all those who take refuge in Him.”  Psalm 2 NIVUK

Sermon for today.

July 16 Isaiah 55:10-13 Renewing Word 6^th Sunday after Pentecost

God renews through creation and through His Word.

                                Psalter reading Psalm 65:5-13

“5 By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us, O God of our salvation, You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of the far-off seas; 6 ¶ Who established the mountains by His strength, Being clothed with power; 7 You who still the noise of the seas, The noise of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples. 8 They also who dwell in the farthest parts are afraid of Your signs; You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice. 9 You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, For so You have prepared it. 10 You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth. 11 You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. 12 They drop on the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on every side. 13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered with grain; They shout for joy, they also sing.” (Psalm 65:5-13 NKJV)

“10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 12 "For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."” (Isaiah 55:10-13 NKJV)

Every day God is renewing all of His creation!  The sunrise (the sun doesn’t really rise) reminds us of the renewal of God’s blessing and grace.  The dew refreshes and renews the earth so His seed grows.

And the seed is God’s Word, Jesus Christ.  Jesus planted in the hearts of His children is the Gospel making each one of us the fruit of God and within us is the seed of God’s grace to be shared with others to refresh them and to plant God’s seed in their lives.

There are always those who will plant thorns and weeds, but God uses His children to plant the small seed of faith which can remove the mountains of sin. Then through the pressure and heat of life we can become the diamonds of God’s glory refreshing and enriching all of creation!!!

Listen carefully and hear the Joy of the Lord spreading throughout creation overwhelming the doomsayers and singing God’s glory throughout creation!

July 15, 2017 Saturday

            Slept in but still weary and Bonnie got me some tea for my eyes.   She and Jonathan headed off for the farmers Market and she got some good things and ideas for the future.

            Today I not only hurt but feel very weak.  It is almost like I am on the verge of a brown out.  The brown out is that step before a black out.  I get fuzzy brained and feel weak and my mind is not very clear.  Have felt like this most of the day.  I may need to adjust meds. Again.

            Read through 2 Chronicles 26. When the pain gets worse or my mind is unclear I find reading or listening to the Bible is so helpful.  The Bible clears my mind and speaks to my spirit.  In these passages over and over as God rightfully punishes His people God often relents because of His love for them!  God is more loving and faithful than we can ever imagine!!!

Here is part 11 of the Psalm of the Good Shepherd Study.

Psalm of the Good Shepherd Part 11

“1 ¶ «A Psalm of David.» The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.” (Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV)

          I have often taught that there could not be a Psalm 23 without Psalm 22.  How can I trust the Good Shepherd without knowing about His love for me and that He will be faithful?  Because of Psalm 22 we can trust Jesus to be with us as we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”.  Because of the Passion of Jesus for us we have the promise that we will dwell with God forever!

Write what some of the promises in Psalm 23 mean to you.

“I shall not want”

“Restores my soul”

“Leads me in the path of righteousness”

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”

“You anoint my head with oil”

“My cup runs over”

“Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”

Meditate on how Psalm 22 and Psalm 23 connect and what that means to you.

July 14, 2017 Friday

            Slept better even though I had a lot of pain last night.  Our devotion was on the hymn “I Know Not How That Bethlehem’s Babe”.

“I know not how that Bethlehem’s Babe

Could in the Godhead be;

I only know the manger Child

Has brought God’s life to me.

I know not how that Calvary’s cross

A world from sin could free;

I only know its matchless love

Has brought God’s love to me.

I know not how that Joseph’s tomb

Could solve death’s mystery;

I only know a living Christ,

Our immortality.”

From Morgan, Robert J.. Near to the Heart of God: Meditations on 366 Best-Loved Hymns (p. 200). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

            What a powerful Hymn.  The books author calls it “profound in its simplicity” and that it could be sung and understood even by children.

            Jonathan came by and we had a good time together.  

Here is part 10 of the study.

Psalm of the Good Shepherd Part 10

“26 The poor will eat and be satisfied.  All who seek the LORD will praise him.  Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. 27 The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him.  All the families of the nations will bow down before him. 28 For royal power belongs to the LORD.  He rules all the nations. 29 Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.  Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust. 30 Our children will also serve him.  Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. 31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.  They will hear about everything he has done.” (Psalm 22:26-31 NLT)

          What a description of the outcome of the Passion of Jesus!  The sacrifice of Jesus was for everyone whether they were poor or were Jew or Gentile.  And the effect of the Passion would work not only for all people but all people of all time.

          Even the word Passion has more meaning than we often think because the Passion does mean the suffering of Jesus but Passion also means the deep passion God has for us t be willing to go to such lengths to save us so we can be with Him!

How many ways does the scripture say that the suffering of Jesus was for all people?

Why do you think so many groups limit the people who can be saved?

If you or someone you know believes they are not “worthy” or able to be saved does this verse help?  If so, how?

What do these verses teach you about God?

July 13, 2017 Thursday

            Got up after restless night and my pain was a little worse.  Tried to help yesterday and sad to say even a little was too much.

            Our devotion was on a Hymn about the Ascension of Jesus.  The writer was a Pastor who struggled in his time because he was an Evangelical.  It does seem as though those who suffer write the most hopeful Hymns.  Many believe that if you are too heavenly minded you are no earthly good.  But I have discovered that if you are not heavenly minded you usually are not earthly good.  We need to see more than this earthly realm and discover the power and glory of God as we serve!

            I continue to do my exercises and have added some from a video Bonnie uses.  They keep me limber and to strengthen me.  Without them I was getting very stiff and my ankles especially were getting stiff.  I do not want to put any more burden on Bonnie and Rebecca than I have to and I hope this will help keep me from falling.

Here is Part 9 of the study on the Good Shepherd.  Hope it is a blessing!

Psalm of the Good Shepherd Part 9

“22 ¶ I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. 23 Praise the LORD, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!  Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.  He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. 25 I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.”(Psalm 22:22-25 NLT)

          We asked in the last lesson about the “Lord” answering the prayer of Jesus.  You could say God didn’t answer His prayer, but here we see the celebration of all who believe in God because the “Lord” did not relieve the suffering of Jesus.

          By not saving Jesus the “Lord” brought salvation to His people as He heard “their cries for help”.

          In response to God’s work in Jesus His people respond with praise and worship.

Find the meaning of the words God’s people used to express their response to Jesus.

Proclaim

Praise

Honor

Reverence

Fulfill my vows

Worship

What does it means that most of the response seems to be as a group or assembly?