Saturday, December 3, 2011

Bethlehem which means the House of Bread ~ Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life

Bethlehem which means the House of Bread

Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life

I just think it's interesting that the Bread of Life was born into a town called Bethlehem, meaning the House of Bread, and placed into a feeding trough, to be born of Love, giving His life as food (Spiritual food) for our Eternal life. Without Him our spiritual man does starve... We were created in His Image to be fed by Him, His Word, which He IS.

"Jesus replied, I AM the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)." John 6:35 AMP

In the Still of the Night or in Hard Times ~ What is God Saying to You

In the Still of the Night or in Hard Times
What is God Saying to You

Just a Word of Encouragement

What are you going through right now during this season in your life? We are in the midst of the Holidays, from what ever background/religion you find yourself, Our God, is not partial and all are welcome, come as you are. For many people the Christmas season or holidays are the hardest of times... He understands and GOD is Here for you, Jesus the Christ Died and paid the price for you and is just waiting for you to come to Him, invite him into your heart, and He is ready to take your burden from you and help you right where you are. He said come to Me all you who are weary and I will give you rest. Put your life at the cross and give Him your heart. It is also written that He will give you the desires of your heart. And that you can do all things through Christ, Jesus who strengthens you. He can give you a peace that passes all human understanding and joy unspeakable... miraculously, you will find peace and joy in Him even in the most difficult situations.

Are you feeling inadequate, looking for a job that has taken too long to find, financially bound, physically ill or a debilitating, disabling disease or condition, depressed, trying to make a decision without any clear vision, or just down right in a rut... what ever your area of need is, do you need help? He is here for you.

God Does See Your area of need and knows your prayers and heart before you even ask Him

Are your needs, Emotional, Physical, Financial, Jobs, Family relationships or fill in the blank_____________________________________ . It's between you and Him.

GOD IS LOVE and He Does Care About You

How do we answer these and so many other questions that plague us, especially during these very passionate and emotional times in our lives? God has answers to all these questions if we are willing to open our hearts to him so we can hear what He is saying to us. His Word gives us all we need for guidance to these and many other questions.

After coming to this point in our lives where we have made the decision to let Him come into our lives and help us, guide us, take the reigns as I like to say... it's easier that you might think. The Word teaches us, after inviting Him in, and reading it to find out who He is to us, He gives us miraculous understanding as His Word comes alive for us, specific to us in our own personal lives. You will be amazed at the things you will read that have immediate application for your life both now and for your future. It is also written that He has a plan and a future for us. Do you want to know what that is? Just read His Word and He will show you by His Holy Spirit. Those who worship Him worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The truth will set you free after finding it in His Word. He will help you to uncover the truth as you read and bring your mindset into the path of the righteousness of Christ through Whom you can become. He will give you all the tools you need to find your way in this world and the next... Yes, the Next world is coming, we are givin eternal life when we live in Him. We become new creations, and He helps us along this journey finding our way, not blind but with vision, His vision for us. He will show you how to see yourself through His eyes, and gently guide you into that truth and life renewing your minds with the Word which will be your life's Passion as you will come to know and appreciate... giving Him all the glory which He is due.

He reads our hearts and minds, and His still small voice, speaks to our spirits, to let us know what He wants from us and for us, if we are listening. When praying, also give some time to meditate on His Words that you have hidden in your heart and then give Him time to speak to you in your heart and spirit. Be quiet before Him and rest in Him.

He speaks to us out of His Word. So, you must, read it to hear what He is saying to you... then be still and know that He is God. Go into your prayer closet and speak to Him as if you were speaking to your best friend, mother, father... whoever it is you feel closest to hear on this earth to share things with... and just talk, to Him. If there isn't anyone here on this earth, then you are in the right place, because He is just waiting to listen to you, and hear all about your life and what you are doing and help you with your life and plans. He will guide and direct you with His Holy Spirit with Counsel, from the Great Counselor, The Holy Spirit, which is why He sent Him when HE/Jesus said, I go but send the Comforter to you, and He can not come unless I go...

He is our Comforter and yes, we can have joy even during hard times, because He give us Joy unspeakable. He gives us Peace that passes all human understanding when we read His word and pray, speaking His Words which have power. It may seem hard to believe or understand, but from personal experience, there is no way to explain what God can do and has done, and will continue to do in your lives when He comes in and takes over for you. It is also written that He will give His angels charge over you and they are there to (among other things) take the spoken Word that is written and run with it... as it says in Isaiah... The Word does not come back to Him without accomplishing what he sent it forth to do.

When you do give Him the reigns to your life, you won't have to be anxious for anything. See my last post on Laying Aside Every Weight, for scriptures and personal study in this area. http://susies4evereternallythankful.blogspot.com/2011/11/laying-aside-every-weight.html

Go to www.blueletterbible.org and www.biblegateway.com for a word study on what ever it is you are going through. Type in a word, like fear, anxious, faith, love, forgiveness, husband, wife, children or marriage. Whatever your needs are, go to Him with it in His Word and see what He has to say about it... and then as I said above, go to your prayer closet and wait on Him for an answer after meditating on those verses He leads you to.

He is a Big God and Can Handle whatever it is that you are going through! He Loves you unconditionally!

Trust Him with your life ~ Give it over to Him, let go and let God. Do not put Him in a box and expect that He will do something that you have seen Him do in someone else's life. You are an individual. He is a creative God; just look at this world we are living in and all His creation.

He Never Sleeps Or Slumbers ~ He is waiting to hear from you even in the midst of your sleepless nights.

He is a loving and forgiving God. Tell Him your hurts, and He will guide you through carrying you all the way.

When you do hear from Him, and you will know when you do, listen to Him and do it His way not yours. You won't be sorry. Sometimes it seems to difficult to do things His way at first, if you are not used to giving up your will to Him. But with time and practice, you will find He has your best interest at heart and All things will turn out for the good for all those who are the called by His Name in Christ Jesus. Even things you just didn't get right and wished you had, He can turn those things around and make the best of them.

I am praying and thinking of you as you read this, know that you have the greatest Intercessor, Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father, praying and interceding for you on your behalf when you accept Him into your life. He prayed for you in John chapter 17, yes you... all those years ago, when He prayed to the Father, before His death and resurrection. Trust Him, have Faith in Him, rely on Him, He will not disappoint you. Give Him your heart and all that is in it. Don't leave out any dark corner, He sees it anyway... it just makes it easier if you give it all right from the start. He created you and knew you from the beginning, even in the womb. He knows how to help you and give you the love you desire.

May the Lord Bless you and Keep you and Make His Face to Shine upon you and give you Peace.

Blessings,
Sz

Oh Holy Night- Carrie Underwood http://youtu.be/d4MQ-emtC1w

Monday, November 28, 2011

Laying Aside Every Weight

Running Your Race

As my heart began thinking on these things, and the race we are running, I started researching some verses to go along with it. Upon reading some of the ones in the very beginning, it occurred to me, (I believe, not by chance, but by the nudging of the Holy Spirit) to write His Words alone! I have added a few personal notes in between, here and there, and a personal note at the end.

So, here you go... I could not, cannot, would never be able to say it any better than our LORD, our GOD and Saviour, JESUS THE CHRIST, and our HOLY SPIRIT already did in HIS WORD... the VERY WORD, Jesus Christ who became flesh and dwelt among us...

John 1:14
And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.
John 1:13-15 (in Context) John 1 (Whole Chapter)

There are so many things I would like to say about running the race and laying aside every weight that entangles us... because that is really what this is all about, when we follow after HIM. There can be and are so many distractions in this life.

My words hold no weight, but His Word is alive, so I will share just a few of the many I could have chosen that help me, personally to get through this journey. We are all called into our own walk with Him as we walk along family, friends, and others we've just been acquainted with along the way; but we do, in fact, affect other lives on our journey. My prayer is to walk in a way that would not grieve the Holy Spirit.

If you've heard nothing else, please hear this... We are all in this together... and it is a work in progress. We all make mistakes but we can move forward, with His help; but we are given a second chance with HIM, Jesus Christ. He has made all things right and will help us through if we will just let HIM. We are growing from Glory to Glory and seated in Heavenly places with Him... let Him guide your walk... let Him take the reigns of your life, and you will not be sorry. Of course, it will not always be easy but it will give you peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Before I continue, I would like to say that I have been married for 29 plus years, with grown, married children and grandchildren. I have been along the way both a working and a stay at home mom throughout many years. At this point in my life, I am an empty nester. Daily I am reminded to pray and heavily relied on the Bible. It is my FOOD, my spiritual food. Without food we are not sustained. Even our Spirits need food. Proverbs chapter 31 as a mom and wife have taught me so much, and the daily study the Word for myself. I was born and raise a Christian, but before I came to the understanding that I couldn't do this myself, (I never really understood or read the Bible) I didn't know or understand how important His Word was. There isn't one day that goes by now, since I have made Jesus Christ the Lord over all areas of my life and invited Him into to take the reigns, that I haven't been thankful, grateful and felt the Grace that Only HE can provide to sustain me in this life.

There is not one day that passes that I have not learned something new from His Word... It really is amazing to me that after all these years of reading and studying the Bible that there are still new things there for me to learn and grow in, even things I haven't seen before have just jumped off the pages. (even though I've many times over read the whole thing through)

I write this during a trial in my own life, among many trials we do go through and will continue to go through; I am praying, studying and talking with you, all the while being reminding, myself of HIS grace and unconditional love along with His Promises. His Word is full of Promises for us. I hope you will take the time to search out the ones that apply to your life now. There is something for everyone for every period of time in each one of our lives.

RESPONSIBILITY ...I Know Not, Am I My Brother's Keeper?...

RESPONSIBILITY

...I Know Not, Am I My Brother's Keeper?...

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Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, And Nobody

(An interesting story that can be synonymous with many areas of life)

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure, that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got upset about that because, it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized, that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody, when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

*************************

I think this is very interesting; after I share a few things from the Word, you decide if we are indeed our brother's keeper ...

Gen 4:9

And the LORD ³⁰⁶⁸ said ⁵⁵⁹ unto Cain ⁷⁰¹⁴, Where ³³⁵ [is] Abel ¹⁸⁹³thy brother ²⁵¹? And he said ⁵⁵⁹, I know ³⁰⁴⁵ not: [Am] I mybrother's ²⁵¹ keeper ⁸¹⁰⁴?

KEEPER ~

Lexicon Results

Strong's H8104 - shamar

שָׁמַר

Transliteration shamar		Pronunciation shä·mar' (Key)
Part of Speech verb		Root Word (Etymology) A primitive root
TWOT Reference 2414

Outline of Biblical Usage

1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed

a) (Qal)

1) to keep, have charge of

2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life

a) watch, watchman (participle)

3) to watch for, wait for

4) to watch, observe

5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)

6) to keep (within bounds), restrain

7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)

8) to keep, preserve, protect

9) to keep, reserve

b) (Niphal)

1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware

2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain

3) to be kept, be guarded

c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed

d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from

Select for Copy; Double click to (de-)select all

Gen 4:10

And he said ⁵⁵⁹ , What ⁴¹⁰⁰ hast thou done ⁶²¹³ ? the voice ⁶⁹⁶³ of thy brother's ²⁵¹ blood ¹⁸¹⁸ crieth⁶⁸¹⁷ unto me from the ground ¹²⁷.

I would like to stay with the thought of being our brother's keeper here, but, I urge you to do a study on the blood crying out from the ground... very thought provoking, to say the least!

	Gen 4:11		And now [art] thou cursed ⁷⁷⁹ from the earth ¹²⁷, which hath opened ⁶⁴⁷⁵ her mouth ⁶³¹⁰ to receive³⁹⁴⁷ thy brother's ²⁵¹ blood ¹⁸¹⁸ from thy hand³⁰²⁷;
	Gen 4:12		When ³⁵⁸⁸ thou tillest ⁵⁶⁴⁷ the ground ¹²⁷, it shall not henceforth ³²⁵⁴ yield ⁵⁴¹⁴ unto thee her strength ³⁵⁸¹; a fugitive ⁵¹²⁸ and a vagabond ⁵¹¹⁰shalt thou be in the earth ⁷⁷⁶.
	Gen 4:13		And Cain ⁷⁰¹⁴ said ⁵⁵⁹ unto the LORD ³⁰⁶⁸, My punishment ⁵⁷⁷¹ [is] greater ¹⁴¹⁹ than I can bear⁵³⁷⁵ .

Above are some verses to put things into perspective and context, and I will post a few more, below.

You can click on any of the highlighted blue sections that will bring you to www.blueletterbible.org for continued study of the Lexicon numbers, Dictionary and and other resources for your convenience. Also, available are other versions of the Bible for ease of reading and understanding. I like to read from several versions to get a clear picture of the study I am doing. I believe these tools help. You can also go to www.biblegateway.com for the Amplified version, which is one of my favorites.

Now, dropping down a few verses at the end of this chapter 4 in Genesis:

I love how God works all things out for the good:

Genesis 4:25-26

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁵And Adam's wife again became pregnant, and she bore a son and called his name Seth. For God, she said, has appointed for me another child instead of Abel, for Cain slew him.
²⁶And to Seth also a son was born, whom he named Enosh. At that time men began to call [upon God] by the name of the Lord.

Rom 8:28

And ¹¹⁶¹ we know ¹⁴⁹² that all things ³⁹⁵⁶ work together ⁴⁹⁰³ for¹⁵¹⁹ good ¹⁸ to them that ³⁷⁵⁴ love ²⁵ God ²³¹⁶, to them who are⁵⁶⁰⁷ the called ²⁸²² according ²⁵⁹⁶ to [his] purpose ⁴²⁸⁶.

Romans 8:28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.Romans 8:27-29 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter)

Here we see an example, there are many throughout the Bible showing that God has a plan for everything, and especially the Plan of Salvation.

If a someone needed a loaf of bread and you knew it, and you have a loaf of bread and were able to give it, you wouldn't say, I will pray for you, then move on. You would, give the loaf of bread, right? Otherwise, the person may never get it, because EVERYONE might think SOMEBODY else gave it.

So, HERE are a few more verse:

Luke 11:5-9

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁵And He said to them, Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and will say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread],

⁶For a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come, and I have nothing to put before him;

⁷And he from within will answer, Do not disturb me; the door is now closed, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and supply you [with anything]?

⁸I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

⁹So I say to you, Ask and ^[a]keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and ^[b]keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and ^[c]keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.

Luke 6:31

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

³¹ ^[a]^(A)Treat others the same way you want ^[b]them to treat you.

Matthew 7:7-14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁷^[a]Keep on asking and it will be given you; ^[b] keep on seeking and you will find; ^[c]keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.

⁸For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

⁹Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone?

¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?

¹¹If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and ^[d]advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and ^[e]advantageous things to those who ^[f]keep on asking Him!

¹²So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.

¹³Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

¹⁴But the gate is narrow (contracted ^[g]by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.^(A)

Romans 13:8-14

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁸ Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for ^(A)he who loves ^[a]his neighbor has fulfilledthe law. ⁹ For this, “^(B)YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “^(C)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” ¹⁰ Love ^[b]does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore ^(D)love is the fulfillment of the law.

¹¹ Do this, knowing the time, that it is ^(E)already the hour for you to ^(F)awaken from sleep; for now^[c]salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. ¹² ^(G)The night is almost gone, and ^(H)the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside ^(I)the deeds of darkness and put on ^(J)the armor of light. ¹³ Let us^[d]^(K)behave properly as in the day, ^(L)not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴ But ^(M)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh ^(N)in regard to its lusts.

Don't wait for someone else to do something that you could and possibly, should be doing... even the Angels are watching ...

1Cr 11:10

Therefore ¹²²³ ³⁷⁷⁸ the woman ¹¹³⁵ ought ³⁷⁸⁴ to have ²¹⁹² a symbol of authority ¹⁸⁴⁹ on her head²⁷⁷⁶, because ¹²²³ of the angels ³².

Everything we do is being seen by God and the Angels... so fascinating to me!

The symbol of authority is someone who is above us... in charge... our covering in a sense. Do everything as if you were doing it for the Lord. and if you know how to do good and do not, it is sin to you, as it is written:

Gen 4:7

"If ⁵¹⁸ you do ³¹⁹⁰ well, ³¹⁹⁰ will not your countenance be lifted ⁷⁶¹³up? And if ⁵¹⁸ you do not do ³¹⁹⁰ well, ³¹⁹⁰ sin ²⁴⁰³ is crouching ⁷²⁵⁷at the door ⁶⁶⁰⁷; and its desire ⁸⁶⁶⁹ is for you, but you must master⁴⁹¹⁰ it."

Colossians 3:23

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²³ Whatever you do, do your work ^[a]heartily, ^(A)as for the Lord ^[b]rather than for men,

Footnotes:

Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
Colossians 3:23 Lit and not

Cross references:

Colossians 3:23 : Eph 6:7

Jam 4:17

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do [it], to him it is sin

Finally, I would love for you to watch this video... it's only 33 minutes long, but may change your life... I think it's one of the best I've seen in a long time. (Interesting to me, personally, because I love to study Numbers in Scripture, the number (#), 33... Jesus was 33