I was reading somewhere the other day that the middle of the Bible is Psalm 118:8. The shortest chapter is Psalm 117 and the longest chapter is Psalm 119. But the very middle chapter is Psalm 118. And the exact middle is verse 8. Also, there are 594 Chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 after. The total number of chapters is 1188 and Psalm 118:8 is the exact center of the Bible. Now I don't know if this is accurate or not. I haven't sat and counted the verses or words in the Bible. But it all just seem so interesting to me.
Psalm 118:8 reads "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."
WOW! That is truly God's message for us. God says that He is to be the center of our life. And right in the center of the Bible He put this message for us to remember. Let us always find our refuge in the Lord. And let us always make Him the center of our lives.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Count Your Blessings
I just finished cooking and eating Thanksgiving dinner. It took me two hours from the time I got home until 7:00 p.m. to finish. But it was well worth it. No I haven't lost my mind I know it is only October 14. Yet I am so thankful for all my many blessings in this life that I wanted to have Thanksgiving dinner in October to remind myself to be grateful. Food brings comforting memories and Thanksgiving food is no exception. Turkey and dressing with gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes and cinnamon apples. Very comforting and delicious food! I am singing in my head "count your many blessings name them one by one....". Thank you Lord for all my blessings. You are an awesome God!
Psalm 69:30 "I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving." Thanksgiving dinner that is !
Psalm 69:30 "I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving." Thanksgiving dinner that is !
Monday, October 13, 2008
Strong, Firm and Steadfast
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." That's from 1 Peter 5 verses 6 and 7. Then in verse 10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
That is what has been lacking in my spiritual walk. I've gone on feelings alone and not put down enough roots to become strong, firm and steadfast. I'll say I've changed only to realize a few weeks later that things are right back where they were before my "change". A few months ago one of our pastors challenged us to change our lives. The key phrase that stuck with me was "talk is cheap, time will tell." I've given lots of lip service to change in the past. But only time will tell if change is for real. Only time will tell as I live out my life day to day. Only time will tell if I treat others more kindly, speak more softly, and love more often. Only time will tell if I become strong, firm and steadfast.
That is what has been lacking in my spiritual walk. I've gone on feelings alone and not put down enough roots to become strong, firm and steadfast. I'll say I've changed only to realize a few weeks later that things are right back where they were before my "change". A few months ago one of our pastors challenged us to change our lives. The key phrase that stuck with me was "talk is cheap, time will tell." I've given lots of lip service to change in the past. But only time will tell if change is for real. Only time will tell as I live out my life day to day. Only time will tell if I treat others more kindly, speak more softly, and love more often. Only time will tell if I become strong, firm and steadfast.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
A Busy Week
This has been such a busy week. I have really had to look hard for time to seek God and read His word. I don't think I've found enough time to absorb all that He is trying to teach me. I need to get up earlier than I do to have time to dwell in His word and find refreshment there. But we all know how hard it is to wake up before daylight.
Trying times certainly are easier to face though when you have the Spirit of God through His word living and active in you. I have been so absorbed in the bible verses that I have read. I am finding such truth in them. And the Spirit of God has been showing me how to apply them to my life. This is so exciting for me. I pray that as I abide in Him, He continues to grow me to be the best that I can be for His glory. I am so excited to see what He wants to do through me. And I am so ready also!
I've had ups and downs this week. I guess that busyness is the devil's way of trying to distract us from the work of God in our life. And Satan is really trying to make me fall back into my old self. There are so many obstacles in my life that hinder me. But I know that through Christ I am a new creation because He tells me so in His word. And I believe that His word is infallible. I can trust it beyond anything else in my life. Beyond what I feel or what I can see. This is how I know that I am a new creation. And there is no question, no matter how I may feel, that I am being molded into the image of Christ.
Here are some scripture that assure me of Christ dwelling in me...
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
(Colossians 3:5-10).
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
(2 Corinthians 5:17).
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20).
So I guess when I get too busy and Satan tries to tell me lies, the scripture will reinforce this for me.
Ephesians 6:13-17 says to put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
WOW! What a wonderful scripture telling us how to fight off Satan's attacks. I want to wear His armor and be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. How mighty is our God!
There is a song I've been listening to lately and it really excites me to do what God is preparing me to do. It really just makes me want to stand up in front of everyone and shout that I'm finally ready!
I just wanted to put the words here so you could read it for yourself. I am sure you can find the song on the web if you search for it. It has great music and a great message. It is called For the First Time, sung by Mark Harris, formerly of the group 4Him, from his 2005 solo album "The Line Between the Two".
I was waiting for a push, waiting for a sign
Waiting for the perfect moment to arrive
Steady as a clock, caught between the line
Living for myself until I realized
There’s too much life
You’ve given me
To let it slip away
I’m ready to live, ready to breathe
Ready to take in everything
I’m ready to love, ready to shine
Ready to live this life of mine
I’m ready to jump, ready to fly
For the first time
I want to take a dive, I want to take a chance
I want to make the most of every day I have
I want to be alive, I want to be a man
‘Cause being wild at heart is really who I am
You’ve put these dreams inside of me
So what can hold them back
I can feel it
Being pushed by Bigger Hands
You have saved me
You have made me who I am
I’m ready to live, ready to breathe
Ready to take in everything
I’m ready to love, ready to shine
Ready to live this life of mine
I’m ready to jump, ready to fly
For the first time ..........
God I am so ready to serve you in whatever place you have for me. For the first time I feel such an excitement and anticipation at what awaits me. I want to make the most of every day I have.
I'm ready to live, ready to breathe, ready to jump, ready to fly, for the first time.
Trying times certainly are easier to face though when you have the Spirit of God through His word living and active in you. I have been so absorbed in the bible verses that I have read. I am finding such truth in them. And the Spirit of God has been showing me how to apply them to my life. This is so exciting for me. I pray that as I abide in Him, He continues to grow me to be the best that I can be for His glory. I am so excited to see what He wants to do through me. And I am so ready also!
I've had ups and downs this week. I guess that busyness is the devil's way of trying to distract us from the work of God in our life. And Satan is really trying to make me fall back into my old self. There are so many obstacles in my life that hinder me. But I know that through Christ I am a new creation because He tells me so in His word. And I believe that His word is infallible. I can trust it beyond anything else in my life. Beyond what I feel or what I can see. This is how I know that I am a new creation. And there is no question, no matter how I may feel, that I am being molded into the image of Christ.
Here are some scripture that assure me of Christ dwelling in me...
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
(Colossians 3:5-10).
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
(2 Corinthians 5:17).
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20).
So I guess when I get too busy and Satan tries to tell me lies, the scripture will reinforce this for me.
Ephesians 6:13-17 says to put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
WOW! What a wonderful scripture telling us how to fight off Satan's attacks. I want to wear His armor and be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. How mighty is our God!
There is a song I've been listening to lately and it really excites me to do what God is preparing me to do. It really just makes me want to stand up in front of everyone and shout that I'm finally ready!
I just wanted to put the words here so you could read it for yourself. I am sure you can find the song on the web if you search for it. It has great music and a great message. It is called For the First Time, sung by Mark Harris, formerly of the group 4Him, from his 2005 solo album "The Line Between the Two".
I was waiting for a push, waiting for a sign
Waiting for the perfect moment to arrive
Steady as a clock, caught between the line
Living for myself until I realized
There’s too much life
You’ve given me
To let it slip away
I’m ready to live, ready to breathe
Ready to take in everything
I’m ready to love, ready to shine
Ready to live this life of mine
I’m ready to jump, ready to fly
For the first time
I want to take a dive, I want to take a chance
I want to make the most of every day I have
I want to be alive, I want to be a man
‘Cause being wild at heart is really who I am
You’ve put these dreams inside of me
So what can hold them back
I can feel it
Being pushed by Bigger Hands
You have saved me
You have made me who I am
I’m ready to live, ready to breathe
Ready to take in everything
I’m ready to love, ready to shine
Ready to live this life of mine
I’m ready to jump, ready to fly
For the first time ..........
God I am so ready to serve you in whatever place you have for me. For the first time I feel such an excitement and anticipation at what awaits me. I want to make the most of every day I have.
I'm ready to live, ready to breathe, ready to jump, ready to fly, for the first time.
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