Sowing And Reaping

II Corinthians 9:6-8

Personalized:

Remember this, my dear daughter, whenever you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly, and whenever you sow generously, you will reap generously. Decide in your heart that you will always give generously--not because you have to, or are supposed to--but because you want to; then you will be able to give cheerfully, or even hilariously! Then I will make sure that all my grace will abound to you, so that in all things, all the time, you will have all you need; and you will abound in every good work I planned for you to do! You won't miss out on anything, dear.

Love,

Dad

The Sacrifice

Genesis 2:25, 3:7,10, 21

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

"I heard You in the Garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Before sin entered this picture, the first couple were completely oblivious to the fact that they were naked, they didn't even notice, it made no difference in their relationship.

Then, with sin, shame also entered this picture, and Adam was afraid; when before he walked with God "in the cool of the day" as a usual practice, open and free. Now, aware of his nakedness, he was afraid and hid. Even though they had tried to cover themselves ( the first "religion"), they still considered themselves naked, and hid. They were not clothed until God made them garments of skin--something had to die so they could be clothed.

Whenever I try to cover up what I have done, I know that I'm still exposed, and I feel the shame of not measuring up.

So  God let them know that something had to die for them to be clothed, then later God gave the Israelites the sacrifices, for the sacrificial animals to take the peoples' sins and die in their place; which showed how Jesus, as God's sacrificial Lamb, would take upon Himself the very sin-nature of every person born from Adam, purchasing the whole world (so now He is appointed Judge of all) and satisfying the debt we owe, I owe, for the sin, and for all the sins that result from it. God provided the remedy for our sin--in clothing Adam and Eve, providing the ram for Abraham (in Genesis 22:8, 13) in place of his son Isaac, giving the sacrificial system, and finally, His own Son, my Lord Jesus, the Christ, to pay the debt in full for me.

And for you, dear reader, too, if you recognize that you deserve the death Jesus died, and He took your place on that Cross. That's putting your trust in Him and letting Him be your Savior, by dying the death you deserve, so you could have His life, that you don't deserve, either. God's mercy is not giving us the punishment we deserve, and His grace is giving us His eternal Life, by putting His own Spirit inside us to live in our spirits. Now He can forgive us, and bless us with every blessing out of His abundance in Glory.

Our "Bar Of Soap"

I John 1:8-10

If we claim to be without sin - Refuse to admit that our wrongs are wrong.

we deceive ourselves - We lie to ourselves, fantasize.

And the truth is not in us - We've chosen fantasy over reality.

If we confess our sins - Admit our wrongs, face the dysfunctions in our lives and recognize them as sin.

He is faithful - He always remains true to what He has said.

and just - Because the price has already been paid at Calvary.

And will forgive us our sins - The ones we are aware of and have just confessed.

And purify us from all unrighteousness - Clean out all the filth, shame, dysfunction; everything in us that is contrary to His perfection and goodness to make us pure and holy completely.

If we claim to have not sinned - Refuse to admit that what we've done or said is wrong, justify ourselves.

We make Him out to be a liar - Because we're contradicting what He said as though we're right and He's wrong!

And His Word has no place in our lives - We've pushed out His Truth and embraced our own fantasies.

On That Day

Malachi 4:1-3

Personalized:

O my precious daughter, I tell you that the Day is surely coming, and it will burn like a furnace, a crematory. For everyone who is arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble and that Day that is almost here will burn them up with fire. I am the Lord, Almighty over all the Earth. Not a root or a branch will be left of them. But for you, Bonnie, and everyone else who revere My Name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go out and leap and dance like frolicsome calves released from their stalls. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be the ashes under the soles of your feet on the Day that I do these things for you, daughter, dear; as your Lord Almighty you can be confident in trusting Me.

When Will Jesus Call Us Out?

Romans 5:9

Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him!

Daniel 3:17

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king." Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Daniel 6:22

"... My God sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me." ... Daniel.

Revelation 3:10

. . . I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live upon the earth. To the Church at Philadelphia.

Let's do a little word study in the Greek:

'Hour' is 'hora' in the Greek: a day, an hour, an instant or a season; a period of time.

'Keep" is 'tereo' in the Greek: from the Greek word 'teres': to watch, to guard from loss or injury; differing from the Greek word 'phulasso': to prevent escaping.

So God has promised to keep the Philadelphia church from loss, injury or harm through the hour, the time period, of the trial, temptation or Tribulation that will test those who live upon the Earth, differing from preventing or escaping from that time of trial and testing.

Bible scholars have used this verse, Revelation 3:10, as a "proof" that the Church will be "Raptured" (a word not found anywhere in the Bible) before the 7 years of Tribulation and Great Tribulation.

However, seeing how God saved the three Hebrew children from the fire of the blazing furnace even though they were in the midst of it, without harm, and He also saved Daniel from the lions even though he spent the night in their den with them; He will also save His Church from His wrath that will be poured out upon the whole Earth.  

Psalm 91:7-8 says, A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. So Jesus will appear at the end of the Great Tribulation. He will "see us through" the 7 years of trials that will test everyone living, but His wrath will not come near or touch those of us who are His own.  We will be persecuted and even beheaded, but we will be saved from God's wrath, just as He promised.

Love One Another

John 13:34-35

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.

Three times Jesus repeats this command in these two verses: Love one another. We are to love each other the way Jesus loves us--freely, purely, whole-heartedly, sacrificially. Even while we are still sinners, He loves us, so much that He gave His all on our behalf. I want to love others, even my own family members, even when they are not living according to the way I think they "should" live. They will reap the fruit of their own choices, whether good or bad, and even though my heart may be breaking for them, I will rejoice with them and not rescue them. I will continue to pray for them, and look for ways to bless them.

One Answered Prayer

Psalm 118:5-7

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.

My adult daughter texted me this morning that the old sewing machine was acting up again, and she didn't think she had time to finish the baby quilt by hand instead of machine in time for the baby shower this afternoon. I asked her what I could do for her, her answer was to please pray. Then God gave me this scripture in today's Our Daily Bread to give to her. 

She did finish the blanket, by hand, 20 minutes before the baby shower, but didn't embroider the baby's name and date in the corner like she had planned. But the quilt was given, and received, on time. Thank you, Lord.

God's Provision In Our Need

Habakkuk 5:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

When the hard times shall come and there would be no source of income or provision at all, and we would be totally and completely destitute; even then I will be able to have joy in my heart for my Lord and I will be able to sing praises, rejoicing in God my Savior. The joy of the Lord is my strength, and I know He will never leave me completely without provision; He has promised and He will provide for my needs out of His riches in Glory!

To Open Blind Eyes

Isaiah 42:7

To open eyes that are bind, to free the captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

O my dear Father, Lord over all the Earth and all the Universe! I pray for those who are dear to me who do not yet know You. I pray that You would open their blind eyes, that You would free them from the prisons that are holding them captive and release them from the dark dungeons in which they sit. Let Your light shine upon them that they may see You in Your goodness and Your majesty, in Your grace and compassion and in Your power and Your mercy. O Father, allow me to be Your conduit, Your channel, so that all who observe my life and hear my words may see Your light, to perceive and understand Your love that cannot allow evil to prevail. Let them see You, Father, and turn to You from their corrupted ways and know Your Truth.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Family Relationships

Galatians 6:1-10

Brothers - This is family truth.

If someone - Any of the family members.

is caught in a sin - Entangled in some habit, addiction or attitude.

you who are spiritual - If I understand the spiritual principle.

should restore him - Share my experience to show the Truth that works.

gently - with compassion and respect.

But watch yourself - Don't focus so much on fixing the other . . .

or you also may be tempted - . . . that I neglect to notice my own attitude.

Carry each others' burdens - Help and support so they won't be overcome by their grief, trouble or problem.

Fulfill the Law of Christ - This is how we love one another.

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing - Pride.

he deceives himself - I tend to lie to myself about myself.

Each one should test his own actions - Why do I do what I do?

Then he can take pride in himself - Self-worth, in that I have obeyed properly.

without comparing himself to somebody else - No competition here, compare myself only with Christ.

For each one should carry his own load - Be responsible for my own common, ordinary, daily responsibilities.

Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good things with his instructor - Don't forget to thank and reward my mentors.

Do not be deceived - Don't fool myself.

God cannot be mocked - He is Almighty, Sovereign, Wise, etc, etc.

A man reaps what he sows - I need to pay attention to what I am saying and doing, not go off on auto-pilot.

The one who sows to the flesh - To satisfy my comforts.

will reap destruction - Poverty, illness, incapacity.

The one who sows to the Spirit - In the power and insight of God's Spirit.

will reap eternal life - Not only living forever, but a good quality of life right now.

Do not become weary in doing good - Persist, don't wimp out, don't quit.

At the proper time - Payday.

We will reap a harvest - Get the paycheck, experience the results.

if we do not give up - Don't quit before payday!

Therefore, as we have opportunity - Today, don't put it off.

do good to all people - Everybody, regardless.

Especially to those who belong to the family - Family members are due more respect and consideration than strangers and friends; have priorities.

The Manufacturer's Instructions

Psalm 19:7-11

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. - Law=Perfect; giving life to our emotions.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. - Statutes=Trustworthy; giving true wisdom to the one who was ignorant.

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. - Precepts=Right; righteousness allows our hearts to experience the Joy of the Lord, which transcends our understanding.

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. - Commands=Radiant; Shining like the Sun. When we obey the Manufacturer's Instructions, then we have light to see whatever obstacles would trip us up, and we can see the beauty and order in everything, understanding how it all works together to our benefit and God's glory.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. - Fear of the Lord=Pure; reverently respecting and acknowledging God's almighty power, perfect justice and total righteousness will keep us from ever wanting to disappoint Him and keep us on that straight and narrow path all our days, and forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous. - Ordinances=Sure; His rules are steadfast, unmovable, and always the right way to go.

Conclusion:

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

When we know and understand God's rules for living our lives, we will then be able to discern what would be the right decisions and choices to make in life; then when we act according to these thought-out lifestyles, our planting of these seeds of righteousness will bring forth a bountiful crop of good things and relationships that will be to our benefit right here on Earth, gain us rewards in Heaven, and bring glory, credit, to God who planned it all and brought it about by His power.

Whose Standards?

Matthew 9:7-8

Then why did Moses . . . ?

Because your hearts were hard.

God's standards are always absolute; we cannot live up to these standards because our hearts are hardened to God's ways. Even though we tend to bring the bar down to what we think is reasonable, God's standard does not change. When we make excuses, we end up sinning, falling short of what God wants for us. So we need to, I need to, hearken back to God's original standards and live in His power for the strength to do them.

Home

John 14:2-3

In my Father's house are many dwellings; if it were not so, I would have told you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

O my wonderful Lord, Jesus! You have gone to be with the Father, and to prepare places, dwellings, for all of us, and for each of us. For me. A beautiful, glorious place to dwell with you! O my Precious, wherever You are is my home! While I am still here in this world I am not "settled in" as "at home" anywhere here, even though "home is where I hang my hat." You know that if I would travel all this world, spreading Your Truth, and seeing Your beauty in every clime, every culture, every language, every ethnic food--every person I would meet. Even if I would go to colonize Mars, I would still be Your light even there, broadcast to all the world! But my "home" is Heaven, where You are now, and will be wherever You will be, for all eternity! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Time To Wake Up

Romans 13:11-14

Personalized:

And do this, Bonnie, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because your salvation is nearer now than when you first trusted Me. My daughter, the night is nearly over and My Day is almost here! So be sure to put aside all the deeds of the darkness of this world and put on the armor of light I have provided for you. Then you will behave decently, as in the daytime. Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and you don't even need to think about how to gratify the desires of your flesh.

"Last Days" Thoughts

I Peter 4:7

The end of all things is near - We are in the midst of all the turmoil and pollution and wickedness God said would be present, ever more so as the end approaches.

Therefore be clear minded - Don't get caught up in all the worldliness around me, but see through the muddle and confusion to God's Truth.

And self-controlled - Don't let my emotions run away with me when upsetting things happen.

So that you can pray - Prayer is crucial--I must have that communion with God, especially so when these "last days" are bringing turmoil and confusion and deception, I need my Father's steady hand on me to keep me faithful.

Let's Get Dressed

Colossians 3:12-14

V. 5-9 Take off all the old rags you used to wear.

God's chosen people - Picked out from the crowd.

holy - separated from the worldly.

dearly loved - Wow! What more could I ever ask?

clothe yourselves - dress up, wear to display like a tee shirt that promotes what I like.

compassion - passionate caring.

kindness - what helps the other, even when not deserved.

humility - putting self in the background, focusing on the other one.

gentleness - smooth, soft, easy; not hard or harsh.

patience - no hurry, just relaxed and calm and cheerful.

Bear with each other - don't let their idiosyncrasies get to you, let them roll off.

Forgive whatever grievances... - give the benefit of the doubt if it may have been unintentional, or let it go even if it was intentional.

Forgive as the Lord... - I will never have need to forgive anyone else more than I have already been forgiven.

Over all ... put on love - This is the overcoat, the great coat, the dress coat, that completes the outfit.

binds them all together in unity - Ties us all together as family, and defines all the virtues, all we do in relationship with one another.

Love is the overcoat that is worn over all the virtues of clothing we are to wear. Love has compassion, love is kind, love thinks of others before myself. Love is gentle and patient. Love bears with each other and forgives as the Lord has forgiven me. Love fulfills all the Laws and prompts all the virtues. To love God and other people is the only rule we need to follow to become like our Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father will receive all the glory.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

God's Comfort

II Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

The first time God used me in this way was when we were at Bible College, and I heard that another student wife had just miscarried. Since I had lost my first pregnancy, I called her in the hospital. When she heard that I had gone through what she was experiencing, she opened up to me and release a lot of doubt and fear, and God received the glory. She was greatly encouraged by my call, and her faith strengthened.

Often through the years, as I have faced the disappointments and griefs of life, I've remembered that student wife, and how I didn't need to "fix" anything for her; I just shared with her, and God comforted her. Our God is amazing! The comfort He gives us overflows into others' lives to comfort them in the sufferings they are facing. (verse 5.)

Permissible Versus Beneficial

I Corinthians 6:12-20

Expanded, Selective Paraphrase:

Although "all things are permissible for me," all things are not beneficial, nor will I submit to be mastered by anything but Christ. My body was not given to me to do with it anything I want, whether it be with food, with drink or with behavior. God values our bodies, as He raised Jesus bodily from death, and He will raise me bodily, too. The "one flesh" mentioned here is specifically physical, referring to the "marital act" of sexual union. We must not reason with, or argue with sexual temptation, but we must flee from it, run away from it, turn tail and skedaddle! My body is the Holy Spirit's temple; I do not belong to myself, I have been purchased, bought at such a high price! So I want to honor God with my body, as well as with my soul and my spirit; with all my heart, soul, mind and strength; my thought processes, my passions, my will and what physical strength I have.

Order In Our World

Psalm 104

Paraphrase:

How wonderful God is, and how powerful and skillful he is in all he is and does. He wraps himself in light as clothing, and spread out the atmosphere to clothe the Earth. He rides the clouds as we would a motorcycle, and rides on the wings of the wind. His angels are spirit and fire. He has fashioned the Earth securely so that it will remain permanently in place, to operate as he has planned out: the waters cover the oceans and seas, which rose up to cover even the mountains; then at Your rebuke, Your thunderous voice, they receded to the valleys of the Earth, the low areas, and will never again flood the whole planet. Now the fresh waters flow, the springs and rivers, from the mountains to the plains, You water the land for all the animals, birds and man, to grow all the food to nourish us all and give us health and joyfulness. All the Earth is made to work in an orderly fashion; the trees for the birds, the mountains for goats and rock badgers; the moon to delineate the seasons and the sun to set at night for the nocturnal animals, and rise again for Man to do his work. Even the oceans and seas have their aquatic creatures. They all live and die and their offspring carries on. Everything continues just as You designed it to work.

Obedience

Psalm 119:1-5

Pray it:

O my Father, I know that You bless all of us whose ways are blameless, who live our lives according to Your law; those of us who keep Your statutes, and seek You with all our heart, our passion. Then we will do nothing wrong, as we walk in Your ways. Father, You have laid down precepts that we must obey fully to attain that righteous life You desire for us. O Father, help me to be steadfast in obeying Your decrees!

Call, And I Will Answer

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

After my husband of 30 years died and I was trying to carry on the business he ran without him, the day came when I reached the end of my rope, with several crises happening all at the same time, and everyone turning to me for answers I didn't have. I didn't know how to deal with any of the problems that came up, so I closed myself up in my private room and cried out to the Lord. That is the day He gave me this verse. God told me that He would teach me many more truths to build my life around, things I didn't know yet, at that time.

Years have passed since that day, and today I can look back at all the things God has taught me through many portals of learning, things that have allowed me to deal with many trials and troubles, and things to encourage me, and so I can encourage others, too. Plans for me that I will only be able to fulfill in His power and wisdom, in His time for me. And He is still teaching me His ways, and what He will do in, through and for me to fulfill all His promises.

Just A Note From Daddy

Ephesians 5:15-20

Personalized:

O my precious daughter, I want you to be very careful how you live--not as unwise, but as wise; make the most of every opportunity I give you, to keep out the evil of each day. So I want you to not be foolish, but understand My will for you each day. As others may fill themselves with this society's inebriating substances and activities, I want you to be filled with and controlled by My Spirit. Then you will be speaking to others with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; and you will also have a song in your heart, playing in your mind, in thanksgiving for everything I am doing for you, because of My Son, My Christ, your Brother, Jesus.

Love,

Daddy

Old Age In The Lord

Psalm 92:12-15

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, Proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him."

What a wonderful assurance this is for us who are getting up in years, to know that we can still flourish and bear fruit, remaining fresh and green like a healthy tree. We never need to succumb to the stereotypical doddering of "old age," but remain active and healthy. This is not only possible, but actually probable as we gain strength in the Lord. Nowhere in Scripture do I see anyone "put on the shelf" in retirement, but God's saints continue to serve Him no matter how many years they lived on this Earth.

Why Did Noah Get Drunk?

Noah in Genesis:

6:13 "I will destroy them with the earth."

7:11 "All the springs of the Great Deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened."

2:5-6 "No shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth [land], and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain [first mention of rain] on the earth [land] and there was no man to work the ground, but streams [a mist] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground."

7:4 "I will send rain (Hebrew: rain) on the earth for forty days and forty nights."

7:12 "And rain (Hebrew: showers) fell on the earth forty days and forty nights."

9:3 "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, now I give you everything."

9:11-17 This is about God's covenant-sign, the rainbow, first seen here.

9:21 Noah becomes drunk, possibly unexpectedly, as the whole climate of the earth has drastically changed.

1:6-8 On the Second Day of Creation: "Let there be an expanse [firmament] between the waters to separate water from water. So God make the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse [firmament] 'sky.'"

So God separated the waters below the atmosphere from the waters above the atmosphere (a water canopy), and gave mankind all the green plants (herbs) and fruit trees for food.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they were also given the "plants of the field" (grains) to eat.

The first mention of "rain" is when God had not sent rain, but a "mist" came up from the ground to water the whole land. There were also rivers. (No irrigation needed.)

When Noah came off the Ark, there was no more "water canopy" over the earth, so now that it would rain, God placed His "bow" (iris) in the sky, the "rainbow" (iris) that surrounds His own throne in heaven in Revelation 4:3, which could not appear on earth until the sun could shine on/through rain. Also, Noah drank "wine" which apparently had never fermented before. And God gave mankind the animals for food now, as well as the herbs, fruits and grains. The whole earth was no longer a tropical paradise, and lifespans grew shorter without the heavy pressure of the "water canopy."

My Prayer

I Thessalonians 4:11-12

Pray it:

O my Father, help me to make it my ambition to lead a quiet life; help me to mind my own business and not be a busybody in others' affairs. Help me to work with my hands as well as my mind, so that my daily life may win the respect of outsiders, and so I will not need to be dependent on others for what You have given me to accomplish. Teach me to manage my own finances to provide for my own needs and have also to give to help others.

Our Own Fault?

Lamentations 3:22-40

(38-40) Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.

(22-23) Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

(32-33) Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

When we are honest with ourselves, we see how our own rebellions and self will bring many of the problems we experience in life, and God loves us enough to allow us to suffer through the consequences of our own poor choices. We are to accept what comes, learn to make wiser choices, and grow emotionally and spiritually. Let the hardships and troubles we encounter lead us to lean on the Lord, seek His face and His ways, and trust Him fully.

No Excuse

Romans 1:19-20

Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

One day I was agreeing with my son, an atheist, how God's person is unknowable by merely natural means. But He has chosen to reveal Himself to us through His Word and all the natural things He made. I asked him how he would answer a friend who denied that my son even had a father, but just made him up? His reply was that he would show his friend the things his Dad had made, like the house. So I pointed out that it would be foolish to suggest that natural, environmental processes over a long period of time could produce a beautiful house suitable for dwelling in. It is equally foolish to deny the existence of a Creator who made this world suitable for our living here. This was answered by a period of silence.

Good Medicine: A Personal Letter

Proverbs 17:22

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Personalized:

My sweet daughter, Bonnie, your cheerful heart, the way you rejoice in Me and let My ways be the joy of your heart has resulted in your good health, has caused your body to repair itself and maintained the order I have built into it. Bonnie, I made your body to be healthy and to last to serve you for all your days, even to advance age. Daughter, dear, do not allow your spirit to be crushed by the sorrows of this age--that would only be detrimental to your very bones, possibly to even bring on osteoporosis. I want you to keep your skeletor framework strong because I have planned for you to serve Me for many years hence.  Continue to seek My face, Bonnie, and continue to focus on My provisions and blessings; continue to let Me bring cheer to your heart, and rejoice in Me. I love you, and I want the very best for you, more than you can even imagine--that's what I have planned for you.

Love,

Dad

Paul At The Areopagus In Athens, Greece

Acts 17:27-31

He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being. 

We are all "inside" God; He surrounds us as water surrounds the fish. The whole universe exists inside Him. We exist because He is thinking about us. His Word alone created all that is, and He holds everything together. Just as my hand "knows" where my ear is without my looking for it, so God is aware of everything that goes on in His universe, down to our very molecules. I think of it as we are God's imagination, if He ever ceased to think of us, we would not exist.

As some of your own poets have said, "We are his offspring." Therefore, since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man's design and skill.

Since we as human beings are the offspring of God, then we bear an image, a likeness of God; so He must be more like a living, organic being than like inanimate, earthly materials.

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commends all people everywhere to repent.

Now that we know better, we have a responsibility to respond to His call, to turn around.

For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice.

This is a specific day; He will not judge at a whim, but according to the laws and rules He has set down for us to obey. He is a God of order, and always has and always will do everything in an orderly manner.

By the Man He has appointed.

Jesus Christ.

He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.

Jesus' resurrection is the proof that God accepted His sacrifice in payment of all our sin; and Jesus also purchased the world of mankind which gives Him the Authority to be the legal Judge of all of us. Therefore, each one of us will see Him as either our Savior and Redeemer, or our righteous Judge.

Real Treasure

Philippians 3:7, 10

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

All my material possessions are now an encumbrance, a weight, heavy on my shoulders. Father, please help me to rid myself of the remainder of these things so that I may be free to serve you wherever you may send me.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

Jesus is my prize! I want not His blessings, I want Him! The things of this world are temporary and passing, and I am finding that I have no need of an abundance of things. My desire is to know Christ, intimately as my Husband. I want to be transformed into His image, to be like Him in my thoughts, words and actions. The power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that is working in me. Father, help me to be faithful to You and Your ways!

The Conclusion of the Matter

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Our whole responsibility, purpose, reason for being, is to fear God, worship God only (Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 "fear God only" as "worship God only"), and live according to His ways, as He has revealed them to us in His rules, commands and directions in His word. God's written Word is our Bible, and His living Word is His Son, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit revealing Him in us, to us and through us to others. How we respond to God--in accepting Him and His ways or rejecting Him and going our own way; and ordering our thinking processes according to the way God made us and our world, as He has taught us, to obey what we know of His rules. It only makes sense to read and follow the Manufacturer's instructions, whether it's a car or an appliance, or our very lives and families. And we will each give an account at the end.

Foolishness And Rebellion

Psalm 107:17-22

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent forth His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy.

O my Father, I pray for all those I love dearly who have rejected Your gracious offer of redemption and gone on their own rebellious ways, and now suffer the result of their sinful choices. I pray, Father, that they will become aware of their foolish state and cry out to You in faith; that You would then save them and send forth Your Word, which is Life, into their lives to heal them of their emotional and spiritual maladies, and draw them to Yourself.