I know there's a song there somewhere

Sitting here at the depot watching the sun rise above the diesel engines rumbling hum from the truckstop several yards away...

God lives

Today at work, me and my co driver and the people on 2 other trucks went together for lunch... Now mind you we are all from many different back grounds and have different ideas... God moves us in all kinds of ways through life and puts us into situations as he did me today. See, today my alarm didn't wake me up this morning, Sandi's did, and I didn't have time to make lunch,I also forgot water bottle while I was running late. We all agreed to meet at Denys to eat lunch. Some how or another we got on a discussion about God and pur beliefs.. Now knowing that in this day and age you can loose your job over discussing God with some one, especially when it is with some one who disagrees that Jesus is the one and only Lord and savior. But I have found that within my co workers that I have at least 2 fellow believers albeit that one isn't as strong willed as the other. Perhaps this is the opportunity that God has put me at Pepsi to help with. Perhaps this is where I am to witness.

New Job and God's Country

Sorry I have not been posting as of late. I recently have started a new job and also been having issues with phone service. The bible study I had started wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be and will be finding something a bit different to go with, perhaps even start my own and just go with it. The new job I just started this month is pretty awesome from what I am seeing. We actually had the Christmas party over this last weekend and it was more of a meeting to show what was planned for the coming year. Apparently the company I work for is really a Christian business, and during a time when they had drifted away from those beliefs the company started loosing a lot of money and was  heading way down hill. They are now making a come back. I've heard lots of bad things about the place but it seems that what all is being said is all Bull Crap.. and seems most of those people saying the things are only doing so because they are the same ones who work harder to get out of work that to just do the work... its a life lesson.. imagine if Jesus worked harder to get out of saving the world than to just do it, would I be here today? Would you? .. I was lead to this job I believe, and things have worked out as some of my other past jobs have and would not have been in those jobs had God not had a plan for me. What this plan for me is I know not, but I will follow what I am doing for His glory.

Now the God's Country part... I have been training for the last week with a techie and we have been all over southern Illinois in this area known as "God's Country" mostly places such as Garden of the Gods and all of the Shawnee National Forest... you should visit it sometime and you will understand.

Well time to get off to work
~B

Psalm 3 - A Morning Prayer For God's Protection

Psalm 3 - A Morning Prayer For God's Protection

1 O Lord, how many are my foes!     How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,     “God will not deliver him.  ” Selah
3 But you are a shield   around me, O Lord;     you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  
4 To the Lord I cry aloud,       and he answers me from his holy hill.   Selah
5 I lie down and sleep;       I wake again,   because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear   the tens of thousands     drawn up against me on every side.  
7 Arise,   O Lord!     Deliver me,   O my God! Strike   all my enemies on the jaw;     break the teeth   of the wicked. 8 From the Lord comes deliverance.       May your blessing   be on your people. Selah
Psalm 3 - NIV

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To note how historical events often served as the impetus for the writing of particular psalms

2) To observe the use and possible meaning of the word "Selah"

3) To consider how David trusted in the Lord to deliver him from his enemies

SUMMARY

The heading attributes this psalm to David, composed as he was fleeing from his son Absalom (cf. 2Sa 15-18). It is commonly called "a morning hymn" (cf. v. 5) in which the psalmist prays for God's protection.

David addresses his complaint to the Lord, how there be many who trouble him. They even taunt him by saying there is no help from God for him (cf. the curses of Shimei, 2Sa 16:5-8). In this psalm (and in many others) we find the word "Selah". The exact meaning is unknown, but it may have served the purpose of providing some musical notation. It seems to be inserted where a pause is desirable for the singer or reader of the psalm to reflect upon the thought or statement just made (1-2).

Following his complaint is an expression of comfort received from the Lord in the past. Such consolation prompts him to view the Lord as a shield and his glory, the One who is able to lift up his head. Indeed, the Lord has heard his earlier cry and enabled him to sleep and awake. This gives him renewed courage to face his many enemies (cf. 2 Sam 18:7), even though they numbered in the thousands (3-6).

As he starts the new day, he yet again calls upon the Lord to save him, even as He has done in the past. His "morning hymn" ends with the acknowledgment of God as the source of salvation and blessing for His people (7-8).

OUTLINE

I. DAVID'S COMPLAINT (3:1-2)

A. MANY TROUBLE HIM (1)

B. MANY RISE UP AGAINST HIM (2)

C. MANY SAY THERE IS NO HELP FROM GOD FOR HIM (2)

II. DAVID'S COMFORT (3:3-6)

A. WHAT GOD IS TO HIM (3) 1. His shield and glory 2. The One who lifts his head

B. WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR HIM (4-6) 1. Heard his cry from His holy hill 2. Sustained him during sleep 3. Given him courage against ten thousands of men

III. DAVID'S CRY (3:7-8)

A. FOR DELIVERANCE BY GOD (7) 1. To arise and save him 2. As God has done in the past a. Having struck his enemies on the cheekbone b. Having broken the teeth of the ungodly

B. OF PRAISE TO GOD (8) 1. Salvation belongs to God 2. His blessing is upon His people

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm? - David's complaint (1-2) - David's comfort (3-6) - David's cry (7-8)

2) Who is the author of this psalm, and what occasion led to its composition? - David - When he was fleeing from Absalom

3) What was David's complaint? (1) - Many have risen against him, to trouble him

4) What were people saying about David? Who in particular said such things? (2) - There is no help for him from God - Shimei, son of Gera, of the house of Saul (cf. 2Sa 16:5-8)

5) What is the meaning of the word "Selah"? (2) - It is likely a musical notation - Perhaps inserted where a pause is desirable for the singer or reader of the psalm to reflect upon the thought or statement just made (Leupold)

6) How did David view God? (3) - As a shield, his glory, the One who lifts up his head

7) What did David do, and what was God's response? (4) - David cried to the Lord with his voice - God heard him from His holy hill

8) What was David able to do because of God's sustaining him? (5) - To lay down and sleep, and then to awake

9) What else did God make possible for David? (6) - Not to be afraid, even when ten thousands of people surrounded against him

10) For what does David pray? (7) - To arise and save him

11) What had God done for David in the past? (7) - Struck his enemies on the cheekbone - Broken the teeth of the ungodly

13) What does David attribute to the Lord? (8) - Salvation and blessing to His people

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

Psalm 2

 Psalm 2 - The Ultimate Victory Of The Messiah

1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,

3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

8 Ask me,and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.

12 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 who take refuge in him.

Psalms 2 ~ NIv

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM

1) To note the Messianic nature of this psalm

2) To consider its fulfillment as expounded by Jesus and His apostles 
   in the New Testament

3) To take comfort in knowing that the Messiah has ultimate control 
   over world affairs

SUMMARY

This psalm is Messianic in nature, with its theme being "The Ultimate
Victory Of The Lord's Anointed."  It is quoted by the apostles and
early church in their prayer for help against persecution (cf. Ac 4:24-
30), in which they applied it to the efforts of Pontius Pilate along
with Gentiles and those of Israel who crucified Christ.  From this
reference in Acts we also learn that David was the author.

The psalm is divided into four sections (or strophes), in each of which
there is a different voice that speaks.  The first strophe begins with
the psalmist observing the efforts of the nations and their leaders to
resist the Lord and His Anointed.  They declare their desire to break
away from the cords that bind them (1-3).  The second strophe depicts
the Lord in heaven as laughing in derision over their futile efforts.
In righteous anger He declares that despite their resistance He has
installed His King (i.e., His Anointed One) on Zion, His holy hill (4-
6).

In the third stanza or strophe, the Anointed One speaks, in which He
declares the decree of the Lord.  He is God's begotten Son, who upon
request is given the nations and ends of the earth as an inheritance
which He will rule with a rod of iron (7-9).  From Jesus and His
apostles, we learn that this rule began when He ascended to heaven and
sat down at the right hand of God (cf. Mt 28:18; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22;
Re 1:5; 2:26-27).

The psalm ends with the fourth strophe containing the psalmist's
counsel of what the leaders of the nations should do:  Worship the Lord
with reverence, and do homage to the Son lest they incur His righteous
anger.  For all who put their trust in the Anointed One, they shall be
blessed (10-12).  

OUTLINE

I. THE NATIONS' RESISTANCE (2:1-3)

   A. THE PSALMIST'S INQUIRY (1)
      1. Why do the nations rage?
      2. Why do the people plot a vain thing?

   B. THE PSALMIST'S OBSERVATION (2-3)
      1. Against the Lord and His Anointed...
         a. The kings of the earth set themselves
         b. The rulers take counsel together
      2. Against the Lord and His Anointed they say...
         a. "Let us break Their bonds in pieces"
         b. "(Let us) cast away Their cords from us"

II. THE LORD'S REJOINDER (2:4-6)

   A. THE LORD'S REACTION (4)
      1. He who sits in the heaven shall laugh
      2. The Lord shall hold them in deep derision

   B. THE LORD'S REPLY (5-6)
      1. He shall speak to them in His wrath
      2. He will distress them in His deep displeasure
      3. He will proclaim:  "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill Of 
         Zion"

III. THE MESSIAH'S RESPONSE (2:7-9)

   A. THE DECREE GIVEN HIM (7)
      1. "You are My Son"
      2. "Today I have begotten You"

   B. THE AUTHORITY GIVEN HIM (8-9)
      1. The extent of His rule
         a. "The nations for Your inheritance"
         b. "The ends of the earth for Your possession"
      2. The power of His rule
         a. "You shall break them with a rod of iron"
         b. "You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel"

IV. THE PSALMIST'S REPROACH (2:10-12)

   A. TO KINGS AND JUDGES (10-11)
      1. Be wise, be instructed
      2. Serve the LORD with fear
      3. Rejoice with trembling

   B. TO THEM AND ALL (12)
      1. Kiss the Son lest He be angry
         a. And you perish [in] the way
         b. When His wrath is kindled but a little.
      2. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. 

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM

1) What are the main points of this psalm?
   - The nations' resistance (1-3)
   - The Lord's rejoinder (4-6)
   - The Messiah's response (7-9)
   - The psalmist's reproach (10-12)

2) Against whom are the kings and rulers taking counsel? (2)
   - The Lord and His Anointed

3) What are the kings and rulers saying? (3)
   - Let us break Their bonds in pieces, and cast away Their cords

4) What reaction does this prompt from the Lord in heaven? (4-5)
   - Laughter and derision
   - Wrath and displeasure

5) What will the Lord say to these kings and rulers? (6)
   - I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion

6) How will the Anointed One (i.e., the Messiah) respond? (7)
   - He will declare the decree spoken to Him by the Lord (God)

7) Who is the Anointed One? (7)
   - God's begotten Son

8) As applied by Paul, what "day" was the Messiah "begotten" by God? 
   (7; cf. Ac 13:33)
   - The day of His resurrection from the dead

9) What did the Lord promise His Anointed One? (8)
   - The nations and ends of the earth for His inheritance and 
     possession

10) According to Jesus and His apostles, has He been given this 
    authority?  If so, when?  (cf. Mt 28:18; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22;
    Re 1:5; 2:26-27)
   - Yes; when He ascended to heaven and set down at the right hand of 
     God

11) What will He do to the nations with this authority? (9; cf. Re 2:
    26-27)
   - Break them with a rod of iron
   - Dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel

12) What wisdom and instruction does the psalmist give to kings and
    judges? (10-12)
   - Serve the Lord with fear
   - Rejoice with trembling
   - Kiss (do homage to) the Son
   - Lest He be angry and you perish when His wrath is kindled

13) What of those who put their trust in the Son? (12)
   - They will be blessed

taken from Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

Psalm 1 - The Truly Happy Man

"THE BOOK OF PSALMS"
 Psalm 1 - The Truly Happy Man
 Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. PSALM 1 ~ NIV


 OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM 
 1) To examine the blessedness of the righteous, in stark contrast to the desperation of the wicked
 2) To note both the negative and positive elements that lead to the truly happy life
 3) To note four examples of parallelism that are indicative of Hebrew poetry

 SUMMARY 
 The first psalm, didactic in style, serves as an appropriate preface to the entire collection of psalms. Its theme can be described as "The Truly Happy Man" as it depicts the blessedness, or happiness, of the righteous man in contrast to the wicked. The blessedness of the righteous man is described first from a negative perspective, in what he will not do. With the aid of stair-like progressive parallelism, the truly happy man is depicted as not allowing himself to be in the presence or under the influence of the wicked. Instead, he finds delight in meditating day and night on the law of the Lord. His blessedness is pictured as a healthy, fruitful tree, nourished by rivers of water. Whatever he does, he prospers (1- 3). The wicked, in stark contrast, are not so blessed. They are like chaff driven by the wind. In the judgment, they shall not be able to stand. Nor shall they be blessed to be in the congregation of the righteous (4-5). The psalm ends with a contrast between the two "ways." The way of the righteous is known (blessed, providentially cared for) by the Lord. The way of the ungodly shall perish, like a trail leading into a swamp that eventually disappears (6).

 OUTLINE 
 I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN (1:1-3)
   A. HIS CHARACTER (1-2)
      1. Described from a negative point of view
          a. Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly
          b. Nor stands in the path of sinners - Pr 4:14-15
          c. Nor sits in the seat of the scornful - Ps 26:4-5
      2. Described from a positive perspective
         a. His delight is in the law of the Lord - Ps 40:8; 119: 47,48; Jer 15:16
         b. In God's law he meditates day and night - Ps 119:97-99
    B. HIS PROSPERITY (3)
       1. Like a tree planted by rivers of water - Ps 92:12-15; Jer 17: 7-8
         a. That brings forth fruit in its season
         b. Whose leaf shall not wither
      2. Whatever he does shall prosper - Josh 1:7-8 
 II. THE DESPERATION OF THE WICKED (1:4-5)
    A. NOTHING LIKE THE RIGHTEOUS (4)
       1. The ungodly are not so (lit., "Not so, are the ungodly!")
       2. They are like the chaff which the wind drives away - Job 21: 17-18
    B. THEIR SORRY END (5)
       1. The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment
       2. The sinners shall not stand in the congregation of the righteous
 III. A FINAL CONTRAST BETWEEN THEIR TWO WAYS (1:6)
    A. THE LORD KNOWS THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS (6a)
    B. THE WAY OF THE UNGODLY SHALL PERISH (6b)

 REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM 
 1) What are the main points of this psalm? - The blessedness of the righteous man (1-3) - The desperation of the wicked (4-5) - A final contrast between their two ways (6)

 2) What is the theme of this psalm? - The truly happy man

 3) What is the style of this psalm? - Didactic, i.e., designed to teach or instruct

 4) What does the blessed man not do, as described in this psalm? (1) - Does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly - Does not stand in the path of sinners - Does not sit in the seat of the scornful

 5) What example of parallelism, or thought rhyme, do we find in verse one? - Stair-like progressive parallelism

 6) What is the source of delight for the one who is blessed? (2) - The law of the Lord

 7) What does the blessed man do to experience such delight? (2) - Meditates in the law of the Lord day and night

 8) What example of parallelism, or thought rhyme, do we find in verse two? - Synonymous parallelism

 9) What will such a blessed person be like? (3) - A tree planted by rivers of water - That brings forth fruit in its season, and whose leaf shall not wither

10) What example of parallelism, or thought rhyme, do we find in verse three? - Synthetic parallelism

11) What else is said about this blessed man? (3) - Whatever he does shall prosper

12) What are the ungodly like? (4) - The chaff driven away by the wind

13) What will not happen to the ungodly and sinners? (5) - They shall not stand in the judgment - They shall not stand in the congregation of the righteous

 14) How are the righteous and the wicked contrasted at the end of this psalm? (6) - The Lord knows the way of the righteous - The way of the wicked shall perish

 15) What example of parallelism, or thought rhyme, do we find in verse six? - Antithetical parallelism

Nov 17 Starting anew... and how we are doing.

Hey hows it going? Sitting here at the library waiting for my portable programs to update whiuch havnt been updated in a long time because i constantly forget them at home. Anyways an update on how life has been as of late. We have officially moved from our tiny little home of the last 3 years and are now in a bigger place. This being said i will be able to start working on recipies, videos and other projects again that have been put off for the last 3 years. I will still be doing bible studies and other things as well. I really enjoy that I know that bible studies that I share are actually being read by many people from around the world. I enjoying spreading the word of God and our savior Jesus. i still have many guitars i need to be putting together along with other crafts that i should be making.. I just havnt had the time as of late to get them all put together as of yet. Anyway we have a new house we just moved into, wich has 5 acres of land which is more than enough of what we will need. We have plans on what to do on this land over the next few years and will be posting all that we will be doing soon.

Nov 17 new study Psalms Bible Study

I've decided to to include the entire text from the study sheets because I don't want to be sued or jailed for doing so. I am adding some things I see pertinent to learning about the subject in study and will site my source. Most of this study is based on a study guide from  Mark A. Copeland which can be  found here and only covers the first 50 chapters. If at some time I decide to drop this study I will try and at least continue through psalms without the use of the guide ... please remember your feedback is very welcome and I encourage it. There is a lot I've cut out to get us started.. so here we go with Mark's introduction into Psalms
Background Material On The Psalms

Having examined some of unique characteristics of Hebrew poetry in general, let's now focus on the book of Psalms itself...

1) The Origin Of The Word "Psalm"

The Greek word is "psalmos", from the Hebrew word "zmr" meaning "to pluck"; i.e., taking hold of the strings of an instrument with the fingers. It implies that the psalms were originally composed to be accompanied by a stringed instrument. "Psalms are songs for the lyre, and therefore lyric poems in the strictest sense."(Delitzsch, Psalms, Vol. I, p. 7) David and others therefore originally wrote the Psalms to be sung to the accompaniment of the harp.

In New Testament worship, we are told to sing the psalms to the accompaniment of the heart:

"...in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ep 5:19)

The phrase, "making melody," comes from the Greek word "psallontes" (literally, plucking the strings of). Therefore, we are to "pluck the strings of our heart" as we sing the psalms (i.e., to sing with emotion).

2) The History Of The Psalms

The oldest of the Psalms originate from the time of Moses (1400 B.C.). We have three psalms penned by Moses:

Exo 15:1-15 - a song of triumph following the crossing of the Red Sea

Deut 32, 33 - a song of exhortation to keep the Law after entering Canaan

Ps 90 - a song of meditation, reflection, and prayer

After Moses, the writing of Psalms had its "peaks" and "valleys"...

In David (1000 B.C.), the sacred lyric attained to its full maturity.

With Solomon, the creation of psalms began to decline; this was "the age of the proverb."

Only twice after this did the creation of psalms rise to any height, and then only for a short period: under Jehoshaphat (875 B.C.) and again under Hezekiah (725 B.C.).

3) The Authors Of The Psalms

David - Commonly thought to be the author of the book of Psalms, but he actually wrote only about seventy-three (73), less than half.

Asaph - The music director during the reigns of David and Solomon (1 Chr 16:1-7). He wrote twelve (12) psalms.

The Sons of Korah - These were Levites who served in the Temple (1 Chr 26:1-19). They wrote twelve (12) psalms.

Solomon - At least two (2) psalms are attributed to him (Ps 72, 127). That he wrote many more is stated in 1Ki 4:29-32.

Moses - As indicated above, he wrote the earliest psalms; one is included in Psalms (Ps 90).

Heman - Contemporary with David and Asaph, and is known as "the singer" (1Ch 6:33). He wrote one psalm (Ps 88) that has been preserved.

Ethan - A companion with Asaph and Heman in the Temple worship (1 Chr 15:19). He wrote one psalm (Ps 89).

Anonymous - The authorship of forty-eight (48) of the psalms is unknown.

One of Those Days...

Woke up this morning with muscle cramps in my back and hurting pretty bad. (For those who are close to me, you know that I was recently taken off of work the last week due to my back.) So today I've decided to start a new bible study but I'm going to try this a bit different. This time I have decided I will work through a single book and attempt to break it down for each chapter. I pray that I am not biting off more than I can chew with this endeavor. I figure even in pain I can work through it with God. I first had thought how I should do this and started reading a few scriptures and it didn't quite seem to ease my mind. I opened my browser and typed in "bible study" for a search and first place that came up was  http://executableoutlines.com which has in depth bible studies and that is where I believe I will start from.
I figure since I have been wanting to go through and find songs based on the scriptures to start writing anyways that there would be no better place to start than Psalms.
Over the last two years I've sang the blues and played the blues for singing about what gives discomfort in your life brings it out and to God which brings you from the sadness to make you over come. Its like prayer in a sense and talking (singing) about it gets it off your chest... this being said....

"Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise." James 5:13

So shall we begin?

Some music from today

Yeah I know I still haven't been posting like I said I would as of yet. I have been working on this and finding music to play a bit. Yeah basic music structure for now but I am working on it and I'm not that good as of yet. The recording quality isn't all that because of all the ambient sounds and my mic really isn't all that great. But please feel free to enjoy and give me a bit of feed back...
Now mind you I just received my uke as a fathers day present this year so I've only been playing since about June 25th of this year.

Hope I don't hurt your ears.

Click for my music folder

Current update... i still have things coming for ya

Working on learning some new songs and playing with some music to go with some lyrics I've written...

Not sure how its gonna play out but its how I felt at the time when I wrote it...

More to come soon.. after this next week...I've got some crafts to be starting too and try and earn some extra cash.

A little update on whats going on july 17 2014

Hello thought I would give you a little bit of an update as to what is going on in my neck of the woods. As you know i received an awesome gift for fathers day, which was my ukulele. I am working hard to learn how to play it and attempting to learn many different gospel songs with it as well. I still think about my blog and all of you readers on a regular basis and do have some bible studies I am working on to get published here as well. but my life kinda has been flipped on its head a bit as well in that I loose track of time rather easily and I hurt my back at work in the last week as well. it hurts to sit, it hurts to stand and to even lay flat for more than a few moments at a time. i promise to have something available soon for you to read again. until then, hope to hear from you in some way or another ~B

Why freedom can hurt spirituality of others

1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God. 4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. - 1Corinthians 8:1-13 (NIV)
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Spiritual Warfare part 1

As it seems yesterday's post was removed or rather the content was striped away from my blog. I am not sure how, why, or when this happened but I wouldn't even pull the content back up off my site via the app to repost it because the content was just not there. That being said let's move forward to today's post...
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It seems that every study that I'm looking through about spiritual warfare argues back and forth with one another, I am also seeing that a lot of places are making it seem as if you have to get into the ceremonies that I recognise as basis of those same kind from witchcraft and "high magick" and that actually worries me that people are actually doing that. Its a fine line that is easily blurred and I don't see that as Christ like. I don't think Jesus would tell you to perform some ceremony to bring you closer to God to protect you from spirits.. Yes the bible does speak of being anointed and it speaks of praying over each other, but it doesn't speak of taking a bath in salt water and painting your door face with wine or laying bread crumbs around the door ways to keep spirits at bay, instead it says to put on the Armor of God as it says in Ephesians 6:12 and it seems that all the places I've looked it up has agreed on at least this part.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  - Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

The sad part is that when looking up these scriptures in different versions, the meanings become lost and or watered down because of the language being used.
[ I prefer to use between these 6 different versions (NIV, NIV 1984, KJV, NKJV, KJTN or King James Translators Notes and ISV) but if I am posting a study written by someone else I leave their scriptures in tact and still add from these at the end, as I am sure you have already noticed. ]

Spiritual warfare seems to be a bit vague, I'm thinking because there are not many people out there that are doing it. It seems that a lot of Christians "go with the flow" now days because like sheep, they follow one another and don't wish to "anger the goats" who are among them. Most of what I am finding are that they agree on a few items for spiritual warfare and these scriptures are as follows:.....

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
- Ephesians 6:11-18 (NKJV)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 
- 2Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
- Psalm 91:1-16 (NKJV)

Jesus says in Luke:

19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 
- Luke 10:19 (NKJV)

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.  - Deuteronomy 28:7 (NKJV)

There are more verses in the bible about spiritual warfare and it seems that this post isn't meant to be posted either but I am copying it so that if it disappears I will repost it. I will attempt to add more over the next week as time allows me to. Until then; Pray and just talk to God and Jesus and do something for some one in the name of our Lord Jesus.
~B

A Look Back and One of My Testimonies

Dreams and visions..spiritual warfare???

I really dislike waking to dreams that follow you into the waking shakes that it causes. The strange side is I can always tell that its not going to be good due to the structure of the dream. I used to control my dreams and do things in deep mediative states to control things in that "world" quite regular. These dreams were a bit fierce in that they were of the a certain nature I believe. Given unto me to show just how helpless I really am without God and Jesus to watch over me and to give me strength. Let me explain....

I started out I was someplace visiting an elderly man (I am not sure if I know this man or not) I was doing what appeared to be house work. There was a knock at the door and the elderly man said "come in". A rather tall man who came in walked over to the other and started speaking to him. As they were speaking, the tall man started to speak in what appeared to be Latin, which grabbed my attention and I started listening. My first thought was that he was some sort of catholic priest and they were praying together. The tall man stopped praying and was whispering and the older man started saying "No!" and seemed to be scared of the tall man. I stepped closer and that's when I heard and saw the change in the tall man. He was becoming gnarled and looked to becoming rough, speaking with a growl and saying, "we miss you (I can't remember the name) and I have been sent to bring you back" at this point he turned to me and his eyes were turning a deep red and smoke tendrils were coming off of him as if he had been really hot and stepped into a very cold room. I immediately started calling upon Jesus's name and telling him leave the man alone. He immediately came towards me and called me a coward and ... Now mind you he never touches me but instead as he gets closer, its as if I have been tossed out of my dream. It never really gets dark in my house so I can see my surroundings, shaken up I got out of bed and went downstairs to the bathroom and then went back to bed. ...
As I drifted back to sleep I re-enter my dream and the tall man is waiting for me. He says "I knew you would be back, its only time." As he comes towards me I call on Jesus to send a league of angels to protect me and ever one in the house. The tall man screams as if in pain and starts to disappear. I ask the elderly man if he is OK and he still seems worried. Another knock at the door, this time I go to answer it and it is a bunch of people and they are asking "is this the place where the man chased away the devil?"
The very moment I say "yes, by the power of the Lord" then they all over whelm me wanting me to help them also.
This was at the time I woke and stayed up.

I truly hate having dreams like this and it seems when they start it becomes unending for months at times. It all about spiritual warfare, it seems that spirits like to attach to me and harass me quite often and guess what, we went to the museum yesterday and I'm thinking perhaps something from the ancient artifacts perhaps followed me home or perhaps its something else....

Church is about to start now and I believe its time to start a study on spiritual warfare.... Be warned it probably won't be the best by far for I will be doing this one on my own and not using anyone else's study...
~B

Things just poking me in the eye today

I'm not posting a link to this entry to Facebook, but if you stumble upon it then perhaps you feel the urge to reach out and post a comment or two to me to let me know you read it... a while back I was told that I make my blog too personal and that I put too much out there... I've been told this on more than one occasion actually... I'm not perfect. I don't claim to be. But at times I hear the voice of doubt and today I hear it echoing resounding like a large church bell in my head... I know its not God placing those words there... but it is words of doubt and are in fact starting to dive me insane... why I havnt plead to God to make it stop I don't know.. perhaps its because I feel as if I am unworthy of His help.... but then again that shows just how much ground I'm losing in letting satan win this battle.... I'm going to go pray before I go to work, below is just something I wrote this morning to get it off my mind.

~B

I feel often times that I am tested every day, more often than not I fail... it saddens me that I cannot meet a higher criteria by Jesus' standard. I fall short of God every time. Is this his expectation of me? Knowing that I always fall short? It makes me ashamed of who I am and to even call myself a christian at times. ....

Messeges from God.. - 6/2/14

Sometimes I get messages I can't ignore so I write the verses down and usually don't know what they are until I look them up. This is a set that hit me last week but I am now posting them... I was brought to tears when I read them and asked only 2 people of their meaning in their eyes....

~B

2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others,  - 2Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)

11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.  - 2Corinthians 2:11 (NIV)

12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.  - 2Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)

6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. - Joshua 1:6-7 (NIV)

1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  - 1Corinthians 2:1 (NIV)

5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted.  - Isaiah 1:5 (NIV)

6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.  - Jude 1:6 (NIV)
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God Brings Out Your Best as You Follow Your Calling

Today we talk about when God calls on you, I try daily with number 1 and I've been known to have issues with number 2 as for number 3, I try my best and I try to do it with a glad heart... you will understand when you read today's study... I appologise for it being of late hour but hopefully its worth it

We have made it to the end of another bible study, I hope you enjoyed it as well as I did.. it will probably be a few days before I start a new one.
~B

When Timothy joined Paul on his missionary journey, he was still a very young man. Paul sent him to a city called Ephesus to help start and lead a church. Even though Timothy had a problem with fear, God was still able to use him. There are three lessons we can learn from Timothy about how to fulfill God’s calling on our lives.

1. If you’re going to fulfill your calling, you must develop the gifts God gave you.

“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you.... Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all” (1 Timothy 4:12, 14-15 TEV).

Paul also told Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV).

As a believer, you have a responsibility to develop the talent and gifts God has given you to use the rest of your life.

2. If you’re going to fulfill your calling, you must refuse to be distracted.

God tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you” (NLT).

It’s easy these days to get sidetracked by a desire to build your business, your family, your career, and your savings. But you will never fulfill your purpose when you’re wasting your life on the Internet and on your phone. You’ve got to keep the most important things in focus.

3. If you’re going to fulfill your calling, you must give God your very best.

“Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you” (1 Timothy 6:12a TEV). God has called you to a specific task, and it can only be accomplished when you give it the best of your time, effort, gifts, and focus.

Paul says about Timothy, “I have no one else like Timothy” (Philippians 2:20a NLT). Can you imagine a greater epitaph? There was no one in the world like Timothy. He was focused. He was committed to the call of God on his life, nobody could distract or discourage him, and he gave God his best.

As you follow God’s calling, God will bring out the best in you.

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - 2Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)

12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  - 1Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. - 1Timothy 4:14-16 (NIV)

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  - 1Timothy 6:12 (NIV)

20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.  - Philippians 2:20 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

How to Be Yourself, Not Someone Else

Today's discussion is on not asking God why He made us the way He did. God is all seeing, all knowing, and He has his reasons to do what He does. We don't have the knowledge or wisdom that He has nor the foresight to know that He made each of us for a specific purpose. I know that my hardships and defects make me a stronger person and makes those who see those and how I still have a relationship with God, brings them closer to Him as well. At first, yes I questioned it but then I realised its not for me to question, its part of me and either I can get over it and accept it or I can just quit. As you can see I didn't just quit, I carry on and I thank God for every day He gives me. Asking "How can you use me today Lord? For I am Your humble servant. Let Your light be shown through me to those around me in your name."
~B

“But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” (Romans 9:20 TEV)

Since God knows what’s best for us, we should gratefully accept the way he has fashioned us. The Bible says, “But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” (Romans 9:20 TEV)

Your shape was sovereignly determined by God for his purpose, so you shouldn’t resent it or reject it. Instead of trying to reshape yourself to be like someone else, you should celebrate the shape God has given only to you. “Christ has given each of us special abilities — whatever he wants us to have out of his rich storehouse of gifts” (Ephesians 4:7 LB).

Part of accepting your shape is recognizing your limitations. Nobody is good at everything, and no one is called to be everything. We all have defined roles. Paul understood that his calling was not to accomplish everything or please everyone but to focus only on the particular ministry God had shaped him for (Galatians 2:7-8). He said, “We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the world God has given us, which includes our working with you” (2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).

The word “boundaries” refers to the fact that God assigns each of us a field or sphere of service. Your shape determines your specialty. When we try to overextend our ministry reach beyond what God shaped us for, we experience stress. Just as each runner in a race is given a different lane to run in, we must individually “run with patience the particular race that God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 LB).

Don’t be envious of the runner in the lane next to you; just focus on finishing your race. God wants you to enjoy using the shape he has given you. The Bible says, “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else” (Galatians 6:4 NLT).

Satan will try to steal the joy of service from you in a couple of ways: by tempting you to compare your ministry with others, and by tempting you to conform your ministry to the expectations of others. Both are deadly traps that will distract you from serving in the ways God intended. Whenever you lose your joy in ministry, start by considering if either one of these temptations is the cause.

13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.  - 2Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  - Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,  - Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”  - Romans 9:20 (NIV)

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.  - Ephesians 4:7 (NIV)

7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. - Galatians 2:7-8 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

God Says, Don’t Wait on Your Dreams

Dreams, we all have them.. they are our hopes and what we aspire to have one day. I have had many crushed because I waited too long or let things get in the way of me achieving them. Either way you look at it, it all revolved around waiting until this happened or that happened.. yes it all went south on me for some reason or another. I look back and sometimes become saddened by it but even Jesus said not to look back in regret about things you did or didn't do(luke 9:62) but to continue to look forward. so as in today's bible study we learn to follow our dreams when it is put on us, don't wait for perfect conditions and don't look back like times were better or in regret. 

62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:62 (NIV)

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  - Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.  - Proverbs 13:4 (NIV)

~B

The best day to get started on your dreams is today — not when you’ve solved all your problems or when you have more money in the bank. “Those days” never seem to get here.

The Bible says, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 LB).

Our unquenchable search for perfection often fuels our procrastination. And that keeps us from pursuing our purpose.

If you wait for perfect conditions to follow your calling, you’ll never get started. Things won’t settle down. Wait until you get out of debt before tithing, and you’ll never get back on your feet financially.

Your dreams are no different. If you wait until the kids are out of the house or until you have money in the bank to start working on the dream God has given you, you’ll likely never get there.

Your life — and your quest to live out your dreams — must be lived in less than perfect circumstances. You’ll be able to count the number of perfect situations in your life on one hand.

So get started now. No matter what situation you find yourself in, start living out your dreams today. Tomorrow may not come.

4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.  - Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

It’s Never Too Late to Start on Your Life Calling

Today I woke up in a bit of pain, firstly I want to say I was not kind to my body in my younger years and age is most definitely reminding me of this. I'm not sure what God's plan is for me but He has kept me alive when even doctors claimed I would be dead or permanently crippled in my youth.. by this I mean I was told I would be dead of lung cancer or emphysema by the time I turned 21 because of black spots in my lungs at the age of 15 and 16, and was told that without surgery that I would not be walking by the age of 30. I am still walking and I'm still breathing. God is GREAT!! I may "gimp" around a bit but I'm still mobile and I'm smoke free as of 4 years ago this coming week. I am trying to walk closer with Jesus and trying to hear his message. Yes I backslide at times, but I try and am eagerly waiting for the purpose that God has for me... anyways what I'm trying to say is, I should have been on this route 20+ years ago instead of this late in the season but I wasn't prepared for what may lie ahead...

~B 
If you’re going to follow God’s calling on your life, you’ve got to believe it’s never, never too late.

After Joshua sent the 12 spies into the Promised Land, they returned and reported that the land was too hard a place for God’s people to settle. Because of their unbelief, God had a nation wander around in the desert for another 40 years, and an entire generation died because they did not believe in God’s promises. But Caleb and Joshua believed, and they got to live.

When the Israelites returned to the Promised Land 40 years later, Caleb was 85 years old and living his second chance. He said, “Now here I am, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then. So give me the mountain country the LORD promised me that day long ago” (Joshua 14:10b-12a NCV).

“Give me the mountain country.” I love that! The land Caleb wanted was full of giants and cities fortified with great walls. He was saying to God, “Give me the biggest assignment. Give me the hardest city. Give me the place with the biggest giants. Give me the mountain regions. I don’t want some easy place. I know I’m 85 years old, but I’ve still got it in me to do great things for you.”

When I went to the store recently to buy a birthday card for my granddaughter, I noticed something I’d never seen before in the greeting card section. They now have an entire section that offers birthday cards for the 80th, 85th, 90th, 95th, and even 100th birthday! Growing up, I didn’t see those kinds of cards, because everybody lives longer now. When my dad was born, the average age of an American man was 76. That life expectation has gone up at least 12 years in his lifetime.

Some of you think it’s time to hang it up. I’m telling you it’s time to get it down and dust it off! Do you think God’s going to let you live 30 more years just to play golf?

Here’s a word that’s not in the Bible: retirement. You may stop working, but you keep serving the Lord. You have more wisdom and experience now, and God is not going to waste that.

At the age of 85, Caleb began the greatest mission of his life. Moses was 80 when God called him to set God’s people free. Abraham was 79 when he received God’s call.

If you are in the Caleb generation, you have to believe that it’s never too late to start on your life calling. The best is yet to come!

10 “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!
11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” - Joshua 14:10-12 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

How to Stand Against Popular Opinion

In 1979 I was finishing up seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and I felt like God was calling me to Southern California to start Saddleback Church. So I phoned a guy that I respected a lot and told him what I thought God wanted me to do.

You know what he told me? “Rick, that’s the dumbest idea I ever heard. You go out to California, and you’ll never be heard from again. It’s not going to happen.” He poured cold water all over my dream!

Any time you get serious about using your life the way God wants you to use it, there are going to be people who oppose it. You’re going to have friends and maybe even family members who oppose you, because Satan is going to throw everything he can at you to keep you from fulfilling your calling. One reason why so few people actually fulfill God’s calling is because they are unwilling to go against popular opinion.

If you want to follow God’s calling on your life, you must be willing to reject negative advice, no matter who it comes from.

The Bible says in Numbers 14:2-3, “Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. ‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’” (NLT) When faced with difficult circumstances, the Israelites decided they actually preferred slavery to freedom because it was safe. Rather than following God and doing what he had called them to do, they wanted to go back to their old way of life.

But one of their leaders, Caleb, had uncommon courage. He decided he was going to face the challenges with God’s help, even if he was scared. He was ready to reject negative advice in order to follow God’s calling.

In fact, Caleb didn’t just receive negative advice. Numbers 14:10 says, “The whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.”

I love the fact that God’s presence saved Caleb and Joshua. That will happen in your life, too. Pioneers always get the arrow in the back. You’ve got to determine now to reject negative advice if you’re going to go after God’s calling in your life.

3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”  - Numbers 14:3 (NIV)

10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.  - Numbers 14:10 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

What to Do When It Makes No Sense

Can you imagine being questioned back by God? I'm thinking that it would be kind of scary and rather fearful. I've been scolded by bosses and my parents and all were way too uncomfortable for me. God does love us all for if he didn't, he wouldn't have sent His only son Jesus to save us all. But God also can be angry but He is slow to anger. Can you imagine just how far you have to push to anger our Holy Father. I know our children can really make it difficult for us some times, especially in the teenage years but we still love them... no matter what, its unconditional... just like God's Love for us..
~B

Instead of asking God “Why?” you need to learn to trust God in things you don’t understand.

For 37 chapters in the book of Job, Job asks the “why” questions: “Why is this happening to me? Why are you allowing this? Why so much pain? Why so much discomfort? Why haven’t you answered my prayers?”

In chapter 38, Job stops asking “why.” And God says, “Now I’d like to ask you a few questions.” And for the next two chapters, God barrages Job with questions that only God can answer.

He asks things like, “Where were you when I made the universe? Can you explain the law of gravity?” And, after two chapters, Job realizes that he is just a man, and his knowledge is limited. Who is he to question God?

Job stops questioning, and he starts trusting. He replied to the Lord, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I — and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.… I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:1-3, 6 NLT).

What do you do in a situation where you can’t see the whole picture, things aren’t clear, and it makes no sense to you what’s happening?

You remind yourself of the things about God that you do know. Even in the middle of his doubts, Job affirmed what he knew to be true about God: God is loving (Job 10:12), God is all powerful (Job 36:22), God is in control (Job 34:13), God had a plan for his life (Job 23:14), God would protect him (Job 5:11).

I don’t know what you’re dealing with in your life, but I will tell you this: God is passionately and intimately aware of every detail that you’re going through right now. He’s paying attention to your every breath. Nothing misses God’s attention.

You may not understand why you’re going through what you’re going through, but you need to say this to God: “I know you’re good; I know you’re loving; I know you’re powerful; I know you notice the details of my life; I know you’re in control; I know you have a plan; I know you will protect me.” Then, you need to trust God — no matter what.

Whatever you’re going through, tell God exactly how you feel. He can handle it! Accept help from others. Stop asking “why,” and start trusting God for the things you don’t understand.

1 Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. - Job 42:1-3 (NIV)

6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”  - Job 42:6 (NIV)

12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.  - Job 10:12 (NIV)

22 “God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?  - Job 36:22 (NIV)

13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?  - Job 34:13 (NIV)

14 He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store.  - Job 23:14 (NIV)

11 The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.  - Job 5:11 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

God, Why Is This Happening to Me?

I have often been hung up on the why's in the past and still sometimes find myself tripping over that stumbling block every now and again. Its our human nature.. our fleshy side that does that. I try and go beyond that and deal with things how they are given to me weather I like it or understand it or not. It is all a part of His plan and not mine. The wisdom of our Holy Father is to not be known before its time. It seems that children get it but as adults we just can't wrap our heads around it at all. There is always a reason, and we are not to why...

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  - Matthew 11:25 (NIV)
~B

In his pain and despair, Job asked a lot of legitimate questions: “Why let people go on living in misery? Why give light to those in grief?” (Job 3:20 TEV)

This “why” question is human nature, and we all ask it. We have this misconception that if we understand the reason behind our pain, then it will make the pain easier.

You don’t need an explanation; you need strength. You don’t need an explanation; you need a Savior. You don’t need an explanation; you need comfort and support.

But we always go looking for an explanation! We ask questions like, “Why did that person walk out of my life? Why did he make a promise to me and then break it? Why did he hurt me? Why did I lose my job? Why did she die? Why did I get sick?”

Friends, I’ve been studying the “why” question for 37 years, and I’m going to give you my educated answer: I don’t know. And I’m never going to know, because I’m not God. And neither are you! Some things we’re just never going to understand until we get to the other side of death. Then it’s all going to become very, very clear. Only God knows. And if you don’t get his answer right off the bat, you might as well stop asking “Why?” because you’re simply prolonging the pain.

Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is God’s privilege to conceal things” (LB). God is a God of revelation. He reveals himself through nature, circumstances, and Scripture. The only reason you know anything about God is because he has chosen to reveal himself.

But the Bible says God doesn’t just reveal; God also conceals. And sometimes God intentionally hides his face from us. Why? So we’ll learn to trust him instead of our feelings and to live by faith rather than our feelings.

God doesn’t owe you an explanation for anything. God doesn’t have to check in with you first before he does something. God doesn’t have to get your permission before he allows things to happen in life. God is God, and we’re not always going to understand why some things happen.

The Bible says, “We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete.... Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understand us” (1 Corinthians 13:9, 12 CEV).

One day it’s all going to be clear. It’s all going to make sense. You’re going to be able to say, “So that’s why God allowed that in my life!” Until then, God wants you to trust him.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. - 1Corinthians 13:9-12 (NIV)

20 “Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul,  - Job 3:20 (NIV)

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.  - Proverbs 25:2 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Who Can You Call for Help?

I have friends that denied God because of being angry at Him for loss of a family member.... I've been there in the past too. But its not good, and even though I have always had friends, I did not have friends that had enough faith to help me through it.... I like to believe its not like that now and I believe I have strong faith and I am a friend of Jesus. I would call you guys out if I knew it was ok to do so... until then, just know that I know your faith is strong too..

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”  - Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)
~B

When we go through major disappointments in life, our natural reaction is to pull back and isolate ourselves. We want to handle it ourselves. We want to keep our losses and failures and mistakes and crises a secret. We want to withdraw. This is a terrible idea!

When you go through disappointment or crisis or loss is when you need your friends the most. You need to accept help from others. God doesn’t intend for you to handle all the pain and stress in your life by yourself. We were wired for each other. We need each other. We’re social beings. The first thing God said in the Garden of Eden is, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” We’re made to be in relationships.

Job 6:14 says, “When desperate people give up on God Almighty, their friends, at least, should stick with them” (MSG).

There will be times in your life when you are in so much pain you will say, “I don’t even believe in God right now!” You need to have friends who will come alongside you and say, “That’s OK. We’ll believe God for you right now.”

There will come a time when you’ll say, “I don’t have any faith right now. I’m full of doubt.” That’s when you need your friends to step in and say, “That’s OK. We will have faith for you. We will trust God for you in this.”

“By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NCV). What is the law of Christ? It’s this: Love your neighbor as yourself. The Bible commands us to help each other. Every time you help somebody who’s going through pain, you are fulfilling the law of Christ.

Trying to handle your trouble yourself will only make you more tired and stressed out. You need to accept the help of others and let your friends carry you through it.

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  - Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.  - Job 6:14 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

How Can I Overcome Discouragement?

I have been discouraged a lot in the past couple years such as the times I was attacked at work by a resident, and by the fact that I was unemployed for almost an entire year and not knowing where my next meal was going to come from... but you know what? God got me through it as he always has. Even in all my wickedness through the years God has always been there and protected me. When I finally gave everything over and let Him take control and accepted Jesus as my savior, I put myself in his hands and let him put me where I was needed. Yes there was a lot of discouraging times but He knew what I needed and He provided just as Jesus has said. Today's verses I think are no way nearly even scratching the surface so I will give you some that may ease your discouragement a bit more than the single one that was provided.

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  - Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Nothing can stand against what God says or who he stands behind simply by accepting him...

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  - Romans 8:31 (NIV)

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. - 2Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)

Something to look forward to, keep your eyes on the goal ahead...
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. - John 14:1-3 (NIV)

And the one that has gotten me through so much during these times I talked about.....and by far is one of my favorite scriptures...
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)

I do hope these verses I have provided give you encouragement like they do me..
~B

Discouragement is curable. Whenever I get discouraged, I head straight to Nehemiah. This great leader of ancient Israel understood there were four reasons for discouragement.

First, you get fatigued. You simply get tired as the laborers did in Nehemiah 4:10. We’re human beings, and we wear out. You cannot burn the candle at both ends. So if you’re discouraged, it may be you don’t have to change anything. You just need a vacation! Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is go to bed.

Second, you get frustrated. Nehemiah says there was rubble all around, so much that it was getting in the way of rebuilding the wall. Do you have rubble in your life? Have you noticed that anytime you start doing something new, the trash starts piling up?

If you don’t clean it out periodically, it’s going to stop your progress. You can’t avoid it, so you need to learn to recognize it and dispose of it quickly so you don’t lose focus on your original intention.

Third, you think you’ve failed. Nehemiah’s people were unable to finish their task as quickly as originally planned and, as a result, their confidence collapsed. They were thinking, “We were stupid to think we could ever rebuild this wall.”

But you know what I do when I don’t reach a goal on time? I just set a new goal. I don’t give up. Everybody fails. Everybody does foolish things. So the issue is not that you failed; it’s how you respond to your failure.

Do you give in to self-pity? Do you start blaming other people? Do you start complaining that it’s impossible? Or, do you refocus on God’s intentions and start moving again?

Finally, when you give in to fear, you get discouraged. Nehemiah 4 suggests the people most affected by fear are those who hang around negative people. If you’re going to control the negative thoughts in your life, you’ve got to get away from negative people as much as you can.

Maybe you’re discouraged because of fear. You’re dealing with fears like, “I can’t handle this. It’s too much responsibility.” Maybe it’s the fear that you don’t deserve it or the fear of criticism. Fear will destroy your life if you let it. But you can choose to resist the discouragement. Say, “God, help me get my eyes off the problem and the circumstance and keep my eyes on you.”

10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”  - Nehemiah 4:10 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Why God Sometimes Says "Not Yet"?

I didn't forget about you, my readers, I just didn't have time to get things finished as I would like this morning before work.

Today, we talk about not getting things on our time but by God's time which is in fact when we need them. God's time is always right rather we know it or not and some times we feel unprepared and He throws us right into it. That's because He knows we can handle it.

~B

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’” (Hebrews 10:36-37 NIV)

If you’re discouraged because of God’s delay in answering your prayers, understand the delay is not a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come yet doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer or that he’s forgotten you or that he doesn’t care about you. It simply means “not yet”!

Part of becoming spiritually mature is learning the difference between “no” and “not yet,” between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37 NIV).

God’s delay may be a test of your patience. Anybody can be patient once. And, most people can be patient twice. And, a lot of us can be patient three times. So God tests our patience over and over and over.

Why? So he can see how patient you are? No!

He does it so you can see how patient you are — so you’ll know what’s inside you, and you’ll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know he is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed.

You may be going through difficult times right now. You may be discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.

It may seem unbearable, and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!”

But you can.

You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before you.

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
37 For in just a very little while,“He who is coming will come and will not delay.  - Hebrews 10:36-37 (NIV1984)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Don’t Stuff Your Pain, Tell God About It

In today's study, we learn about turning your pain and suffering to God. I have been there and more than one time in my life. For many many years I turned to others things and not God. I know better now but its times of great suffering that people take their lives or drown themselves in alcohol or drugs. I know its sad when its so easy to turn everything over to God but our flesh tells us a different story and says its not easy and turning to the other things are easier and will bring pleasure instead.
~B

“Get up, cry out in the night, even as the night begins. Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord.” (Lamentations 2:19 NCV)

Think you’ve had a bad day? The biblical character of Job had a Ph.D. in pain and loss. In the very first chapter of Job, after everything fell apart in his life, Job “stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20 GWT).

Job expressed his pain to God. When you have a major loss in your life, the first thing you need to do is tell God exactly how you feel.

This may surprise you, but God can handle your anger and frustration. He can handle your emotions. Why? Because he gave them to you. You were made in the image of God, and he is an emotional God.

When your two-year-old has a temper tantrum and beats on your knees, you can handle that. In the same way, God is bigger than your emotion, and it’s OK to tell him exactly how you feel. When you prayed for a promotion, and it didn’t happen, when a loved one walks out of your life, when you get the dreaded call saying, “It’s cancer,” you can tell God, “I’m mad. I’m upset. I’m sick. I’m frustrated. I’m ticked off. I doubt.” God can handle your complaints, your questions, your fear, and your grief. God’s love for you is bigger than all of your emotions.

My kids know I love them. They know that I’ve been on this planet longer than they have and that I’ve had more experience than they have. But my children sometimes question my judgment. Can you believe that?

I’d rather have an honest, gut-level conversation with them than have them stuff their frustration and disappointment inside. God is the same way! He would rather have you wrestle with him in anger than walk away in detached apathy.

The right response to unexplained tragedy is not “grin and bear it.” Lamentations 2:19 says, “Get up, cry out in the night, even as the night begins. Pour out your heart like water in prayer to the Lord” (NCV). When was the last time you cried out in the night? When was the last time you poured out your heart like water to God?

19 Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.  - Lamentations 2:19 (NIV1984)

20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship  - Job 1:20 (NIV1984)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Where Can I Find Uncommon Courage?

In today's study we see that God makes us courageous through Jesus. As we follow Jesus and become closer to Him, we become closer to God.

~B

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” (Hebrews 10:35 NIV)

In a politically correct country full of attacks on biblical worldview, how do you live with uncommon courage? There are two things you need to do:

1. You need to accept God’s Word as your authority. Why? Because it is the only source that will never lie to you. If you’re going to be a man or woman of courage, you need to build your life on the rock that never changes, not on popular opinion. Build your life on the understanding that “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it — whether I understand it or not.” Hebrews 6:18 says, “God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us” (NLT).

You will build your life on either the world or the Word. I say things all the time that are unpopular. Why? Because I fear displeasing God more than I do your rejection.

If you don’t know what you believe, you need to figure it out. Your local church is a great resource and can help you find the material that will help you get deeper in and more familiar with God’s Word.

2. You need to spend personal time with Jesus. “The leaders saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak, and they understood that these men had no special training or education. So they were amazed. Then they realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NCV). The more time you spend with Jesus, the less you are going to be intimidated by the opinions of others and the more courage you’re going to have.

Standing courageously for an unpopular opinion isn’t easy, but the rewards of standing courageously for the truth will last forever. Hebrews 10:35 says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded” (NIV).

If you want to have an uncommon courage, pray this prayer today:

“God, I want to be a person of courage. I don’t want to back down. I don’t want other people to control what I say or think. I want to build my life on a biblical worldview. I make these two commitments today: First, I accept your Word as my authority. You say it, I believe it, and that settles it. Second, Lord, I want to spend time with you every day. I want to get to know you personally. I want to be so full of joy and courage that people say, ‘That person’s been with Jesus.’ I ask you to help me to be fearless for the truth. In your name I pray. Amen.”

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  - Hebrews 10:35 (NIV)

18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.  - Hebrews 6:18 (NIV)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  - Acts 4:13 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Having the Courage to Stand Up

As you are forming your worldview and searching Scripture for God’s truth on all kinds of matters, it’s important to understand God’s stance on the three most controversial parts of a Christian worldview today. I mention these three because they are the ones you need the most courage to speak up about. Why? Because not only will most people disagree with you about these topics; they will also passionately argue with you.

It takes an uncommon courage to stand up against that kind of pressure.

There are a lot of parts of the Bible that people don’t have a problem with, like “You must help the poor.” Nobody disagrees with that. But there are three aspects of a Christian worldview that are hated by the world, and about which most Christians clam up. They are the areas of sanctity:

1. The sanctity of life: God has a purpose for every unborn child. God planned your life before you were born: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16 NLT). We are to speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves — the unborn, the 70 million Americans who would be here if they hadn’t been aborted. If I claim to be a Christian, then I must believe that every life is sacred.

2. The sanctity of sex: Sex is only for marriage. Sex was God’s idea. It isn’t dirty or wrong; sex is holy. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4 NIV). God’s instructions never change: Premarital sex is unacceptable to God. Living together without being married is unacceptable to God. Adultery is unacceptable to God. Pornography and the objectification of women are unacceptable to God.

3. The sanctity of marriage: One man and one woman for life. That is God’s intended, original design. A lot of people ask, “Well, what about all the polygamy in the Bible?” Not everything the Bible reports the Bible approves. So why do we call it a “holy” Bible? Because it tells the truth, and it is very clear on the issue of marriage: “At the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh....’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).

There are many issues of life where people of good will can disagree. For example, there’s no economic recovery plan in the Bible, and Christians can disagree on that. But if you call yourself a disciple of Christ, you need to line yourself up with what God says about the sanctity of these three things. And you need to have the courage to stand up for them, even and especially when it’s not the popular or politically correct thing to do.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  - Acts 18:9 (NIV)

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  - Psalm 139:16 (NIV)

4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  - Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” - Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV)

This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.