No Bible Study, but a look at "weak minds"

good morning righteous ones!!!         I pray that we all can have that word used over our lives by the way we try to walk in the light of Gods word.         it's a big word, but God has called His own to live righteous lives and we CAN NOT do that without Him guiding us.         we have to be familiar with His word, we have to have Christ as our Lord and Savior and we have to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit.         we CAN NOT listen to the culture of the day to define what it good.          only God has that power.          scripture tells us that in the last days, what God has called good will be called wicked and evil and what God has called abominable will be called good.       this is exactly what we are seeing today.           there are a lot of weak minds in places of leadership in government and they should not be there.         the church is full of weak minds and we know it.         we just don't want to admit it, because maybe, just maybe, we are one of those with a weak mind.          the church looks just like any other social club and that's NOT right.          if you're in the church and your marriage looks just like your non Christian friends marriage that's not in church, or worse, then something is wrong.          if you're a church member and your life looks no different than your non Christian friends life, or worse, then something is wrong.          it just is and we don't want to hear it, we don't want to read it, we don't anyone to point it out to us, that our lives should be a whole lot different and look a lot different, simply because  we  believe  and trust  God.          do we or don't we?          if we don't, then let's stop pretending.         let's just call  a spade a spade  and deal with it.         we either change  or we walk  away from the  word of God.          we can't play games with God and we shouldn't play games with each other.         there are some things that should just flat out, make us mad, not to the point of sinning, but mad enough to call a spade a spade and that's what I'm doing.        we tip toe around not saying what we know is sin, because we are so worried about numbers in church when we should be worried about the souls in church.         why do you go to church?         do they have a good coffee bar?   do they have good activities?          do they have music that sounds like a rock concert?          do they tickle you ears by saying that we welcome and affirm you in all your sin?        does the preacher preach the word of God, the whole word of God and nothing but the word of God?????          if he doesn't, then he's just a high paid emcee.           do you ever hear the words "sin", "repent", "hell", "the devil",  "mercy", "the blood of Jesus that covers all your sin".          are any of these and so many more,  do you ever hear in church these days?         not much, for sure.         if any of this resembles anything that you may be dealing with, then you need to find a godly person right away that can help you and point you in the right direction.         culture will take you right straight to hell with them all the while thinking that you are living right.         when you are living directly opposed to the word of God, that's a slippery slope to be on.         where is all this coming from?          I read something on facebook and it made my blood boil and  I just  wondered  how  many  people, even  people right here reading my blog that thinks it's ok.          let me tell you, it's not ok.         and if anyone here reading my blog thinks it's ok, then maybe you're in the wrong place reading the wrong stuff.        or maybe, just maybe, you are in the right place!!!         maybe too, you just need to go back to the beginning of the bible and start from day one and reread what you've already read.         but just understand the fact that you'll never read in God's word where living like animals and and men claiming to be women and vice versa is ok.        you WILL NEVER find that in God's word.        you may have a twisted version of the bible, with perversion added, but God has pronounced homosexuality and all the variants thereof as abominable behavior.        I never want that word used against me by God for any reason.        but if you have a weak mind and support others that have weak minds, then you'll support all the abominable behavior that you see.        this is the world we live in, sadly.

something else that weak minds support is abortions.           weak minded people think it's ok to kill babies.           these weak minded people want to have sex with anything and then murder the results of their actions.         if you can't control your urges, get fixed.        we spay or neuter animals every day and if you want to live like an animal, then go to the vet and get fixed.        I'm not a hard hearted person at all, but I hate seeing women that should have the heart beat of a mother standing up and saying that having an abortion is part of a woman's health care.          NO IT'S NOT!!!!!!!         it's all about covering up, removing and hiding sin in their life.        that's what 99.99% of all abortions is about.        when you stand before God some day, what will you say?          I'm trying not to be judgmental, but the word also says that Christians are to hold each other accountable.         so if you claim to be a Christian and you support women getting abortions, shame on you.        life starts at the point of conception and that is a sacred life regardless of how it started.         weak minded people support this behavior.        weak minded people think it's ok to kill off millions and millions of innocent babies who had absolutely nothing to do with the situation.          weak minded people don't see this at all.          weak minded people see me as being hard, harsh and judgmental.           that's ok.        I pray that real Christians will take a look at what they believe.           trust me when I say this.      "what you believe matters!!!!"          it matters so much that what you believe will determine your eternal destiny!!          that's why it's so important.         if you have a weak mind, then you will be swayed by every thought and idea that floats by that sounds like the latest and greatest way to thumb our noses at God.         weak minds blow off what scripture says about sin.         are you weak minded?         only you can answer that, but answer it to yourself truthfully.          if you are weak minded, what will you do about it?

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I just seen a post of facebook that says "the weakest men compete with girls and the weakest minds accept it".           no truer words have ever been spoken.           we live in a day and age where grown men claim to identify as female, 2 feet taller and 100 + lbs heavier than their women counterpart can compete in any sport, much less a sport requiring strength, then this is one of the most abominable disgraces that has ever graced the face of the planet and the earth is crying out because of it.       and this is just exactly the world we live in!!!!!          how in the world could this EVER be seen as right in any way, form shape or fashion???         well, if you have to think about whether it's right or not, just know this, you are part of the problem and you need a Jesus awakening.         the people in  this world is about as  evil and  demented  as they can get.         when we want nothing to do with Jesus, this is what we get.           weak men and weak minds.          scripture tells us that iron sharpens iron and real men want to compete with real men to sharpen each other.        we have weak minds in every area of society to think for even a split second that this is ok.        I don't know how anyone's mind would become so weak to think this wickedness is ok.          but it takes a weak mind to think this garbage up in the first place and then other weak minds go along with it.          a mind that doesn't know Jesus.          a life that isn't led by the Holy Spirit.        a life that doesn't believe in our omnipresent and sovereign God.         when we come to know Christ as our Savior and Lord, and have the Holy Spirit as our guiding force, and acknowledge God as creator of all, we don't have weak minds!!!!!         period!!!!!!!!        so trans, gay, lesbians, homosexuals and any other perverted words they want to be called to say they are Christians, there is no possible way they can be.        I don't care who it is and what they say.         I know that scripture says that this behavior is abominable in God's eyes; God's words, not mine.         so if you are weak minded enough to believe that this is ok, just know that I pray for you to come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and become strong enough in mind to repent of your sin and to renounce this sin and call it what it is and live a life that is based on the word of God and what He commands from us.         we've been studying a lot about judgement and how God judges and how even during the judgement, He offers the hope of repentance and restoration.      folks, this is where the rubber meets the road.        we need to really think about what we believe, why we believe it and if it lines up with God's word in scripture.         if something in your life, in your beliefs and in your lifestyle doesn't line up with God's word, someone is wrong, and it ain't God!!!         but He always offers hope to those who come to Him in sincerity.         cling to hope and get rid of the weak mind that believes all kinds of ungodly filth.         reach for righteousness instead of weakness!!!!

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well, there you have it.         this is what was running rampant in my head and I needed to get it out.      if it comes off as harsh, then maybe we need to think about it and see what we need to do to correct a few things in our lives.        we've just been studying this whole year so far about how He judges and disciplines, not just for punishment, but for correcting and helping us to turn to Him or to turn back to Him.        but if we are weak minded, this will only make us mad and we can't see what we need to see because we are weak minded and only see what the culture wants us to see.         if it's something that the culture of the day supports, we need to look  at thru the filter of what God wants us to see.       God wants us to live righteous lives.         we can't do that with weak minds.       blessings of strength and strong minds be ours today and ever day forward.

hugs and love, patty

Bible Study, Yay!!!

good morning my beautiful friends.           as you can see, I didn't get to it yesterday, but I did today so I'm tickled.           it just doesn't do well for me take a break, it's hard for me to get back at it, but it was good for me to take a quick break and then, get back to it.          I hope everyone is having good weather and getting gardens started and looking forward to watching what God's gonna do with what we're trying to do.        I always say that I plant and pray, and leave the rest of it to Him.         He's the first and only original gardener, so I think He knows what He's doing.          thank You God for always blessing my efforts.     

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giggle for the day:

Q - How do you keep a bull from charging?

A - Take away its credit card!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

of course!!!  hahahaha

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picking up with Obadiah Chapter 1,         in this short book we see the judgement and the terrible consequences of sin and pride.           but thru it all there is a promise of hope and restoration.          do you have areas in your life where pride has taken root and separated you from God, if so, let go of pride and humble yourself before God.          we just have to do this if we want to stay in right relationship with God.         do we can within our power to bring unity to our community as a whole, supporting each other instead of dividing each other.         but always stand on the word of God.          don't just go along to get along.          stand up for the right things.          God is the ultimate judge in all things and He will always be just and His timing is perfect.         hang on to the hope of restoration and deliverance that God promises to us, even in the midst of trials.          pray for strength to hold on to the promises of God even in the hard times, especially in the hard times.

Jonah Chapter 1,          have you ever tried to run away form God?          Jonah did too.         he wasn't successful, because he couldn't run away from God, neither can we.        rebellion leads to chaos and we see a lot of chaos in the world today.          submission to the will of God in our lives can lead to peace, even for the most reluctant hearts.          even when we try to run and hide, God is still and is always in control.         others are always watching the call of God in the lives others.          make no mistake, other people see us when we try to run from the will of God in our lives.        do we want the world to see us running away or stepping into the plan that God has for us?        ask for a heart of obedience and willingness to walk into the plan that God has for us.       God continues to try to draw us to Himself, He doesn't give up on us.          His plan and desire for us it to walk in faith and obedience.          may we continue to seek after the heart of God in all things.

Chapter 2,            even in the belly of a whale, there is no situation to difficult for God.         repentance and and holding on to faith in dire situations is of most importance.         faith in God is all we have to hang on to.         absolutely no one is beyond the saving power and reach of God, where ever you are, what ever whales belly you find yourself in, God will hear your prayers!!!!        thank You Father for hearing our prayers!!!!          thank God for His mercy to hear our prayers.

Chapter 3,              Gods mercy is unlimited and offered to anyone and everyone who sincerely repents and Jonah sincerely repented.           Jonah's obedience brought a whole city to repentance.         we need to recognize the opportunities that God gives us to correct the course of our lives, and be thankful for the opportunity to fulfill His purposes.         share the truth of God's word with others, knowing and believing that the word of God has the power to change lives.        we have to know that it was the same word of God that transformed our own lives.          just as God gives us mercy and compassion, we need to  show  that  same  mercy  and compassion to those around us, especially those who need to know God.           thank God for second chances!!!!           pray for courage to accept God's call even though it may be difficult.          have a heart that's quick to repent and seek God's forgiveness.

next time we pick up with Jonah Chapter 4.

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I don't have much more for today, so I guess I'll call it a day.         I pray that we all have a great day today and that we keep seeking after the heart of God in all we do.          serve the Lord where ever you are and what ever you're doing.         blessings of strength and courage be ours today.

hugs and love, patty

I may not get a Bible Study up today

good wet morning to you all.          as the title says, I may not get a bible study up today, if I do, it'll be right here and I'll even change the title.        just not up to par this morning.          when I do start back, we'll be in Obadiah Chapter 1.         

I hope  everyone is  doing well and  I hope and  pray that we have a new perspective on the Holy Week that we just celebrated that culminated with the wonderful Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.        no one else could have made a way for us to be in right relationship with the Father, but Jesus Christ.        that's how much God loves us and wants for all of us to be in right relationship with Him.      

I have a couple of friends who are dealing with  some hard  issues right now.         they are heavy on my mind and heart this morning.         I pray that you'll join me in prayer for these friends.          one of the most awesome things we to do for each is to pray for one another.        and I know these ladies cherishes any and all prayers.

may we remember what Christ has done for us as we get about our day.          blessings of salvation that comes only from Christ be ours, eternally!!

hugs and love, patty

The Tomb is Empty!!!!!!! It's Resurrection Sunday!!!!!!

good Resurrection Sunday!!!!          may our day be blessed with sweet remembrance of our dear Lord and Savior. 

it's early Sunday morning and the followers of Christ are still grieving and heart broken.          I can imagine that they are still shedding a few tears.        Peter was still probably heart broken over the fact that he had denied knowing Jesus, not only once, but 3 times.         the other disciples were probably walking the floor and trying to make sense of all the treasures that Jesus was sharing with them before He was crucified.         there had been centurions stationed at the entrance of the tomb so His followers wouldn't break in and steal His body.        it was early and the women who loved Jesus just couldn't stand it any longer so they went to the tomb and the found the stone rolled away.         this was just the beginning of all the glorious events that happened on Resurrection Sunday!!!!!!!           the grave couldn't keep Him.          death was not a thing that could hold our Lord and Savior down.         He, alone, has  the  power to overcome death!!!!!        I can just imagine that sun shone brighter that morning.          the birds had a new, sweeter song to sing.         the flowers  was just  a lot more beautiful that morning, simply  because  the earth  was glorious and had the footprints of our Lord and Savior upon it once again.        when Christ rose from the tomb, it was the very thing that we as humanity needed.          His resurrection assures me and you of an eternal resurrection someday when Jesus comes back to claim His own.          

I don't know a lot, but I do know enough to know that if there had not been  the crucifixion of my Lord and Savior, there would not have been a Resurrection!!!        The resurrection is what gives life to my hopes and dreams of being with my Savior some day.         So, of all the days that I am thankful for, Resurrection Day is the day that matters most to me.        He had to be born for all of this to take place, but He also had to be crucified for my salvation.      When the  stone was rolled away, and the tomb was found empty, the cloth that had been on Jesus' face was neatly folded, that was the sign that Jesus would come back to claim His own.          a folded napkin always meant that if someone had left the table and he folded his napkin, he would be back.        he had not finished eating and the servants knew to leave the place setting just as he had left it.      His work on the cross was finished, He said so himself, when He said "It is finished".        But, the folded napkin meant He would be back!!!       how much weight do we give to a folded napkin today?         not much!!        but make no mistake, this folded napkin  said  it  all!!!!         Folks, He is coming back!!!!      Praises and Hallelujah!!         Are you and I ready?          I pray we are!!!

this probably isn't much of a way to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, but I wanted to share what I've always thought about on this day.        I'm so thankful that God loved me enough to provide a way for me to be in right relationship with Him through the events that took place during this Holy Week all those years ago.         were it not for this, we would all be doomed and lost and bound for a devils hell.      

this is a beautiful song sung on this day, may we sing it today with all our heart and commit to love Him even more than we do right now. 

Up From the Grave He Arose

Low in the grave He lay—

  Jesus my Savior!

Waiting the coming day—

  Jesus my Lord!

 

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!

  Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed—

  Jesus, my Savior!

Vainly they seal the dead—

  Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep his prey—

  Jesus, my Savior!

He tore the bars away—

  Jesus my Lord!

we have a song to sing, let's sing it with praise and adoration.

blessings of love and adoration for the One who loved us this much!!!

hugs and love, patty

No Bible Study today or tomorrow; ...and Saturday, while He was in the Tomb

good morning on this somber Saturday, while our Lord and Savior was in the tomb.         I have cancelled bible study for today and tomorrow, but will try to remember to pick back up with it on monday.       it's kinda gloomy here this morning, the sun is trying to shine, but don't know if it will really make it or not.       I went to my garden shed yesterday and got some soil ready to up-pot my hyrdo unit tomatoes sometime today.        I hope I get them done.         the weather is calling for nice warm night time temps for the next 10 days at least.       so I'm hopeful that our night time temps are on the rise so I can leave my starts in the greenhouse on the deck overnight.       I need to go to aldi if I keep feeling up to it.       

we're also  getting  ready to  start the process of replacing the 34 year old deck on the back of the house.        we'll be talking with a gentleman on wednesday.        I just pray that it's something we can afford.         it won't be cheap and I dread it, but it's got to be done.       we're going to have a ramp put on it so it's easier for me and my husband to go up and down when we're not at our best.       plus, I'm having a knee issue and I'm probably looking at surgery sometime in the future.         if and when that happens, I need a way of getting in and out of the house.         as it stands now, if I have surgery it will be horrible trying to get up and down the steps.        I done it way back in 2015 when I had an acchiles tendon injury, but that was 10 years ago and a lot can change in 10 years and I wouldn't want to risk life and limb trying to get up and down the steps now.         I also wouldn't want to risk injuring my husband while he is trying to help me.        so, we'll see.       I just keep praying that God will intervene and make it affordable for us.         thank you Lord for what You are doing for us.      

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giggle for the day:

Q - How do you get a squirrel to like you?

A - Act like a nut!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

now, that's not hard for most of us.    hahahahaha

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As we think of spring and all the newness that comes with it, at some point in time our mind goes to Resurrection Sunday.          I think of Good Friday as the day the earth changed.          There was a moment in time on that day when Our Father could not look upon His Son, because He, Jesus had taken upon Himself, the sins of the world.          The land grew dark, because the sun in the heavens could not even cast light on such a dark and gruesome scene.         Our Savior died in the dark for my sins.        Jesus said, "It is finished!"          How in the world could such a day be called Good Friday?          Because He died for my sins!!!!!!          He died for your sins.        

He was in the tomb, resting on Saturday.        I wonder what He was thinking about?          He was probably wanting to console His disciples.          He may have even thought of His precious Momma and how she was heart broken.        He was probably even thinking about those in the crowd who said "crucify Him, crucify Him".        we really don't know what took place while He was in the tomb on Saturday, but I'm sure it was a very solemn  and painful day for those who knew Him.     

I would also think that those who killed Jesus thought it was done and done and He was no longer to be dealt with, little did they know, Resurrection Sunday is coming.        Barabbas was probably walking around like a hero, and you know the pharisees and the church leaders was feeling pretty proud of themselves too.        they had gotten rid of their major thorn in their side.        Jesus so irritated the devil in the church leaders that it was intolerable to them.       

The disciples were probably afraid at this point.        we probably couldn't even understand the fear that they may have had.        they were probably wearing tear stained faces and was still in shock over what had happened.        although Jesus had tried to explain to them what was going to happen, they still had in mind an earthly army and earthly mission, so to speak.       they couldn't understand the kingdom that Jesus was actually building.        but Jesus was speaking of eternity and heaven and spiritual  things and they couldn't warp their head around it.        I totally understand it, because it's hard for me to wrap my head around it too.    

I  think of  the  women  that followed Jesus, not just His mother, but the others that loved Jesus too.         Mary of Magdala had anointed His head with some expensive perfume and had dried His feet with her hair.        she was scolded by one of the disciples for doing such a thing with the expensive perfume.         Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead and I'm sure he and his sisters were feeling the pain of such a great loss of such a great friend and person.       I'm sure Nicodemus was also feeling some kind of way, after He had come to Jesus in the night to ask Him, "what must I do to be saved?".       Zacchaeus was probably feeling really heart broken too.        I can probably think that the blind man whom Jesus restored sight too, couldn't believe his eyes at having seen and witnessed the death of his healer.          the crippled man was probably somewhere in the crowd and thinking that the Man that healed him was gone.         Joseph of Arimathea was may have even be looking for another place for his own burial when that time came.        all the children that Jesus had loved was now without the One who had made a way for them to come to Him in all their innocence.        Jesus actually said at one point that for someone  to mistreat one of the least of the kingdom it would be better for them  to  have a millstone tied  around  their  neck and  cast into the sea.        (my rendering of that story)         Jesus had told His disciples that the religious folk would kill Him, but He would be back in 3 days.        (again my rendering of that story)         they couldn't wrap their heads around it.       they had witnessed the raising of Lazarus, but still, they couldn't understand yet.       

But wait, it is not the end of the story!         Why?       Because He burst forth from the borrowed tomb early on Sunday morning.          The  cold  slab of stone was no place for our Savior to lay His head.         The grave could not keep Him.         The burial clothes had to come off Him.        The stone had to roll away.           I just know in my heart that the sun was more than happy to shine on Resurrection morning!!          I would believe that the birds sang even sweeter than before.            I too would believe that the earth was very happy to have our Risen Lord and Savior, once again,  walking  upon  the earth and  trying  hard to  remember ever footprint that He made.          I pray that as the weekend approaches, that we will remember it for what it is.         It is the weekend that changed all of humanity forever.         It is the weekend that gave us hope!!!          It is the weekend that has assured me of my salvation through my risen Savior and Lord, Messiah.        No matter how dark the world may seem where ever you are, there is joy in knowing the risen Savior.      My prayer is that you know that joy first hand, personally.          Psalm 30:5b Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.          Joy  comes  from  knowing  the  long night of tears is past and daybreak is fresh and new.         I hope and pray that every day brings joy, peace and hope to you.      And also a steadfast understanding that Christ is alive and well and will be coming back to claim His own one day soon!         Hallelujah!!!!!

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I hope and pray we all have a beautiful saturday and keeping in mind that Resurrection Sunday is coming.        try to think about some of the real life people that was there on that friday and saturday, His followers and  His haters, those who wanted Him gone.         in reality, Jesus fulfilled His mission as designed by His Father, for our sake.         it's easy to be angry at the religious folk of the day, but we have to remember that it had to happen.        if we was to have anything to do with the kingdom that He was building, it just had to happen.         so, as we think about these things today, I'm so thankful that God loved even me enough to provide a way for me to be in right relationship with Him, thru the shed blood of Jesus Christ.       so as we think about what may have been in the hearts of minds of His followers and His haters, let's praise God for the coming Resurrection Sunday!!!         blessings of mercy, grace, and peace be ours today.

hugs and love, patty

Bible Study and Good Friday

good morning y'all!!!         I hope and pray that wherever y'all are that you are praising God for the day and that you get to be a part of it.        this particular week has been a week of thought for me.      thinking about Jesus and what He went thru for us.        where would I have been, had I been in the crowd?         I would love to think that I would have loved Jesus as deeply as the other women who followed Him.        I would love to think that I would have served Him as eagerly as the other women did.         but to be honest, I don't know where I would have been in the crowd.        I could have shouting "crucify Him, crucify Him!!"      the thoughts of that absolutely turns my stomach, but I don't know where I would have been.        all I can do is know where I am now and I love Jesus and I always want to take a stand for the things that matter to Him.        I want to serve Him where ever I am and what ever I'm doing.       that's what I've tried to do with my blog, is serve Him while I share about the things that matter to me.          anyway, I hope and pray that we all focus on Jesus today and realize that it truly was a good day for believers.       and Jesus done it because He loves us.        do we serve Him because we love Him?          I sure hope so.         have a great day y'all.   

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My hope is in Jesus Christ!!!    My hope is the One that loved me enough to die for me!!!!    My hope is in the Resurrection!!!    My hope is in the Lamb of God!!!!    My hope is in the empty tomb!!!!     My hope rests in seeing The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords coming again in the clouds, just like He promised He would!!!!   I am so ready for that day.    It can't happen soon enough to stop the madness of this upside down world we live in!!!   Come Lord Jesus, come!!!!

Philippians 4:8 

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.   King James Version (KJV)

When my mind starts racing and I feel like my head is about to explode, the above scripture is my "go to" scripture for a little bit of sanity.   Scripture is the only place that we sink our mind into and come out all the better for having placed ourselves in it.    I find myself spending more time in the Word.  If you find yourself perplexed about the days in which we live, maybe more time spent in Bible study would be a good place for you also.     

When I read the above scripture and think about what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, any virtue and praise worthy, the only thing that comes to mind is JESUS CHRIST, my Lord and Savior!!!!    I pray that you feel the same way.    Trust in the Lord!!!

CRUCIFY HIM!!!!       CRUCIFY HIM!!!!!!!          these are the words that resonated loud and clear and they still echo loudly in our ears today.         the religious leaders of the day was so terrified of Jesus, they knew there was something different about Him.         He was teaching them when He was 12 years old.         How could He know what He knew at 12 years of age?         He was God in flesh!!!!         that's how He knew what He knew.         they was afraid of Him and rightfully so.        they had done turned His fathers House into a den of thieves and He cleared the temple out of the money changers.         they were incensed and ready to kill Him.        and they did!!!!        but that's not the end of the story.       

Today is Good Friday.    What is that?    What is so good about today?    Well, today is the day, by some interpreters, that Christ was crucified.    There is some argument that it may have been a different day.   I don't know enough about the calendar of the day to say yay or nay.  

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giggle for the day:

Q - What do frogs order at fast-food restaurants?

A - French flies!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

oh ick, yuck, that's gross!!!!!     hahahaha

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picking up with Amos Chapter 6,         humility, justice and compassion are supposed to be character traits of believers.       a lot of times we see complacency, pride and an indifference to what's going on around us.           keeping our focus on God will help us keep our hearts in the right place.        when we settle in to our comfort, wealth and security, it exposes our pride and self indulgences.         we need to look at our spiritual lives and see where we are and then recognize that any and all blessings come from God.         God has a heart for justice and if we are seeking after the heart of God, we too have a heart for justice.         we will all stand before God some day and give an account of the way we lived our lives.         pray for a spirit of humility and a deeper understanding of God.

Chapter 7,          God's justice is real and so is His compassion.         despite opposition we are called to stand firm in our faith and proclaim God's truth!!        we need to be prayer warriors for our nation and other countries around the world.         also for our friends and neighbors, right where we live.        does our actions and attitudes line up with the righteousness of God?         if not, why?          sin is serious and it requires repentance.         do we see sin as serious?        most don't, but God does.        we need to seek God's mercy and forgiveness for our own personal sins and for the sins of our nation.    

Chapter 8,           it's important for God's people to maintain their spiritual integrity and deal with people fairly in our every day lives.        we have to read the word of God daily to avoid a spiritual famine in our lives.        the only way to know the word of God is to read it daily.       repentance and obedience to God's commands is very important and we need realize that.       even when we can't feel the presence of God in lives, stand firm and stay the course.         God is still in control and you just may be in a season where God is quiet for a reason, stay the course.        thank God for His word and pray for a deep hunger and yearning for scripture to avoid a spiritual famine.

Chapter 9,         God is a righteous judge and a merciful restorer.          I think every one can attest to that personally.         I know I can.      His mercy, grace, restoration and blessings is abundant for His believers.       sin has consequences but we can have hope in God only He can give.        God always has restoration and blessings for His people.          we should strive to live Him knowing that nothing is ever hidden from Him.        we need to strive to be a part of the faithful remnant that God preserves, living a life that mirrors His truth and values.     may we be reminded of the seriousness of sin and that it has to be dealt with.         But God is always offering hope of restoration and blessings.

next time we pick up with Obadiah Chapter 1.

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today is Good Friday, the day our Lord was crucified.         doesn't sound much like a good day does it?  but we know the story doesn't end here.        if it did, we'd all be doomed.         but praise God, Ressurection Sunday is coming!!!!        so just hang on, sunday's coming.        may we keep sunday about the resurrection and not about easter candy and the easter bunny.        let's keep the focus of Christ and what He done for us.       blessings of restoration and healing be ours.

hugs and love, patty

Bible Study and Maundy Thursday

good morning from my neck of the woods.          it's sunshiny right now and it's kinda deceptive too, because it's a little chilly.        hahaha           it was 36 degrees this morning when I got up.         but it will warm up one of these days and I will then be moaning about that.         hahahaha         yup, I know me all too well.          I'll bet some of y'all do the same thing too.          hahahaha           well, I don't know what I'll get into today, there's a lot I need to do, but not a lot I wanna do.            so we'll see if need or  wanna  wins  today.        one  things for sure, if I don't get it done, it will still be there tomorrow.         well, it will.       don't do like I do, do as I say,  if it needs to be done, just do it.         I hope everyone has a beautiful day today.         in the mean time, I gotta get busy.     

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I have always wondered what Maundy Thursday actually meant.          I started looking to find out.         in the past, when I've asked people that should have known, (just like I should have known before now) I never got an answer that even remotely felt right.         so let's see what we can come up with.

Thursday was the day that Jesus celebrated His final Passover with His disciples.         it was at this Passover meal that Jesus washed the disciples feet.          if you've ever had your feet washed by another person in commemorating what Jesus done for His disciples, it's very humbling.         and we have to realize that Jesus humbled Himself to do this, by becoming a servant to His disciples.       Jesus then commanded His disciples to do the same for each other.        so, where does Manudy come in and what does it mean?            to love Jesus means to serve others.

Christ's "mandate" is commemorated on Maundy Thursday---"maundy" being a shortened form of mandatum (Latin), which means "command."         It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before being crucified and resurrected that He said this commandment to His disciples.         Jesus and his disciples had just shared what was known as the Last Supper and he was washing their feet when he stated:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).

Jesus raised the bar by setting a new standard of love.           love people even if they don't love you.      love people even if they have nothing to give you.         love people by doing something for them that most people would not dream of doing.        love people.        love all people.        love people.        love people by being a servant to them.         if you want to be a great leader, be a great servant.        Jesus was the example of being a great servant.          I don't have the power to forgive and cleanse like Jesus does, but through His love for me, I can love you.         Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all time, eternal salvation.         I wouldn't have known that gift, if people before me had not loved people enough to share love with them, Jesus' love.          Jesus loved sacrificially.           He gave His life for me, you and everyone who choose to accept His gift of salvation.         while you and I can't give someone salvation, we can certainly share about the One who can.         that's love.        meet people right where they are, at the greatest point of their need.         love them.       

Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him.           after breaking the bread with the disciples, one went to to betray Christ and the others went to the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus prayed to His Father.        He knew what lay ahead.        but Jesus never forgot to love.           He wanted this cup of death to pass from Him, but He also know this was His destiny.          shortly after His prayer to His Father, He was betrayed by one of His disciples and then arrested, unjustly.   

So, this probably wasn't the best description of Maundy Thursday, but maybe you can put together some more info to go along with this start and see that Maundy Thursday is actually a command from Jesus to love each another as He has loved us.        let's think about the love that Jesus had and has even now for us.         no greater love has this world known, than the  love of Jesus Christ.

while we think about the foot washing ceremony and the breaking of bread, let's keep the main thing in focus.         sometimes we can get lost and carried away with rituals.        keep the meaning of the action first and foremost in our minds.        be very aware of what we do and why we do it.        and while doing so, love others as Christ has loved us.

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giggle for the day:

Q - What do you call an alligator who solves mysteries?

A - An invest-igator!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

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picking up with Amos Chapter 2,            we see more of God's judgement.           but we also see that His judgement is meant to bring His people back to Him.          it's not meant for destruction, but it's meant for restoring His people back to righteousness.         when we abandon God's commands and engage in sinful behavior, we can expect discipline from God.         how can we be people who brings change for the good in our community or church?        we can NOT be swayed by cultural or societal practices that go against the word of God.          we have to stand firm on God's word.         keep a heart of gratitude that remembers all the blessing from God and also remembers where we were before God intervened in our lives.          pray for strength to turn away from sin.         pray for wisdom and courage to live a life based on the standards in God's word.

Chapter 3,          since we are chosen by God we have a responsibility to live our lives based on His word.        God is, always has been and always will be committed to His justice and righteousness.       as God's own people we have an accountability that comes with responsibility and there are consequences when we don't live up those responsibilities.           are we living in a way that honors the calling that God has over our lives?           make sure that our lives are aligned with God in all we do.          continue to seek after the heart of God.    

Chapter 4,            there are consequences to every choice we make, good or bad and we have to be ready to repent when necessary.         lay aside the rituals and seek real transformation.          are there areas in our lives where we have become desensitized to the seriousness of sin, if so, repent.         is God using areas in our lives to draw us back to Him?         probably so.          God has control over all creation so we can trust His plans for our lives.        work on developing a heart that is ready to meet with Him and seek forgiveness from God when we've strayed.          

Chapter 5,             God's mercy continues to shine through and He calls for a sincere repentance.         lay aside the rituals and lifeless traditions and seek God.          God's call is for repentance and righteousness.            God is tired of empty rituals, He wants genuine worship.         is my worship a genuine reflection of my love for God?         I need to make it a daily practice to study Gods' word, pray and strive to do God's will in my life.           ask God to help us worship Him in spirit and truth and ask for a renewed heart that seeks Him daily.         

next time we pick up with Chapter 6.

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I guess we will wrap it up and get on into our day.         I hope and pray that we will all have a great day and keep God first place in our day.            seek to do His will in all we do.        focus on the coming Sunday.          Resurrection Sunday!!!!!!         praise God for what He has done for us!!          blessings of truth and strength be ours.

hugs and love, patty 

Bible Study and "There's More"

good morning loved ones of God.         I pray that we had a great day yesterday and a wonderful night of rest and that we're all ready to face this day with great expectation.         let's make it a good day and see how we can worship and praise God in the midst of living our lives.        tell someone today that There's More!!          and then share some more with them.          share hope and love with people who need it and be an encourager to those around you.        I'm hoping I can get some seed starts up-potted in some solo cups this afternoon.        don't know if it that will happen, but hopefully it will.        then maybe in a week or so I can get some of my plants permanently in their forever homes.         I need to get some sourdough bread started sometime today.       anyway, we'll see what I get done today.       

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this is something I wrote back in 2017 and thought I would share it again.

"There's More".    What is the first thought that you have when you hear those 2 words?     I forget where I heard those words in conjunction with I am gonna share today.    A lot of times, I will hear something that stirs me and when that happens, I have to get away so I can let God show me what He wants me to see instead of someone else's view.     So, when I heard, "There's More", I turned the television off and met with God.

So, let me share with you what God has shared with me, in His word.    One thing is this, makes no difference how the situation looks, "There's More".     Makes no difference what the diagnosis is, "There's More".    Makes no difference where you are in life, "There's More".     You know what, sometimes the "There's More"  is suffering.     Sometimes, the "There's More" is coming with the diagnosis.     Sometimes, the place you are in life is not good and "There's More".     The not so good stuff is there for each one of us, and it seems like when it starts raining, "There's More".

When it seems like the "There's More" is always nothing but painful and hurtful, just remember, you are not in this alone.    If you know Christ as your Savior, you are not alone, "There's More".     He is the Author and Finisher of "There's More"!     Look at all the lives in the Bible that He changed for the good.    And the "There's More" that He gives is good.    He says, "Yes this situation looks difficult, but "There's More"!     He says, "Yes, that diagnosis may be terminal, but "There's More"!     He says, "Yes, the place you are at right now is not good, but "There's More"!    

Romans 8:37 speaks of us being more than conquerors.

Psalm 68:35 speaks of God being more awesome than His holy places.

Psalm 71:14 speaks of David saying he hopes continually and will praise You (God) more and more.

Matthew 6:25 Jesus speaks of life being more than food and the body being more than clothing.

Acts 20:35 Paul quotes Jesus as saying "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Hebrews 10:17 says "their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more".

James 4:6 says "but He gives more grace".

1 Peter 1:7 says that our genuine faith is more precious than gold that perishes.

2 Peter 1:10 says to be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. (call and election is referring to one's own salvation experience)

Revelation 21:4 says there will be no more death, nor sorrow, no crying and no more pain.

Revelation 22:3 says there shall be no more curse.

I think at the end of all these "There's More's", I can say, "But wait, There's More"!!!    I think the "more" that most of are waiting for is the "more" that is an eternity in the presence of our Lord, Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ.    From all the descriptions of what heaven is gonna be like, I dare say that someone will be showing us through the streets of gold and saying, "but wait, There's More!"    At every turn, there will be "more".     It seems like every time we turn the news on, there's more and more garbage, pain and evil.   That's what the news media wants to report and they have plenty to report.     Some day and some day soon, that will change!     Jesus is coming and "There's More"!!!  I do look forward to "There's More", how about you?

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giggle for the day:

Q - What kind of socks do grizzlies wear?

A -  None, they have bear feet!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

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picking up at Hosea Chapter 13,           we see there is severe consequences for walking away from God for the fleeting pleasures of the day.         that's what Israel had done and that's what we do today.      even thru judgement, God wants us to return to Him.          it's so easy to get focused on the wrong things and stray from God.         it's detrimental to us and many churches have done the exact thing and many churches have fallen away and they don't even know it.       rituals and fake worship.       do you see it, do you recognize it?         what has taken God's place in your life?        focus on the ways that God has provided for you in difficult times.         let this give you a heart of gratitude and continue to remember.           ultimate power is God's.         don't place your trust in human leadership, trust God above all.       ask God for more faith to trust Him more.         let's  keep seeking after the heart of God in all we do.     

Chapter 14,         God is always ready to forgive and restore!!!!         Praise Him for that!!!        we are reminded in this chapter that the ways of the Lord are right and just and the righteous will walk in His ways.        are you walking in His ways?          am I?        serious questions for sure.       God offers restoration, we just have to repent.         God offers us unconditional love, we just have to receive it and let it transform our lives.      lets ask God to heal the brokenness in our lives and restore our relationship with Him.      prayer, study and worship can deepen our relationship with God.        let's do this, so we can be where we need to be.         encourage others by sharing what God has done for us.         Thank You Father God for loving us and providing a way for us to be in right relationship with You!!!!

Joel Chapter 1,            Joel shares a scene of devastation that reminds us that God hears our cries, even in the face of doom.        God is our only source of salvation and restoration.        this chapter encourages us to seek the mercy and grace of God.        sometimes our judgement will come in the form or a plague of devastating locusts which requires repentance.         I'm reminded of the scripture, 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."       (God was calling His people, not the pagan world, but His people to humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways.     that's who God is calling today, His people.    why would the world want to turn to Christ when our lives, Christians, our lives look just as terrible and sometimes worse than the pagans lives do.)     again, we see "seeking God's face", are we seeking after God with our whole being?         if so, God will heal us and our land.        pray for a heart of humility and repentance.       seek God's mercy and forgiveness, healing and restoration.        those will only happen thru repentance.      

Chapter 2,         this chapter shows that God truly is in charge.        we see judgement, repentance, restoration and blessing.         God is in charge!!!        He is merciful and faithful!!!        He is quick to forgive!!!        sincere repentance leads to full restoration.         hold on to the promises of restoration and blessing knowing that God can heal our brokenness!!!         have you let Him into your brokenness yet?   we can be assured that nothing in our lives will ever shock God, so, don't hesitate to share your brokenness with the One that can restore you!!!       pray for the Holy Spirit in your life.       He's there, we just have to ask for God's help, to help us recognize the prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Chapter 3,           we can't have God's love without having His justice and judgement.        Christ died on the cross for me and that's where my justification comes in at.        with His sacrifice and me accepting the gift of salvation, I've been made just as if I'd never sinned.        that's God's love!!!!        God will deliver and restore anyone who will seeks after Him and will trust Him.        God will bring justice to all nations, we need to always remember that.        our hope is in God's promise of restoring and blessing His people.      pray for a heart that desires to seek and serve God in all our ways.        

Amos Chapter 1,            God does not overlook and ignore sin, He is impartial in judgement.       we need to live righteous lives because God's mercy is with those who live righteously and do good.       it makes no difference who we are, nation or individual, God's impartial judgement will happen.        God is no respecter of persons or nations.        we, as believers are called to live just and righteous lives right where we live, standing up against wrong doing and oppression.        God is in control.         ask God for strength and faith to trust His plan even in the face of danger.        sin is serious and we need to live lives that reflect God's mercy and grace.

next time we pick up at Amos Chapter 2.      

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I guess this is where we'll call it a wrap.          I hope you have a magnificent day today and that we all will continue to seek after the heart of God in all we do.         we can certainly see the importance of doing so.         I don't know what all is on our agenda today, but we'll see what the day brings.       if it's something fun, I'll certainly tell y'all about it.        

but wait, "There's More"!!!!!       this is Resurrection Sunday week, starting with Palm Sunday, last Sunday.         one thing that I think about during this time is Palm Sunday, the people was laying the palm branches down and shouting "Hosannah" which means "save now".       I wonder how many of those same people were in the crowd later  on  in  the  week, shouting "crucify  Him"?          that's  something that's always resonated with me.         I also wonder if I had lived during that time, would I have been a Christ follower?          would I have been one of the women at the foot of the cross, weeping over my Lord and Savior, or would I have been one of the nameless faces in the crowd shouting "crucify Him!!"?           I'll never know, but I do know I love my Lord and Savior and it makes me cry just to think about this scenario and wondering where I would have stood.    

lots  to think about as we await Resurrection Sunday.         this certainly gives us a lot think about.      and as we study the bible, we see everything that we have studied to this point is bringing us to Resurrection Sunday.         salvation and restoration and healing brokenness if for anyone who wants to receive it.         a free gift from our Lord and Savior who paid the ultimate price for us.       blessings of mercy and healing be ours.

hugs and love, patty 

Bible Study and Sunday's Coming

good morning from my neck of the woods.          it's sunny and we're supposed to have some warming temps, yay!!!!          but I think we're also in for some more rainy weather.        I guess someone may need it, but there's still a lot of flooding in and around my area.         we got out and got our walk in this morning and that was good.          it always feels good to get that done.       I hope I can get outside in a bit and get some of my plant starts set out for the sun and breeze on them.        maybe in a few days I can start getting some of them planted in their forever homes and then get some seeds in some of containers too.        we'll see.         it all depends on the weather.    

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This is something I wrote back in 2021.        thought I would share it again. 

This is Easter week and weekend.     It is the weekend celebrated by Christ Followers as the weekend that we gained access to the Father thru the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross.    If we could go back and look at the scene, there is no doubt that we would shed many tears.    To think that my Savior took all the punishment that I should have taken for my sins is more that I can hardly bare.    The truth is, there is nothing that I can do about my sin without what took place on what we call Easter weekend.    I would have been doomed to a devils hell with no hope for anything else.    Jesus is my HOPE!!!!    He is your hope also.

Without hope, life is not worth much.    You can see hope as a tangible asset.    Have you ever noticed it when people watching?    Or when coming in contact with others?     If not, I would make a suggestion to you to start watching.    It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul.    I think that is a pretty accurate statement.     If you see someone who has sparkles in their eyes, I believe they have hope abundance.   If you see someone and looking at their eyes is like looking at a flat wall, they have no hope.     If you have ever noticed it, just once, you'll never forget it.

Many years ago I worked with a beautiful young lady who was full of life and bubbly and so friendly.    All of a sudden she was missing from work for a couple of weeks and when she came back to work, she was lifeless, dead inside, quiet, and wouldn't talk.    Rumors started around about what had happened.    I know the rumors was true, but I didn't partake in the rumormill.    When the talk started, I left.    I didn't want this sweet young lady to think I was talking about her.    The talk and rumors kept on for months and someone asked me why I walked off when anyone started talking about her, suggesting I was too good to talk about her.    I just told this person that while y'all talked about her, I prayed for her.  When the rumor mill started about someone, I started praying for them.    Gradually, this young lady started talking to me when I was around, she started smiling again and her eyes got bright and sparkly again.     That is the HOPE that God gives us.    Her life changed drastically, but God was with her and He kept her thru this difficult time.     She also knew I was praying for her.     

If God has put someone in your life that prays for you daily, you are blessed.    If God has put you in someone's life to pray for them daily, you too, are so very blessed.    To pray for and to be prayed for, are two of the sweetest and most awesome things we can ever do or have done for us.     I am blessed to have some ladies in my life that I know, pray for me daily, and for that I am so thankful!!!     I pray for them daily also, and am very blessed to be able to lift them in prayer.   Sometimes, even on a good day, we can lose hope, or lose sight of hope.    But when we know we have sisters in Christ who are lifting us up, regularly, God hears those prayers.     

Our hope is in Christ, and Christ alone.     Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.     Our salvation is in Christ, and Christ alone.     Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.     

All we have to do is receive the gift of salvation.     Are you a good receiver?      A lot of people are not.  I used to be a bad receiver.    Many years ago, at church, a lady wanted to bless me.     I had done some embroidery work for her for a set price.     I took it to her and she was extremely thrilled.    She happily paid me for what I had done and I happily received my pay.     On Sunday, at church, when we got seated, she turned around and handed me a greeting card.     I opened the card and there was money, the same amount that she had already given me.     I asked her what it was for.     She said it was a blessing from her to me.     I said, "oh, I can't take this!!"     A lovely gentleman was setting behind me.     He had no idea what this was all about.      He leaned forward and tapped me on the shoulder.     I turned around and he kindly and gently whispered to me and told me that she was following as the Lord had directed her and I needed to be a good receiver when someone wanted to bless me.     If we are bad receivers, we can keep someone from receiving a blessing.     It is awesome to be able to bless someone, but the receivers have to be good receivers.    I received her blessing and have never forgotten the lesson that she and the gentleman behind me taught me that day.    Be a good giver and a good receiver.   

So, as I think about Easter weekend, knowing that Sunday is coming!!!, I want to be a good receiver of all the blessings that God, thru the shed blood of Jesus Christ, has in store for me.    That is the ONLY part that you and I play in our salvation, believing, repenting and receiving.     We don't work for it to earn it, it's a free gift,     Being open vessels, ready to receive all that God has in store for us.    Like empty buckets, ready for the blessings to rain down and fill us up.     Once we get filled up, every little nook and cranny, filled with God's blessings, then the blessings start to overflow from us and spill out onto others around us.     When that happens, we are then blessing others from our abundance.     The phrase, "you can't give what you don't have", rings true in this circumstance.     When we know Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, then our buckets are full to overflowing.    

About this free gift, salvation, it is free to us.    However, freedom isn't free.      Any freedom comes with a high cost.     The freedom that we have here in the Untied States, came at a high cost, going back before we were even what is called The United States of America.     People has fought and died for our freedom.     There is always death associated with freedom.     In order for people to have freedom, one has to decide that it's worth putting their life on the line for.     And lots have given all for us to have the freedom that we love and take for granted now.     But for us, we can squander our freedom and lose sight of the value of freedom and let it slip right from our grasp, like it's actually happening today, even as I type.    We are losing our freedom.     It may even be too late to do anything about it.     We'll have to see how it plays out.    

One thing about the freedom in Christ that we have, this freedom will NEVER be taken from us!!!!     I don't know about you, but that makes me want to shout from the roof tops that no matter what is taken from me, they can't take my freedom in Christ!!!!      Why?     The work of Christ was finished on the cross more than 2000 years ago.      That sealed the best deal that you or I will have in this life time or 1000 more just like it.     I am covered by the blood of Jesus and all God sees when He looks at me is His Son!!!      My sins are covered.     I'm sealed by the blood of the Lamb.     I'm saved, eternally.      All I done was receive it.     My life was changed upon receiving is.      The old is gone and the new remains.     All because of Christ my Redeemer.     I seen a t-shirt that says, "plot twist, HE LIVES!!"   I love that so much!!!!!     

Today is Tuesday, but Sunday's coming!!!!!!     Today is one of the days that hope was lost, but with the "plot twist", WOW, Sunday is coming!!!!!!    Are you ready?????     

I hope and pray that as you go thru this day, you can see God very visible and active in your day.     Just know that every step you take is ordered by Him.     Yes, we have the free will to veer from the path He is laying out in front of us.    But with the help of the Holy Ghost, we will stay on path and walk the ordered steps of our Father.    I hope when you close your eyes in sweet rest tonight, that you will say before you drift off, "HE LIVES!!"     He lives, that is our HOPE.    That is what Resurrection Sunday is all about.    "HE LIVES!!!!"      No other sweeter words!!!!          

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giggle for the day:

Q - What do you get when you cross a snail with a porcupine?

A - A slowpoke!

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

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picking up with Hosea Chapter 8,          one thing that need to be said is that every book in the bible points directly to Jesus Christ and the need for salvation, restoration, mercy, grace, love, changed lives by walking away from the sin that was leading us straight to hell.         God provided a way for us to be in right relationship with Him thru the shed blood of Jesus Christ.         some believe it, some don't.       it truly doesn't make any difference if people don't believe it, it's true and they will find out someday that every word of the bible is God's word and it's true.        human wisdom leads to destruction and moral decay.       if you don't believe it, just look around you, watch the news, see what's happening in your local government, see what's happening in state and federal government.        lots of humans think they know better than God.         some even think they are above God.        human wisdom fails every time, but with all the evil wickedness, God still offers repentance and hope amidst the gloom.         when you worship  God,  is  it  from  the heart or is it just the common rituals of the day, found in our local churches?       we need to focus on aligning ourselves with God's word and not human wisdom.

Chapter 9,          continuing to hang out in sin will result in dire consequences.           even in the midst of judgement, God offers the opportunity of repentance, transformation and renewal.          we can see the results of unfaithfulness and that's a spiritual famine taking over Israel.         it sounds all too familiar to the day we are living in.         joy comes from the things God!!!         if you think joy comes from worldly pleasures, you have been deceived.         don't turn a deaf ear to the word of God as being outdated, it's very relevant to the day we are living in.         pray for the ability to know that what you hear from spiritual leaders is from the word of God.         read your bible and know what you're hearing is true or false.        don't blindly trust a church leader to spoon feed you, if you do, you'll end up eating his words, and not God's.           pray for the Holy Spirit to help you be attentive to what you hear and read and to know it's of God or it's not of God.

Chapter 10,           unfaithfulness always has consequences, but God offers hope, justice, righteousness and mercy.         have your material blessings led you away from God and do you have idolatry alters in your life that need to be torn down?          some tough questions.           don't trust your own conscience to be truthful to you, trust the word of God.         our conscience can get seared by the evil and wickedness of this world and we won't recognize God in the midst of struggles.         pray for the Holy Spirit to be an ever present figure in your daily life.            this would be a good time to remind us to keep seeking after the heart of God, like David did.         when we are seeking after the heart of God, we will find Him and we will grow in our walk with Him daily.

Chapter 11,           no matter how much we rebel, God's compassion is read to cover us with His mercy, love and patience.         God's love for us is so strong that He will let us walk away from Him, just like a loving parent.         and He will be there to give full restoration when we come back to Him.        there may be some discipline and judgement before we make the decision to come back to Him, but He will be there to welcome us back.         think about how much God loves you!!!!         think about all He has done for you.        when I think about myself, I am overwhelmed by the grace, love, mercy, restoration and changed life that He alone is responsible for.         I just went back to Him, He scooped my up, cleaned me up and has been taking care of me ever since.         do I have bad days?         absolutely, but I know He is with me.        God's mercy is far greater than our failures!!!!!          Praise Him!!!!!!!

Chapter 12,           God's mercy and patience is enduring.           He doesn't stop waiting for us.        He's ready to forgive and restore.          we just have to want Him.        we have a responsibility to Him to stay faithful, act right and wait for His redemption.          do you live a life of honesty and integrity?         a couple of hard questions.          integrity has been defined as doing the right even when no one is around to see what you do.         we know that even if human eyes don't see us, God always sees us.        we can always recall all of God's past faithfulness to know that He will be faithful in the future.       we need to pray for God to us the courage to live lives filled with integrity in all circumstances.          if we learn from the faithfulness of God in the past, we can trust Him in the uncertainty of the future.

next time we'll pick up with Chapter 13.

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well, I guess we'll call it a wrap today and see what we have on our agenda.         I hope and pray that we all have a great day.         let us remember to be seeking after the heart of God in all that we do.        we can see this thru the bible up to this very day.        I'm sure we'll continue to see it as we proceed with our study.         blessings of God's mercy and patience be ours today.

hugs and love, patty 

Bible Study and The Little Donkeys

good morning faithful followers of God.        I hope and pray that we all have a great day today.        I don't have any plans for the day, yet.        I may get my bread machine out and make some brioche rolls, dough balls, for the freezer.         I need to keep those made up and when we use them as buns for hamburgers, as we do frequently, we really plow the brioche buns.      I may end up having to go to the dr with my knee.         I rolled over in bed and tweaked it pretty bad, so we'll have to see how it feels later on.        if it's not one thing is another.        but hey, I got up, so that's a blessing and I'll treat it as such and pray for God to lay His healing hand on my knee.        I know He can heal it.        I also know that I may end up having to go to the dr.       so, we'll see.        either way, God gets the glory, even right now, I praise Him for what He is doing and will do.        so, thank You God, for all your many blessings on me over the course of my lifetime.          You've been so faithful, I haven't, but You've always loved me in spite of me.        Thank You!!!!!!

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this is a little story I wrote a few years ago and remembered it, so I thought I would share it again as we go into this particular time and season of the year.       I've shared it a time or two.     this is all just my "imaginings", and I know some of it is factual and some may not be factual.       it's not meant to be anything other than a story to maybe read to your children and then look up the scriptures that co-inside with the different parts of the story.    

The Little Donkeys, I can just imagine

The donkey is a lowly little critter.     It's been called a little stubborn and ornery, among other things.    It's a small little beast of burden.    It has been known to be a pack animal, carrying big heavy loads.   Oh, it's not uncommon to drive around in the countryside and see a donkey in the field, among some of the other more favorable animals.   I've heard it said that a donkey will keep predators away from other animals and that's why you see them on farms sometimes.  Who determines what an animals duty in life will be?  Who assigned their particular roles?

Donkeys have been used as work animals for more than 5000 years and there are more than 40 million donkeys in the world today.    Working donkeys were associated with those living at or below poverty level.   In some cultures they were also associated with wealth.    They continue to fill important roles in many places around the world today.   Donkeys live and thrive in climates and places around the world that a horse can't survive in.    They were used in early days as a means of mobility for cultural survival, being pack animals.     Man and donkeys have worked together side by side for many many years.   Donkeys adapt to the land and the job they are to do.  They are surefooted and can climb and work in just about any terrain.    Donkeys have been known for their stubbornness and this can be associated with their strong sense of preservation and a weaker connection to human beings because people have always chosen horses over donkeys.   But still, there are things a horse can't do that a donkey can do.   Studies have shown donkeys to be quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful and eager to learn.  

They are mentioned all throughout the Bible.   There are several stories in the Bible in which a donkey plays a key role.    One of them is in regards to Balaam's donkey.    It is of importance to note, I guess, the cross shape on the back and shoulders of donkeys in black hair.   Some see that as the symbol of Christ riding on a donkey.    There are lots of sayings and insults attributed to the donkey.  I'll let you search for those.   They are also associated with politics, but that's another story altogether.

The lowly donkey.    A stubborn little thing.    It's sure footed and can carry most anything you place on it.    If you scare it, it will stand there and stare you down.    Curiosity is one reason they are called stubborn.   Because they are not afraid of much.    At one time, most everyone had a donkey.   If you traveled, you had a donkey to carry your belongings.    Even today, in parts of the world, a lot of travel is still done with donkeys. 

I can just imagine the donkey that Mary rode on when she was great with child and she and Joseph was going to be counted in the census.   I can just imagine that lowly little creature realized that he was carrying God's Son on his back when Mary was riding the lowly little donkey.    I can just imagine here a little bit too, because we don't know what the donkey thought or knew.   But them being perceptive animals, I can just imagine that the donkey knew he was carrying Precious Cargo.   I can just imagine that he, this donkey, was a little more sure footed than usual.   Since Jesus and John knew each other in their mothers wombs, I can just imagine that Jesus communicated with the donkey while still in His mother's womb.   Far fetched thought I know, it actually is far fetched.   But I can just imagine that if He had wanted to communicate with the little donkey, that He certainly could have.   And just because there is no record of it, doesn't mean He didn't.

I can just imagine that this donkey stepped a little differently after his task of carrying Mary to Bethlehem.    I have always imagined it just like this, that the donkey carried Jesus to His birthplace, by carrying His mother, Mary to Bethlehem.    I can just imagine this.    The King of Kings and Lord and Lords came riding in to His kingdom on a lowly donkey.    When we think of kings and lords we usually associate them with royalty and military.   Neither of those words describe our Lord and Savior.   Oh, to me, those words don't even do Him justice, but the world has never seen Him as anything but someone who is a disturbance to them and their sin.    But, He is my King and my Lord and far greater than anything this world will ever know as king and lord.    And I can just imagine that Jesus meant a lot to the little donkey that carried Him in to Bethlehem to be born.    I would love to know how he communicated with his donkey friends about the task that he had been chosen to do.   I can just imagine that he told his story as humbly as a little donkey could, while trying to keep his pride from getting the best of him.   But, in all honesty, he could be very proud of the task that he had done.    After all, no one else would ever have such an honor as his.

No one, except the little donkey chosen to carry Jesus to His death.   I can just imagine this little donkey probably didn't have any choice over the task at hand either, any more than the one that carried Him to His birth.   But, I can just imagine, that he done his job just as noble as the first little donkey did.   Jesus may have told this little donkey what was going to happen.  I can just imagine that it is possible that this little donkey was a relative to the one that carried Him to His birth, but, I don't know.   When we are just imagining, I guess anything is possible.   Can you just imagine the importance of the task at hand?    This little donkey would be fulfilling prophecy in the Old Testament.   I can just imagine that with each step up the palm branch laden road that this little donkey felt a little more heart pain with each step.   Oh, I don't know if donkeys have broken hearts or not, but I can just imagine if Jesus communicated with him in any way about the mission that this little donkey had been called to do, that he took this task seriously. 

 What would this little donkey say to you or me if he could talk and tell us about his experience?  Do you think he would tell us that it was an honor to carry such a person on his back?   Oh, I can just imagine he would.   I can just imagine he would tell us about all the obstacles along the way that he avoided just to keep our Savior safe while on his back.    I can just imagine he would tell us just how broken hearted Jesus really was at what was happening and going to happen shortly.    This was the mission of Jesus and He knew that, but can you just imagine being in His shoes and knowing what was ahead of you in the all too near future.   I can just imagine that the mere act of sitting on the donkey allowed the donkey to feel some of the impending danger and doom that lay ahead for our Savior.   I can also just imagine that for one split second that little donkey wished he was a very large fast stallion, so he could wisk our Savior away to safety.   I can also just imagine that is probably why a small slow donkey was chosen.  So the will of God could be carried out so perfectly, with our Savior being our perfect sacrifice for our sin.   This little donkey fulfilled his calling in life by being the transportation that our Lord and Savior rode to the cross on.    He done what he was destined to do.  They both did.    The first donkey carried our Savior to Bethlehem to His birth and the second donkey carried our Savior to His death on the cross.  

I know that none of my imaginings about these two little donkeys is factual other than the fact that they did what they did.   They were the chosen transportation for our Lord and Savior.    But, you know what, this is some of the things that I have just imagined over the years when I think about those little donkeys.   I have a deep love in my heart for these two little creatures that were chosen for their purpose.   I hope that if you have never thought of them like this, that maybe, just maybe, you will now.

And we know the next time our Lord and Savior rides on the back of an animal it will be a strong and mighty beast, a white horse, created for it's mission and purpose.  To bring the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to claim His own!!!   Praise His mighty and holy name!!!!    Three creatures created for the sole purpose of carrying our Lord and Savior.   One to His birth, one to His death and one to His triumphant return!!   I can only imagine this is the only factual statement in this whole scenario.   This has not been to mislead anyone, it's just where my mind goes when I think of the little donkeys in our Savior's  story.   I don't know that my thoughts are true, but I don't know they aren't either.  I just know that I have new found respect for the little donkeys, I can just imagine you do too.  

written by: pjg 03-17-19

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giggle for the day:

Q - How does a cucumber become a pickle?

A - It goes through a jarring experience.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

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picking up with Hosea Chapter 4,             this chapter shows us that there are consequences when we turn away from God, individually and as a society or nation.        we should have a desire to know more about God and to love Him more.         Israel lacked faith, knowledge of God, love, and keeping God's law.          they were rotting, decaying morally.         study God's word and keep seeking after the heart of Him daily.         sin is destructive in our lives and in our communities.        pray for leaders that we know who do uphold biblical truth.         get rid of any idols!!!!        make a commitment to being faithful to God alone.          pray for a hunger for the word of God and a deeper understanding of Him.        

Chapter 5,          there are severe consequences for turning away from God.        but even in the midst of judgement, there is hope for repentance and restoration.        our spiritual leaders; preachers and teachers,  are supposed to guide our communities in truth and righteousness.         if there is sin in our lives, we need to embrace the need for repentance and run towards it as fast as we can.         make  it a point to seek the presence of God in our lives daily.         seek a deeper relationship with Him through  reading His word and praying.     

Chapter 6,          we need to realize that God wants His people to return to Him with true devotion and love for Him.         look at our lives and see if there is any way that we are falling short of our love, trust and devotion for Him.         if we are falling short, we need to repent and return to God.        we need love and knowledge of God more than we need fake rituals and fake sacrifices.        do you serve God because you love Him and you want to know more about Him, or do you pretend to serve Him out of obligation?          our top priority should be to draw strength and guidance from God on a daily basis.       pray for God's healing in your brokenness.           may we continue to seek after the heart of God daily in all we do.

Chapter 7,          sometimes we need to stop and really look at ourselves.         if we seen ourselves the way God sees us, it would necessitate a need for repentance and reformation.         we can't see who we really are and keep doing the same old same old, expecting a different outcome.         God's number one goal is for redemption of His people.         we need to confess our sin and beg for God's forgiveness.       when we are grounded in the word of God, we can tell the difference between truth and lies.        pray for the strength to trust God's plan and His purposes.             may we have a longing in our hearts for spiritual renewal.

next time we'll pick up at Chapter 8.

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I hope and pray that we all have a great day today and that we will keep seeking after the heart of God in all we do.         blessings of repentance and restoration be ours today.         it truly is a blessing from God to be able to repent and be welcomed back into His family with Him remembering our sin  no more.

hugs and love, patty