I've just got to share an incident that Alice, one of our Bible Study group, related to us today.
Alice baby sits Andy, a two-and-a-half-year-old neighbor boy. Andy's parents, although not believers, attend church with Alice occasionally. Whenever Andy and his parents have a meal at Alice's house, Alice and her husband return thanks before eating with everyone joining hands when they pray. Everyone, but Andy, that is! He refuses to hold hands.
Last night, however, it was just Alice and Andy at the supper table for a bowl of soup. Without thinking, Alice sat down and began to eat. Suddenly Andy spoke up, "Amen!"
Of course Alice took the hint. And to her surprise, Andy reached out his hand to her. After Alice prayed, Andy chimed in with another "Amen," then bowed his head, offered a childish jibberish of his own and concluded with a final "Amen!"
Cute, yes. And a marvelous example of the power of influence.
Preacher's Kid
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
He's Here
I was reading a Christian Romance the other day when three phrases the heroine said hit me between the eyes! "He's there. He knows. He loves."
I changed them a little bit for myself and here's what I came up with. "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!" How that's stuck with me!
When good things happen, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When bad things happen, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When disappointed, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I'm frustrated, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I don't know what to do, which way to turn, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I'm depressed, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I'm afraid, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
I think you get the picture, don't you? And I find it comforting in all situations to know "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
Let those words sink into your very being! Truly our God is a mighty help in times of trouble. Try Him and see.
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I wrote this blog a few hours ago, and have had second thoughts since! Why not substitute the word "You're" for all those "He's"? "You're here. You know," etc. Much more intimate!
I changed them a little bit for myself and here's what I came up with. "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!" How that's stuck with me!
When good things happen, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When bad things happen, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When disappointed, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I'm frustrated, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I don't know what to do, which way to turn, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I'm depressed, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
When I'm afraid, "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
I think you get the picture, don't you? And I find it comforting in all situations to know "He's here. He knows. He understands. He cares. He loves ME!"
Let those words sink into your very being! Truly our God is a mighty help in times of trouble. Try Him and see.
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I wrote this blog a few hours ago, and have had second thoughts since! Why not substitute the word "You're" for all those "He's"? "You're here. You know," etc. Much more intimate!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
GOD SPEAKS IF YOU ASK
Did you ever ask the Lord to speak to you as you read your Bible for devotions? I do that a lot. And what do you know? He actually does speak! Just like this morning.
I was reading Psalm 55 from the Living Bible paraphrase and two separate verses stood out to me. Verse 10 was the first. David was praying about the enemies that were against him and said, "Though they patrol their walls night and day against invaders, their real problem is internal--wickedness and dishonesty are entrenchred in the heart of the city." When I read that, an astounding thought popped into my mind: Isn't that a perfect picture of our Government? Although Government is concerned about possible invaders, illegal aliens, etc. (and rightly so), the problem is an internal problem. How we need to uphold our leaders in prayer these days. Especially with the riots, rebellions and unrest in other parts of the world which are even spreading to our own country as seen in Wisconsin. What lies ahead for us, I wonder? Could Seniors possibly be affected? Will we lose all, or even part of what we worked so many years for? It causes one to think.
But then I read the most comforting words of verse 22: "Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them." And the Psalm closes with a prayer we all need to pray: "I am trusting you to save me."
Yes, God spoke to me today--just what and when I needed it! Thank You, Lord!
Preacher's Kid
I was reading Psalm 55 from the Living Bible paraphrase and two separate verses stood out to me. Verse 10 was the first. David was praying about the enemies that were against him and said, "Though they patrol their walls night and day against invaders, their real problem is internal--wickedness and dishonesty are entrenchred in the heart of the city." When I read that, an astounding thought popped into my mind: Isn't that a perfect picture of our Government? Although Government is concerned about possible invaders, illegal aliens, etc. (and rightly so), the problem is an internal problem. How we need to uphold our leaders in prayer these days. Especially with the riots, rebellions and unrest in other parts of the world which are even spreading to our own country as seen in Wisconsin. What lies ahead for us, I wonder? Could Seniors possibly be affected? Will we lose all, or even part of what we worked so many years for? It causes one to think.
But then I read the most comforting words of verse 22: "Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them." And the Psalm closes with a prayer we all need to pray: "I am trusting you to save me."
Yes, God spoke to me today--just what and when I needed it! Thank You, Lord!
Preacher's Kid
Friday, February 11, 2011
WHAT'S YOUR EXPECTATION RATING?
I was reading the Living Bible Paraphrase of Psalm 42 today when four little words in the 11th verse jumped out at me. Apparently they had spoken to me before because I had them highlighted.
Those four words were, "Expect God to act."
Do we really expect God to act in response to our prayers? Or do we pray just from force of habit never once thinking about getting an answer? Do we pray just because it's "the right thing to do, it's something Christians should do?"
In Christ's High Priestly Prayer recorded in the 14th through 16th chapters of John, Christ tells us over and over that if we ask anything in His Name, He will give it to us. Anything. Anything. Anything. Do we really and truly believe that? I believe that is the most staggering statement Christ ever made in His entire ministry!
You know, it's our part to ask. It's God's part to answer, to act on our behalf.
My challenge to you is to start expecting God to act in response to your prayers. You'll be amazed at what happens. It will revolutionize not only your prayer life, but also your entire walk with Him.
Preacher's Kid
Those four words were, "Expect God to act."
Do we really expect God to act in response to our prayers? Or do we pray just from force of habit never once thinking about getting an answer? Do we pray just because it's "the right thing to do, it's something Christians should do?"
In Christ's High Priestly Prayer recorded in the 14th through 16th chapters of John, Christ tells us over and over that if we ask anything in His Name, He will give it to us. Anything. Anything. Anything. Do we really and truly believe that? I believe that is the most staggering statement Christ ever made in His entire ministry!
You know, it's our part to ask. It's God's part to answer, to act on our behalf.
My challenge to you is to start expecting God to act in response to your prayers. You'll be amazed at what happens. It will revolutionize not only your prayer life, but also your entire walk with Him.
Preacher's Kid
Friday, February 4, 2011
REDEMPTION'S TWO-FOLD PLAN
As born-again Christians, we have no problem believing in the plan of Redemption for salvation. But we're living beneath our privileges because we have not been taught that Redemption also includes physical healing.
Both sin and sickness entered this world through Adam's fall. And when God instituted the plan of Redemption, it included both sin and sickness. Sickness, of course, is part of the curse. And Galatians 3:13 tells us that we have been redeemed from the curse.
Paul admonishes the Corinthians in II Corinthians 29,30 that many of them were sick because they didn't discern, or differentiate between, the wine and the bread of the Lord's Supper. We know, of course, that the wine represents the Blood which was shed for the redemption of our sins. We forget that the bread represents the body of Christ which was broken for our physical healing as Isaiah 53:4,5 and I Peter 2:24 tell us.
The little three-letter word "and" in the last part of Matthew 8:17 stood out to me this week. "He himself took our infirmities, and" [in addition to taking our sins] He "bore our sicknesses."
Don't forget Psalm 103:3: "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases."
The original Greek word for salvation is "Sozo" and is translated interchangeably "salvation" and "healing".
Over and over in Scripture you'll find the two-fold plan of Redemption laid out side by side: salvation and healing! Keep your eyes open and you'll find it jumping out at you everywhere!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. And my computer locked up on me in the middle of this blog -- so I'm using my husband's computer!
Both sin and sickness entered this world through Adam's fall. And when God instituted the plan of Redemption, it included both sin and sickness. Sickness, of course, is part of the curse. And Galatians 3:13 tells us that we have been redeemed from the curse.
Paul admonishes the Corinthians in II Corinthians 29,30 that many of them were sick because they didn't discern, or differentiate between, the wine and the bread of the Lord's Supper. We know, of course, that the wine represents the Blood which was shed for the redemption of our sins. We forget that the bread represents the body of Christ which was broken for our physical healing as Isaiah 53:4,5 and I Peter 2:24 tell us.
The little three-letter word "and" in the last part of Matthew 8:17 stood out to me this week. "He himself took our infirmities, and" [in addition to taking our sins] He "bore our sicknesses."
Don't forget Psalm 103:3: "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases."
The original Greek word for salvation is "Sozo" and is translated interchangeably "salvation" and "healing".
Over and over in Scripture you'll find the two-fold plan of Redemption laid out side by side: salvation and healing! Keep your eyes open and you'll find it jumping out at you everywhere!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. And my computer locked up on me in the middle of this blog -- so I'm using my husband's computer!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
GUESS WHAT!
I'm back AGAIN -- for the second time! Not only that--my computer is back! After my last blog I continued having computer problems until I had to have my technician take my computer to his shop and clean and reset it or whatever he does! This time I'm hoping everything will be OK. Seems to be so far. But have you ever tried to live without a computer? What fun!
I retired from my career of chief clerk in a criminal court because the state mandated we start using computers. Well, I wasn't going to get into anything of that sort--nosiree, not me! Oh yeah??? Now I can't live without one of the crazy things!
I got my computer back in time to prepare for today's Bible Study. Now I've just got to continue getting ready for the weekly studies as well as going through the last two or three weeks of emails!
Oh, yes--I almost forgot. I've got to get games, prizes, and favors ready for a Valentine Day's party for the seniors at church, and they also want me to write a humorous skit for the party. Guess I've got my work cut out for me for a few days. But I'll try to work in a few blogs along the way.
Luv to all.
Preacher's Kid
I retired from my career of chief clerk in a criminal court because the state mandated we start using computers. Well, I wasn't going to get into anything of that sort--nosiree, not me! Oh yeah??? Now I can't live without one of the crazy things!
I got my computer back in time to prepare for today's Bible Study. Now I've just got to continue getting ready for the weekly studies as well as going through the last two or three weeks of emails!
Oh, yes--I almost forgot. I've got to get games, prizes, and favors ready for a Valentine Day's party for the seniors at church, and they also want me to write a humorous skit for the party. Guess I've got my work cut out for me for a few days. But I'll try to work in a few blogs along the way.
Luv to all.
Preacher's Kid
Saturday, January 22, 2011
BACK AGAIN
Yep, I'm back! For how long, I have no idea! Did not intend to be gone this long, but have run into all kinds of computer problems with all kinds of viruses hitting me in spite of addition spyware my technician installed! I'm almost ready to forget the internet and email and use my computer just as a word processor--but then I would miss all my email friends!
If I enter the title of my blogs before I begin writing, the computer won't let me write on the page! However, I can blog as always if I use my husband's computer! But I don't have my Bibles and study notes right by my side if I use his computer! Even now a notice came up as I was writing this saying an error has occurred. So I don't even know if this will go through!
Oh, the joys of using a computer! Hope to continue blogging once again right away.
Preacher's Kid
If I enter the title of my blogs before I begin writing, the computer won't let me write on the page! However, I can blog as always if I use my husband's computer! But I don't have my Bibles and study notes right by my side if I use his computer! Even now a notice came up as I was writing this saying an error has occurred. So I don't even know if this will go through!
Oh, the joys of using a computer! Hope to continue blogging once again right away.
Preacher's Kid
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