A FAVORITE BIBLE CHAPTER

 

Psalm 121

King James Version (KJV)

121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

² My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

³ He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

⁴ Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

⁶ The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

⁸ The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCRIPTURES; I PRAY IT WILL BE A FAVORITE ONE OF YOURS TOO!

MY FAVORITE BIBLE CHAPTER

 

Philippians 4

King James Version (KJV)

4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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.

⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

¹⁴ Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

¹⁵ Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

¹⁷ Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

¹⁸ But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

²⁰ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

²¹ Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

²² All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

THE PROMISES OF GOD

 

Today we begin to look at Scripture verses that are about the promises of God. I trust you will enjoy this brief study.

1/ God’s promises are contained in the Scriptures!  Romans 1:1-2.

God’s Good News for Rome

1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news— ² which He promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.

2/ God’s promises are made in Christ!  2 Timothy 1::1 Expanded Bible 1 From Paul, an ·apostle [messenger] of Christ Jesus by the will of God. ·God sent me to tell about [^L…according to]the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.    Eph. 3:⁶ This is that ·secret [mystery]: that through the ·Good News [Gospel] the Gentiles ·will share with the Jews in God’s blessing [^Lare co-heirs]. They belong to the same body, and they share together in the promise that God made in Christ Jesus.

3/ God’s promises are made to: [a]  Christ—- Galatians 3:¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (19)  Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

[b] Abraham—Gen. 12: ³ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  ⁷ And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. Galatians 3:¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

[c] Isaac— Gen.26:³ Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;⁴ And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

[d] Jacob— Gen.28:¹⁴ And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

[e] The Israelite s— Romans 9:⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

[f] The Fathers— Acts 13:³² We tell you the ·Good News [Gospel] about the promise God made to our ·ancestors [forefathers; fathers; Gen. 12:1–3; 2 Sam. 7:12–16]. Acts 26:6-7

Expanded Bible ⁶ Now I ·am [stand here] on trial because I hope for the promise that God made to our ·ancestors [forefathers; fathers;^Ceither the hope of the Messiah or the resurrection from the dead]. ⁷ This is the promise that the twelve tribes of our people hope to receive as they ·serve [or worship] God day and night. My king, ·they [^Lthe Jews] have accused me because ·I hope for this same promise [^Lof this hope]!

[ to be continued ]

 

 

 

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD PART 8.

Today we will look at a few more Scripture verses that tell us about The providence of God.

1/God provides daily support!

Genesis 48:15 King James Version    And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

2/We see God’s providence in all things!

Proverbs 3:6  (KJV)   In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

3/His providence is unbeatable!  Proverbs 21:30 (KJV)  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

4/ Man’s work is in vain without the providence of God!  

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

Psalm 127:1-2 [KJV]

127 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

AS SAINTS  WE SHOULD:

a/ Trust in God’s providence!  Matt.6:³³ But seek first the kingdom of God^[a] and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. ³⁴ Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matt 10:⁹ Don’t take along gold, silver, or copper for your money-belts.  ²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny?^[a] Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.^[b]30 But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. ³¹ So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.

b/ Commit their works to His providence!   Proverbs 16:³ Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.

c/Encourage one another by the providence of God!

1 Samuel 30:⁶ David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

d/ Pray depending upon the providence of God!   Acts 12:⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.

We know the rest of that story that he was set free by God and showed up at that prayer meeting as they prayed.

NATURES SPLENDER

 

It is early in the evening,

 

the sky is still blue,

 

I jump on my old four wheeler,

 

and drive out,

 

to that old beaver dam,

 

to see a beaver or two.

 

I drive very slow,

 

trying not to scare,

 

the wild life you know.

 

I like to see and hear,

 

the birds,

 

and the white tailed deer.

 

Oh, what a blessing,

 

God has given me,

 

all of nature’s beauty,

 

He allows me to see.

 

Praise His name,

 

for His precious Son,

 

Who saved us from sin,

 

and on that old cross,

 

a great victory was won!

 

John 20

King James Version (KJV)

20 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

² Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

³ Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

⁴ So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

⁵ And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

⁶ Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

⁷ And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

⁸ Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

⁹ For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

¹⁰ Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

¹¹ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

¹² And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

¹³ And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

¹⁴ And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

¹⁵ Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

¹⁶ Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

¹⁷ Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

¹⁹ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

²⁰ And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

²³ Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

²⁴ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

²⁵ The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

²⁶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

²⁷ Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

²⁸ And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

²⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

³⁰ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

³¹ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

TODAYS BIBLE READING

TODAYS BIBLE READING.

OUR GREAT OUTDOORS

 

As I gaze,

out towards the hills,

from this valley,

where I was born,

seventy – two years ago,

I am now, tired and worn.

Snow coverd hills and fields still exist,

and I long to see,

those red pine trees,

and natures sights and sounds,

I have so greatly missed.

Through the wispering pines,

I listen to God’s created sounds,

and worship Him,

in my spirit and mind.

Over head a great eagle soars,

looking for a lunch,

down in the great outdoors.

Yes, I love to walk,

on those nature trails,

and enjoy the creation of God,

and praise His Holy name,

because He shows a love,

a love that never fails.

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD PART 7.

 

 

Today we are continuing looking at Scripture verses about the providence of God, I trust you will be enlightened.

God’s providence is for:

a/ for His glory— Isaiah 63:¹⁴ As a beast goes down into the valley,

And the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest,
So You lead Your people,
To make Yourself a glorious name.

b/ for good of the Saints— Romans 8:²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

c/ to be acknowledged:

1/ prosperity— Deut.8: ¹⁸ “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

2/ adversity— Psalms 119:¹⁵ I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.       Job 1:²¹ And he said:“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

A FAVORITE POEM

 

EVERY MAN DECIDETH

To every man there openth

A way, and ways, and a way,

And the high soul climbs the high way,

And the low soul gropes the low,

And in between the misty flats,

The rest drift to and fro.

But to every man that openth

A high way and a low,

And every man decideth

The way his soul shall go.