tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1253937806350819402024-03-19T08:32:14.927-04:00Bill SteenslandDaily View from a Quiet Time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2516125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-17357668110230620522023-11-29T16:34:00.004-05:002023-11-29T16:34:51.066-05:00Assisted Living<p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="407" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hwt7y7AZsZA" width="488" youtube-src-id="Hwt7y7AZsZA"></iframe></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">You have now come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem. This is the city of the living God, where thousands and thousands of angels have come to celebrate. Here you will find all of God’s dearest children, whose names are written in heaven. And you will find God himself, who judges everyone. Here also are the spirits of those good people who have been made perfect. And Jesus is here!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hebrews 12:22-24a CEV</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">More than a decade ago, I spent three weeks in Ethiopia. The opportunity came up quickly and less than a month later; I flew to Addis Abbaba to help a dear friend with a book project. He wrote a book about the rapid spread of Christianity among Muslims. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, there will be many people in Heaven who began their lives here on earth as part of the Muslim religion. You will meet many, if not all, of them when you get to Heaven! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">You will also meet followers of Jesus you read about in the Bible. And the angels, don’t forget about them. But when you get to Heaven, you will not meet Jesus for the first time. The way to get to Heaven is to meet and have faith in Jesus while you are still on this earth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Bible says in Colossians 1:27, “Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God’s glory.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">When you put your faith in Jesus, He comes into your life. Living by faith in Jesus is the best example of “Assisted Living.” When Christ is in you, you have the power to be victorious in every circumstance, every day! You may be old and you may be frail, but with Jesus in your heart, you are certain that Heaven will be your home forever.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord Jesus, the closer I get to the Day of Your return, the more I need to trust you, every minute of every day! Praise Your Holy Name now and forever, Amen!”</span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-12400077494801216472023-11-16T11:38:00.000-05:002023-11-16T11:38:15.071-05:00Lord Please Come After Me<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="420" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a-7UktNo6Rg" width="505" youtube-src-id="a-7UktNo6Rg"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I am your servant,<br />but I have wandered away<br /> like a lost sheep.<br />Please come after me,<br />because I have not forgotten<br /> your teachings."</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Psalm 119:176</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">When a poor man wanders away from those who know him and even love him, it is easy for him to become part of the “homeless” population of a big city. Often, no one will even look for him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">But if that same man is named in the will of a “rich” person who dies, everything changes. The person in charge of the estate will search far and wide to find the heir. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Did you know God named you in His will?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I Timothy 2:4a says, “God wants everyone to be saved.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">When Jesus died on the Cross He made “God's Will” available to every man, woman and child on earth! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes, even after you walk daily with Jesus, you may wander. Psalm 119:176 is a prayer suitable for every servant of the Lord to utter to God:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“I am your servant,<br />but I have wandered away<br /> like a lost sheep.<br />Please come after me,<br />because I have not forgotten<br /> your teachings.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord, I say it again. <b>Please come after me</b> and bring me back to You today. Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen.”</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span class="indent-1" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text Ps-119-176"> </span></span></p><p><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-119-176"> <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-47734298132525619952023-07-10T10:23:00.002-04:002023-07-10T10:23:22.409-04:00COUNT DOWN TO ETERNITY<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="356" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmiKGsDozok" width="428" youtube-src-id="DmiKGsDozok"></iframe></div><br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Philippians 1:6 CEV</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> There is a big difference in you working for God and God working through you. When you “work for God” you may or may not be trying to accomplish something according to His Will. But when God works through you, every breath you take, every step on your walk, every move of your hand, and every word you utter has the Power and Will of God behind it!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Even you will be amazed when you recognize the mighty work of God happening right in front of your eyes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> When will that miraculous fellowship with God stop here on earth? Not until the Day that Jesus returns! Then His work through you will be complete. It will be done. Perhaps Jesus will once again say, as He did on the Cross, “it is finished.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> If today is the Day of the Return of Jesus, He will still work through me and through you until the moment we hear the Trumpet and see the sky roll up. It will be the most amazing moment in all of history!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> The “Count Down to Eternity” may only have a day, an hour, or even a minute left until Jesus returns. But God still wants to use you, your heart, your hands, and your words to bring another lost sinner to Him!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> “lord Jesus, may I never stop being available to You, now and forever! Amen.” </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-86967434748554873702023-04-30T08:40:00.000-04:002023-04-30T08:40:42.023-04:00MESSAGE OF THE HEAVENS!<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v1" data-usfm="PSA.19.1"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="451" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t1SnBBayD_A" width="543" youtube-src-id="t1SnBBayD_A"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v1" data-usfm="PSA.19.1"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v1" data-usfm="PSA.19.1"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">The heavens keep telling </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v1" data-usfm="PSA.19.1"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">the wonders of God, </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v1" data-usfm="PSA.19.1"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">and the skies declare </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v1" data-usfm="PSA.19.1"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">what he has done. </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v1" data-usfm="PSA.19.1"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"></span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v2" data-usfm="PSA.19.2"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">Each day informs </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v2" data-usfm="PSA.19.2"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">the following day; </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v2" data-usfm="PSA.19.2"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">each night announces </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v2" data-usfm="PSA.19.2"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">to the next. </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v2" data-usfm="PSA.19.2"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"></span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v3" data-usfm="PSA.19.3"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">They don't speak a word, </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v3" data-usfm="PSA.19.3"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">and there is never </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v3" data-usfm="PSA.19.3"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">the sound of a voice.</span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v3" data-usfm="PSA.19.3"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"></span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_note__S7bux ChapterContent_x__NydvT"></span><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"> Yet their message reaches </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">all the earth, </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">and it travels </span></span><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">around the world.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">Psalm 14:1-4</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">A mother and her baby begin to communicate very early without words and without a sound. The most intimate relationships on earth do not require speech! When you look up at a starlit night and see the work of God displayed beautifully across the sky, He is declaring a Message for all to see. What is the Message of the Heavens?</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">When you watch a master-carpenter build a house out of pieces of wood and nails, the sawing and banging begin to gradually take the shape of a house. And then they blossom into the beautiful flower of a house suitable to be called "Home" by anyone. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">Looking up into the Heavens is a tour of places that the Master of all carpenters built. And He decided to let us look up every night and see His work. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">You don't have to read the Bible to know that God is real and that His creation is Glorious! God's Message of the Heavens is: "I AM alive and I AM here!" The message of the Bible is: "JESUS is the Way and the Only Way to the FATHER."</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo">So, you cannot hide from the Reality of God. You see His Glory in the Stars and in everything He created all around you. Let His Glory lead you to seek Him and know Him today!</span></span></span></p><p><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"><span style="font-size: large;">"Lord God, You are the Creator of everything there is. You designed and built every star and every galaxy that fills our nightime sky with wonder. And then You sent Jesus to pay our debt and to be the Savior of everyone who turns to Him. Praise Your Holy and Righteous Name, now and forever. Amen." </span> <br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"> <br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ChapterContent_verse__jS6jM v4" data-usfm="PSA.19.4"><span class="ChapterContent_content__dkdqo"> <br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-40291453572459924472023-04-27T09:33:00.000-04:002023-04-27T09:33:02.224-04:00<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hot Coals of Heaven!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="361" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IN_u_zhJ4O4" width="434" youtube-src-id="IN_u_zhJ4O4"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: large;">The Scriptures (also) say,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Romans 12:20-21</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When someone proves himself or herself to be your enemy, your humanity will want to strike a blow and defeat or even destroy the one who plots you harm. But the love of God through the person of Jesus Christ calls you to care for their needs!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And when your response is love instead of hate, the Power of God Almighty flows through your veins and pours out on the head of your enemy. The Hot Coals of Heaven ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit to consume the Evil and plant seeds of Righteousness!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And then love's new life can sprout in the heart of one who was your enemy. <br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“Lord Jesus, give me the Grace to love even those who hate me. May Your Eternal Power flow into the hearts of all who open themselves to be filled with Your Spirit. Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen.”</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-50459261989965300972022-09-09T04:56:00.000-04:002022-09-09T04:56:30.066-04:00LOVE OF YOUR LIFE<br /><div class="poetry top-1"><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oJy4U_VRZb0" width="320" youtube-src-id="oJy4U_VRZb0"></iframe></strong></div><strong><br /> </strong><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong> </strong></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.</strong></p><p><em><strong>Titus 3:4-7 CEV</strong></em></p><p>Imagine the mother of a convicted killer describing her son as someone with a “good heart.” Because of who she is, she can see her son as having a “good” heart, even though he has done many evil deeds.</p><p>Because of who Jesus is and what He has done, God can see you with the Holy Spirit in your heart. The Bible says that you have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. It even says that your “righteousness” is like filthy rags.</p><p>But because of Jesus and His perfect sacrifice, you can spend Eternity with Him. </p><p>What you must do to be saved is simple. Turn away from the world and all its lusts and the false pride that comes from embracing it, and let your heart run after Jesus in every moment of each day! Jesus wants to be the LOVE OF YOUR LIFE! </p><p>The greatest love story ever told on this earth is only a shadow of the story of Jesus and you! Even if you are now old, you can turn your heart to Jesus and stand at the door of the next season of life when Jesus comes and takes you to be with Him forever! And if you are still young, you can enter a relationship with Jesus that will bring blessings now and forever into your life. Either way, you will never regret it!</p><p>“Lord Jesus, touch my heart today with Your love, and give me an earthly taste of Eternal Bliss with You! Praise Your Name now and forever. Amen.”<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p class="line"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Titus-3-7"></span></span></p><p class="line"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Titus-3-7"> <br /></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-89781738784261063202022-08-26T10:25:00.000-04:002022-08-26T10:25:06.781-04:00"A Beautiful Thing!"<p><span class="text Mark-14-3" id="en-NIV-24758"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="text Mark-14-3" id="en-NIV-24758"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="313" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A18Tf7ePdxY" width="377" youtube-src-id="A18Tf7ePdxY"></iframe></span></div><span class="text Mark-14-3" id="en-NIV-24758"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-3" id="en-NIV-24758"> </span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-3" id="en-NIV-24758">While he (Jesus) was in Bethany,
reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came
with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She
broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.</span></p> <p><span class="text Mark-14-4" id="en-NIV-24759">Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?</span> <span class="text Mark-14-5" id="en-NIV-24760">It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.</span></p><p> <span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">“Leave her alone,”</span> said Jesus. <span class="woj">“Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. </span></span><span class="text Mark-14-7" id="en-NIV-24762"><span class="woj">The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.</span></span> <span class="text Mark-14-8" id="en-NIV-24763"><span class="woj">She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.</span></span> <span class="text Mark-14-9" id="en-NIV-24764"><span class="woj"> </span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-9" id="en-NIV-24764"><span class="woj">Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">Mark 14:3-9 NIV<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">Did you know that today on Amazon you can buy an Alabaster Jar containing Pure Nard Oil? The woman mentioned in Mark 14 and her expensive perfume are still remembered today, even as Jesus said they would be.</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">In today's dollars the perfume would probably be worth more than $20,000!</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">The critics said the woman wasted the expensive perfume by pouring it on the head of Jesus. But Jesus saw it differently. Jesus said she did "A Beautiful Thing."</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">And so I would ask you this: Have you ever "wasted" something of value to honor and bless Jesus? Have you done something for Jesus that He might consider to be "A Beautiful Thing?"</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">I know a doctor who began his career as a medical missionary and brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a third world country along with his healing arts! There were some who said he was wasting his life as a doctor. He could have made enough money in the U.S. to support a number of missionaries around the world. Was it a waste or rather "A Beautiful Thing" he did for Jesus?</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">When a mother chooses to give up a career so she can love, teach and train her children in the ways of the Lord, is she wasting her life for Jesus? I think Jesus would call her decision and life "A Beautiful Thing!"</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">Wasting your life for Jesus is a step beyond obedience! It is the spiritual equivalent of going "above and beyond the call to duty!" Wasting your life for Jesus is almost never practical. </span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">Look today for something you can do for Jesus that He will say is "A Beautiful Thing!"</span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj">"Lord Jesus, give me the heart to desire to waste my life for You! May You look at me and see "A Beautiful Thing!" Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen." <br /></span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj"> <br /></span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj"> <br /></span></span></p><p><span class="text Mark-14-6" id="en-NIV-24761"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="text Matt-26-10" id="en-NIV-24065"><span class="woj"> </span></span></p><p><span class="text Matt-26-10" id="en-NIV-24065"><span class="woj"> <br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-26129556770289644302022-08-23T16:45:00.002-04:002022-08-23T16:45:25.501-04:00For Such a Time as This<p><span class="text Esth-4-14" id="en-NIV-12777"> </span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-14" id="en-NIV-12777"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="321" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nOdWT44Z944" width="386" youtube-src-id="nOdWT44Z944"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-14" id="en-NIV-12777">"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance
for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s
family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal
position for such a time as this?”</span> <span class="text Esth-4-15" id="en-NIV-12778">Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:</span><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast
for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my
attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the
king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”</span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779">Esther 4:14-16 NIV<br /></span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779">Queen Esther's willingness to put her own life at risk to save her fellow Jews was the hallmark of her story. Her guardian Mordecai told her if she chose not to speak up, God would find another way to save the Jews from death.</span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779">It is not uncommon for someone, chosen by God for a specific task, to step aside and refuse the job! That was the response of Moses when God called him to lead the people out of Egypt. Of course, Moses finally accepted the challenge when Aaron showed up to be his spokesman.</span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779">Do you believe that God has a plan for this day with your name on it? It may be a word of encouragment for a downtrodden follower of Jesus. It may be a word of warning to a Christian tempted to take a step on the road away from Jesus.</span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779">The plans of God for His children are like a massive tapestry. It is colorful and confusing on one side, but beautiful beyond anyone's imagination on the other.</span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779">God has a thread for you to insert in that picture today. Say yes to His plan for this day. One day in Heaven you will see how your decision to be obedient today added a beautiful color to the work of God through the ages!</span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779">"Lord Jesus thank You for calling me to be even a small brush as You paint the world with Your love. Help me to know like Your servant Esther that You created me for such a time as this. Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen!" <br /></span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779"> <br /></span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779"> </span></p><p><span class="text Esth-4-16" id="en-NIV-12779"> <br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-37405340362403845342022-08-17T17:12:00.001-04:002022-08-17T17:12:39.584-04:00Far Beyond Your Imagination<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_XP05OagOiE" width="320" youtube-src-id="_XP05OagOiE"></iframe></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></b><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">"You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you. So, use your body to honor God."</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Corinthians 6:19-20 CEV</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">When Adam and Eve ate the Forbidden Fruit, they sold themselves to Satan! Since then, every man and woman born on this earth has confirmed the deal and joined the First Couple in Sin. There was no way for humans to redeem themselves from this impossible situation. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">But from the very moment Sin arrived on earth God had a plan. His plan was Jesus! Jesus came to earth and unlike every other human being, Jesus never sinned! In utter contempt and rage Satan worked to destroy Jesus and so he hung Him on a Cross. Before that the Devil tried to tempt Jesus to sin, just as he had done with Adam and Eve, but Jesus would not. Jesus died on the Cross, but on the third day He burst forth from the grave, never to die again. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus bought you with His own Blood! No greater price was ever paid for anything. When a soldier gives his life in war, he is honored for having paid the "Ultimate Price." </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">When you give your heart and life to Jesus Christ, you become His willing slave! He already paid the price that justified you and gave Him the right to be your Lord. Now it is time for you to give Jesus everything you are and everything you have and be obedient to His every wish. When you do that, the deal is done and all you must wait for is the day when Jesus comes to collect His Bride and take her with Him to His home in Heaven!</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">It is the most glorious and exciting future imaginable. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">"Lord Jesus, before I was born, as I waited while I was formed in my mother's womb, I had no idea how wonderful this life on earth could be. In the same way Jesus, I cannot even imagine how great will be my life with You in Heaven. Every day brings me 24 hours closer to the moment when You come with the angels to take me home! Even as You were busy doing Your Father's business here on earth, may I spend this day, directed by Your Holy Spirit about what to do, what to say and where to go. May Your Holy Name Jesus, be Praised Now and Forever, Amen!"</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-83387222340233612832022-08-10T14:05:00.007-04:002022-08-10T14:38:48.347-04:00The King's Heart and Mine<p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 22.4px;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 22.4px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bkroQMSJChs" width="320" youtube-src-id="bkroQMSJChs"></iframe></span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 22.4px;"><br /><span class="text Prov-16-9"><br /></span></span></span></span><p></p><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 22.4px;"><span class="text Prov-16-9"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" id="en-CEV-15041">We make our own plans,</span><span class="text Prov-16-9"> but the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> decides</span><span class="indent-1"> <span class="text Prov-16-9">where we will go.</span></span> <span></span></span><span>Proverbs 16:9</span></span></span></p><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;">It is hard to understand how human beings have "free will" and yet the Lord is in charge of everything that happens. Your free will and the Sovereignty of God are both declared truths in the Bible. In our human minds they seem to be in opposition to each other, but to God they both make perfect sense. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;">Pharoah, in Egypt was a good example of someone who was not a follower of God, or even a believer at any level, and yet God "hardened his heart" more than once. The decisions Pharaoh made about whether or not to let the Israelites leave Egypt were his own, but God was in charge. You have the freedom to make decisions in your life, but God is free to move on your heart and soften it or harden it as He chooses! And frankly, you are almost never aware of what He is doing.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;">You can be certain that God is working on the heart of every world leader so that God's Sovereign Will comes to fulfillment. He will harden their hearts or soften them depending on His own plan. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Prov-16-9" style="position: relative;">Proverbs 21:1 says <span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="chapter-2"><span class="text Prov-21-1">The king’s heart is in the hand of the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span></span><span class="text Prov-21-1"><i> </i>like the<sup> </sup>rivers of water;</span><span class="text Prov-21-1"> He turns it wherever He wishes."</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Prov-21-1" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Prov-21-1" style="font-size: medium;">Your heart as well is in the hand of the Lord. Willingly submit your heart to His Will and trust Him today. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Prov-21-1" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Prov-21-1">"Lord Jesus, hold my heart in Your ha</span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">nd and move my life in the direction that pleases You. Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen."</span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Prov-21-1" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Prov-21-1"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-28002500340160231342022-08-03T14:23:00.001-04:002022-08-04T07:53:12.481-04:00Spiritual Selfie<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gyaB6qwMHlM" width="320" youtube-src-id="gyaB6qwMHlM"></iframe></div><br />Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.<p></p><p>James 1:22-25</p><p>When you listen to the Word of God, you are looking at yourself in God’s mirror. When have you taken a “selfie” with your cell phone camera and not seen an imperfection that needs attention?</p><p>When a mother or a father says, in a stern voice, “Did you hear me?” The child is jolted into the realization that what comes next will not be pleasant if he or she does not obey the will of their parents.</p><p>Exposing yourself to the Word of God is like looking in God’s mirror of the soul. God will let you see what you need to do to align yourself more perfectly with His Will!</p><p>Remember, “God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.”</p><p>So today, take a Spiritual Selfie by reading the Bible to see yourself in the eyes of God. Then, obey what the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart. The Bible says when you do that, you will be set free!</p><p>“Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us enough to let us see ourselves in Your Word. Help me today to obey everything I see in it. Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen.”</p><p><style type="text/css">p, li { white-space: pre-wrap; }</style></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-42672576039981143882022-03-15T13:59:00.001-04:002022-03-15T13:59:48.027-04:00Ever Sweeter Blessings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USfzf8l-OyI" width="320" youtube-src-id="USfzf8l-OyI"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Scriptures say, “Humans wither like grass, and their glory fades like wild flowers. Grass dries up, and flowers fall to the ground. But what the Lord has said will stand forever.” Our good news to you is what the Lord has said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Peter 1:24-25</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I heard his voice, and it was the same. But then I saw his face, and it had changed. Voices age much more slowly than faces. My friend sounded the same as he did when we were young, but he appeared to be an old man. Of course, that is what he was. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every man and woman grows old if they live long enough on this earth. But the Word of God never changes. It never becomes outdated or irrelevant. However, your understanding of God’s Word does change as you move on through the seasons of life. That is why you must expose your heart to His Word repeatedly as you walk through life. A verse you memorize as a child will mean more to you when you are an adult. In your sunset years, the Holy Spirit will pour out even sweeter blessings of understanding.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord Jesus, keep speaking Your Words to my heart again and again. Let them wash me with Your blessings that only You can give! Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen.”</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-22433354534689025472022-03-14T06:54:00.000-04:002022-03-14T06:54:33.918-04:00When to Hide From God<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b1nqXSDXd4I" width="320" youtube-src-id="b1nqXSDXd4I"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Go inside and lock the doors, my people. Hide there for a little while, until the Lord is no longer angry. The Lord will come out to punish everyone on earth for their sins. And when he does, those who did violent crimes will be known and punished.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Isaiah 26:20-21</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every human feeling and emotion originates in God, who made us in His own image. Even the ability to feel and express anger comes from our likeness to the Creator! When God gets angry, it is time to “Go inside and lock the doors.” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The reason you are angry about seeing mothers, little children, and even babies slaughtered in television reports is simple. You are made in the image of God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">God will punish all those who reject Jesus and His blood poured out on the ground beneath the Cross. God never asks His followers to take vengeance on those who sin. But God says He will repay.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">You can be certain that the evil you see will not go unpunished. Either the Blood of Jesus will cover those sins, or the men who committed the crimes will suffer forever for them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord Jesus, help me trust You will deliver justice to everyone who sins. You either punish those who sin or cover them with Your Blood. Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen!”</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-76259439747542508632022-03-11T10:28:00.000-05:002022-03-11T10:28:37.756-05:00Walk with Jesus<p><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content"> </span></span></p><p><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YN-1GZC44u0" width="320" youtube-src-id="YN-1GZC44u0"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content">Israel, give up your idols! </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content">I will answer your prayers</span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content"> and take care of you.</span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content"> I am that glorious tree,</span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content"> the source of your fruit.</span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="HOS.14.8"><span class="content"></span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> If you are wise, you will know</span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> and understand what I mean.</span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> I am the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, and I lead you</span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> along the right path.</span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> If you obey me,</span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> we will walk together,</span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> but if you are wicked,</span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> you will stumble.</span></span></p><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content">Hosea 14:8-9</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> </span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content">When the road is rough each step is a display of how careful you must be to keep from falling. But when the road is smooth, a single stone can send you sprawling on the pavement. </span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> </span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content">Hiking in the woods is a glorious experience on a warm Spring day unless you step on a poisonous snake! </span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"> </span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content">When you are on the right road, there is no guarantee of a smooth surface with no "stumbling stones." Also being on the path of life that God chose does not mean there will be no snakes!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"><br /></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content">Obeying Jesus and walking with Him on the Road of Life will protect you from all the dangers along the way. And there will be dangers. With Jesus at your side you can always grab His arm, hold His hand, or let Jesus put you on His shoulders and carry across the really dangerous sections of the path. He can also warn you of something you don't have eyes to see. </span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"><br /></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content">"Lord Jesus, show me the way that I should go today, and then walk with me as I obey You in everything I do. Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen."</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"><br /></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"><br /></span></span></div><div class="q2"><br /><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="HOS.14.9"><span class="content"></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-783517540374844352022-03-10T15:00:00.001-05:002022-03-10T15:00:48.331-05:00It is All About the Tree<span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.22.19"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QiycM2FOC3o" width="320" youtube-src-id="QiycM2FOC3o"></iframe></div><br /><span class="content"><br /></span></span><div class="pi"><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book. If you take anything away from these prophecies, God will not let you have part in the life-giving tree and in the holy city described in this book.</p><p>Revelation 22:18-19</p><p>The secret to Eternal Life is having access to the Tree of Life in Heaven. Adam and Eve could eat of any tree in the Garden of Eden except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Bible does not say how long the First Couple had been in Eden when Eve and then Adam sinned, but it says that eating of the Tree of Life after they sinned was not acceptable to God.</p><p>The story of the Bible is very simple. Adam and Eve lost the right to eat of the Tree of Life when they sinned. Then Jesus restored that right for anyone who follows Him in Faith. </p><p>In a very genuine sense, the Word of God is fruit from the Tree of Life. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God!”</p><p>So when you study, meditate on, or memorize the Word of God, you are feeding your soul with the fruit that will keep you alive forever. When you arrive in Heaven, you will have continual and complete access to the Word of God!</p><p>The Word of God in your heart will keep you alive forever! </p><p>“Lord Jesus, let me hear Your Word today. By that Word I will grow and become strong for the battles of this life. And with Your Words ringing in my ear, I will live forever in Heaven! Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen!”</p></div><div class="pi"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.22.19"><span class="content"><br /></span></span></div><div class="pi"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.22.19"><span class="content"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-53889121716771005062022-01-19T07:49:00.000-05:002022-01-19T07:49:07.237-05:00When You Walk With Jesus<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="417" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aDu9RiObNIA" width="501" youtube-src-id="aDu9RiObNIA"></iframe></i></b></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In everything and in all ways, I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Philippians 4:10-13</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Who is Jesus Christ? Does He sit in the stands and cheer us on in the “Game of Life?” Perhaps you even think of Jesus as the Coach? You think of Him as one who trains you and explains the intricacies of the contest that you face every day. Jesus is all those things, but He is more.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says: “<b>Take</b> <b>my</b> <b>yoke</b> upon you and learn from me...” Jesus wants us to be yoked to Him like two oxen pulling a plow. They both provide strength to pull the load, but Jesus can carry the entire load for you if you need. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">There is no task, there is no challenge that is too difficult or too big for followers of Jesus Christ! When you see the need and say, “It is too great! I cannot accomplish it,” Jesus says, “Walk with Me, and watch Me do it.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nothing is impossible for Jesus. Put your hand on the plow in a field that is too rocky or too hard to ever prepare for planting. That field can be ready for the Word of God to take root and bring forth fruit for God when Jesus yokes Himself to you and you learn from Him. When Jesus has His hand on your plow, nothing is impossible for you as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord Jesus, help me today to keep my eyes on You and not on the tasks that are too hard for me to accomplish! You, Lord, are the strength I need today and every day! Praise Your Holy Name, now and always! Amen.”</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-91685148865345573142021-12-13T06:10:00.003-05:002021-12-13T06:10:33.467-05:00Two Wisdoms<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="348" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sVN6lK3vUgg" width="418" youtube-src-id="sVN6lK3vUgg"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up. We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Galatians 6:7-10</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every time you encounter another human being, a seed falls into your heart or theirs, sometimes both. During the time of a pandemic, many people wear masks so they will not infect others or themselves with the current virus.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every point of contact with the world around you is consequential. There is always “give and take.” The world tries to give you “fake truth.” Those who are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit broadcast God’s reality that comes straight from Heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">When you fellowship another disciple of Christ, the faith of both grows. You will “cheer each other on” in your walk of faith! Instead of being jealous of another believer in their close walk with Jesus, they encourage you to have that closeness in your own life.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Above all, don’t equate the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. They are not the same and can never be. One Word from God contradicts all the world’s wise men. You can know that they are all wrong! God already knows everything that researchers are desperately trying to discover.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is not your job to confirm that the wisdom of the world is right about this or that. As a follower of Jesus, it is yours to listen for the voice of God and obey it every day. When you plant that seed, you will harvest Eternal Life!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord Jesus, plant Your seed in my heart today and in the hearts of everyone I encounter. Praise Your Holy Name, Now and Forever. Amen!”</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-57888834609339093092021-09-18T08:17:00.000-04:002021-09-18T08:17:29.077-04:00A BEAUTIFUL MARRIAGE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="359" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ia1WAJbRTic" width="431" youtube-src-id="Ia1WAJbRTic"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother to get married, and he becomes like one person with his wife.” This is a great mystery, but I understand it to mean Christ and his church. So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Ephesians 5:31-33</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marriage is a great mystery. And we find the secret to the mystery in heaven. God created man, and He created woman. God designed a lifelong relationship between a man and a woman that speaks loudly about Jesus and those who belong to Him.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">God did not create men and women to be the same. They are two pieces of the puzzle of life that when they come together, life goes on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Of course, the Bible does not require that anyone marry. But if you do, you display the glory of Heaven to men and women on earth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Men, when you love your wife you are stepping into the Stream of the joy of heaven. Women, when you respect your husband, you are learning a Secret from heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">So marriage is one of Satan's prime targets. He wants to destroy the most beautiful picture ever painted on earth!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">A beautiful marriage makes the most beautiful sunset pale in comparison.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Thank You, Jesus, for allowing us to experience being part of the picture of You and Your Bride. May Your Holy Name be praised now and forever. Amen.”</span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-47371431010982191322021-09-16T11:58:00.000-04:002021-09-16T11:58:06.842-04:00Surrender to God<p>
<style type="text/css">p, li { white-space: pre-wrap; }</style></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RG0k3c0vFgk" width="320" youtube-src-id="RG0k3c0vFgk"></iframe></div><br /><b>
</b><p></p><p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b>Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can’t make up your mind.</b></p><b>
</b><p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>James 4:7-8</b></i></p>
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<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Have you surrendered your life to God, and are you resisting the devil? Many people resist God and surrender to the devil.</p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">When you come near to God, the devil will run away from you.The evil one doesn't mind being near you, but when you are near God he is afraid and he runs away. So the way to get rid of the devil in your life is to live close to God. Begin your day thinking about Jesus and reading the word of God while you meditate on what it says.</p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">When your heart and mind are not focused on Jesus Christ you will find temptations coming from every direction. But when you think about Jesus and contemplate His role in your life, the steps you take and the path you walk will be far from Satan.<br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">The truth is this: either you will be near to God or the devil will be near to you!</p>
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<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">“Lord Jesus, help me to stay near You today so the devil will stay away. May Your holy name be praised now and forever Amen.”</p><p><style type="text/css">p, li { white-space: pre-wrap; }</style></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-29929872497592406122021-09-15T13:58:00.008-04:002021-09-15T14:07:34.066-04:00Believe It or Not<br /><p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3SLEyOgt7WE" width="320" youtube-src-id="3SLEyOgt7WE"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Chr<b>ist was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross.<span style="vertical-align: super;"> </span>Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others. So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, “Jesus Christ is Lord!”</b></p><b>
</b><p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><b><br /></b></p><b>
</b><p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><i><b>Philippians 2:8-11
</b></i></p><p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Even those without faith now will one day bow the knee and proclaim that Jesus is Lord!</p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Atheism is a temporary condition that will come to an abrupt end when we stand before the king of kings and Lord of lords on the day of judgment.</p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">God gave mankind the ability to not believe that he exists. It may be hard to fathom but everyone in hell will know for certain that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Before they arrive in the fiery pits of eternal suffering all mankind will stand before him on the Day of judgment.</p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Let the turmoil you see around you in the world today prompt your action to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Don't worry about whether the prophecies are being fulfilled in your presence. It may be soon or it may yet be a while, but Jesus is coming and you need to be ready!</p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">Today, bow your knees in prayer so you will be ready to bow your knees in praise when you come before the throne of Jesus on that day.</p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; -qt-paragraph-type: empty; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="-qt-block-indent: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">“Thank You Jesus for coming to pay the price for my sins. And thank You for coming again to get me and take me home with You forever. Amen.”</p><p><style type="text/css">p, li { white-space: pre-wrap; }</style></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-75632911350877737232021-08-15T15:07:00.007-04:002021-08-15T15:28:21.208-04:00Big Words About Jesus<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="339" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y_EkLY7kSiU" width="408" youtube-src-id="y_EkLY7kSiU"></iframe></b></div><b><br /> </b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.billsteensland.com/Big Words About Jesus.mp3">Click here to listen to blog</a></span><br /></p><p><b> <br /></b></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to tell the good news without using big words that would make the cross of Christ lose its power. The message about the cross doesn’t make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God’s power at work.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>1 Corinthians 1:17-18 CEV</i><br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The message of Jesus Christ is not an intellectual, reasonable, and logical argument. It makes little sense to those who are on the road to Hell and have not already turned their attention toward God. But when a man or woman recognizes the desperate state of affairs of their own life, the Good News of Jesus Christ comes alive. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The hope you need for the future is not an intellectual argument, no matter how logical it may be. What you must have is a person who will save you from sin and the deadly effects of rebellion against God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">You can know and even understand all the theologies in the Bible and still not know Jesus! For Eternity, it is not what you know that matters. Who you know determines your eternal destiny. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">On the Day of Judgment, a solid grasp of all the Biblical doctrines will count for nothing if you don’t know Jesus as your Lord. But if you know Jesus, He will see that the wisdom of the world does not corrupt your understanding of truth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Thank You, Jesus, that I don’t need to know Big Words about You. All I need is to know You and I will have Forever to learn everything about You I don’t know now. Praise Your Holy Name now and always. Amen.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span class="text 1Cor-1-17" id="en-CEV-26290"></span></p><p><span class="text 1Cor-1-17" id="en-CEV-26290"> <br /></span></p><p><span class="text 1Cor-1-17" id="en-CEV-26290"> <br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-90155951333161384542021-08-13T14:25:00.007-04:002021-08-13T14:39:12.572-04:00God Has No Unemployment Plan<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o-3-CUwjbys" width="423" youtube-src-id="o-3-CUwjbys"></iframe></div><br /><span class="text 2Thess-3-13" id="en-CEV-27586"><br /></span><p></p><p><span class="text 2Thess-3-13" id="en-CEV-27586"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://billsteensland.com/God%20Has%20No%20Unemployment%20Plan.mp3">Click here to listen to blog</a><br /></span></p><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We also gave you the rule that if you don’t work, you don’t eat. Now we learn that some of you just loaf around and won’t do any work, except the work of a busybody. So, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask and beg these people to settle down and start working for a living.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 CEV</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you one of those refusing to go back to work in the wake of the Covid Pandemic? When thousands of people were dying every day from the disease, and no one knew what treatment worked, the entire world went into “lock-down.” Computers and the internet enabled many to continue to work from the safety of their homes. And many of those who stayed home without the ability to continue work received more than adequate unemployment checks from their government.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now, the problem in the United States is: The Government is paying lots of people more money not to work than those same people would receive if they went back to their jobs. It stalled the most amazing and prosperous economy in the world for lack of workers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Did you know that there is no unemployment plan for followers of Jesus Christ? Jesus has employment for you today and it includes nothing beyond your ability. His Spirit will direct you to the opportunities to work for Him and bring His blessings to those you encounter. If all you can do is pray for those in need, you are doing the greatest work of all!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pandemic survivors who sit at home and refuse to work are like Christians who “go to church once a week” to get spiritual food from the pastor and only study the Bible to confirm that they are saved. There is no blessing from God for refusing to hear the call of the Holy Spirit to work for Him. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord Jesus, take away my fear of responding to Your call on my life today. Open my ears to hear Your plan for this day. Give me the courage to step onto the stormy seas of walking with You! Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen.”</span></p><p><span class="text 2Thess-3-13" id="en-CEV-27586"></span></p><p><span class="text 2Thess-3-13" id="en-CEV-27586"><br /></span></p><p><span class="text 2Thess-3-13" id="en-CEV-27586"> <br /></span></p><p><span class="text 2Thess-3-13" id="en-CEV-27586"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-4142987836509854372021-08-08T04:56:00.003-04:002021-08-08T05:12:31.744-04:00Favorite Place for Me in Heaven<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h3OKnNsU_jY" width="423" youtube-src-id="h3OKnNsU_jY"></iframe></b></div><b><br /> </b><p></p><p><b> </b></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://billsteensland.com/Favorite Place for Me in Heaven.mp3"><b>Click here to listen to blog</b></a>
</p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text">Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith
in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I
wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place
for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me.
Then we will be together.”</span></span></b></p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></b><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text"><i>John 14:1-3</i> CEV</span></span></b></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text">God’s house has many rooms, and as a follower of Jesus,
your name is written above the door of one of them. For over 2000 years, Jesus
has worked on places for all of His disciples, including you!</span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text">Reality TV shows that remodel houses often conclude the
show with an almost life-size picture of the old house pulled out of the way to
reveal the new creation. Many times, the new owners call on the Name of God in
their joy and utter amazement. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text">The place that Jesus is preparing for you will shock you to
your very core. The One who designed every beautiful sunset and glorious Spring
flower is decorating a place in God’s house for you. <span> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text">Here on earth, I certainly like the city, town, or area in
which I live, but my home</span> is the best. My home is my favorite place to
be. Jesus is preparing a Favorite Place for Me in Heaven. It will be better
than I have ever dreamed.</span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">When Jesus finishes the place for me, He will come back and take me to be
with Him forever. </span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Lord Jesus, I want to imagine the glory of the place You are preparing for
me. As I look around here on earth and see all the suffering and pain, sin and
death, and all the other things that came upon us because of our rebellion
against You, give me a glimpse of what I will see on the day of my departure
from this earth. May all men fall down and worship You and praise Your Holy
Name. Amen.”</span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-74697264011148812512021-07-14T05:42:00.002-04:002021-07-14T13:40:32.671-04:00JESUS LOVES YOU MORE THAN LIFE<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text Ps-91-14" id="en-CEV-13603"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text Ps-91-14" id="en-CEV-13603"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="366" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rr84rD-Y3kU" width="440" youtube-src-id="rr84rD-Y3kU"></iframe></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text Ps-91-14" id="en-CEV-13603"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text Ps-91-14" id="en-CEV-13603"><a href="http://billsteensland.com/JESUS%20LOVES%20YOU%20MORE%20THAN%20LIFE.mp3">Click here to listen to blog</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text Ps-91-14" id="en-CEV-13603">The Lord says,</span><span class="text Ps-91-14"> “If you love me</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-14">and truly know who I am,</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-14">I will rescue you</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-14">and keep you safe.</span></span><span class="text Ps-91-15" id="en-CEV-13604"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>When you are in trouble,</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-15">call out to me.</span></span><span class="text Ps-91-15"> I will answer and be there</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-15">to protect and honor you.</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16" id="en-CEV-13605"> You will live a long life</span></span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-91-16">and see my saving power.”</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">Psalm 91:14-16 CEV</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">Real love is always a two way street. When you love someone who doesn't love you, there is usually a sad ending to the story. But when you discover that the one you love also loves you, there is a rush of joy and peace that fills your heart and mind!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">When you write the first lines of your love story with Jesus, the Devil always jumps in to say that you are not worthy to be loved by Jesus! As a frail and flawed human being why would the Creator of all there is love you? </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">Jesus loves you, not because of who you are or what you have done, but because of who He is and what He has done! You see, every sinner on planet earth, even at the depths of his or her sin and shame is loved by Jesus with the full extent of His love!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">Every love story has a beginning when one of the two, steps into the pool of love and sinks deep into a permanent place of caring! Jesus did that for all people when He allowed Himself to be lifted high on the Cross! Every being in all of Eternity must have heard the voice of Jesus screaming "I love you" for all mankind to hear!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">The message of the Holy Bible is this: Jesus Loves You! </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">The choice you have is simple: Step into the Love Story of Loving Jesus or say "no" to the One who loves you more than He loved His own life on earth!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16">"Lord Jesus, I want to walk in a loving relationship with You, today, tomorrow and forever! Praise Your Holy Name always! Amen." <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-91-16"> <br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125393780635081940.post-51110372570482018132021-07-08T19:40:00.009-04:002021-07-09T04:24:36.595-04:00ECHO OFF THE WALLS OF ETERNITY!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="368" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xseZNPrU8us" width="443" youtube-src-id="xseZNPrU8us"></iframe></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="billsteensland.com/Echo off the Walls of Eternity.mp3">Click here to listen</a> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"> <span style="background-color: black;"><b>At that time you will say,</b></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span class="text Isa-12-4" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="position: relative;">“Our <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, we are thankful,</span><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"></span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"></span><span class="text Isa-12-4" style="position: relative;">and we worship only you.</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;" /><span class="text Isa-12-4" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="position: relative;">We will tell the nations</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;" /><span class="text Isa-12-4" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="position: relative;">how glorious you are</span><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-4" style="position: relative;"> </span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-4" style="position: relative;">and what you have done.</span></span><span class="text Isa-12-5" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-CEV-16088" style="position: relative;"> </span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span class="text Isa-12-5" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-CEV-16088" style="position: relative;">Because of your wonderful deeds</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;" /><span class="text Isa-12-5" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="position: relative;">we will sing your praises</span><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"></span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"></span><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;">everywhere on earth.”</span></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></b></i></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;">Isaiah 12:4-5</span></span></b></i></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;">Eye witness testimony is certainly more powerful than repeating what you hear someone else say! This morning I read an eye witness description of a car accident. A friend of mine saw the wreck and ran to assist the driver and his wife out of the destroyed vehicle. The incident came alive in my mind as I read her descriptions. Thank God, no one was killed. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;">Can you give "eye witness testimony" to what you see God doing in the world around you, and especially in your own life? </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-12-5" style="position: relative;">Personal testimony about your relationship with Jesus is like describing a beautiful sunrise or sunset. </span></span>When you hear about the beautiful fellowship of Jesus and one of His followers you can never paint an exact copy of that picture in your own life! All the same colors may be there, but the way they touch the horizon is always unique.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">When you tell the story about how Jesus impacts your life and walks with you on the road to Heaven, others will be encouraged to depend on Him as well. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">When you tell the world around you what Jesus has done for you, in you and through you, as well as what He has done and is doing in the world itself, the <b><u>Power and Love of Jesus echos off the walls of Eternity!</u></b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tell someone your story everyday! Especially, tell the parts about what you have seen Jesus do for you, in you and through you!</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Lord Jesus, may the sound of Your Power and Love Echo off the Walls of Eternity. Praise Your Holy Name now and forever! Amen." </span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 22.4px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 22.4px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0