tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35362836270500229782024-03-14T00:26:50.146-06:00A Shepherd's MusingsHandyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-56976836807125053772022-12-05T16:45:00.007-07:002022-12-05T16:45:43.765-07:00Will you consider taking up the Hebrews 11:6 Challenge in 2023? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHFPpfAqJ10Vn6fOoL2rtwaAlfjyP725eGe_1-T7BIHBdUSY9odos1yNGPq5hmxaiSmRhYRkza1C4zIqbk6K-4NZlBXLAFky1e4y5EnaBRyawl3nsoVPBfiL--m9CSZr6S4XFipQqcclnVhj8o5IKVMYk29NdDDEzeRj3t5_-96uhav7kG0FxpXmMaQ/s495/Cover_l.gif" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHFPpfAqJ10Vn6fOoL2rtwaAlfjyP725eGe_1-T7BIHBdUSY9odos1yNGPq5hmxaiSmRhYRkza1C4zIqbk6K-4NZlBXLAFky1e4y5EnaBRyawl3nsoVPBfiL--m9CSZr6S4XFipQqcclnVhj8o5IKVMYk29NdDDEzeRj3t5_-96uhav7kG0FxpXmMaQ/s200/Cover_l.gif" /></a></div>
<b>About the Book:</b> <div><br /></div><div>The spark that ignited the writing of HE IS! is Hebrews 11:6:
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV).
Will you consider beginning the Hebrews 11:6 adventure?
In his deepest trials of life, Mark embarks on a quest to know God more fully and intimately through prayerful meditation on the Scriptures. He confesses that he has been a part of three main groups in this world: those who deny that God exists, those who don’t know if there is a God, and those who believe in God.
Each meditation includes reflection questions that ask readers to consider topics such as whether they find comfort in sometimes not understanding God, how they feel about awesome truths regarding God, and how knowing a particular attribute of God might change the way they think and act.
Ignite your faith, learn more about who God is, and help spread the Word with this book of devotional meditation by inviting others to join you in a group study. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Awards:</b></div><div><br /></div><div> American Writing Awards 2022 Finalist in the Religion Category </div><div><br /></div><div><b>About the Author:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Mark R. Worden is a lifelong learner and a student of God’s Word. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bible and Teaching Bible. He has served as youth pastor, missionary, and teacher at a Bible institute in Manaus, Brazil, and pastored a local Montana church for six years. Along with being a licensed property manager, he is a self-employed handyman, and enjoys woodworking on the side.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Excerpts from 3 Editorial Reviews:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>• Readers’ Favorite – 5 Stars by Edith Wairimu
I loved the personal anecdotes included which help expand the work and show how knowing God applies in everyday life. The reflection questions included at the end of each meditation allowed me to pause and internalize the messages. I also found the scriptures included for further reading and meditation helpful in learning more about each attribute of God. Ultimately, the work guided me in developing a more intimate relationship with Him and reminded me about who God is. I loved that the work is backed by biblical passages that support its discussions. I also found the work uplifting as it shows God as personal, all-knowing, and merciful. He Is! Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations by Mark R Worden is a powerful and hope-filled work that expands on who God is. Recommended to any reader who wants to grow in their knowledge and relationship with God. </div><div><br /></div><div>• Reader Views – 5 stars by Lily Andrews
“He Is!: Knowing God Through Fifty Scriptural Meditations” by Mark R. Worden is a landmark volume and a one-stop believer’s guide, well-choreographed and presented to elucidate the character and personality of God, backed up with over eight hundred biblical scriptures and well-researched phrases.
[It] is a precious read and is a stunning tool that leaves you meditating on God’s word. It is not a “feel good” devotional, rather it is blissful with substance and content challenging the followers to dig deeper into their relationship with the Creator. It is truly a resource that edifies and liberates your heart. </div><div><br /></div><div>• BookViral – 5 Stars by anonymous
Mark Worden offers us his own personal spiritual reflections in ‘He Is’-Knowing God through 50 Meditations’. Taking phrases and passages from scripture and pondering on each ‘God is’ phrase, Worden encourages his readers to reflect deeply on the multi-faceting representation of God found in the Bible, how God is evident in nature and creation, and in how he interacts with humankind.
Worden interweaves frank and self-sharing personal experience into his writing, demonstrating how belief in God and who he is can have a profound and last long effect on life and happiness, as well as presenting him as an all-encompassing being who can have a powerful influence in and on lives, and who works through others to support and provide.
‘He is’-Knowing God through 50 Meditations’ could be ideally studied in sections as a group Bible study guide, or alternatively as a personal journal from which to springboard to personal scriptural meditation and is highly recommended.
</div><div><br /></div><div><b>More information: <a href="http://www.heisministries.net" target="_blank">www.heisministries.net</a></b></div>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-47567082160746169152022-11-22T09:36:00.005-07:002022-11-22T09:36:42.485-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6S5n3X8BTTEo-aNB3kWHtGN4AbuBbR-WhN8YT4XeVgEp4vokJ9lJFYKye4s4doPktor4xd6xKI3Jgr9NYxVaRlXcQJ5Y4Mc86bF_eiVawkNd76uWWwlHx5MO9a_R0S03ostsA9zaewFNx8_jfITBc4RDquF4xWtUP63KaSBf06_8jR6KhO_m9SLn7Q/s4000/Finalist2022HR.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6S5n3X8BTTEo-aNB3kWHtGN4AbuBbR-WhN8YT4XeVgEp4vokJ9lJFYKye4s4doPktor4xd6xKI3Jgr9NYxVaRlXcQJ5Y4Mc86bF_eiVawkNd76uWWwlHx5MO9a_R0S03ostsA9zaewFNx8_jfITBc4RDquF4xWtUP63KaSBf06_8jR6KhO_m9SLn7Q/s320/Finalist2022HR.png"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mZm3oQNOlsS3IR_MlaUOw1j-VP8TsE6Y6XmKa-ChukAgizfmU1dOHwBj-SvWvWgGKYrlfaF1ZP1HtXXOnChdGUcSf18V4Pm2gbNTpcBKGZs3d0PazIVs1ymGhN0PB3hfmLKXqWxy3lEO5fMFMkWNzdt3CGmyi8bglQxTLlDwV-Ui4i8iFoQkT2q_lw/s495/Cover_l.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mZm3oQNOlsS3IR_MlaUOw1j-VP8TsE6Y6XmKa-ChukAgizfmU1dOHwBj-SvWvWgGKYrlfaF1ZP1HtXXOnChdGUcSf18V4Pm2gbNTpcBKGZs3d0PazIVs1ymGhN0PB3hfmLKXqWxy3lEO5fMFMkWNzdt3CGmyi8bglQxTLlDwV-Ui4i8iFoQkT2q_lw/s320/Cover_l.jpg"/></a></div>
Will you consider the Hebrews 11:6 challenge for 2023? A slow read through this book may be of help and could be life changing.
Find more information here: <a href="https://www.heisministries.net/" target="_blank">https://www.heisministries.net/ </a> <a href="https://www.heisministries.net/" target="_blank"></a>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-40623842691557187452022-11-12T12:06:00.000-07:002022-11-12T12:06:35.756-07:00It has been years since I have posted on this old blog: I recently published my first book - Blessings! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAt3L5yli6EuvdzkjazFJKEiEXkr9Uc4a0HH5cYzvvWFGoM7OB0xbsi_CmRs4S03enxYeW6yn95-SGy4YKQanhh8Xxdh2IkFpuCP_7STV45X8FSO8FrkhBhVEOTMRpKefhL872EWIru3nTY9uGG3ScBfkQWN_HhRNgpQswfZ0ThQTFaZDuFajpksTTA/s1200/HE%20IS!1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAt3L5yli6EuvdzkjazFJKEiEXkr9Uc4a0HH5cYzvvWFGoM7OB0xbsi_CmRs4S03enxYeW6yn95-SGy4YKQanhh8Xxdh2IkFpuCP_7STV45X8FSO8FrkhBhVEOTMRpKefhL872EWIru3nTY9uGG3ScBfkQWN_HhRNgpQswfZ0ThQTFaZDuFajpksTTA/s400/HE%20IS!1.jpg"/></a></div>
HE IS! Knowing God through Fifty Scriptural Meditations can probably be considered devotional theology that is inspirational in nature. I share from my own stories of life and ministry like a grandpa would tell his grandchildren to make the devotionals relatable to life and practical. At the end of each devotional there are reflection questions and more suggested Scripture to read for one's personal meditation and spiritual growth.
I took the challenge of Hebrew 11:6 to seek God seriously by looking for all the God is statements that I could find in the Bible and discovered that God clearly reveals who HE IS throughout the history and stories of the Bible. Each chapter is a HE IS statement about God that helps us to know Him better as we mediate on each attribute of God.
I suggest that readers do a slow reading of the book through the year by taking one chapter each week, so they have time to really pause and think about who God is. However, a quick read can also be enlightening as one is exposed to approximately 800 quoted verses of Scripture through the fifty, HE IS meditations.
Of course, I like my grandpa stories that are spread throughout the meditations, but the meat of the book is the Bible Scriptures that tell us who God is being pulled together in each chapter to focus on one particular attribute or work of God. Each chapter can be read independently, however there is a flow to the order of the chapters and A few chapters build upon the proceeding chapters. After reading the book after publication in preparation for a speaking engagement I realized that there is a sub theme of God being our Heavenly Father and we His children through faith that ties it all together with a crescendo in Chapter 47, HE IS OUR FATHER.
I believe for the one who takes the time to read this book slowly it could be life changing. My life changed in the research and writing of it and this happened over many years as shared in the Preface.
Blessing to anyone who chooses to read this book and take the Hebrew 11:6 challenge.Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-68119774339276256772015-07-26T17:36:00.000-06:002015-07-26T17:36:24.487-06:00Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and a Message on Grace! <div class="sermonnet" style="width:400px;max-width:100%;position:relative;"><div style="padding-bottom:10%;position:relative;height:0;overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://pastormarkworden.sermon.net/widget/player?playerType=dynamic&contentType=1&singleEpisodeId=20452139&mediaType=audio&fullscreen=0&is_show_single_details=0&title=&backcolor=474747&frontcolor=95ACCE&lightcolor=FF0000&thumbnailArtwork=0&episodesLayout=scroll&onLoadDisplay=episode&episodes_label=Episodes&playlists_label=Playlists&series_label=Series&autostart=0&autorepeat=none&shuffle=0&stretching=letterbox&is_count_down_timer=1&no_broadcast_message=%3Cp%3Ewe+are+not+broadcasting+at+this+time%3C%2Fp%3E%3Cp%3Eplease+check+back+later%3C%2Fp%3E&scrollTo=playerTemplate" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0Dillon, MT 59725, USA45.216632399999988 -112.6389244000000145.171891899999984 -112.7196054 45.261372899999991 -112.55824340000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-33271039880137747652015-07-26T17:18:00.001-06:002015-07-26T17:20:24.947-06:00Bible Messages by Mark Worden<iframe src="http://pastormarkworden.sermon.net/mc/main" name='mc-micro' width='520' height='870' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowTransparency='true'><a href='http://pastormarkworden.sermon.net/mc/main'><p>Your browser does not support iFrames, please click here to access our media center.</p></a>"</iframe>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-76479100339042865022014-04-13T20:20:00.000-06:002014-04-13T21:02:22.194-06:00Psalm 18 – Waves of adversity and God’s deliverance<h2 class="entry-title">
</h2>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author"><br /></span><span class="comments-link"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/psalm-18-waves-of-adversity-and-gods-deliverance/#respond" title="Comment on Psalm 18 – Waves of adversity and God’s deliverance"></a></span>
</div>
<b>Have you ever been caught in the waves of life’s adversities?</b><br />
<img alt="lifeinthewaves" class="alignleft size-large wp-image-2828" src="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/lifeinthewaves.jpg?w=750&h=500" height="333" width="500" /><br />
In Psalm 18 David expresses his Love for God and profound
appreciation for God’s deliverance from oppressive and life threatening
enemies that assaulted him like powerful waves. He uses a number of
picturesque analogies in describing his relationship with God. He says,
“The LORD is <b>my rock</b> and <b>my fortress</b> and <b>my deliverer</b>, my God, <b>my rock</b>, in whom I take refuge,<b> my shield,</b> and the <b>horn of my salvation</b>, <b>my stronghold</b> (vs.2). He then exclaims, “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (vs.3).<br />
<br />
In your waves of adversity, are you calling upon the LORD?<br />
<br />
In your trials of life, do you recognize God as worthy of praise?<br />
<br />
If you have called upon God and offered praise in the darkest moments
of your life, no doubt you have a testimony of God’s deliverance to
share! Will you share it in a way that reflects God’s gifting in your
life? Not everyone is a poet like David who sets his verse to music.
Maybe you can share your story in a small group, paint or draw a
picture, or write in a card or blog post a testimony of praise to God
that will encourage others. How will you share a testimony of God’s
help in you life?<br />
<br />
Last week I was asked to minister at a memorial service and found
myself way to emotional to be of much help. I called on God for help,
praised Him in my heart, and felt the strengthening grace of God fill me
to minister in ways beyond my own ability. God is my Rock when I am
weak! He is worthy to be praised!<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/sleels.jpg"><img alt="Sleels" class="alignleft wp-image-2829 size-large" src="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/sleels.jpg?w=750&h=501" height="333" width="500" /></a><br />
During my trip to help my friend, I had the opportunity to view and walk
along the Oregon beach. I picked up a small stone, shell, and piece of
driftwood for each of my three oldest grandchildren. These treasures
were more beautiful because they had been buffeted by the waves. Are
not our lives more lovely when we receive the grace of God during the
polishing waves of life’s adversities?<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/fredoregoncoastcrop.jpg"><img alt="FredOregoncoastcrop" class="alignleft wp-image-2830 size-full" src="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/fredoregoncoastcrop.jpg?w=500" height="162" width="311" /></a>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-80198344402816189482014-03-29T17:53:00.000-06:002014-03-29T17:53:54.401-06:00Forgiveness is a process and a way of life<iframe src="http://pastormarkworden.sermoncampus.info/widget/player/2893" frameborder="0" style="width:300px; height:606px"></iframe>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-5198846505059409422014-03-29T15:14:00.000-06:002014-03-29T15:14:56.982-06:00Family Related Bible Messages<iframe src="http://pastormarkworden.sermoncampus.info/widget/player/2816" frameborder="0" style="width:400px; height:606px"></iframe>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-88053704362881902442014-03-28T13:03:00.001-06:002014-03-28T13:11:49.728-06:00New Message player from Sermon.net<iframe src="http://pastormarkworden.sermoncampus.info/mca/main" name='mc-micro' width='520' height='870' frameborder='0' scrolling='auto' allowTransparency='true'><a href='http://pastormarkworden.sermoncampus.info/mca/main'><p>Your browser does not support iFrames, please click here to access our media center.</p></a>"</iframe>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-33963266396139000592014-02-23T14:20:00.002-07:002014-02-23T14:22:08.111-07:00<h2 class="entry-title">
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/doing-gods-work-on-earth/" rel="bookmark">Doing God’s work on earth . . .</a></h2>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author">Posted on</span> <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/doing-gods-work-on-earth/" rel="bookmark" title="1:34 pm"><span class="entry-date">February 22, 2014</span></a> <span class="comments-link"><span class="meta-sep">|</span>on my Bible teaching blog:</span></div>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="comments-link"> </span> </div>
I was reminded twice this past week that there is really no difference between the sacred and the secular.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_9109.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="IMG_9109" class=" wp-image-2744 alignright" src="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_9109.jpg?w=270&h=180" height="120" width="180" /></a>First, <a href="http://spruceitupservices.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/do-you-have-water-damage-and-mold/">as a handyman</a>,
I was called into a home to deal with a mold problem. Somewhere in my
conversation with the home owner I mentioned that the Bible gives
detailed instruction on how to deal with mold (leprous disease) in a
home (see Leviticus 14:33-57). Knowing that I previously pastored a
church in our community, she said to me, “Then you are still doing God’s
work.” I smiled and said, “Yes!” She then commented that I probably
was able to help just as many or even more people as a Christian
handyman than a pastor. I find this true. While I am not in the
pulpit much anymore, I am able to help people with their physical needs
that often leads to helping them spiritually by giving Bible counsel and
praying together. If we are to do as common a thing as eat for the
glory of God, then we certainly can do our work for the glory of God (I
Corinthians 10:31).<br />
<br />
Second, I finished reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-God-W-Tozer-ebook/dp/B00CHJD2UW/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393100143&sr=1-2&keywords=pursuit+of+god+by+aw+tozer"><i>The Pursuit of God</i>, by A. W. Tozer.</a> The last chapter, <i>The Sacrament of Living</i>, begins with this statement:<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
One of the greatest hindrances to internal
peace which the Christian encounters is the common habit of dividing
our lives into two areas, the sacred and the secular.</div>
The whole chapter was a rebuke and help. I highly recommend that you read this Christian classic.Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-30014465043256514562013-12-22T19:17:00.001-07:002013-12-22T19:23:12.282-07:00Merry Christmas from our home to your home and a blessed New Year! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVmvL0oH9bk/UreaRrucdDI/AAAAAAAAAR4/1XR8_S24opA/s1600/Mantal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVmvL0oH9bk/UreaRrucdDI/AAAAAAAAAR4/1XR8_S24opA/s640/Mantal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RmrXSXbTWo/UreaPzgNGZI/AAAAAAAAARw/igCv5kQhvVE/s1600/IMG_8879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RmrXSXbTWo/UreaPzgNGZI/AAAAAAAAARw/igCv5kQhvVE/s200/IMG_8879.JPG" width="123" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRVxQMp7Mxc/UreaOgsJKoI/AAAAAAAAARo/u3vecPl-gLQ/s1600/IMG_8881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRVxQMp7Mxc/UreaOgsJKoI/AAAAAAAAARo/u3vecPl-gLQ/s320/IMG_8881.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjEYN3uiR3U/UreaKlEpyoI/AAAAAAAAARg/45IJV-inw7A/s1600/IMG_8859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjEYN3uiR3U/UreaKlEpyoI/AAAAAAAAARg/45IJV-inw7A/s400/IMG_8859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas Bible studies posted on my Bible teaching blog: </span></span></span><br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/advent-thoughts-1-jesus-grace-truth/" rel="prev">Advent thoughts #1: Jesus = Grace & Truth</a></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/advent-thoughts-2-jesus-light/" rel="prev">Advent Thoughts #2: Jesus = Light</a></span></h4>
<div>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/advent-thoughts-3-jesus-emmanuel-god-with-us/" rel="next">Advent thoughts #3: Jesus = Emmanuel = God with us! </a></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/advent-thoughts-4-jesus-savior/" rel="next">Advent thoughts #4: Jesus = Savior</a></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/advent-thoughts-5-jesus-perplexing-life-situations/" rel="next">Advent thoughts #5: Jesus = Virgin Birth = Perplexing Situation</a></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/advent-thoughts-6-jesus-god/" rel="next">Advent thoughts #6: Jesus = God</a></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/advent-thughts-7-jesus-two-advents/" rel="next">Advent thoughts #7: Jesus = Two Advents </a></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/advent-thoughts-8/" rel="next">Advent thoughts #8: Jesus = Genealogy of the King = A message of Grace </a></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/advent-thoughts-9-jesus-birth-of-the-king-miracle-of-grace/" rel="next">Advent thoughts #9: Jesus = Birth of The King = Miracle of Grace</a></span></h4>
</div>
Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-3132629887065466542013-01-26T15:45:00.000-07:002013-01-26T15:45:09.760-07:00Links to the Knowing God Devotionals on the Theme: God Is!<span class="fn"></span>
My theme for these devotionals is from Hebrews 11:6, “But without
faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him. “<br />
My goal is to write 52 devotionals – 1 for every week of the year!<br />
I hope you will be blessed and built up in your desire to know God by
reading the devotionals and meditating on the Scriptures listed after
each devotional.<br />
<h3>
Knowing God Devotionals on the Theme: God Is!</h3>
by Pastor Mark Worden – email: worden.mark@gmail.com<br />
<br />
© January, 2013<br />
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 1: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2010/12/30/sm-2011-week-1/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Seeking Idols or God in 2011">Seeking Idols or God in the New Year<br />
</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 2: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/01/14/asm-week-3-god-is/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: God Is!">God Is!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 3: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011-devotionals-god-is/god-is-light/">God is Light</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 4: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/01/21/a-shepherds-musings-god-is-beyond-us/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: God Is Beyond Us">God Is Beyond Us</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 5: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/01/30/wk5-god-is-knowable/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings – God Is Knowable">God Is Knowable</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 6: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/02/06/wk-6-god-is-near/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: God Is Near!">God Is Near!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 7: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/02/14/god-is-wk7/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Devotioanls on the Theme: God Is!">God Is Merciful!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 8: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/02/21/god-is-holy/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Devotioanls on the Theme: God Is! Week 8 – God Is Holy">God Is Holy</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 9: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/02/28/wk-9-god-is-just/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 9 – God Is Perfect in Justice">God Is Perfect in Justice</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 10: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/03/07/a-shepherds-musings-week-10-god-is-righteous/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 10 – God is Righteous!"> God is Righteous!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 11: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/03/14/a-shepherds-musings-week-11-god-is-judge/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 11 – God is Judge"> God is Judge</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 12: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/03/24/a-shepherds-musings-week-12-god-is-the-lawgiver/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 12- God Is The Lawgiver">God Is The Lawgiver</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 13:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/03/30/a-shepherd%e2%80%99s-musings-week-13-god-is-king/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 13- God Is King"> God Is King</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 14:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/04/05/a-shepherds-musings-week-14-god-is-sovereign/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 14 – God Is Sovereign!"> God Is Sovereign!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 15: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/04/12/a-shepherds-musings-wk-15-god-is-good/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings-Wk 15: God is Good!"> God is Good!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 16: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/04/18/a-shepherds-musings-wk-16-god-is-faithful/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings-Wk 16: God is Faithful">God is Faithful</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 17: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/04/27/a-shepherds-musings-week-17-god-is-true/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 17 – God Is True"> God Is True</a> – part 1</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 18:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/05/04/a-shepherds-musings-god-is-true-part-2/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Wk-18 – God is True – part 2"> God is True </a>– part 2</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 19: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/05/16/god-is-wise/" title="Permalink to God is Wise">God is Wise</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 20: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/05/24/god-is-powerful/" title="Permalink to God is Powerful!">God is Powerful!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 21: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/devotionals/2011/06/02/god-is-spirit/" title="Permalink to God is Spirit!">God is Spirit!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 22: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/06/16/god-is-our-father/" title="Permalink to God Is our Father">God Is our Father</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 23:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/06/21/god-is-our-shield-i-know/" title="Permalink to God is our Shield! I Know!"> God is our Shield! I Know!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 24: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/06/30/god-is-witness/" title="Permalink to God is Witness!">God is Witness!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 25: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/07/07/god-is-unchanging/" title="Permalink to God Is Unchanging!">God Is Unchanging!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 26: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/07/20/god-is-one/" title="Permalink to God is One!">God is One!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 27: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/08/02/god-is-eternal/" title="Permalink to God is Eternal">God is Eternal</a>!</strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 28: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/08/16/god-is-the-giver-of-life/" title="Permalink to God Is the Giver of Life!">God Is the Giver of Life!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 29: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/08/29/god-is-the-creator/" title="Permalink to God is the Creator!">God is the Creator!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 30: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/09/05/god-is-our-guide/" title="Permalink to God is our Guide!">God is our Guide!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 31: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/09/25/god-is-our-shepherd/" title="Permalink to God is Our Shepherd">God is Our Shepherd</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 32: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/10/07/god-is-jealous/" title="Permalink to God is Jealous">God is Jealous</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 33: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/11/08/god-is-angry/" title="Permalink to God is Angry!">God is Angry!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 34: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/12/08/devotion-34-god-is-forbearing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotion 34: God is Forbearing!">God is Forbearing!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 35: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/12/26/god-is-patient/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to God is Patient!">God is Patient!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 36:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2012/01/03/devotional-36-god-is-kind/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 36: God is Kind"> God is Kind</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 37:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/devotional-37-god-is-not-partial/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 37: God is Not Partial"> God is Not Partial</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 38:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/devotional-38-god-is-gracious/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 38: God is Gracious"> God is Gracious</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 39: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/devotional-39-god-is-omniscient-all-knowing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 39: God is Omniscient (all knowing)">God is Omniscient (all knowing)</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 40: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/devotional-40-god-is-our-physician/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 40: God is our Physician!">God is our Physician!</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 41: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/devotional-41-god-is-all-present-omnipresent/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 41: God is All-Present (Omnipresent)">God is All-Present (Omnipresent)</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 42: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/devotional-42-god-is-infinite/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 42: God is Infinite">God is Infinite</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 43: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/devotional-43-god-is-provider-jehovahjireh/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 43: God is Provider – Jehovahjireh">God is Provider – Jehovahjireh</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 44: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/devotional-44-god-is-peace-jehovahshalom/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 44: God is Peace – Jehovahshalom">God is Peace – Jehovahshalom</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 45:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/jehovahnissi/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 45: God is our Banner – Jehovahnissi"> God is our Banner – Jehovahnissi</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 46:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/devotional-46-god-is-our-comfort/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 46: God is our Comfort"> God is our Comfort</a></strong></h4>
<h4>
<strong>Devotional 47: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/devotional-47-god-is-a-consuming-fire/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotional 47: God is a Consuming Fire">God is a Consuming Fire</a></strong></h4>
Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-29491698334446287552013-01-26T15:40:00.000-07:002013-01-26T15:40:33.200-07:00Devotional 47: God is a Consuming Fire <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 12.6pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
Fire has a way of getting our attention. It is rather
fascinating. Around the campfire as a boy I played with fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It burns fingers, shoes, and toes. Fire hurts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fire burned down my uncle’s house when I was
9 years old. I learned young that fire destroys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subsequently, I came to respect fire from an
early age but also enjoyed and appreciated its warmth and beauty around a
campfire on a cold evening. Shockingly, possibly to some, the Bible reveals God
as a “consuming fire” in both the Old and New Testaments. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 12.6pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 12.6pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
What is God teaching us about Himself when Scripture
says in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29 that “God is a consuming fire”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
meditating on the Scriptural contexts of this somewhat puzzling “God is”
statement, we can begin to grasp its meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You could pause and read the chapters that form the context of this
phrase several times in order to do so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Deuteronomy 4 God is reminding the children
of Israel of how He had
spoken his commandments “out of the midst of the fire” on Mount Horeb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is warning them to obey, follow, and
worship only Him and receive His blessing or His judgment and chastening if they
forget and choose to disobey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s
pillar of fire had given them light by night in the wilderness and He had
spoken to them from the fiery mount, but He also would bring a fire of judgment
upon them if they turned from following Him to worship idols. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time they did turn from their LORD and God
sent stern warnings of His just judgment of fire: </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .55in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Jeremiah 5:14,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of hosts: "Because you have
spoken this word, behold, <b>I am making my words in your mouth a fire, and
this people wood, and the fire shall consume them</b>. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .55in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b>Ezekiel 22:30-31</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and
stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I
found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. <b>I have
consumed them with the fire of my wrath</b>. I have returned their way upon
their heads, declares the Lord GOD. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
In Hebrews 12 the message is also one of
warning: look to Jesus so you don’t faint in your faith, receive God’s fatherly
correction, don’t fail of God’s grace, and listen to His voice. The chapter
closes with an application and statement of who God is, “<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a
kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship,
with reverence and awe, <b>for our God is a consuming fire.” </b>Is this the
kind of respect you give God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is you
worship acceptable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that God is
a consuming fire should strike a healthy fear in our hearts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every person will have to stand before God’s
judgment seat! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The works of believers in
Christ will be judged by fire to determine reward, “for the Day will disclose
it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of
work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation
survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will
suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (I
Corinthians 3:13-15). Furthermore, the works of those who reject God and his
mercy will be judged (Revelation 20:12-15). They will receive their just
retribution and receive the fiery judgment of God in Christ as 2Thesalonians
1:6-10 reveals, “since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction
those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as
to us, <b>when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in
flaming fire</b>, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on
those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the
punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from
the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his
saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our
testimony to you was believed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you
believed the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a matter of fiery importance and eternity!
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span>With Prayer, Mark <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">© January, 2013</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Scripture</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> quoted:</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span><strong><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ESV –
Emphasis added</span></strong></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Verses
for our meditation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Is a Consuming
Fire</span></strong></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in; text-align: justify;">
<b>Leviticus 9:22-24</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the
people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and
the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the
tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory
of the LORD appeared to all the people. <b>And fire came out from before the
LORD </b>and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar,
and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in; text-align: justify;">
<b>Deuteronomy 4:23-24</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Take care, lest you forget the covenant of
the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of
anything that the LORD your God has forbidden you. <b>For the LORD your God is
a consuming fire, </b>a jealous God<b>. </b></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Deuteronomy 9:1-4,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Hear, O Israel: you are to
cross over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and
mightier than yourselves, cities great and fortified up to heaven, a people
great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have
heard it said, 'Who can stand before the sons of Anak?' Know therefore today
that <b>he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the LORD your God</b>.
He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out
and make them perish quickly, as the LORD has promised you. "Do not say in
your heart, after the LORD your God has thrust them out before you, 'It is
because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this
land,' whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD
is driving them out before you. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>1 Kings 18:22-24,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet
of the LORD, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and
let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the
wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on
the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I
will call upon the name of the LORD, and <b>the God who answers by fire, he is
God</b>." And all the people answered, "It is well spoken." </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Ezekiel 22:28-31</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions
and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD has
not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery.
They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner
without justice. And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall
and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it,
but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. <b>I
have consumed them with the fire of my wrath</b>. I have returned their way
upon their heads, declares the Lord GOD." </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Amos 7:4-6,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> This is what the Lord GOD showed me: behold, <b>the Lord GOD was calling
for a judgment by fire</b>, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up
the land. Then I said, "O Lord GOD, please cease! How can Jacob stand? He
is so small!" The LORD relented concerning this: "This also shall not
be," said the Lord GOD. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Zechariah 13:9,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> And <b>I will put this third into the fire, and refine them </b>as one
refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say,
'The LORD is my God.'" </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>1 Corinthians 3:10-15</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder
I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take
care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation
with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- each one's work will
become manifest, for <b>the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed
by fire</b>, <b>and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.</b>
If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a
reward. <b>If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he
himself will be saved, but only as through fire.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b> </b> </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>2Thesalonians 1:5-10</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, This is evidence of the righteous judgment
of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you
are also suffering-- since indeed God considers it just to repay with
affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted
as well as to us, <b>when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his
mighty angels in flaming fire</b>, inflicting vengeance on those who do not
know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will
suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the
Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified
in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our
testimony to you was believed. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Hebrews 12:25-29</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not
escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape
if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth,
but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth
but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates
the removal of things that are shaken--that is, things that have been made--in
order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be
grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer
to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, <b>for our God is a
consuming fire. </b></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>2 Peter 3:9-12,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is not slow to fulfill
his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that
any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the
Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar,
and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the
works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to
be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and
godliness, waiting for and hastening <b>the coming of the day of God, because
of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies
will melt as they burn! </b></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Revelation 20:12-15</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
I saw the dead, great and small, <b>standing before the throne</b>, and books
were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the <b>dead
were judged</b> by what was written in the books, according to what they had
done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the
dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to
what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the <b>lake of fire</b>.
This is the second death, the <b>lake of fire</b>. And if anyone's name was not
found written in the book of life, <b>he was thrown into the lake of fire</b>. </span></div>
Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-58950747248446982072013-01-19T21:18:00.000-07:002013-01-19T21:19:27.707-07:00Devotional 46: God is our Comfort <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
Have you ever experienced having the wind knocked out
of your lungs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have, you will likely
never forget that frightening experience. Sometimes life brings blows that figuratively
knock the wind out of us—emotionally, physically, and spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you remember a time when you were without
strength, hope, and the will to go on as you sat “gasping for breath”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A situation where everything seemed to be
tumbling down upon your head and you felt so very weak?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
did you find comfort in your time of distress and need?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often God uses others to point us to Himself
when they have previously experienced God’s comfort. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
The Psalmist of Psalm 71 testifies that focusing
on who God is during trying times brings comfort to those who trust in who He
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dwelling on the righteousness
and mighty deeds of God the Psalmist says in verse 21-22a, “You will increase
my greatness and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">comfort me again</b>. I
will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope and comfort came as the Psalmist remembered
God’s character! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comfort was also
something that he expected to experience “again”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you find your comfort in God you realize
that none other gives such comfort as He gives. </div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
Again the Psalmist shows that meditating on
God’s faithfulness to His word brings comfort as <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Psalm 119:48-52 reveals, “I will lift up my hands toward your
commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. Remember your
word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. <b>This is my comfort</b>
<b>in my affliction, that your promise gives me life</b>. The insolent utterly
deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. When I think of your rules
from of old<b>, I take comfort</b>, O LORD.” </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Comfort
is something that you really don’t understand until you have been comforted in
God, because truly He is the “God of all comfort” as 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 makes
absolutely clear:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 5.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and <b>God of
all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction</b>, so that we may be able
to <b>comfort </b>those who are in any affliction, <b>with the comfort with
which we ourselves are comforted by God</b>. For as we share abundantly in
Christ's sufferings<b>, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too</b>.
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are
comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently
endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we
know that <b>as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our
comfort.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
I would encourage you to list out the times and ways
in which God has comforted you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then ask
God to help you share His comfort with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is more than enough comfort in our great God to spread around to a
world in need of His comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
May the Lord help us to live out the Apostle
Paul’s admonishment in <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2 Thessalonians
2:15-17, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you
were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord
Jesus Christ himself, <b>and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal
comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in
every good work and word. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
With Prayer,
Mark <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">© January 2013</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> quoted:</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ESV –
Emphasis added</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Verses
for our meditation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is our Comfort</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Psalm 71:19-21</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done
great things, O God, who is like you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me
again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. <b>You will
increase my greatness and comfort me again</b>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Psalm 86:15-17</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show
me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame <b>because
you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b> </b> </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Isaiah 40:1-2,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <b>Comfort, comfort my people</b>, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received
from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Isaiah 49:13</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains,
into singing! For <b>the LORD has comforted his people</b> and will have
compassion on his afflicted. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Isaiah 52:9,</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem,
<b>for the LORD has comforted his people;</b> he has redeemed Jerusalem. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Isaiah 66:12-13</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For thus says the LORD:
"Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the
nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried
upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. <b>As one whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b> </b> </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Jeremiah 31:12-13</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They shall come and sing aloud
on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the
herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no
more. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and
the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; <b>I will comfort
them,</b> and give them gladness for sorrow. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Act 9:31</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And
walking in the fear of the Lord and in <b>the comfort of the Holy Spirit</b>,
it multiplied. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: .3in;">
<b>2 Corinthians 1:3-7</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and <b>God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction</b>,
so that we may be able to <b>comfort </b>those who are in any affliction, <b>with
the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God</b>. For as we share
abundantly in Christ's sufferings<b>, so through Christ we share abundantly in
comfort too</b>. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and
if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you
patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is
unshaken, for we know that <b>as you share in our sufferings, you will also
share in our comfort.</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: .3in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b> </b> </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span class="verse-num"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2 Corinthians 7:5-7</b>, </span>For even when we came into Macedonia, our
bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and
fear within.<span class="verse-num"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But God, who comforts the downcast</b>, comforted us by the coming of
Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was
comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for
me, so that I rejoiced still more.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2 Thessalonians 2:15-17, “So then,
brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us,
either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ
himself, <b>and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and
good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good
work and word. </b></span><br />
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-77854379691765229332012-12-30T20:01:00.003-07:002012-12-30T20:04:19.705-07:00New Year Devotional: Seeking Idols or God in the New YearListen to a 4 minute audio version: <br />
<b>Download:</b><span class="linkblue"> <a href="http://pastormarkworden.sermon.net/da/1199923943" target="_blank">http://pastormarkworden.sermon.net/da/1199923943</a></span><br />
<b>Playback:</b><span class="linkblue"> <a href="http://pastormarkworden.sermon.net/da/1199923943/play" target="_blank">http://pastormarkworden.sermon.net/da/1199923943/play</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="wp-multiplayer" data-container-id="e0da" data-playlist="[{"free":false,"title":"Seeking Idols or God in the New Year","mp3":"http:\/\/magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com\/2012\/12\/devotional1.mp3"}]" data-swf="http://s2.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/music-player/js/">
<div class="wpjp-audio" id="jp_container_e0da">
<div class="wpjp-type-playlist">
<div class="wpjp-gui wpjp-interface">
<br />
<div class="wpjp-progress">
<div class="wpjp-seek-bar" style="width: 0%;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="wpjp-volume-bar">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
May the Lord grant you a blessed New Year! As I typed the previous
greeting, my mind wondered, “What would make this coming year more
blessed for me and those whom I’m writing?” How we answer that question
will reveal what is really important to us. Our answer will reflect
whether we think of blessings in God’s terms or our terms. If we seek
the blessings of life without seeking the Giver of blessings, we make
the blessings an idol that comes before God. We must guard our hearts
from seeking some possession, position, or person that we think is
necessary to bring blessing and happiness. Anything or anyone that we
put before God becomes an idol. We would do well to start the year out
in self-examination by asking this question: “Is there something or
someone in my life that is more important than God?” Whatever it is is
your idol!<br />
I believe that having lives truly blessed of God will require us to
acknowledge our idols, pull them down, and cast them out of our hearts.
Then we need a growing and deepening knowledge of our God by seeking
Him diligently through His natural revelation (His creation) and His
special revelation (the Scriptures). Paul’s prayer for the believers at
Ephesus reveals our need for knowing God:<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
Eph 1:16-21, “I do not cease to give
thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you <b>a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him</b>, having the <b>eyes of your hearts enlightened</b>, that you <b>may know</b>
what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable
greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working
of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the
dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above
all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that
is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” <i>(emphasis added).</i></div>
Will you pray this prayer for yourself and others? Can we really go
another year without becoming more serious about seeking God? We have
not because we ask not!<br />
For the past few years I have been seeking to know God better by searching the Scriptures and writing on the theme <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/god-is/">“God Is”</a>.
The Bible is replete with verses and passages that tell us about who
God is and how we can relate with Him. My theme verse for the
devotionals is Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to
please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that <b>He is</b>, and that <b>He is</b> a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” <i>(emphasis added)</i>.<br />
May this coming year be filled with adventure in diligently seeking
to know God! Will you join me in a quest to know God more fully and
intimately as you seek Him? We can find our greatest satisfaction,
pleasure, and fulfillment in Him and Him alone! May “grace and peace be
multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our
Lord” (2 Peter 1:2). <br />
<br />
Blessing to you in this New Year!<br />
<br />
Sincerely in Christ,<br />
<br />
Mark<br />
<br />
<b>Selected Bible Verses to End and Start the Year</b><br />
<br />
Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and
honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure
they are and were created.”<br />
<br />
Revelation 5:11-13, “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many
angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the
number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and
glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the
earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are
in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be
unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
ever.”<br />
<br />
Isaiah 40:25-31, “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal?
saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath
created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth
them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong
in power; not one faileth.”<br />
“Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from
the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not
known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the
Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there
is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and
to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths
shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But
they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and
they shall walk, and not faint.”<br />
<br />
Matthew 9:36-38, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with
compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as
sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest
truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the
Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his
harvest.”Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-88766607304742179722012-12-25T20:10:00.002-07:002012-12-25T20:10:40.656-07:00Christmas Photos:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlZAc6h8mLs/UNpp6TEPeEI/AAAAAAAAALM/qTCzZAxvkiw/s1600/IMG_6656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vlZAc6h8mLs/UNpp6TEPeEI/AAAAAAAAALM/qTCzZAxvkiw/s400/IMG_6656.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uBIDCx576tc/UNpp-JDBhvI/AAAAAAAAALU/tYCfPZT8phs/s1600/IMG_6659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uBIDCx576tc/UNpp-JDBhvI/AAAAAAAAALU/tYCfPZT8phs/s400/IMG_6659.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzMxdyUz1mw/UNpqCcc5fLI/AAAAAAAAALc/cbdgHMMK1QM/s1600/IMG_6663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzMxdyUz1mw/UNpqCcc5fLI/AAAAAAAAALc/cbdgHMMK1QM/s400/IMG_6663.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PVjivtaR8AE/UNpqFLXnrOI/AAAAAAAAALk/Jxpj4tRFg7c/s1600/IMG_6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PVjivtaR8AE/UNpqFLXnrOI/AAAAAAAAALk/Jxpj4tRFg7c/s640/IMG_6638.JPG" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A daughter great with child and a grand daughter with a cold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-38399745777027504172012-12-09T19:33:00.001-07:002012-12-09T19:38:06.503-07:00I have been enjoying my Grandchildren and bloging about Advent this Christmas season:<h1 class="entry-title">
</h1>
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author"><br /></span><span class="edit-link"><a class="post-edit-link" href="http://gbcdillon.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1441&action=edit" title="Edit Post"></a></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGhP8LsFP2s/UMVJixTK7QI/AAAAAAAAAKU/SxGqBxNYtqo/s1600/IMG_6496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGhP8LsFP2s/UMVJixTK7QI/AAAAAAAAAKU/SxGqBxNYtqo/s640/IMG_6496.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYVIidYT09s/UMVJnn66FzI/AAAAAAAAAKc/hXxMm9sl3ig/s1600/IMG_6517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYVIidYT09s/UMVJnn66FzI/AAAAAAAAAKc/hXxMm9sl3ig/s640/IMG_6517.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ2XnOknpSU/UMVJrpLdZbI/AAAAAAAAAKk/SKaSe0UkN9M/s1600/IMG_6523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ2XnOknpSU/UMVJrpLdZbI/AAAAAAAAAKk/SKaSe0UkN9M/s640/IMG_6523.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kBrc3UOtE_E/UMVJwaCxeuI/AAAAAAAAAKs/HkIebSQp2fQ/s1600/IMG_6550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kBrc3UOtE_E/UMVJwaCxeuI/AAAAAAAAAKs/HkIebSQp2fQ/s640/IMG_6550.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzzlq98S2Zk/UMVJ0k6h2BI/AAAAAAAAAK0/e8I5bE6s-9U/s1600/IMG_6570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nzzlq98S2Zk/UMVJ0k6h2BI/AAAAAAAAAK0/e8I5bE6s-9U/s640/IMG_6570.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You can link to my Bible teaching blog "Magnify" by clicking on one of the links below:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/advent-thoughts-1-jesus-grace-truth/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Advent thoughts #1: Jesus = Grace & Truth">Advent thoughts #1: Jesus = Grace & Truth</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/advent-thoughts-2-jesus-light/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Advent Thoughts #2: Jesus = Light">Advent Thoughts #2: Jesus = Light</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/the-reading-of-the-inn-keeper-by-john-piper-is-heart-rending/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to The reading of “The Inn Keeper” by John Piper is heart rending!">The reading of “The Inn Keeper” by John Piper is heart rending!</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/advent-thoughts-3-jesus-emmanuel-god-with-us/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Advent thoughts #3: Jesus = Emmanuel = God with us!">Advent thoughts #3: Jesus = Emmanuel = God with us!</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/advent-thoughts-4-jesus-savior/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Advent thoughts #4: Jesus = Savior">Advent thoughts #4: Jesus = Savior</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/advent-thoughts-5-jesus-perplexing-life-situations/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Advent thoughts #5: Jesus = Virgin Birth = Perplexing Situation"><span style="color: black;">Advent thoughts #5: Jesus = Virgin Birth = Perplexing Situation</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/advent-thoughts-6-jesus-god/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Advent thoughts #6: Jesus = God">Advent thoughts #6: Jesus = God</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/advent-thughts-7-jesus-two-advents/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Advent thoughts #7: Jesus = Two Advents">Advent thoughts #7: Jesus = Two Advents</a><br />
<br />
Merry Christmas, Mark R. Worden Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-79261848875769758232012-10-06T20:43:00.000-06:002012-10-06T20:45:38.056-06:00Devotional 42: God is Infinite <!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
Many doctrinal statements and creeds refer to God as
being infinite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Noah
Webster’s 1828 dictionary the word infinite means, “Without limits; unbounded;
boundless; not circumscribed.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
mentions that the word can be “applied to time, space and qualities.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he says, “God is infinite in duration,
having neither beginning nor end of existence. He is also infinite in presence,
or omnipresent, and his perfections are infinite.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly, the man who gave us our first
American English dictionary had a high and reverent view of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt, he came to have this understanding
of God through the Scriptures. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do
you view God? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you see Him more
clearly through your Bible reading? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
you think of him as beyond measure and without limits in His Being and Nature?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
Having covered many of God’s attributes in these
devotionals, we can sense that they all seem to have this infinite quality of being
without limits and boundless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
there appears to be only one verse in the KJV
that directly uses the word infinite in relation to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in reference to His understanding. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm147:5 says, “Great <i>is</i> our Lord,
and of great power: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">his understanding <i>is</i>
infinite</b>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ESV translates the
verse this way, “His understanding is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">beyond
measure</b>” which clearly gives the meaning of being infinite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Logically, for God to be infinite in
understanding He would also have to be infinite in knowledge (omniscience), infinite
in location (omnipresent), and also infinite in time (eternal). Furthermore, God’s
infinite understanding makes His love, grace, mercy, kindness, and judgment
without measure as well. Truly our God is infinite or without limits in all of
His attributes! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
So then, how can the truth about God being beyond
measure affect our daily lives? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find
it instructive that the Bible specifically says that God’s “understanding is
infinite” because each day we, His creatures, need to understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
will never have true understanding in this world until we acknowledge God!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
First, we must live our lives knowing and acting upon
the truth that understanding is a gift from God:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .8in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b>Exodus
31:3</b><b>,</b> And I have filled [Bezaleel the son of Uri]
with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in
understanding</b>, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To
devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in
cutting of stones, to set <i>them,</i> and in carving of timber, to work in all
manner of workmanship. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
It then should not be surprising that Scriptures
tells us “The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> the beginning of wisdom: and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">knowledge of the holy <i>is</i>
understanding</b>” (Proverbs 9:10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can
you see how understanding becomes synonymous with knowing God?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
Secondly, we must avoid the daily temptation to lean
upon our own understanding by remaining humble and dependently trusting of God:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .8in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Proverbs 3:5-6</b>, Trust
in the LORD with all your heart, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">do
not</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lean on your own understanding.</b>
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
Thirdly, we must call upon the Lord for wisdom and
understanding as Scripture exhorts us to do:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James 1:5</b> “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him
ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .3in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
Knowing God, whose understanding is infinite, is awe-inspiring!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s worship Him together! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .3in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 513.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
With
Prayer, Mark <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">© October, 2012</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;">Scripture quoted without
reference:</span><span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ESV –
Emphasis added</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Verses
for our meditation:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Is Infinite in Understanding
</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Job 12:13</b><b>,</b>
With God are wisdom and might; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">he has
counsel and understanding</b>. </div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Psalm 147:1-7</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is
pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number
of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and
abundant in power; <b>his understanding is beyond measure</b>. The LORD lifts
up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with
thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah 40:28</b>, Have you not known? Have you not
heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">his understanding
is unsearchable</b>.</div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>1 Chronicles
22:11-13</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, [David
speaking to Solomon, said,] Now, my son, the LORD be with you, so that you may
succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as he has spoken concerning
you. <b>Only, may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding</b>, that
when he gives you charge over Israel
you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will prosper if you are
careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for
Israel.
Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>1 Kings 3:7-12</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, [Solomon prayed,] “And now, O LORD my God,
you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but
a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in
the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be
numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding
mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who
is able to govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that
Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, "Because you have asked this,
and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your
enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold,
I now do according to your word. Behold, <b>I give you a wise and discerning
mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise
after you</b>. </span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>1 Kings 4:29-31</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God
gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure</b>, and breadth of mind
like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of
all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than
all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the
sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. </div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>Daniel 1:17</b><b>,</b>
As for these four youths [Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego], <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God gave them</b> learning and skill in all
literature and wisdom, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Daniel had understanding</b>
in all visions and dreams. </div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Colossians 2:1-3</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">,</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For I want you to know how
great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have
not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit
together in love, to reach all the riches <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">of
full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is
Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.</b></div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b> </div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<b>1 John 5:20</b>, And we
know that the Son of God has come and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">has
given us understanding</b>, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in
him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. </div>
<div style="margin-right: -.05in;">
<br /></div>
Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-31695601322104549912012-04-07T11:49:00.000-06:002012-04-07T11:49:02.109-06:00We had a lovely and worshipful Sedar meal with friends on Good Firday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpEgNqYEIYQ/T4B8pLLL2zI/AAAAAAAAAHk/b2XA_dk34uE/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XpEgNqYEIYQ/T4B8pLLL2zI/AAAAAAAAAHk/b2XA_dk34uE/s320/IMG_3576.JPG" width="273" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhIhJE75lSE/T4B8x5KLbFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/26KC3DAe2no/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhIhJE75lSE/T4B8x5KLbFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/26KC3DAe2no/s320/IMG_3580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRm83mzHtEY/T4B82vHWF-I/AAAAAAAAAH8/KwErXjy8524/s1600/IMG_3582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRm83mzHtEY/T4B82vHWF-I/AAAAAAAAAH8/KwErXjy8524/s320/IMG_3582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKpNootrVcs/T4B87CKVwyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/wctXNKEG45Q/s1600/IMG_3583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKpNootrVcs/T4B87CKVwyI/AAAAAAAAAIE/wctXNKEG45Q/s320/IMG_3583.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qte82CkUxkI/T4B8-QF6M6I/AAAAAAAAAIM/Zu3gEOM9Xn0/s1600/IMG_3585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qte82CkUxkI/T4B8-QF6M6I/AAAAAAAAAIM/Zu3gEOM9Xn0/s320/IMG_3585.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEKFG9BiULI/T4B9BNk6_hI/AAAAAAAAAIU/5M8irISqwNc/s1600/IMG_3586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEKFG9BiULI/T4B9BNk6_hI/AAAAAAAAAIU/5M8irISqwNc/s320/IMG_3586.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-an-TaRRx1sU/T4B9FhMRthI/AAAAAAAAAIc/63p94su6t4g/s1600/IMG_3587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-an-TaRRx1sU/T4B9FhMRthI/AAAAAAAAAIc/63p94su6t4g/s320/IMG_3587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQkwll_PYco/T4B9KG7dqvI/AAAAAAAAAIk/2kV8Rqg7QKA/s1600/IMG_3588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQkwll_PYco/T4B9KG7dqvI/AAAAAAAAAIk/2kV8Rqg7QKA/s320/IMG_3588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnGCtW6QrfI/T4B9PdA2f_I/AAAAAAAAAIs/1_oau5MoLaQ/s1600/IMG_3593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnGCtW6QrfI/T4B9PdA2f_I/AAAAAAAAAIs/1_oau5MoLaQ/s320/IMG_3593.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wg1S4jbwfU4/T4B9UYU9jNI/AAAAAAAAAI0/Ml_8PikK3gU/s1600/IMG_3594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wg1S4jbwfU4/T4B9UYU9jNI/AAAAAAAAAI0/Ml_8PikK3gU/s320/IMG_3594.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gC0F3g4dWY/T4B9YXnWoAI/AAAAAAAAAI8/IyNjAlthnPA/s1600/IMG_3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gC0F3g4dWY/T4B9YXnWoAI/AAAAAAAAAI8/IyNjAlthnPA/s320/IMG_3597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xUvxQvHpMiw/T4B9c_df0vI/AAAAAAAAAJE/LQ8kB2BxoNg/s1600/IMG_3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xUvxQvHpMiw/T4B9c_df0vI/AAAAAAAAAJE/LQ8kB2BxoNg/s320/IMG_3599.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0CSWX0EthU/T4B9hOw5faI/AAAAAAAAAJM/L50DDhB8cWE/s1600/IMG_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S0CSWX0EthU/T4B9hOw5faI/AAAAAAAAAJM/L50DDhB8cWE/s320/IMG_3601.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWPS2cBL0yE/T4B9lsT_AKI/AAAAAAAAAJU/bTo1R6CLX34/s1600/IMG_3604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWPS2cBL0yE/T4B9lsT_AKI/AAAAAAAAAJU/bTo1R6CLX34/s320/IMG_3604.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-eN_fwb01c/T4B9qLj1DsI/AAAAAAAAAJc/T0u3GTN7kVI/s1600/IMG_3608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-eN_fwb01c/T4B9qLj1DsI/AAAAAAAAAJc/T0u3GTN7kVI/s320/IMG_3608.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-11427532787038162842012-02-13T20:40:00.000-07:002012-02-13T20:40:26.872-07:00Happy Valentine’s Day! True Love is . . .<h1 class="entry-title"></h1><div class="entry-meta"> <span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author"></span><span class="edit-link"><a class="post-edit-link" href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2270&action=edit" title="Edit Post"></a></span> </div><h4><a href="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/valentines-day.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-2271" src="http://magnifythelord.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/valentines-day.jpg?w=500" title="Valentines day" /></a><strong> </strong></h4><h4><strong>A Description of True Love: </strong></h4><div> <div> <strong>I Corinthians 13:4-8a -”Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8 Charity never faileth.”</strong><br />
For a more detailed study of each description click on the highlighted text:<br />
<strong><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-suffereth-long/">1. Love is longsuffering</a> </strong>– It bears injuries or provocation for a long time; it is patient, not easily provoked – Is there someone you need to continue to be patient with in a loving way?<br />
<strong><a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-is-kind/">2. Love is kind</a> </strong>– Disposed to do good to others – Is there someone you can show kindness to this week in a loving way?<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-envieth-not/"><strong>3. Love does not envy</strong></a> – It desires not to deprive others of what is rightfully theirs, it does not wish that they did not have it or had it to a lesser degree. – Is there someone or something you are envying that is keeping you from being loving?<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-is-not-proud/"><strong>4. Love is not proud –</strong></a> Is there something that you are proud about that is keeping you from loving God and others?<br />
5.<strong> <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/bible-study/loves-description-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/loves-behavior-not-unseemly/">Love is not unseemly</a></strong> – it is not unfit, unbecoming, or indecent. Do you have unloving behavior in your life for which you should receive correction from the Lord, so you can be a more loving person?<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-seeketh-not-her-own/"><strong>6. Love seeketh not her own</strong> </a>– Love is not selfish! Are there some selfish thoughts and motives in your heart that are keeping you from loving others?<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-is-not-easily-provoked/"><strong>7. Love is not easily provoked </strong></a>– Is not quick-tempered, touchy, irritable. Have you been irritable with someone today? If so the loving thing to do is to make it right by asking forgiveness.<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-thinketh-no-evil/"><strong>8. Love thinketh no evil </strong></a>– It does not keep a ledger of the wrongs – it does not store up the memory of any wrong it has received. Do you have a list of someone’s wrongs stored up that you just won’t forgive? If so, do the loving thing and give it to God.<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/how-love-rejoices/"><strong>9. Love does not rejoice in iniquity</strong> </a>– Love finds no pleasure in the sin of others that brings hardship and judgment into their lives. If you are rejoicing over the downfall of others, repent and pray for God’s mercy to be upon them.<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-rejoices-in-the-truth/"><strong>10. Love rejoices in the truth </strong></a>– What truth have you rejoiced in today? Can you think of something true, that you can rejoice about in a loving way with others?<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-beareth-all-things/"><strong>11. Love bears all things </strong></a>– It enduringly protects and covers the beloved in all things. What ever the hardship, difficulty, attack, and trial, the loving person is there to help, not only to back you up but also to be a shield. Are you being a protecting shield in your love for others?<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-believeth-all-things/"><strong>12. Love believeth all things </strong></a>– love is completely trusting, it is not suspicious. Have you failed to give someone the benefit of the doubt lately? The loving thing is to check it out!<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-hopeth-all-things/"><strong>13. Love hopeth all things</strong></a> – It does not despair, it keeps on hoping for the best in regard for all men. Love refuses to take failure as final it does not give up on someone. Have you been tempted to give up on someone for whom you care deeply? Love keeps caring!<br />
<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-endureth-all-things/"><strong>14. Love endureth all things</strong></a> – Love sustains the assaults of suffering or persecution, in the sense of bearing up under them, and enduring them patiently. Is your love for someone being tested? Let God help you to love them for the long hall.<br />
<strong>Conclusion: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/2011/02/10/2010/02/04/bible-study/loves-discription-studies-on-1-corinthians-13/love-never-fails/">Love Never Fails</a></strong><br />
<br />
<h1 class="entry-title">A Valentine’s Day Message on Love</h1><div class="entry-meta"> <span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author"></span><span class="edit-link"><a class="post-edit-link" href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2299&action=edit" title="Edit Post"></a></span> </div><br />
<strong>Title: <a href="http://sermon.net/gbcdillon/sermonid/119826336" target="_blank">Love</a></strong> (26 minutes) <br />
<strong>Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13</strong><br />
<strong>Download: <a href="http://gbcdillon.sermon.net/da/119826336" target="_blank">http://gbcdillon.sermon.net/da/119826336</a></strong><br />
<strong>Playback: <a href="http://gbcdillon.sermon.net/da/119826336/play" target="_blank">http://gbcdillon.sermon.net/da/119826336/play</a></strong><br />
Have a great week thinking about love, Mark<br />
<br />
</div></div>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-28288586605438039442011-12-26T17:05:00.000-07:002011-12-26T17:05:26.365-07:00God is Patient<h1 class="entry-title">God is Patient!</h1><div class="entry-meta"> <span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author"></span><span class="edit-link"><a class="post-edit-link" href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2210&action=edit" title="Edit Post"></a></span> </div>“God Is” Devotional # 35<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In the last devotional we meditated on the forbearance of God. Now, we will consider a paralleling attribute—His Patience! While forbearance refers primarily to God’s withholding of righteous wrath and judgment, God’s patience includes the attitude He keeps and the work He does while restraining His judgment. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The Apostle Peter encourages believers to “count <strong>the patience of our Lord </strong>as salvation” (1 Peter 3:16). Noah Webster lists one of the connotations of patience as “perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion.” God in patient perseverance and loving consistency has been working His plan to redeem mankind and justly deliver repentant individuals from the consequences of sin. Therefore, God’s patience with us includes His plan of salvation for us by sending His Son into this world to complete His redemptive work on the cross. Jesus was born to die upon Calvary! All this reveals God’s persevering patience with us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">While sharing his own salvation testimony, Paul clearly says that in Jesus Christ we see the perfection of patience:</span><br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: small;">The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, <strong>Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience</strong> as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life (1 Timothy 1:15-16).</span></div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">How did Christ show His “perfect patience” toward Paul as an example to us who would believe in Christ for “eternal life”? To answer this we must consider another connotation of the word <em>patience</em>: “the suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness.” Certainly, Jesus demonstrated this kind of patience in the events that lead to the cross and in the very act of hanging on the cross in agonizing death. However, the context of 1 Timothy 1:15-17 does not seem to point to Christ’s patient suffering on the cross. Then to what does it point? It must point to Christ’s patience with Paul when he persecuted His followers, even to death! Jesus taught that how people treat His followers, those who bear His name, is in reality how they are treating Him (Matthew 25:31-46). When Paul consented to the death of Steven (Acts 8:1) he was in reality persecuting Christ. Furthermore, by the grace and power of Christ, Steven patiently suffered as a testimony to His Savior, Jesus Christ who patiently suffered with Him in suffering. It was after this that Jesus appeared to Paul on the Damascus road and displayed His patience with Paul as a testimony to all that there is forgiveness in Christ when we turn from our sin to Christ in repentance—a change of mind and heart about who we are and who Christ really is (Acts 9). Paul called Him Lord and obeyed the instructions that were given to him. Jesus Christ had been perfectly patient with him, when he did not deserve it. What an example to us! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We have also sinned against God. I shamefully remember ridiculing Christians before I came to Christ in humility. If God could forgive Paul, He can also forgive me in Jesus Christ. How about you? Have you felt that your sins are so bad that God would certainly never forgive you? Then find comfort in Christ’s perfect example of patience with Paul. God is not a respecter of persons and will certainly be patient with you as well. God is love! Out of His Love comes patience! I Corinthians 13:4 says, “Love is patient”. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Will you worship the Lord with me today and praise Him for His patience and then go the next step and pray for His grace to be patient with others as you wait for His coming? James 5:7 says<strong>, “Be patient</strong>, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” <strong>Romans 12:12</strong><strong>,</strong> “Rejoice in hope, <strong>be patient in tribulation</strong>, be constant in prayer.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">With Prayer, Mark | </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">© December, 2011 Scripture quoted: <strong>ESV – Emphasis added</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Verses for our meditation: God Is Patient!<br />
</strong><strong><br />
</strong><strong>Romans 2:2-5</strong>, We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man–you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself–that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the <strong>riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience</strong>, not knowing that <strong>God’s kindness</strong> is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.</span><br />
<br />
<strong>1 Timothy 1:15-17,</strong> The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, <strong>Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience</strong> as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.<br />
<br />
<strong>1 Corinthians 13:4, Love is patient</strong> <strong>and kind</strong>; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant<br />
<br />
<strong>1 Peter 3:18-20,</strong> For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when <strong>God’s patience</strong> waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.<br />
<strong>2 Peter 3:4-9</strong>, They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, <strong>but is patient toward you</strong>, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.<br />
<br />
<strong>2 Peter 3:13-15a</strong>, But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count <strong>the patience of our Lord </strong>as salvation.<br />
<br />
<strong>James 5:7-11,</strong> <strong>Be patient</strong>, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, <strong>being patient</strong> about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. <strong>As an example of suffering and patience,</strong> brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.<br />
<br />
<strong>Romans 12:10-21</strong>, Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, <strong>be patient in tribulation</strong>, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-25073170573751479152011-12-26T16:55:00.000-07:002011-12-26T16:55:58.637-07:00Lastest "Knowing God" Devotionals<h4><strong>What a blessing to write for the Glory of God!</strong></h4><h4><strong>Devotional 34: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/12/08/devotion-34-god-is-forbearing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Devotion 34: God is Forbearing!">God is Forbearing!</a></strong></h4><h4><strong>Devotional 35: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/devotionals/2011/12/26/god-is-patient/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to God is Patient!">God is Patient!</a></strong></h4><h4><strong>Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in Christ!</strong></h4><h4><strong>With prayer. Pastor Mark </strong></h4>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-61088195986292595552011-11-27T06:04:00.000-07:002011-11-27T06:04:59.303-07:00Thankful for all God has taught me this year!<h1 class="entry-title">Knowing God Devotionals!</h1><span class="edit-link"></span><div class="entry-meta"> </div>My goal this year has been to write a devotional a week. Well, I have not reached my goal but have studied and written more than if I had not had such a goal. My revised goal is to keep writing on the theme of “God Is,” as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, until I have a devotional for each week of the year – 52.<br />
<br />
The Lord encouraged me this morning in my Bible reading from this powerful passage:<br />
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">1 Peter 4:10-11, As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.</div><h3 style="padding-left: 30px;">Knowing God Devotionals on the Theme: God Is!</h3><h4>Devotional 1: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011-devotionals-god-is/2011-week-1/">Seeking Idols or God in 2011</a></h4><h4>Devotional 2: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/01/14/asm-week-3-god-is/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: God Is!">God Is!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 3: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011-devotionals-god-is/god-is-light/">God is Light</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 4: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/01/21/a-shepherds-musings-god-is-beyond-us/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: God Is Beyond Us">God Is Beyond Us</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 5: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/01/30/wk5-god-is-knowable/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings – God Is Knowable">God Is Knowable</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 6: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/02/06/wk-6-god-is-near/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: God Is Near!">God Is Near!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 7: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/02/14/god-is-wk7/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Devotioanls on the Theme: God Is!">God Is Merciful!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 8: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/02/21/god-is-holy/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Devotioanls on the Theme: God Is! Week 8 – God Is Holy">God Is Holy</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 9: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/02/28/wk-9-god-is-just/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 9 – God Is Perfect in Justice">God Is Perfect in Justice</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 10: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/03/07/a-shepherds-musings-week-10-god-is-righteous/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 10 – God is Righteous!"> God is Righteous!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 11: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/03/14/a-shepherds-musings-week-11-god-is-judge/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 11 – God is Judge"> God is Judge</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 12: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/03/24/a-shepherds-musings-week-12-god-is-the-lawgiver/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 12- God Is The Lawgiver">God Is The Lawgiver</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 13:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/03/30/a-shepherd%e2%80%99s-musings-week-13-god-is-king/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 13- God Is King"> God Is King</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 14:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/04/05/a-shepherds-musings-week-14-god-is-sovereign/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 14 – God Is Sovereign!"> God Is Sovereign!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 15: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/04/12/a-shepherds-musings-wk-15-god-is-good/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings-Wk 15: God is Good!"> God is Good!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 16: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/04/18/a-shepherds-musings-wk-16-god-is-faithful/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings-Wk 16: God is Faithful">God is Faithful</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 17: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/04/27/a-shepherds-musings-week-17-god-is-true/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Week 17 – God Is True"> God Is True</a> – part 1</h4><h4>Devotional 18:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/05/04/a-shepherds-musings-god-is-true-part-2/" title="Permalink to A Shepherd’s Musings: Wk-18 – God is True – part 2"> God is True </a>– part 2</h4><h4>Devotional 19: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/05/16/god-is-wise/" title="Permalink to God is Wise">God is Wise</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 20: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/05/24/god-is-powerful/" title="Permalink to God is Powerful!">God is Powerful!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 21: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/devotionals/2011/06/02/god-is-spirit/" title="Permalink to God is Spirit!">God is Spirit!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 22: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/06/16/god-is-our-father/" title="Permalink to God Is our Father">God Is our Father</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 23:<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/06/21/god-is-our-shield-i-know/" title="Permalink to God is our Shield! I Know!"> God is our Shield! I Know!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 24: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/06/30/god-is-witness/" title="Permalink to God is Witness!">God is Witness!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 25: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/07/07/god-is-unchanging/" title="Permalink to God Is Unchanging!">God Is Unchanging!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 26: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/07/20/god-is-one/" title="Permalink to God is One!">God is One!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 27: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/08/02/god-is-eternal/" title="Permalink to God is Eternal">God is Eternal</a>!</h4><h4>Devotional 28: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/08/16/god-is-the-giver-of-life/" title="Permalink to God Is the Giver of Life!">God Is the Giver of Life!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 29: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/08/29/god-is-the-creator/" title="Permalink to God is the Creator!">God is the Creator!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 30: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/09/05/god-is-our-guide/" title="Permalink to God is our Guide!">God is our Guide!</a></h4><h4>Devotional 31: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/09/25/god-is-our-shepherd/" title="Permalink to God is Our Shepherd">God is Our Shepherd</a></h4><h4>Devotional 32: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/10/07/god-is-jealous/" title="Permalink to God is Jealous">God is Jealous</a></h4><h4>Devotional 33: <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/2011/11/08/god-is-angry/" title="Permalink to God is Angry!">God is Angry!</a></h4>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-80795086805704497482011-10-04T06:38:00.000-06:002011-10-04T06:38:52.137-06:00Courageous!<h1 class="entry-title"></h1><div class="entry-meta"> <span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author"></span><span class="comments-link"><span class="meta-sep"></span></span><span class="edit-link"><a class="post-edit-link" href="http://gbcdillon.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=669&action=edit" title="Edit Post"></a></span> </div>It does take courage to do things God’s way. It takes courage to follow God’s instruction on being a parent. After viewing the new movie <a href="http://www.courageousthemovie.com/">“Courageous”</a>, Pastor Don and I concluded that we should encourage all to see this film about fathers assuming their God given responsibilities in parenting.<br />
<br />
The following testimony is how God worked in my heart to become a better father:<br />
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">While I was growing up, one of my favorite past-times was getting under-my-sister’s-skin. In other words I liked provoking her to anger. Even after trusting Christ at the age of 18, I still fell to this temptation but now felt convicted for my unkindness to the point that I would even ask her forgiveness. It is amazing how knowing Christ as Savior begins to change us and better our relationships within our families!</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;">Nearly 10 years later when I became a father, it revealed that I still enjoyed irritating people, though I was unaware that I was doing anything wrong. This time it was my new baby daughter of just a few weeks old. Well, we had this new camera that had this automatic rewind and rapid picture taking capability, so I snapped a picture of our little one who was sleeping so sweetly in her car seat. Nothing wrong with that! But the flash kind of disturbed her rest, and she had a little frown upon her face. So I snapped another picture, the bright flash glaring into her little face. She became a little irritated now, and I was so amused by her reaction that I snapped another one, and another one, and another one–until my baby daughter was wailing in helpless frustration. She was crying and I was laughing. I was laughing at the frustration that I had the power to arouse in another person. I was laughing at the expense of someone for whom I was supposed to protect and tenderly care. It was so easy to do—so fun—so wrong!</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;">I continued to provoke—I called it teasing my daughter. I did not really begin to change until about 6 years later when my wife encouraged me to find out what the Bible teaches about parenting. At that time I was floundering as a father, had been abdicating my responsibilities, and desperately needed help. The Bible had the wisdom and instruction I needed to be the father that God wanted me to be. Two of the scriptures that particularly grabbed my attention were Ephesians 6:4 “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” and Colossians 3:21, “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;">I was deeply convicted of my unkindness in provoking my daughter to anger by those clear scriptural commands! What a contrast to the nurturing father God wanted me to be! By following the parenting practices of my ancestors, I was unwittingly discouraging my daughter. I was neglecting to build a relationship based upon loving respect. With God’s help I began to overcome the pleasure of provoking my daughter and instead began to lovingly train and correct her. I turned back from a path that had been leading me to ruin and began traveling a path that has brought me tremendous joy. God’s way made all the difference.</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;">May God grant us fathers the grace to resist the temptations to provoke our children to wrath and give us the wisdom to train them for the Lord.</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;">With Prayer, Pastor Mark</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;">Note: The Bible study that changed my life in the area of parenting is available on my blog by clicking <a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/bible-study/the-privilege-of-parenting/">here.</a> Please let me know if it has helped you. I would love to hear specific examples of how God has helped you through the Word of God to be a better parent.</div>Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3536283627050022978.post-25873195088845872822011-09-05T12:53:00.000-06:002011-09-05T12:53:20.082-06:00God is our Guide!<h1 class="entry-title"></h1>One of my favorite quotations from the Old Testament is from Abraham’s servant when he had returned to Abraham’s homeland to take a wife for Isaac. After experiencing God’s guidance in answer to prayer he said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, <strong>the LORD has led me in the way</strong> to the house of my master’s kinsmen” (Genesis 24:27). Can you look back in your life and see how God has led you <em>“in</em> <em>the way”</em>? You might want to list them out on a piece of paper or a journal. After making your list, praise and bless God for His guidance that Abraham’s servant attributed to God’s “steadfast love” and “faithfulness”! God certainly leads us in His love and faithfulness for He is a good guide.<br />
<br />
One situation that I would have to put on my list of <em>times in which God led me in the way</em> would be when we followed the Lord’s direction in joining a certain mission board to go to Brazil as missionaries. We had just finished their required seminar classes in Ohio and needed to travel back across the country to Washington to start deputation in the Western states. We only had $150.00. We prayed for God’s guidance and provision for the trip. God led us to look up a friend in Minnesota, whose father offered me a temporary job on the spot. He needed someone to be the hands for his plumber who had just broken three fingers. So, I learned how to clean drains and sewer pipes, a skill which God would use in Brazil as I maintained mission property. God’s leading also opened up a door to witness to the plumber for three weeks. Having had opportunity to serve others, we were back on the road and heading west. On a Sunday we came to a small town in eastern Montana that bears my family name—Worden. God directed our timing to have arrived about the time that evening church services would be starting. We found a church with open doors and sensed God’s peace about attending. We met and had great fellowship with the pastor and congregation. Without any solicitation, the pastor took up a love offering after the service to help us on the way. I give God thanks and praise for He provided for us and led us while we were <em>in the way</em>.<br />
<br />
God’s guidance may not always be so obvious. However, He is always directing those who trust Him and look to Him even in the mundane routines of daily life. God leads us daily by giving us wisdom and truth. He even gives His Spirit to believers to guide them into all truth as Jesus told His disciples, saying, “When the Spirit of truth comes, <strong>he will guide you into all the truth</strong>, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come<strong>” </strong>(John 16:13). We still have the truth that the Spirit of God revealed through the Prophets and Apostles in the Word of God which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). God guides us through His Word.<br />
Many of the Psalms contain examples of how to call upon God for guidance and praise Him for this gift:<br />
<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Psalm 5:8</strong>, <strong>Lead me, O LORD</strong>, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make <strong>your way</strong> straight before me.</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>Psalm 25:5</strong>, <strong>Lead me in your truth and teach me</strong>, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.</div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><br />
</div>In a previous devotion—<a href="http://magnifythelord.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/god-is-eternal/"><em>God is Eternal</em>,</a> I listed out God’s eternal gifts. Well, we need to add one more. Psalm 48:12-14 indicates that God’s guidance is eternal, “Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever<strong>. He will guide us forever.”</strong><br />
<br />
Will you wait for God’s guidance as you are <em>in the way</em>? He will surely guide you if you call upon Him and seek truth and wisdom from His Word—the Bible.<br />
<br />
With Prayer, Mark <br />
<br />
© September, 2011 Scripture quoted: ESV – Emphasis added<br />
<br />
<strong>Verses for our meditation: God Is Guide</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Exodus 13:21</strong>, And the <strong>LORD went before</strong> them by day in a pillar of cloud <strong>to lead them along the way,</strong> and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.<br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 5:8</strong>, <strong>Lead me, O LORD</strong>, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make <strong>your way</strong> straight before me.<br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 25:5</strong>, <strong>Lead me in your truth and teach me</strong>, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.<br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 27:11-14,</strong> <strong>Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me</strong> on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!<br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 31:3-4,</strong> For you are my rock and my fortress; and <strong>for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me</strong>; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.<br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 37:23-24,</strong> <strong>The steps of a <em>good</em> man are ordered by the LORD</strong>: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth <em>him with</em> his hand. KJV<br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 43:3-5,</strong> Send out your light and your truth<strong>; let them lead me</strong>; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.<br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 48:12-14</strong>, Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever<strong>. He will guide us forever.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Psalm 73:24</strong>-<strong>25,</strong> <strong>You guide me with your counsel</strong>, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.<br />
<br />
<strong>John 16:13</strong><strong>,</strong> When the Spirit of truth comes, <strong>he will guide you into all the truth</strong>, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.<br />
<br />
<strong>James 1:2-8</strong>, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. <strong>If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach,</strong> and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.Handyman Mark http://www.blogger.com/profile/15296823321587745563noreply@blogger.com0