Birthday Joy

This is the Birthday of my middle (of three) Granddaughter. She is shy and reserved.....until it comes to her Pa-Pa.....then she is joy and lightning in a bottle. I am made happy, filled with joy, just to be in her presence. My heart has been expanded these six times, (the number of grandchildren I am blessed with) no, it is seven, for I have one great grandchild. I could not imagine being this full, complete, overflowing, consumed with love. My life has always been full of love, but never to these heights. On this special day I thank God for Hannah.

12-5-2014      Mark 12:18-27

S.       18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, 19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. 26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

O.      In this controversial question, Jesus answers by referring the questioners to the written word of God, thus revealing their lack of depth in spiritual matters.

A.      Every answer in life can be found in scripture. I must study, learn and understand God’s word.

      P.       Father; open the eyes of my understanding and enlighten me to the true interpretation of your word. Come                           sweet Spirit and fill my mind, heart and soul. Amen. 

Weight Loss War!

Off to get my three week check up. I have lost twenty two pounds at this point. Feeling better and able to get around much better. I have created a new me in my mind, like the old me; tall, slim and strong. I remember the days when I could work from dawn to dusk, eat anything I desired and sleep like a baby. I want most of all to be working again and strong. My goal is to loose one hundred and thirty five pounds. My target is within thirteen months. Yes, I am aiming high. With God: "All things are possible".

12-4-2014      Mark 12:12-17

S.       12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. 13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

O.      The Pharisees try to trick Jesus with questions of controversy. Jesus turns the tables and they are astounded.

A.      I should respect those that lead my country and follow the law. I should also repect God and follow his law. Honesty, integrity, virtue and faith are my hallmarks.

P.       Father; reveal every area of weakness in my life that by faith I may be transformed into a more Christ like man. Amen. 

SOAP >> Mark 12:1-11

Hi, welcome to my blog. If you haven't visited before I put up daily SOAPs. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. It's a great way to really take in God's word on a daily basis and make sure that your doing more than reading but really letting it soak into your life.

Mark 12:1-11

Scripture //

1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. 4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. 5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. 6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. 7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. 8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. 10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Observation //

The parable of the wicked husband man, the indictment of religious leaders.

Application //

Religious leaders must follow the will of God and reverence his methodology, message and his son. Man has destroyed his relationship with God by sinning. Through Jesus that relationship can be restored. As with Adam, who was placed in a garden, restored man is placed in a vineyard. If we obey God, tend the vineyard and render our increase back to God, then and only then will we be good servants.

Prayer //

Father; aid me in my struggle to be faithful to you in all areas of my life, to be a faithful servant and a living example of a good servant. Amen.

SOAP >> Mark 11:25-26

Mark 11:25-26

Scripture //
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Observation //
Jesus gives strong warning about un-forgiveness.

Application //

I must forgive every sin committed against me. If I don’t forgive, God will not forgive me. I see why so many people are living a condemned life… they won’t forgive.

Prayer //
Father, root out all un-forgiveness within me. If any un-forgiveness is in me that I have forgotten, show me. Amen. 

Recovery

Recovery is a slow and painful process. In our bodies we have scares and deformities from the tragedy's so common to living. We adapt, replace, repair, implant and then go on. Often the pace is slowed, steps are short and less is accomplished each day.......but we keep going. I often wonder why we don't apply the same determination to our spiritual lives. Something goes wrong at church and we quit. Someone we look up to fails, we quit. Spiritual recovery is a slow process just like physical recovery is slow. We should apply some of the same tactics to our spiritual renewal.......and KEEP GOING ON FOR GOD.

11-14-2014    Mark 9:33-37

S.       33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

O.      Jesus explains to his disciples how greatness is defined within his kingdom.

A.      Serving is a privilege that all followers of Jesus should seek to accomplish. In this world of competition, self-glory, dog eat dog, ladder climbing and greed the concept of serving is lost or at best belittled. Christians can bear great witness of faith by serving others out of a grateful heart.

P.       Father; I do not seek to be great, or famous. I seek to have the heart of a servant lead by the mind of Christ. Please remake my heart to be more like Jesus. Amen.

Is this true?

10-28-2014    Mark 7:6-13

S.       6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

O.      Jesus speaks of vain worship and hypocrisy that id based on the traditions of man. He does not condemn tradition except when the tradition is taught as doctrine.

A.      I will use the words of Jesus as my doctrine and only observe man’s traditions that are in harmony with the teachings of Jesus.

P.       Father; help me Father to live my life in total obedience to you and your word. Show me the differences between the tradition of man and your commandments that I may teach others. Amen.  

Plenty

10-24-2014    Mark 6:33-44

S.       33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.42 And they did all eat, and were filled.43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

O.      Jesus feeds the five thousand by blessing and multiplying five loves and two fishes.

A.      What you have can be enough to supply if you entrust it to Jesus. He can multiply until your need is meant. I will put everything, my home, my family, my future and my soul in the hands of Jesus.

P.       Father; I give you my all. Use me as you will. I surrender everything into your hands. Lead me by your Holy Spirit as I put my trust in you. Amen.

Are you a sinner?

Christian are to be "dead to sin". If you choose to sin, love sin, enjoy sin then you are choosing to be a sinner......not a christian. Quit lowering the standard of God's word. Get your focus off of sin and on Jesus....."I CAN do all things through Christ".......this includes overcoming SIN!

10-20-2014    Mark 6:5-6

S.       5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

O.      The ministry of Jesus was hindered because of un-belief, not stopped; just hindered. With God; “all things are possible”. The exercise of “free will” will bring blessing or cursing depending on how it is used.

A.      I must be careful to keep my will in a state of surrender to the word of God. God has a plan for my life; I will seek to learn and obey.

P.       Father; enlighten my mind to your perfect will for my life. Amen.

Just Believe

10-18-2014    Mark 5:35-43

S.       35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

O.      Word comes to the ruler that his daughter is dead and Jesus tells him to believe and not to fear. Jesus raises the dead girl to life, but he wants this kept secret and fails to explain why.

A.      I must believe and not fear. If I believe, anything is possible……even life over death. I must believe, I will believe.

P.       Father; help me to overcome all unbelief, to keep my eyes on you and your promises and not on the circumstances around me. Help me to remember your word. Graft your word into my heart that it become a natural source of my faith. Amen.

How are you Growing?

I spent half of my life trying to push, pull, scare, scream, prod, shame people into living right. It never worked. The harder I was the more difficult "my" life was. People will only change when they want to change. It (change) starts from inside a person and radiates to the live others see. Lots of folks under my ministry acted as I wanted them to act. The problem was; they were just acting, no real change had occurred, no inner renewal, just paint and powder for my sake. God called me to plant seed, gospel seed. How you grow is up to you.

10-7-2014      Mark 4:26-29

S.       26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

O.      Spiritual seed is like natural seed, it must be planted before it will grow and produce fruit.

A.      I will plant and I will harvest. I will leave the growth patterns and development to the course of nature.

P.       Father; as the farmer does not tell the seed how to grow I must do the same. Help me to trust your work in the lives that I have planted seed in and just stay ready to harvest. Help me to be a farmer instead of a policeman. Amen.

Family

9-30-2014      Mark 3:31-35

S.       31There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

O.      Jesus declares the source of family; doing the will of God!

A.      I will learn the will of God from his word and keep it before my face daily. I will submit my will and obey the voice of the Lord.

P.       Father; I want to be a part of your family, show me how to accomplish your will. Amen.

Jesus is calling

9-26-2014      Mark 3:13-19

S.       13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

O.      Jesus calls twelve men into his ministry.

A.      Jesus still calls people to follow him and serve in ministry. I have been called, I will follow.

P.       Father; renew my calling, lift my spirit and give me strength to obey. Heal my body of this pain and use me to heal others. Amen.

River Jordan

9-6-2014         Mark 1:7-8

S.       7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

O.      John declares that Jesus will come and baptize man with the Holy Ghost.

A.       Repentance brings a person into right standing with God. The Holy Ghost is the ambassador of God who dwells in man to aid him in his new walk.

P.       Father; baptize me fresh today and renew my spirit. Amen.

Stand up

8-22-2014      Acts 26:16-18

S.       16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

O.      Jesus is speaking to Paul on the road to Damascus. Arise and stand on your feet are his first command.

A.      we must stand and declare our message. We must tell the world of the love of God and how God deals directly with his children.

P.       Father: I ask for courage and guidance for this day to spread the gospel. Fill me with your Spirit and use me. Amen.

Open Doors

8-17-2014      Acts 25: 22-27

S.       22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

O.      Festus brings Paul into the court room a third time, this time to establish a letter of explanation to send along with Paul to Rome. Agrippa is present.

A.      Each step of Paul’s life is filled with new opportunities to tell his story to new people. We must tell and re-tell our story as well. Tell your story to as many as you can.

P.       Father; Thank you for receiving me into your family. Thank you for forgiving me my sin. Thank you for directing my steps. Help me Lord to tell others just how good you have been to me. Amen.

Told and Re-Told

8-16-2014      Acts 25:13-21

S.       13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.14And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

O.      King Festus shares his experience with King Agrippa and Bernice concerning Paul. Festus declares that he found nothing worthy of judgment in Paul and would have the matter handled in Jerusalem by Jewish courts but Paul exercised his right as a Roman to be judged by Caesar.

A.      When we are working to spread the gospel many of our listeners will rehearse our words to others. Our work is multiplied and God’s good news becomes a point of interest. We must plant the seed willingly and vigorously to as many as possible. Then and only then is the gospel imprinted into the minds of others that will continue the spreading.  

P.       Father; lead me to the individuals today that I may plant your words in them. Fill me with your spirit and speak through me. Amen.

Two Years in Jail

8-14-2014      Acts 24:24-27

S.       24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

O.      Paul has many opportunities to convert Felix to the faith. Felix never seems to understand or find it “convenient” to become a Christian. Paul was a prisoner for two years with Felix.

A.      We should never give up on anybody as we spread the gospel. Our circumstances may be unpleasant and not to our liking, but the work of the Lord should never stop.

P.       Father; the plight of Paul seems very unfair but you used him to take the gospel into many unreachable places. Help me Lord to focus on your work instead of my circumstances and difficulties. Teach me the same values that Paul lived by and keep me from distractions as I labor for you. Amen. 

God Who Cares

8-7-2014         Acts 23:11

S.       11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

O.      The Lord prepares Paul’s heart for his ministry in Rome.

A.      God does not want us to live in fear over the duties of the ministry. He speaks to us from his word, by the Spirit and through his faithful servants. I will listen and obey the directions of God!

P.       Father; use me as you will this day, to help, to heal, to guide and to comfort your people. Heal the e-bola victims around the world. Cause that terrible disease to be eradicated from the face of the earth. Protect the minds of your people from fear and give rest to the weary laborer. Amen. 

I am not what I was.

8-6-2014         Acts 23:6-10

S.       6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

O.      Paul’s accusers become divided because of his declaration. He is rescued once again by the captain of the guard.

A.      We must speak a message that will be understood by the people. We must show people that we too have backgrounds similar to theirs. Then we can share the wonderful changes that have come into our life.

P.       Father; help me to be an open book to those I minister to. Help me to share the hope I have in a manner that will give all the glory to you. Amen. 

Beating

8-2-2014         Acts 22:17-24

S.       17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

O.      Paul begins to explain his fear in coming to Jerusalem and his former standing as one that persecuted the church. The crowd erupts and Paul is taken into the castle to be beaten.

A.      Following God can bring us into some dangerous places. We must be courageous and keep on spreading the good news.

P.       Father; help me to keep my eyes on you instead of the circumstances around me, double my courage and my resolve. Amen.