Dig Deeper

What is your day like?

I know that most of us can reply “BUSY!”

We either have to go to work, go to school, or start our daily work routine of being a mom and wife. {Or for those really busy folks~ doing all three}

We have chores around the house to do~ the never-ending pile of laundry. The dishes in the sink. There is dinner to plan and to cook.

There are events we must take our children to~ sports, band, play dates.

These things can pretty easily fill an entire day.

Every day.

It doesn’t leave much time to sit and think about our life.

To consider deeper things besides what meal we are going to throw together

before everyone starts getting hungry.

Ask yourself some questions to put life in perspective.

Why are we here?

How did we get here?

Is there a God that created this amazing world we live in?

There has to be an answer to all those questions.

If you aren’t sure of the existence of God… then you should examine the evidence.

It will take some time.

It may cut into our coveted free time.

You may have to miss some television time or shopping time to study.

And if you do already believe that Yes… God did create this world and all that is in it~

What does HE expect from his creation?

Are you living the way HE wants you to?

Is there a life after we leave this one?

And how do we prepare for it?

Here is one video series of 13 lessons that will help you consider how this earth came into being, if Christ really exists, and other biblical questions.

http://www.thebible1.net/video1/outwithdoubt/

Here is a series for understanding if there is a life after death~ and what is expected from us according to the bible.

http://www.thebible.net/searchingfortruth/truth.html

There are many many more resources like this available.

And they are free.

Except for your time.

But it is worth it.

I hope you will take a little time for yourself to consider these questions and look into them.

It could change your life for all eternity.

Blessings to you~

Chasity

Against The Masses

I have been studying the Restoration preachers this past week.....
Alexander Campbell, John Smith, Walter Scott....
Men from the 1800's who went against the grain.
Men who realized that the doctrines that they had been taught from their youth up were not in accordance with the Bible's teachings.

This would be a very hard thing to admit...that your beliefs are wrong.
That your parents are wrong.

So many friends around you are wrong. But these men put aside all preconceived notions and went back to the Bible as their guide.
They longed for the truth.
It is what every single one of us should long for.
Truth.

Yet it is so easy to live our busy lives and never wonder about our maker.... ...why we are here....what is our purpose.
I strive to be more like these noble men.

*To only look to the Bible for my answers

*To tell others that I care about their souls

*To have the courage to tell them of changes that they may need to make

*To not be ashamed of my Savior....Jesus Christ

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard, which leads unto life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:13-14


My prayer today is that we search our hearts and
search our Bibles for Truth.
Perhaps it isn't what we thought it was. But it isn't too late to change.
Don't blindly follow others....
Follow the example that we have been given in the New Testament. Apply what the apostles taught. Worship as the Early Church did.
If we do this...we will be pleasing to HIM.

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Blessings to you~

Chasity

My Top Ten List

These are some of my favorite verses in the whole Bible... If you usually run away when I get religious~~I hope that you will at least consider reading these verses.
They are truly noble and good.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.



Proverbs 30:8
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full and deny thee, and say Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.



James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.



Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.



Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.



Psalm 41:1
Blessed is he that considers the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.



Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.



Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.



Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.



Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded that neither death~ nor life~nor angels~nor principalities~nor powers~nor things present~nor things to come~nor height~ nor depth~nor any other creature~shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~~God bless you on this Glorious And Spiritual Sunday~~
Chasity

the 23rd psalm

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.


God's promises are faithful and true......
If we are obedient to his Word ~ He promises to never leave us nor forsake us.

What a peace we can have in our hearts if we can remember this.

photos courtesy of some wonderfully talented people on flickr.

Did you know...?

That God is Love as evidenced by the Creation He has given us.

Also that God is love as evidenced in the instructions given us in His Word.

That the Bible is made up of 66 books...

.

Written by at least 40 different inspired men...

..

Spanning 1500 years in the writing...

..

Yet all in agreement with no contradictions...

..

With 3 different dispensations.

..

The Patriarchal, the Mosaical, and the Christian,

..

the last of which we are under.

..It has two major divisions,

..the Old Testament,

..and the New Testament.

..

The Old Testament has 39 books,

.

and is divided into 5 books of Law,

.

then 12 books of History of the Jews,

then 5 books of Poetry,

..then 5 books of Major Prophecy,

..then 12 books of Minor Prophecy.

..The books of Prophecy are only so called because of length, not based on importance.

The New Testament has 27 books,

.and is divided into the 4 Gospels,

..then the 1 book of the History of the Church, which is Acts,

,

then Paul's Letters or Epistles from Romans to Philemon,

..then the Other Letters or Epistles from Hebrews to Jude,

..then the one book of Prophecy in the New Testament, Revelation,

..written to warn Christians of the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans,

..and of Christ's Second Coming.

..Most imortantly, do you know we will be judged by His Word?

..Revelation 20:12

..He will not be giving us a phone call

...or sending an e-mail

...that we might have time to get ready.

...1 Thessalonians 5:2

...He expects us to be ready.

....I am so greatful our Creator and Redeemer has given us a guide to follow!!

...Let's all be studying to really know God and His wonderful will for us.

......Happy Spiritual Sunday!

...Warmly, Debbie

God Bless America

We are truly blessed to live in a country of amazing beauty and endless opportunities. Our freedom abounds here...but how long will God continue to bless America?

We were a nation founded on Biblical principles. Our Founding Fathers were Believers who humbly went to Him in prayer before making important decisions. They made laws that went hand-in-hand with God's laws. This is not the same America.

We have drifted so very far from Him and seem to get more ungodly with every passing year. Our laws often go in direct conflict with what he has commanded for us. I am painfully reminded of the verses in Isaiah 5: 20 & 21:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Christians need to rise up and be that shining light....the city on a hill....as an example to all those around. We should not be silent to the world around but "be ready to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you..." {I Peter 3:15}

We need to be teaching our children about God, His Son, and the meaning of the Holy Scriptures.
We need to teach them how to pray and rely on Him through all of our trials and struggles.
They need to know this so that no matter how perverse our nation gets, they will be able to stay strong and fight against the temptations that lie all around us.

And we need to be doing this ourselves~ studying, praying, believing, and trusting...

Perhaps, if we speak loud enough, we will be able to start a change in America.
Maybe we can turn hearts back to God and people will want to please Him instead of only thinking of how to please self.

My wish today is that you will say a prayer for our nation~
that you will reflect on how we can better ourselves and our country.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6

What is the Message you are sending your kids??

Some blogs I have read recently have made my heart ache. The source of that ache is this... there seems to be so many moms that are dreading their summer vacation with their kids.
Why is that?

We read in Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord...

They are a gift.
A blessing.
We have been commanded to love them and teach them and train them.
It isn't optional.

Deuteronomy 6:7 goes so far as to say "You shall teach them {{God's laws}} diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

How are we going to do that if we send our kids away for the whole summer?
We have to be with them to give them the proper instruction. Sitting with them....walking with them....talking with them.

Mothers are told to love their children.
Jesus loved children and wanted to spend time with them. Despite how busy he was, he did not turn them away. Jesus wasn't annoyed by the little children.

We should follow his example and learn to not be annoyed by our children. They have been given to us only for a brief time. In the blink of an eye, we will turn to look and they will be all grown up and gone.

I'm not saying that every day is going to be a tea party...there will be struggles and arguments and tantrums to deal with. And yes, we need a little time to ourselves to regroup and refresh ourselves. But to think of our children as a burden is an insult. It insults our Heavenly Father who has given them to us and it insults our children.

They know if we want to spend time with them or not. And they long for that time together.

Embrace your children. You will never regret it.

Are you feeling beautiful?

Take a good look in the mirror this LORD's Day and tell me what you see.

Do you see a few grey hairs that need re-highlighting? God sees the wisdom you have acquired with age.

Do you see the beginnings, or more, of ~crows feet~ around your eyes? God sees all the blessings He has blessed you with to cause you to smile so many times He's creased you!

Do you feel like things are heading South that shouldn't be? God is gently reminding you (and me :) that this body was not meant to last and we should be preparing for our home in Heaven.

Do you see a few more pounds on that girlish figure than what you used to have? God sees the great bounty He has blessed you with...and hopes you see it too.

Now there is nothing wrong with wanting to look attractive for our hubbies. God created our natural desire and appreciation for beauty.

But, move on with me for a moment beyond all of the outward adornments that God has blessed us with, and remember where true beauty lies.

...

True beauty lies within a

...

kind,

..

thankful,

..

obedient,

...

servant

...
heart.

...
That's the beauty God is looking for.

...

That's the beauty I need to be reminded to strive for.

...

If this is the heart within you...

...

Then, yes.

You are beautiful.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Have a blessed LORD'S Day.

Thanks for joining us this Spiritual Sunday

Warmly, Debbie

Preparing our Hearts...Is sincerity enough?

" For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgements." Ezra 7:10

If you are reading this post on this Spiritual Sunday most likely you are, like Ezra, one who desires to prepare her heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach it to others. What I would like for us to consider this Lord's Day is, in our desire to seek God's law, are we counting sincerity as preparation?

Unfortunately, religious sincerity is being proclaimed as religious RIGHT from many a pulpit today. Now, in no other realm do we take sincerity in ones beliefs as a sufficient safeguard that we are in the right. Not in law, education, business, medicine, or any other realm, except religion. If someone swallowed poison, sincerely believing it were a multi-vitamin, their sincere belief would not be enough to change the poison into something harmless. You may think that sounds ludicrous, but why do we accept sincerity in religious beliefs as enough?

God wrote through Jeremiah the prophet "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23

And He wrote through the apostle John "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." John 4:23

God uses the apostle Paul himself to show us that being sincere in our beliefs does not make us right.

"But, on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty whereof he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him and commanded the chief priests and all the counsel to come together and brought Paul and set him down before them. And Paul looking steadfastly on the counsel said: Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience unto this day." Acts 22:30-23:1

Paul was speaking of a time in his life when he was arresting innocent men and women and casting them into prison, condemning them to death, believing he was doing God's will. He sincerely believed he was in the right. And he was sincerely wrong.

In a day and age when the world says believe whatever you want, let us carefully examine our hearts and our beliefs, and measure them not by men's teachings or creeds, or even our parents' or grandparents' beliefs but solely upon God's word.

In preparing our hearts to seek the law of the LORD, let us challenge ourselves and our children to always have an open heart to the truth and a closed heart to stubborn will worship. Let our desire be to live by the Bible, and if along the way we find at any time that our lives are not in sync with His word, let us decide to modify our beliefs and behavior, and not His word.

Have a blessed Lord's Day.
Warmly, Debbie

Monday Memory Verse

In an attempt to reach out to others and also to strengthen our own faith and knowledge of His Word....we would like to present a memory verse every week .

We believe that this will be a great way for us to dig deeper into the Word and really push ourselves to study harder.

This week's verse:

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

This verse is stating that belief in Jesus is the ONLY way to get to Heaven. We must believe that Jesus is truly God's only son and that He came to this earth to die as a living sacrifice for our sins.

The last part of the verse means that Jesus is our mediator {I Timothy 2:5} and he presents our prayers to God the Father.

What do you think? Anything to add?

I know I am starting out pretty basic but I hope that you will want to participate and we can dig into deeper, more complex, verses as we go. I pray that even when we don't agree on a topic, we can listen with open hearts and respect each other without feeling angry or hurt, or threatened. It's how we will get stronger and learn more!!!

It would be helpful to back up our thoughts with the scripture that supports the thought.

I hope to hear from you.

Love in Him,

Chasity