Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I See God In Everything

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13)

I See God In Everything

I don't understand how so many are blind,
Unable to see God in the world He designed,
For me it's as clear as me looking at you,
I see God in everything, from my field of view.
 
Not just in Heaven and the Stars up above,
But everything He made has a signature of His love,
From the smallest microbe to the beasts of the sea,
I see God in everything, to include you and me.
 
Some say God doesn't speak to them ever at all,
But that's only because they hide behind a wall,
Just drop your earthy barrier and you will hear too,
I see God in everything, especially in you.
 
Just as I was looking at your one-of-a-kind face,
A truth came to me about the entire human race,
If you still can't see God and you want Him to be clearer,
I see God in everything, just look in the mirror.
 
 
See God In Everything
 

Mother's Day Bible Verses

Mothers Day Bible verses
Take the time to bless your mother on Mothers Day with one of these Mothers Day Bible Verses:

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12 NIV)
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. (Proverbs 14:1 NIV)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12 NIV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31:25-31 NIV)
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9 NIV)
He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. (Proverbs 19:26-27 NIV)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13 NIV)
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 18:22 NIV)
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)

Bless a mother by sharing these verses with a special mother you know.

 

Blessed By A Mother

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you." (Luke 11:27 NIV)
 
I was recently blessed by a mother of a good friend. She's the mother of a retired Army veteran like me that I had the great pleasure of becoming very close friends with while we were in college. He introduced her to this website and she asked if she could meet me. She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Her love for the Lord just flows from her in every way and her love for her children is just as powerful. There were a couple of moments when she became quite emotional when talking about her prayers for her sons and telling me that reading some of the poems on this site blessed and helped her. Truth be told, I believe she blessed me much more than I ever could her. Just to know that God is using this site to bless others was an inspiration and encouragement like I have never felt. It is my prayers that this site will be used for the Glory of God. I have been blessed by many different mothers in my lifetime. I have come to learn that many of these mothers were mothers other than my own mother and grandmothers. To be blessed by a mother of my good friend was very special for me.
As I thought about this blessing from my friend's mother, the Holy Spirit led me to think about what mothers are in the Bible and how they blessed others.

My favorite mothers from the Bible are:

 
Blessed by a MotherEve — Mother of Everyone
Eve wasn't only the first woman, she was also the very first mother. Yes, she allowed herself to be tempted by Satan and even encouraged Adam to sin and eat the "Forbidden Fruit", but she is the reason why any of us exist. Eve gave every human, except for Adam, the blessing of life.
 
Blessed by a MotherSarah — Mother of Isaac
Sarah was a mother because of a miracle blessing and promise from God. She was well-past child-bearing age, but God kept his promise to Abraham that He would give him a son. Actually, another son. Abraham had a son with Sarah's handmaiden, Hagar, named Ishmael. These practices were acceptable during these times when the wife could not bear children for her husband. Sarah's son, Isaac, would become the father of the Nation of Israel. She was a blessing for every Israelite.
blessed by a mother
Rebekah — Mother of Esau and Jacob
Like Sarah, Rebekah was also barren. But, Isaac prayed to God and she was blessed with twins.
"Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." (Genesis 25:24)
The oldest of the twins was Esau, but Jacob would become the inheritor of Isaac's blessing by tricking his older brother to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. Both Esau and Jacob would become leaders of great nations. Both these nations were blessed by a great mother.
 
blessed by a motherJochebed - Mother of Moses
Jochebed is one of the most underappreciated mothers in the Bible. In order to avoid certain death of her son, Moses, by a mass slaughter of Hebrew boys; she placed her faith in God and set Moses adrift in the Nile River. Just happens that God did award her faith and made it so Moses would be found by the Pharaoh's daughter. Moses was raised as royalty and Jochebed even was blessed enough to become her own son's nurse. God used Moses to free the Hebrew people from over 400 years of slavery. Jochebed is another mother that blessed all of Israel. Without her, they would have continued to be enslaved by the Egyptians.
blessed by a mother
Hannah — Mother of Samuel the Prophet
Hannah, like Sarah and Rebekah, was also barren. In those days, having a large family was a blessing from God. To add to her humiliation, she was taunted endlessly by her husband's other wife. Hannah went to the house of the Lord in Shiloh and prayed so intently that her lips moved silently with the words she spoke to God. Eli the priest saw her and accused her of being drunk. She explained that she was pouring her soul out in prayer to the Lord. Touched by her faith and pain, Eli said:
"Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:17)
The Lord heard her prayers and blessed her with a son named Samuel. She promised that if God blessed her with a son, she would give him back over to God's service. She handed her young son over to Eli for training as a priest. Samuel grew up to be the last of Israel's judges, its first prophet, and counselor to Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. Hannah was another mother that blessed all of Israel.
 
blessed by a motherBathsheba — Mother of Solomon
When most people think of Bathsheba, they mostly think of King David's lust for her and his sin to have her husband Uriah the Hittite killed in battle. But, many don't know how this mother paid for David's sins because God was so displeased He struck their first baby dead. However, she remained loyal to David and their next son, Solomon, would become the wisest and greatest king of Israel. From Solomon's line would come our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bathsheba blessed all Christians through Jesus.
Elizabeth — Mother of John the Baptist
Like many other biblical mothers, Elizabeth was also barren and in her old age. Another miracle from God which was foretold by an Angel she gave birth to a son named John. Just like Hannah, she also dedicated her son to God and John became a great prophet of God just like Samuel. Elizabeth, a relative of Mary, gave birth to the prophet that would foretold the coming of Jesus Christ our Savior. Elizabeth was another mother that blessed all Christians past, present, and future.
blessed by a mother
Mary — The Mother of Jesus Christ
Mary is the most honored mother in all the Bible for a very good reason. She is the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom saves everyone who believes in Him of their sins. She was hand-chosen by God to receive the miraculous blessing of virgin birth by the Holy Spirit. Every time Mary kissed the face of her baby Jesus, she kissed the face of God. Yes, Mary was a person like anyone of us and she sinned. However, she blessed us like no other mother ever could. She gave us the One whom would give us what no other could; Everlasting Life. God Bless Mary, the Blessed Mother whom blessed us like no other.

Please pass this on to anyone you know blessed by a mother.

 

Christian Alternative to ObamaCare

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 1:2 NIV)
 
Christian Alternative to ObamacareDid you know there is a Christian Alternative to ObamaCare? It's a nationwide network of fellow believers that help share each other's major medical bills through what's known as health care sharing ministries. Some of these ministries are like any other traditional insurance. Members have an insurance card and show it when treated just like anyone else. They have monthly premiums and a deductible, but because members are dedicated Christians that agree on a lifestyle of no drugs, no tobacco, limited alcohol, and no sex outside of marriage; the 242,00 members spanning all 50 states reap the benefits of much lower premiums and deductibles than other traditional plans. An employee of Samaritan Ministries informed me that their ministry does not have deductibles and premiums, members simply send their financial support directly to members that have incurred medical costs. With the money also comes plenty of cards, notes, encouraging letters, and most importantly, lots of prayer. What a wonderful way for the Body of Christ to take care of its own!
Christian Alternative to ObamaCareSome names of these ministries are:
Medi-Share
Samaritan Ministries
Christian Care Ministries
Christian Healthcare Ministries
Each different health care sharing ministry varies some on what they will or will not cover, but all of them are exempt from the ObamaCare fines for those without health insurance.
Since the launch of HealthCare.gov on October 1st, 2013, membership in these ministries has exploded with over 30,000 new enrollees.
Another reason why many Christians are drawn to using these ministries is because they don't cover controversial procedures covered under ObamaCare such as abortion.
 
by James Apple Jr.

Please share these Christian alternatives to ObamaCare with others!

Is Blood Moon a Sign Jesus Will Return Soon?

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. (Acts 2:20 NIV)
 
Jesus will return , 4 blood moonsThe "Blood Moon" created by last week's lunar eclipse has many Christians debating the possibility this is a sign that Jesus will return soon. It was the first of four "blood moons" to come over the next 18 months. However this phenomenon, which turned the moon into a reddish hue color as the sun's rays were retracted by Earth's atmosphere just happened to appear on Passover. The next "blood moon" will be on October 8 on the Feast of Tabernacles; then the next on April 4 which will be the next Passover in 2015 and finally the fourth will be on September 28 which is the Feast of Tabernacles in 2015.
I believe that no one knows the day or hour Jesus will return because the Bible says:
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32 NIV)
However the timing does suggest that something "historic" is coming. I'm no mathematician, but the odds of these events lining up on these four days has to be astronomical. Afterall, we already know that a "blood moon" was associated with Jesus' death because on April 3, AD 33, a Passover lunar eclipse was visible from Jerusalem. On passover night, when Jesus "broke bread" with his disciples for the last time, there was a "blood moon" over the Holy City.
So, it's also reasonable to believe that a "blood moon" may also be associated with Jesus' return. The bible says this:
"I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord" (Acts 2:19-20)
Also, another incredible fact according to NASA is there are to be a total of 32 "blood moons" or seven more sets of tetrads before the year 2100.
No one may not know the day or hour. And it is possible that Jesus' return may be no time soon. However, for me; I believe that these series of events represent something very big.
God is the designer and the planner of all things. I believe He allowed these events to happen with such timing that they are supposed to be a sign. Maybe a warning to those that do not yet know the Lord Jesus and accepted Him as their savior. God has ways of speaking to us and I believe this is another form of His communication. I believe He is telling us all to be ready!
To be ready for the Return of the King of kings!

by James Apple Jr.

If you agree, please share this message with others.

Easter Bible Verses

These Bible verses are great to use for reflection during the Easter season. All verses are from the NIV.
 
Easter Bible VersesJesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25-26)
We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!" (Matthew 20:18-19)
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." (John 2:19)
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. (Matthew 28:1-3)
He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47)
"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." (Mark 14:27-28)
Because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. (Psalm 16:10)
but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:24-25)
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)
The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." (John 10:17-18)
and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 1:19-20)
This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. (Acts 2:23-24)
You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. (Acts 3:14-15)
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:16-20)
The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: " 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' So it is stated elsewhere: " 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' (Acts 13:34-35)
he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: " 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. (Acts 13:33)
regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:3-4)
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)
While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " (Luke 24:4-7)
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. (Luke 24:22-23)
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). (John 20:15-16)
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:17-18)
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 24:1-3)
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:33-34)
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:3-7)
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Matthew 27:33-35)
and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:29-44)

Please share these Bible verses with others during the Easter Season.

 

The Meaning of Easter

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11 NIV)
 
The Real Meaning of EasterWhat is the meaning of Easter? For many, it is nothing more than a holiday that has something to do with cute little bunnies and going on an Easter egg hunt. The egg does represent new life because new life hatches from the egg; just as Jesus' resurrection on the third day represent our new life and salvation through our belief in Jesus.
The true meaning of Easter is a celebration of the ultimate sacrifice. Back in Old Testament times, priests would sacrifice spotless animals such as bulls, goats, or lambs that were as close to perfect as they could find to God as a sin offering for the people. The blood of the sacrifice would purify and make atonement for their sins.
When Jesus lived, he was perfect and without sin. He became the ultimate sacrifice that was spotless and without any blemish in the eyes of God. His sacrifice on the cross and the shedding of his blood made atonement available for everyone until the end of time. When God turned away and took his eyes off of Jesus, Jesus took on the sins of the world. I believe Jesus most painful moments of His life was when He felt the emptiness of not having God with him in order to take on our sins.
But, the most important part was Jesus' conquer over death. His sacrifice would have been for nothing if Jesus had stayed in the tomb. Easter celebrates His resurrection and triumph over death. Jesus came back to life on the third day and He appeared to many over a period of 40 days before ascending up to Heaven.
Easter is a time of celebration like no other. Jesus' resurrection made is possible for all of us to have forgiveness of our sins. Because of Jesus, we have direct communication with God and have the comfort of knowing the He is always with us. The best part is this gift is free. We have to do nothing other than believe!
God will never turn away from us like He did with Jesus. Will you turn away from God?

by James Apple