Talking about Rain...

If you know the LORD you can rest in Him even in the trials and tribulations of life on this fallen world - rain or no rain.

This safety is an awesome gift to us from our Awesome LORD.

Matthew 5:38-48

..."“You have heard that it was said, 

‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’

But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.

Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, 

‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. " 

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Glory to God!

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I've been thinking...

Matthew 5:43-48

..."“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? 

Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? 

Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

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Public Safety Announcement from the Piper's Wife

Trusting the LORD on the Long Road

Better Than I

I thought I did what's right

I thought I had the answers

I thought I chose the surest road

But that road brought me here

 

So I put up a fight

And told you how to help me

Now just when I have given up

The truth is coming clear

 

You know better than I

You know the way

I've let go the need to know why

For You know better than I

 

If this has been a test

I cannot see the reason

But maybe knowing "I don't know"

Is part of getting through

 

I tried to do what's best

But faith has made it easy

To see the best thing I can do

Is to put my trust in You

 

For You know better than I

You know the way

I've let go the need to know why

For You know better than I

 

I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky

I saw a bird and thought that I could follow

But it was You who taught that bird to fly

If I let You reach me

Will You teach me?

 

For You know better than I

You know the way

I've let go the need to know why

I'll take what answers You supply

You know better than I

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I can see and so I can know all about you.

 

Be Careful With Friendships

 1 Corinthians 15:13

..."Do not be deceived: 

“Bad company corrupts good morals.”...

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I'm just saying...

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So Many Happy Memories

Mary Engelbreit

 

A Lifestyle in Bitterness

Life is full of trials and troubles.

People who are saved by the Lord and those who are not saved from their sins are in the "same boat" with trials and troubles in their lives. 

This world is fallen!! 

*Thankful for Jesus!*

Both kinds of people have a choice:

#1 Be grumpy, bitter, self-focused, etc...

Or

#2 Get up and choose to live your life to the best you can. :o)

Unsaved people can certainly do this, but those of us saved by the grace of God have His Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us everyday.  Life is difficult, but we can do our best and choose to be kind to others, not shutting people out, being cruel or mean.

The thing with Bitter people is that they tend to spoil it for all of us.

It seems they can't be happy unless they try to ruin other people's lives. They are always causing strife, labeling people, passing falsehoods about others, shunning people, meanwhile, blaming everyone else for their own problems.

If only Bitter people would let go of whatever lies they have chosen to believe, whatever problems they choose to blame on others, whatever issues they have in life...

If you are a Christian, a Believer in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you CAN choose to let go of your bitterness! 

If you are not saved by the grace of God in Jesus you can seek Him, find Him, choose Him! Then letting go of your bitterness will not be on your own, but with His help!

Matthew 6:31-34

...[to the saved] "Do not worry then, saying, 

‘What will we eat?’ or 

What will we drink?’ or 

‘What will we wear for clothing?’

For the Gentiles [the unsaved] eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

[unsaved sinners! seek Him while He can be found!!] But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So [those of you who are saved:] do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Ephesians 4:17-32

..." So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles [unsaved] also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, [as unsaved] you [now] lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Therefore [as a saved person by God's grace through Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation] , laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

[Unsaved Sinners! Now is the time to come to true safety in the LORD's Salvation through Jesus Christ!]

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

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above:partial comic of Charles Schulz character, Lucy, the perfect example of bitterness. 

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Bad Fruits in This Life Ruin Lives

Get in HIS WORD!

READ HIS TRUTH!

STOP ALLOWING the evil ones to control you!

GLORIFY GOD not your deceiving, scripture twisting "masters"!

ROMANS 8:1-2

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."...

Colossians 1:13

 ..."For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."...

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LOVE the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

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Read and weep....

Matthew 7

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?

'And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching;

for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."

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If you have been taken down a false path by others then: 

-ASK FOR HIS FORGIVENESS as HE FORGIVES the REPENTANT-

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My Small World

I live in a very small world. 

I feel safe in this world.

My life is with a man of God, 

my precious Beloved. 

Where he is, I feel safe.

When I venture out into 

the world of people- 

I realise how safe I live,

and I am thankful.

When the world catches me 

by surprise, I cringe.

I know what real life is,

but I easily forget.

Today, I was out in the real world,

and it reminded me 

of how hard and rude the world is.

The world is mean and cruel, 

gross and icky, 

hateful and deceitful,

evil and wretched...

full, full of lost people.

They do not think of being lost,

but they are.

They are missing the One Thing

I have.

My Beloved and I have 

a great Salvation.

It is in the LORD God Almighty.

The One in the Bible.

The Bible is His Word 

given to us to learn 

and to know Him. 

It is the Truth.

There is no other Truth.

The LORD says to seek Him 

and you will find Him.

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Matthew 7:7-8

...“Ask, and it will be given to you; 

seek, and you will find; 

knock, and it will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, 

and he who seeks finds, 

and to him who knocks it will be opened."...

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Where There Is Faith

I believe in faithfulness

I believe in giving to myself for someone else

I believe in peace and love

I believe in honesty and trust but it's not enough

For all that I believe may never change the way it is

Unless I believe Jesus lives

Where there is faith

There is a voice calling, "keep walking"

You're not alone in this world

Where there is faith

There is a peace like a child sleeping

Hope everlasting in He who is able to

Bear every Burden, to heal every hurt in my heart

It is a wonderful, powerful place

Where there is faith

There's a man across the sea

Never heard the sound of freedom ring

Only in his dreams

There's a lady dressed in black

In a motorcade of cadillacs

Daddy's not coming back

Our hearts begin to fall

And our stability grows weak

But Jesus meets our needs if only we believe

Where there is faith

There is a voice calling, "keep walking"

You're not alone in this world

Where there is faith

There is a peace like a child sleeping

Hope everlasting in He who is able to

Bear every Burden, to heal every hurt in my heart

It is a wonderful, powerful place

Where there is faith

4Him

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The Bing, Bang, Bumps of Life

Life is full of joys!

It can also be full of Bumps, Bings, Bangs, and Clunks!

There are many ways to deal with life's struggles and sorrows. 

The best way is to cry out to the LORD, seek His face, read His Word, know His peace.

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1 Peter 1

...3 "Blessed be the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who according to His great mercy 

has caused us to be born again to a living hope 

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 

from the dead, to obtain an inheritance 

which is imperishable and undefiled and 

will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 

who are protected by the power of God 

through faith for a salvation 

ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, even though 

now for a little while, if necessary, 

you have been distressed by various trials,

so that the proof of your faith, being more 

precious than gold which is perishable, 

even though tested by fire, may be found 

to result in praise and glory and honor at the 

revelation of Jesus Christ; and though 

you have not seen Him, you love Him, 

and though you do not see Him now, 

but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy 

inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining 

as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."...

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Philippians 4

...4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer 

and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be 

made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is honorable, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is of good repute,

if there is any excellence 

and if anything worthy of praise, 

dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and received and heard 

and seen in me, practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you."...

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Sweetness

By Wimmer & Brady 

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I don't belong, I'm a foreigner here

I DON'T BELONG

by Gloria Gaither, music by Buddy Greene

 

It's not home

Where men sell their souls

And the taste of power is sweet

Where wrong is right

And neighbors fight

While the hungry are dyin' in the streets

Where kids are abused

And women are used

And the weak are crushed by the strong

Nations gone mad

Jesus is sad

And I don't belong

 

I don't belong

And I'm going someday

Home to my own native land

I don't belong

And it seems like I hear

The sound of a "welcome home" band

I don't belong

I'm a foreigner here

Singing a sojourner's song

I've always known

This place ain't home

And I don't belong

Don't belong

But while I'm here

I'll be living like I've nothin' to lose

And while I breathe

I'll just believe

My Lord is gonna see me through

I'll not be deceived

By earth's make-believe

I'll close my ears to her siren song

By praisin' His name, I'm not ashamed

'Cause I don't belong

 

I don't belong

And I'm going someday

Home to my own native land

I don't belong

And it seems like I hear

The sound of a "welcome home" band

I don't belong

I'm a foreigner here

Singing a sojourner's song

I've always known

This place ain't home

And I don't belong

 

I belong

To a kingdom of peace

Where only love is the law

Where children lead

And captives are freed

And God becomes a baby on the straw

Where dead men live

And rich men give

Their kingdoms to buy back a song

Where sinners like me

Become royalty

And we'll all belong

 

Yes I belong

And I'm going someday

Home to my own native land

Where I'll belong

And it seems like I hear

The sound of a "welcome home" band

Yes, I'll belong

No foreigner there

Singin' a sojourner's song

I've always known

I'm going home

Where I belong

Yes I've always known

This place ain't home

And I don't belong

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2 Peter 3:8-15

..."But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation"...

Revelation 21:1-4

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”...

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