Peace Interacting

"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" Romans 12:18.

This verse is part of a practical teaching of Paul's about getting along in life while interacting with the diversity of people.

Guess what? You won't like everybody. You'll find some people weird, mean, oddball, with no similarities to yourself. There are some people you will have to work with on many levels and situations, while your character and manners will clash with theirs every day.

Guess what? Not everyone will like you. Some people will find you weird, mean, oddball, with no similarities to themselves. Some people will have to work with you on many levels and situations, while your character and manners will clash with theirs every day.

Meekness is having great power under complete control.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control" Galatians 5:22.

Anyone can burst forth like a huge lightning bolt that randomly crashes around in a storm and fries whatever it hits.

But with the Holy Spirit's power inside a Christian, they're like a huge electric generator. The power to fry everything is there, but the direction and usage is controlled by wires, dials, and switches.

Lightning's power can kill. A generator's controlled power sustains life.

Any situation with the people you don't like can either be helped by your self-control to maintain peace. Or you can explode and harm everyone around you.

As a Christian in discerning situations, God calls us to be the peacemaker. God says we are to be the one who cedes when it is the better situational choice.

"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" Romans 12:18.

For God is the power behind you.

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Video : The Angel That Visited The Shepherds Luke 2:9

This video is an excerpt from the sermon giving by Pastor David Ray Jr at Grace Bible Church, Sangerville Maine on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2016. This was part of his advent series on the visitations of the angels to various people during the amazing incarnation and birth of the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The sermon title: "The Angel that Visited the Shepherds" from Luke 2:8-21

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.'
'For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
And this will be the sign unto you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!"
Luke 2:9-14

(Transcript of the video)

(Angels) They were aware that He’d laid those things aside for a little while, to come to earth to become one of us. To become a sacrifice really for us. You see, they also knew of the fall of man. They had been informed also that God was going to provide a way for the salvation for man. They knew about that. They knew the prophesy had been made that a Savior would come and that a sacrifice would be made. And they understood all of this and they were praising God because they were seeing God’s grace on display. They were thanking God for His indescribable gift. They were looking into the things… our salvation.

Peter talks about that, when he says that angels long to look into our salvation to try to understand. You see they never experienced the kind of salvation we can experience. They haven’t experienced the grace and mercy and forgiveness that we can experience.

You see, angels have never been forgiven. They’ve never been redeemed . And so they long to look into that. They’re interested in how God is working to save us and make salvation available to us.

You know, if the angels glorify God for this wonderful work, how much more should we raise up our voices and praise God for this wonderful work, and honor our Lord and Savior. It’s the greatest thing we can do with our life, is to live for the glory of God. 

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Video by Susan L. Estes

Moses In The Cleft Of The Rock

We sing "Rock of Ages, Cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee" That song carries in it a tremendous amount of Spiritual truth and Scriptural truth.

In Exodus 33, Moses asks God for a marvelous gift when he asked to see God. Not Jesus incarnate, whom talked to Moses face to face at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, but God the Father.

"And he, (Moses). said, 'Please show me Your glory." Ex 33:18.

God seems quite pleased with Moses request, immediately answering: "Then He, (God) said, 'I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you." Ex 33:19a

But, God gives a concession in one thing: "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion'" Ex 33:19b.

No one has seen God the Father at any time (John 14:9), and He lives in unapproachable light, (1 Tim 6:16).

The Bible also declares that the pure holiness of God will destroy anything impure and unholy by nearness to Him. Because Adam's sin corrupted every thing God created, means every created thing will be destroyed by God's perfection, no matter what, (2 Thess 2:8, Heb 12: 18-21), (Ex 19), unless God consents to spare it. Which means He is being VERY gracious to the world.

So God has to give this extra declaration that He will choose not to destroy Moses. Yet He said He would show only His back; "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live" Ex 33:20.

But Moses still wants the joy of seeing God, and with absolute child-like trust in God's grace, Moses goes to the place on the mountain where God shows him to wait.

Moses did not go to a cleft to wait. There is no break in the mountain for him to squeeze into. God opened the side of the mountain, placing Moses into it, and closing up the mountain. Moreover, God gave the protection of His hand over the place where He enclosed Moses. Then God, the Father, allowed Moses to see His Almighty Light after passing. God's glory, (the Hebrew word Kabod), His Might.

"So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you into the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen" Ex 33:22,23.

Moses couldn't place himself in the rock to save himself from God's perfection, and he couldn't get out once God had placed him in the rock. It was all God's doing. And He did it just because Moses asked.

God has done a similar thing for those who believe in Him and have asked for forgiveness of sin. We can't stand in the perfect Light of Almighty God, (Rev 19:11-15), unless God has chosen to do something to save us.

Which He did, for the same reason He told Moses. "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" Ex 33:19. Jesus took our sin and died for it, (2 Cor 5:21), so God the Father can give us Jesus' righteousness.

"For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" Romans 10:13. (Joel 2:32)

We can't get ourselves into Christ without the Father's grace, (John 14:6, John 17), and after we're in, we can't get out because He holds us there by His grace,(John 10:28-30).

wow

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Do You Want Revival?

Brought dynamically alive by God for His work would be great!

But, is it possible, if God the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to some congregations today, might there be more weeping than rejoicing.

To have the perfect presence of God come into the midst of a Sunday congregation would expose how terribly sinful we are and how unfit we are for His work. When Peter saw one miracle, he fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him to leave,(Luke 5:5-8). And Peter was a godly man seeking the coming of his Messiah, (John 1:40, 41).

In the past, when the God's revivals came, the men and women went into small groups of prayer, and earnestly sought God for themselves, fasting, asking to be cleansed, forgiven, and made right for the work. And then they turned their prayers toward the needs of others.

And God answered their faith and faithful prayers to change them and the areas around them for a generation.

"Fear of the LORD is instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" Proverbs 15:33.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" 1 Peter 5:6.

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction, but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Now to Him who is able to keep
you from stumbling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of His glory
with exceeding joy, to God our Savior,
who alone is wise, be glory and majesty. dominion and power,
both now and forever.
Amen."
Jude 20-25.

To be revived, you must admit you're dead and without power in yourself, trusting God to bring life back to your body.

Wanting revival shouldn't be for personal benefit, it should be a desire for our God to be revealed and glorified by the changes in our lives and the lives of those who will be saved by His grace and love.

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5 Actions That Will Beautify Any Christian Woman

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward

--arranging the hair, wearing gold or putting on

fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person

of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a

gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious

in the sight of God"

1 Peter 3:3 & 4

This verse has a bad reputation but it's actually a call for Christian women to rejoice in their womanhood.

Christian women should take a stand and say, "Yes, because I love God, I am different. I refuse to let society fads and fashions stereotype me and my styles."

Here are 5 verses that can influence the way women can show off the beauty in Christianity. 

“Judge not, that you be not judged” Matthew 7: 1

     A woman's judgement, either for or against someone or something, many times will be for the safety of herself, her spouse, her children, her extended family or her friends.
     Judgement condemning someone which may forever keep them from God is never the role of a Christian. Condemnation is God’s job but, if this form of judging is your habitual sin, He will absolutely forgive all who ask for forgiveness.
     This verse also warns us when judging to make sure the impact of our choice does not condemn us. If making a decision for or against anyone, use discernment to judge fairly, and strive to deliberately harm no one.
     God gave women a special personality trait of high emotional influence and because of this, when judging someone; you must carefully examine your reasons. Any necessary judgments women make are to improve the good things and destroy the bad things to create safer and cleaner lives.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men, (women), may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment” Matthew 12: 36.
     Communication is essential to life. The correct language can open doors and incorrect language can close doors. With a carefully sustained clean conduct, women can control a major part of the language spoken in their homes, work place and in public. Commonality of speech for women doesn’t have to assume coarseness or gutter-talk.
     Women can show off their beauty and attractiveness by their everyday speaking. Clean speech and behavior can especially enhance a woman’s character, style, beauty, and desirability.

“And just as you want men, (women), to do to you, you also do to them likewise” Luke 6: 31
     Rudeness mars beauty. Sometimes called the ‘golden rule’, it is a real fact, if you want people to be polite and nice, show yourself to be polite and nice. Women can be strong leaders in this area of personal and public life. A mother can teach her children how kind words and actions can help them achieve much. On the job, favorable actions and manners will get better reviews. If you want to have any influence, use the ‘golden rule’ and see what can happen around you.

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” Matthew 6: 3.
     Visibly heightened emotions are created part of women. Love, joy, anger, sympathy, empathy, and mother's love and protection; women show these traits with more vulnerability than men. If managed well, they can be a part of our hidden beauty that makes us attractive. Women can utilize their God given emotional specialties as wonderful givers, doers, motivators, counselors, and encouragers.
     Have you ever done something for someone who wasn’t expecting it, and you did it just for the joy of giving? While God made men to be subtly appreciative, God made woman with the capacity of giving and receiving with more emotion.
     Is there anyone you can help without thinking of any return for your effort?

“…Esau…took wives, Judith…and Basemath…and they were a grief to Isaac and Rebekah” Genesis 26: 33, 34.
     Family relationships can be a struggle at any time. A woman can trouble her own house or she can make it comfortable. Everyone will admire a woman, whether married or unmarried, who can maintain a good home. Habitual good and bad behavior is something learned or unlearned.
     In former decades, before the push for what is touted as equality, before she left home, most girls were taught the ways of femininity for her own benefit. While a woman can be computer programmers, drive trucks, be CEO of large companies, and run for President of the United States with no condemnation against her womanhood, she should present maturity and good behavior while preforming her public duties and personal actions.
     God gave Christians the closeness of church family. Let the Christian woman seek good friends with sound advice on how to manage her home, business, and her life. A fun circle of close woman-friends can encourage each other in good works.

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Are there any special Bible verses you make an effort to obey to enhance your Christian beauty?

(There are no guarantees that these suggestions will change anyone's situation if implemented. While these descriptions are in general and do not apply to all situations, they can be effectively true in the Christian woman who strives to please God.)

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The Gospel for *+Anna: Another Chapter

"Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ..." Colossians 4:3

Through a lesson in patience, God opened an opportunity for me, in answer to a prayer I had made five years previous. I wanted a certain woman to hear the Gospel and I asked God to provide the way for her to hear it. I didn't know how God intended to do it, but I knew He wanted her to hear about His freely given Sacrifice for her sins.

I prayed for *Anna to hear the Gospel and she did, in an amazing way, set up by God. (See the four previous posts The Gospel for Anna: Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4)

Here are some details of the speaking engagement that didn't happen.

The Ladies Activities Committee of my church plans several fun things for women, their daughters, and granddaughters to do every weekend. It's usually an open invitation to participate on Saturdays. Game days, carpooling to sporting events, Quilting, Teas, lunches, dinners, scrap-booking, etc. One date scheduled was to eat out at a newly opened restaurant, and I would speak on Biblical-based New Years Resolutions.

We discovered the restaurant was not able to accommodate us. It was too small and not arranged to let us all sit together en-mass. So my Pastor's wife asked another area eatery to let us use their separate dining area. It wouldn't be an outreach ministry as I preferred but only our small group of about fifteeen. Still, I would get to speak in this arrangement.

The plans were made. We had the room at noon for lunch and my presentation. I had scrapped the New Years Resolution theme to tell them about The Gospel for Anna instead. It was a mighty answer to prayer and a wonderful conclusion to the seeming mess we had thought happened. No one as yet but myself, my husband and my best friend knew how God had worked it out.

We arrived at our destination and alas---we didn't have the room! The second shift manager had booked another group at 1:00 o'clock, not knowing the first shift manager had let the room to us for noon. The second shift manger was afraid we wouldn't be done with the room in time, so he wouldn't let us in. We ended up eating amid the lunch crowd, without any opportunity for the presentation.

I was bursting with joy, glorifying God for His work. I was so pleased to discover that the entire episode was truly to get the Gospel to Anna. It was not about me speaking to anyone but her.

Oh, God be gloried! I wait to hear soon that Anna has accepted Jesus! That would be so awesome.

*Anna is not her real name.

+Anna and her husband are now moved into my sister's trailer.

The Joy of Handmade Christmas Ornaments

There are millions of selections of decorations for your Christmas tree and surrounding décor but what about making your ornaments for next year. By simple internet search, you can find simple or elaborate patterns for many items with which to decorate. or go to a craft store for instruction books. Or just get creative and have fun! The possibilities are endless!

• Tinfoil stars twinkling in the light.

•   Shiny foil snowflakes gently turning sending myriads of sparklers around the room.
• Colorful paper or felt crafts dangling merrily from branches.
• Pipe cleaners, empty paper rolls, scraps of Christmas wrap and glitter all fashioned into Holiday Happiness by yours, and the hands of your children.
• Popcorn, Cranberries, Apple slices, twists of Holly leaves, and Beads, all strung into festive garlands to wrap around a tree hung with homemade Reindeer, Santas, Nutcrackers, Bulbs, Hats, Mittens, Sleighs, Globes, Animals, Doodads, Doohickeys and Thing-a-ma-jigs, Nativities, Magi, and Baby Jesus, all with love and care.

Among the reasons for homemade decor is the wealth of quality family strength, emotion and togetherness. The tree is usually the central focus of Christmas. It is where the most fun happens. The cameras come out to record the moments as paper flies in all directions. Faces light up and laughter peels throughout the house. Children of any age get involved with the joy of giving and receiving. It’s the best family gathering for anyone.

There is another Family involved in Christmas: God the Father sending His Son Jesus into the world as His gift. The first Family and the First Gift.

There is another Christmas Tree: the Cross. Jesus came for only that purpose. Jesus came only to that destiny.

        He did not come to be a Good Teacher. 

Handling Holiday Depression

This is an article from my files from when I wrote for the Somerset Times Weekly. (2008-2012) I feel it is still relevant.

  Emotions can either rise because of the Christmas season or close in on a person who feels unloved or put upon by others. Studies show that four to six percent of Americans suffer post-Christmas depression. Many of these people are isolated from family and friends, not necessarily by social distress but by choice. Many sufferers begin getting depressed before the holiday and slowly begin the isolation process, overwhelmed by the stress of shopping and resentment of pressure from what to give to who gets what. This makes the person close in on him or herself and seek to be alone, wanting the noise, and bustle to be over so their lives can get back to normal routine. Some people feel pressured by the Christmas Carols played extensively in stores and public PA systems. The songs meant for joy and festive ambiance heightening the emotional stress. These feelings can become dangerously extreme by the New Year.

  People who have lost loved ones during the year feel the loss more because they don’t have that person in their lives to enjoy the gift exchange, food, or parties. The void is sometimes impossible to fill even through many years. Facing the New Year can be tough for those living with such a loss.

Enjoy Giving & Bless God

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”

Matthew 6: 3.

Have you ever done something for someone who wasn’t expecting it, and you did it just for the joy of giving? 

While God made men to be subtly appreciative, God made woman with the capacity of giving and receiving with more emotion. Sometimes with extreme emotion.

Visually emotional is part of woman: love, joy, anger, sympathy, empathy, and motherly. Women utilize their God given specialty as wonderful givers, doers, motivators, counselors, and those who encourage. And they often do it without anything in return.

But God never said we are to expect a return, at least not on earth. All our works done in the name of Jesus gain rewards in Heaven.

Is there anyone you can help without thinking of any return for your effort?

What is great about a Christian woman blessing others---God is very happy with her doing so.

Do good---Bless God.

Jesus Wants Us to Be Happy

"Rejoice always" 1  Thessalonians 5: 16

Ever been wildly, hysterically happy, laughing, smiling and rejoicing?

Jesus came to a sinful world to give us all things in great abundance. (John 10: 10) He certainly gives us salvation to the fullest. No one who asks Jesus to save them is only a little bit saved are they? No, they are altogether saved.

In Christ, we can live life more fully also. We in Christ Jesus have more life than the unsaved. We get more joy from food, fun, games, our families and friends, sunsets and sunrises, all things. We sing more wonderful songs. We have more love for everyone, and especially the company of other believers in Fellowship in Christ Jesus. 

If we trust in Jesus for our salvation, our lives should show others that we are happy that we are saved and going to heaven someday.

How does our happiness affect others? Ever start to giggle and have others begin to giggle because you’re giggling? How does it affect you when other people are happy? Ever start laughing because another is laughing?

Jesus wants us, as Christians, to let other people know that we have our happiness in Him. That the joy and happiness others see in us will make them want Jesus as their Savior.

Use your love of Jesus as your reason for all that you do, no matter what it is. Note the affects it has on you. Note the effects it has on others. Our obedience in the simplest acts of love makes Jesus happy.