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Betty.
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August 10, 2023
Happy Thursday,He Will Sustain Us
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.It seems nearly every day there is some kind of disaster in this world. The news is more bad news than good. It is easy to become discouraged. Yet we need not become discouraged or afraid.
God is with us. He is still in control. Not only is God with us, but we look forward with great anticipation to our final destiny: our Heavenly Home.
Where the bad memories of this earth will fade away.Pray for one another and do not lose hope, but trust in our Heavenly Father. When we trust in God we can lay aside fear and doubt. The more we communicate with God, the stronger our faith will grow.
Acts 2:26
Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.Romans 5
New King James Version
Faith Triumphs in Trouble
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; 4 and perseverance, [c]character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Maranatha,
Betty -
August 11, 2023
Happy Friday,
It Is Acceptable T0 Rest
We can become overwhelmed with doing good that we do not take the time to rest our minds and bodies. This can be dangerous. It is bad for our physical bodies and bad spiritually.
When we are exhausted we can be vulnerable to the lies of the devil. It is wonderful and acceptable to work for God but allow ourselves time to rest.
Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly inheart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Rest and seek strength from our Heavenly Father. These days are hard but God is with us. Fear not but trust in God, always.
Betty
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August 12, 2023
Happy Saturday,
Left Behind
There is a fear in many schoolchildren of missing the School bus. This can cause nightmares even in adults. Yet there is coming a nightmare that most people ignore, make jokes about, or pretend it will never happen.
This is being left behind when the rapture happens. Many things will happen after the rapture and most will be beyond unpleasant.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
New King James Version
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Because people chose to reject the truth of the Gospel, God will send them a strong delusion so that they will accept the lies of the antichrist. There are no words to define how scary this is. People will believe a lie that will seal them for eternity in hell.
Remember it will be because they chose to reject the truth of the Gospel. They chose to reject salvation through Christ. In essence, they chose hell over Heaven.
After the rapture, there will be a seven-year tribulation. This is when God, Himself will punish those who rejected His Son, Jesus. They will be left behind because they chose to reject salvation through the blood of Christ. Their choice will make them go through the tribulation.
In the middle of the tribulation, the antichrist will make it a law that no one can buy or sell with a mark on their forehead or right hand.
Revelation 13:16-18
New King James Version
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has [a]the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
Revelation 14:9-11
New King James Version
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Missing the bus as a kid may be scary but missing the rapture may determine where you spend eternity. Today is the day to be saved.
2 Corinthians 6:2
New Living Translation
2 For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”[a]Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Maranatha,
Betty
August 12, 2023
Happy Saturday,
Left Behind
There is a fear in many schoolchildren of missing the School bus. This can cause nightmares even in adults. Yet there is coming a nightmare that most people ignore, make jokes about, or pretend it will never happen.
This is being left behind when the rapture happens. Many things will happen after the rapture and most will be beyond unpleasant.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
New King James Version
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Because people chose to reject the truth of the Gospel, God will send them a strong delusion so that they will accept the lies of the antichrist. There are no words to define how scary this is. People will believe a lie that will seal them for eternity in hell.
Remember it will be because they chose to reject the truth of the Gospel. They chose to reject salvation through Christ. In essence, they chose hell over Heaven.
After the rapture, there will be a seven-year tribulation. This is when God, Himself will punish those who rejected His Son, Jesus. They will be left behind because they chose to reject salvation through the blood of Christ. Their choice will make them go through the tribulation.
In the middle of the tribulation, the antichrist will make it a law that no one can buy or sell with a mark on their forehead or right hand.
Revelation 13:16-18
New King James Version
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has [a]the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
Revelation 14:9-11
New King James Version
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Missing the bus as a kid may be scary but missing the rapture may determine where you spend eternity. Today is the day to be saved.
2 Corinthians 6:2
New Living Translation
2 For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”[a]Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Maranatha,
Betty
August 12, 2023
Happy Saturday,
Left Behind
There is a fear in many schoolchildren of missing the School bus. This can cause nightmares even in adults. Yet there is coming a nightmare that most people ignore, make jokes about, or pretend it will never happen.
This is being left behind when the rapture happens. Many things will happen after the rapture and most will be beyond unpleasant.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
New King James Version
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Because people chose to reject the truth of the Gospel, God will send them a strong delusion so that they will accept the lies of the antichrist. There are no words to define how scary this is. People will believe a lie that will seal them for eternity in hell.
Remember it will be because they chose to reject the truth of the Gospel. They chose to reject salvation through Christ. In essence, they chose hell over Heaven.
After the rapture, there will be a seven-year tribulation. This is when God, Himself will punish those who rejected His Son, Jesus. They will be left behind because they chose to reject salvation through the blood of Christ. Their choice will make them go through the tribulation.
In the middle of the tribulation, the antichrist will make it a law that no one can buy or sell with a mark on their forehead or right hand.
Revelation 13:16-18
New King James Version
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has [a]the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
Revelation 14:9-11
New King James Version
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Missing the bus as a kid may be scary but missing the rapture may determine where you spend eternity. Today is the day to be saved.
2 Corinthians 6:2
New Living Translation
2 For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”[a]Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Maranatha,
Betty
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August 13, 2023
Blessed Sunday,
Do Not Compromise
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:3-5Years ago, I knew a man who drank a 6-pack of beer a day and cussed like a sailor. He went to Church every Saturday night. He said he did this to reach his loved ones for Christ.
Falling into the pit of sin does not reach anyone for Christ. Getting ourselves dirty does not make others clean. We must not compromise our relationship with God for any reason.
We must choose to walk close to God, choosing to live in righteousness.
Maratha,
Betty
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August 14, 2023
Happy Monday,
Help Us Obey, You
“Daily Prayer for August 14
CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH BLUMHARDT
If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18, NIV
Lord our God, grant that we may heed your commandments, that our peace may be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea. Be with us through your Spirit, we pray. Speak with us and tell us what we need to hear so that we can understand what draws us always nearer to you. Show the might of your hand to help us and all people. Even under judgment we shall not despair, we shall not lose courage because of troubles and distress. Come with your strength, that we may grow strong to overcome the world through Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen.”
We can get so caught up in our own desires, that we ignore the voice of God. His way is always better than our way. Yet it is hard to sometimes to see this truth.
We need to begin each day determined to walk in the truth of God. To be willing to serve Him, in all circumstances. We need to pray for guidance.
Betty
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August 15, 2023
Happy Tuesday,
Sing Unto the Lord
I have always had trouble remembering the words of a song. Since I got mild dementia, it has gotten worse. The following verse brings me comfort.
Psalm 96:1-3
New International Version
Psalm 96
1
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.2
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.3
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.Now when I am singing a song of praise to God and I forget the words, I make up words from my heart, and it becomes a new song. God is, indeed worthy of our praises. Our songs of praise are a gift unto our Heavenly Father.
We make be going through hard times, but praising God is a gift to God and encourages us.
Marathon,
Betty
Psalm 96
Open menu
New International Version
Open menu
Psalm 96
1
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.2
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.3
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.4
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.5
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.6
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.7
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.8
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.9
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.10
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.11
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.12
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.13
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness. -
August 17, 2023
Happy Thursday,
Bloom Where You Are Planted
There are times that we live where we did not want to live. This can be our opportunity to do God’s work. We can pray for those who live around us.
We can live in righteousness so that others can see Jesus through us.
Do not get living pridefully mixed up with living in righteousness. Living like we are better than others is sinful. Pray that God will open our eyes to the needs of those around us and pray for our neighbors, regularly.
Betty
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August 18, 2023
Happy Friday,
God Is With Us
“Daily Prayer for August 18
CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH BLUMHARDT
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23–24, NIV
Thank you, great God and Father, for filling our hearts with trust so that we are of good hope, also for those who have not yet found trust. Thank you for giving us courage to face all the questions that arise in human life and for accepting us again and again when we come to you. You know what lies before us. You know the mountains that have to be moved. You know all the things that frustrate us and try to wear us out, and you will take them away. At last your light will shine into all the darkness. This certainty fills us with gladness and thanksgiving. In this faith we are determined to remain steadfast and to press on to victory. Amen.”
We can trust God to always be with us. He will never forsake us. When we put our complete trust in God we will have more peace and joy. We can become discouraged easily. This is why we need to pray and read the Bible regularly.
Betty
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August 19, 2023
Happy Saturday,
Finish Well
Hebrews 12:1-2
New International Version
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As we come to the end of our lives, our desire should be to finish well. We should want to finish the race of our life as well or better than we started. Praying daily that we live in a way that will not embarrass our Heavenly Father.
As we grow older we are often affected by health issues. Health issues can take a toll emotionally as well as physically. We also find that we need more rest as we age. It is okay to get extra rest.
Pray for ourselves and others. Encourage one another with Scripture and words of encouragement. Seek to be a blessing to others. Seek the face of God daily and pray that God will fill us with the Holy Spirit. When we do all this then we will have hope to share with others.
Betty
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August 20, 2023
Blessed Sunday,
Problems for A Reason
Stephen was killed for his preaching of the Gospel. I often wondered why, God allowed this to happen. Today I read this:
Acts 11:19-24
New King James Version
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
It was because of the death of Stephen that Christians fled Jerusalem and went out to other areas for safety. Because they fled they spread the Gospel to other lands.
Sometimes God has to make things get tough for us to move us to where He wants us to go. We can get so comfortable that we resist God’s calling.
There are times when we look back on our lives that we can see why God allowed bad things to happen to us. Other times we will not understand why God allowed things to happen until we get to Heaven. Until then, we have to trust God.
Betty
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August 21, 2023
Happy Monday,
Thirsty
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Texas like many states is parched. The grass is dying and many of us are praying for rain. Which should make us ponder. How often do we cry to God for help living in righteousness?
Psalm 42:1-3
New King James Version
BOOK TWO
Psalms 42–72
Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses
To the Chief Musician. A [a]Contemplation of the sons of Korah.
42
As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.2
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and [c]appear before God?3
My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”In these last days may we hunger and thirst after God. May we seek to live in His divine will. There are so many things around us that seek to distract us from what is important, such as our relationship with Christ.
I pray that God brings us physical rain and blesses us with much-needed spiritual rain, in these times of uncertainty.
Betty
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August 22, 2023
Happy Tuesday,
Church Is Not Just A Building
Ephesians 2:14-22
New King James Version
Christ Our Peace
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Christ Our Cornerstone
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
We meet together as a Church body to worship God, but the true Church is the people who are born again. Jesus Himself said that one day people would worship in Spirit.
John 4:23
New King James Version
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
We can worship God anywhere and at any time. We are the Church. We are the body of Christ.
Betty
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August 23, 2023
Happy Wednesday,
“Bearing Others’ Burdens
Romans 15
New King James Version
Bearing Others’ Burdens
15 We then who are strong ought to bear with the [a]scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to [b]edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [c]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us encourage one another and help each other carry on towards the end of our race. Seeking to please God with our acts of kindness. We are storing up honors and rewards in Heaven with our deeds on earth.
We all have troubles and problems, but we can build each other up with words of encouragement and prayers to God for each other. May God hasten His return for His children to take us all home with Him to Heaven.
Betty
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August 24, 2023
Happy Thursday,
Take Up Your Cross
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”- Matthew 16:24 ESV
Salvation is more than saying a prayer and shaking the Pastor’s hand. Not only do we have to turn away from our sins, but we must take up and carry the cross that God assigns to us.
Carrying our own cross is hard and often unpleasant. We want a smooth journey in this life. We want everything to be soft and easy. Truth is life is hard on its own. Serving God in a sinful word can be crushingly hard.
Yet, we have it easy compared to those who live in Countries where Christianity is illegal. Many people are in prisons living in horrid conditions because of their faith in Christ. Do we take the time to pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ? I must admit I forget to do so, often.
Let us take time today, to pray for those in this world who are suffering persecution for their belief in Christ.
Betty
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August 25, 2023
Happy Friday,
Do Everything With Love
1 Corinthians 13
New King James Version
The Greatest Gift
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
The Bible makes it clear that works without love are useless. Our works must come from a heart of love and compassion. If we do not have love and compassion for others then there will be no reward in Heaven and possibly little results on earth.
Self-pride kills love and compassion for others. When we see ourselves as better than others we do not have a loving heart. It is easy to judge those around us but too often we do not examine our own lives to see our own faults.
Let us pray that God will fill our hearts with love and compassion for others. Then our motivation for our works will come from love and compassion and not duty.
Betty
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August 26, 2023
Happy Saturday,
Growing Spiritually
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness.”
2 Peter 1:5-6I do not know about you, but I worry that I am not growing spiritually as I ought to be. We get so busy with day-to-day life that we neglect our spirituality. There is no scale to step on to see if we have grown spiritually.
What do we do? We live for God everyday. We do our best. We seek His face daily. We do not need to worry about his much we are growing. We just need to be going forward daily in faith and in our walk with God.
Betty
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August 28, 2023
Happy Monday,
Walk in Him
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
I have talked with Christians who are losing their faith in God. They do not understand why the rapture has not happened. They think that criminals are getting off Scott-free for their crimes.
I keep telling them that unlike God we cannot see the big picture. It is easy to question God, when bad things happen to us and our family. Trusting God is trusting in God even during tragedies.
To survive tragedies we must be established in our faith in God. We must walk with God today to handle what may come tomorrow or next month.
Whatever happens, God has not failed us, but keep looking up for that blessed hope. Jesus is coming back for His Church!
Maranatha,
Betty
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August 29, 2023
Happy Tuesday,
What Does Righteousness Look Like?
If you had asked the people during the time of Christ they would have said that the Pharisees and Religious leaders were great examples of righteousness. Yet, look at what Jesus said about them!
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:20
The Religious leaders sought to look righteous, but Jesus saw their hearts. It is what is in the heart that counts. Lest we pick on them, we also can pretend to be more righteous than we are. We can fool those around us, but we cannot fool God.
Good works are great, but we must be aware of our own motives behind our good works. Our desire should be to please God and not man. God wants us to live righteous lives, but it must begin in our hearts and not in our outward appearance.
Maratha,
Betty
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August 30, 2023
Happy Wednesday,
God Knows Our Tears
Two of my friends cried, yesterday from emotional pain. We all have times that we go through that we do not understand. God understands our pain and saves our tears.
Psalm 56:8
New Living Translation
8 You keep track of all my sorrows.[a]
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.There are things we go through on this earth that we do not understand, but we can still trust God. He always will be with us. We may not understand now why God took us down a certain path, but one day everything will be made clear to us.
Betty
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September 1, 2023
Happy Friday,
Do Not Get Caught Up In Your Past
Daily Prayer for September 1
CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH BLUMHARDT
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV
Dear Father in heaven, open our hearts to see what is good in our lives. May the light in our hearts shine clearly so that we see, recognize, and live in accordance with what comes from eternity and belongs to our true nature, brought to us through Christ. Keep us from being blinded and deafened by experiences that will pass by. Help us to rise above them even in suffering and to wait patiently for what is becoming new and perfect. Praise to your name that we too can say, “The old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Amen
The devil likes to remind us of our past and discourages us. God wants us to focus on our future in Heaven. For now, we may struggle through daily troubles but we have a hopeful and glorious future with our Heavenly Father.Let us not give into depression but praise God daily and trust Him to see us through each day. We are not hopeless for our God is always with us and will never leave us.
Ephesians 6:12-13
King James Version
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Victory is ahead!
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 3, 2023
Blessed Sunday,
Waiting On The Lord
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” – Psalm 27:14
It seems like life is just one big waiting game. We wait in lines at the grocery store, airport, amusement parks etc., — there is even a room called “waiting” at a doctor’s office. In every instance, the time we wait far outweighs what we are actually waiting for. As a culture that increasingly pushes instant gratification, even Christians cannot escape this subliminal messaging that we receive in our everyday lives.”
We hate waiting. We want what we want now. We must choose to wait patiently. Whether we are waiting in a line or for God to work in a situation, we need to be patient.
We cannot make a line shorter nor can we change God’s timing. We will be more at peace when we choose to wait without giving in to anger. We need to remind ourselves God’s timing is perfect. It is a matter of trusting God’s plans.
Betty
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September 4, 2023
Happy Labor Day,
Blind Faith
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
There are movies where people act on blind faith. Some non-Christians think our faith in God is blind. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, our faith is not blind. God gives us secure assurance the moment that we accept Him as our Savior that He is real.
We can live knowing without a doubt that we have a future home in heaven, when we choose to accept Jesus as our Savior and choose to live for Him.
God fills our hearts with peace and the knowledge that He holds us in His hands. He is with us today, tomorrow, and when we leave this world. We are secure in the arms of God.
Betty
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September 7, 2023
Happy Thursday,
Do Not Worry About Tomorrow
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
Matthew 6:28-30
Watching and reading the news is enough to make one worry about the future. It seems it is nothing but gloom and fear. Yet, we need not fear tomorrow. God is still in control. He has not abandoned us.
The devil would love to get us to spend today fretting and fussing about what may happen. Let us trust God and not worry about tomorrow.
Betty
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September 8, 2023
Happy Friday,
“Has God forgotten To Be Merciful”
Daily Prayer for September 8
CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH BLUMHARDT
“Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:9–12, NIV
Lord God, our Father in heaven, we turn to you in these times when we are under so much stress and temptation. Let your light glow in our hearts to give us firmness, patience, and perseverance throughout the time of testing, no matter how long it lasts. Your hand can change everything. Your hand can shorten the time we must wait until your light shines out of the darkness of death and evil, until your light reveals your life to your children and to the whole world. You are our God and Father as you have promised, and remaining at your side, we look to you in faith and trust. You will bring about goodness, justice, and mercy as you have promised, and so fulfill your will. Amen”
God will always be a merciful God. We may go through seasons of drought, but God’s mercies will sustain us. This summer has been extremely hot and dry for Texas. There were those who felt God that God had abandoned us.
We are living in the last days. These days are very hard on everybody. We must not lose hope and trust in God. We will be rewarded for trusting in God during bad times. True trust is when we believe God when we cannot see the answers we want to our prayers.
“Matthew 24:33
New King James Version
33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that [a]it is near—at the doors!”
Betty
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September 9, 2023
Happy Saturday,
Morocco Earthquake
It seems every week, there is another disaster in the world. The birth pains are getting so much closer together. What can we do? Make sure we are right with God. Share the Gospel with family, friends, and strangers.
We are seeing the signs that the rapture is coming soon. It is hard to hear about disasters. We hurt for those hurting. We can pray for those who are suffering.
Jesus is coming soon. Our redemption is coming. Do not lose hope, Jesus is coming for His children.
Betty
Thumbs Up
- bdavidc
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September 10, 2023
Blessed Sunday,
A New Creation
“Promise #253:
Your old life has ended and now everything is new in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (WEB)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
Do not let the devil destroy you over your past. When we become a Christian, God forgives us of our past. We no longer have to listen to the devil’s lies.
We must remind ourselves and the devil that we are Christians who have been made new through the blood of Jesus. We march forward seeking to live a holy and righteous life for our Heavenly Father.
Betty
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September 11, 2023
Happy Monday,
“Departed From The Truth”
Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth.
2 Timothy 2:17-18Hymenaneus and Philetus departed from the truth. They chose to forsake the truth. They did not forget the truth. They knew the truth but decided to forsake the truth.
Even today, sadly, Preachers, Teachers, and Laymen, and women are forsaking the truth. Some for political, financial, or popularity gain. There is nothing we can gain in this world that is worth walking away from the truth of the Gospel.
It is dangerous for our souls to forsake the truth. Yet, it is even more dangerous to lead people away from the truth. There will be consequences for forsaking the truth of the Gospel and even more severe ones for leading others away from the truth of the Gospel.
These are the days that we must stand for the truth of the Gospel, even when it is not popular. It is sinful to depart from the truth of the Gospel. We need to pray that we are not led astray by smooth-talking Preachers and Teachers. The Bible must be our source for the truth.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 12, 2023
Happy Tuesday,
“Trampled On The Son Of God”
“Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. (Hebrews 10:29 NLT)”
We have seen and heard celebrities who have made fun of God and rejected God publically. They think it is funny to joke about God. Yet, the day will come when their laughter will be over and they will only know despair for eternity.
As Christians, all we can do is pray for these people. Pray that their eyes will be open to the truth before it is too late. Only God knows if they have passed the point of no return, so it is acceptable to pray for them, until God leads you to cease to pray for them.
“In the Old Testament book of Daniel, we read that King Belshazzar had all the holy vessels brought out that the Jewish people used in the worship of God. Then he filled them with wine and toasted the gods of silver and gold. He was openly mocking God and going out of his way to ridicule Him.
And that was his last night on earth. He was weighed in God’s balances, and God’s judgment fell upon him.”
People today can reach a point where God washes His hands of them and then their chance of salvation is gone. Even as Christians, we must be careful that we always treat God with honor and respect.
Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 13, 2023
Happy Wednesday,
God Will Guide Us
“Promise #256:
I will be the voice behind you, guiding you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 30:21 (WEB)
and when you turn to the right hand,
and when you turn to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you,
saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.”
We need not fear tomorrow for God will guide us through whatever comes up. We can trust Him with our last breath. He knows the future and He is prepared for whatever happens. He will get us through all our tomorrows.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 15, 2023
Happy Friday,
God is Faithful
Promise #258:
I will be faithful to give you My strength and protection.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (WEB)
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you,
and guard you from the evil one.
God is faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you and He has promised to protect you from the evil one. In a world that is full of broken promises, this is something that we can know and rely on. The NIV Bible says 2 Thessalonians 3:3 this way… But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
The devil loves to fill our minds with doubts. When we doubt, we weaken our faith. When our faith is weakened we open ourselves up to be led astray by the devil.
We must stay strong in our faith. The best way to do that is to build up our faith by reading the Word of God and praying. Singing praises to God also promotes a healthy spiritual life.
The devil knows his time is short so he is attacking Christians regularly. We must choose to increase our faith in God and not become complacent.
Our redemption is coming soon. May God help us to stay committed to living our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Betty
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September 20, 2023
Happy Monday,
Do Not Doubt The Existence of Heaven
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.
John 14:2-3 (ESV)
Jesus, Himself told us that He is preparing a place for us in Heaven and that He is coming back for us. What a marvelous promise given to us by the Lord Jesus.
Knowing Jesus’ word is true and honorable, we can relax and know that our redemption is coming soon. We are not hopeless but a people whose hope is secure in the Holy Word of God.
Romans 5:11
New King James Version
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Philippians 4:4
New King James Version
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 20, 2023
Happy Thursday,
God’s Word Guides Us
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105 KJV
In today’s world, there are so many noises blasting into our heads. If we are not careful we can find ourselves overwhelmed, discouraged, and confused. Sadly every “Christian” video is not Christianity.
This video was a woman preacher, which I have issues with it. She said that the Noah and the flood was just a story. I take issues with anyone who wants to deny parts of the Bible as true.
We need God’s Holy Word to guide us and protect us from influences from the devil.
Betty
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September 22, 2023
Happy Friday,
Seek To Please God
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
Ecclesiastes 12:13We cannot please everyone. This is a given. What is more important than pleasing people is pleasing God! God will judge us in the end and not people.
This does not give us a license to be cruel to others, but God must come first. Our relationship with God is stronger, when we put God first. Things in our lives will work out better when we seek to please God.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 23, 2023
Happy Saturday,
“He Has Blessed Us”
He has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:6Our circumstances does not determine whether or not we are blessed. There are many many sinners who are blessed by today’s standards. Yet, there are people who in this world who have nothing in this world but are spiritually blessed.
We must remember that many people have gained their wealth and fame from living in sin. People get paid in TV and movies to use God’s Name in vain and they do so so they can be popular and rich. They have no interest in their souls or eternity.
Sadly, there are poor people who have no interest in God and have no fear of God. Using God’s Name in vain also comes easy for them. They do not believe in eternity or they think all ‘good’ people go to Heaven. The Bible says no one is good. Only the righteous blood of Jesus saves us from sin.
We must choose salvation through Christ to be saved. Then we are truly blessed no matter what is in our bank account. Our blessing is Jesus being with us all the time and our eternity in Heaven.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 25, 2023
Happy Monday,
God Will Make Things New
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more…And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1, 5, RSV
Lord our God, our Father, we look deep into your mighty Word and see the glory of the new world you will create according to your justice and truth. We thank you for giving us this joy on earth in the midst of all our toil and striving. We look deep into your Word. You make all things new. To this hope our lives are directed, to this hope you have called us, and we want to be faithful forever. Praise to your name, for you have already done great things for us! Keep us in your Word. Let many find the light, for in this light they may look to you in simple faith and constancy until the end, when throughout the world we may see your glory and your grace. Amen.
The Bible says that God will one day replace this earth and Heaven with brand new ones. This Earth has become corrupted but the New Earth will know no corruption. Sin will never enter the new earth. The devil will be in the lake of fire and sin will be no more.
We live in a world where sin abounds. With the help of the Holy Spirit, as children of God, we need not walk in sin. We can live in righteousness. When we do sin, Jesus is our advocate.
The closer we walk with God, the less desirable sin becomes and the more desirable righteousness becomes. The more we love God the more we desire to please God. Let us worship God in spirit and truth.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 26, 2023
Happy Tuesday,
Your Choice
“But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
It may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody. “—Bob DylanI watched a YouTube video of an Oprah show where she is in an argument with an audience member who believes Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Oprah said with an angry tone:” I choose whether I go to Heaven or hell”. She is correct. If we refuse salvation through Christ, then we have chosen hell.
It is not God that sends us to hell, but it is our own decision. This decision lasts for eternity. We must choose well. Sadly it is too often pride that keeps people from admitting that they are a sinner, in need of salvation.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 27, 2023
Happy Wednesday,
He Will Keep Us From Falling
“Promise #270:
I will keep you from falling until you joyfully stand blameless in My presence.
Jude 1:24 (WEB)
Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling,
and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,”
One day Jesus will joyfully present us to His Father. He will rejoice in our sinlessness. Not because we are perfect, but because we have been washed and made clean by the precious blood of Jesus.
We need not live in fear of sin, if we trust God to protect us from sin. We can choose to walk in righteousness and not give into sin. When we do fall into sin we have an advocate in Jesus.
1 John 2
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. …”
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 28, 2023
Happy Thursday,
Only What’s Done For Christ Will Last
So many who reject Christ do so far worldly fame and money. No matter how big you are today, there will come a time when the crowd moves on to someone new. No matter how rich you are, you will soon become tired of the new toys the world has to offer.
Only the works for Christ will last through eternity. I was thinking of a Missionary who was killed by the people he was trying to reach. His heroic wife stayed on the Mission field and because of her, the people who killed her husband became Christians.
She has now passed away from old age. What a marvelous reunion it must have been when she saw her husband again! To be able to talk about the work he started and through Christ, how she brought the work to a satisfactory conclusion. Their work will last through eternity.
We often grow weary. Many people work hard in the background of life for God. God sees their work. There will come a day when their work will be rewarded openly in Heaven. Let us seek to please our Heavenly Father in all that we do, not for rewards, but because we love Him.
Maranatha,
Betty
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September 29, 2023
Happy Friday,
“Christ On A White Horse”
Revelation 19:11-21
New King James Version
Christ on a White Horse
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head weremany crowns. He [a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a [c]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.The Beast and His Armies Defeated
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the [d]supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, [e]free and slave, both small and great.”
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
My husband often wonders aloud why God does not judge evil doers on this earth. God has been very very patient. He has been dealing with evil since the Garden of Eden.
Many believe that the reason God flooded the earth is that the demons was taking human women for themselves. If this had continued mankind would have been replaced with high-breeds.
This withstanding God has been indeed patient with mankind and the evil they do. There is coming a day when God will stand no more and will defeat evil. He will leave Heaven and come to this Earth to defeat the devil and His followers. Jesus will come to this earth, not as a little baby, not as a gentle Shepherd, but as a conquering King.
Now is the time to accept salvation. For there is a time when salvation will cease and only judgment will come.
Maranatha,
Betty
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