tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34619824712342260612024-03-13T20:47:00.451-07:00Step By StepEncouraging Christian teens on their walk with Him...Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-56485302546352799572012-12-16T13:16:00.001-08:002012-12-16T13:16:33.286-08:00It's About the Cross by Go Fish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-41573008898983301852012-09-15T08:49:00.000-07:002012-09-15T08:51:06.126-07:00Esther<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Noelle and I are starting a new series or topic here on Step by Step. For the next two months we'll be talking about young people in the Bible. I tend to think of most people in the Bible as grown or even old people. You know the old guys with long white beards or the wise old lady. Yes, there are stories of adults, but there are also many stories of young people. Even teens! You probably already know that Mary the mother of Jesus was around 14 when He was born. (Noelle will be writing about Mary in a while) Well, in this new series we're going to talk about other "young people of the Bible".<br />
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I'll start with Esther...</div>
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Imagine being taken from your family to the king's palace. Imagine being told that you'd stay there for a year until the king called for you. Then, if he picked you, you'd become queen even if you didn't want to. That is what happened to Esther. You would think that having to leave your family and eventually become queen would be hard enough, but God asked more of Esther. God asked Esther to risk her life to save His people, her people. Haman, one of the king's nobles had a plot to kill all the Jews. That meant Esther and all God's people. Esther is asked to tell the king of Haman's evil plan, but to go to the king without being sent for is death. Anyone who comes before the king when he has not called for them will be killed. Esther does not let the fear of death stop her! <br />
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I am not going to tell Esther's whole story here. I hope you will be inspired to go read it for yourself. Esther is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Esther is loyal, brave, and God-fearing! She is not afraid to take a stand for God and His people. She is not afraid of death. We shouldn't be either! We may not be called to face death, but every day we are given at least one chance to stand up for God. We need to look for that chance and act on it! Do not back down. Do not lose heart. Act boldly for Christ as He did for you!</div>
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Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-55242943544784559112012-08-25T22:21:00.001-07:002012-08-25T22:22:57.003-07:00The 5 O'Clock Club<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The 5 O'Clock Club is group of believers from all over the US who get up at a set time each morning to have time with their Savior and Lord. The 5 O'Clock Club wants to encourage you to put God first and spend time with Him each morning before you start the day. It can be 5am, but it doesn't have to be. Just as long as you're spending time with Him each morning. Why? Because it's the quiet times when He really speaks to you. When you spend that time with the Lord first thing in the morning, He gives you the wisdom and encouragement you need for that day. </div>
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Here's just one of the wonderful testimonies-</div>
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"Well, being 15 and still in school, life can be pretty hectic for me. I want to have a quiet time every day, but sometimes I sleep in, due to staying up late the night before doing homework. The Lord convicted me that I needed to put my time with Him first. Before anything else, even making my bed. So, I'm doing the 6 o'clock club (because 5, well that's a little early. :) because I know that I need to give my first fruits to the Lord and not anything else."<br />
<strong>Ellie Berry</strong></div>
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So, check it out here: <a href="http://www.girltalkhome.com/clubs/5oclock">http://www.girltalkhome.com/clubs/5oclock</a></div>
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Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-86692220556715936992012-08-25T19:17:00.001-07:002012-08-25T22:23:53.713-07:00Here's the "Fireproof" movie trailor! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-21387566905886980682012-08-25T19:09:00.000-07:002012-08-25T19:09:19.349-07:00"City on the Hill" by Casting Crowns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"City on the Hill" by Casting Crowns is a fantastic song. It reminds me of Ephesians 4:3-6 which says, "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all." </div>
Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-31513563545968851452012-08-25T18:40:00.000-07:002012-08-25T18:40:16.951-07:00Jiffy N' Lou Comic Strip #102<a href="http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/jiffy-n-lou-installment-102/">http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/jiffy-n-lou-installment-102/</a><br />
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<span class="woj"> This link is to a comic strip created by homeschoolers! It explains that our call to be a light in this world should not be taken lightly; we are ambassadors for Jesus! Matthew 5:14-15 says, "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house."</span>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-74705132894904994892012-08-18T16:09:00.002-07:002012-08-18T16:09:41.880-07:00Shine for His Glory Not Our Own Dwight L. Moody once wrote, "Lighthouses don't fire guns or ring bells to call attention to their light; they just shine." Matthew 5:14 says that we are called to be a city on a hill. However, our goal should not be to point others to <em>our </em>good deeds. Rather, our deeds should point them to the one true Light, Jesus. Sometimes we do good things for selfish reasons; we often do right because we know it will bring us praise. Let's look at an example: there is one chocolate chip cookie left at your house. Every one of your family members knows that you <em>adore</em> chocolate chip cookies. However, there is a problem. Your brother just got home from basketball practice, and he is <em>really </em>hungry. Instead of grabbing the cookie for yourself, you offer it to him. That's great, right? Well, it depends. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "People judge by outward appearance, but the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> looks at the heart." If you gave your brother that cookie just because you knew your parents would go on and on about how generous you are, that was just as bad as snatching that cookie for yourself. On the other hand, if you let him have the cookie because that's what Jesus would do, your kind act helped point your family to Jesus. We should not call attention to our light; if we do, we are promoting ourselves instead of Jesus.<br />
Matthew 6:1-5 says,<span class="woj"> "Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.</span> <span class="text Matt-6-2" id="en-NLT-23261"><span class="woj">When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-3" id="en-NLT-23262"><span class="woj">But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."</span></span><br />
If you have a hard time being a light if you don't get recognition, think about Jesus. When He ate dinner with tax collectors and fishermen, there was no one telling Him how thoughtful He was. When He spent hours and hours healing people and teaching them about His Kingdom, there was no party for Him at the end of the day. <em>Jesus died for the sins of the entire world, yet He was mocked, and they spat upon Him. </em>He still was Light, even if people didn't treat Him right. When we act like Jesus instead of the world, we should act out of pure love for Jesus. When we serve others, we should serve out of adoration for Him. When we shine our light, we should shine with joy; not because of the praise we hope to get, but because the King of kings laid down His life for us.Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-75387238706585970092012-08-14T20:49:00.000-07:002012-08-14T20:49:11.637-07:00"Be the moon. Reflect the SON."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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You may have seen the phrase, "Be the moon. Reflect the SON." before. (I've seen it on t-shirts.) Anyways, I thought it would be a great title for this weeks post as we are talking about being lights for Jesus. We are commanded to reflect Jesus! "“I, the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, have called <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18487E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> you in righteousness; <span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-42-6">I will take hold of your hand. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18487G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> </span></span><span class="text Isa-42-6">I will keep <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18487H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> you and will make you </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-42-6">to be a covenant <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18487I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> for the people</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-42-6">and a light <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18487J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> for the Gentiles, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18487K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup> </span></span><span class="text Isa-42-7" id="en-NIV-18488"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>to open eyes that are blind, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18488L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup> </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-42-7">to free <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18488M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup> captives from prison <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18488N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup> </span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-42-7">and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." Isaiah 42:6-7 "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds <b>a</b>nd glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 We are told t</span></span>o show Him to the world! What an awesome job!!! We are to show Jesus off to the world. How? By acting as He would have us to and proclaiming His Holy Name! While this is an amazing job it's not easy. At least not for me. Some days I'm in a bad mood (ask my younger siblings...) and I react with anger. (I'm not proud of it, but it's the truth.) Is that reflecting Jesus? Nope! Some days I just want to have fun and do whatever I want weather or not it reflects Christ. Yup, it's hard, but (get ready for my favorite saying) it's the hard things that are worth it! What do you think is more pleasing to God? You serving Him joyfully when you're having a great day or serving Him joyfully on those days when nothing is going right? You got it! The bad days! Obviously anytime you glorify and reflect Him it brings Him joy, but it's the bad days when it's hard that bring the most! It's the days when I decide to be joyful and give praise even though things aren't going my way. Some thing tells me that the day Jesus died on the cross for all of us He wasn't having a great day. Had I been the one on the cross,I would have been angry , angry at the people who were doing that to me! Jesus on the other hand says,"<span class="woj">Father, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25970A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 So, how can we reflect HIM? By forgiving, loving, being joyful, and giving <strong>all </strong>glory to HIM! Will we have bad days? Yes! Do we have to let bad days stop us from reflecting Him? No! With Him we can do all things! We can shine in the rain!</span></div>
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Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-54727185496529108402012-08-06T09:13:00.003-07:002012-08-06T09:17:08.244-07:00Movie Review: Fireproof<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We've just reviewed the amazing movie "Fireproof- Never leave your partner behind." Check it out on the "Movie Reviews" page! </div>
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~Eliza and Noelle</div>
</div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-15097456845513118402012-08-03T11:22:00.002-07:002012-08-04T06:12:03.845-07:00An interview with the girls from Bloom!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This week we had the pleasure of interviewing the girls from <i><a href="http://www.bloomthemagazine.com/">Bloom!</a></i> the online magazine for Christian girls!<br />
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Megan Dutill- Co-founder and Writer<br />
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Us: At what point in your life did you devote your life to Christ? </div>
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Megan: "Well, I grew up in a Christian family, so I was always surrounded by that kind of life and love. I became a Christian when I was very little, but actually devoting my life to Christ? That took a lot more time. It started happening in my early teens, when I began exploring and questioning and figuring out what I believed, how to take my faith as my own. It was so crucial to me at this stage to be reading thoughtful books and have friends who were also serious about faith, and who continually challenged and encouraged me. But really, devoting my life to Christ? It's something that happens every day, and I'm still learning!"</div>
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Us: What are your future goals? <br />
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Megan: Through the opportunities I've had in college, I've realized that I absolutely love reaching out to women, mentoring and being mentored and simply being friends. Whatever I end up doing with my life and career, my goal is to continue to nurture and create these friendships and spaces to be safe and real with each other. <br />
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Joanna Suich- Co-founder and Writer<br />
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Us: Could you tell us about your past missions and current projects? And how God led you to them? <br />
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Joanna: "At the age of 13, God opened the door for me to go on a mission trip to minister to the Roma (Gypsies) in Romania. I wasn't "supposed" to go, according to the age minimum, but God wanted me to go and I'm so glad He miraculously arranged it! During our ten days in the villages, He opened my eyes to what I had kind of been blind to before - there are real people hurting in the world who need to hear the Good News. Of course I knew that in my head, but being in Romania and seeing how the Roma live and how they are discriminated against and hurt by others made me see it clearly with my heart.</div>
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After that trip, I knew He had much more in store for me in regards to missions and I couldn't wait to see what He'd do over the years. In 2010 I spent two months living and serving in Panama, including five weeks of no running water or electricity in remote rain forests of the Ngöbe Buglétribe. Between being a clown in a costume, teaching a Bible story, almost dying from a spider bite, eating rice and yucca everyday, it was quite the adventure. It was such an honor for our team to be the first white people one village had ever seen and then go on to share the Gospel with them.</div>
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The Lord has given me a special love for the outcasts of the world and as I look back at each trip I've gone on, I realize that I've always ministered to outcasts, without my realizing it!</div>
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Since 13, God has led me on 10 mission trips...I never dreamed that I'd become a bit of a world traveling missionary! Now I'm 22 years old and am seeking the Lord in regards to what's the next step in my life. As I "wait", I serve at my church by teaching Sunday School once a month and next week will be helping with my church's Vacation Bible School. It's such a privilege to share the Gospel with the children during the week!</div>
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As for how He leads me to mission trips and projects, it's been amazing to experience His leading in a variety of ways - Scripture, friends and family, opportunities that pop up, surprises...I think the key is being willing and open to do what He wants, even if you're unsure if you'll like it or feel comfortable, because it's not about me, it's all about Him!"<br />
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Us: What are some of your favorite books? <br />
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Joanna: "I'm glad that you asked what some of my favorites are, because it's almost impossible for me to choose just one:</div>
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~ "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen - it's a beautiful classic book with some powerful lessons. It's humorous, intriguing, and thought-provoking. I love it.</div>
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~ "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris - this is one of the books that the Lord used to change my heart (and that's not because I'm in it twice, either). It's about doing hard things for the glory of God. It's about living life passionately, seeking ways to serve, and so much more.</div>
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~ "Before You Meet Prince Charming" by Sarah Mally - this book is a gem, really. It has many important lessons, ideas and thoughts for young ladies who would one day like to court. A lovely, inspiring read."<br />
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Victoria Suich- Poet and Designer<br />
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Us: What is something God has been teaching you lately? <br />
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Victoria: "God has been teaching me several things lately, but one of the things is that He loves and cares for each of us on an individual level- He doesn't just say, "I love the world!" He demonstrates that He loves me and my neighbor and my neighbor's neighbor, and so on... so that it does equal the whole world! But it's not just a universal thing- it's a personal, unique experience, because He knows all about each and every one of us individually. (See Psalm 139 and Isaiah 40.)"<br />
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Us:If you could say one thing to young Christians today what would it be? </div>
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Victoria: "I would encourage young Christians today to not let themselves fall prey to the low expectations that people often place on today's teens. Don't give up or give in- what other people say or think of you is not what defines you. You are the one who decides whether their expectations are right or wrong. There's a lot of great people in history were not expected to succeed- in fact they were often expected to fail. But these great people became great because they wouldn't listen to others' expectations."</div>
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Krista Rodriguez- Writer<br />
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Us: Do you have a "life" Bible verse? <br />
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Krista: "Yes. My life verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest upon me."" <br />
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Us: Do you have a favorite quote? <br />
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Krista: "One of my favorite quotes is, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." by Jim Elliot"</div>
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Emily Horton- Photographer and Designer<br />
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Us: How did you come to know your Savior? <br />
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Emily: "I have been blessed to have grown up in a Christian home. So, there was not a time in my life that I had not been told who Jesus is and how much He loves me. I thank God for this fact everyday. Now, just because I have been raised in a Christian home does not mean that I have not had to work on and develop my personal relationship with God. I have to work on truly seeking Him everyday and when I do that He reveals more of Himself to me. So, really I am still getting to know Him. Everyday I feel like I get to know Him better seeing just a little more of Who He is. "</div>
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Us: Please tell us about a time in your life that God has really spoken to you.<br />
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Emily: "For me personally, God speaking to me doesn't have to be about something really important. Some times it is, like when He told me to email <i>Bloom!</i> and offer to do photography for them. I had no idea that they were about to post about looking for a photographer, but God did. He had a plan and it has been such a blessing to work with these girls. Now, really God talks to me everyday. He reminds me to keep my focus on Him. He gives me the Bible verses I need at the moment I need to hear them. He even reminds me of the little things like in the night, "Go check on Ben (my little brother)!" I'll go check on him and he is about to fall out of bed.There are so many times like these. He is there always and He is always ready to talk. All we have to do is seek Him!"</div>
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</div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-58165449314827199522012-06-28T11:35:00.000-07:002012-06-28T11:35:08.253-07:00Richard Owen Roberts: Seek My Face<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Seek the Lord, <span style="background-color: white;">and</span> His strength: seek His face evermore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Psalm 105:4</span></div>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-35926113723576832522012-06-17T19:12:00.002-07:002012-06-17T19:13:06.241-07:00Prisoners for Christ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just imagine that you are out taking a walk with some neighbors. Some of your friends start discussing their beliefs. You join in telling them of your faith in Christ. Before you can finish your thought they start beating you. Then, they call men to come and take you away. They lock you in a small room and leave. Later, police come to put you in prison. Why? Because you spoke of Christ. </div>
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This very thing is happening to Christians all over the world. </div>
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They are being beaten, imprisoned, and murdered for Christ.</div>
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What is something you and I can do to help? </div>
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We can pray! The power of prayer is amazing!</div>
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We can also write to those prisoners!</div>
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Here are some links to check out for more information:</div>
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<a href="http://www.prisoneralert.com/vompw_writing.htm">http://www.prisoneralert.com/vompw_writing.htm</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.persecution.com/public/pray.aspx?clickfrom=bWFpbl9tZW51">http://www.persecution.com/public/pray.aspx?clickfrom=bWFpbl9tZW51</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kidsofcourage.com/">http://www.kidsofcourage.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.prisoneralert.com/">http://www.prisoneralert.com/</a></div>
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<u><span style="color: #0066cc;">http://www.biblesunbound.com/qry/mc_home.taf</span></u></div>
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</div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-46417893919998386512012-05-24T15:11:00.001-07:002012-05-24T16:37:00.065-07:00God is ALWAYS There!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,<br />
<span class="text Ps-23-4">I will fear no evil;</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-23-4">For You <i>are</i> with me;</span><br />
<span class="text Ps-23-4">Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-4">Psalm 23:4 </span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-23-4">The 23rd Psalm is familiar to most of us. We have heard it quoted many times, but have we ever really taken in the importance of it? </span></div>
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Psalm 23:4 is telling us that even when we are at our lowest point, when we are near death, when we are in danger and darkness, when we are giving up our Heavanly Father is still with us. He is guiding, protecting, and conforting us. We do not need to fear anying! We should have no fear of evil, because God is there with us! </div>
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He never ever leaves us! We may go through times when we feel like He is not there. We may even go so far as to ask Him, "Where have you gone? Why have you left me?" ,but He is there. When we feel like that it is not Him. It's us. We are the ones who are not there. We are not seeking Him. When we seek Him we will find Him! He is always there!</div>
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<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> "</span></sup>But from there you will seek the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God, and you will find <i>Him</i> if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul." </div>
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Deuteronomy 4:29</div>
</div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-18954708656610220042012-04-29T20:51:00.000-07:002012-05-01T09:58:30.641-07:00Let's Get Rid of Our Sin!God loves to teach me things when I am working in our garden. Today, our tiller would not work. Consequently, my mom, my friend, and I pulled the weeds out of our garden by hand. As we were working, God said, "I am going to tell you something in a minute." Unaware of what He could possibly tell me, I agreed. A few minutes after God said that, His promise was fulfilled. My mom said, "Let's look on the bright side. If we would have used the tiller, it would have just turned up the weeds and then let them go back where they were. Now that we are pulling them out by hand, we are doing a much more thorough job." I smiled and whispered, "Thank you, Lord." Let's take this thought about the tiller and weeds and apply it to our lives. It is so much easier to just use a tiller to get weeds out of the garden, just as it is so much easier to just apologize to God for our sins and then promptly forget about it. However, it is better to pull the weeds out by hand. We can then make sure all of the roots are pulled up and that they never grow back, and we can even get the weeds on the edges of the garden (We have a fence around which they like to grow.) We can do the same thing with our sin. Yes, it is hard to get rid of each sin individually, but it is so worth it. After we pull out our sin (pride, selfishness, self-pity, etc.), we may enjoy the fruits of our labor (gentleness, peace, joy, and many more!). However, those weeds of sin keep coming back. Since their primary goal is to attack our fruit, we must continue to get rid of them. Until the day our Lord Jesus comes back for us, we must keep pulling the weeds of sin from our life. Only we do not have to do this alone. He longs to pour His strength, mercy, faithfulness, and love onto His children. He delights in standing by our side and helping us pull up our sin.<br />
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"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:22-27)<br />
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"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (1 Thessalonians 4:7)<br />
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I realize that getting rid of our sin is way harder than just telling God our sins and then forgetting. However, our fruits of the Spirit will grow much more abundantly and beautifully if our life is not overgrown with sin. As you go about your week, I encourage you to ask God to show you the areas of sin in your life. Then, with His tremendous strength and wisdom, start removing those areas! Our Lord promises that, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) Let us be separate from this world!Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-12869077799758101022012-04-29T20:03:00.003-07:002012-05-01T10:03:13.450-07:00Living for Jesus or letting Jesus live through us?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We are taught to live <i>for </i>Jesus, but what if instead of trying to live <em>for</em> Jesus we let Jesus live <i>through </i>us. We are called to be His hands and feet! We are called to care for those who are hurting, alone, sick, lost, and unknowing of the Creator of the Universe. We are called to teach them who Jesus Christ is through our actions. We are called to show them Jesus, because telling them isn't good enough! We are called to be His hands and feet! How are we as meer humans to be Jesus? We let Jesus LIVE in us and through us! We let Him make our decisions and our reactions. We put Him first and He puts others first! We simple give Him control instead of taking control ourselves. We listend and listen hard for His voice! Then, when we hear His "still small" voice we do not ignore it! We act apone HIS Word and HIS will! Not our own! That is what we as Christians are called to do! We are called to let Him live in us! He will fill us with "unspeakable joy"! <br />
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What is the first step to leting Jesus live in you?<br />
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<span class="text Acts-2-36" id="en-NIV-26986"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">"36 </span></strong></sup>“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26986AU" title="See cross-reference AU">AU</a>)"></sup>and Messiah.” <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26986AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)"></sup></span></div>
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<span class="text Acts-2-37" id="en-NIV-26987"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">37 </span></strong></sup>When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26987AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></sup></span><br />
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<span class="text Acts-2-38" id="en-NIV-26988"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">38 </span></strong></sup>Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26988AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)"></sup>every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26988AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)"></sup>And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26988AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)"></sup></span><span class="text Acts-2-39" id="en-NIV-26989"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">39 </span></strong></sup>The promise is for you and your children <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26989BA" title="See cross-reference BA">BA</a>)"></sup>and for all who are far off <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26989BB" title="See cross-reference BB">BB</a>)"></sup>—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”"</span><br />
<span class="text Acts-2-39">Acts 2:36-39</span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-28-16"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">"16 </span></strong></sup>Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24212P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span><span class="text Matt-28-17" id="en-NIV-24213"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">17 </span></strong></sup>When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.</span> <span class="text Matt-28-18" id="en-NIV-24214"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">18 </span></strong></sup>Then Jesus came to them and said, <span class="woj">“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24214Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NIV-24215"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">19 </span></strong></sup>Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NIV-24216"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">20 </span></strong></sup>and teaching <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup>them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24216U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup>always, to the very end of the age.”"</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-28-20"><span class="woj">Matthew 28:16-20</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-28-20"><span class="woj">Repent (admit your sin to your Heavenly Father and ask for His unfailing grace and forgivness) and be baptised in the name of the Father (God), Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. Then, you will receive the Holy Spirit (God's Spirit) to guide you! You will hear the "still small voice". He will guide you and you will recieve eturnal life! God is so very very good! </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-28-20"><span class="woj">To HIM alone be the glory!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-28-20"><span class="woj">Praise His Holy Name!!!</span></span><br />
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</div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-33899467429333058102012-04-25T07:37:00.001-07:002012-04-25T07:37:50.440-07:00Do we put our trust in Jesus or in this world?<div>
A few days ago, I read <em>Faith </em>by John Wycliffe<em> </em>in school and was so inspired. Here is an excerpt:<br />
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"While Peter had true faith, he went upon the sea as upon dry land; but when the firmness of his faith failed, he began to sink, and therefore Christ reproved him as of little faith. Thus it fares with us, who are staggering and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">unsteadfast</span> with the wind of each temptation or fear. Therefore, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">brethren</span>, let us set all our belief and full trust on Him, Who is Almighty, and not in any vain thing may fail in any time. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trust</span> we steadfastly that nothing may grieve us farther than He will suffer it, and all things which He <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sendeth</span> come for the best. And let no wealth of this failing world, neither tribulation, draw our hearts from firm belief in God. Let us not put our belief or trust in charms, or in dreams, or any other fantasies, but only in Almighty God."</div>
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As I was thinking whether I put my faith and trust only on my perfect Savior and not on the things of this world, I thought of the hymn <em>The Solid Rock</em>:<br />
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My hope is built on nothing less</div>
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;<br />
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,<br />
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.<br />
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;<br />
All other ground is sinking sand,<br />
All other ground is sinking sand.<br />
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This hymn is one of my favorites; it is so beautiful! It makes me ask myself, "Do I built my hope on anything other than Jesus?" He is always faithful, and I want to encourage you all not to put your faith and trust on anything other than Him. Psalm 37:3 says, "Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." The world says it has all we need: money, fame, possessions, entertainment, "happiness," popularity, success, and the list goes on. However, do you notice Someone who is missing? Jesus! Do you know what Jesus promises? He promises: eternal life, joy, peace, strength, mercy, grace, His constant guidance and power, and so much more! What the world promises pales in comparison to what Jesus promises. As we go about our day today, let's put our entire trust in our perfect Savior!Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-88019943206684788222012-04-22T11:46:00.000-07:002012-04-22T11:46:18.434-07:00Political Correctness v.s. Biblical Correctness<div style="text-align: center;">
Today we Christians are tricked by the great Deceiver himself into thinking that in order to be good "Christians" we have to except everyone. We have to be quiet and excepting. We have to make sure we don't offend anyone with our faith and beliefs. After all, Jesus excepts everyone! Right? Wrong! Does Jesus love everyone? Yes! He loves you so much that He took your sin with Him on the cross and suffered your punishment for you! Does Jesus love sin? No! He excepts us, but He does not and will not except our sin! So who are we as Christians to model? Jesus. So are we to look at the sin and corruption of this world and except it? No! We are afraid to say what we truly believe and what the Bible proclaims because we probably wouldn't be being politically correct. We say we don't want to offend other <span style="font-style: italic;">people</span> so we'll just offend Jesus! We'll just keep our mouths shut or even worse we'll tell people it's okay to live in sin just so that we will be considered politically correct. That is offencive to Jesus! It's like we're saying we know the truth and we know you covered all the sins of the Earth, but we really don't care enough to have people look at us like we are different. We really don't care enough to tell the lost of your great sacrifice and love. We as Christians need to stop worrying about being "politically correct" and start worrying bout being Biblically correct! Politically correct says, "It's okay if you want to have an abortion, because in this country we are free to kill our unborn children." Biblically correct says, " Abortion is wrong! Children are a gifts from God!"<br />
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"Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good,
pleasing and perfect will."<br />
Romans 12:2 <br />
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Let's stand up and stand strong!<br />
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"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil
comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."<br />
Ephesians 6:13-15 </div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-8575447183099085342012-04-21T11:05:00.001-07:002012-04-21T11:05:29.351-07:00When God says, "Love."<div>
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A few nights ago, I was really upset with my family. I knew that I was not behaving the way Jesus wanted me to, but I just felt hopeless, like I did not have the strength to do what He wanted me to do. I was talking to Him and telling Him that it was no use to try to be nice because I was too tired, but He just said, "Love." I was silent for a minute. "What do You mean, Lord?" I said, even though I thought I knew the answer. "Just love them," He replied. So I began with my mom. "She has sacrificed so much to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">homeschool</span> me. And she helps me take care of all of my pets. And I can talk to her about anything and trust her with everything." I was beginning to feel better already. Now for my brother. "He is my best friend. He is hilarious and can make me laugh even when I am so mad at him. He is so kind to other people and can make friends really easily." I stopped. I was in awe; I was not really mad any more! Still, I wanted to continue. This time, however, I began to pray for people I knew who did not know Jesus as their Savior. I completely forgot what I was so upset about; it was amazing. Now that I look back on it, I have a pretty good idea what the world would have told me to do. "You are mad at your family? Well, you just stay mad at them until they apologize. You don't need to be nice to them or even think nice thoughts about them." Not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">surprisingly</span>, Jesus told me to do the exact opposite of what the world tells me.</div>
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The world says, "Hate." God says, "Love."</div>
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The world says, "Put you first." God says, "Put others first."</div>
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The world says, "Seek money and fame." God says, "Seek Me."</div>
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The world says, "Get revenge on your enemies." God says, "Turn the other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cheek</span> and love them." </div>
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The list goes on and on. Most of the time, what God tells us doesn't make sense to us. In our minds, it's not rational. Let's take His command: Love your enemies. It's easy for us (me included!) to talk ourselves out of obeying God. "Okay God. I know You said love your enemies, but what good does that do? Nobody else is loving their enemies! You don't want me to be an outcast, do You?" I can just see Him smiling and shaking His head. He doesn't want us to fit in with the world. </div>
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"But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him." (Psalm 4:3)</div>
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"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)</div>
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"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)</div>
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Jesus is instructing us to be different from the world. He knows very well that it will be hard and difficult, but His way is <em>always </em>best. Also, since our Lord was/is wholly different from the world, and we are His followers, shouldn't we be different, too?</div>
</div>Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-49097588920174688352012-04-08T22:35:00.001-07:002012-04-08T22:36:20.812-07:00Have we left Him in the tomb?<div style="text-align: center;">Today, Easter, we celebrate Jesus our Lord and Savior rising from the dead and conquering Satan. He conquered sin!<br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span id="en-NLT-26834" class="text John-20-1"><br /></span></h3><p style="text-align: center;" class="first-line-none chapter-2"><span class="text John-20-1"><span class="chapternum"> "</span>Early on Sunday morning,while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.</span> <span id="en-NLT-26835" class="text John-20-2">She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span id="en-NLT-26836" class="text John-20-3"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb.</span> <span id="en-NLT-26837" class="text John-20-4">They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.</span><span id="en-NLT-26838" class="text John-20-5"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in.</span> <span id="en-NLT-26839" class="text John-20-6"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,</span> <span id="en-NLT-26840" class="text John-20-7">while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.</span><span id="en-NLT-26841" class="text John-20-8"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—</span> <span id="en-NLT-26842" class="text John-20-9"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.</span> <span id="en-NLT-26843" class="text John-20-10"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Then they went home.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="first-line-none"><span class="text John-20-11">Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in.</span><span id="en-NLT-26845" class="text John-20-12"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.</span> <span id="en-NLT-26846" class="text John-20-13">“Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="text John-20-13">“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span id="en-NLT-26847" class="text John-20-14"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.</span> <span id="en-NLT-26848" class="text John-20-15"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="woj">“Dear woman, why are you crying?”</span> Jesus asked her. <span class="woj">“Who are you looking for?”</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="text John-20-15">She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span id="en-NLT-26849" class="text John-20-16"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="woj">“Mary!”</span> Jesus said.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="text John-20-16">She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span id="en-NLT-26850" class="text John-20-17"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="woj">“Don’t cling to me,”</span> Jesus said, <span class="woj">“for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span id="en-NLT-26851" class="text John-20-18"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message." John 20: 1-18</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">At our house every morning we have "Bible". We all sit down in the living room before we start school and Momma reads to us from the Bible. We usually pick a book of the Bible and read through it a chapter a day. We recently read through the Gospels ( Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Every Gospel tells of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. We would get to His death and burial and the chapter would end. Just like that. It would end with Jesus in the tomb dead. Every time Momma would say, "I just can't leave Him in the tomb!" So, we would read the next chapter, His resurrection from the dead!<br /><br />My question for you to day is, are we leaving Jesus in the tomb?<br />Are we living like He is dead?<br />Do we go through our day like Jesus Christ is right beside us? Or do we live like He is in a tomb?<br /><span id="en-NLT-24189" class="text Matt-28-20"><span class="woj">"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”</span></span> Matthew 28:20<br />Jesus is alive! He is working, He is moving, and He is here with us!<br /><sup class="versenum"> "</sup>Then Jesus told him, <span class="woj">“You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." John 20:29</span><br /><span class="woj">Jesus has risen from the dead! He has conquered sin, death, and Satan!</span><br /><span class="woj">Let's live like HE is right here with us, because HE is!</span><br /><span class="woj">Jesus Christ is Alive!</span><br /><span class="woj">To God alone be the glory!</span><br /><span class="woj">Happy Easter!</span></div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-25908775458717509232012-04-08T14:45:00.003-07:002012-04-08T15:57:12.085-07:00Our Lord has risen!!!!!!!Happy Easter everyone!!! I hope you all have a glorious celebration of our Lord Jesus' resurrection!<br /><br />"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." (1 Peter 1:3)<br /><br />We are alive and free from sin because our precious Jesus has conquered sin and death! Hallelujah!Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-59381331208605136572012-04-07T15:51:00.006-07:002012-04-07T20:37:24.298-07:00Are We Hiding?On the day between Good Friday and Easter I would like to discuss something that probably not many people have been thinking about. The disciples. When I was younger, I used to think the disciples were smarter and braver than the average person. (I guess I was forgetting that most of them fished for a living before Jesus found them. Or that they were constantly being corrected and disciplined by Jesus for something they blurted out. Or that they ran for their lives when the soldiers arrested their Lord and then hid and locked the doors.) This year, Jesus really opened my eyes to see that His disciples were just like me: broken and sinful and in desperate need of a Savior. Let's take a look at what they were doing when Jesus rose from the dead: "Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." You might be thinking, "Wait, wasn't Peter the one that promised he would rather die than desert his Lord? Weren't they the people Jesus had called to be His followers, His disciples? What are they doing with the doors shut? They should be outside telling <em>everyone </em>they met, "Jesus, the Lord, has been crucified. But He will rise from the dead! Just wait, <em>it will happen!'" </em>We probably ask that question alot: what were they thinking? But let's remember <em>they were human. </em>They were just as sinful as us. Now, let's look at ourselves for a minute. Are we hiding behind locked doors? Let me just throw this thought out here: When Jesus was performing miracles and raising people from the dead and coming into Jerusalem on a donkey, the disciples were all about it. They had no problem telling people they were Jesus' followers. But remember what happened when Jesus was arrested? They ran......was Jesus any less powerful when He was arrested? Did Jesus somehow lose all of His glory and authority and strength when He was dying on the cross? Of course not! <em>He was taking mankind's sin on His shoulders. If that isn't strength, I don't know what is! </em>Why then were the disciples not shouting, "That's my Savior! He is defeating sin! One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord!" (Philippians 2:10-11) I think it is because in their human eyes, Jesus wasn't doing what they expected. Are we hiding behind locked doors? I know very well that sin is rampant today. But is God any less powerful? No! Our Lord Jesus is just as powerful today as when He defeated sin and death that Easter Sunday! As we prepare for the glorious celebration of our Savior's resurrection, let us take a look at ourselves: are we hiding behind locked doors?Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-73907367928278544402012-04-06T21:14:00.006-07:002012-04-06T22:28:20.421-07:00Bought with a Great Price!<div style="text-align: center;">You have been bought with a price. You have been redeemed. You have been saved. "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. " Romans 10:9 "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Timothy 1:9-10 You have been given eternity. <span class="woj"> "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.</span> <span class="woj"> I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”</span> Matthew 26:28-29 You have had your sins erased. You have been set free. You are able to pray to the GOD the one and only GOD who created the heavens and the Earth! You are able to live without guilt. You have the Lord of Heaven's Armies standing in front of you defending and protecting you!He picks you up and washes your wounds, washes your sins away. "I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments." Ezekiel 16:9-10 He carries you in His hands. He is always there!<span class="woj"> "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,</span><span class="woj"> teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20<br /></span><div class="result-text-style-normal text-html "> </div>He is the only one who can fill that empty spot in your heart. He is the only one who knows you better than you know yourself. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,<br /> before you were born I set you apart;<br /> I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5 He is God Almighty and He died for you! He not only took the physical punishment on the cross, but He took the world's sin on Him. He took every sin! He took all the sins you committed last week and all the sins you will commit next week and the next. Jesus Christ had <span style="font-style: italic;">every </span>sin on Him at one time. He had all guilt so that you would not have to feel it. He took all punishment so you wouldn't have to! For the very first time in His life He had sin and guilt in Him. For the very first time in His life He was without God! Imagine being with God and part of God in God and full of God all the time! How amazing? How magnificent to always be with Him? " In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3 And then, one day have all the sins of the Earth in you and be as far from God as is possible! That is what Jesus did for you and me! He gave us peace without guilt because of His saving grace. He gave us free access to a personal relationship with God through grace. He gave us the Holy Spirit that shows us right from wrong and opens our eyes to His Word. He gave us life, true eternal life with Him in Heaven! "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:19-25 Praise His Holy name, Lord of lords, Prince of Peace, the Great I AM! Live like you have a Savior because you do! He lives today, tomorrow , and forever!<br />To GOD alone be the glory!<br /></div>Emily Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07488843248883394570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-64355009007877337682012-04-06T19:00:00.006-07:002012-04-06T20:08:54.405-07:00Thank you, Jesus!Hi everyone. It's Good Friday, as you probably know. Yesterday I posted about remembering our Lord's sacrifice, and I think I will continue with that idea. If Jesus had not been crucified, you would not have the ability to talk to Him at any moment you desire. You would not be able to obtain His strength, His love, His grace, or His mercy. Also, you would <em>never be able to live eternally with your Creator.</em> If you are like me, the fact that you will be living with Jesus forever and ever is sometimes the only thing that keeps you going during the day! What if we didn't have that promise? What if we had no hope, no home waiting for us, no Savior ready to see us face to face someday? That is exactly where we would be if Jesus had not died for us. I talked yesterday about how, though it is almost always uncomfortable and hard to talk about Jesus' death, it is not a bad thing to discuss. Well, I am going to put that into action. Do you know how you die when you are crucified? (Yes, yes, I know this is not a pleasant thing to talk about.) A few months ago, we discussed that topic in my Sunday school class. If you didn't know (I didn't know until the teacher told us!), you basically suffocate to death. I don't know exactly what I thought you died of; I guess I just didn't think about it that much. However, now that we realize that, isn't that horrendous? (This is a very sad topic, I realize that. Just bear with me!) I have a hard time even imagining the pain Jesus must have gone through. It is just mind-blowing. And to think that He did it for us! We were the ones that rebelled against Him in Genesis, and here He is dying on a cross for us! We were the ones that mocked Him and spit on Him and stabbed nails through His wrists, and here He is praying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) We were responsible for His death, and here He is calling us His children! (1 John 3:1) It is incomprehensible! <em>His love is amazing! </em>Whenever I think about the unchanging, profound love He has for me, I am always at a loss for words. What do you say to the God of the universe who loves the sinful you so much that He became sin for you? I really don't know. In times like this, when we are just so astounded by His love, words are hard to come by. Thankfully, our Lord knows us better than we know ourselves, and He understands what we mean even when we have no words to say. Today we remember our Lord's unfailing faithfulness, even unto death (Philippians 2:8). We remember His unfathomable goodness and love toward us sinners who crucified Him. We remember, and even though we don't really know what to say, we do the only thing we can think of. We shout and cry, "Thank You, Jesus, thank You!"Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-87513203379760272482012-04-05T12:33:00.007-07:002012-04-05T19:58:50.570-07:00"This Is My Body" and "This Is My Blood"Today is Maundy Thursday, the day we remember the Last Supper. Luke 22:19-20 says, "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.'" I am sitting here at my computer just remembering: remembering that tonight my dear Jesus was betrayed, that tomorrow (Good Friday) He was tried, sentenced to death, and my Jesus died on a cross for me. I realize that He is not actually going to die tomorrow, but He died about 2,000 years ago, and my heart still breaks. I picture Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. "“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) I can barely stand it, knowing that I was/am that cup. This is such a hard topic to write a little post on; I have <em>so many</em> thoughts running through my head right now. There are hundreds of things that I could write about right now, but I think that what we need to do is <em>just remember. </em>Way too often we (myself included!) buzz right through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and Easter, without really remembering what our Savior went through for us. Hannah Farvar writes, "It is not always easy to stare at the blood and wounds with the realization that those wounds should have been our own." I used to be afraid and uncomfortable with talking, even thinking, about Jesus' crucifixion. I think it was mainly the fact that the crucifixion isn't pretty. It's absolutely horrifying. But is that a good reason to just not think about it, because it isn't pretty? I don't think so. The past year Jesus has been showing me it's not bad to think about His death, in fact, our whole lives should revolve around it! His death is the very reason we can even speak to Him, have a relationship with Him, accept His strength and mercy, and spend eternity with Him! Whenever I spend time reliving (as best as I can, considering I wasn't alive then) His sacrifice for me, this overwhelming feeling comes over me. I know it's from Him because it is the most amazing, breathtaking feeling I have ever experienced. I realize just how <em>completely broken </em>I am, and how <em>completely incredible </em>my Savior's love and grace is for me. Will you join me in remembering? Yes, I totally understand that it isn't pretty, and it isn't the most lighthearted thing to think about. But remember what Jesus said at the Last Supper? "...do this in remembrance of Me." Let's remember our Jesus' sacrifice for us today.Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461982471234226061.post-16391374492524348302012-03-23T16:24:00.007-07:002012-04-03T20:21:17.848-07:00Not "I hope you live!" But "I will make you live!"These past few weeks, I have spend hours helping my mom plant trees in our yard, and once again God has shown me an example of His unending love and faithfulness. As soon as we had the first tree planted, my mom said, "I hope you live!" Because trees and vegetation are often used as examples in the Bible, I decided to think of the similarities and differences between my mom and I growing trees, and us growing in God. One thing really stood out to me. Yes, our Father plants us in firm, excellent soil (His Word and Truth); and fills us up with water (His living water); and buries us in mulch to help us grow (His love and guidance). But I have never heard Him say, "I hope you live!" We are never left wondering and worrying whether we will make it through the storms. We are never left alone. God is always right beside us; He is our perfect shelter and He will never leave us. Yes, He says there will be storms, but He also reminds us that nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-39) Instead of saying, "I hope you live, Child!" , He declares, "I will restore you and make you live!" (Isaiah 38:16)Noellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369031243826185039noreply@blogger.com