I have a lot to be thankful for. The one thing that I am most thankful for is for the gift that God has given to us. Jesus Christ, His only Son. He came to die for us, to take to punishment for our sins that we might be able to have eternal life through him. It is so amazing. He gave His life that we would/could have life, and life more abundantly. It is our choice to accept the gift of life that is offered to us. We can accept or reject this amazing gift of love. It's our choice. No one can force us to accept this gift.
I could list many more things but I am going to leave it at that.
What are you most thanful for? Think about it...
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Psalm 62 and my thoughts
"1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation. "
2"He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved."
3"How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall
shall ye be, and as a tottering fence."
4"They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight with lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah."
5"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him."
6 "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved."
7 "In God is my salvation and my glory;the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God."
8 "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
9 "Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the
balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity."
10 "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
11 "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."
12 " Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work." Psalm 62
Some things hit me when I read this chapter the other day. I have been writing, for the most part on this blog, about trust and trusting in the LORD. The heading over this chapter is ; "Depending on God". I wonder what would happen if we Christians would stop putting our dependence in ourselves or the things of this world and solely rely on the Lord? That is something I'm sitting here thinking about. It sure goes against our fleshly nature.
The first verse of Psalm 62 is a big reminder/challenge for me. Do I truly wait on the Lord? This is something that I need to work on in my life. I'm the kind of person who likes to have a long term plan and goal that I can work from. But that isn't how it works all the time with God. I think that the biggest lessons I have learned from, have been from not knowing what God is doing and where He is leading me through this life. Where I have to be trusting Him completely, and not knowing what the big picture is going to be, but I only see the now and the past. I can't see the future. I think this is where God really teaches us true trust in Him. And we will never stop learning this lesson until we die.
Our salvation only comes from Him! There was/ is nothing that we can do to earn our salvation.
It is only through Christ that we are saved. I know that there are people out there that say that "all gods/religions, lead to Heaven". Or "you do your thing and I will do mine and we will end up in the same place". I have a hard time with that. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by me." John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on me shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. " Jesus came as a baby, died and rose again to bring us the gift of eternal life. He lived to die. Or I could say, He came to die. But on the third day something happened. He didn't stay dead and in the tomb! He arose from the grave! Amazing! Wonderful!
He came that we might have the gift of life offered to us. We have the choice to accept or reject the most precious gift that has ever been given to man.
In Verse 2 and verses 6-7, it reminds me of the parable that Jesus told about the wise and foolish men, and what they had chosen for the foundations for their homes. ( Matthew 7:24-27 & Luke 6:47-49) We can either build our lives on the Solid Rock ( Jesus Christ), or the sand ( the world and the things of the world).
In verses 11-12 I think that it is beautiful. I'm not sure what to say about it. Power and mercy belongeth to the Lord. What can I say to that?
I know that I have written a lot here. I guess that once I get started then I get going. :) I pray that what I have written makes sense to the ones that read it.
2"He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved."
3"How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall
shall ye be, and as a tottering fence."
4"They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight with lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah."
5"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him."
6 "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved."
7 "In God is my salvation and my glory;the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God."
8 "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
9 "Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the
balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity."
10 "Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
11 "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God."
12 " Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work." Psalm 62
Some things hit me when I read this chapter the other day. I have been writing, for the most part on this blog, about trust and trusting in the LORD. The heading over this chapter is ; "Depending on God". I wonder what would happen if we Christians would stop putting our dependence in ourselves or the things of this world and solely rely on the Lord? That is something I'm sitting here thinking about. It sure goes against our fleshly nature.
The first verse of Psalm 62 is a big reminder/challenge for me. Do I truly wait on the Lord? This is something that I need to work on in my life. I'm the kind of person who likes to have a long term plan and goal that I can work from. But that isn't how it works all the time with God. I think that the biggest lessons I have learned from, have been from not knowing what God is doing and where He is leading me through this life. Where I have to be trusting Him completely, and not knowing what the big picture is going to be, but I only see the now and the past. I can't see the future. I think this is where God really teaches us true trust in Him. And we will never stop learning this lesson until we die.
Our salvation only comes from Him! There was/ is nothing that we can do to earn our salvation.
It is only through Christ that we are saved. I know that there are people out there that say that "all gods/religions, lead to Heaven". Or "you do your thing and I will do mine and we will end up in the same place". I have a hard time with that. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by me." John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on me shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. " Jesus came as a baby, died and rose again to bring us the gift of eternal life. He lived to die. Or I could say, He came to die. But on the third day something happened. He didn't stay dead and in the tomb! He arose from the grave! Amazing! Wonderful!
He came that we might have the gift of life offered to us. We have the choice to accept or reject the most precious gift that has ever been given to man.
In Verse 2 and verses 6-7, it reminds me of the parable that Jesus told about the wise and foolish men, and what they had chosen for the foundations for their homes. ( Matthew 7:24-27 & Luke 6:47-49) We can either build our lives on the Solid Rock ( Jesus Christ), or the sand ( the world and the things of the world).
In verses 11-12 I think that it is beautiful. I'm not sure what to say about it. Power and mercy belongeth to the Lord. What can I say to that?
I know that I have written a lot here. I guess that once I get started then I get going. :) I pray that what I have written makes sense to the ones that read it.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Memories- To my Family
Last night, I was going through some of my stuff as I have moved to a room downstairs. I was looking at the birthday cards I recieved for my birthday. I got teary eyed when I re-read the note from my Daddy that they put in my card from them. I know that me being gone from home and being the first girl to kind of leave home has been hard for my parents. ( And the rest of my sisters and brothers) This week has been the worst week as far as being homesick goes. I have to be honest about it. I think part of that is because I am thinking of moving away from home and the ones I love there at home. The future is uncertain for me right now. What am I supposed to do, be, go, and the questions go on. God is in control! I know that and am clinging to that! I can find my everything in Him!
Thinking about my brothers and sisters, I have to smile about something. Before I left, two of my little sisters and I went and were picking blueberries. We were talking and I asked one of them if they were still going to punch any guy who was interested in me and wanted to get to know me if she was still going to punch him in the nose, and tell him to go away and never see me again. :) Well, both of them said that they were going to do that and they were never going to let me go away. :) Who ever God has for me is going to have to not just win my heart but also the hearts of my sisters. I have been having a lot of memories about home and the family this week. From when I see a tractor in the field working, I think of helping with the field work a little this spring with my little brother riding with me, to just thinking of everyone and missing them.
So I am going to say; I Love you and miss you all! Daddy ( Moddy) and Mommy, I'll always be your little girl no matter where God leads me and takes me in this life.
Thinking about my brothers and sisters, I have to smile about something. Before I left, two of my little sisters and I went and were picking blueberries. We were talking and I asked one of them if they were still going to punch any guy who was interested in me and wanted to get to know me if she was still going to punch him in the nose, and tell him to go away and never see me again. :) Well, both of them said that they were going to do that and they were never going to let me go away. :) Who ever God has for me is going to have to not just win my heart but also the hearts of my sisters. I have been having a lot of memories about home and the family this week. From when I see a tractor in the field working, I think of helping with the field work a little this spring with my little brother riding with me, to just thinking of everyone and missing them.
So I am going to say; I Love you and miss you all! Daddy ( Moddy) and Mommy, I'll always be your little girl no matter where God leads me and takes me in this life.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Trust
..." 39But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in time of trouble. 40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in HIM." Psalm 37: 39-40
I guess the theme I have this week is trusting. I guess that is what is most on my mind this week. I don't know what the future holds for me. I have to trust. Who can I trust or where can I put my trust in? Nothing is sure in this world, it is always changing. I can't trust myself. I can make some pretty dumb choices and decisions on my own, doing my own thing and going my own way. So where can I go? The only thing that I know that never can change. So, what is this that never changes?, you ask me.
The LORD never changes! He can not change! "He, (Jesus Christ)(is)the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8
I will put my trust in the LORD! How about you?
I guess the theme I have this week is trusting. I guess that is what is most on my mind this week. I don't know what the future holds for me. I have to trust. Who can I trust or where can I put my trust in? Nothing is sure in this world, it is always changing. I can't trust myself. I can make some pretty dumb choices and decisions on my own, doing my own thing and going my own way. So where can I go? The only thing that I know that never can change. So, what is this that never changes?, you ask me.
The LORD never changes! He can not change! "He, (Jesus Christ)(is)the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8
I will put my trust in the LORD! How about you?
Monday, November 17, 2008
When I was younger there was a dear missionary couple who were visiting us and Mr Smyth challenged my brother, Josiah, and I to memorize Psalm 104. We have memorized this several times since because there has been more additions to the family and so we re-learn it again. I have been reading it over again to refresh my memory with it. It is a really neat chapter! Read it over sometime! As I was reading it, somethings stood out to me. God provides for both Man and the beasts of the fields and forests and the "creeping things innumerable, both small and great beasts". The beasts trust the Lord to provide for them. Yet, our human nature is not to trust the LORD for everything we need. We tend to put our trust in ourselves or in the things of this world: cars, money, job, etc, and God is just a security net for us. I know that it is hard for me to keep my eyes on the Lord and trust Him for all my needs. Yet looking at my life, He is the only one who can satisfy me in every area of my life, but there are times ( to many), where I try to take things into my own hands and not trust the Lord with it. It is because of the sinful selfish nature of man that I do this. I want things now and I want them to be how I want them. That isn't trusting the Lord at all! I have been dealing with this in my life. Can I trust the Lord with everything? Can I trust Him for my future and my desire for a family of my own one day? Yes! I can trust Him with it ALL! I'm still learning to trust and I know that this is something I will never stop learning this lesson of life until I die.
Well this is some Bethany's Thoughts for the day.
Well this is some Bethany's Thoughts for the day.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thinking
Thinking is something that I am good at. I may never tell anyone what all I am thinking about. But I do a lot of thinking. That is why I call this blog, "Bethany's Thoughts". I hope to use this Blog in a Christ honoring way.
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