Deuteronomy 33:27
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
Prayer Bread Box:
Dear Lord, help us to give up our fears and anxieties, and give ourselves fully to you. In Jesus' name Amen.
This part of the verse came from Moses' blessing to the people of Israel before his death (Deuteronomy 33:1).
I was reading part of the verses on NLT that impress me. "There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He thrusts out the enemy before you; it is He who cries, 'Destroy them!' (Deut.33:26-27).
This verse on 'Everlasting Arms' reminds me of a song:
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Chorus:
Lean - ing, Lean - ing,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Lean - ing, lean - ing,
Leaning on the ever lasting arms.
(Elisha A. Hoffman, Sing His Praise)
Oh, just the trust the Lord God who rides 'on the chariot' across the heavens to help you,
Dorothy
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Meek
Psalm 25:9b
"The meek shall He teach His way."
What kind of people would God teach His way? THE MEEK! Would God teach His way to the stubborn people? No, God wants to be a teacher to the MEEK. Would God teach His way to the fools who would not listen? No, God would guide the MEEK who could learn more about Him.
Let's look at the translations on Psalm 25:9.
KJV: The meek will he (God) guide in judgment: and the meek will he (God) teach his (God's) way.
NCV: He shows those who are humble how to do right, and He teaches them His ways.
NLT: He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way.
So the meek are the people who are humble before God. The meek means 1: putting up with wrongs patiently and without complaint: [MILD= gentle in nature or behavior like a mild person]. 2: lacking spirit or self-assurance: [HUMBLE= modest or meek in spirit or manner: not proud or bold like humble apology].
No wonder Jesus said: "God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth belong to them" (Matt. 5:5 NLT). "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth" (KJV).
So let's trust God today!
Dorothy
"The meek shall He teach His way."
What kind of people would God teach His way? THE MEEK! Would God teach His way to the stubborn people? No, God wants to be a teacher to the MEEK. Would God teach His way to the fools who would not listen? No, God would guide the MEEK who could learn more about Him.
Let's look at the translations on Psalm 25:9.
KJV: The meek will he (God) guide in judgment: and the meek will he (God) teach his (God's) way.
NCV: He shows those who are humble how to do right, and He teaches them His ways.
NLT: He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way.
So the meek are the people who are humble before God. The meek means 1: putting up with wrongs patiently and without complaint: [MILD= gentle in nature or behavior like a mild person]. 2: lacking spirit or self-assurance: [HUMBLE= modest or meek in spirit or manner: not proud or bold like humble apology].
No wonder Jesus said: "God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth belong to them" (Matt. 5:5 NLT). "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth" (KJV).
So let's trust God today!
Dorothy
Friday, February 25, 2011
Walk in the Spirit
Galatians 5:25 KJV
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
What did Paul meant by ‘let us also walk in the Spirit?’ The other translation might be helpful: NLT: “If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” NCV: “We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.”
What are the lists of the new life Paul was writing about? Galatians 5:22-23 says in NLT: “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”
The sentence ‘against such there is no law’ means that there is no law against having nine fruits of the Spirit in us. If you show kindness by helping someone out in the street, the policeman will not put you in jail for your kindness.
Feb 24 2011 Bread Box had a list of “the works of the flesh” and today we have a list of “the fruit of the Spirit.” As long as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and influence our lives, we would be able to destroy the power of sin, especially the works of the flesh and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Wow! What a blessing that the Holy Spirit could produce the fruits in us!
So let’s trust God for the Holy Spirit’s work in us!
Dorothy
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
What did Paul meant by ‘let us also walk in the Spirit?’ The other translation might be helpful: NLT: “If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” NCV: “We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.”
What are the lists of the new life Paul was writing about? Galatians 5:22-23 says in NLT: “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”
The sentence ‘against such there is no law’ means that there is no law against having nine fruits of the Spirit in us. If you show kindness by helping someone out in the street, the policeman will not put you in jail for your kindness.
Feb 24 2011 Bread Box had a list of “the works of the flesh” and today we have a list of “the fruit of the Spirit.” As long as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and influence our lives, we would be able to destroy the power of sin, especially the works of the flesh and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Wow! What a blessing that the Holy Spirit could produce the fruits in us!
So let’s trust God for the Holy Spirit’s work in us!
Dorothy
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Crucified the Flesh
Galatians 5:24a KJV
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh …”
Yesterday [Feb 23 2011], Galatians 2:20 quoted, “I am crucified with Christ.” So now what are we crucified the flesh with? “With the affections and lusts” [Gal.5:24b]. Paul made a list of examples of what things like affections and lusts that cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Gal. 5:19-21a NCV: “The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these.”
Galatians 5:24, 26 NCV: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. V26 We must not be proud or make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other.” Gal. 5:21b “I warn you now as I warned you before: Those who do these things will not inherit God’s kingdom.”
So Paul encouraged us, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” [Gal. 5:16]. Paul gave us solution of problems: “Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want” [NCV]. Being crucified with Christ means we continue to follow the Spirit. Wow! That’s a powerful message of God’s Word to us.
So let’s trust God to stay true to His Spirit!
Dorothy
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh …”
Yesterday [Feb 23 2011], Galatians 2:20 quoted, “I am crucified with Christ.” So now what are we crucified the flesh with? “With the affections and lusts” [Gal.5:24b]. Paul made a list of examples of what things like affections and lusts that cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Gal. 5:19-21a NCV: “The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these.”
Galatians 5:24, 26 NCV: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. V26 We must not be proud or make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other.” Gal. 5:21b “I warn you now as I warned you before: Those who do these things will not inherit God’s kingdom.”
So Paul encouraged us, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” [Gal. 5:16]. Paul gave us solution of problems: “Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want” [NCV]. Being crucified with Christ means we continue to follow the Spirit. Wow! That’s a powerful message of God’s Word to us.
So let’s trust God to stay true to His Spirit!
Dorothy
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Crucified with Christ
Galatians 2:20 KJV
“I am crucified with Christ …”
Paul wrote and said, “I am crucified with Christ.” This was Tony’s famous quote when we first became Evangelists during 1967 to 1970. Tony memorized, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me.” This was a constant reminder for Tony.
What did Paul meant, “I am crucified with Christ?” Let’s dig the meaning of God’s Word. NKJV: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
NCV: “I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore—it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to me.”
Paul’s life was changed when Paul met Christ face to face on the way to Damascus. After that, Paul lived for Him and even died for Him. Paul was able to quote Galatians 2:20.
We have been crucified with Christ and Christ is the center of all our thoughts. It is through the Holy Spirit that the risen life of Christ is continually communicated to us. Wow! What a powerful lives we are living now!
Let’s trust God today!
Dorothy
“I am crucified with Christ …”
Paul wrote and said, “I am crucified with Christ.” This was Tony’s famous quote when we first became Evangelists during 1967 to 1970. Tony memorized, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me.” This was a constant reminder for Tony.
What did Paul meant, “I am crucified with Christ?” Let’s dig the meaning of God’s Word. NKJV: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
NCV: “I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore—it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to me.”
Paul’s life was changed when Paul met Christ face to face on the way to Damascus. After that, Paul lived for Him and even died for Him. Paul was able to quote Galatians 2:20.
We have been crucified with Christ and Christ is the center of all our thoughts. It is through the Holy Spirit that the risen life of Christ is continually communicated to us. Wow! What a powerful lives we are living now!
Let’s trust God today!
Dorothy
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Hidden in Christ
I happen to have an inspiration. Thank to Kim and Holy Spirit!
Colossians 3:3b “… your life is hidden with Christ in God” (NKJV).
You know, I was reading KJV verse, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col.3:3) but when I saw “for ye are dead” that would be another subject which had me stumped. Why? Because it takes time to study, meditate and then be able to write. When Kim Johnson wrote her devotion about “die,” I thought this was an interesting topic. Holy Spirit is very helpful, isn’t He?
NCV: “Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Christ is our life, and when He comes again, you will share in His glory” (Col.3:3). “For ye are dead,” Paul talked about the list of “old sinful self” (Col.3:5-9) that needs to be put to “death” so we could continue to keep Christ alive inside of us.
I Cor.15:36 “When you sow a seed, it must die in the ground before it can live and grow.” Jesus explained that He, like a seed, must die on the cross and be buried so He could rise again on the third day. We like Christ, a seed, must die some day so that we could rise again and we will share in His glory.
The “seed” might have another meaning. We, who accepted Christ, have put the “seed,” our sinful self to death, so our lives hidden with Christ could grow into the fruits of the Spirit. Let our lives be glorified with Christ!
So let’s trust God today!
Dorothy
Song: Hiding in Thee
Hiding in Thee,
Hiding in Thee,
Thou blest "Rock of Ages,"
I'm hiding in Thee.
(William Orcutt Cushing, Sing His Praise)
Colossians 3:3b “… your life is hidden with Christ in God” (NKJV).
You know, I was reading KJV verse, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col.3:3) but when I saw “for ye are dead” that would be another subject which had me stumped. Why? Because it takes time to study, meditate and then be able to write. When Kim Johnson wrote her devotion about “die,” I thought this was an interesting topic. Holy Spirit is very helpful, isn’t He?
NCV: “Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. Christ is our life, and when He comes again, you will share in His glory” (Col.3:3). “For ye are dead,” Paul talked about the list of “old sinful self” (Col.3:5-9) that needs to be put to “death” so we could continue to keep Christ alive inside of us.
I Cor.15:36 “When you sow a seed, it must die in the ground before it can live and grow.” Jesus explained that He, like a seed, must die on the cross and be buried so He could rise again on the third day. We like Christ, a seed, must die some day so that we could rise again and we will share in His glory.
The “seed” might have another meaning. We, who accepted Christ, have put the “seed,” our sinful self to death, so our lives hidden with Christ could grow into the fruits of the Spirit. Let our lives be glorified with Christ!
So let’s trust God today!
Dorothy
Song: Hiding in Thee
Hiding in Thee,
Hiding in Thee,
Thou blest "Rock of Ages,"
I'm hiding in Thee.
(William Orcutt Cushing, Sing His Praise)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Believe Me and Live!
Devotion called, "Mold Me" by Kim Johnson
John 8:51 [Jesus said]
"I assure you, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!"
John 11:26 [Jesus said]
"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
1 Corinthians 15:36
"When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn't grow into a plant unless it dies first."
I have heard that many deaf struggled with this concept since we die anyway. I don't know if that's true but I know we deaf are visual people, and I have to say that I did struggle with this. I was stumped, because my loved ones believed in Lord Jesus, and they died anyway. But my Bible studies and pastor helped me lots over the years. I saw and learned that there are "two kinds" of death -- physical and spiritual death. Of course, our physical will die, and then we get a new body that will never die. Our spiritual never dies, so for us who believe what Jesus offers, we will never die. So this we have hope and we can rejoice.
John 11:40 ... Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you will see God's glory if you believe?"
So, let us keep on believing, so that we may see the glory of God. That's why "faith" is called because we can't see or feel, yet, we believe.
Kim Johnson
Edmonton, Canada
John 8:51 [Jesus said]
"I assure you, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!"
John 11:26 [Jesus said]
"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
1 Corinthians 15:36
"When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn't grow into a plant unless it dies first."
I have heard that many deaf struggled with this concept since we die anyway. I don't know if that's true but I know we deaf are visual people, and I have to say that I did struggle with this. I was stumped, because my loved ones believed in Lord Jesus, and they died anyway. But my Bible studies and pastor helped me lots over the years. I saw and learned that there are "two kinds" of death -- physical and spiritual death. Of course, our physical will die, and then we get a new body that will never die. Our spiritual never dies, so for us who believe what Jesus offers, we will never die. So this we have hope and we can rejoice.
John 11:40 ... Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you will see God's glory if you believe?"
So, let us keep on believing, so that we may see the glory of God. That's why "faith" is called because we can't see or feel, yet, we believe.
Kim Johnson
Edmonton, Canada
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