Hiatus Clarification/Correction!!!!

First of all, thank you all for the very kind words and support.  It’s really touching. 

In my “Hiatus” post, I wrote, “But, not to worry, I’ve got one eye scheduled for surgery in June.”

Fascinating, apparently, my brother is a regular reader, because he called me early the next morning to ask why my surgery was postponed.  I don’t know, my mind was elsewhere, apparently.  It’s scheduled for mid-May, not June.  Sorry, didn’t mean to mislead.  But, for this, I think some good hard blues are in order!

When I first heard this song, I thought someone had dug up Stevie Ray. 

Gems 2014 — April 23 Scripture Selection: Mark 3:1-19

Guest post by Jeanette Andrade

April 23 Scripture Selection: Mark 3:1-19

Food for Thought: Mark3:16, 17

I wonder what nicknames the Lord has for us. I like the “Sons of thunder,” but that one is already taken. Thunder can be heard and felt for great distances. When these two fishermen were first selected by Jesus, this probably would not have been an accurate description of them. But eventually, it certainly was and still is.

Simon, was called Peter, a rock. The Lord started calling him that before he actually manifested that quality in its fullness, just as Abraham was called “Father of many nations,” long before he even had his first son. Abraham actually had to go around referring to himself with his new name for all that time. I’m sure his family and neighbors must have questioned his sanity, but his acceptance of this new name sure paid off.

Romans 4:16-17, using Abraham’s example, explains how God calls the things that are not as though they were. Then the facts actually line up with what was declared in advance. That’s why it is imperative that we choose our words very wisely when we refer to ourselves and others. I may not know what God’s nickname is for me or for others, but I can know what it is not. I know He has positive words to say over me (Zeph. 3:17), and I sure wouldn’t want to contradict His words. Instead, I choose to be in agreement with Him, avoiding all negative declarations over myself and others, so that the good, His plans, come to complete fruition.

Digging Deeper (What scriptures can further enhance today’s reading?):

Getting Personal (What has God shown you in today’s reading?):

Confession of Faith (Example: Lord, based on Mat. 1:21 and 23, I understand that Jesus is God, and I receive Him as my personal Lord and Savior.):

Important Events on This Day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.):

Gems 2014 — April 22 Scripture Selection: Mark 2

Guest post by Jeanette Andrade

April 22 Scripture Selection: Mark 2

Food for Thought: Mark2:18-22

Fasting is often misunderstood. Basically, it is to spend quality time with the Lord. It removes the distractions of every-day life (which revolves around our meals), and reminds the flesh that it is not in charge. Its voice must be lowered. This allows us to put our attention on the spirit and really spend quality time with the Lord. He may actually have special instructions to give that are precisely what is needed for a particular situation, and with our spiritual ears’ reception clearer, we are more apt to pick up on it.

Notice what Jesus told those who questioned Him about why his disciples didn’t fast. He told them they would when He goes away. While they had the Master right there in front of them, they had that direct access and communion, so fasting would not be necessary. Those who asked the question seemed to imply that Jesus’ disciples were not spiritual enough because they didn’t fast. They erroneously used fasting to prove their spirituality and dedication.

Others use fasting as a way to show God how serious they are about resolving a particular crises, or they believe that if they fast, they can convince God to answer their prayer. While it certainly is not a bad idea to fast when believing Him for a certain outcome, it is not the fasting that convinces the Lord to do anything, as if He could be manipulated, or as if He were just waiting to see how high of a price you were willing to pay in order to get the prayer answered. Love never functions that way.

God is moved by faith and His Word. (Faith pleases God, Heb. 11:6) So when we fast, if our focus is on prayer (communing with the Lord) and building up our faith, we will have accomplished two things: answer to our prayer, and a special, precious time with the Lord. That is what fasting is all about.

Digging Deeper (What scriptures can further enhance today’s reading?):

Getting Personal (What has God shown you in today’s reading?):

Confession of Faith (Example: Lord, based on Mat. 1:21 and 23, I understand that Jesus is God, and I receive Him as my personal Lord and Savior.):

Important Events on This Day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.):

Suyts Hiatus

I thought I’d drop a note to those who may be wondering.  Sadly, it looks as if I’m going to have to take a couple of weeks off from blogging.  It’s nothing all that bad, it’s just that my vision has diminished too much to read or write well.  I’ll still continue to provide the Gems posts.  Jeanette writes them, so it’s basically a copy/paste for me.  I didn’t want to, but, it’s just too much of a hassle.  But, not to worry, I’ve got one eye scheduled for surgery in June.  Oddly, my cataracts are worse in my “good” eye.  My left eye always had very poor vision to begin with, but, now, it’s what I have to use to see.  I find myself closing my right eye to attempt to read and write.  In other words, essentially, I’m blind.  I can still see things, just nothing with any clarity.  It’s almost beyond words, but, it’s like that plastic, which, when new was as clear as glass, but, as times goes on, it becomes less and less clear and more and more opaque.  And, so it is, with my vision.  Thank God there’s an easy remedy!  But, the world doesn’t move on my schedule, and so, I wait. 

I’ve a couple of funny stories to relate about some recent events, but, I can’t just yet. 

For those who wish to come here to converse with the regulars, I’ll try to get some open threads up.  I wish I was up to the task, but, after a days work, I just can’t seem to get it done.  Pretty much every thing I read now is through a magnifying glass, and even still, it’s hard to make out the letters.. 

At any rate, for hose wondering, no, I haven’t stopped blogging,  I just have to take a break.  I miss conversing with you all, and the commenting is the most fun part of the blog.  I hope you all understand, and we’ll be back in a jiffy.

My best,

James

Gems 2014 — April 21 Scripture Selection: Mark 1:29-45

Guest post by Jeanette Andrade

April 21 Scripture Selection: Mark 1:29-45

Food for Thought: Mark1:41

In Mark 1:41, Jesus demonstrates to us just how faith works: through love. Love is the fuel by which faith does its work. Galatians 5:6c says, “but faith which works by love.” In today’s text, we see Jesus moved with compassion (love) and reached out and healed the leper. There are many other scriptural examples of the Lord being moved with compassion and doing mighty things for people, of course including going all the way to the cross.

Faith is what gets things done, and Jesus is the author of faith (Heb. 12:2). All throughout the Word, in addition to the faith in Jesus, you can read of the faith of Jesus. Before we could ever have it, He had it first. And when we received Him, we received the benefit of the infinite power of His faith working within us.

Many ask God for more faith. The disciples even asked Jesus to increase their faith. Well, it begins with love. God is love, and He and His Word, that which propels our faith, are One. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). The way to faith is through Jesus who is the Word and is Love. In Hebrews 12:2, we are encouraged to look to Jesus, the author and finisher (completer) of our faith. Why do we need faith? To get things done because we love the Lord and our neighbor. It all points to Him.

Digging Deeper (What scriptures can further enhance today’s reading?):

Getting Personal (What has God shown you in today’s reading?):

Confession of Faith (Example: Lord, based on Mat. 1:21 and 23, I understand that Jesus is God, and I receive Him as my personal Lord and Savior.):

Important Events on This Day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.):

Happy Easter! He Is Risen!

Gems 2014 —- With Bonus Content For Yesterday!!!

 

Well, I didn’t get yesterday’s posted so I’ll post them together in this one — James

Guest post by Jeanette Andrade

April 19 Scripture Selection: I Cor. 16

Food for Thought: I Cor. 16:13, 14

If a Christian just goes through the motions, doing the minimal, avoiding “inconveniences,” and just keeping up appearances, then the selected verses for today will mean very little. Here, Paul is encouraging the believers to be watchful (alert to the threats of the enemy, and prayerful), to stand fast (firm) in the faith, to be brave, to be strong, and to do all things in love.

These instructions are for the active believer who, because of his faith, steps out of the “comfort zone” and may encounter opposition and challenges from the enemy. If a person isn’t quite sure how to apply these scriptures in his life, then it may be because he hasn’t put his faith to work and faced certain pressures of this world. His Christian life may have become quite routine. It is both a vulnerable position to be in, and a most unproductive one for the Kingdom of God, as well.

I pray that we all search our hearts and lives and diligently seek ways, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to apply today’s select verses to our Christian walk. It will give us direction, encourage us, and take us to higher levels. It may even wake some of us up (See Eph. 5:14-16).

Digging Deeper (What scriptures can further enhance today’s reading?):

Getting Personal (What has God shown you in today’s reading?):

Confession of Faith (Example: Lord, based on Mat. 1:21 and 23, I understand that Jesus is God, and I receive Him as my personal Lord and Savior.):

Important Events on This Day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.):

April 20 Scripture Selection: Mark 1:1-28

Food for Thought: Mark1:14, 15, 22, 27

Jesus, the Author of the Word, taught the Gospel with great authority. He ought to; He wrote the book! According to John 1:1, He is the Word, and He and the Father, Who backs Him in everything He does, are One.

Interestingly, everywhere that the Word was taught, Jesus also demonstrated His authority by casting out unclean spirits and healing the sick and oppressed. The two—teaching the Word and relieving suffering—go together. They are inseparable elements of the Gospel. In fact, quoting the prophecy of Isaiah 61, in Luke 4:18, 19, 21, Jesus defines His calling as one that includes preaching the Good News, healing the broken-hearted, delivering the captives (people who are bound up by something in their lives), giving sight to the blind (both spiritually and physically), and freeing those who are oppressed.

Jesus still has that same authority and still defines His calling in the same way. The only difference is that today, He is in us (I John 4:13). He and the Church are one. If we only preach on how one can be saved from our sin and live a Christian life, then we are omitting the other part that was and is very important to God. He wants to destroy the effects of sin which began when sin entered the world and every unpleasant thing followed. Because the Lord loves us, He longs to see us all free from all those things. In Mark 3:14, 15 the Lord gives His disciples specific instructions to do both: preach the Good News AND deliver people from sickness and demonic oppression.

That is the complete Gospel, and Jesus desires to continue, through us, in the authority that was given. It is with that authority that we teach His Word. And with that same authority, we can cast out demons, heal the sick, and set free the captives (Mark 16:17, 18). It all goes together.

Digging Deeper (What scriptures can further enhance today’s reading?):

Getting Personal (What has God shown you in today’s reading?):

Confession of Faith (Example: Lord, based on Mat. 1:21 and 23, I understand that Jesus is God, and I receive Him as my personal Lord and Savior.):

Important Events on This Day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.):

Gems 2014 — April 18 Scripture Selection: I Cor. 15:24-58

Guest post by Jeanette Andrade

April 18 Scripture Selection: I Cor. 15:24-58

Food for Thought: I Cor. 15:31c, 58

“I die daily.” To the carnal minded, this expression sounds morbid or of something from a science-fiction novel. But really, it simply means to allow Christ to live through us and let the fleshly self “die,” all the while being immersed entirely in His love. It is to offer oneself wholly to the Lord and His service in order to reach as many as possible for Christ before it is too late. Very soon, the last trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ shall be raised, and the believers will be taken up to be with Him. Then, our opportunity to see the lives of the lost transformed will be over for us, and their opportunity to actually receive by the Holy Spirit through us in person will end, as well.

Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “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.” Our egos, our ambitions, our need to constantly cater to the fleshly impulses and cravings, all die. Now, our whole reason for living is Christ.

When we gain this understanding, our lives take on new meaning and purpose, and we accomplish much for the Kingdom of God. Then God is glorified, and many are rescued from death. That is why we—all brothers and sisters in Christ—are encouraged in First Corinthians 15:58 to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your (our) labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Great things come about when we die to self and let Christ live through us.

Digging Deeper (What scriptures can further enhance today’s reading?):

Getting Personal (What has God shown you in today’s reading?):

Confession of Faith (Example: Lord, based on Mat. 1:21 and 23, I understand that Jesus is God, and I receive Him as my personal Lord and Savior.):

Important Events on This Day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.):

LOL @ Zero!!!!

President Obama Encourages Democrats to Defend Obamacare: ‘I Do Not Think We Should Apologize’

 

The lunatic has los his mind.  Anyone who had anything to do with Zerocare should not only have to apologize, but, be publically whipped for the egregious harm it’s done to our nation and the people of this nation. 

But, go ahead.  Run on the loss of liberties.  Run on the fact that there are now, after passage, Constitutional questions which needed to be resolved prior to passage.   Run of the attack on religious freedoms.  Run on the higher premiums.  But, most of all, run and do not apologize for the lack of results from this fiasco. Run on all of this and don’t apologize for all of this cost for giving coverage to less than 3% of the population, which could have easily been achieved if we closed our borders and created some jobs. 

People don’t only need to apologize, they need punished for it. 

Song To Get The Extended Weekend With!!!

 

h/t JP