Legendary...Part 2

In 2 Kings, Chapter 5, there is a story about a servant girl who believed that one small act makes a big difference.  This servant girl is a slave...a prisoner of war...a servant of Naaman who was a leper, but he was a great warrior.  This girl had something that God wants all of us to possess--Compassion.  She had compassion for Naaman.  She was bold, full of faith, and she stepped out in her faith.  She knew that God could do anything!  She never listened to Lucifer's lies.

 In 2 Corinthians 12:9--it says that you do what you can do and believe that God can do the rest.

2 Corinthians 12:9

The Message (MSG)

 ^7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

   My grace is enough; it's all you need.
   My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

2 Kings 5

The Message (MSG)

2 Kings 5

 ^1-3 Naaman was general of the army under the king of Aram. He was important to his master, who held him in the highest esteem because it was by him that God had given victory to Aram: a truly great man, but afflicted with a grievous skin disease. It so happened that Aram, on one of its raiding expeditions against Israel, captured a young girl who became a maid to Naaman's wife. One day she said to her mistress, "Oh, if only my master could meet the prophet of Samaria, he would be healed of his skin disease."  ⁴ Naaman went straight to his master and reported what the girl from Israel had said.
 ⁵ "Well then, go," said the king of Aram. "And I'll send a letter of introduction to the king of Israel."
    So he went off, taking with him about 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothes.
 ⁶ Naaman delivered the letter to the king of Israel. The letter read, "When you get this letter, you'll know that I've personally sent my servant Naaman to you; heal him of his skin disease."
 ⁷ When the king of Israel read the letter, he was terribly upset, ripping his robe to pieces. He said, "Am I a god with the power to bring death or life that I get orders to heal this man from his disease? What's going on here? That king's trying to pick a fight, that's what!"
 ⁸ Elisha the man of God heard what had happened, that the king of Israel was so distressed that he'd ripped his robe to shreds. He sent word to the king, "Why are you so upset, ripping your robe like this? Send him to me so he'll learn that there's a prophet in Israel."
 ⁹ So Naaman with his horses and chariots arrived in style and stopped at Elisha's door.
 ¹⁰ Elisha sent out a servant to meet him with this message: "Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you'll be as good as new."
 ^11-12 Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, "I thought he'd personally come out and meet me, call on the name of God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease. The Damascus rivers, Abana and Pharpar, are cleaner by far than any of the rivers in Israel. Why not bathe in them? I'd at least get clean." He stomped off, mad as a hornet.
 ¹³ But his servants caught up with him and said, "Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn't you have done it? So why not this simple 'wash and be clean'?"
 ¹⁴ So he did it. He went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, following the orders of the Holy Man. His skin was healed; it was like the skin of a little baby. He was as good as new.
 ¹⁵ He then went back to the Holy Man, he and his entourage, stood before him, and said, "I now know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no God anywhere on earth other than the God of Israel. In gratitude let me give you a gift."
 ¹⁶ "As God lives," Elisha replied, "the God whom I serve, I'll take nothing from you." Naaman tried his best to get him to take something, but he wouldn't do it.
 ^17-18 "If you won't take anything," said Naaman, "let me ask you for something: Give me a load of dirt, as much as a team of donkeys can carry, because I'm never again going to worship any god other than God. But there's one thing for which I need God's pardon: When my master, leaning on my arm, enters the shrine of Rimmon and worships there, and I'm with him there, worshiping Rimmon, may you see to it that God forgive me for this."

Naaman was healed on the outside and on the inside- especially in his heart.  He wanted that dirt so that he could get on his knees and worship God on the dirt from Israel every day...in his way to be closer to God.  Do not ever doubt in the dark what God shows you in the Light, Lily.  If you want to be like this little servant girl...always be credible.  If you are going to speak for God, then people need to see Jesus in your life every day.  Always speak to people's needs and don't ever be afraid of the small stuff.  Every miracle isn't going to be huge.  There are all kinds of little things that happen every day that you should ask God to help you with.  

The Light of the World

John 8:12

The Message (MSG)

You're Missing God in All This

 ¹²Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."

John 9:5

The Message (MSG)

^3-5Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light."

Seventy Times Seven...Wow!

It is hard to comprehend that God will give us this many chances, but this is exactly what He does for us because He loves us this much.

A Story About Forgiveness from Matthew 18: 21-22    The Message

 ²¹At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"  ²²Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven

Leaving Ninety-Nine

Yes, every one of God's children really is this important!

Matthew 18:12-20

The Message (MSG

 ^12-14"Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn't want to lose even one of these simple believers.  ^15-17"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love.
 ^18-20"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."

Honesty

One of my favorite things about the New Testament is reading what Jesus said in His own words.  He is always so honest and straight-forward with His teachings.

Matthew 18:8-10

The Message (MSG)

 ^8-9"If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away. You're better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire. And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You're better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.
 ¹⁰"Watch that you don't treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don't you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?

Legendary

It is hard to be successful when your parents don't believe in you.  David lived a life such as this where no one believed in him...but God.  When God sent Samuel to find the person to fight Goliath, his parents didn't even think he was important enough to call in from the fields.  When Samuel told his parents that none of his other brothers were the chosen one for this- they didn't even think of David.  They finally said that they couldn't imagine he could be searching for David.  But, as soon as Samuel saw him- he was assured that David was the one.  When David saw Goliath, he was nine feet and six inches tall...and David said, "Hmm...wonder what the person who kills him might get?"  His brothers asked him what he was doing...they didn't believe in him either.  They had no idea he was a man on a mission from God.  Even King Saul said that there was no way he could fight Goliath.  Every person loaded David down with limitations.  No one believed in David.  There was no one there to urge him on... to encourage him...But God.
   Pastor Chris taught this lesson today at church.  He said that the people not doing anything for God are always there to tell you that can't do anything either.  You are only as strong as what it takes to stop you!  Only God was for David!  The only limits that you have are the ones you allow.  Don't try to be someone else.  When you loose your limitations, you help others do the same...the devil wrote the book that said it can't be done...so just tell those people that are limiting you to get out of the way so you can get busy.  Be brave!  Charge Hell with a water pistol!  God will always have your back!"

When God is for you- then who could possibly be against you!

Do Not Be Embarrassed

Mark 8:38

The Message (MSG)

 ³⁸"If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."

What Pollutes Your Life

Matthew 15:11

The Message (MSG)

 ^10-11He then called the crowd together and said, "Listen, and take this to heart. It's not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up."

Mark 7:23

The Message (MSG)

 ^20-23He went on: "It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness—all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution." 

Bread of Life

John 6:31

The Message (MSG)

 ^30-31They waffled: "Why don't you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what's going on? When we see what's up, we'll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do. Moses fed our ancestors with bread in the desert. It says so in the Scriptures: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

John 6:38

The Message (MSG)

 ^35-38Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.

Seize the Day

Luke 9:62

The Message (MSG)

 ⁶²Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."

Your Business Is Life

Luke 9:60

The Message (MSG)

 ⁶⁰Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!" 

Your Spirit Makes the Difference

Luke 9:48

The Message (MSG)

 ^46-48They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. "Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me," he said. "And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference."

Embrace Suffering

Luke 9:27

The Message (MSG)

 ^23-27Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God." 

Undeserving

Matthew 10:23

The Message (MSG)

 ^21-23"When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

Matthew 10:37

The Message (MSG)

 ^34-37"Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me.

Matthew 10:39

The Message (MSG)

 ^38-39"If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.

Good Hearts

Luke 8:18

The Message (MSG)

Misers of What You Hear

^16-18"No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We're not keeping secrets; we're telling them. We're not hiding things; we're bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don't become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes." 

Better is One Day...

Psalm 84:10

The Message (MSG)

 ^10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship,
      beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches.
   I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God
      than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.
   All sunshine and sovereign is God,
      generous in gifts and glory.
   He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions.
      It's smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

My Prayer of David For You

I pray that this will be your goal in your walk with God each and every day:

Psalm 17:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ My steps have held to your paths;
    my feet have not stumbled.

Psalm 17:5

The Message (MSG)

 ^4-5 I'm not trying to get my way
      in the world's way.
   I'm trying to get your way,
      your Word's way.
   I'm staying on your trail;
      I'm putting one foot
   In front of the other.
      I'm not giving up.

God Looks at Your Heart

1 Samuel 16:7

The Message (MSG)

 ⁷ But God told Samuel, "Looks aren't everything. Don't be impressed with his looks and stature. I've already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."

Baba's Second Favorite Bible Verse

James 1:27-
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Just Ask

Luke 11:1-4, 9

The Message (MSG)

Luke 11

Ask for What You Need

 ¹ One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." ^2-4So he said, "When you pray, say,

   Father,
   Reveal who you are.
   Set the world right.
   Keep us alive with three square meals.
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil."

Luke 11:9

The Message (MSG)

 ⁹"Here's what I'm saying:

   Ask and you'll get;
   Seek and you'll find;
   Knock and the door will open.

You can see the prayer is mentioned again as the guidelines for us when we pray, but the next part is something that I want you to remember.  Always ask God for whatever you want, then be ready to listen to what He has to say.  You have to accept His answer for your prayers, but He will always want to give you more than any of us ever deserve.

Keep Company With Me

I pray that you don't experience these tired days in your life, but unfortunately once you get to be my age...you may feel tired and worn out every once in awhile.  During those days, I love reading these words that Jesus spoke...

Matthew 11:28-30

The Message (MSG)

 ^28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." 

Pray with Simplicity

 I was taught by my Mom that you speak from your heart when you are talking to God.  Your prayer should be like a conversation with Him.  We never told you to memorize the prayer from the Bible that so many children recite before their meals.  The reason why is because we believe that it just becomes words that are said without it being truly thought about.  You have beautiful prayers that you say already, and I love to listen to you talk to God.  But, as you get older, you should study this passage from the Bible.  This is the prayer that so many recite, but it is written in a different version of the Bible.  I love this version, and studying what Jesus said here should help you so that God can truly reveal Himself to you.

Matthew 6:5-18

The Message (MSG)

Pray with Simplicity

 ⁵"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?  ⁶"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
 ^7-13"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

   Our Father in heaven,
   Reveal who you are.
   Set the world right;
   Do what's best— as above, so below.
   Keep us alive with three square meals.
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
   You're in charge!
   You can do anything you want!
   You're ablaze in beauty!
      Yes. Yes. Yes.
 ^14-15"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.
 ^16-18"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well. 

If the Forgiveness is Minimal, the Gratitude is Minimal

Luke 7:36-50

The Message (MSG)

Anointing His Feet

 ^36-39One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."  ⁴⁰Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
   "Oh? Tell me."
 ^41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
 ^43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
   "That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."
 ⁴⁸Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."
 ⁴⁹That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"
 ⁵⁰He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John

During this Bible study, I have realized that these four books of the Bible are truly amazing.  They are full of meaning, and they are filled with Jesus's actual words on how we should live our lives.  Spend time studying these books and taking in what Jesus said.  I have learned so much already, and I have only just started on my journey through these in-depth journeys of Jesus's time here on this earth.

Matthew 9:38  from The Message

When [Jesus] looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.  "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples.  "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"  (Lily, I am praying that you will be one of Jesus's harvest hands to reach lost people.)

Passing the Baton

Today at church, Pastor Chris preached about passing the baton to the next generation...which is YOU, Lily.  Here are the things we have to do as parents:  1)  Make room for you which means allow you to learn and be a major part of our lives,  2) Pour into you everything we know about the Bible and God, 3)Make you feel loved and wanted at all times, 4) Always build up our family ministry at church and within our family, 5) as part of the church we have to remain outside the box, 6) Keep our music edgy and full of meaning, and 7)Teach you how to think in the Spirit.  
          Your job, is also very important... You must 1)Give honor and respect to the generation before you, 2) Be patient, and 3)Be ready to learn.  Your walk with God is the most important thing in your life!

As a Christian in this world, always remember that people go where they are celebrated...not tolerated.  It is your job to shine your God-light everywhere you go into every person you meet!  Your light is one of your many God-given-gifts, Lily!

Me Without You

Your Baba and I love Christian music...it is our heartbeat of worship. Throughout your young life, you have already been to many concerts.  It is something we long to share with you...and a gift we want to give you, as well.  I am not sure what we would do without worship music.  It gives us the opportunity to worship God all of the time telling Him how much we love Him.  So, I will also include some music lyrics during this Bible study that have an influence on our lives...our family...and you.  This TobyMac song recently came out, and it is so simple.  The message is easy to understand, but the power behind these words is HUGE.  I don't know where we would be without Jesus and God in our lives.  His love is everlasting, true, and always there for us.

 Me Without You --Toby Mac

Raindrops rolling off my brim
Street lights got the pavement glistening
Touchdown, I fall into Your arms
Right where I belong, Your everlasting arms
And where would I be without You
I’d be packing my bags when I need to stay
I’d be chasing every breeze that blows my way
I’d be building my kingdom just to watch it fade a-way
It’s true
That’s me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou
That’s me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou
That’s me without You-ou-ou-ou-ou-ou
Don’t know where I’d be without You
Flashback, step into the scene
There’s You and there’s a very different me
Touchdown, You had me at believe
You had me at believe, You did
And where would I be without You, without You
You rescued me
Now You are mine, and I am Yours
You rescued me
And I am Yours forever
You saved me, remade me
Where would I be
That’s me without You
Don’t know where I’d be without You
Songwriter : TobyMac 

Luke 6

I started to go through this passage and just pull out certain parts to share with you, but this passage really touched my life.  It is full of such words of wisdom that I couldn't bare to not share them all.  I did have an especially favorite part- verse 17-23.  It talks about realizing when you are blessed.  So, read this carefully- over and over again.  It is completely wonderful.  Nothing like reading for yourself the exact words of Jesus spoken to the people when he walked the face of the earth.

Luke 6

The Message (MSG)

Luke 6

In Charge of the Sabbath

 ^1-2 On a certain Sabbath Jesus was walking through a field of ripe grain. His disciples were pulling off heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands to get rid of the chaff, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, "Why are you doing that, breaking a Sabbath rule?"  ^3-4But Jesus stood up for them. "Have you never read what David and those with him did when they were hungry? How he entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat? He also handed it out to his companions."
 ⁵Then he said, "The Son of Man is no slave to the Sabbath; he's in charge."
 ^6-8On another Sabbath he went to the meeting place and taught. There was a man there with a crippled right hand. The religion scholars and Pharisees had their eye on Jesus to see if he would heal the man, hoping to catch him in a Sabbath infraction. He knew what they were up to and spoke to the man with the crippled hand: "Get up and stand here before us." He did.
 ⁹Then Jesus addressed them, "Let me ask you something: What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?"
 ^10-11He looked around, looked each one in the eye. He said to the man, "Hold out your hand." He held it out—it was as good as new! They were beside themselves with anger, and started plotting how they might get even with him.

The Twelve Apostles

 ^12-16At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. The next day he summoned his disciples; from them he selected twelve he designated as apostles:

   Simon, whom he named Peter,
   Andrew, his brother,
   James,
   John,
   Philip,
   Bartholomew,
   Matthew,
   Thomas,
   James, son of Alphaeus,
   Simon, called the Zealot,
   Judas, son of James,
   Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

You're Blessed

 ^17-21Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke:

   You're blessed when you've lost it all.
   God's kingdom is there for the finding.
   You're blessed when you're ravenously hungry.
   Then you're ready for the Messianic meal.

   You're blessed when the tears flow freely.
   Joy comes with the morning.  ^22-23"Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don't like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

Give Away Your Life

 ²⁴But it's trouble ahead if you think you have it made.
   What you have is all you'll ever get.  ²⁵And it's trouble ahead if you're satisfied with yourself.
   Your self will not satisfy you for long.
   And it's trouble ahead if you think life's all fun and games.
   There's suffering to be met, and you're going to meet it.
 ²⁶"There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
 ^27-30"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
 ^31-34"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
 ^35-36"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
 ^37-38"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
 ^39-40He quoted a proverb: "'Can a blind man guide a blind man?' Wouldn't they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn't lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.
 ^41-42"It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Work the Words into Your LifeWords to Live By

 ^43-45"You don't get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.  ^46-47"Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.
 ^48-49"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."

Outsiders are Welcome Here

Luke 5:31-32

The Message (MSG)

 ^31-32Jesus heard about it and spoke up, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."

Reading the Bible yourself will change your life...from the inside and out.  To read His words and know that He was speaking to the people back then and speaking into your life now...is truly amazing.  God is so great...and so good....and so awesome.  Don't just read my words, but truly study the Bible on your own.  Take the time to read it and it will transform your life...the way you live it and the way you use your God-given gifts.  I know He has given you many gifts Lily.  You are an amazing young lady, and I am so proud that God gave me the gift of being your Mama.  So, use your gifts to reach Outsiders for God.  

When the Devil tests you...

Matthew 4

The Message (MSG)

Matthew 4

The Test

 ^1-3 Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: "Since you are God's Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread."  ⁴Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."
 ^5-6For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, "Since you are God's Son, jump." The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: "He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone."
 ⁷Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: "Don't you dare test the Lord your God."
 ^8-9For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth's kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, "They're yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they're yours."
 ¹⁰Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!" He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."
 ¹¹The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs.


Remember what Jesus did and said when the devil tested him.  It will help you when you go through trials.  Use Him as your strength.

Baptism

Luke 3:16-17

The Message (MSG)

 ^16-17But John intervened: "I'm baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."

Being baptized is so important because the Holy Spirit will change you from the inside out!  One of Baba's favorite songs is a song about lighting the Holy fire within you.  Baptism will ignite that fire.  Then, you must remember the excitement of being brand-new in Christ---and it will guide your fire within yourself to serve God all of your days on this earth.

Eternal Life

Daniel 12:1-2

The Message (MSG)

Daniel 12

The Worst Trouble the World Has Ever Seen

 ^1-2"'That's when Michael, the great angel-prince, champion of your people, will step in. It will be a time of trouble, the worst trouble the world has ever seen. But your people will be saved from the trouble, every last one found written in the Book. Many who have been long dead and buried will wake up, some to eternal life, others to eternal shame.

We all have so many questions about what happens when we die and what happens when God comes back.  While we were reading, I gained some insight from Daniel through this passage.  I suppose you can read it and interpret it in different ways.  But, the one constant is that once your name is written in the Book, then you will have eternal life with Jesus.  That is all that truly matters....living here for Him....dying for Him....and eternally living to praise Him all of your days.

No One Can Interrupt HIS Work

Daniel 4:34-35

The Message (MSG)

 ^34-35 "At the end of the seven years, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven. I was given my mind back and I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever:
   "His sovereign rule lasts and lasts,
   his kingdom never declines and falls.
Life on this earth doesn't add up to much,
   but God's heavenly army keeps everything going.
No one can interrupt his work,
   no one can call his rule into question.

I am reminded daily that God's work is the most important thing taking place in our lives.  Recently your Baba went on a trip with the Kids' Team to church camp.  We really missed him while he was gone since we are not used to spending nights away from each other.  We are always together as a family.  Yet, I am so filled with blessings from our Heavenly Father when I realized that His work was sending Baba to that church camp.  Serving God, in whatever capacity He calls us for, is the most important work that we can do here.  I pray that you will always serve Him with your whole heart every day of your life.