In the hotel on a business trip, my husband shared our nightly devotion with me and our daughter.
He read a familiar passage of scripture, then made a few comments.
He asked me a question, but I couldn't answer it because I got "stuck" on one phrase he read from that very familiar passage of scripture.
I have been in church my whole life, so I do not understand why I still get so amazed when I find a treasure nugget from God's Word. ~ But there I sat~ excited and dumbfounded that I had never seen it before!
Here is my treasure nugget:
Hebrews 6:16-20
16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
The part that stood out to me was verse 18. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
The hope mentioned in verse 18 is that "it is impossible for God to lie". This "hope" entered the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, to make atonement for our sins. This "hope" is "Truth", because "it is impossible for God to lie".
Take a few minutes and wrap your mind around that. I love it when God's Word speaks to my spirit such volumes. This is so simple, yet so profound. To grasp more of this TRUTH read all of Hebrews 6 and 7!
Ok. Just wanted to share that with you today! May God's Word flourish in your heart, soul, and spirit!
blessings!
dorinda
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
A Golden Anniversary
Charles and Lonetta Rutherford
June 6, 1959
With parental permission in hand, the young couple set off for Texas to be married. He was 19 and she was just 15.
They were in love and wanted to be married. They didn't HAVE to. They just wanted to. They loved each other. They loved God, and they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
And so they have.
Fifty years later~ two children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren later~ The lovely couple will celebrate with a reception they never had.
In 1959, there was no fancy wedding, no cake, no flowers, no wedding dress. Not even pictures. (The one above is about a year later) Just a simple ceremony with a vow to each other and most importantly - two vows in one to their God.
Vows they have kept.
The Sacredness of marriage is lost these days on whims, selfishness, and lust.
People like my mom and dad give value to dedication, faithfulness and purity.
I am sure they have had their rough times, but through it all they have remained side by side, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth~ till death do they part- and I hope that is a long time from now!
Their reception is Saturday, June 13 at 2 o'clock. My mom is as nervous as a young bride. She never received all this attention and glamour when she first wed. They deserve this special time and if you are in the area, stop by to congratulate them. My sister and I are delighted to show our awesome parents off to the world- or at least our world of friends and family.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
You are two of the most amazing people!
Thanks for your Godly examples of love, faithfulness, and the sacredness of marriage.
blessings!
dorinda
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Studying God's Word
A scripture popped up on my i-phone application the other day.
I usually read these scriptures and go on, but this one struck a chord in my spirit.
Acts 17:11
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
Several things about this story stick out to me.
First of all the background of the story:
Paul and Silas came to Berea from Thessalonica, where "some of the Jews were persuaded and joined {them}, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks". (Acts 17:4) The "jealous" Jews formed a mob and started a riot, so the Christians sent Paul and Silas away to Berea at night. So Luke tells us that the Bereans were of "more noble character" than the Thessalonians. Because....
Secondly:
The Bereans "received the message" - the Gospel message - with "great eagerness". I believe that when they heard Paul and Silas preach their hearts burned within them. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
Thirdly:
The Bereans "examined the Scriptures"... Examined here in the Greek is "anakrino" which means "to scrutinize specifically in a forensic sense". These guys didn't just believe every Tom and Joe (aka Paul and Silas) that came along preaching a new doctrine. They studied it out and asked the hard questions.
Fourthly:
The Bereans examined the Scriptures "every day to see if what Paul said was true". We need to examine, study and search the scriptures daily. We need that daily bath for God's Word to cleanse us from the impurities of this world. ~.... And it is okay to search the scriptures to make sure the teaching we are receiving is true or not! We don't need to be gullible about important matters of doctrine. We need to learn to study for ourselves how to discern the Truth of God's Word.
Daily.
That reminds me of the old commercials, "Got Milk?" Have you had your Word today?!
blessings,
dorinda
I usually read these scriptures and go on, but this one struck a chord in my spirit.
Acts 17:11
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
Several things about this story stick out to me.
First of all the background of the story:
Paul and Silas came to Berea from Thessalonica, where "some of the Jews were persuaded and joined {them}, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks". (Acts 17:4) The "jealous" Jews formed a mob and started a riot, so the Christians sent Paul and Silas away to Berea at night. So Luke tells us that the Bereans were of "more noble character" than the Thessalonians. Because....
Secondly:
The Bereans "received the message" - the Gospel message - with "great eagerness". I believe that when they heard Paul and Silas preach their hearts burned within them. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
Thirdly:
The Bereans "examined the Scriptures"... Examined here in the Greek is "anakrino" which means "to scrutinize specifically in a forensic sense". These guys didn't just believe every Tom and Joe (aka Paul and Silas) that came along preaching a new doctrine. They studied it out and asked the hard questions.
Fourthly:
The Bereans examined the Scriptures "every day to see if what Paul said was true". We need to examine, study and search the scriptures daily. We need that daily bath for God's Word to cleanse us from the impurities of this world. ~.... And it is okay to search the scriptures to make sure the teaching we are receiving is true or not! We don't need to be gullible about important matters of doctrine. We need to learn to study for ourselves how to discern the Truth of God's Word.
Daily.
That reminds me of the old commercials, "Got Milk?" Have you had your Word today?!
blessings,
dorinda
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Aging Process~ From a Spiritual Perspective
My nightly routine has changed from that of yester -year.
I cleanse and moisturize my face ~same as always.
I have added to my regimen~ anti-aging serum, wrinkle reducer, and moisturizer for the senior citizen. (Well, I may be exaggerating a little, but NOT MUCH!) :)
Next, I go to my medicine cabinet. My hormones and respiratory medicine are next to my vitamins. I have recently added minerals to help reduce my cholesterol build up! (For some reason I missed the memo that m&m therapy does NOT reduce cholesterol!) Occasionally I have to add some OTC meds for "digestive ease". ha!
I brush my hair - that is rapidly gaining it's own form of "highlights". If I could just capture their "beauty" in a bottle, I might get rich. Yeaaaaah, right. People pay to NOT have these silver tones of highlights. hmmmm???? But they are such a beautiful shade of GRAY! I refuse to pluck them out. I believe the old wives tale that more will return in it's place!
I end up at my bedside with my trusty melaleuca lotion RENEW - that is the wonder of this modern age. I apply liberally to my dry and wrinkly skin.
Sigh.
I opened my Bible today to Isaiah 46:4. "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am HE, I am HE who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." NIV
Well, I am so glad that my God will sustain me, because my feet hurt at night, my neck hurts in the morning, and my shoulder hurts all day long. (Does that sound like a song?) :0)
Seriously, God is able to sustain us and rescue us from the things of the world, but aging is HIS GIFT to us!
Yes, you read that correctly.
Aging means we are living.
Living means we are alive.
Life is God's gift to us!
Now, for you Bible scholars out there, I KNOW that bodily deterioration is a result of the fall of man or rather, sin. But why not age gracefully bringing glory to God in ALL that we say and do?
I don't want to be one of those people reaching the AARP age and clinging to the left overs of my youth- or - worst yet- trying to re-live my younger years through my poor unsuspecting children!
I want to enjoy each day that God has given me. I want to enjoy each season of life that I am in.
I want God to be glorified in ALL that I do and say.
I want to leave a legacy for the generations coming after me!
Consider this:
Psalm 71:18~ "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."
That is my prayer. I want to declare HIS Power to the NEXT generation and HIS Might to ALL who are to come!
Chew on that for a little bit!
Now, answer this. What are YOU doing RIGHT NOW to declare HIS Power to the NEXT generation and HIS Might to ALL who are to come?!
My, my, my!
I better get busy! If I have lived half my life right now, I will live to be 90! (I just told my age!) But more than likely I have lived MORE than half my life!
Puts things a little in perspective doesn't it????
My life's song? "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you MORE and MORE. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure." Psalm 71:14
blessings!
dorinda
I cleanse and moisturize my face ~same as always.
I have added to my regimen~ anti-aging serum, wrinkle reducer, and moisturizer for the senior citizen. (Well, I may be exaggerating a little, but NOT MUCH!) :)
Next, I go to my medicine cabinet. My hormones and respiratory medicine are next to my vitamins. I have recently added minerals to help reduce my cholesterol build up! (For some reason I missed the memo that m&m therapy does NOT reduce cholesterol!) Occasionally I have to add some OTC meds for "digestive ease". ha!
I brush my hair - that is rapidly gaining it's own form of "highlights". If I could just capture their "beauty" in a bottle, I might get rich. Yeaaaaah, right. People pay to NOT have these silver tones of highlights. hmmmm???? But they are such a beautiful shade of GRAY! I refuse to pluck them out. I believe the old wives tale that more will return in it's place!
I end up at my bedside with my trusty melaleuca lotion RENEW - that is the wonder of this modern age. I apply liberally to my dry and wrinkly skin.
Sigh.
I opened my Bible today to Isaiah 46:4. "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am HE, I am HE who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." NIV
Well, I am so glad that my God will sustain me, because my feet hurt at night, my neck hurts in the morning, and my shoulder hurts all day long. (Does that sound like a song?) :0)
Seriously, God is able to sustain us and rescue us from the things of the world, but aging is HIS GIFT to us!
Yes, you read that correctly.
Aging means we are living.
Living means we are alive.
Life is God's gift to us!
Now, for you Bible scholars out there, I KNOW that bodily deterioration is a result of the fall of man or rather, sin. But why not age gracefully bringing glory to God in ALL that we say and do?
I don't want to be one of those people reaching the AARP age and clinging to the left overs of my youth- or - worst yet- trying to re-live my younger years through my poor unsuspecting children!
I want to enjoy each day that God has given me. I want to enjoy each season of life that I am in.
I want God to be glorified in ALL that I do and say.
I want to leave a legacy for the generations coming after me!
Consider this:
Psalm 71:18~ "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."
That is my prayer. I want to declare HIS Power to the NEXT generation and HIS Might to ALL who are to come!
Chew on that for a little bit!
Now, answer this. What are YOU doing RIGHT NOW to declare HIS Power to the NEXT generation and HIS Might to ALL who are to come?!
My, my, my!
I better get busy! If I have lived half my life right now, I will live to be 90! (I just told my age!) But more than likely I have lived MORE than half my life!
Puts things a little in perspective doesn't it????
My life's song? "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you MORE and MORE. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure." Psalm 71:14
blessings!
dorinda
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Power of God!
My. My. My!!
God is awesome and His ways are glorious!
I am thrilled today to be a servant of the most high God!
I want to share with you today a scripture that the Spirit of God has been burning in my heart for the last few days.
Romans 8:11
"And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you."
My question for me, for you, for my family, for everyone is this:
What is it that you struggle with in your life?
Do you struggle with insecurities?
Do you struggle with an ungodly habit?
Do you look to things and people other than God to give you value?
Are you bound by sin and bondage that you just can't get free from?
Are you in desperate need of the peace of God that passes all understanding?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, let's go back to God's Word.
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies..."
In other words, You've got the POWER from Almighty God to be victorious!
Think about it! The power of God that raised a dead corpse to life is living inside of you- if you have accepted Christ as your Savior!
The Power of God that spoke the world's into existence~
The Power of God that delivered a nation from bondage~
The Power of God that brought mighty victories~
The Power of God that knocked down a giant~
The Power of God that parted the Red Sea~
The Power of God that put a little Jewish girl as Queen of Persia~
The Power of God that saved a wicked city with a hungry whale~
The Power of God that put a child in the womb of a virgin~
The Power of God that fed 5,000 with a Happy Meal~
The Power of God that healed the sick~
The Power of God that made the lame walk~
The Power of God that caused the blind to see~
The Power of God that raised the dead to life~
That SAME Power dwells in YOU~!
Now, with authority and boldness, speak to that issue in your life~ that authority that is NOT your own, but of the life giving Power of God~
Speak to your insecurities~ "I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ!"
Speak to your ungodly habit~ ""I will not let sin reign in my mortal body to obey its evil desires!"
Speak to your soul~ "I am the apple of His eye; He delights in me!"
Declare~ "I am free! Blood bought and Spirit Wrought! - So sin and bondage have NO PLACE in my life!"
Allow the "peace of God that passes all understanding to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!"
Just think about it for a minute!
You do NOT have to live the way you have been living!
You do NOT have to settle for bondage!
You CAN have freedom and victory through the Power of the Creator God!
He loves you and longs to give you all that you need to be victorious over the enemy of your soul!
Trust in Christ today! Simply call upon the Name of Jesus.
blessings to you! I look forward to hearing of the marvelous things God has done in and through your life!
dorinda
God is awesome and His ways are glorious!
I am thrilled today to be a servant of the most high God!
I want to share with you today a scripture that the Spirit of God has been burning in my heart for the last few days.
Romans 8:11
"And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you."
My question for me, for you, for my family, for everyone is this:
What is it that you struggle with in your life?
Do you struggle with insecurities?
Do you struggle with an ungodly habit?
Do you look to things and people other than God to give you value?
Are you bound by sin and bondage that you just can't get free from?
Are you in desperate need of the peace of God that passes all understanding?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, let's go back to God's Word.
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies..."
In other words, You've got the POWER from Almighty God to be victorious!
Think about it! The power of God that raised a dead corpse to life is living inside of you- if you have accepted Christ as your Savior!
The Power of God that spoke the world's into existence~
The Power of God that delivered a nation from bondage~
The Power of God that brought mighty victories~
The Power of God that knocked down a giant~
The Power of God that parted the Red Sea~
The Power of God that put a little Jewish girl as Queen of Persia~
The Power of God that saved a wicked city with a hungry whale~
The Power of God that put a child in the womb of a virgin~
The Power of God that fed 5,000 with a Happy Meal~
The Power of God that healed the sick~
The Power of God that made the lame walk~
The Power of God that caused the blind to see~
The Power of God that raised the dead to life~
That SAME Power dwells in YOU~!
Now, with authority and boldness, speak to that issue in your life~ that authority that is NOT your own, but of the life giving Power of God~
Speak to your insecurities~ "I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ!"
Speak to your ungodly habit~ ""I will not let sin reign in my mortal body to obey its evil desires!"
Speak to your soul~ "I am the apple of His eye; He delights in me!"
Declare~ "I am free! Blood bought and Spirit Wrought! - So sin and bondage have NO PLACE in my life!"
Allow the "peace of God that passes all understanding to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!"
Just think about it for a minute!
You do NOT have to live the way you have been living!
You do NOT have to settle for bondage!
You CAN have freedom and victory through the Power of the Creator God!
He loves you and longs to give you all that you need to be victorious over the enemy of your soul!
Trust in Christ today! Simply call upon the Name of Jesus.
blessings to you! I look forward to hearing of the marvelous things God has done in and through your life!
dorinda
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