Digging Deeper~New Year's Day

Ecc. 3:1-13: To everything there is a season and time. What good is it for someone to work hard? As you work remember that God will make all things beautiful in his time.When you remember this you can enjoy your work for you will be working with God. It is God's gift to us to let us enjoy what we have worked for.

Ps.8 Lord God, your name is above every name on earth. It brings you praises from heaven above. You have even taught our little ones how to sing praises unto you. When they do so, it silences your enemies. I look at the sky and see the moon and stars that you have made. Then I wonder, why mankind is so important to you? Why did you make us a little lower than the angels and crown us with glory and honor? How is it that you choice to put us in charge of all that you have made? 

Rev.21:1-6: John saw a new heaven and a new earth comes down to there the old earth was. The old earth passed away. There was also a new Jerusalem. A voice came from heaven saying, "see the temple of God has come to mankind. So God is now living with man and man with God. He will wipe all tears from their eyes for there shall be no more death, sorrow, or pain. Because all from the past will be gone, for God , who is on his throne will make them all  things new. He invites all who is thirsty to come and drink of the fountain of life freely. 

Mat.25:31-46:When Jesus comes back to the earth and sits on his throne to judge all the people from every nation. He will separate the people who followed him from those who did not.  Just like a shepherd would separate the sheep from the goats. Putting the sheep on the right and the goats on the left. To those on the right, he will say, "come into the Kingdom of God for you are blessed. Because when I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you became my friend. When I was naked, you gave me clothes. When I was sick, you visited me. When I was in prison, you came to me." Those he was talking to asked him," Lord, when did we do these things?" He said,"when you did it to people in these situations, you did it to me." Then Jesus turns to the ones on his left and says, get out of my sight, you cursed and go into the fire that never ends. For you did none of these things for me. They asked him, "When did we not do these things. Lord?" He told them, "When you did not do these things to anyone in these situations, you did not do it for me.

God made the heavens and the earth. Then he put mankind on the earth to take care of all that he had made. Doesn't sound like much does it? But it is!  You see he made us to not only tend what he made. But he  also gave us his glory and honor, so that we could partner with him in ruling over what God made. We should sing praises to him for that (Ps. 8). God made the earth with seasons and times. This makes it easier for us, for each season and time has it's own work that needs to be done. When we work with him, we will work within those seasons and times. For example, where I live, Spring is the times of planting; Summer is the time of taking care of what has been planted, and Autumn is the time to harvest what has been planted. Winter is the time to rest from all of that. Now if we were to try to rest in the time of planting, we could go hungry. As as you can see, our work will be better and easier if we work with God within his seasons and times. Then we will be  more able to enjoy our work (Ecc. 3:1-13). 

You see, he put us in charge until Jesus comes back to earth. And He is coming back! We are told of his return in many places in the Bible. Let me share a couple of the places that speaks of this with you. In Revelation 21:1-6a. we read of how a new heaven and earth will come down and replace the old earth. And there will be a new Jerusalem where God will sit on his throne. In Matthew 25:31-46, we read about how Jesus will sit on the judgment seat and judge us for how well we tended to the people that he made. Then we read again in Revelation how he will reward those who were faithful in tending to the job that he gave them (Rev. 6).

Challenge of the year: 

As you start this new year, sit down and look at you life. Ask yourself, is my job and how I live helping God take care of his world and all who live in it? If not, choose to change that this year. If so, ask yourself, how can I better help God tend to all that he has made? Then do it. Have a blessed New Year!

Digging Deeper~ 3rd Sunday of ordinary times

Mic. 6:1-6:The Lord pleases his case against the people to the mountains and hills, because they had tired of him. The Lord tells of how he had freed the people from slavery in Egypt. He reminds the people of a conversation between Balak king of Moab & Ballaam son of Beor, and the conversation between God and Ballaam where God tells him that the people are blessed (Num. 22:1-14).

Ps. 15: Who shall dwell in God's house? He who is living a righteous life.

1 Cor. 1:18-31: The foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom. God has chosen to call people through the foolishness of preaching of Jesus Christ in whom we can be saved.

Mat. 5:1-12:Jesus preaches the people that being poor in spirit, mourn, hunger after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, those persecuted for God's sake will be blessed by him. 

In the verses above, we see that God does not work as the wisdom of the world does.The world sees man's wisdom and strength as being good. God wants us to come to him in humbleness allowing ourselves to lean on him instead of our own strength. God says that we are blessed by him when he bow down to his will. Even when doing so will make people of the world do bad things to us. God wants us to want to follow after his righteousness so badly that it is like a man who is very hungry or thirsty wants food or drink. God has proven his faithfulness to his people many times when thy follow after him. God even talks of his faithfulness to his people when he took them out of their slavery in Egypt because he had blessed them (Num. 22:1-14). Jesus teaches the people what it takes for God to bless us (Mat. 5:1-12). Paul speaks of God's faithfulness to mankind when he sent Jesus Christ to save us from the slavery of sin (1 Cor. 1:18-31). Once we are saved from our slavery of sin, God wants us to live righteous lives and tell others how to become free from their slavery of sin. 

Challenge of the week:

This week, ask God what you need to do to please him. If you have not become saved from the slavery of sin, go to Jesus and ask him to forgive your sins, and save you from your slavery of sin. If you are already saved, humble yourself before God and ask him for help in becoming a more righteous person this week. Then go and tell anyone you know that is stuck in the slavery of sin how Jesus can free them from it. 

Accomplishment of the week: So what did you do this week that helped you accomplish your spiritual goal?

Digging Deeper~ Sunday after Christmas

Is. 60:1-6:Isiah prophecies of wealth coming to the Holy lands because of the light that is come. Jesus is that light. He also prophecied about the wealth of the nations being brought because of the light. He says that gold and incense will be brought from a far. Many believe that this is speaking of the Wise men that followed a bright star from the East to bring gifts of gold and frankincense & myrrh. Ps. 72:1-7, 10-14:A prayer for a good king to come and judge the people in a righteous way. Then kings will come from far away lands will bring him gifts.  Eph. 3:1-12: Because of Jesus Christ Non-Jews as well as the Jews can have the grace of God. Now we can come before God with freedom.  Mat. 2:1-12: Matthew tells of the Wise men that came from the East to Jerusalem looking for the King of the Jews. They said that they had come to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to worship him. This is the Sunday that we celebrate the fulfillment of the prophecy that Isiah and King David spoke of. It was the prophecy of how Jesus would come to be our righteous king & that kings would come from far away to bring him gifts of gold and frankincense (Is. 60:1-6;Ps. 72:1-7,10-14). Matthew tells of of that fulfillment in Mathew 2:1-12. They indeed came from far countries and brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Why did Jesus come? Paul tells us that it was to join all mankind, both Jews and non-Jewish people to God. So that we can all live is spiritual freedom (Eph. 2:1-12). We too can come to him and worship him for humbling himself and becoming a human, live the life of a human, teaching mankind what God wants of us to act like.  Then went to the cross to pay for our sins, so that we could have spiritual freedom from the kingdom of darkness.  Challenge of the week: This week, take the time to worship God for loving us enough to become a human, so that he could understand what it is like to be a human, reached out to mankind and then died to pay for our sins. So that we could be free to go to God and have a relationship with him.  Accomplishment of the week: How did you do?

Digging Deeper~ 2ed Sunday of ordinary time

s. 9:1-4:Isiah prophecies of how the lands of Zebulun, Naphtali, the land that lies from the Mediterranean Sea to along Jordan River and North to Galilee where many non-Jewish lived would see a great light that will shine into their darkness and take that darkness away. This will take away their heavy load and give them joy and happiness. . 

Ps. 27:1,4-9:The Lord is my light & the one who saves me. So why should I be afraid of anyone? I ask that I might be able to go to live in the Lord's temple where I can worship Him and be safe. 

I Cor. 1:10-18: Paul addresses the problem of division in the church. The division was that the people were claiming to be followers of the different people that had Baptiste them. Paul goes on to tell them to be united in their minds and follow Jesus not other men.

Mat. 4:12-23:Jesus begins his work in Galilee which fulfills the prophecy in Isiah 9:1-4. He also starts to choose some of his disciples. 

Isiah had prophcied that those who lived in the lands of Zebulun, Naphtali and the land that stretches to the Mediterranean Sea to along the Jordan River going north to Galilee would no longer sit in spiritual darkness. Why? Because someone would come and shine a light into their  spiritual darkness and make it  would go away (Is. 9:1-4). This important because many of the people who lived in those areas were non-Jewish people. So Isiah was telling these people of a time when God would also allow them to be saved from their sins. This was unheard of in those days as many of the prophecies were for the Israelites (Athlon Specials #ISSN 2469-3014 Jesus :The Prince of Peace, Pgs. 13-15). Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophecy. Matthew tells us that in his book (Mat. 4:12-23). Isaiah had promised that when that light arrived the people would have joy (Is. (:3-4). Now because of Jesus bringing the spiritual light into the spiritual darkness there. People all over the world can sing the song that David sang in Psalms. 27:1, 4-9). 

Paul tells us that we should unite in Christ, after all we are Christians which means followers of Christ (1 Cor. 1:10-18). let us strive to be good followers of Christ this week. 

Challenge of the week:

This week, strive to line up with the Word of God and how it tells us to act as followers of Christ. Then let us go to his house and worship him. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So how did you do? What did you do to help accomplish the goal of being more like Christ?

Digging Deeper~ 1st ordinary time

Is. 42:1-9: Isiah prophecies about the Lord coming and bringing justice to the people of the earth even those far from the Holy land. He is the one who created the earth. He calls us to do right. He will hold our hand and protect us if we do so. He will be the light that helps free those in darkness. He is the Lord and will share his glory with no other. Ps. 29:The Lord's voice does great things. The Lord gives strength to his people & blesses them.. The Lord is King forever. Let us praise the Lord. Acts 10:34-43:Peter tells of how John the Baptist came to preach to the people about baptism.  About how Jesus came as the Christ in power going about doing good in Judea and Jerusalem. Then he died on a cross, and raised from the dead. He told us to preach and tell people that he was the chosen one whom God chose to judge the living and the dead. All who believes in him  will be forgiven.  Mat. 3:3-17: John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Isiah's prophesied about (Is. 40:3). He came preaching in the area of Judea & baptized all who confessed their sins. He was not afraid to tell the spiritual leaders of their sins. He Baptized Jesus.  Isiah prophesied about Jesus coming to do many things to for the people of earth including judging them (Is. 42:1-9). John the Baptiste came and fulfilled Isiah's prophecy of a forerunner coming before Jesus (Is. 40:3) . One of the things John told the people was to repent and be baptized for the judge would be coming soon (Mat. 3:3-17).   While Jesus was here on earth he fulfilled the prophecy told in Psalms 29. After Jesus went back to heaven, Peter tells of how John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecies about him (Acts 10:34-43). We too should do as John the baptist, and Peter did, and tell others about Jesus and what he did for them.  Challenge of the week: How will you tell others of the great news of what Jesus did for them? Who will you tell? Accomplishment of the week:  So did you tell someone about Jesus did week? How did it go?

Digging Deeper~ Christmas Day

Is. 52:7-10:How beautiful is the person who comes over the mountains to bring good news and announce salvation. How beautiful are the feet of the one who who tells Jerusalem, "Your God is king." Listen! Your guards all shout for joy when they see with their own eyes the return of the Lord. The Lord will show his power to all the nations and the earth will see the salvation of God. 

Ps. 98:Sing unto the Lord a new song for he has done miracles like using his power to save Israel his people. All of nature will clamp their hands, shout and the mountains will sing for joy. For the Lord the King will come to judge the world. 

Heb. 1:1-4(5-12): In the past God used Prophets to speak to his people. But the day came when he chose to send his son to come and speak to his people. God made the world through is son and he own what he made. The son reflects the glory of God the Father for he is an exact image of God the Father. He holds the world together with his powerful word. The made man clean from their sins.Because of that God gave his a name that is higher than anything including the angels.Today he sits on the right side of God the Father in heaven and the angels serve him.

John 1:1-14:Before the world began there was Jesus. Jesus made the world. Jesus is the light. Jesus came into the world to his people , but they did not know him. Jesus shinned his light for all to see, but they did not accept him. But some did accepted him and they became children of God. John the Baptist came to prepare the people for Jesus; coming. He told the people, " The light is coming to you. I am not that light, the one who brings the light is coming after me." Then when he could he pointed Jesus out to them and told the people, " this is the one I told you about." We are not children of  God. John the Baptist came to prepare the people for Jesus; coming. He told the people, " The light is coming to you. I am not that light, the one who brings the light is coming after me." Then when he could he pointed Jesus out to them and told the people, " this is the one I told you about." We are not children of God through in body but through the spirit of God. God's so, Jesus came as a human and showed us his glory that was full of grace and truth. 

In the beginning, the son of God, Jesus made the world (John 1:1-5). But the world did not know him. So God used Prophets to speak to his people, but they still did not understand and know God.  But the day came when God the Father chose to send his son, Jesus to personally speak to his people(Heb. 1:1-14). But before he had Jesus preach to them, God sent John the Baptist to prepare peoples hearts ahead of time (John 1:6-9). Jesus came to shine a light into the spiritual darkness of the world. But many of his time did not go to the light. Yet there were some who did & they became spiritual children of God (John 1:10-14). Jesus did many miracles and spoke many wonderful things to prove who he was to them (Ps. 98). When he was done telling and showing them, he went and paid for their sins on the cross, so that they could be clean spiritually (Heb. 1:3). Then he did one last miracle in the world and rose from the dead. Because of that God the Father had him sitting on his right side in heaven (Heb. 1:3). Now all the earth clamp their hands, shouts and sings his praises and waits for the day when he will judge the world (Ps. 98). Today, we are the ones who are to go around the world and tell people of God's great salvation. The word ways that we and our feet are beautiful to God if we do so (Is. 52:7-10).

Just think of it! Jesus became a human to do all that for us on Christmas day!

Challenge of the day:

Will you use the birth of Christ to share the great news of Christmas? 

Accomplishment of the day:

How did you share the great news of Jesus' birth and great love to others today?

Digging Deeper~ Christmas Eve

Is.62:6-12: Isaiah prophecies to God's people of his promise to save them. He tells the people to pray without stopping until the promise is fulfilled. He tells those people from far countries to encourage His people until Jerusalem is rebuilt and seen as a Holy City. 

Ps. 97: God is king over all the earth. He is powerful. All the gods should worship God. When Jerusalem hears this, she is glad.  Far away lands should be glad. For God destroys his enemies and frees those who follow him. 

Titus 3:4-7:

God show kindness and love to us when he sent Jesus. Jesus' blood washes our sins and make us new. And the Holy Spirit is given to us, so we can receive the life that never ends. We can not receive this life by our good works, only though Jesus. 

Luke 2:(1-7),8-20:Details on how Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem & how God's angels told shepherds about the birth of the last lamb that would save the world and bring peace to them.

Isaiah prophesied about he would save them from their enemies. He tells them that when that happens God's people in Jerusalem should be happy, and so will those who follow God in countries that are far away. Then he tells them to pray until that day comes (Is. 62:6-12). King David also reminds his people that God is king over all the earth. He also tells them that God will some day save his people.When he does, all who follow God will be glad. Including those who live in far away countries (Ps. 97). I believe that these prophecies are speaking of the salvation that Jesus came to give to all people who will follow him. We are told this in Titus 3:4-7.  This is the message that Christmas brings to us. We hear it as the angels tell the shepherds of Jesus birth.  It is believed that the shepherds that were told of Jesus' birth were the ones who raised the sheep and lambs for the temple sacrifice. That would explain why God wanted them to know about Jesus' birth. For what the angels were telling them was that Jesus was to be the last lamb to be sacrificed for men's sin. For he became the lamb that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 36 ). We can be saved and have spiritual peace, because of what God did for us through Jesus. All we have to do is ask for him to save us and then follow him in this world and into eternal life(Titus 3:4-7). So you see, Jesus was the first Christmas gift. And if you choose to be saved by him and follow him. Your salvation can be a Christmas gift that will last through out your life and for eternally.  Challenge for the day: Today stop and think about how Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away our sins. If you have not been saved by him yet, please consider asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins and save you from the slavery of sin. If you have been saved by Jesus take the time to thank Jesus for loving you enough to humble himself to become a human to suffer and die for your sins so that you can be freed from being a slave to sin.  Accomplishment of the day: How did you thinking on God's Christmas gift of Jesus and what he did for you, make the day richer spiritually?

Digging Deeper~ 4th Advent Sunday

Is. 35:1-10:God will comfort his people and the people and the land will sing for joy. Luke 1:47-55:Mary's song of praise to God. In her song, she speaks of how good God has been to those who worship Him including his people. For God has kept his promise to Abraham and his children. Jas.5:7-11: Be patient until the Lord come again. Your examples of this patience is like a farmer who waits for his crops to be ready to harvest, or like the Prophets who suffered greatly but were patience. Lastly there is the patience of Job who lost so much and had health problems, but was patience. God blessed him for his patience in the end. Do not judge each other for we know not when our Judge, God is coming back. So live a holy life and don't give up hope. Mat. 1:2-11:The generations of Jesus from Abraham to Jehoiachin which is the time that the people were carried off to Babylon. God had made a promise to Abraham that he would be a Father of many children and that a great ruler would come through him(Gen. ). Abraham in deed became the Father of many including the 12 tribes of God's chosen people. But that promise did not keep his people from suffering in the hands of their enemies. We see that as we read about the generations that followed him. We also see that it affected Jesus family when we read his genealogy in Matthew 1:2-11 for it gives the line until his people were carried away to Babylon. During some of the times that the Israelites where suffering under other countries they often lost hope. So God would send Prophets to  encourage them. One such prophet was Isaiah. In Isiah 35:1-10, Isiah is trying to encourage God people to not give up but to be patient and wait for God to turn things around for them and fulfill hid promise tot hem in due time. Mary knew that God was fulfilling that Promise through God baby that she now carried when she sang a song of praise to Him (Luke 1:47-55).  As we think on how Jesus was the fulfillment of God promise, not only to his people, but to all mankind. Let us also take to heart the words of the promise of Jesus' coming back to earth some day as James tells us in his book (Jas.5:7-11). And let us not be found growing weary, but ever patiently waiting on God to fulfill his promises to us. Today and in the future.  Challenge of the week: This week. take the time to think on how God fulfill his promise of sending Jesus to earth, as that is why we have Christmas.  Thanks God for fulfilling that promise. Then think of all the other promises that God has made to us in his Word, and b encouraged for as he kept the promise of Jesus , he will also keep other promises to you. Just be patient and wait for God to fulfill it.  Accomplishment of the week:  So how did thinking on God's faithfulness of keeping his promise of Jesus help you be willing to wait upon other promises in his Word this week? Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward 0.77 GB (5%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 31 minutes ago Details

Digging Deeper~3ed Sunday of Advent

Is.11:1-10: A prophecy of the King of peace coming.This peace will be between men and men; men and animals; animals and animals; nation and nation for he shall rule over them all from God's holy hill.  Ps. 72:1-7,18-19:David's prayer for Solomon asking for wisdom to rule the people in such a way that there will be peace on the mountains. Then he praises God for miracles & asks that the God of Israel's glory would fill the whole earth. This also can be seen as a prophecy of Jesus.    Rom.15:4-13:Paul shares how Jesus fulfilled prophecies of him coming to rule over Jews and non Jewish people giving them all hope. These prophecies can be found  in Ps.18:49; Deut.32:43; Is.11:10. Because Jesus has patience with us and has accepted us, we should accept each other and get along.   Mat.3:1-12:John the Baptist came preaching about repenting to prepare the way of the coming King. This fulfilled the Prophecy that Isiah gave in Isiah 40:3.  Isiah prophesied about a king coming to earth to set up his kingdom. He also prophesied about someone coming a head of that king to announce his coming as they did in Jesus culture (Isiah 40:3). John the Baptist was the one who came ahead of Jesus to announce that today is the name of repentance which fulfilled that prophecy    (Mat.3:1-12).  David prayed for his son when he was to become king. But many also believe that his prayer also prophecies about the coming of Jesus (Ps. 72:1-7,18-19). Is. also prophesied about the day when the final king comes and rules over the earth bringing peace to all who live in it including animals(Is. 11:1-10). Many believe that these prophecies will come true when Jesus come to the new earth to rule.  As Jesus' followers we look forward to the day when peace will come to the whole earth when he come to rule it. But we Can have peace of mind and heart now through Christ Jesus. All we have to do is look to Jesus and his Word for us and he will give us peace.  Challenge of the week:  Prepare you heart and mind for Christmas by looking to Jesus who is called the King of peace. How do you think you will do that? Accomplishment of the week: How did you go about finding the peace that is spoken of at Christmas? Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward 0.77 GB (5%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 2 hours ago Details

Digging Deeper~2ed Sunday of Advent

Is. 2:1-5: God told Isaiah that the day would come when the mountain in which the temple in Jerusalem is on will become the most important mountain in the world. There will be a time when people from all nations will say, "Let us go up to the mountain of God where He will teach us his ways." Then the message will go out from there and peace will be known though out the world for God will be the king of the whole earth.

Ps.122: I was glad when they said to me", let us go to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem". Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. For my family and friends, I repeat, "let Jerusalem have peace". 

Rom.13:11-14: This is an important time. So do not live in darkness satisfying your sinful lust by having wild parties where you drink, and be involved in sexual sins. Do not even take the time to be Jealous or fight. For the time of the Lord draws near and time is short. Instead we should fight the darkness by taking up our spiritual weapons and live the ways of Light. 

Mat.24:36-44: No one knows when Jesus is coming back. Not even the angels or Jesus himself, only the Father knows. So since you do not know know when he is coming back. So live as though he is coming back today. that way you will not be caught doing evil when he returns. 

 Like it or not, how Jerusalem goes, so does the world. So it is important that we pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122). Our time here on earth is short. so it is important that we live lives of purpose in the kingdom of Light. With the time of Christ being so close, we do not have the time to involve ourselves in the evil activities of the Kingdom of Darkness. Instead we should take up our weapons of spiritual warfare such as love, prayer, reading, learning, and sharing the Word of God with those around us (Rom. 13:11-14). We do not know when Jesus is coming back for us, for Jesus doesn't know. So we should be living everyday in such a way that we would not be caught doing evil when he returns(Mat. 24:36-44). For the day is coming when Jesus will return and set up his kingdom on the Holy mountain in Jerusalem(Is. 2:1-5).

Challenge of the week:

What will you change in your life to have your life be more godly? What things will you lay aside so that you will be living in the Kingdom of Light and not Darkness? Will you pray for the peace of Jerusalem? 

Accomplishment of the week?

So how did you change your life and actions this week? How did that help prepare you for Christmas? Did you pray for the peace of Jerusalem?

Digging Deeper~1st Sunday of Advent

Jer. 23:1-6:God warns the leaders of Judah for not taking care of His people. He promises a day when they will have a good leader. Luke 1:68-79:Zechariah Prophecies of the coming of the promised leader who will be Jesus. He tells everyone that his son, John will be the prophet that comes before Jesus.  Col. 1:11-20:Jesus made us free for he paid for our sins on the cross. Luke 23:33-43: Here we see that Jesus was crucified and on top of the cross it had a sign that said, "King of the Jews". Why did Jesus come to earth on Christmas? Jesus came to earth on Christmas to fulfill many prophecies that promised many things to his people including freedom. One prophet who spoke of that promise was Jeremiah. When God's people were being oppressed by their evil leaders. God has Jeremiah tell them that some day he would send them a good leader (Jer. 23:1-6).  Then when John the Baptist was born, his Father, Zechariah prophesied that the time of the promised leader was near. He also said that his son, John would be the one who would come before Jesus and prepare the people for him (Luke 1:68-79). Jon indeed did grow up and prepared the people for Jesus' preaching. After Jesus preached for 3 years, he fulfilled the prophecies when he went to the cross and paid for our sins so that we could be free from our sins (Col. 1:11-10). To further show that Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecies a sign was hung over Jesus' head on the cross that said, "King of the Jews" (Luke 23:33-43).  That is why Jesus came down to earth and was born on Christmas. He was born to die for our sins and set us free from the bonds of it.  Challenge of the week: This week, take the time to really ponder the loving reason Jesus lowered himself and became a human and was born on Christmas day.  Thank him for doing so and then go tell others..  Accomplishment of the week: Did you ponder on Jesus' love for you this week? How did that change how you look at Christmas? Did you take the time to thank him for doing so. Did you tell anyone else of this Great News?  Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward 0.76 GB (5%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 33 minutes ago Details

Welcome to "Digging Deeper". 2ed devotional book.

Welcome!

Well, The advent Season has started. that means that we start a new year in the Lord. I pray that you will come along with me as we dig deeper in the Word of God for the next year. As with the first book, "Steps of Faith", I will be writing this so that you can read the devotional of the week on the first day of your week. Then you can read the verses during the week. At the end of the weekly devotional, I will be giving you a challenge for the week that is meant to help you put into action what you have learned. I challenge you to write the challenge down and how you plan to fulfill it. then at the end of the week, to stop and reflect on how you accomplished your goal for the week. In this way, you can see how you are growing in the Lord. 

So come along with me in "Digging Deeper" into the Word of God!

Blessings!

Chaplain Toni Whitacre-Kratochvil

Goodbye to "Steps of Faith"

Well, It has been an eventful year, where we all should have seen growth as we walk through this devotional and took our personal steps of faith.  I pray that this book helped you grow spiritually.
Thanks for walking this path with me this last year. I also thank God for walking this path with us.

I have one last challenge for you. Please take the time to reflect on how you have grown in the last year. Then thank God for walking this path with you.

"Steps of Faith" is one book in a series of 3 books that can be used for three years and then start over again with them. If you do this you should be on the 3 year rotation of the Christian calendar. The next book is called, "Digging Deeper". We start in that book next week, which is the first day of Advent.

Blessings!

Chaplain Toni Whitacre-Kratochvil

Steps of Faith~Last devotional of this book

Is. 65:17-25:The time of a new heaven and a new earth that will make the people happy.

Is. 12 or Ps 118:Songs of praise because of the great things God has done.Sing them so that others will hear and know.

2 Thess. 3:6-13: It is your duty to work. for those who do not work often put their noses in other people's business. 

Luke 21:15-19:Remain strong in your faith no matter who comes against you, including family. 

Paul tells his followers to make sure that they live quiet lives in work. For it is their duty to do so. He tells them that many times people who do not work go about putting their noses in other business where it does not belong. Paul was his followers example for even while he was preaching Christ to others, he continued to work making tents, so as not to be a burden to anyone(2 Thess. 3:6-13).  One way we can spread the message of Christ while working, is to sing of the great things God has done. this can be done as a form of praise and worship, but it also can help those around us to hear and know how great God is (Is. 12 or Ps. 118). Now like Paul you might have people make it hard on you because follow Jesus. Remain strong in your faith no matter who comes against you, including your family(Luke 21:15-19). For if you remain faithful to God, you will see the time of the new Heaven and new earth(Is. 65:17

25).

Challenge of the week:

 What parts of this lesson do you believe that you need to work on in your life this week? 

Accomplishment of the week:

How did you do on your challenge this week?  

Steps of Faith~ 33rd Sunday of ordinary time

Hag. 1:15b-2:9: The Lord of heaven's army gives messages to his messenger, Haggi to give to Zerubbabel the governor of Judah, and Joshua who was the high priest. The message said, " It is now time to rebuild the temple of the Lord. You have been working on rebuilding your rich houses and my temple is still in ruins. This is why you have planted seeds but little grows. This is why you eat, but are never full. This is why you drink, but remain thirsty. This is why you put on clothes, but are still cold. This is why you work to earn money, but it is never enough.This why you are in a drought. Go now and rebuild my temple. So the people got excited about rebuilding the temple. Then God promises them that  he would be with them, and that the new temple will be more beautiful then the old one was. 

Ps.145:1-5,17-21:A song of praise to God for all that he has done including miracles. With love God takes care and protects those who truly prays to him.He  stays close to those people. But he will destroy those who are evil. 

2 Thess. 2:1-5,13-17: You should pray for all people. Such as ask for things that people need & give thanks when they come. You should also pray for those who rule over you in government. Pray for all your leaders, so that you may live a quiet and peaceful life full of worship and respect of God. This is what pleases God. God want all people to be saved and he wants everyone to know the truth. The truth is that there is only one God and we can only get to him through Jesus Christ who gave himself to pay for all people sins. What Jesus did, shows us that God wants all men to be saved from their sins. Then Paul goes on and gives instructions on the chain of spiritual chain of command. Which is the Husband, wife, and then children. This is because Eve was tricked by the snake in the garden. Then he goes on and says that women will be saved by continuing in the faith, love, holiness, and self-control. 

Luke 20:28-40:Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey as king.The Pharisees tell Jesus to make the people to stop singing praises to him. Jesus tells them that if the people stops singing that the stones will cry out.

As Christians we should pray. What sort of things should we pray for, you ask. Pray for the salvation of others, for it is God's will for all to be saved. We should also pray for the things that people need and then pray and thank God when he supplies it. We should pray for the leaders over us. Depending on who you are that could be praying for a parent, husband, bosses, preachers & board member of a church, government leaders, even kings or presidents(2 Thess. 2:1-5,13-17). 

Why should we pray for them? Because they have to carry heavy loads of responsibility while leading us, and that involves making decisions that will affect our lives in ways that will or will not allow us to live quiet and peaceful lives. We see this in Haggi 1:15b-2:9, when Haggi,  the prophet has the responsibility of taking a hard message to Zerbbubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the priest.Who in turn had the responsibility of taking the message to the people that they served. We too have people over us who has very hard decisions that they face daily that affects our lives. So pray for them remembering that Jesus is the one they have to answer to since he is over them.

So let us pray for all people and give thanks for answered prayers and all the good things God has brought into our lives (Ps. 145:1-5,17-21). For if we do not praise god for his goodness, the stones will cry out for us.Which will take the joy of doing so away from us (Luke 20:27-38).

Challenge of the week:

This week pray for those that God has put over you.  This may not be easy if you really don't like them, but pray for them anyways. Then make sure that you thank God when he answers your prayers. 

Accomplishment of the week:

So how did you do this week? Did you pray for your leaders?