Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the LORD and his strength ; seek his face always.
2 Chronicles 15:2b The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 119:2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Amos 5:4 This is what the LORD says to Israel; “Seek me and live,”
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
God created man and his mate as close to Himself, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, so the three could have a relationship with man. He made him as the most superior animal to be in charge of all the other animals, birds, and fish. The Creator also made all things for man to enjoy–flowers, birds flying and singing, animals contentedly roaming, eating only what they needed, and put man and his mate in a lush garden full of a multitude of different bushes, trees, fruits, birds, butterflies, and so forth. God wanted a relationship with the one he created that was most like God.
But the man and his mate, woman, messed up when selfishness, desire, and greed entered them, through the enticement of the serpent. They wanted to be as smart and wise as God, so disobeyed God’s word not to touch a certain fruit, and indulged in it. Anyway, that ended the close relationship they had shared daily with God. They were banished from the Garden, and sent out to forage food for themselves, to work the land, and to no longer have the delights and pleasures of the Garden. Shame and guilt were now common feelings rather than the acceptance and happiness and joy they had experienced just enjoying God and His creative, beautiful Garden.
And those selfish, covetous feelings have continued down the line, still present within each of us. Afterall, their oldest son, Cain killed his younger brother Abel because he was angry that Abel’s offering pleased God more than his own did. Deeper, more hurtful sin entered in with murder. Greed had further expanded to ‘if I can’t have, no one can’ mentality–and murder, anger, and self entitlement, entered and damaged physically our world.
But this is NOT what God wanted–ever. He wanted a relationship–friendship, then Father-child, but a closeness to us where He sought us, and we answered. And where we would seek Him and He was present. Most of us answer a child’s cry within a short time — unless my child has been a tired brat, and it is now time for a nap, I do not generally go in and try to reason–and will let them cry. But once awake, I am all about cuddling with that child and letting them know they are loved. That is how God wants it to be with us. We cry out to Him and He answers, directs, comforts, and reassures us all will work out according to His plan which is to give us good and not harm.
God has instructed many men to write his words, promises, and commands to us. He still wants a relationship with each of us. He wants His words imprinted in our minds and hearts, so we stay on the honorable and good path He has set before us. That does NOT mean we will never be stricken with illness, pain, loss, grief, anger; but his book is full of instruction and guidance to soothe and direct all the while reassuring. And all he wants is for us to seek him, to want a relationship with him, knowing we are only human, he wants us to strive to walk as close to His Son, Jesus as we can.
It takes a while for most of us to develop a relationship with others. Oh, you can have a surface relationship, oil floating on the top of gravy kind of relationship, but not anything that reaches down into the flavorful part of a connection. Some can build friendships shortly, it does not take long for them to see and trust you. I have also, although I tend to hold back and take things slower. But there have been connections in my life that have lasted years. We have been so close, knowing each other so well, we can jump into chatter with no introduction or back story, because they have been part of our life as it developed. There’s a firm foundation of years of trust, of knowledge of truth. Those friends have no hesitation telling me when I have messed up, have been a brat, have not acted with love and forgiveness. Those are some of the gifts He has blessed me with.
Those are the folks I trust the most, I confide in most often, have held me when I wept, and I have been there for them in their heartache. Although I have many surface friendships, I do not have more than four now that I bare all my heart with. But I am blessed with that. And because I live away from most of them, I confide daily with God because He is always there. He may not always answer me immediately, but I know He has heard and I will soon have an answer to whatever quandary I am dealing with then. Sometimes my answer is in the Bible, sometimes, it is a small “knowing” sometimes a whisper, but I know when he has answered me–and my gut just is happy, relieved, and I am so grateful and full of praise!
He wants us to seek Him, to REALLY want him in our lives, as a companion. He wants us to look for him in every area of our lives–making decisions, determining His will on a matter, directing how he wants you to proceed on the path he has chosen and selected you for–long before you were born.
used to be I would work myself into one tizzy right after another, basically solving nothing. I would fret and worry, but FINALLY I decided to test this and see if it would work by leaving my anxiety and stress at His feet. I did not have a great deal of hope it would all work out; after all, I was responsible, I had finished my education, I had the job and paid the bills–Aiyiyi! Little punch of the word “I”. And my mind, so used to Satan’s nasty whispers of failure and things going to get worse, and I was the one in control, so of course, by now abandoning my responsibility and decisions to Him, this would fail. Initially, the fears would come roaring back into my brain. But I kept repeating, over and over, in my mind, that I was trusting–it was for a period of time, but if things improved, I had the full reassurance that Satan was urging me to fail. And showing himself the liar–again. And what I was learning was that God would guide, light my path, and give me rest. Seek his direction and path, and he would be there to help and work with me. His promises proved true each time–sometimes taking longer for a response. But that was testing me–was a committed enough to fully trust to the last minute for his answer. The building of perseverance, strengthening that foundation. Seek and you will find–because He wants to be found by you.
So thank You, Creator for ALL if you have blessed me with–Your Son, the Holy Spirit, and the direction for me and ‘my bellaviews.’
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your souses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors..
Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 40:8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.
Psalm 119:11, 15 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. . . . I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 119:23, 26-27 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. . . . . I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 119:33-36 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Psalm 119:68-69 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Psalm 119:97–99 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies, I have more insight that all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
Proverbs 3:3-4 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 4:4-5 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Proverbs 7:1-3 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 8:32 “Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways, listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.”
Jeremiah 31:33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts, I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Romans 2:14-15 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at 0ther times even defending them.
2 Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Hebrews 8:10 “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Hebrews 10:16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
How did you do in school memorizing things? I was not bad, especially if I liked the subject and the material. I cannot say the same about memorizing anything about Shakespeare’s works–I find the old English confusing, so put little effort into memorizing that kind of literature. But I liked arithmetic, math, science, history, and reading–so once my brain could put those patterns together, my memory for those facts were good.
I am not, and have not ever been good at remembering names. That annoys me to no end. It always surprises me when a relative stranger remembers my name. It is an honor and a gift, to have others remember my name. It is one of my frequent prayers to remember others’ names. But I am not good at it. I do much better if I can spend a few minutes getting to know the person, rather than a brief hello while passing, after a brief introduction.
I was not good memorizing words of songs or even the title of many songs, so well, although I would have the tunes and repeat those over and over. But since I couldn’t remember the words, I would frequently make up my own, so then when the time came to sing–I would sing the wrong words. Therefore, I learned to sing quietly–unless the words were printed either in a book or via video screen.
But memorizing God’s words is different. I am not always great with chapter and verse, but I can repeat the verse, if not verbatim, it is very close. But, thankfully, the Holy Spirit does pull into my mind many verses and promises, and comforting messages for others. He has imprinted many of those important words in my mind and heart. Often, when I am feeling down and out (have bought into the moments when Satan is attacking me), I remember a verse, then rebuke Satan and tell him he has NO business in my life. MOVE ON. Thank you, Holy Spirit for bringing my memory and heart back into proper alignment. I would probably drown with worry, anxiety, and unease if I did not know God and have many verses and promises imprinted within my heart and mind. It was a very anxious time full of unease and fearful of the next “fall” or “trouble” to descend in my life. Until I dug deeper into a relationship with Jesus.
When I think back to the floundering in life I did before, I am so thankful I have grown closer to Him. I do not like actual ink tattoos very much, but I love the fact that many verses are imprinted in my mind and heart. It has made life so much easier, smoother. Although we attended church regularly when we were growing up, it was not a church dedicated to children’s stories and how they could done for children to remember and be in awe of the conflicts, the mistakes, and the love and forgiveness of God. It was staid and no surprise to me that my siblings and I all stopped going once we graduated and moved out of the house we grew up in.
I was fortunate to start dating a guy whose family was involved in the church, so would attend with them occasionally and certainly liked it better than the one I was familiar with, but I still did not know about relationship. God was still somewhat scary and judgmental and I felt as though I would NEVER measure up. He was stern, always looking for sins, not lovingly correcting, not there with any problems. My background doubted Him and love–and He had to be way too busy to worry or tend to my daily issues. I could be Peter saying to the Lord, “Depart from me; I am a sinful (wo)man.” (Luke 5:8). How little I knew, and sometimes still don’t know. But I know He loves me, He is with me, He wants the best for me, and will work things out so the best comes to pass.
But I wish I had known much earlier about churches that engage their members and children, and about children’s camps and learning about Jesus, and accepting Him at a young age. I wish I had been able to offer that to my children. Instead, I talk and share, with my children and siblings, they nod politely, (sometimes with a smirk and a roll of the eyes) and there is no depth of information accepted by them. So I continue to pray for them several times throughout the days, and find comfort in the fact that God wants no one to perish, that no seed goes unnoticed–because of free will and worldly cares, it may not be accepted–but it is landed–and hopefully sprouted, that He supplies others to also share the Word. And because my family all know my many faults, I think it is easy for them to think, “well she may believe in God, but she still has lots of faults. . .” And they are right. But they look at life through a worldly lens, and not as the fact that all of our lives will end–and some will be entirely unexp0ected–accident, murder, so other horrific event, and then there is no time to accept. But he has made it clear in his Word–2 Peter 3:9, John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, Ezekiel 33:11. He makes it clear we have free choice, but God yearns for us to choose Him, repent and confess our sins, and accept Jesus as our Savior since Jesus willingly died on the cross so that WE could be justified through Him. Most of my family do not get it, and choose not to discuss. So I can only pray others will help lead and encourage them. I regret only that I found the Way as an adult instead of as a child and could attend and active biblical church for them. But, I do know God has a plan, and He answers prayers when they are said with gratitude and with belief. So my family is in His hands.
Thank you, Father for pursuing me and letting me rest in you, for teaching me your ways and having many of your words imprinted within my heart. I am so thankful for all you have given me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Genesis 4:9 -11 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
Genesis 6:14-17 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. You shall make a window for the ark and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything on earth shall die.
Genesis 7:1-4, 8-9 Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” . . . Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded.
Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Exodus 3:2-5, 7-8 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” The He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is hold ground.” . . . And the LORD said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittities and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.
Exodus 7:14-Exodus 12:39 So the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go. Go to Pharaoh in the morning, when he goes out to the water, and you shall stand by the river’s bank to meet him; and the rod which was turned inro a serpent you shall take in your hand . . . And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves
1 Kings 19:11-13 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Matthew 4:18-22, And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
Mark 1:16-18 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
John 4;4 But He needed to go through Samaria. . . . A woman of Samaria came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” . . .
Acts 9:3-9 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the LORD said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go onto the city, and you will be told what you must do.” . . .
In early March, I awoke on a Sunday morning, greeted the day and God, but felt tired, with no purpose, and as though I did not want to go to church. I was not doing coffee service that morning so maybe it would be okay to skip service today? I never feel like missing church and my community. But this particular Sunday, I just felt “BLAH” and did not want to go to church, not do my regular Sunday routine. But then I felt a feeling of guilt. How could I miss celebrating Sunday with my church communality? Although I was not working coffee preparation that morning, I was in that area, that when Pastor Bobby spotted me and asked me if he could have a moment to talk with me.
I readily agreed, and my mind smiled since I almost had not come to church that day. He told me that he had asked around for someone to do the secretarial work to cover two important meetings for the church, and two separate people had quickly recommended me and my name. After a couple of questions being answered, I agreed to the position he asked me to consider. And immediately I thought how I had not wanted to come to church this morning. But God had whispered that I should go, and I had gotten out of bed, done my usual routine, dressed and walked the dog, and came in and had my first cup of coffee. But knew I was going to church. God had urged me to get out of bed, and conduct my normal morning and get ready for church.
My pastor had asked me to consider doing a volunteer position. That position sounded a bit challenging, but also appropriate for some of my stronger skills. I am an organizer, I write fairly well, and I like details, keeping things in order. And it made me smile, and think, “Thank You, God. You know I had no energy; did not want to attend church this morning. But God had a purpose that morning. I complied without knowing exactly why, but now, God had brought the pastor to me with a request. And I had accepted. I was pleased to hear the pastor had received my name from two other persons who knew me, some of my talents and felt a little humor at God that He had planned the encounter, and I was able to recognize it immediately. I had a God appointment.
I have had many God urgings. I knew I was NOT supposed to marry my first husband. Although at this first point, I had not seen a lot of his more violent tendencies, I had an unease. My parents had not liked him or been at ALL in favor of this marriage. Being almost nineteen and knowing ALL, I had insisted on marrying him, probably just because my parents were so concerned. In hindsight, I was such a brat during this time. I didn’t rant and rave; I spoke quietly, but insistently that this was the man I wanted to make my Prince Charming. But he did not have enough to be a Prince Charming.
I desperately wanted to have a marriage like my parents had. Growing up, when friends would question whenever they came to our home if my parents always acted like they were on a honeymoon. My father would enter the kitchen on a Saturday while she was beginning to cook dinner, then reach down and kiss the back of her neck, and she would turn and give him a kiss on the cheek, and then they would each continue to whatever they had been doing prior to this small, brief interlude. My friends did not have parents who showed their brief moments of affection to one another, so seeing my parents offer these moments made them smile, but also wonder if this was a regular occurrence in our home. And it was
I was a little fearful, which grew rapidly one evening when I shared my hesitations. He had threatened me, the biggest threat was that he would tell his mother to tell the folks at the psych hospital that I was in danger of harming myself, and was acting crazy. I believed him, and I feared that he and his mother would lie and try to have me committed and then I would never be able to get out. I believed him when he said his mother would lie and say anything he wanted her to say. I knew she thought her eldest son could do no wrong and she would do anything for him. Unsteadily, and frightened, I finally agreed to go through with the wedding.
Shortly after this, when I was still unsure and anxious about going through with the marriage, my father now agreed to walk me down the aisle. Yikes, I was hoping I could still back out of the wedding because my parents were not in favor.
I knew they STILL did not like him, like the idea of me marrying him, but they chose to support me. Standing in the back of the church in the borrowed pretty gown, I turned to my father. “Maybe I shouldn’t do this.” But now, I did not want it, I was afraid of this man I had argued to marry. Yet I had seen temper and violence. That morning, I knew I could run with my father beside me; alone I was too afraid of him and his mother.
But my father reassured me, it was probably nerves, and I never told him during those brief moments that I was afraid of the man, not just the ceremony.
We had a brief honeymoon after in a nearby hotel, and two days later were coming back. Suddenly, my gold wedding band fell off my finger in three separate and equal pieces. I gave a brief, disbelieving chuckle and showed it to him. HIs immediate questions was what I had done to it. And my stunned response was what could one do to break solid gold ring in 3 equal parts. We went to the jeweler who was stunned. There were no marks of any kind of damage, nothing to warp the ring from a circular shape when pieces were placed back in align. The jeweler was also amazed, and agreed to give us a new one. When asked if I wanted the same engraving on it–I said no engraving. It all felt like hypocrisy. But I knew God had broken the ring to show me that this was not His design for my life. I was unsure how to get out of it, and I was scared. I did not want to be disobedient to God, but I feared this man. And I had been raised with the idea that marriage was a commitment for life.
I have gone to events I really did not feel like attending. My mental plan has been to stay for an hour to an hour and a half, then make excuses and leave. Each time, I have met someone who needed a shoulder and an ear, just needed to share as they were new to the area, were stressed and needed a hand getting groceries in. They were not big encounters, but each time, I knew He was saying, “See, I needed you to be there.”
I still like my quiet times, and remain shy about reaching out and jumping forward to get involved, but have found that when encouraged, He has a plan, and I am so glad to have engaged in whatever He arranged. Lord, thank You for my God appointments when I have been able to give some minor assistance to another; it is a satisfying feeling. A reward. You have always been there guiding me and urging me forward for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 91 frequently termed the soldier’s Psalm
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Isaiah 41:6, 10 Everyone helped his neighbor and said to his brother, “Be of good courage!”
Luke 3:14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So He said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one’s life for one’ friends.
Romans 13:4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, and avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Ephesians 6:10-17 Putting on the full armor of God to fight battles and resist the devil
1 Corinthians 9:7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? . . .
2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our war are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier
Today is July 3. Tomorrow our country celebrates Independence Day. Our independence was won from England almost 250 years ago, July 2, 1776. For the most part, I wonder how many actually think of our men and women who are presently fighting for our freedoms somewhere in the world. I know their family and friends here will be thinking of them.
People began coming to this country back in the 1600″s, with Jamestown, VA being the first established in 1607, and the next largest and best known was Plymouth, MA in 1620. Many were sent as prisoners–some for inability to pay taxes, some for minor crimes, and some came for religious freedoms.
In the 1500’s several stood up demanding better access to the Written Word of God. Many did not care for the fact they were kept away from Bibles once publishing became more readily available; they wanted to read the words for themselves–not have the Roman Catholic Church say what could be shared, as well as many of the Catholic dictates at that time. Martin Luther , John Calvin, King Henry VIII and others questioned the Catholic Church and many of their practices. It started a huge religious and political debate throughout England and the Netherlands and so forth and certainly in Rome. The Catholic Church was accustomed to gathering in payments as they were the interpreters of the Word, and demanded payment to support the church, the priests and taking care of the upkeep for the various churches.
But eventually, many different thoughts and many diverse views within the churches — Lutheranism, Calvinism and so forth. This all caused a stir among the political and religious factions, leading many to want to strike out and go to a brand new land and develop their own religious community. So many fled England and upper Europe looking for new starts, adventure, and land, new opportunities. Hope.
However, mostly in the twentieth century and moving forward, our country celebrated with get-togethers, food, camaraderie, and fireworks. A time of summer celebrations, get-togethers, and fireworks. A time to enjoy our freedom, all sorts of yummy foods, and the lovely evening light shows.
But how many remember the reason we should be truly celebrating and honoring our military who have fought and sometimes died for our freedoms. For our independence. Ours is one of the most blessed countries in the world. In large part due to our military and their efforts to keep our freedoms. Our military have served under “real” fireworks–cannons, machine guns, rifles and bombs and more weapons of mass destruction. I hope we take the time to say a genuine thanks for what these men and women and their families have given to ensure our independence, our freedom. These men and women are educated and trained in their military jobs to go and serve to keep our country free. They are separated oftentimes from many of the blessings that we enjoy daily–and sometimes just take for granted.
Just as a quick for instance, do you think about electricity when you flip a switch? What about running water when you want a drink, flush the toilet, take a shower? Pretty much we take these things as a given, a commonplace occurrence. Until something breaks. But often our military are sent to places that run on generators, they are treating the water to make it drinkable and usable. Many are coming home scarred, with loss of limbs, part of faces, eyes, etc, wounded on the outside and inside. Yet they have given, donated, SACRIFICED a portion of their lives so we can enjoy the privileges this country offers.
My eldest son spent some time in Iraq working as a civilian a few years ago. He lived in a tent and dealt with the constant sand, heat and discomforts. There were bombings nearby, and it was not a place he ever totally relaxed. His job was not to find and disable mine fields, be on patrol and risk a bombing, or sniper shootings, or to deal with precious children who have bombs strapped to them and are sacrificed in the name of Allah. But he worked with people whose jobs did put them in more direct contact with these dangers. I have good friends who have one son in Syria and it is definitely not a vacation spot. There are frequent bombings, planes dropping missiles, food is definitely “not home cookin’.” He has served in the Army for six years and is confident in his training, but this deployment has been one where there is little relaxation and he and his friends are always on-guard. They will not be celebrating the holiday much, and hopefully their “fireworks” will bring no injuries or death.
Enjoy your Independence Day celebrations. But please remember there are many of our military who are not able to celebrate this day of freedom tomorrow. Because they are off working, some in horrific conditions, so that we can enjoy ours. Our military deserve our gratitude. They are another blessing this country has. May God keep each of you safe.
Lord, I thank You for all military men and women and their families. It is a sacrifice for them to serve. Thank You for the freedoms this country still has for now. I am forever grateful to You for what You have done for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
“A living is what you get; a life is what you give.” quote from a church sign published in “The Great Book of American Church Signs” by Donald Seitz, 2008, Publishing Company Sock and Roll Company, 900 20th Ave South, Suite 614, Nashville, TN 37212
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden.’
Psalm 81:8-10 Hear me, my people, and I will warn you–if you would only listen to me, Israel! You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Mark 14:38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Romans 7:19 I do not do the good I want to do , but the evil I do not want to do. So if I do things I do not want to do, then I am not the one doing them. It is sin living in me that does those things.
Galatians 5:17, 24 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to one another, to keep you from doing what you want to do. . . . Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Ephesians 4:27 And give no opportunity to the devil.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will provide a way of escape that you may be able to endure it.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have become new
Hebrews 2:18 For because He himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to hep those who are being tempted.
James 1:13-15 When tempted no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life–is not from the Father but is from the world.
***Bruce Wilkinson in Devotionals of Temptations: Overcome Your Temptations, Bible App Plan, October 2, 2018
I am usually a “want it and obtain it now” person. Immediate gratification. Truly, that has not always been possible in my life, or I am sure in anyone’s life. Logistics, and finances always can interfere, but I do find that if I have a need/want, I will try to get the item as soon as possible. I must admit this tends to frustrate my kids when they are looking for what they can get me for birthday, Christmas, or any other time. Their feeling, and I understand it, is that would have been nice to get for such and such and obviously she wanted it.
Frequently, I do not need the item right away. I have plenty of clothing, I can wait for a specific tool if I have broken one, and there is no urgency usually to my needs/wants. Yet, I tend to identify something that can be useful and order it. Order, done, and it arrives in a couple of days. (I must admit I love Amazon!) But truly, I understand the frustration my kids feel also when I have gone, purchased something and they now wonder what they can do as a gift I want, could use, and have already purchased. Trust me, I am good with a card, we can have take out pizza or a sandwich or something. I truly don’t need things bought for me.
But having the ability to order and pay for something right away is not always showing the control that God wants me to have. There is little I lack that I need but I have the ability to order and get what I want, can use, may help me in a project, but I do not need. This a selfish jumping to attain–it is spur of the moment of desire and spending. It is a form of idol accumulation. I justify sometimes with “I need the new bird feeders. The ones I have had for the past 6-8 months has gotten so wet over time, that the seeds have rotted in the bottom and I cannot empty it and dry it. I do not want to make birds sick.” The birds are a visual gift God grants me daily; and I am very thankful to be able to see them and feed them. But Amazon has made it easy for me to replace things within a few days. And I tend to do that.
And once I do that then it is out of the back of my mind, it is ordered, will arrive soon, then I can replace whatever was broken/damaged/or no longer safe to use. But I am satisfying my want need, not always being practical, and therefore succumbing to a temptation to purchase a desire–fast. Which of course, leads into my patience versus impatience tendencies.
But, yes, I do purchase when I do not truly need–just to fill an urge, a desire, and that is more in line with idol worship. Perhaps I liked the shirt, pants, shoes, or whatever. I will order when I see something another will enjoy as a gift–usually to tuck away until an event–birthday, Christmas, or new house warming or whatever. And I am blessed I can do that, but it is also showing no resistance to being tempted and warding that off. Little time is spent in weighing IF I SHOULD make the purchase. I see it, I think it is perfect, and it is ordered, and done. That is sinful behavior; I am feeding immediate gratification, and it is a type of idol accumulation.
“Temptations increase their persuasive power by adding enticement.” Bruce Wilkinson in “Overcome Your Temptations” day 4 in Bible App Devotionalse
A need is not a want. A want is a desire, and admiration of something attractive in some mode–taste, sight, or even hope. (I hope this cream will really work on these wrinkles….) There are so many in this world that cannot fill some of the necessary and simple needs in their life. Water is a 20-30 minute walk from home, so a member of the family makes the walk with a couple of pails, and carries it home. How much sloshes out on the way? Food is also not plentiful. Parents watch their young children starve to death, a slow, uncomfortable death, leaving them with hopelessness, anger, guilt, and knowing it can easily happen again. Birth control is certainly not plentiful in most of these countries, most medications are not readily available to keep children from developing a fatal illness
But I don’t live in a third world country, in a tent of a couple blankets set over some saplings, with no green grass around, only dry dusty dirt. Are these couples happy they are expecting a child? How do you have hope in that situation. How often do I think of a situation like this when I grab my phone and put in an order for something. . . and there are parents in another part of the world who have no freedoms to do any of this. They cannot even provide their children with clean water, food, milk — only a hug as the child suffers in hunger. And the parent suffers in hunger, anger, despair and hopelessness.
Once we believe in Jesus and trust Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to reside within us. Are all our old desires to put to rest? No. Some are, and many may have the blessing of completely changing or discarding the bad, unhealthy things they were doing. But for many, that is not the way. We have to stumble over our different temptations, and determine if we want to give in to a desire which may be harmful to us; overspending, drugs, alcohol, over-working and not enough down time, no quality time with family. Perhaps you work 10-12 hours daily, put in a few hours on a Saturday, then go play pickle ball/ touch football/ or basketball/softball, or something. But it is not with your family, your wife and children, or perhaps husband and children. Fulfilling your desire to spend your time and energies in this manner is filling your temptation–and blatantly showing your family THEY are not worth you spending time with them.
That is one of the things with idols. It shows your preference is that object (fill in the blank), and not God first, then family, then work. I know bosses can be tremendously unreasonable when it comes to your time, your family. Unfortunately, our culture has encouraged more work, less family time. ‘Get ahead, work harder, move on this NOW, and so forth.’ But that is NOT what God wants for Him or for us. He wants to be number ONE in our lives, then He will help all other pieces fall into the best place for you and your family. Drop the idols of over-work, alcohol, drugs, spending money, and put your priorities in the order that God ordained.
As mentioned, addictions come in MANY forms –alcohol, drugs, eating unhealthily, spending too much money, hoarding, smoking, sex/pornography. All addictions pull your attention and heart from God. And because the Holy Sp0irit comes to live within you when you choose and accept the invitation from God, you have the power to work with the Holy Spirit and ask for help in healing these addictions. God may not STOP our addictions like magic. He allows us to stumble until we seek to end them with HIs help. Sometimes it is a process, others may decide to give up an addiction, turn their minds away from it–and never wrestle with that decision.
Quitting smoking was a process for me. I enjoyed smoking–relaxed in a bunch of people I didn’t know who also smoked, and I was unsure of what to say, who to talk with, and my shyness was rearing its FEAR, and the deep breathing, and having something to do with my hands, made me feel slightly more confident in a crowd. It felt like it soothed when I was stressed to have that cigarette pack. But, although I tried to quit it took several attempts before I was successful, and I had a plethora of things I did to beat the cravings, the anxiety, and the other symptoms both physical and emotional, as well as spiritual as Satan was loudly and ferociously trying to suck me back into having “just one.” But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we did defeat this addiction.
Sweets are another addiction I have, although most of the time, I can have one or even a half of a serving, and want no more. It may then be days before I want a sweet again. And if I am busy have therefore tell my mind I will get in when done as a reward–usually, I forget and thereby don’t have it.
I have many flaws and pray that God will use a hammer and chisel and a coarse sandpaper to remove them. And although I can see progress from where I was to where I am, I get discouraged with what still needs to be changed. But we are all a work in progress.
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I give in to temptation too often. Things are easy for us to purchase here compared to many other countries. WE are blessed–for now. There are so many things in my home that I can donate
I am a work in progress. And I thank You, Lord, that you have a long ways to go before the flaws are smoothed, I am thankful You hare there always walking with me, and helping me curb my addictive desires, and have always been with me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!