Category: Insights

The Certainty of the Lord’s Judgment, Ezekiel Chapter 14

“Then this message came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, suppose the people of a country were to sin against Me, and I lifted My fist to crush them, cutting off their food supply and sending a famine to destroy both people and animals. Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, say the Sovereign Lord.

Or suppose I were to send wild animals to invade the country, kill the people, and make the land too desolate and dangerous to pass through. As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, even it those three men were there, they wouldn’t be able to save their own sons or daughters. They alone would be saved, but the land would be made desolate.'” (vv. 12-16, NLT)

Jeremia Escapes from Death, Jeremiah Chapter 26

“When the officials of Judah heard what was happening, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the New Gate of the Temple to hold court. The priests and prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. ‘This man should die!’ they said. ‘You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.’

Then Jeremiah spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense. ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city,’ he said. ‘The Lord gave me every word that I have spoken. But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the Lord your God, He will change His mind about this disaster that He has announced against you. As for me, I am in your hands – do with me as you think is best. But if you kill me, rest assured that your will be killing an innocent man! The responsibility for such a deed will lie on you, on this city, and every person living in it. For it is absolutely true that the Lord sent me to speak every word you have heard.’

Then the officials and the people said to the priests and prophets, ‘This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of God.'” (vv. 10-16, NLT)

Merry Christmas

This is the first Christmas that none of our children and their families live near us. My husband I thought it would be a very sad day but we were wrong. Before opening our presents, my husband found a You Tube channel with continuous Christmas Music, either instrumental or in song. One of my favorites was Sarajevo Christmas by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We enjoyed various renditions of O Holy Night, Silent Night, and Little Drummer Boy. It was heartwarming and both shed a few tears. Remember of true meaning Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ and His gift of redemption, salvation and eternal life.

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile at you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.” (Numbers 6:vv. 24-26, NLT)

Prayer for Healing, Jeremiah Chapter 14

” Lord, have you completely rejected Judah? Do You really hate Jerusalem? Why have You wounded us past all hope of healing. We hoped for peace, but no peace came. We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror. Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We have all sinned against You. For the sake of Your reputation, Lord, do not abandon us. Do not disgrace Your own glorious throne. Please remember us, and do not break Your covenant with us.

Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Can it fall from the sky by itself? No, You are the One, O Lord, Our God! Only You can do such things. So we will wait for You to help us.” (vv. 19-22, NLT)

Excerpts from Isaiah Chapter 57

“Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that god is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” (vv. 1-2, NLT)

God Forgives the Repentant
“God says,’Rebuild the road! clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.’ The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One says,’I live in the high and holy place with those who spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.

For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going their own stubborn way. I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead then. I will comfort those who mourn, bring words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both hear and far,’ says the Lord, who heals them.

‘But those who still reject Me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked,’ says my God.” (14-21, NLT)

Excerpts from Proverbs Chapter 22, NLT

“Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

A prudent person forces danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (vv. 1-6)

Jesus is Always There

We have a little terrier mix and she is very scared of the thunder and rain. She knows when the rain is coming in advance. One rainy day, I was sitting down and my little dog, Tanya, came up to me and got right under my feet. She was shaking like a leaf, very scared. I reached down and started petting her gently, speaking comforting words to her. As I petted her, I said this to her, and this made me start thinking. “It will be okay, baby, daddy is always here to take care of you.” Then it dawned on me. For the times I was afraid, Jesus would take his hand, and gently talk to me and tell me not to be afraid, because He would always be with me. 

I faced death when I was younger, having leukemia, back when there was no cure. Jesus came and touched me, telling me I would be all right, He would always be with me. I was asked to take part in an experimental program. This started with whole body radiation once a day for three days. Then I was given experimental drugs, along with a bone marrow transplant from by brother. I was in reverse isolation, meaning that anyone who entered my room, had wear masks, so I would not get an infection, since all my immunity had been destroyed.

I cried every night in the hospital bed, seeking God’s healing. Psalm 6:6 was a comfort to me. 

“O Lord, don’t rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your rage. Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me? 

Return, O Lord, and recue me. Save me because of your unfailing love. For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise You from the grave? 

I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred with grief; my eyes are worn out because all my enemies. 

Go away, all who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer. May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified. May they suddenly turn back in shame.” (NLT) 

I was one of four people at Emory University Hospital with leukemia and the only one who survived and was cured. Many other times, the Lord took care me in the face of adversity and physical illnesses. 

(My husband told me his story and I have relayed it here)

Outside and Inside

I recently purchased a bag of mandarin oranges. The first one I selected for my snack had some discoloration on the outside. I considered throwing it away. I decided to peel it but was skeptical about the condition of the inside fruit. To my surprise, the slices were plump and sweet. I was glad that I did not judge the orange by its outward appearance.

This reminds me about the story when the Lord told Samuel to find a man named Jesse in Bethlehem, because the Lord had selected one of his sons to be the king. First Samuel 16:17 says, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his (Jesse’s son, Eliab) appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things they way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (NLT)

The Wordless Book of Salvation

In 1911, Charles Spurgeon referred to a man who created a wordless book. It only had three pages, black, red and white. Two more pages have been added since then. This is an excellent tool for teaching the plan of salvation to children, by remembering the colored pages and their meaning. This is available online.

The Plan of Salvation
If you died today, do you know for sure you would go to heaven?

Heaven
God Loves us an wants us to all be with Him in heaven and have eternal life.
John 14:2

Sin
Because we have all sinned, we cannot be with God.
Romans 3:23

Blood
Jesus took the punishment for our sis and died for us on the cross.
1 John 1:7

Purity
When we believe in Jesus, we will be made clean from sin, whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Growth
It is important to grow in your relationship with Jesus by reading the Bible and praying.
2 Peter 3:5

Excerpts from Psalm 143

A psalm of David

“Hear my Prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because You are faithful and righteous. Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is is innocent before You.” (vv. 1-2, NLT)

“I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. I remember the days of old. I ponder all Your great works. and think about what You have done. I lift my hands to You in prayer, I thirst for You as parched land thirst for rain.

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning for I am trusting in You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.” (vv. 4-8 NLT)

“Teach me to do Your will, for Your are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of Your name, O Lord, perceive my life. Because of You faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.” (vv. 10-12, NLT)