Mark 11:24

Mark 11:24- "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours

Daily Bible Reading from BibleStudyTools.com February 25, 2012 - New International Version Matthew 6:1-18

Daily Bible Reading from BibleStudyTools.com
February 25, 2012 - New International Version
Matthew 6:1-18
Giving to the Needy 1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
6:9-13pp -- Lk 11:2-4 5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ' 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Fasting 16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Day - 3 - Ask

Revised Standard Version (RSV) New International Version (NIV)
Matthew 7:7 'Ask and it will be given to you.

David discusses the above statement:
It's hard to think of any action more fundamental than asking. When the cat is making thorough nuisance  of himself



To be contiued.........................

As stated in David's book
Reflection
The very act of asking is the act of humility.

A Prayer
Lord, Help me to deal with anxiety by asking rather than worry.ing-or struggling to do it myself. Amen.

Discussion
If god knows our needs before we ask him, what difference does it make (a) to us, and (b) to him that we should ask?

Day - 2 - Want

Revised Standard Version (RSV) New International Version (NIV)
Mark 10:51 'What do you want me to do for you'? Jesus asked him.

David discusses the above statement: In a surveyed  done among parents regarding the first words that they children said it was, "I want". "I want Mummy".

As humans in this very selfish and competitive world we know from a very early age what we want and from an early age.

"wanting" is very different from "seeking"

Wanting is unfocused and vague.

Seeking is a priority, defined and clear.

Once I identify Mummy I can then want and need her. When I discover chocolate I can then want chocolate.

"While 'seeking' is the first step in the amazing journey into Christianity, "Wanting then follows.

To be contiued.........................

As stated in David's book
Reflection
Nobody fills a cup unless they know it's empty. Recognizing our emptiness is an essential first step to being filled.

A Prayer
Lord Jesus, like Bartimaeus I want to see. Open my inward eyes so that i can recognize both what i need and what you are willing to give me. Amen..

Discussion
The credit card slogan offered to 'take the waiting out of wanting'. Are there similar simplistic slogans in the spiritual realm?

Thought of the day

God moves and works in mysterious ways!

Verse of the Day - Biblestudytool.com

Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Day - 1 - Seek

Revised Standard Version (RSV) New International Version (NIV)
38 Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?"

David discusses the above statement: "seek and you will find" He states that Seek is a very common work  through out the bible. "when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me", Prophet Jeremiah.

How do we discover God?

What is he all about?

What can he do for me?

Faith is a journey of discovery, finding God which was hidden from us, for some, a long time for others not very long.
Hide and seek.
We seek God.
This is God's promise to us we seek and he will find us!

Jesus turned around to his followers in The Gospel of John and said "What do you seek?"
It has been translated as "What are you looking for?"
Interesting, what are we looking for when we seek God?

As stated in David's book
Reflection

We can't know what it is we want until we discover what it is we are looking for.

A Prayer
Lord, help me to turn my vague wants into a genuine search for truth. Amen.

Discussion
What do you think people in our modern society are really looking for? And how do they pursue their search for it?

Ash Wednesday

I have decided to read the following book for Lent and read  scripture daily.

Now like me many of you out there may be very busy especially if your a mum like me. I never have time to read the bible, I promise myself at night before I go to bed but that just doesn't work. I am way to tired I go to bed to sleep not read lol.

I do however like my morning coffee (this is a must otherwise I turn into a monster). So, i have decided to ask my hubby to give me 30 mins in the morning with my coffee to read this simple book every day through Lent. Actually it only really takes about 5 mins to read and reflect so it really easy that easy. I think it is great because it get's your mind working, plants a little seed of information which will get you thinking through the day!

I will try and promise to do this every day for myself and you.

Good luck and hope you enjoy this little journey!

How does God speak to us?

I have been wondering and discussing with some beautiful people over the last few days how God speaks to us, I am still really confused and keep looking out, however it has been right under my nose.
Emma sending me Psalm 40 today out of the blue for no specific reason I can see. Bible class discussing Samuel 1 and talking to a wonderful Lady in Church on Sunday. All seemed so coincidental but actual not at all. God moves in mysterious ways. I love my church and all the amazingly wonderful Chritian people I have had the pleasure of meeting, I am truly thankful.

Psalm 40 - Thank you Emma

Thank you my Darling Emma for sending this to me you have no idea how relevant this is to me right now! Spooky?

Psalm 40
Psalm 40 For the choir director: A psalm of David.
 1 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the LORD.

1 Samuel 1-2:10 (English Standard Version) - Biblegateway.com

1 Samuel 1-2:10
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Birth of Samuel
1 There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. 2 He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. 4 On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.[a] 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

9 After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. 10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.”18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”[b]

Verse of the Day - Biblestudytool.com

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Peace and Hope

Romans 5:1-5 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ . . . and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.”

Psalm 55:22

Verse of the Day - Biblestudytool.com

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Reverse Thinking

I saw this posted on Facebook today  and wanted to share with others, but fortunately I do not put my Christian beliefs on there as I only want my Christian fellows and others who do not know me to know this blog. Only until I am able to let my non Christian family and friends know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgFU5Ak88-k&sns=fb

I literally Dispair

I am having a really bad day and I literal Despair.......

2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 16-18 (NIV)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Forgiving?

Forgiving someone is the hardest thing any human being can do! We must remember that as human beings we are far from perfect and we all do make mistake. So, with this in mind does it make it easier to forgive?

Roller-coaster of Life

Funny, we live in such an amazing world, it's just that we are so busy on our roller coasters of life we don't realize. We need to get off more often, even if it's just for 2 minutes and take in our beautiful surrounding and appreciate what we have in life.

Sins?

Apart from the ten commandments as stated below:
 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17 NKJV)
1 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My Commandments.
3 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
4 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
6 “You shall not murder.
7 “You shall not commit adultery.
8 “You shall not steal.
9 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.”
Did you think of these as Sins?

Anger, bitterness, drunkenness, hate, Ignoring God, immoral acts, envy, immoral thought, lying, spite, pride, swearing, stealing.

Some yes, but some no. I better get working on them and ask God for forgiveness. I always wanted to know how I could better myself as a person and never really knew how. Christianity, God and the Bible are and is such a life saver for me.

Belonging

For the first time ever today I feel like I belong somewhere. I have placed my roots. Somewhere where I feel safe and happy. I feel so lucky to have found my faith and the church I go to. Today has been a real eye opener. I have met some wonderful people through out my Journey and it is going to be amazing to know that it has only just begun.
So Jesus, I am so so so grateful that you have allowed me to enjoy and find these wonderful things and people to enjoy and surround myself with.
Funny, I always doubted myself and my faith and then you always show me signs and tell me that actually, I am right where I want and should be. So, I should not only have more faith in you I should also have more faith in myself too.

Why do we still believe when we know it’s probably not true?

http://questionablemotives.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/why-do-we-still-believe-when-we-know-its-probably-not-true/
This is not my choice but my husband's. And, because he is not a Christian and I would like him to be, I am going to put this on here for him.