A Very Small Miracle

I was thinking what I should right but then I couldn't think of anything. Then, I went to my favorite diner to get something to eat. I was distressed about not finding anybody.

Would anyone truely love me?
Why do I keep meeting guys only interested in sex?

And I kept getting discouraged, looking down at my plate, and looking to the right of me self-conciously because a man was sitting there reading his paper. I wondered if he was looking at me.
If he was, I concluded, it wasn't in the way I wanted. He tried to engage me once asking me if I needed the syrup for my pancakes. I told him I didn't and he left me alone.

Then, out of nowhere a middle-aged hispanic man comes in and says "God bless you all." His face is calm and his voice unwavering. He continued to hand everyone little religious pamphlets until the manager of the diner showed her disaproval.

All the other customers were disgruntled after he left. The manager felt the need to apologize to everyone. They took the pamphlet to be kind and some were annoyed. We live in a culture that despises religion, especially Christianity. The pamphlet was titled "You Have an Appointment with Death". It was a call for anyone who asks to lead a life of following Jesus Christ.

Although the man did not know me, he couldn't have, I felt as though God directed this message to me so tha I would not give up and so that I would stand for what I believe in.

The clerk behind the counter asked me, "Do you want me to get rid of that for you?"
I told her, "No, really, I'm fine."

I paid for my meal and left.

The Unmarried Woman

She has many names and some are not so nice but the Lord will see her through. She is not a feminist, she would like to be married but it is just not in God's plan or God may have blessed her earlier in life with a husband who has passed.
Whether single virgin, single non-virgin, divorcee or widow, God has a plan for the unmarried woman.

I'm single now. I am prepared to never marry or have sex. I feel that God is more concerned with me being holy than happy. It is definitely the harder path but following God is not supposed to be easy. In this evil world, as we get closer to the Lord's return and tribulation marriage seems less ideal.




Here, the advantages of being single are clearly outlined.
1. I will not have brought children into the world to experience God's wrath and punishment due to the moral decline of man.

"But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people."
(Luke 21:23 King James Version)
2. I am promised a spiritual family anyway.

"For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband."
(Galatians 4:27 King James Version)

3. I can focus more on the Lord.

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
(1 Corinthians 7:34 King James Version)

4. I can show myself faithful to God.

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
(1 Corinthians 7:25)

But this is only for a few people. It is not the path for many men or women. If you don't have the gift don't worry just marry.

"But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."

(Matthew 19:11-12 King James Version)

Prayer of Purity

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

(Psalms 51:10-11 King James Version)

Amen.

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

The presence of these people may hinder a Christian person's walk in the Lord.

Sometimes we will have to avoid these people if they are hurting us too much with their actions.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23 King James Version)

So, Christians are to observe these people but not worry about them. God feels they are spiritually dangerous.

Let's pray for strength in our convictions: 

"From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." 
(Galatians 6:17 King James Version)

Amen.

Verses I found Interesting

Leviticus

Lev 10:1-3
(Lev 10:1)  And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

(Lev 10:2)  And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

(Lev 10:3)  Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.


I think that because they were doing strange practices God killed them, this "strange fire" seems like a euphemism for a fire God could not recognize as a holy fire for him. I think about how other religions light candles. Are these fires for the one true God? Wicca for instance uses candles for magical purposes. Nadab means liberal and Abihu means worshipper of God. However, we see that holy people end up doing incorrect things too. God not pleased and took their lives in verse 2. God states in verse 3 that he will be glorified. We can assume that God was not being glorified by the unfaithfulness of their servants or their lack of listening to Moses' instruction.

Lev 11:44  For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

In context this is in Chapter 11 of Leviticus and it states that we should not eat certain animals and does not prohibit eating animals, like some people say that it does. This is just one evidence of that. This was addressed to Moses however it seems reasonable that God would want us to eat healthy.

Each time I read "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying," I think that the following verses will be instructed to Moses alone. Are the commands still profitable to read? Of course, to learn about what these leaders were required to do and learn about the culture at that time.

Chapter 26 is where the Ten Commandments are found but they were addressed to Moses and his people. Look here:

Lev 26:46  These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.
This is the last verse of that chapter.

Now look here:
(Lev 27:1)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

(Lev 27:2)  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation.

This is also addressed to Moses. Is a singular vow a vow to remain single or offer oneself up to God. Nuns, priests, hermits and consecrated virgins may actually have a biblical bases. This more about vowing or promising something great to the lord, may it be land or something else. But this is not to be a direct command simply an option for those that want this. In this chapter God shows his guidlines for this formal process.

What about the head covering?

This is a very controversial topic that comes up today. In several christian traditions we see head coverings of all different styles.

So what qualifies as a covering?

I've seen a Christian ladies sport the doily, headscarf, satin bonnet, turban, hat, snood, hijab, and even kerchief as options.

 
(crossover.ellison.net;onlinebaptist.com;wikipaintings.org;masterfile.com;sunshinecreations.vintage.org;depositphotos.com)

What does the bible say?

 1Co 11:5  But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Co 11:6  For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
1Co 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
1Co 11:8  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
1Co 11:9  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1Co 11:10  For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1Co 11:11  Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1Co 11:12  For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1Co 11:13  Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Co 11:14  Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Co 11:15  But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

The bible makes clear that hair is a covering in verse 15. In verse 6, another covering is recommended on top of her hair. If the woman does not wear a head covering she should cut her hair. If she doesn't want to cut her "glory" she needs to cover her head.

In Judaism wigs are considered coverings. Though, I am a believer I choose to wear a wig cap under my wigs to symbolize a headcovering. This way I am covering my hair without bringing attention to myself.

 

Studying the Stones of the Bible

The Bible describes the New Jerusalem in great detail with many references to stones.

. 

Rev 21:18  And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 

Rev 21:19  And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 

Rev 21:20  The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 

Rev 21:21  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 

So,the bible lists these stones in order as well

1. jasper
2. sapphire
3. chalcedony
4. emerald
5. sardonyx
6. sardius
7. chrysolite
8. beryl
9. topaz
10. chrysoprasus 
11. jacinth
12. amethyst.

In the next following days I will post some information about each stone.

Welcome My Friends

Perhaps you have stumbled upon this page because you are curious, or perhaps you have changed in your spiritual walk with God. Today is another day to see the sunrise, to look into the mirror, to enjoy what this physical life has to offer and to express love for others.

It is my hope that you cultivate the spirit of love, so that you may forgive those who have hurt you, however many, however long ago, so that you can open yourself up for more love, and receive love from others. As Believers and Disciples of our savior Jesus Christ, we have oh-so-much to learn in all His ways.

When we love the Lord, we are best able to listen to Him and obey Him, and when we love others we can bring them closer to Him through our example.

I invite you to join me as I read and study the bible.