Google and Apps!

How many of you remember searching for information back in the days using one of these or going to one of these places?

It was a time that we had to be really resourceful when we wanted to find out about something or learn about something. With today's technology some of these items are slowly fading away.

Today if we want to find information we can google for it on the Internet with our computers, laptops, cell phones and yes even the e-book. We can also add that information to our favorites or find an app for it so all we have to do is push that app button. People use this technology to find answers to their problems, whether it be a health issue, a solution to a particular problem or to find an answer they think will help them personally. People will search and search and search never truly finding the answer that will satisfy them.

There is one search engine, one app, one book that; has been, here today and always will be here for us to use to find our answers.  It is the first and will out last all.

Isaiah 40:8  "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

1 Peter 1:25 "but the word of the Lord stands forever"

We live in a world where we are searching. People who do not know God search in areas that give them no satisfaction.

Psalm 4:2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

They believe that there is no God or if they do, they believe He will not help them or give them the answers they want.

Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Looking for answers in material things or false things, it will not be found and comprehension will never be filled.

Ecclesiastes 8:17b No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning.

We should look to God, seek Him out and acquire meaning through Him, he will not steer us wrong and He does give us the answers but it will be an answer that He thinks is best for us and not the one we think would be best.

1Chronicles 16:11 Look to the LORD and his strength; see his face always.

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

The thing we have to do is ask and seek. He will open the door to you but you must believe that He exists and have the faith that He will give you an answer.  He will every time.

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."

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

You want to know a little secret? If you do not own a Bible in book form you can find an app for that too and add it to your phone, ( for which I do have on my phone)  add to favorites on your computer or laptop and so forth.  As in the Biggest Loser show would say for this season "there is no excuse" not to have a Bible. NO Excuse to not turn to Him and ask. He will help you, I promise just it will be His answer and it will be in His time.



What does one see?

Mirror, Mirror

What one sees in self someone else may see differently.

Are we as Christians, believers of Jesus Christ, the son of the almighty God similar to the Pharisees? Are we showy on the outside? How do people see you?

Pharisees:  are from the Jewish sect, believed in life after death, the resurrection, believed angels and demons exist, and that keeping the law is the way to God. (CARM, 2011)

These people were showy on the outside, new the law very well and were the most influential on the people. But because they knew the law did the abide by them?

     Matthew 23:2-4  "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulder, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."

Matthew 23:5  "Everything they do is done for men to see:"

Matthew 23:13-14  "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."

Matthew 23:15  "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

We are teachers of the law for we are God's children. Jesus Christ gave us the power to spread the "good news" but do we? How much are we like the Pharisees? Do we practise what we preach? Do we not help those that need help? Do we let people see that we are Christians on the outside, but what about the inside? Do we help Satan by not telling people about Christ, just keeping to ourselves? When a  person comes to Christ do we not help them to further their relationship with Christ?

I am guilty of doing some of these things, I will confess to that. I am not an expert on God's wonderful Words but I know some of His words. You don't have to be an expert like the Pharisees, preachers, etc... but we must know enough to tell others.  Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to help us do His will, His work. Do we fall on that?

Who did Jesus sit and eat with?

Luke 15:1-2  Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Do we really welcome sinners? Do we really except them for who they really are? Do we associate with those that are different from ourselves? Do we care enough to spread the "word" in to our communities? Do we treat other Christians in the same manner?

Jesus the son of God was treated very harshly? How harshly do we treat others, sinners and Christians alike? Are we like those of Jesus' day?

Luke 18:32  "He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him."

When was the last time you looked in the mirror? What did you see? I myself don't always see a pretty person, but one who needs Jesus everyday, one who needs to be in His words, and one who needs to be the same on the inside as well as the outside. It is work to be Christ like but it is not hard to reach out to sinners and our fellow Christian family.

"Forgive me Lord for I have failed you."

Garden of Goodness

In the beginning "God created", such wonderful words to begin with.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

     Have you ever really looked at what He has created seriously? Have you really enjoyed what He created? While I deliver the mail I get the advantage to see all He has created from the land to the animals.  I don't have a route that goes near the lake but I have been on a few that have when I was a sub.

     Anyways I was eating my lunch the other day when I popped a wedge of orange in my mouth.  Talk about the sweet goodness I was eating.  I just had to give Him the praise and awe of that juicy orange.  Here are other things He created for us to eat.

 

This is just a sample platter of His creation!

Genesis 1:11-13  Then God said "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was eveing and there was morning--the third day.

This is what I think His garden looked like when He created it.

     Mine does not look that good and I will be honest I don't have a green thumb and if I do try to grow something, my timing is off too. So I wish I could grow things but I will leave it for those who God gave the talent of growing to.  So, He had to put a care taker in His gardern to take care of it, so this is what He did.

Genesis 2:15-16 The LORD God took the mand and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;

Remember when you eat something fresh and delicious give God all the praise for it.

Thank you LORD for your bountiful goodness!