I am being changed into His image
Philippians 1:6
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns"
When we are born into this world it is a flawed society, it is a world full of sin. Yet, before we were born God knew us and had a plan and purpose for us.
He created within us dreams and desires. He gave us gifts, anointings and callings. He gave us skills and talents. Everything in this world is set to limit, destroy, or in some way frustrate all that God has gifted us with and the dreams he placed in us.
People who choose not to follow Christ never completely fulfill their potential because it is God and God alone who completes the work in and through us.
You potential is only limited by your trusting in and loving God. The image he wants to change you into, is the very purpose you were created to fulfill.
Paul is writing to a group of people in Philipi, convinced of their relationship with Jesus, and encouraging them that God will make it all happen; He will fulfill you and His promises for you.
Remember the dreams you have, God gave you. The gifts you have God gave you. The calling you have God gave you! He will fulfill it all and bless you abundantly as you choose to trust Him!
Monday, January 6, 2014
Reading through the Word...Day 6
GENESIS 13:5- 15:21
MATTHEW 5:27- 48
PSALM 6:1- 10
PROVERBS 1:29- 33
Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, was also very wealthy with sheep, cattle, and many tents. 6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. There were too many animals for the available pastureland. 7 So an argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land. 8 Then Abram talked it over with Lot. "This arguing between our herdsmen has got to stop," he said. "After all, we are close relatives! 9 I'll tell you what we'll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I'll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I'll move on to another place." 10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose that land for himself-- the Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So while Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom, among the cities of the plain. 13 The people of this area were unusually wicked and sinned greatly against the LORD. 14 After Lot was gone, the LORD said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction. 15 I am going to give all this land to you and your offspring as a permanent possession. 16 And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they cannot be counted! 17 Take a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you." 18 Then Abram moved his camp to the oak grove owned by Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the LORD. 14:1 ABOUT this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim 2 fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (now called Zoar). 3 The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela formed an alliance and mobilized their armies in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea). 4 For twelve years they had all been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but now in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 One year later, Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived. They conquered the Rephaites in Ashteroth- karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in the plain of Kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in Mount Seir, as far as El- paran at the edge of the wilderness. 7 Then they swung around to En- mishpat (now called Kadesh) and destroyed the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon- tamar. 8 But now the army of the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (now called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea 9 against King Kedorlaomer of Elam and the kings of Goiim, Babylonia, and Ellasar-- four kings against five. 10 As it happened, the valley was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some slipped into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains. 11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and began their long journey home, taking all the wealth and food with them. 12 They also captured Lot-- Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom-- and took everything he owned. 13 One of the men who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was camped at the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram's allies. 14 When Abram learned that Lot had been captured, he called together the men born into his household, 318 of them in all. He chased after Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them in Dan. 15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions. Kedorlaomer's army fled, but Abram chased them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Abram and his allies recovered everything-- the goods that had been taken, Abram's nephew Lot with his possessions, and all the women and other captives. 17 As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High,
who has helped you conquer your enemies."
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. 21 The king of Sodom told him, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered." 22 Abram replied, "I have solemnly promised the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you. Otherwise you might say, `I am the one who made Abram rich! '24 All I'll accept is what these young men of mine have already eaten. But give a share of the goods to my allies-- Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre." 15:1 AFTERWARD the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." 2 But Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since I don't have a son, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no children, so one of my servants will have to be my heir." 4 Then the LORD said to him, "No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you." 5 Then the LORD brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, "Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that-- too many to count!" 6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith. 7 Then the LORD told him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land." 8 But Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that you will give it to me?" 9 Then the LORD told him, "Bring me a three- year- old heifer, a three- year- old female goat, a three- year- old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 Abram took all these and killed them. He cut each one down the middle and laid the halves side by side. He did not, however, divide the birds in half. 11 Some vultures came down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away. 12 That evening, as the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep. He saw a terrifying vision of darkness and horror. 13 Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, and they will be oppressed as slaves for four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. 15 (But you will die in peace, at a ripe old age.) 16 After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, when the sin of the Amorites has run its course." 17 As the sun went down and it became dark, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. 18 So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, "I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River-- 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites."
"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye-- even if it is your good eye-- causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand-- even if it is your stronger hand-- causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 31" You have heard that the law of Moses says, `A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a letter of divorce. '32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 "Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say, don't make any vows! If you say, `By heaven! 'it is a sacred vow because heaven is God's throne. 35 And if you say, `By the earth!' it is a sacred vow because the earth is his footstool. And don't swear, `By Jerusalem! 'for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Don't even swear, `By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, `Yes, I will, 'or `No, I won't.' Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong. 38" You have heard that the law of Moses says, `If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. '39 But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. 40 If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. 43 "You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. 46 If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, *how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
For the choir director:A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight- stringed instrument.
1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak.
Heal me, LORD, for my body is in agony.
3 I am sick at heart.
How long, O LORD, until you restore me?
4 Return, O LORD, and rescue me.
Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For in death, who remembers you?
Who can praise you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from sobbing.
Every night tears drench my bed;
my pillow is wet from weeping.
7 My vision is blurred by grief;
my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my crying.
9 The LORD has heard my plea;
the LORD will answer my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
May they suddenly turn back in shame.
"For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They rejected my [wisdom's] advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. For they are simpletons who turn away from me-- to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm
MATTHEW 5:27- 48
PSALM 6:1- 10
PROVERBS 1:29- 33
Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, was also very wealthy with sheep, cattle, and many tents. 6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. There were too many animals for the available pastureland. 7 So an argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land. 8 Then Abram talked it over with Lot. "This arguing between our herdsmen has got to stop," he said. "After all, we are close relatives! 9 I'll tell you what we'll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I'll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I'll move on to another place." 10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose that land for himself-- the Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So while Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom, among the cities of the plain. 13 The people of this area were unusually wicked and sinned greatly against the LORD. 14 After Lot was gone, the LORD said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction. 15 I am going to give all this land to you and your offspring as a permanent possession. 16 And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they cannot be counted! 17 Take a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you." 18 Then Abram moved his camp to the oak grove owned by Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the LORD. 14:1 ABOUT this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim 2 fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (now called Zoar). 3 The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela formed an alliance and mobilized their armies in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea). 4 For twelve years they had all been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but now in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 One year later, Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived. They conquered the Rephaites in Ashteroth- karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in the plain of Kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in Mount Seir, as far as El- paran at the edge of the wilderness. 7 Then they swung around to En- mishpat (now called Kadesh) and destroyed the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon- tamar. 8 But now the army of the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (now called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea 9 against King Kedorlaomer of Elam and the kings of Goiim, Babylonia, and Ellasar-- four kings against five. 10 As it happened, the valley was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some slipped into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains. 11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and began their long journey home, taking all the wealth and food with them. 12 They also captured Lot-- Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom-- and took everything he owned. 13 One of the men who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was camped at the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram's allies. 14 When Abram learned that Lot had been captured, he called together the men born into his household, 318 of them in all. He chased after Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them in Dan. 15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions. Kedorlaomer's army fled, but Abram chased them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Abram and his allies recovered everything-- the goods that had been taken, Abram's nephew Lot with his possessions, and all the women and other captives. 17 As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High,
who has helped you conquer your enemies."
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. 21 The king of Sodom told him, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered." 22 Abram replied, "I have solemnly promised the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you. Otherwise you might say, `I am the one who made Abram rich! '24 All I'll accept is what these young men of mine have already eaten. But give a share of the goods to my allies-- Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre." 15:1 AFTERWARD the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." 2 But Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since I don't have a son, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no children, so one of my servants will have to be my heir." 4 Then the LORD said to him, "No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you." 5 Then the LORD brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, "Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that-- too many to count!" 6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD declared him righteous because of his faith. 7 Then the LORD told him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land." 8 But Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that you will give it to me?" 9 Then the LORD told him, "Bring me a three- year- old heifer, a three- year- old female goat, a three- year- old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 Abram took all these and killed them. He cut each one down the middle and laid the halves side by side. He did not, however, divide the birds in half. 11 Some vultures came down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away. 12 That evening, as the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep. He saw a terrifying vision of darkness and horror. 13 Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, and they will be oppressed as slaves for four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. 15 (But you will die in peace, at a ripe old age.) 16 After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, when the sin of the Amorites has run its course." 17 As the sun went down and it became dark, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. 18 So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, "I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River-- 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites."
"You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye-- even if it is your good eye-- causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand-- even if it is your stronger hand-- causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 31" You have heard that the law of Moses says, `A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a letter of divorce. '32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 33 "Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I say, don't make any vows! If you say, `By heaven! 'it is a sacred vow because heaven is God's throne. 35 And if you say, `By the earth!' it is a sacred vow because the earth is his footstool. And don't swear, `By Jerusalem! 'for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Don't even swear, `By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, `Yes, I will, 'or `No, I won't.' Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong. 38" You have heard that the law of Moses says, `If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. '39 But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. 40 If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. 43 "You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. 46 If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, *how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
For the choir director:A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight- stringed instrument.
1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage.
2 Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak.
Heal me, LORD, for my body is in agony.
3 I am sick at heart.
How long, O LORD, until you restore me?
4 Return, O LORD, and rescue me.
Save me because of your unfailing love.
5 For in death, who remembers you?
Who can praise you from the grave?
6 I am worn out from sobbing.
Every night tears drench my bed;
my pillow is wet from weeping.
7 My vision is blurred by grief;
my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.
8 Go away, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my crying.
9 The LORD has heard my plea;
the LORD will answer my prayer.
10 May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
May they suddenly turn back in shame.
"For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They rejected my [wisdom's] advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. For they are simpletons who turn away from me-- to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm
Sunday, January 5, 2014
What does the Bible say about you...Day 5
You are chosen
We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people
1 Thessalonians 1:4
So what does it mean to be chosen?
- It means God knows you and has called you to be His own.
- It means you are wanted and loved by God!
- It means you have a purpose
- It means you have value
It means it doesn't matter what others may do or say you are called by God to be His very own!
It means you don't ever need to feel alone again, there is someone who knows all there is to know about you and loves you and will never leave you! Can has created and can create everything and anything and yet He chose you!
God loved you so much that he surrendered the life of His Son for you! He willingly came to earth, knowing all of your sin and failures and still chose you!
You are important! You are loved! You are the chosen of God!
We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people
1 Thessalonians 1:4
So what does it mean to be chosen?
- It means God knows you and has called you to be His own.
- It means you are wanted and loved by God!
- It means you have a purpose
- It means you have value
It means it doesn't matter what others may do or say you are called by God to be His very own!
It means you don't ever need to feel alone again, there is someone who knows all there is to know about you and loves you and will never leave you! Can has created and can create everything and anything and yet He chose you!
God loved you so much that he surrendered the life of His Son for you! He willingly came to earth, knowing all of your sin and failures and still chose you!
You are important! You are loved! You are the chosen of God!
Reading through the Word...Day 5
GENESIS 11:1- 13:4
MATTHEW 5:1- 26
PSALM 5:1- 12
PROVERBS 1:24- 28
At one time the whole world spoke a single language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated eastward, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. 3 They began to talk about construction projects. "Come," they said, "let's make great piles of burnt brick and collect natural asphalt to use as mortar. 4 Let's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies-- a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world." 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 "Look!" he said. "If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let's go down and give them different languages. Then they won't be able to understand each other." 8 In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the earth; and that ended the building of the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because it was there that the LORD confused the people by giving them many languages, thus scattering them across the earth. 10 This is the history of Shem's family. When Shem was 100 years old, his son Arphaxad was born. This happened two years after the Flood. 11 After the birth of Arphaxad, Shem lived another 500 years and had other sons and daughters. 12 When Arphaxad was 35 years old, his son Shelah was born. 13 After the birth of Shelah, Arphaxad lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 When Shelah was 30 years old, his son Eber was born. 15 After the birth of Eber, Shelah lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters. 16 When Eber was 34 years old, his son Peleg was born. 17 After the birth of Peleg, Eber lived another 430 years and had other sons and daughters. 18 When Peleg was 30 years old, his son Reu was born. 19 After the birth of Reu, Peleg lived another 209 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 When Reu was 32 years old, his son Serug was born. 21 After the birth of Serug, Reu lived another 207 years and had other sons and daughters. 22 When Serug was 30 years old, his son Nahor was born. 23 After the birth of Nahor, Serug lived another 200 years and had other sons and daughters. 24 When Nahor was 29 years old, his son Terah was born. 25 After the birth of Terah, Nahor lived another 119 years and had other sons and daughters. 26 When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. 27 This is the history of Terah's family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran had a son named Lot. 28 But while Haran was still young, he died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the place of his birth. He was survived by Terah, his father. 29 Meanwhile, Abram married Sarai, and his brother Nahor married Milcah, the daughter of their brother Haran. (Milcah had a sister named Iscah.) 30 Now Sarai was not able to have any children. 31 Terah took his son Abram, his daughter- in- law Sarai, and his grandson Lot (his son Haran's child) and left Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But they stopped instead at the village of Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still at Haran. 12:1 THEN the LORD told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy- five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth-- his livestock and all the people who had joined his household at Haran-- and finally arrived in Canaan. 6 Traveling through Canaan, they came to a place near Shechem and set up camp beside the oak at Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I am going to give this land to your offspring." And Abram built an altar there to commemorate the LORD's visit. 8 After that, Abram traveled southward and set up camp in the hill country between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar and worshiped the LORD. 9 Then Abram traveled south by stages toward the Negev. 10 At that time there was a severe famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to wait it out. 11 As he was approaching the borders of Egypt, Abram said to Sarai, "You are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, `This is his wife. Let's kill him; then we can have her! '13 But if you say you are my sister, then the Egyptians will treat me well because of their interest in you, and they will spare my life." 14 And sure enough, when they arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of her beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to their king, the pharaoh, and she was taken into his harem. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her-- sheep, cattle, donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the LORD sent a terrible plague upon Pharaoh's household because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18 So Pharaoh called for Abram and accused him sharply. "What is this you have done to me?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why were you willing to let me marry her, saying she was your sister? Here is your wife! Take her and be gone!" 20 Pharaoh then sent them out of the country under armed escort-- Abram and his wife, with all their household and belongings. 13:1 SO they left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev-- Abram with his wife and Lot and all that they owned, 2 for Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. 3 Then they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where they had camped before. 4 This was the place where Abram had built the altar, and there he again worshiped the LORD.
One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with his disciples and sat down to teach them. 2 This is what he taught them:3 "God blesses those who realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are gentle and lowly,
for the whole earth will belong to them.
6 God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice,
for they will receive it in full.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11" God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world-- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 17" Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. 18 I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 "But I warn you-- unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all! 21" You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' 22 But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, *you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 23 "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25 Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown in jail. 26 I assure you that you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny."
For the choir director:A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute.
1 O LORD, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I will never pray to anyone but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
5 Therefore, the proud will not be allowed to stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The LORD detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple.
8 Lead me in the right path, O LORD,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do,
and show me which way to turn.
9 My enemies cannot speak one truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their speech is filled with flattery.
10 O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they rebel against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Protect them,
so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O LORD,
surrounding them with your shield of love.
"I [wisdom] called you so often, but you didn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you-- when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you. I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me
MATTHEW 5:1- 26
PSALM 5:1- 12
PROVERBS 1:24- 28
At one time the whole world spoke a single language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated eastward, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. 3 They began to talk about construction projects. "Come," they said, "let's make great piles of burnt brick and collect natural asphalt to use as mortar. 4 Let's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies-- a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world." 5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 "Look!" he said. "If they can accomplish this when they have just begun to take advantage of their common language and political unity, just think of what they will do later. Nothing will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let's go down and give them different languages. Then they won't be able to understand each other." 8 In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the earth; and that ended the building of the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because it was there that the LORD confused the people by giving them many languages, thus scattering them across the earth. 10 This is the history of Shem's family. When Shem was 100 years old, his son Arphaxad was born. This happened two years after the Flood. 11 After the birth of Arphaxad, Shem lived another 500 years and had other sons and daughters. 12 When Arphaxad was 35 years old, his son Shelah was born. 13 After the birth of Shelah, Arphaxad lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 When Shelah was 30 years old, his son Eber was born. 15 After the birth of Eber, Shelah lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters. 16 When Eber was 34 years old, his son Peleg was born. 17 After the birth of Peleg, Eber lived another 430 years and had other sons and daughters. 18 When Peleg was 30 years old, his son Reu was born. 19 After the birth of Reu, Peleg lived another 209 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 When Reu was 32 years old, his son Serug was born. 21 After the birth of Serug, Reu lived another 207 years and had other sons and daughters. 22 When Serug was 30 years old, his son Nahor was born. 23 After the birth of Nahor, Serug lived another 200 years and had other sons and daughters. 24 When Nahor was 29 years old, his son Terah was born. 25 After the birth of Terah, Nahor lived another 119 years and had other sons and daughters. 26 When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. 27 This is the history of Terah's family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran had a son named Lot. 28 But while Haran was still young, he died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the place of his birth. He was survived by Terah, his father. 29 Meanwhile, Abram married Sarai, and his brother Nahor married Milcah, the daughter of their brother Haran. (Milcah had a sister named Iscah.) 30 Now Sarai was not able to have any children. 31 Terah took his son Abram, his daughter- in- law Sarai, and his grandson Lot (his son Haran's child) and left Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan. But they stopped instead at the village of Haran and settled there. 32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still at Haran. 12:1 THEN the LORD told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy- five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth-- his livestock and all the people who had joined his household at Haran-- and finally arrived in Canaan. 6 Traveling through Canaan, they came to a place near Shechem and set up camp beside the oak at Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I am going to give this land to your offspring." And Abram built an altar there to commemorate the LORD's visit. 8 After that, Abram traveled southward and set up camp in the hill country between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar and worshiped the LORD. 9 Then Abram traveled south by stages toward the Negev. 10 At that time there was a severe famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt to wait it out. 11 As he was approaching the borders of Egypt, Abram said to Sarai, "You are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, `This is his wife. Let's kill him; then we can have her! '13 But if you say you are my sister, then the Egyptians will treat me well because of their interest in you, and they will spare my life." 14 And sure enough, when they arrived in Egypt, everyone spoke of her beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to their king, the pharaoh, and she was taken into his harem. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her-- sheep, cattle, donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the LORD sent a terrible plague upon Pharaoh's household because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18 So Pharaoh called for Abram and accused him sharply. "What is this you have done to me?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why were you willing to let me marry her, saying she was your sister? Here is your wife! Take her and be gone!" 20 Pharaoh then sent them out of the country under armed escort-- Abram and his wife, with all their household and belongings. 13:1 SO they left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev-- Abram with his wife and Lot and all that they owned, 2 for Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. 3 Then they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where they had camped before. 4 This was the place where Abram had built the altar, and there he again worshiped the LORD.
One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with his disciples and sat down to teach them. 2 This is what he taught them:3 "God blesses those who realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are gentle and lowly,
for the whole earth will belong to them.
6 God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice,
for they will receive it in full.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11" God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world-- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15 Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 17" Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. 18 I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 "But I warn you-- unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all! 21" You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' 22 But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, *you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 23 "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25 Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown in jail. 26 I assure you that you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny."
For the choir director:A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute.
1 O LORD, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I will never pray to anyone but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the slightest sin.
5 Therefore, the proud will not be allowed to stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The LORD detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple.
8 Lead me in the right path, O LORD,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do,
and show me which way to turn.
9 My enemies cannot speak one truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their speech is filled with flattery.
10 O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they rebel against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Protect them,
so all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O LORD,
surrounding them with your shield of love.
"I [wisdom] called you so often, but you didn't come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you-- when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you. I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me
Saturday, January 4, 2014
What does the Bible say about you...day 4
We are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus
2 Corinthians 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him
Often we battle feeling unworthy or perhaps even condemned at times. Paul writes that Christ took on all of our sin, (to be sin for us). There is no sin that we ever committed or will commit that should keep us in bondage.
Christ broke the bondage of our sin. we no longer owe the debt of sin nor the penalty. We have been made free and more than free we have been made righteous in him.
We are pure, we are forgiven, and we are whole because of what He is done for us.
The Bible says we are the righteousness of God, made righteous by Christ on the cross. There is therefore no condemnation. We are free but we must choose to live that way.
2 Corinthians 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him
Often we battle feeling unworthy or perhaps even condemned at times. Paul writes that Christ took on all of our sin, (to be sin for us). There is no sin that we ever committed or will commit that should keep us in bondage.
Christ broke the bondage of our sin. we no longer owe the debt of sin nor the penalty. We have been made free and more than free we have been made righteous in him.
We are pure, we are forgiven, and we are whole because of what He is done for us.
The Bible says we are the righteousness of God, made righteous by Christ on the cross. There is therefore no condemnation. We are free but we must choose to live that way.
Friday, January 3, 2014
What does the Bible say about you...Day 3
I am free of condemnation
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus
Romans 8:1
When you came to Christ he had already taken on all of our sin (I'll be talking about the freedom that comes with this, this weekend). No one has the right to condemn us or hold anything against us since Christ has already paid the price and I have accepted this gift for myself.
Then why do we some times feel condemned, guilty, or ashamed?
1) Our our memories condemn us - we remember the sins or wrong things we have done and we keep thinking about them. We need to remember they have been forgiven and we must chose to live as if we are forgiven
2) The devil knows our past - He likes to bring up our past to give us the sense that our sins are not truly forgiven. If he can cause us to doubt God and especially Christ love and sacrifice for us that he can cause us to live a life of condemnation and guilt rather than free from guilt, shame, and condemnation.
3) Some times we just need to make things right - there are times that we have done things were we need to make things right. Some times we need to apologize, or fix some things, some times we need to ask forgiveness of others. If we make things right we can have freedom from condemnation.
God's plan and the price Christ paid on the cross was all meant for our freedom! Choose today to live in that freedom!
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus
Romans 8:1
When you came to Christ he had already taken on all of our sin (I'll be talking about the freedom that comes with this, this weekend). No one has the right to condemn us or hold anything against us since Christ has already paid the price and I have accepted this gift for myself.
Then why do we some times feel condemned, guilty, or ashamed?
1) Our our memories condemn us - we remember the sins or wrong things we have done and we keep thinking about them. We need to remember they have been forgiven and we must chose to live as if we are forgiven
2) The devil knows our past - He likes to bring up our past to give us the sense that our sins are not truly forgiven. If he can cause us to doubt God and especially Christ love and sacrifice for us that he can cause us to live a life of condemnation and guilt rather than free from guilt, shame, and condemnation.
3) Some times we just need to make things right - there are times that we have done things were we need to make things right. Some times we need to apologize, or fix some things, some times we need to ask forgiveness of others. If we make things right we can have freedom from condemnation.
God's plan and the price Christ paid on the cross was all meant for our freedom! Choose today to live in that freedom!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
What the Bible says about you...day 2
I am complete in Christ!
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."
Colossians 2: 9,10
Some times we feel as if we are not whole. For example we believe that we must do things to make sure that God loves us, we must put on some kind of performance for God or he will not have a relationship with us.
Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Christ has made us complete. His death on the cross for us guarantees the Father's ever continuing love for us.
As we continue to choose to live in Christ, by surrendering to Him, all power and all authority is given to us and can be poured through us to gain every victory, to over come all of the plans of the evil one, and to cause us to live a life of fullness or completeness.
You have been made whole because of Christ and all that you need is yours because of His great love for you!
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."
Colossians 2: 9,10
Some times we feel as if we are not whole. For example we believe that we must do things to make sure that God loves us, we must put on some kind of performance for God or he will not have a relationship with us.
Paul is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Christ has made us complete. His death on the cross for us guarantees the Father's ever continuing love for us.
As we continue to choose to live in Christ, by surrendering to Him, all power and all authority is given to us and can be poured through us to gain every victory, to over come all of the plans of the evil one, and to cause us to live a life of fullness or completeness.
You have been made whole because of Christ and all that you need is yours because of His great love for you!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
What the Bible says about you! #1
"Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings"
Psalm 17:8
You are the apple of God's eye!
The apple or pupil of the eye is a most precious part of the body. To lose sight during David's time was to lose the possibility of being a productive member of the culture of society. David is saying that God will preserve me, defend me, and keep me as most precious and valuable!
I know there are times when you don't feel that way but your feelings should never determine how you believe God feels about you. God's Word should always be the determining factor of what you believe never your feelings.
Your are precious to the Lord, precious enough for Him to always defend you, protect you, and guard you!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Marriage 4
Flirting – you may not want chocolate everyday but if you talk about it for a day or two your going to really enjoy it.
God never intended for sexual intimacy in marriage to end in fact USA today article entitled Church ladies revenge research has found that couples who have a strong faith and prayer life have the highest level of satisfaction.
God said it was good!!! Genesis 1:27-32
27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
29And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. 31Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good
.
Everything including sexual intimacy was declared very good by God
Hebrews 13:4 (Message)
4Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.
Marital intimacy is sacred to God
Sex was meant for pleasure not just for multiplying
Proverbs 5:15 – 19
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well. (be faithful and true to your wife)
16 Should your springs be scattered abroad,
streams of water in the streets?
17 Let them be for yourself alone,
and not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;
be intoxicated always in her love.
God is not a puritanical prude He intended lovemaking to be ecstatic, exciting and fulfilling. There is great joy in unrestrained guilt free love-making
Solomon and his lover state this to each other
His lover
10My dear lover glows with health—
red-blooded, radiant!
He’s one in a million.
There’s no one quite like him!
11My golden one, pure and untarnished,
with raven black curls tumbling across his shoulders.
12His eyes are like doves, soft and bright,
but deep-set, brimming with meaning, like wells of water.
13His face is rugged, his beard smells like sage,
His voice, his words, warm and reassuring.
14Fine muscles ripple beneath his skin,
quiet and beautiful.
His torso is the work of a sculptor,
hard and smooth as ivory.
15He stands tall, like a cedar,
strong and deep-rooted,
A rugged mountain of a man,
aromatic with wood and stone.
16His words are kisses, his kisses words.
Everything about him delights me, thrills me
through and through!
That’s my lover, that’s my man,
Ladies if you said this to your husband just imagine what he would think!
The flip side Solomon to his lover
1Shapely and graceful your sandaled feet,
and queenly your movement—
Your limbs are lithe and elegant,
the work of a master artist.
2Your body is a chalice,
wine-filled.
Your skin is silken and tawny
like a field of wheat touched by the breeze.
3Your breasts are like fawns,
twins of a gazelle.
4Your neck is carved ivory, curved and slender.
Your eyes are wells of light, deep with mystery.
Quintessentially feminine!
Your profile turns all heads,
commanding attention.
5The feelings I get when I see the high mountain ranges
—stirrings of desire, longings for the heights—
Remind me of you,
and I’m spoiled for anyone else!
6Your beauty, within and without, is absolute,
dear lover, close companion.
7You are tall and supple, like the palm tree,
and your full breasts are like sweet clusters of dates.
8I say, “I’m going to climb that palm tree!
I’m going to caress its fruit!”
Oh yes! Your breasts
will be clusters of sweet fruit to me,
Your breath clean and cool like fresh mint,
9your tongue and lips like the best wine.
Yee-haa!
There should be an appreciation for your spouse’s gifts, callings, love language and sexuality
It doesn’t stop there it goes on
SS 7:7-9
You are slender like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters of fruit. I said, I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruit. May your breasts be like grape clusters, and the fragrance of your breath like apples. May your kisses be as exciting as the best wine, flowing gently over lips and teeth.
Intimacy is for a husband and wife only
2But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.
Sexual intimacy should be given freely and often. If love-making were only meant for procreation there would be no need for a woman to have an orgasm.
4For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
In fact Paul instructs us to have sexual intimacy often
5Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
This all assumes there has not been abuse and that the relationship is unselfish
What is another lover is another lover in the marriage?
Gentlemen another lover does not have to be having sex with another woman-pornography is another lover as well. It is easy to fall prey to it keep yourself accountable
Ladies soap opera fantasies can be the same as pornography for a man
You will not always satisfy each other sometimes it is all about the wife sometimes it will be al abut the husband but you should try to make it about both of you
What about masturbation? Is generally a controlling habit, it controls you rather than you controlling it and it generally involves lust. Perhaps in a few cases I can see the validity prolonged illness or incapacity
What is right or OK in a sexual relationship? What the Bible says is wrong is sodomy (anal sex) nothing else is really discussed if you read song of songs it really give license to many different sexual forms
How often is often?
Practical advice
TV or music in the bedroom
Communicate about your wants and desires
Code words
Don’t limit your love-making to only the bedroom (don’t let your love-making fall into a rut!)
Final Words
If there are violations that cause struggles with intimacy get counseling!
Apply gifts, love languages,
levels of communication recognize
why and handle the conflict,
enjoy your intimacy
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