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Word Wednesday #46
As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
(Daniel 9:13)
Two important things come before understanding God’s truth: turning from our iniquity and coming to God in prayer.
Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!
Unwanted Houseguests
When I was fourteen, I wrote about a family experience we had to a friend on the missionfield. Here is the unedited excerpt from my letter (including the original exclamation points).
Dear E—,
Something absolutely dreadful has happened over here. I mean really, REALLY dreadful.
It all started last Sunday evening. It was around 7:00. First, only a few of the members of the family came.
They made us eat supper with them. And Rebecca and I had to get up at least six times just for them!
Next, the family insisted upon sleeping in one of the coolest places (Since it is summer). No where’s else! Mom said to go ahead and put them where they wanted. Rebecca did so and all was peaceful until the next day, Monday.
They got me up early then madeus eat with them again! Several of us were already getting tired of them. Me especially. I had to slave for them from breakfast until lunch (I still have burns from Monday). By then, there were over one hundred members of the family present (It’s ALL the totaltruth!). And guess what! You got it! Lunch was eaten with them AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mom was even tired of them!
They let us eat our own supper, but stayed in the kitchen the whole time.
That night, they stayed in the kitchen. Who knows what all they did?
Tuesday morning they made us eat with them AGAIN!!!!!!!!!! I was so tired of them I didn’t eat much.
They’re still in our house, though we chased out most of them. I CAN NOT wait until they are gone COMPLETELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By now, I guess I should tell you their name. It is Donut. Yes, I spelled it correctly. Donut.
Rebecca innocently asked Mom for permission to make donuts—a rare treat. She quadrupled the recipe and didn’t see that one recipe ALONE made four dozen donuts!
And, well, you know the rest of the story. And I promise you; none of us want that kind of donut for a L-L-O-O-N-N-G-G time!
Love,
Amanda
The Armor of God – BIBLE | Ephesians Study
Ephesians 6:17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Several preachers have mentioned that the Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in this armor. This implies that we can use God’s Word to ward off the attacks of the devil. We can use it to defeat the enemy.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:10)
So far, no effort of man or his logic is even mentioned in the armor of the Spirit. It is all spiritual armor – that takes man’s choice to put on and keep on. We know that God’s Word is our Sword, but do we sharpen it in our lives? Do we read it, study it, and apply it? The Sword does not offer much protection if it is rusted in its sheath. It has to be brought out and practiced with for us to know how to use it. If we do not use God’s Word in the small areas of our life, how will we be able to use it when it comes to the darkness of spiritual warfare?
For a further study of the power, might, majesty, and ability of God’s Word, Psalm 119 has the most to say about God’s Word. If one doubts its ability to guide, direct, fight, keep, and help, they should read Psalm 119.
Picture – revealed
The other day I posted this picture and asked y’all to guess what it is:
I think the two most popular guesses were fungus and some type of meat. 🙂 Perhaps this picture will help clarify some details? 🙂
It was probably 9:30 in the morning when I went outside to cut a few boards for Dad. After finding the tools I needed, I stepped out the side of the house.
Shoots of ice popped up from the ground – about three inches high.
It was fascinating to observe this close-up!
The ice was light and easily broke away from the mud. It appears that the water separated from the mud and froze, creating these amazing needle-like points of ice.
Though we had seen this type of ice on our new volley-ball pad, it was nothing like that morning!
Even in small ways, God’s creation is amazing to behold!
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“The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy . . . He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before His cold? He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.” (Psalm 147:11, 16-18)
Word Wednesday #45
Then the king made Daniel a great man . . . (Daniel 2:48)
Before it got to this point, Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshech (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah) joined Daniel in prayer (“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2:17-18). Yes, Daniel was the one given the wisdom and words, but he had the support and prayer of other believers. We may not be a Daniel, but surely we can work behind the scenes in prayer.
Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!
Picture
I had fun taking some pictures outside the other day. Anyone care to guess what this is a picture of? I’ll post a few more in a few days. 🙂
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“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,” (Colossians 1:16a)
In the Potter’s Hand
The Lord occasionally places little reminders in my life: that in His eyes, I am the clay and He is the Potter. Within a week’s time, I read Isaiah 64:8, a random blog post on Isaiah 64:8, and heard a sermon on Jeremiah 18 (oh, did I mention that Isaiah 64:8 was a reference my pastor used in that sermon?).
I don’t think it was of any coincidence that God formed the first man out of the dust of the earth and then used the analogy of us being but clay, the work of His hand. But sometimes I need that reminder. I must come to the point daily of recognizing that I am the one to be molded, shaped, and changed; that God is the One Who has authority to mold, shape, and change me.
God may decide to use trials to shape me. He may put on a little pressure. He may convict me or correct me. If I am hard, He will have to break me in order to shape me. But if my heart is tender and pliable, it takes only a gentle touch of His hand to create that new and better shape.
Just like forming pottery takes hours and days, God’s work in my heart and life is not complete in one small instance. He still shapes and molds throughout the years, perfecting and finishing the work which He has begun (“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Psalm 138:8). The question I need to ponder is: am I moldable in the Father’s hand?
Some verses that benefit to review:
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
The Armor of God – SALVATION | Ephesians Study
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The next piece of armor is the helmet (4030 perikephalaia; encirclement of the head, i.e. a helmet:) of salvation (4992 soterion; defender or (by implication) defence:). Our head is not protected by ourselves. Instead, our head is encircled by salvation – which comes from Jesus Christ.
This concept reminds me of the references to Christ as the Head of the church.
“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42)
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3)
“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Ephesians 5:23)
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18)
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2:10)
The verse that especially seems to connect this concept is Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Christ is the head, the Savior. We are to take the helmet of Salvation.
Author Interview | Sarah Holman
For the past few months, I’ve been praying about doing some interviews/guest posts on here. Today, I am excited to have our first interview with stay-at-home author, Sarah Holman.
Me: When did you begin writing/know that you would be an author?Sarah: Well, I started writing when I was eleven and thought I would always keep it as a hobby. While I had planned since I was in my early teens to be a nurse. However, because of some health challenges I was having, I realized I would not have the energy that I would need to complete nursing school. God showed me that my writing could be my full time writer. So, I followed His lead.
Me: About how much time do you spend writing?
Sarah: I spend about eight hours a day working on my writing in some form or fashion. I write blog posts, manage Homeschooled Authors, as well as write and edit some almost every day.
Me: When you’re not writing, what are some things that you enjoy doing?
Sarah: Reading is number one on my list of things I love. I read about two to three books a week. I also enjoy spending time with my siblings, scrapbooking, sewing, and taking walks in the forest.
Me: What helps inspire you in writing? (reading other books, listening to music, etc.)
Sarah: Movies are normally my biggest inspiration. It is normally a single line or a side plot that I jump on and want to make into a story. I also get a lot of inspiration from real life. Watching people it a bit of a hobby.
Me: Have there been any Scripture verses that God really used to encourage you in your writing journey?
Sarah: Always, but they are different for each book. For instance, while I was writing A Different Kind of Courage, this verse inspired me and drove the story forward.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.John 3:19-21 NIV
Me: How do you write? Do you usually spend some time plotting and outlining or do you jump right in?
Sarah: I normally come up with an idea and add it to my schedule or file it away for the future. Then, when it comes time to work on a project, I dive right in. It normally takes me only a month to write it and I do very little if any outlining. However, it then takes me about two months to edit, then I send it to my editors, do a final edit, then publish. That is how it works if things go perfectly, but they often don’t.
Me: Out of all the books/short stories you have written, what is your favorite? Why?
Sarah: Asking an author to pick a favorite among the stories they wrote is like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. Each book is dear for me for one reason or another. However, if I had to pick one, I would pick A Different Kind of Courage. It was so much fun combining my love of history and writing to create this book.Me: What would you say to encourage another young, Christian writer?
Sarah: You are going to have people who love your books no matter what you write and you are going to have people who hate your books no matter what you write. Write for the glory of God and for Him alone. When I started writing, my prayer was that for each book, one person would be brought closer to God. I have been blessed to be able to hear some of the stories of how God has used the books, and it has made all the work worthwhile.
And some random questions:
What is your favorite season?
Summer!
If you could go anywhere, where would it be? Why?
England. I have always wanted to visit the museums, visit some people I know there, and see an English castle.
What is your favorite time period?
Currently, it is the American Revolution. Ever since I started writing A Different Kind of Courage, I have come a bit obsessed over the time period.
What is one dream that you have?
To host a conference for HomeschooledAuthors
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 8:38-39
What is your salvation testimony?
When I was four or five I was watching a Donut Man (a kids singing video) and it talked about salvation. I asked Jesus into my heart at that very young age, and as I have grown, God has matured and nurtured that faith.
Anything else about you or your writing that you’d like to add?
I love staying connected with my readers you can find me at my Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and also the website I run Homeschooled Authors.
Thanks for joining us, Sarah! Best wishes on your writing – and may God direct your steps!
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Note: While I interview different authors on here, I have not read all of their material and cannot personally endorse what I have not read. 🙂
Amanda Tero Books 