October 31st ~ Whatever You Please (VAD)

Judges 17:6 "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

Judges 21:25 "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."

The book of Judges has many examples of what happens to mankind when he does whatever he pleases:

Judges 2:10-16 "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim:
12 And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger.
13 And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
14 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.
16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them."

November Challenge

I've done a Photo a Day Challenge and a Verse a Day Challenge.  It's November, so how about Thanks a Day Challenge?  I have so much to be thankful for, but I think following the Photo A Day Challenge list will make it a little more fun!

What will you do in November?  Photo a Day, Verse a Day, Thanks a Day, or some combination?  Take a challenge and have fun with it!

Here is the original list from FatMumSlim.com.

October 30th ~ Clothes (VAD)

Matthew 6:31-33  "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

I'm not one to stand in my closet full of clothes and say, "I have nothing to wear!"  I might say, "I don't know what to wear," but I've always had plenty of clothes.  My heavenly Father has taken care of my every need and I trust Him to keep on doing what He is fully capable of.

Verse a Day Catch-Up Time

With all that was going on with my Dad last week, I let my verse a day challenge slip.  Dad is now back at Pacifica Rehab and doing better.  Thank you, again, for your many prayers!

Let's catch-up,  shall we?

October 26th ~ Listening To

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

When a family is going through a stressful time, sometimes things get said that are hurtful.  I was the recipient of that last week.  Last night I thought of this verse and reminded myself that not everything I was listening to was true or honest. I'm doing my best to stop thinking of those things.

October 27th ~ Morning

Lamentations 3:22-23 "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

I've always run early in the morning.  I love the promise of a new day filled with God's mercy and compassion.

October 28th ~ Looking Back

Genesis 19:26 "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."

Luke 17:28-33 "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife.  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."

Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Looking back and reviewing God's goodness and mercy is a good thing, but looking back with longing to the things God has delivered us from can only bring harm.  I'm pressing forward!

October 29th ~ Moon

Revelation 21:23 "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

The moon is full and lighting up the sky tonight, but the light of the Lamb in that heavenly city is the one I'm looking forward to.

October 25th ~ People (VAD)

The word people is mentioned in the Bible 1,924 times.  God cares about people!

John 3:16 doesn't contain the word "people" but "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  That's not talking about the planet there, but the inhabitants of this world - people of every nation, tongue and kindred.

The final verse containing the word people is Revelation 21:3  "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."

I'm looking forward to that day.

October 24th ~ Weather (VAD)

Proverbs 25:20  "As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart."

I read quite a few versions of this verse, along with commentary.  I really liked this explanation:

Those that are in great sorrow are to be comforted by sympathizing with them, condoling with them, and concurring in their lamentation. We take a wrong course with them if we think to relieve them by being merry with them, and endeavouring to make them merry; for it adds to their grief to see their friends so little concerned for them.

The absurdities this is compared to are, taking away a garment from a man in cold weather, which makes him colder, and pouring vinegar upon nitre, which, like water upon lime, puts it into a ferment; so improper, so incongruous, is it to sing pleasant songs to one that is of a sorrowful spirit. Some read it in a contrary sense: As he that puts on a garment in cold weather warms the body, or as vinegar upon nitre dissolves it, so he that sings songs of comfort to a person in sorrow refreshes him and dispels his grief.

I think Paul puts it perfectly in Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."

October 23rd ~ The View From Here (VAD)

Job 23:8-10 "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

There are just some times that the view from here isn't quite clear.  Sometimes it feels like God is hiding from us.  But when we cannot see, we can rest assured that He knows the way we take.

From Heaven's Point of View

Today I faced a mountain
That I have no strength to climb
And the struggle of this journey
Left me weak, both in body and in mind
Where I stand to the peak
Is a distance on my own I cannot reach
So this journey of a thousand steps
Begins right here on my knees

Soon I'll soar like an eagle
High on wings of grace
Far into the heavens
Where I can almost see God's face
Rising in his splendor
To heights I never knew
What once looked like a mountain
Is just a hill from heaven's point of view

I may face things tomorrow
I can't comprehend today
Circumstances so uncertain make it hard
To find the strength to pray
But I'm living in the promise
I'll never leave you
I'll always see you through
So what's this mountain
To an eagle flying high
From heaven's point of view

What once looked like a mountain
Is just a hill from heaven's point of view 

~ words and music by Carroll McGruder

October 22nd ~ In Your Town (VAD)

Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The uttermost part of the earth includes my town.  That's where I can be a witness.  I may not reach Jerusalem or Judaea or Samaria, but I can and must witness in my town.  I'm thrilled to report that two more received the Holy Ghost at church yesterday!  That's what is happening in my town.

October 21st ~ Calm (VAD)

Mark 4:39 "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

The greatest calm to come my way was when Jesus spoke peace into my storm.

Cover Me

Peace of God, cover me
Cover me, cover me
Peace of God, cover me
Through the storm, cover me.

Only in You I am safe
Only in You I'm secure
Only in You I find peace
So cover me, cover me

Cover me when I am hurting
Cover me when I'm not strong
Cover me when I am going through the storm
Cover me when it all seems hopeless
Cover me when my faith is gone
Let the peace that passes all I understand

~words and music by Mark Condon

October 20th ~ 4 O'Clock (VAD)

I couldn't think of a verse that went with 4 o'clock!  Anybody know one?  Since 4 o'clock is a time, I'll share one of my favorite verses about time:

Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.'

October 19th ~ Letters

Daniel chapter 5 tells of a time when letters were used:

1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

We learn was written that day...
23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
25 And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
27 Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
28 Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

October 18th ~ Made You Smile Today (VAD)

Acts 2:38-39 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

I'm sitting here thinking about the service we had last night.  Bro. David Abbott taught on the "Art of Altar Work."  His lesson was straight forward and simple, but something many people are afraid to practice.

At the conclusion of his lesson, Bro. Abbott opened the altars for anyone who needed the Holy Ghost. We had quite a few praying and three people got the Holy Ghost!!  On a Wednesday night Bible study.  Nathan was the youngest, he's eight years old.

I'm smiling today because the promise is still to you and your children.

October 17th ~ Fruit (VAD)

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Please notice, this verse does not says fruits (plural) of the Spirit, but fruit (singular).   Some people only want love, joy and peace but throw out longsuffering and temperance.

October 16th ~ Something You Wrote (VAD)

Isaiah 49:16 " Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

The New Living Translation puts it this way, "See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.  Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins."

What I write isn't nearly as important as what God writes.  I'm glad my name is on the palm of His hands.   He also promises "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."  (John 10:27-28)  No better place to be than in His hands.

In His Hands

I've had disappointments and so have you
I remember times when times were bad
But I am so glad, for every moment
That I've spent in His hands,
In His hands

Chorus

In His hands there's only safety
Nothing there can touch you except Him
Bring your burdens and all your failures
Lay them down and rest here in His hands

I will have more problems and so will you
But through every one we all can stand
If we're in His hands, so are the trials
There is no cause for fear, In His hands

~ Words and music by Michael W. Smith and Gary Chapman

October 15th ~ Dinnertime (VAD)

Proverbs 15:17 "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

I have been in fancy banquet halls, surrounded by co-workers, checking my watch wondering how quickly I could escape.  I've sat at the kitchen table, sharing a bowl of popcorn and great fellowship, never wanting it to end.  Food isn't what makes the feast, but every meal, shared in love, is a feast.

October 14th ~ Makes You Laugh (VAD)

Jonah 4:1-3 "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live."

There are just some stories in the Bible that make me laugh or shake my head in amazement.  The final chapter of Jonah is one of those.  After running from God, spending some time in the belly of a whale, being spit up on a beach to do God's work, Jonah preaches and revival immediately hits the city!  People repent!  People fast and pray!  People are saved from destruction!

What does Jonah do?  He gets very angry!  "I'd rather be dead," he moans.  The entire city heard his preaching and he's mad that God didn't go ahead and destroy them.  Poor Jonah.  As his sits there pouting and waiting to see if God will go ahead and destroy the city, God causes a gourd to grow over him.  "Ah, shade."  Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd (vs 6.)

The next day God prepares a worm to destroy the gourd and Jonah is left out in the sun again.  "It is better for me to die than to live." (vs 8)  He's a bit emotional, wouldn't you say?

I don't laugh at Jonah because what he did is funny, but because he's so human just like me.  I don't know what I would do in a similar situation, but I know there are times God must look at me and say "she's a bit emotional, wouldn't you say?"

October 13th ~ Landscape (VAD)

Psalm 8:3-4 " When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

God's landscaping is spectacular!  Snow capped mountains...

Half Dome and El Capitan in Yosemite...

The changing colors of Fall...

Sunsets over the beach...

And still, He is mindful of us!

October 12th ~ On the Table (VAD)

Proverbs 3:3 "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:"

My kitchen table has many things on it - magazines, salt, pepper, napkins,vitamins, and even food sometimes!  It can hold a feast or a snack.  The table of our heart is the same - it can hold many things - love, peace, and joy or anger, bitterness, and envy. 

What's on the table of your heart today?

October 11th ~ Something Close Up (VAD)

1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

Have you noticed when you're close up to a problem it's hard to see what's really going on?  Sometimes it's months or years before we understand what was really going on.  Other times it just takes a minute to step back and take a deep breath.  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

A picture is the best way to illustrate this.  Close up.  What is it?

A few steps back:

The second pumpkin from the right looks a lot better NOT so close up.

October 10th ~ Emotion (VAD)

Psalm 30:5 "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Psalm 30:11 "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;"

When I started working on this post, I had no idea that these two verses were in the same Psalm!

October 10, 1998.  We gathered in Mom's hospital room, listening to the doctor.  We had known for a few months that Mom was in the final stage of cancer.  That morning the doctor told her there was nothing more they could do to treat her.  He then asked what she wanted as far as life support.  Mom had an oxygen mask on, she slowly pulled it down and said one word, "Nothing."

My weeping began then.

A few hours later, Mom lifted her hands in worship, spoke in a heavenly language, peacefully put her hands back down, and stepped into eternity.

Her joy came immediately.   

My joy would take a little longer as I waded through every emotion that is associated with a loss of this magnitude.  I still miss her.  There are I times I just want to talk to her, she knew how to listen and encourage me when I was down.  I miss her hugs and her subtle humor.  I miss seeing her mix up something chocolate in the kitchen or send an "I Love You" sign my way.  I'm sad that she hasn't seen the many blessings that have come our way. Our family misses her when we gather, graduations, birthdays, weddings, holidays, they aren't the same without here.  But the joy of knowing she made it turns my mourning to dancing!

My Joy

Verse
Oh Lord, You have turned my morning into dancing
Over and over and over again
Oh Lord, You have turned my sorrow into joy
Over and over and over again

Chorus
You have been my shield
The lifter of my head
You are my Joy
You are my Joy
And I will always worship
I will always worship You for You
You are my Joy
And I will always worship
I will always worship you
For You, You are my joy
You are my Joy

Bridge 1
You turned my morning
Into dancing over and over
Over and over and over again 

~ words and music by Trent Cory