To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Because people were just bringing meaningless sacrifices to God without living out their lives in dedication to Him, He said this,

“I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.
Amos 5:21‭-‬24 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/amo.5.21-24.NLT

Music by Keith Green, “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice”:

Sad For All The Right Reasons

As harsh as physical pain is there is nothing worse than when we have mental & spiritual suffering.

Advice today from God’s Word,

So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; and that He may send [to you] Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you, whom heaven must keep until the time for the [complete] restoration of all things about which God promised through the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
Acts 3:19‭-‬21 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/act.3.19-21.AMP

As I listened to those verses two thoughts stood out in my mind:

1. On a very hot day a cool breeze is so refreshing.
2. On a cold day there’s nothing better than stepping into the warm, safe, comfortable shelter of your own home or being a guest of someone who has invited you in.

None of us enjoy the feeling of being uncomfortable. None of us can actually say that we enjoy sorrow; however, many times we can appreciate comfort more because we’ve truly been uncomfortable. Also, we can experience joy because we’ve truly experienced great sorrow.

In my life I’ve had to ask my creator to create in me a better perspective, asking Him to help me look at the big picture of things not just one tiny puzzle piece.

I believe that with every opposition we encounter we are also presented with an opportunity.

In Mandarin they have two words for our one word, “Hope”. Those two words are opposition & opportunity.

God has a way of setting up a perfect balance that may not always be clear in our minds or from our perception of things. We are human, we are limited. Thinking that we know what’s best, righteous, or even fair usually ends in frustration.

Even when things don’t seem right or we are far from things being anywhere near perfect conditions we may rejoicing and actually be thankful in whatever state we are in.

We can know, rest assure, that God gives a deeper joy and satisfaction, a calmness that is far beyond explanation, right where we are at any and in every given moment.

The phrase, “One day at a time”, is good but sometimes all we are able to do is to take things one moment at a time, one breath at a time.

We don’t want to become like Goldilocks where things are much too hot or much too cold and we can not rest or don’t find true satisfied until or unless our circumstances are just right; but rather, we find comfort & strength deep down from God & trust that He is with us always & he helps us through it all.

What I have found to be the key focus for me to keep going is to keep going back to God’s Word for comfort, guidance, strength, and instruction. With this one main action on my end comes a reassurance from Him

Once again, here is the words, the mail, the love letters, God sends us from Acts 3:19‭-‬21 AMP

So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day]; and that He may send [to you] Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you, whom heaven must keep until the time for the [complete] restoration of all things about which God promised through the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
Acts 3:19‭-‬21 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/act.3.19-21.AMP

Now, think for a moment about being sad or sorrowful for the right reason. Life’s struggles are real, but so is God.

Rather than focusing on our problems we can aim our sights at God’s solution. We can still be sad, sorrowful, mourn, cry but in times like these I find it best to cry out & God’s living words never lets me down.

I am saddened by the world and the shape it is in but this only causes me to see our need, my personal need for a savior.

In 2 Corinthians 7:10 we read –

People need to become sad in the way that God wants. When they are sad like that, it causes them to turn away from wrong things. Then God saves them from their sins . They will never be sorry about that! But when people become sad in the way that the world wants, it does not help them. They do not turn to God and they die in their spirits .

2 Corinthians 7:10 EASY
https://bible.com/bible/2079/2co.7.10.EASY

Great spiritual food for thought.

I find myself today being sad for all the right reason & glad, rejoicing by faith, no matter what is happening or may happen in the future.

In Christ, beetle

SpaceX History In The Making 2020

From TechCrunch –https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/19/watch-spacex-launch-its-crew-dragon-astronaut-spacecraft-for-a-key-safety-test/I gathered this:SpaceX launch its Crew Dragon astronaut spacecraft for a key safety testSpaceX is looking to launch its Crew Dragon spacecraft using a Falcon 9 rocket today, in a crucial test of the human-rated spacecraft’s In-Flight Abort (IFA) system. This safety feature will separate the Crew Dragon from the Falcon 9 rocket early, propelling the spacecraft (and any astronauts who would be on board, during a real mission) to a safe distance at extremely high speed.

The test was originally scheduled for Saturday, but weather prevented that from being a workable option. Now, SpaceX’s launch window opens today at 8 AM EST (5 AM PST) and lasts for six hours. SpaceX and NASA are currently aiming for a 10:30 AM EST (7:30 AM PST) liftoff time during that window, in order to ensure that weather both for launch and for recovery of the Crew Dragon spacecraft in the Atlantic Ocean are optimal. Depending on conditions, that time could slip again, or if they exceed the launch window, push to a backup date on Monday.

SpaceX and NASA are making sure everything is as good as it can be for this mission in terms of weather conditions, so it’s subject to stricter criteria than SpaceX’s average cargo launch. This reflects what the private space company and its government agency partner would do were their actual astronauts on board, too, since astronaut safety is the number one priority to consider when performing crewed launches.

During the mission, the In-Flight Abort process is set to trigger automatically at about 84 seconds into the launch, when the rocket and its payload are roughly 60,000 feet above the Earth. In real crewed mission conditions, this would be used in case something was going wrong with the rocket, in order to give the astronauts on board the best possible chance to escape in the unlikely event of anything potentially dangerous happening like a rocket exploding within the atmosphere.

The goal here is to study the Crew Capsule, and to recover it quickly in order to gather the data that’s being collected on board, which should provide key info about what a human astronaut would’ve experienced were they inside during the IFA process. That means conditions on the ocean are pretty much as important as conditions on the launch pad, since recovery crews will be working to retrieve the capsule and NASA and SpaceX want to ensure their safety, too.

The broadcast should begin about 15 minutes prior to the target liftoff time, so currently that means 10:15 AM EST 1/19/2020

I was only able to watch this from the YouTube channel, “Everyday Astronaut”

Better footage:

Video explanation of why they are testing this:https://youtu.be/M8WYmgZtlzE

Will we be sending more & more people into space?

In the 1st footage I was able to see, the amateur team covering it expressed their frustration as the main explosion was behind the cloud coverage from their perspective. The host explained how NASA had cameras at many more different angles and “from the right perspective” we would have seen what happen.

Perspective & perception is everything isn’t it?

When we have the right perspective & look at things from a higher level, The Higher Power’s view, life is much more comprehensive.

I don’t know if we’ll end up sending people on commercial flights into outer space, not really sure why we would really, but what do I know.

Not much.

One thing I do know, above & beyond everything else is that I have gained faith in God. My hopes & dreams are not based on mankind, our so called success or failures, not even in our potential. My faith is past all time & space, found in the eternal glory of our Creator.

Fix your eyes, focus your thought, on Him,

Look At The Birdie

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.

And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing?

Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.

They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6:24‭-‬34 NLT

http://bible.com/116/mat.6.24-34.NLT

Music lyric video by ApologetiX “Cheap Birds”:

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Matthew 6:25‭-‬26 MSG

http://bible.com/97/mat.6.25-26.MSG

Jesus says,

“What’s the price of two or three pet canaries?

Some loose change, right?

But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head!

So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk.

You’re worth more than a million canaries.

“Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels?

Luke 12:6‭-‬9 MSG

http://bible.com/97/luk.12.6-9.MSG

Knowing, trusting, growing in faith.

In Christ, Beetle

See The Sea?

From day 2 of the @YouVersion plan ‘The Calm: Live Each Day In The Calm Amid The Storm’. Check it out here:
http://bible.com/r/3CX

Thoughts and feelings will come like waves on the sea and seek to capsize us.

When these thoughts and feelings flood our hearts and minds and like water into a boat, we are barely able to stay float.

You may be afraid to face a new day troubled with thoughts and feelings like:

• A strange sense that the there is an abominable sea monster lurking beneath the surface, circling around and waiting for an opportune moment to emerge from the depths and ruin your day.
• The feeling that since you struggle with anxiety there must be something “wrong” with you. If you were a good Christian you wouldn’t have this problem, right? You struggle with the idea that having anxious feelings or thoughts means that you are failing or that you are a failure.
• A subtle dread of what seems to be inevitable and the temptation to do whatever you need to do to avoid dealing with it. This avoidance can take the form of keeping distracted with social media, projects, tasks, to-do lists, shopping, self-medicating, etc.

Jesus taught that we would have trouble in this world.

Each day would have trouble enough of its own.

Not only will the world bring us trouble, but we have trouble residing within.

Even when we have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, our sinful nature remains and that nature is at enmity with the Spirit of God.

So we don’t have to go anywhere to find trouble. Trouble is within and without. This is enough to make anyone anxious!

Is there any hope?!

YES! If you are in Christ, He is in you and you are in Him. Because He lives inside of you, there can be calm within.

The truth of God and His Word is not only our anchor in the storm. In Christ we can actually find calm in the storm.

In Psalm 103 David sets a good example for us as he instructs his soul to praise the LORD and bless His name.

He reminds himself who he is and reminds himself not to forget who God is.

David, although he is aware of his sin and his weakness, rather than fret and worry, we see him worship.

We can learn from David’s example how to train our hearts and minds in the storm.

In fact, the way to care for our hearts is by caring for our minds.

We must keep our minds fixed on the truth of God’s Word.

When we do, we will begin to experience the calm of Christ.

Psalms 103:9‭-‬14 NLT:

He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
Psalms 103:9‭-‬14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.103.9-14.NLT

Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. “O God my rock,” I cry, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
Psalms 42:3‭-‬11 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.42.3-11.NLT

Sail on my friend, beetle

Strong Weaklings

My heart and my body may fail, but God will always make me strong. He is all that I will ever need.
Psalms 73:26 EASY
https://bible.com/bible/2079/psa.73.26.EASY

That is why we are not afraid to continue our work. Yes, our bodies are getting older and weaker. But our spirits are becoming stronger every day!
2 Corinthians 4:16 EASY
https://bible.com/bible/2079/2co.4.16.EASY

Hold on.

Keep on keeping on.

God with God, beetle

Steps -Walking With God (Home School Sunday School)

Walking With God

When I visit with my 4 daughters (Abigail 12, Madilyn 13, Olivia 15, and Kyri 27) I share a variety of things.

I always prepare a Sunday School type lesson we can all feast on at home.

On this visit (Dec. 2019 going into 2020) I brought several 3×5 cards with 👣 footprints 👣 drawn on them featuring Bible verses about walking with God.

Here is the original post that inspired it: https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2019/10/15/bible-verses-about-walking-with-god/

Here are the results:

I hide cards like these all around the house (36 of them).

When found they read the verse then kept it, shared it, or hid it inside or outside of the house for someone else to find.

Because there were magnets on the back we were able to put them on the metal doors of neighbors that live in my parents community.

Here is another article I wrote about walking with God: https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/steps-with-a-cain/

New Years Willpower

Here is a link to a 3 day reading plan,

Calling Out To God

A Bible reading plan from @YouVersion! Check it out here:
http://bible.com/r/3Tx

Each day gives an approximately 15 Min. audio, helping the listener/reader’s focus.

I have found this very helpful.

As I write this it is the first day of 2020, a time in which we start another decade. The world is looking back over the years & forward into the coming years. The verse of the day is:

Prov. 16:9

With this in mind I’ve found it pertinent to call on God & seek His will & desires. As a result or resolution I find His guidance.

In conclusion (I love how those two words, “In conclusion”, make everyone’s ears perk up)…

IN CONCLUSION

Here are a few verses for us to focus on:

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:12‭-‬14 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.1.12-14.ESV

For Christ’s sake, beetle

New Year New Life

Continually Calling

Inspiration from day 2 of the @YouVersion plan ‘Calling Out To God’. Check it out here for audio:
http://bible.com/r/3Tx

Bible verses:

Be happy with the Lord . He will give to you what you most want.
Psalms 37:4 EASY
https://bible.com/bible/2079/psa.37.4.EASY

It is important for us to not forget to include the very next verse,

Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalms 37:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.37.5.ESV

Jesus says,

Some branches that are part of me may have no fruit on them. My Father completely removes all those branches. But other branches do have fruit. My Father cuts all those branches to make them better. Then they will be good and make more fruit. The words that I have spoken to you have made you good already. Continue to live in me, and I will continue to live in you. A branch cannot make fruit by itself. It can make fruit only if it continues to be part of the vine . You are like that. You cannot make fruit unless you continue to live in me. I am the vine , and you are the branches. You must remain in me and I must remain in you. Only if you do that will you make plenty of fruit. That is because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, that person is like a dead branch. The gardener will throw that branch away and it will become dry. People throw all those dry branches into the fire so that they burn. You must remain in me, and my message must remain in you. Then you may ask for anything that you want. And God will do it for you.
John 15:2‭-‬7 EASY
https://bible.com/bible/2079/jhn.15.2-7.EASY

Also, we can really trust God to help us when we turn to him. We know that he will hear us. When we ask for anything that he wants us to have, he listens to us. Since we know that, we also know that God will give to us the things that we ask for. It is like we have already received those things from him.
1 John 5:14‭-‬15 EASY
https://bible.com/bible/2079/1jn.5.14-15.EASY

In Christ, beetle