TEFILLAH (prayer)

TEFILLAH: Which means PRAYER

Ever use prayer as nothing more than an emergency call or a cold call to God?

Pray only when we need or want something from God?

– It is understandable that we are inclinded to do that, considering the English word “pray” means to “ask or beg”. But the Hebrew word for prayer – tefillah – means to “self evaluate”.

So to the Jews of the Bible, prayer was not a time when they asked God for things … it was a time when they examined themselves.

They would use prayer as a way to compare their actions, behavior and attitude against God’s holiness.

TEFILLAH
In Christ,
Beetle

This thought is from:
Day 3 of the @YouVersion Plan
“7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know.”
Check it out here:
http://bible.com/r/e7

Alexx devo – take 2 and call & call me in the morning.

Nahum 1:5 says,

in His presence the mountain quake, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles, and it’s people are destroyed.

My son does 2 devotional thoughts a day, sends them via text to 50 some people.  Then he post them to his blog (https://lexbailey.wordpress.com/).

Eventually he is going to put them all together and publish them into a hard back book giving the reader 2 Bible verses with devoted thoughts that go along with those Scripture verses.

In this devoted thought he shares,

The red sea literally ran in both directions from God’s power making dry land for His people.

Another time the sun stood in its tracks for a whole day at His command.

The entire earth trembled at His death.

Why is it that everything else in the universe besides humans submit to His power?

We are the only beings in existance with the gift to truly understand what it means to have grace, faith, and the beauty in truly embracing a one on one relationship with God and yet we seem to also be the only ones who don’t understand.

We take advantage of the greatest gift ever made and the worst part is that we’re not ignorant, we have had ample opportunity to learn, know, and comprehend we simply choose ignorance but the truth is that Ignorance is not always bliss.

In Christ,
Beetle
(Alexx’s dad)

Parenting (Part 1) “More Is Caught Than Taught”

House or Home – Parenting Edition
“Is There a Parent in the House?”
God’s Blueprint for Biblical Parenting (Part 1)
Ephesians 6:1-4
By: Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

For more resources, go to http://www.lote.org
Copyright © 2008 Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

👉PLAY AUDIO 👈

Your Kids Matter to God!
🔸 God’s view of children
Psalm 127:3-5
3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. 5 How blessed is
the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, when they speak
with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5 (NIV)

🔸God’s instructions to parents
Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2
Honor your father and
mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3
that it may be well with
you, and that you may live long on the earth. 4 And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4 (NIV)

🔸Summary: Children are a gift from God, a sacred stewardship temporarily entrusted to parents for the purpose of raising godly offspring to fulfill God’s agenda
for His world.

🔸The Question: What does a godly parent look like?

Four snapshots of a godly parent
☆1. Godly parenting begins with positive, clear-cut Objectives !

Fathers, don’t overcorrect your children or make it difficult for them to obey the
commandment. Bring them up with Christian teaching in Christian discipline. Ephesians 6:4 (Phillips)

● The Principle of Focus

● God’s Dream vs. The American Dream For Your Child

☆2. Godly parenting demands we practice we preach.
1 Corinthians 4:14-16
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers,
for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you
to imitate (mimic) me. 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (NIV)

● The Principle of Modeling

● “More Is Caught Than Taught”

“More Is Caught Than Taught”

👉Play next audio 👈
☆3. Godly parents build relationships that bond.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
. . . 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who
calls you into His kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NIV)

● The Principle of Relationship

You have
The Parent’s
Lifestyle (Beliefs
+ Values)

One one side and

Child’s
Lifestyle
(Beliefs
+ Values)

On the other side in between is
What links the two –

The Strength of Relationship

🔸Eight “Keys” That Build Relationships That Bond
(Listen to audio, notes below)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

4. Godly parenting requires _________________ __________________ and
____________________ _________________.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)

● The Principle of Process

● 5 Magic Words – ______________ _______________!
______________ _______________ ________ !

● It’s Never Too Late!

Discussion Questions:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how positive of a parent are you?
2. Discuss which point was most helpful to you. Why?
3. Where do you need to focus some parenting energy? What specifically will the next
step look like?

This is Part 1
House or Home
– Parenting Edition
Is There a Parent in the House?
God’s Blueprint for Biblical Parenting Ephesians 6:1-4
For more resources, go to www. LivingontheEdge.org
Copyright © 2012 Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

Click here 👉Go to part 2👈to go on.

Remontant: Word of the Day with ‘The Word’ for the day.

Word of the Day – remontant: blooming more than once in a season. http://www.dictionary.com/wordoftheday/2016/06/26 at Dictionary.com

Hmmm… the seed God planted in me bloomed and the more I feed on His Word and develop the relationship He has given me (His Holy Spirit in me) the more I bloom, every day.

For me God doesn’t just have 3 or 4 months to show His goodness,  His blessings.  He doesn’t just give winter, spring, summer & fall.

Ecclesiastes 3 mentions to every thing there is a season. A time for everything, good, bad, happy sad…life, real life it rains on the righteous & the unrighteous. Bad things happen to good people in spite of any worse case senerio  the most comforting reality is the

“God’s got my back.”

God works out everything for the good for those that love/trust Him.
(Romans 8:28)

I praise God, no matter what season I am going through.  It amazes me how what I thought was something “bad” that happens God ends up using that same situation to show me how blessed I truly am.

May I be blooming more than once in a season, let alone blooming in and out of season, year around.

May all of us who bear the name “Christ”ian always be ready in any season (time period) to bloom (show the fruit of) The Holy Spirit.

Bless God,
Beetle

To go to: “Season of Jail” (part one) a story I am writing regarding a man going through  a very tough season.

Balance (Part 5 “How to Escape the Rat Race Forever!”)

“How to Escape the Rat Race Forever!”

Part 5
From:
Balancing Life’s Demands
How to Escape the Rat Race Forever!!

By:
Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

👉PLAY AUDIO 👈

Introduction: Are you “clearing cobwebs” or “killing spiders”?

The root problem in priority living according to Jesus is ____________________.

Matthew 6:1-18 (Two Motives)

Two Treasures –
19″Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and
where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 (Two Treasures)

Two Eyes –
22″The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole
body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will
be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is
that darkness!
Matthew 6:22-23 (Two Eyes)

Two Masters –
24″No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the
other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and Money.
Matthew 6:24 (Two Masters)

Summary: Do not allow the pursuit of material things to thwart your
spiritual development.

Question: How can we live in a material world without becoming materialistic?

👉PLAY NEXT AUDIO 👈
Look at Matt. 6:24-34
24″No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he
will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and
Money. 25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;
or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the
body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or
reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not
much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to
his life?”
Matthew 6:24-27 (NIV)

28″And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do
not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was
dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is
here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we
drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your
heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
Matthew 6:28-32 (NIV)

33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (needs) will be given
to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

The Symptom: Anxiety is the mark of a life preoccupied with material things.

The Explanation: Stop your preoccupation with material things because…

1. It’s short-sighted – Matthew 6:25b
2. It’s illogical – Matthew 6:28-30
3. It’s unprofitable – Matthew 6:27
4. It’s disgraceful to God – Matthew 6:30-32

The Promise: Matthew 6:33-34
If you will pursue knowing Christ and making Him known as your first priority, He will meet all your material needs.

Application: Questions to Ponder
• Are you “spending” or “investing” your life?
• Is your life making a significant difference in the lives of others?
• Do you live under “pressure” or under “priorities“?
• Do your time, talent, and treasure reflect that pursuing Christ and making Him
known is your #1 priority?

This is from:
“Balancing Life’s Demands”
-Part 5
‘How to Escape the Rat Race Forever!!’
For more resources, go to LivingOnTheEdge.org
Copyright © 2011 Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

To go other parts of series click:
Part 4
Part 3
Part 2
Part 1
All on Balancing Life’s Demands, Biblical backing.

In Christ,
Beetle

Heard said Vs. JESUS SAYS

Jesus says,

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Matthew 5:17 NASB
http://bible.com/100/mat.5.17.NASB

“You have
heard it said vs.
but I say
to you…”

Look at
Matt. 5:21-48

Compared what you’ve heard with What Jesus says.

Compare the Old Testament Law (written/heard) with New Testament  (Jesus’ Word & promises)

(heard law vs. Jesus says)
External vs. Internal

The law covered external things
Jesus is concerned with the internal person.

Doing vs. Being

The law was all about works alone. Jesus is more concerned with us being like Him.

Duty vs. Devotion

Again the law focused on obligation. Jesus interested in true Devotion.

Performance vs.Relationship

The law was a way to show (and became a way to ‘show off’ how ‘dedicated’ people were to God. Jesus is interested in a true love relationship and things done from a loving heart for and with Him, not just a performance piece.

Guilt vs. Grace

The law increased Guilt because humans are not able to fulfill it. Jesus gives grace & did what we cannot.

Letter vs. Spirit

The letter of the law can’t be relied on but His Holy Spirit can fill us and make us pleasing to Him.

Head vs. Heart

The law was something to wrap humans head around. Jesus wants our heart.

The law served its purpose. Then Jesus came, made a new covenant,  new promise,  New Testament.

Now we live like Him, for Him by grace, not under law.

Hear what Jesus is saying.

Application of Matthew 5:20 to…
• Murder – 5:21-26
• Adultery – 5:27-30
• Divorce – 5:31-32
• Oaths – 5:33-37
• Retribution – 5:38-41
• Enemies – 5:43-48

Hear what Jesus is saying.

In Christ,
Beetle

EXTRAS:
An Indepth study at:
Chip Ingram audio on this

For Post with audio and notes on this Go to: Balance  (Relationship vs. Religion)

Balancing (Part 4) Religion Vs. Relationship

This is from Part 4 of series on:
“Balancing Life’s Demands”
This one focuses on
Warning: Personal Discipline
Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
It is by:
Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

It can be listened to by itself or as a series.

👉Play Audio Now👈
Review: Biblical Priorities
“Pop Quiz”

To what degree have you taken specific steps in the following areas?
(1 = none; 2 = little; 3 = started and doing okay; 4 = making good progress; 5 = vigorously pursuing)

🔸____🔸Objectives: Moving from vague ideas to specific decisions about the
kind of person I want to become and what I want to accomplish.
🔸____🔸Priorities: Ordering my life in such a way that the important and eternal
are not forfeited by the “pressing” and the “urgent.”
🔸____ 🔸Schedule: Determining specifically how and when I will place the important
and eternal in my daily life.
🔸____ 🔸Discipline: Doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done (i.e.
choosing to habitually delay gratification of short-term pleasures in order to
more fully enjoy long-term success).
🔸____🔸Accountability: Enlisting the support of those who love me to help me
keep my commitments to God.

Jesus’ Warning #1:

In our pursuit of “seeking first” His righteousness there is the…
…danger of ______________________.

Matthew 5 Overview

Mt. 5:3-12
The reward and character
of His true followers

Mt. 5:13-16
Salt and light –
be worthy examples

Mt. 5:17-20
Relationship of this new
teaching vs. the Law of Moses

True Righteousness
(Matthew 5:20)

“You have
heard it said vs.
but I say
to you…”
Mt. 5:21-48
Compared what you’ve heard with What Jesus says.

Compare the Old Testament Law (written/heard) with New Testament  (Jesus’ Word & promises)

(heard law vs. Jesus says)
External vs. Internal
Doing vs. Being
Duty vs. Devotion
Performance vs.Relationship
Guilt vs. Grace
Letter vs. Spirit
Head vs. Heart

The law served its purpose then Jesus came, made a new covenant,  new promise,  New Testament.

Now we live like Him, for Him by grace, not under law.

Application of Matthew 5:20 to…
• Murder – Mt. 5:21-26
• Adultery – Mt. 5:27-30
• Divorce – Mt. 5:31-32
• Oaths – Mt. 5:33-37
• Retribution – Mt. 5:38-41
• Enemies – Mt. 5:43-48

👉PLAY NEXT AUDIO 👈
(Ephesians 3)
Whole Christian life in one word = Abide.

Summary: Jesus condemns ________________ righteousness (spiritual activities)
when it does not flow from ____________________ relationship with God.

Jesus’ Warning #2:

In our pursuit of “seeking first” His righteousness there is also the…
…danger of _____________________.
( Matthew 6:1-18 )

• Giving – Key Issue = ________________ Matthew 6:1- 4

You can give without loving but you can’t love without giving.

• Prayer– Key Issue = ________________ Matthew 6:5-8

• Fasting – Key Issue = ______________ Matthew 6:16-18

Summary: Spiritual disciplines are ________________ but become dangerous
when they become a means to gain the ___________________ of men rather than
deepen our ____________________ with God.

Application: ___________________ is God’s method of keeping our motives pure.

KEEP IN MIND & HEART:
LUKE 16:15
GALATIANS 1:10
who are we seeking to please?

Discussion Questions:
1. In brief, summarize the two principles taught today with regard to discipline in our
spiritual lives: the principles of distortion and deception.
2. How is it that even our efforts to draw near to God can sometimes be destructive to
our relationship with God?
3. What aspect of this message hit “closest to home” with you? Why?
4. Discuss the balance needed with regard to our will and effort, God’s grace,
accountability and maintaining pure motives as they relate to “seeking first” His
righteousness in your life right now?

This was part 4 from
“Balancing Life’s Demands”
(Warning: Personal Discipline
Can Be Hazardous to Your Health)

For more resources, go to LivingOnTheEdge.org
Copyright © 2011 Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

Click below for
Part 5
Part 3
Part 2
Or go to the start of series:
Part 1

What Kind of Love does God offer?

The Hebrew word translated as ‘love’ here is “hesed’ which is a hard word to define. 

Theologian John Oswalt says hesed is “… a completely undeserved kindness and generosity …”.

Hesed is not just a feeling, it’s an action. It “… intervenes on behalf of loved ones and comes to their rescue” according to Lois Tverberg.

Hesed is not romantic love. It’s faithful. It’s reliable. It’s a wife praying for years for her husband to know God.

It’s a dad once again bailing out his drug-addicted son. It’s parents who lovingly care daily for their autistic child.

Today, you can rely on God’s ‘hesed’ for you no matter what you face.

In Christ,
Beetle

ROLL CREDIT:
I got this from day 1 of the @YouVersion Plan 7 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. Check it out here:
http://bible.com/r/e7

Keeping 1st Things 1st (Part 3 -Balancing)

This is Part 3 from the series  “Balancing Life’s Demands”

How to Keep “First Things First”

From:
Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

(You can listen to the series in part or as a whole)

👉PLAY AUDIO 👈
{Answer on audio and in the Bible}

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

The Problem: Many start well, but few finish well.

The Answer:
Biblical Accountability

• Definition: Biblical Accountability is enlisting the support of those who love me to help me keep my commitments to God.

• Its Power:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one
falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to
help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one
keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

The Need:
Why accountability is essential for spiritual success

Five Reasons:
1. Because we never outgrow the need for________________ ___________________.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the
games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable
wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;
I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my
slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB)

2. Because past successes are no guarantee of ______________ _______________.
1 Corinthians 10:1-5

1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the
cloud and all passed through the sea; 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud
and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual
drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock
was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they
were laid low in the wilderness.
1 Corinthians 10:1-5 (NASB)

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.
Psalms 103:7 NASB
http://bible.com/100/psa.103.7.NASB

3. Because we constantly underestimate the power of our own ________________
___________________.
1 Corinthians 10:6-11

6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat to eat and drink and stood to play.” 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let
us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now these
things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction,
upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
1 Corinthians 10:6-11 (NASB)

Note above: we can learn from result of others choices, they Crave evil things, idolaters (anything or anyone who take the place of The Lord), act immorally, try (test), grumble.

👉PLAY NEXT AUDIO 👈
4. Because we constantly overestimate our ability to handle ______________.
1 Corinthians 10:12

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NASB)

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13 NASB
http://bible.com/100/heb.3.13.NASB

5. Because we naively believe our struggles and temptations are _____________.
1 Corinthians 10:13

13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is
faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)

Summary: “Therefore, my beloved, flee from _______________________________!”
1 Corinthians 10:14 (NASB)

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:14 (NASB)

The Means:
“How To” develop accountability in relationships:
• It begins at ________________.
• In an atmosphere of ___________ .
• It must be voluntary and by __________________.

We should not be going out and hold other people accountable -that is God’s job

Allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in you and others.

• It must be _______________ , not generic.
• It must be ________________ , not sporadic.
• No more than _________ _____________.

Discussion Questions:
1. In what area of your life have you recently made a commitment to God?
2. From what you learned today, how could you get help in keeping this commitment?
3. Why is accountability so essential for all of us?
4. What specific steps will you take to become accountable so you can be a finisher?

This concludes:
Balancing Life’s Demands (Part 3) How to Keep “First Things First”

For more resources, go to LivingOnTheEdge.org
Copyright © 2011 Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge

Click below to:
Go to part 4
Go to part 2
Go to part 1

Word of God Speak (prayer journal)

As He speaks,
Write It Down

Read today’s verse:

If you want to hear God speak, you need to withdraw to a quiet place, wait patiently and expectantly,

ask God to give you a picture of what he wants to say to you, and then write down God’s responses to your questions.

In the book of Habakkuk, the Lord commands the author to “write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance” (Habakkuk 2:2 TEV).

That’s how we got the book of Habakkuk.

In chapter one, Habakkuk wrote down what he said to God. And in chapter two, he wrote down what God said back to him.

That’s also how we got the book of Psalms;

it is David’s quiet time.

David meditated on the first five books of the Bible, the Torah, and then he wrote down his thoughts, and they’re called psalms.

In many of the psalms, he starts out with what he’s feeling and then ends up with what God says.

If your prayer life is stuck in a rut, and you tend to pray the same things over and over —“God, be with this person” or “Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies” — then here’s what you need to do: Start writing out your prayers.

(In the menu of my personal blog you’ll find, “How to keep a prayer journal”. Click 👉 Prayer Journalism Series )

“What? You mean I don’t have to say them?” That’s right! Writing them down is a prayer. God can hear it in your thoughts. Just write it down.

Is it OK to write out a prayer and then read it? Of course it is. When you’re writing it, you’re praying. When you’re reading it, you’re praying.

This is called the spiritual habit of journaling, and it’s one that all Christians should understand and practice.

A journal is not a diary. A diary is about the things you did. A journal is about the lessons you learned — the mistakes you made and how you learned from those things.

I share this devoted thought from day 11 of the @YouVersion Plan Hearing The Voice Of God. Check it out here:
http://bible.com/r/Kf

In Christ,
Beetle

Click 👉Prayer Journalism Series for info. On how i keep a prayer journal.

picture at top with Scripture superimposed over it is from my parents back yard where i often meditated on God’s Word & just sat & listened.