Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.5.7.NLT
Dear believer,
Simply trust Him.
In Jesus, beetle
Month: September 2019
Show Me The Way
Lead me Lord God.
For Christ sake, beetle
If Human Hearts, How Much More (song lyrics by John Gowans)
One of my favorite song lyrics,“If Human Hearts” sometimes called “How Much More”, written by John Gowans:
Verse 1.
If human hearts are often tender,
And human minds can pity know,
If human love is touched with splendor,
And human hands compassion show,
(Chorus)
Then how much more shall God our Father
In love forgive, in love forgive!
Then how much more shall God our Father
Our wants supply, and none deny!
Verse 2.
If sometimes men can live for others,
And sometimes give where gifts are spurned,
If sometimes treat their foes as brothers,
And love where love is not returned,
Then how much more shall God our Father
In love forgive, in love forgive!
Then how much more shall God our Father
Our wants supply, and none deny!
Verse 3. If men will often share their gladness,
If men respond when children cry,
If men can feel each other’s sadness,
Each other’s tears attempt to dry,
Chorus
Then how much more shall God our Father
In love forgive, in love forgive!
Then how much more shall God our Father
Our wants supply, and none deny!
-written by John Gowans.
Speak Life – Edible Words
The following I got from: “Learn To Use Your Mouth Wisely” a Bible reading plan from @YouVersion! Check it out here:
http://bible.com/r/3sh
Larry Nettles is a close friend. We went to college together at Rice University. He once told me this story:
When I was growing up, I desperately wanted to be an athlete. My dad played basketball at the University of Texas. But I was terrible at sports. I was horrible at football, basketball, and baseball.
When I got to high school, my dad encouraged me to try cross-country running. I did. After a time, the coach, Coach Dunlap, said to me,
“I think you are going to be good.”
I was astounded. No one had ever said that to me. So I asked him, “Why do you say that?”
“Because you have rhythm when you run. You have mental toughness. You have self-discipline.”
I thought to myself, “I could be good!” I doubled my mental toughness and self-discipline. I worked hard. I rose to the expectations. I got better and better. I set school records. I became one of the best runners in Texas. I got a full athletic scholarship to Rice University.
Then, Larry paused and looked intently into my eyes.
“Those words changed my life in more ways than you can imagine.”
He went on to tell me that Coach Dunlap’s words gave him confidence in every area of his life. He began to see himself differently. He said it changed the path of his life.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” With our words, we can breathe life into people. And with our words, we can bring death into people.
Wise is the man or woman who speaks words that breathe life, build up, encourage, and affirm.
Wise is the person who is forever alert to speak words of life to a child, a spouse, a friend, a student, a neighbor, a coworker, a stranger, a clerk at Wal-Mart, or someone who looks troubled.
Life-giving words. We can change lives forever. Words like these: I love you. I respect you. I believe in you. I am so proud of you. You can do this. You are so good at painting. I love the way you shared your toys with your brother. Could I pray for you right now? You are going to get through this, for God will see you through. I have been praying for you every day. I am so sorry; will you forgive me? Thank you so much for that gift. When words like these are spoken from the heart, they breathe life into people.
You can make such a difference with your words.
Be careful what words you use. Make them sweet because they will come back to you and you’ll have to eat them.
The Holy Spirit Filter
In the previous post I wrote about the need to process what we hear externally, Running our words through a filter, and only the responding to our current environment.
As we grow & mature in our relationship with God He fills us with His Holy Spirit & rather than acting & responding to the world around us, as we did before Christ’s Lorship, we now bear the fruit of His Spirit.
With this dear to our hearts & in the forefront of our minds only God can begin to help us overflow with His characteristics.
The more of Him we allow deep down within our souls, and the more of us He has, the more He enables us to display all these traits and others will be witness to the difference He makes in us.
Here is the thing, God does not force us into a relationship with Him, living as a bond-servant unto Him. We must submit to Him. Only then will His nature be exhibited through us.
Here is a reminder of what kind of fruit is seen when we are filled by God’s Holy Spirit. Try putting your name before each descriptive adjective, example below-
But the fruit of the Spirit, the result of His presence within us:
- (insert your name here) is love, gives unselfish concern for others,
- (insert your name) expresses joy,
- (your name) has inner peace,
- (Your name) is patience. Not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting,
- (Your name) applies kindness,
- (Your name) shows goodness,
- (Your name) displays faithfulness,
- (Your name) exhibits gentleness,
- (your name) exercises self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Let’s do the same thing with PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9 AMP. As we reach verse 8 & 9 apply our own name before each adjective & adverb, describing our new mind set in Christ.
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit, graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over (your name here) hearts and (your name here) minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Finally, believers,
replace of the word whatever with your name:
- whatever is true,
- whatever is honorable and worthy of respect,
- whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word,
- whatever is pure and wholesome,
- whatever is lovely and brings peace,
- whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any
- excellence, if there is anything
- worthy of praise,
think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is THE SOURCE] of peace and well-being will be with you.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9 AMP
It is great to get into God’s word and even better when His Living Word gets into us.
Remember love is a verb. Perfect love only comes from God; however, with the help of His Holy Spirit we can be love. So let’s insert our names before each verb we see in 1st Co. 13 (God’s definition of love). Put your name where you would see love –
- (Place your name here) endures with patience and serenity,
- (Your name) is kind and thoughtful, and
- (Your name) is not jealous or envious;
- (Your name) does not brag and is not proud or arrogant.
- (Your name) is not rude;
- (Your name) is not self-seeking,
- (Your name)is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered];
- (Your name) does not take into account a wrong endured.
- (Your name) does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail].
- (Your name) bears all things [regardless of what comes],
- (Your name)believes all things [looking for the best in each one],
- (Your name) hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times],
- (Your name) endures all things [without weakening].
- (Your name) never fails [it never fades nor ends].
But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face.
Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].
And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-13 AMP
I just can’t help but notice the wording,
“growing out of God’s love for me”
The deeper I fall in Love with The Lord the higher He lifts my spirit & grants His Spirit’s control. Like any good relationship it takes both sides to be in love, walk in love, stay in love.
As we apply God’s Word, asking Him to create in us His attitudes, think before we speak, or act, we find that God is able to handle things in a way we would not.
It all comes down to being a “Romans 12 Christian“
Warning – Romans 12 is not a “try-hard” moral code to live up to, but a faith response to what God has already done for us.
(If you’re part of a small group or just want to do an even deeper study on this go to link above or: The 6 Part Series On Becoming A Romans 12 Christian by living on the edge/Chip Ingram (https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2016/04/18/becoming-a-romans-12-christian-the-whole-6-part-seriesaudios-notes/)
This thought was continued after the previous post: https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2019/09/18/word-filtration/
Word Filtration
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Proverbs 18:2 ESV
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
Proverbs 18:2 NLT
A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is.
Proverbs 18:2 GNTD
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
Proverbs 18:2 NIV
Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.
Proverbs 18:2 MSG
A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].
PROVERBS 18:2 AMP
You may notice the above are all the same verse. Repetition of God’s word is always a good way for us to remind ourselves of God’s perspective. The more familiar we are with His voice the more we are enabled to follow His lead.
People sometimes use words like sticks and stones. Perhaps, with an intention to hurt the individual they hurl their words at, or maybe even unintentionally, simple because they have given no thought toward what they are saying.
If you’ve felt insulted here is a great Proverb to apply:
Prov 12:16 – The [arrogant] fool’s anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense], But a prudent man ignores an insult.
PROVERBS 12:16 AMP
With all this in mind, oh, how the RIGHT words at the RIGHT time can be such a blessing.
Prov. 15:23 –
A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!
PROVERBS 15:23 AMP
My prayer, for me and for all of us who desire to heed The Lord’s Proverbs, is that we will
Think before we speak.
Prov 15:28-
The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way], But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things.
PROVERBS 15:28 AMP
That is what I call diarrhea of the mouth.
I have personally found that I need to filter what comes into my mind before I speak. I call it
(https://tombeetlebailey.wordpress.com/2019/09/19/the-holy-spirit-filter/)
because it is not naturally possible for me to succeed in doing so. I need God to apply His supernatural abilities where I fall short.
Filter me Lord, beetle
I started Journal 77 with this illustration.
The Dearest Nearness
Heather C. King did an awesome article on Bible versed about drawing near to God:
Bible Verses about Drawing Near to God
As I read through it I was held up by the very second verse listed and my full attention was drawn into those few words.
They say so much to me.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.
Psalms 73:28 NASB
Breaking it down to hit home:
- But for me – but as for me & my house (Joshua 24:15), regardless of what others may put their stock in.
- The nearness of God -ya know the earth revolves around the sun, just as my life revoles around The Son of God (not the other way around). If we feel like God is not close all we have to do is get closer to Him, let the ‘SON’ rise. Let The Son reign.
- Is my good -the only good in me is God. Without Him i am nothing (John 3:30). He > i.
- I have made -a personal commitment. I’ve made a conscious desision. I deliberately follow in His footsteps getting to know Him better day by day.
- The Lord God -“Lord”: Master, Sovereign, Chief, Head, Leader, Governor, trusted confident. I’m a bond slave, given choice to stay under His Lordship. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.
1 Peter 2:16 NLT - My refuge – shelter, tower, rock, fort, protector, under His wing, trust, safe space, happy place, in His embrace, my home, where I dwell, a safe harbor.
- So that– everything before this gives reason for me to tell of all HIS works. We don’t need a Bible degree, just lift Him up for the world to see (John 12:32). Ain’t no rock gonna cry in my place (Luke 19:40). Proclaim, witness, testify, declare, I do tell.
Well, I declare! There we have it.
In Jesus name & for Christ’s sake, beetle
🌟✨💫EXTRAS💫✨🌟
Isaiah 55:1-5 MSG:
“Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything’s free!
Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy?
Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest.
Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.
I’m making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love. I set him up as a witness to the nations, made him a prince and leader of the nations, And now I’m doing it to you: You’ll summon nations you’ve never heard of, and nations who’ve never heard of you will come running to you Because of me, your God , because The Holy of Israel has honored you.”
Isaiah 55:1-5 MSG
For more be sure to check out:https://heathercking.org/2019/09/17/bible-verses-about-drawing-near-to-god/
Lunged At By Life
The following video clip said so much about how life feels sometimes:
Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble, but he of good cheer. I have overcome this world and if you are in me and I am in you, you too will overcome this worlds.
Gary Allen song, “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”:
Consider This Life
Click here👉Safe Link to video👈 or
Go to:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B2R0xARBtTp/?igshid=65gvmkf0gtxp
May we all consider this life as we progress and strive for the next, because Jesus said,
In John chapters 4, 5, 6 Jesus talks a lot about life & He explains a lot.
If you can’t seem to find the time to read those three chapeter just now take a few moments to just read John chapter 10. God will speak to you just as He does to everyone.
It’s up to us to take time in this life to simply listen & apply.
Go steady with God. He won’t break up with you.
Jesus says, … “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
(John 14:1-4, 27 ESV)
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.14.1-27.ESV
For Christ’s sake, beetle
Music to go along with reading (New World Son, “Sweet Holy Spirit”): https://youtu.be/mn1ghJGAfS8
John 10 –
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.
John 10:1-42 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.10.1-42.ESV
I believe.
The Dragonfly Vs. The Wasp (Full Potential)
“Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand” -Neil Peart, from the Rush song, ” Witch Hunt“
He went onto the back porch that was connected to his house and noticed a dragonfly caught between the sliding screen & glass door. It was still alive! As he enter the dragon fly made its escape. He was amazed by its size as he watched it dart toward the screens, bouncing back at each attempt to find where it came in or another possible exit.
He thought to himself, There are times when I feel like that dragonfly, caught, trapped, stuck in a screened in porch.
Determined to be free, the dragonfly continued to bang its poor fragile head against the walls of thinly woven pieces of metal. Just as determined, the man began to think of a plan in order to be its savior.
Perhaps if I open the door he’ll find his way out.
Even after the door was opened the dragonfly deliberately knocked at the four corners of the room that held it captive.
Maybe if I capture it in a cup and deliver it to the open door I’ll free it. I’ll be a hero, the thought occurred to the man.
Quickly going back inside he grabbed a cup. He stopped to consider the size of its opening and feared it would be too small to keep from breaking the creatures beautiful, thin, see through wings while trying to catch it. He found a pitcher, this will work, he thought.
He went back out to the screened in area. The dragonfly was gone. He found his own way out.
A rapid threads of thoughts fired through his mind, Was it the open door that helped? Was there a hole in the screen? It got into the porch on it’s own somehow so, it must have gotten out the same way. Did I help? Did I leave the door open in the first place, allowing it in? How can I prevent other creatures from entering in the first place?
While proceeding over to shut the door the man saw a wasp fly in. He practical bent himself back into a ninety degree angle to avoid it. This time internal thoughts turned verbal,
“AGH! NO! GET OUTTA HERE!!! YOU DON’T BELONG IN HERE. DIE YOU EVIL SPAWN OF SATAN!”
His words were accompanied by swings of the pitcher. He contined to shout, getting louder and casting insults to the creature who knew not the language he was speaking.
One mighty swing finally made contact and propelled the wasp to the ground. The man quickly put the opening of the pitcher over the wasp. He stopped to catch his breath from the battle he just endured.
Once again silent thoughts raced through his own mind while the threatening beast banged all around its newly found cell. The dragonfly is one thing but this predator is quiet another. How do I get it out now? How can I kill it? Should I just leave it in here to starve? We need this pitcher for our margaritas!
Stepping back the man considered some rational thoughts on this new found dilemma.
Mean while, he went back and closed the screened in porch. I like being out here. This is a nice place. I really find serenity here. His heart was still racing as he tried to calm his thoughts. This is his home. He lives out here full-time. He malled over how the wasp must feel. What purpose do bees, hornets, & wasps serve? What’s the difference between a hornet, wasp, and yellow jacket? Wait a yellow jacket is a type of bee right? He considered and continued to rapid fire thoughts and questions to thing he simply did not know. Wasp, hornet… There is another name for them right? What is that name? What are they called? Wasp, hornet…? Oh, I don’t know. I’ll probably recall around two in the morning, wake from a sound sleep, and the answer will be right there waiting for me. Mud dobbers! That’s it! Mud dobber? Is that it? Oh, I don’t know! But, I do know they sting and they don’t belong in here!!
Frustrated, the man went back inside. His thoughts stayed with him. Why was I okay with the dragonfly but not that vermin stinging pest? Hah! Cause he is a vermin stinging pest, that is why! He followed his train of thought.
I know I’m not terribly allergic to its venom, but still!
The man got himself a cup of coffee. The nice fresh brew brought along with it a calmness to his body, and yet his mind still couldn’t escape from the thoughts of that winged creature. I mean outside I expect and accept the fact that mosquitoes, bees, ants, and more are out there, but in my own backyard porch? His thoughts made their way out of his head, into his voice box, and out of his mouth with a boisterous,
” In my own backyard, screened in, porch!
I can’t accept that!
I won’t!
That’s just too close for comfort. That’s what that is! It just hits too close to home! What are they gonna take over the whole earth next?! Good luck with that we’ve already ruined this planet for you guys anyway!”
He realized he went from talking to himself to actually talking to bugs in general. He went back into his own mind after realizing how silly it was to be giving mother nature a piece of his mind. Oh boy, maybe I should just keep my mouth shut. Keep to myself my conspiracy theories and political correcting of this world and how it should be run. Just keep it together at least, man. It is just a bug. Surly I am not alone in thinking we should kill as many creatures, well at least bugs, kill as many as we can without off setting our ecological system. He stopped himself there. He knew he had no idea, and couldn’t even begin to figure out, how each little insect, that seemed insignificant to him, worked in nature. (Is. 55:8-11)
As he took a few sips of his brew he continued to brew in thought. This time his mind moved a little slower. Humph, yeah this is kind of like how I feel about people. The thought entered as if he was answering a question. I’ll accept dragonflies because those dragons don’t breathe fire or sting like a bee/wasp, but when it comes to even the slightest threat I get so defensive. I’m so ready to arm myself with cans of bug spray, one in each hand, to poison the li’l bastard! I know I don’t wanna be stung but why does that little, subtle, confrontation with a tiny insect lead me to such outrageous behavior? It’s kinda funny how, with the dragonfly, I just wanted it to be free and with the wasp my first thought is how to destroy it. Hah!
Another voice, somewhere deep inside, asked a question and the man answered with the same question,
Who do I think I am?
Just then the acronym hit him between the eyes, W.A.S.P.
He tried to recall what those initials stood for. White Anglo-Saxon Protestant? His prior education, mixed with some assumptions and even some opinions, gave him a blurred montage of the true facts. He was able to remember that WASP has been used to refer to some people who were overly filled with pride based on their ancestory going back to the original people who came from northern Europe and settled here in America. They were white, Caucasian, and credited their religion to the Protestants. He knew they were formerly considered to have a lot of power and influence; but wait, there is more to this, he thought as he went over to his lap top.
He was now on a quest to find out the facts. This wasp from outside came into his sanctuary and it led him on an exploration he had not planned on taking. There he confirmed what he knew, however, he still needed clarification. Now, with more than just thoughts, he read out loud, although there was no one there to hear him,
“Martin Wall writes,
‘The people we call Anglo-Saxons were actually immigrants from northern Germany and southern Scandinavia. Bede, a monk from Northumbria writing some centuries later, says that they were from some of the most powerful and warlike tribes in Germany.‘ Well, that’s pretty good information.”
Hmmm let’s see what else I can find. 10 things you (probably) didn’t know about the Anglo-Saxons…
“The Anglo-Saxons murdered their hosts?!”
Without going any further he became enraged, just as he had with that wasp out back.
It’s a stupid, angry bee that does not make honey.
https://bible.com/bible/1588/heb.11.1.AMP)
Go with God, beetle
