God Really Is Amazing

30. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Welcome Back from the Weekend.  I just have to tell you what happened to me yesterday.  It may seem trivial but it was one of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced with God.    Yesterday morning I woke up singing this old church hymn called “What a Friend we have in Jesus.”  Some of you may not know it and some of you your parents probably know it.   For some reason, I could not stop singing it. I hummed it all the way to church.  After church we went to a restaurant for breakfast (we attend the 7:30a.m. service), and I was telling my friend how I couldn’t get the song out of my head.  She knew the hymn and we both begin to sing it at the breakfast table while waiting for our food.   

After breakfast, I attended another church service and still, the words of the song were so in my head and had now begun to penetrate into my heart.    After this second service, I had to go to Gainesville, Georgia to attend a family function with my husband.  It was a church banquet honoring his uncle who had been in ministry for over 37 years.   

I whispered to God; please let them sing this song.  When I said it, I promise you I didn’t think it was going to happen.  It was just a thought.  During the praise and worship section of the program, out of no where, the usher came from the back and said; “someone requested that we sing; “what a friend we have in Jesus.”  Ohhhhh!!!!!!!!!  I lost it.  Even the person over the program was surprised because they clearly were getting ready to sing another song. 

The program shifted and they sung the song and I blushed through the entire song, amazed at what God had just done.  Again, this may seem so nothing to most people, but when I tell you I left that place with a determiniation like never before to “please God” in all of my ways and live the life I preach about even the more.     I called another good friend (Most of you know him) and I went on and on about how that moment touched me and excited me and we laughed and talked about the “favor of God.”     So today, I want to pass on to you the words of that hymn.  Just read the words, even if you’re not familiar with it.  They are so Powerful…………….    See you tomorrow. 

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there. 

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily 

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Acknowledge Him

27. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

As you see all week I have been in this praise mode.  While I understand that we should always be in a mode to praise God, my praise has been elevated to new levels on this week.  Some of you may be wondering what happened in my life that caused this “extra” burst of praise this week.   So often, our increased praise is connected with some type of physical or material testimony.   My answer is absolutely nothing.    As, I said earlier in the week, I started this week with realizing what a privilege it is to live for God and I have been grateful that I know God, that I know Jesus as my Lord and Savior, that my relationship has grown and I am amazed that I can even love God like this because for years, I doubted whether there be any God at all.

Next week, we will pick up our study in the book of Matthew, Today; I want to leave you with this familiar proverb.  I found comfort in these words today and I’ve been quoting them since I awoke on this morning.

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!

Proverbs 3:1 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good  understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” 

God Bless 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily

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An Expected End

26. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

This morning when I was in prayer, It was one of those days where I just could feel his presence.  I felt safe.  I could hear the words of

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (KJV)  

This text encouraged me so this morning and I hope it encourages you.  God has an “expected end” or planned end for our lives.  Everything is safe, everything is as it should be, and all is well.     

Another version reads:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)  

God Bless 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily 

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The Power of Praise

25. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

I told you it’s going to be one of those weeks, I just can’t stop praising him.  This psalm that I’m listing today is so familiar in the life of the church, but I heard an elder at the church I attend this past Sunday quote it.  This same elder is currently in the hospital and according to the doctors the report doesn’t look good but we know our God is able and we shall believe the report of the Lord.   They showed a video of her quoting this psalm shortly before she collapsed in church and when I thought about that moment this morning,  I thought about how powerful that psalm is.

Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Historically, this psalm was written when David was on the run from Saul.  Let’s go to Samuel and look at the scenario. 

1 Samuel 21: 10 That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. 11 But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” 12 David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of

Gath. 13 So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. 14 Achish said to his servants, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? 15 Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?”

After this experience, David penned this psalm.  Ohhhhhhh, How powerful.  David said my soul doth make her boast in the Lord.  That word for boast there means to “be hilariously foolish.”  David was saying that his very insides went crazy for God.  He was so appreciative that God had spared him from the hand of his enemy. I think most people have memorized this Psalm and sometimes it can become a “cliché” in the church.  Revisit it again, and see the power of these words. 

God Bless 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily .

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Prayer, Meditation, Study

24. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:   

This is going to be one of those weeks.  I can feel it.  I can’t stop thinking about how great it is to live for God.    Somehow, this week, I have just been drawn in scriptures to topics that deal with how powerful God’s word is if we study it and apply it.   

I am well aware of the statistics that most Christians do not read the word of God on a daily basis and that for most of us, what we get in Sunday service and Bible study makes up our scripture context for the week.   We are robbing ourselves of the power and success that we can achieve by not reading and studying the word of God daily; by not having our own meditation time and prayer time and study time.   

Many Christians think we’re doing well by not fornicating, or committing adultery, or lying or stealing, etc and we boast that we have achieved such “self control.”   While all these things are good and we should do them, we ignore to me what means most to God which is building a personal relationship with him through reading and study, worship and prayer.   All those other things will naturally flow out of our relationship because if we Love him, we will keep his commandments. 

There are a lot of non-Christians that practice a moral lifestyle, but we have a relationship with God.  There is a place that you can go in God and levels that most Christians do not experience because we don’t plan prayer and study time.  Yes, it has to be planned.    

Just as in the natural, our physical relationships have to be worked on daily in order to be happy and successful and when we ignore them they often end in divorce or separation.     

One of the subtle tricks of the enemy and yet so damaging is to make people think that they don’t need to read and study God’s word daily.  I have heard people say that I talked to God all the time, at my desk, in my car, on the job, etc.  All that is good, but look at the verse below, to go to higher levels and walk a consistent walk (not up and down, not in and out) there must be a plan of study.   

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 

The word “meditate” here means to think on something to the point where it makes you act.  This type of meditation requires time, privacy, aloneness with God.  It must be scheduled and the text tells us that we must do it day and night, yes, more than one time a day.   Look at the rewards.  The text says that this type of meditation will lead to us observing or doing the word and then  WE SHALL MAKE OUR WAY PROSPEROUS AND WE SHALL HAVE GOOD SUCCESS!!!!!!!!! How powerful!! 

I know that in the busy world that we live in and with all the demands that are on us, many of us feel that it is just impossible to add one more thing to our schedules.  But this “one more thing” has the power to make all other things in your life and happening to you become prosperous and successful.  It’s soooooooooo worth the sacrifice.  

I am just so excited about the life that God has planned for me and for you.  I am motivated more than ever to increase my meditation, study, worship, and prayer time.  I hope you’ll join me. 

God Bless!!!! 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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In Due Season

23. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

I woke up this morning and could not stop quoting this psalm.  It is a familiar psalm in the life of the church.  I wanted to share it with you today.  I hope it blesses you as it has me. 

Psalm 1 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

For some reason, this morning, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it is a blessing to “live for God.”    The word blessed in the text above means “happy.”   So happy is the person who has decided not to live by the “standards of the world” (the council of the ungodly)   

The text goes on to say that they will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.   A tree that is planted by the rivers of waters is in a place where its roots will always be nourished.   Whatever the seasonal changes cause to happen to the tree, it always has the potential for growth and strength and fruit bearing because of the nourishment of the roots.The psalmist writes that we are like that tree.   As long as our foundation is Jesus Christ, we have the nourishment necessary to grow, prosper, bear fruit, and be strong.    

And the text concludes with whatever we do will prosper.   What a powerful and encouraging Psalm.  Wherever you are in your life today, focus on the benefits of loving our God.  I hope that will encourage you to keep pushing, keep praying, keep giving, keep loving, etc.  No matter what it looks like now, IN DUE SEASON, we will reap if we faint not.  Be encouraged today.    

See you tomorrow.  

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily 

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Divorce- Conclusion

20. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today, we are looking at Paul’s discussion on divorce.  While Jesus only gives us one reason for divorce which is adultery, Paul addresses another issue that Jesus did not address.   Let’s look at the text. 

1 Corinthians 7:10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.

People ask all the time well what if this is happening and that is happening in the marriage, do you mean I have to stay there and take it.  Paul does teach that if a person separates, then they are to stay unmarried and then be reconciled back to each other.  Separation is not forbidden, yet divorce is.  If you are in a harmful situation, Paul acknowledges separation but does not condone divorce.  Paul also makes the statement that this is the instruction from the Lord and not him, so you can clearly see that he is interpreting Jesus’ teachings on divorce which are found in the gospels.

Much of Corinthians was actually a response to letters that had been sent to Paul asking about certain issues.   One of the issues raised was how to handle a marriage when both of the spouses were initially unsaved and then one gets saved.  The Corinthians wanted to know if they should get divorced since they would be considered “unequally yoked.”  Paul answers this by letting them know that whatever state you were in before salvation, do not abandon it.  If you were married, then as long as the unbelieving spouse wants to remain married then do so, but if the unbelieving spouse wants a divorce, then Paul instructs that we are free to live in peace and not walk in condemnation because the unbelieving spouse leaves. 

In summary, Divorce is a sin.  What about all the people that have done it and adultery wasn’t the case?   It’s still a sin.  Adultery is a sin.  God never meant for people to divorce, for from the beginning it was not so.  So yes, divorce is labeled and classified as a “sin.”  Just because our government makes it legal, does not mean it is legitimate in the eyes of God. 

Pre-marital counseling is so important.  Today, people are so casual towards divorce.  I have often heard people say that if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll just get a divorce.  People go into the marriage, with an escape plan which makes giving up on it and not fighting for it easy to do. 

My marriage is far from being perfect, but I do have a wonderful marriage to a wonderful man of sixteen years and my husband and I both agree that divorce is not an option.  We have made up our minds to simply “obey God” and be to each other what God’s word tells us we should be.   It’s a commitment.  It’s a choice.  It’s a daily sacrifice and it’s work; but with prayer, unity, communication, and commitment it is so obtainable.  Okay, I don’t want to leave anyone in condemnation.  Yes, divorce is a sin, but as with all sins, it is forgivable.  The scriptures teach that there is only one sin that will not be forgiven and that is “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” other than that, all other sins can be forgiven.   So if you have gotten a divorce without the causes given in scripture, one must ask God for forgiveness.   You can put it behind you and go on and lead a productive and healthy life without walking in condemnation.As with any sins, there are consequences.   Personally, I have seen some really ugly things that have happened to spouses and children as a result of divorce and separation.  Sin is ugly and it has major consequences, but thanks be unto God that we have an advocate (Jesus Christ) that sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty and makes intercession for us daily.Have a great weekend.  

See you on Monday with a new study.   

God Bless. Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

P.S.  Someone just ask me on the web do they have to get a divorce if adultery occurs.   The answer is absoultely not.  Should you want to forgive your spouse and reconcile then it is honourable and not against scripture.  Adultery is however a legitimate grounds for divorce but no where in scripture are you commanded to get one because adultery has occurred.  Either way, whether you reconcile or not, Scriptures teaches that you must forgive. 

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Divorce Part III

19. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today, we are looking at the disciple’s response to Jesus’ answer concerning divorce.  I’ll give you the whole passage so you can review the entire story.

Matthew 19:3 “ Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 ”Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 7 ”Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” 10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”  

As you can see in our study; Jesus forbids divorce except for the grounds of marital unfaithfulness.  He also instructs that anyone that divorces without this reason and remarries commits adultery.  In God’s eyes, marriage was created for a lifetime.  It is a covenant relationship that God instituted and according to Malachi 2:16  it states that “God hates divorce.”  Remember, the Pharisees came tempting Jesus.  Some of the religious leaders were teaching that you could divorce your wife for any reason while others held that it could be only for adultery.  The word used in the text is actually a word that is broader than adultery.  When we studied this subject in Matthew, the 5^th chapter, you will notice that the word fornication is used.  In its simplest form, it means illegal sex but the word also applies to all kinds of sexual immorality.    Also in the 5^th Chapter, Jesus states that anyone that divorces his wife for any other reason than fornication causes her to commit adultery and who ever marries the divorced woman  also commits adultery.  WOW!!!!   These are some difficult teachings.   

God’s hatred of divorce is so clear in scripture that when the disciples heard the teaching, their response to Jesus was that it is better that a man not marry.

Jesus went on to tell the disciples that everyone does not have the gift of celibacy.  Some people are eunuchs for the gospel’s sake and others have been made eunuchs by men.   Jesus clearly states that celibacy is a calling and not everyone will be able to maintain a celibate lifestyle which means the only other option is marriage. 

Jesus allows divorce only in the case of adultery  (the hard hardnesses of adultery).    There is no scriptural evidence that supports divorce in any other situation.   YEP!!!!!!!!   I know this raises a lot of issues!!!!!!!!!!   

Paul in Corinthians gives us an interpretation of this same passage.   Tomorrow, we will look at that text and we will close out our discussion about divorce.  Tomorrow, we will answer such questions as to what about all the Christians that get divorces for reasons other than fornication.   

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Divorce Part II

18. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: Yesterday, we talked about Jesus’ response to the Pharisees.  Today, we want to talk about the Pharisees response to Jesus again.  Our text is as follows: 

Matthew 19: 3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 ”Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 7 ”Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (NIV)  

Once Jesus tells the Pharisees that from the beginning, God never intended for divorce, the Pharisees quickly rebut with then why did Moses allow it?   Jesus goes on to say that Moses allowed it because of the hardness of your heart; in other words because you refused to obey God’s word.  You refused to be faithful and honor each other, you refused to take care of each other, You refused to love and cleave to each other, etc.   

Divorce was actually put in place to deal with the sins that were being done in the covenant of  marriage. 

After the fall of man, there had to be something put in place to deal with the rebellion of man concerning marriage.   Since the married couples  refused to obey the word of God in terms of “till death do us part” Moses allowed divorce in order to provide guidelines on what would happen mainly to the woman when she was dismissed by the husband.   In the ancient world most of the divorces were being requested by the men. 

Divorce became a treatment to deal with sin.    In the creation age before the fall, Jesus teaches, that it was not so.  It was never meant to be; “from the beginning, it was not so.”     

Once sin entered into the world, things drastically changed and laws were created to deal with the sins of “mankind.” 

Tomorrow, we will look at the disciples response to Jesus concerning this teaching.    They too had comments on the subject matter.   

God Bless. Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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Oneness

17. June 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Yesterday, we talked about  why the question on divorce raised to Jesus from the Pharisees was a temptation.  Today, we want to look at Jesus’ response to the Pharisees.  Our text is as follows: 

 

Matthew 19: 3 “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” 

 

Jesus quickly takes the Pharisees back to the scriptures.  The Pharisees were the “teachers of the law” so Jesus uses the very words that they held valuable and they spent their lifetimes teaching and promoting.    Jesus says:  “Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh and whatever God has joined together, let no man separate.   

WOW!!!!!!!.  The concept of oneness.  The power of oneness.  Jesus describes how at marriage, literally a miracle of oneness takes place.  God does not see the union as two anymore but as one.   How this all comes together we don’t know but I have experienced this oneness in my own marriage.  It’s amazing,  I don’t know when it developed or should I say, when I noticed it, but its fascinating how my husband and I think a like, I know what he likes, what he dislikes, we complete each other sentences, we know when something is wrong with each other, we know when each other hurts without even having to be told.  We are so connected, it’s hard to explain.   You may say “well, that oneness experience hasn’t happened in my marriage.”  The text teaches that once we get married, the two are no longer separate but become one.  I think for many married couples, we fight to stay separate which may explain why we never experience “the power of oneness.”   

Jesus goes on to say that this union is more important than any other union in life.  I think most of us will agree that typically our parents are the most important people in our lives.  They birthed us into the world.  They taught us and gave us the first images of how people should behave, talk, love,  etc.  They shaped us and in many cases molded us into the people that we are.  For some people, it becomes very difficult to leave that union.  Jesus says, for this cause (marriage)  shall a man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and they will be one.  You will never be one with your parents, but Jesus teaches that we can be one with our spouse.   

During my 20 years of pastoral counseling, I have come across so many situations in marriage, where one or both spouses will not break the tides with their parents.  They constantly let the parents interfere with their marital life and even sometimes it escalates into major divisions between the husband and wife.  I have seen couples fight over the constant interference of the in-laws in their marriage.  I have seen couples put their parents first over their spouses and the list goes on and on.   

In the ancient world, children did not leave the home of their parents unless for the purpose of marriage.  Families stayed together in communities and helped one another.  From birth, parents trained their children to be spouses and taught them responsibility, manhood, and womanhood.    I said that to say, that Jesus says that the only reason to leave this community with your family would be to start one of your own.   

Tomorrow, we will talk about the Pharisee’s response to what Jesus said. 

God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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