Heavenly Inspirations

Ash Wednesday

2009-02-25T01:11:00.005-06:00

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent–a time in which people traditionally choose to give up an activity or behavior that’s distracting them from God.

Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent. Throughout Lent, many Christians choose to prepare themselves (through prayer, repentance, and reflection) to celebrate Easter, the commemoration of Christ’s resurrection.

Lent is a quieter event than most other holidays—it calls us to personal reflection rather than to outward celebration. You may have seen people walking around with an ash mark on their foreheads today—many Christians choose to mark Ash Wednesday with a cross-shaped mark of ash. For some people, Lent is also a time of self-denial, in which they choose to give up something (anything from a certain type of food to a personal habit) as a way to help them focus on the meaning of the season.

Ash Wednesday, in the Western Church, the first day of Lent, being the seventh Wednesday before Easter. On this day ashes are placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of death, of the sorrow they should feel for their sins, and of the necessity of changing their lives. The practice, which dates from the early Middle Ages, is common among Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Episcopalians, and many Lutherans; it was also adopted by some Methodists and Presbyterians in the 1990s.

Here is a scripture that is read sometimes when the ash is placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross.

Genesis 3:19 (NIV)

¹⁹ By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return."

Erin O'Malley

The Preacher's Visit - A funny joke

2007-02-27T01:01:00.000-06:00

Even Jesus Laughed

Sarah hadn't been to church lately, so her minister thought he'd go pay her a visit and see how the 85 year old church matriarch was doing. He knocked on her door and after a time he heard her spirited voice holler "Hello, who is it?"

"It's Reverend Dave", he answered.
"OH Hi-Come in, Come in, how's the church doing?" She said.

"Great! The Smith's had their little baby girl, and Mary and Tom got married- Everything is wonderful. But I just wanted to see how you are doing. We've missed you."

"Well, I haven't been feeling too well lately. I had quite the root canal last week- they are trying to save the few survivors."

Just then the phone rang and she excused herself to get it. The minister sat near a table with an old reader's digest and a bowl of peanuts. After a few minutes passed,he started flipping through the magazine. After another ten minutes or so, he heard his stomach growl and began to get restless,so he started in on the bowl of peanut while he read. After a while,he suddenly realized that he had eaten the whole bowl of peanuts.

Just then Sarah returned and said, "Oh I sure am sorry, that was my sister from Pittsburgh. She only calls once per month so when she does we have to catch up on everything." The minister, feeling a little embarrassed, said "I must also apologize. While you were gone I got hungry and ate all the peanuts in your little bowl there.

Mrs. Jones replied, "Oh that's ok. Since the root canal, the best I
can do is suck all the chocolate off of 'em!"

I wanted to bring you something funny this time. I hope you enjoy it, and it brings a smile to your face or hopefully a laugh.

God Bless You All!

Erin

Life is a gift

2007-02-26T01:55:00.000-06:00

There was a blind girl who hated herself because of her blindness. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her that simply said. "Just take care of my eyes dear."

This is how the human brain changes when our status changes. Only a few
remember what life was like before and even fewer remember who to thank for
always being there even when times were painfully unbearable.

Today before you think of saying an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.

The Loss Of A Friend - Going Home To God

2007-02-16T16:35:00.000-06:00

In Memory Of A Good Friend

I just found out that my dear friend Doug aka Rabbit has passed on. I am in shock and can't stop crying. Doug was such a sweet and caring man. He would brighten peoples day by his funny blog, and sweet comments, and messages.

I know he is in God's arms now, but it still hurts knowing that he is gone.

This is a poem I wrote awhile ago that I am dedicating to Douglas Osborne and his family.

Gone On

Gone on from this world to a new place,
It isn't an end, but a new beginning.

Gone on to forever be surrounded by beauty,
constantly showered with Gods love.

Gone on to talk and walk with the Angels,
never fearing anything ever again.

Gone on to sing praises to God,
in Heaven's glorious choir.

Gone on yet not forgotten,
forever in the hearts of loved ones.

Copyright © 2005-2007 Erin O'Malley

I know Doug is now in Heaven with God. I can only Imagine what it is like for him now. No more tears, no more sorrow, no more hunger, pain or worry. I know Heaven is so much better than I can ever imagine. Someday we will be able to see him again in Heaven. I dedicate this song and video to Douglas Osborne.

I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe

God's Love Letter

2007-02-14T15:21:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentines Day!

God Bless You!

Blessed Are The Rich?

2007-02-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Mark 10:17-31

The Rich Young Man

17. As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

18. "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.

19. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother."

20. "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

21. Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

22. At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

24. The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

26. The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"

27. Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

28. Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"

29. "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel

30. will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.

31. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Blessed are the Rich?

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

2007-02-12T09:44:00.000-06:00

Luke 7:36-50

click on the reference to listen to this passage

36. Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.

37. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,

38. and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40. Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

41. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43. Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.

46. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.

47. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48. Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49. The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50. Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

BibleGateway.com

My Jesus - Todd Agnew

My Jesus - Todd Agnew

Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ
Then why do you look so much like the world?

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant
So which one do you want to be?

Blessed are the poor in spirit
Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins
He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the rich
So which one do you want to be?

Who is this that you follow
This picture of the American dream
If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins
But the Word says He was battered and scarred
Or did you miss that part
Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and the least of these
He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable
So which one do you want to be?

Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet would stain the carpet
But He reaches for the hurting and despised the proud
I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd
And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud

I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

Not a poster child for American prosperity, but like my Jesus
You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity
I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus
Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me

Can I be like You Jesus?
I want to be like my Jesus

Moses Smites the Rock

2007-02-11T17:53:00.000-06:00

Exodus 17:1-7 click the title of this post to read the scripture.

Moses strikes the rock with his rod, and water comes forth.
AFTER THE EGYPTIANS had been all destroyed, the Israelites went forward into the wilderness; and when they had been traveling three days, they were in distress for
want of water.

They did indeed find some at a place called Marah, but it was so bitter they could not drink it. So again they reproached Moses, as they had done when the Egyptians pursued them to the Red Sea, asking him what to do for drink.

Then God bade him throw into the water a certain tree which He showed to him; and when Moses had done this, it became quite good to drink.

In a few days after, the people were in want of food; and again they were angry with Moses and his brother Aaron, who was with him taking care of the Israelites.

They said they wished they had stayed in Egypt, where they had enough to eat, for they had been brought into the wilderness only that they might die of hunger. Then Moses asked them why they murmured against him and Aaron, when it was God Himself who had brought them out of Egypt; their murmuring was really against God.

And yet, though He was displeased at their conduct, He would supply them with food, that they might know that he was indeed their God. So, in the evening, great flocks of quail came about the camp for the Israelites to eat; and in the morning, when the dew was dried up from the ground, there lay upon it a small round thing, like coriander seeds.

The people did not know what it was; but Moses told them that was bread that God had sent them. There it was, fresh every morning, except on the seventh day, which God had in the beginning made a day of rest. On that day He would not have them gather it, giving them twice as much on the sixth day, that they might have enough for the seventh.

This was called "manna"; and when it was ground, like grain, they made bread of it. God gave it them for forty years, till they came to the land of Canaan.

But, though God had done so much for them, the children of Israel were a most ungrateful people. The very next time they wanted water, they were so angry with Moses that they were ready to kill him.

Then Moses prayed to God to tell him what to do. And God bade him take some of the chiefs of the people, and go to a certain rock in Horeb, and strike it with his rod, and water should come out of it. So he took the men with him, and struck the rock, and water flowed abundantly.

Miracles will happen if you just believe - Exodus 12:29-42; 13:17-22; 14:1-31

2007-02-10T11:21:00.000-06:00

If you would like to read the rest of the story look up Exodus 15. You can click on the title of this post and it will take you to these passages along with in biblegateway.com. You can also listen to the passages there. You can use the search box to find Exodus 15 and beyond. Watch and listen to the videos below. They are both very wonderful.

Exodus 12:29-42

29. At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well.
30. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.

The Exodus

31. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.
32. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me."

33. The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!"
34. So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing.
35. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing.
36. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

37. The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.
38. Many other people went up with them, as well as large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.
39. With the dough they had brought from Egypt, they baked cakes of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves.

40. Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years.
41. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD's divisions left Egypt.
42. Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come.

Exodus 13:17-22

Crossing the Sea

17. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."
18. So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

19. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place."

20. After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.
21. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
22. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Exodus 14:1-31

1. Then the LORD said to Moses,
2. "Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon.
3. Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.'
4. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this.

5. When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!"
6. So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him.
7. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.
8. The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.
9. The Egyptians—all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.

10. As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.
11. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?
12. Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

13. Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
14. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

15. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.
16. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
17. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.
18. The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen."

19. Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,
20. coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

21. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided,
22. and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

23. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.
24. During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.
25. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."

26. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen."
27. Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea.
28. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

29. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
30. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.
31. And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

The Prince of Egypt video clip to the song - When You Believe

Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston -
When You Believe (Live)

God Bless You All!

You Are Blessed

2007-02-09T08:47:00.000-06:00

You Are So Blessed!

Psalm 115:14-16

14 May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.

15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to man

If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.

If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare,
especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.
look around you and you
will find your blessings.

God Bless You!

I Can Only Imagine - Mercy Me

2007-02-08T02:08:00.000-06:00

Ecclesiastes 3:1

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven

This is a song that really touches my heart. On the day I finally go home to be with God I can only imagine what it would be like. I know Heaven will be so much more than our human minds could ever imagine. Being with Jesus for all eternity will be the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to us.

Listen to "I Can Only Imagine". Hear and Feel the power behind the words and music. Click on the grey button on the left side of the music player below.

Leave me a comment and let me know how this song touched your heart.

God Bless You! Have A Wonderful Day!

I Can Only Imagine

by MercyMe

album: Almost There (2001)

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah, yeah, yeah

Surrounded by your glory,
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Hallelujah,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine, yeah, yeah
I can only imagine, Yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, Ohh yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when all I will do
is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine

Who Am I - Casting Crowns

2007-02-02T01:41:00.000-06:00

This is a video from a Christian band Casting Crowns that I really like. This is my favorite song from their album.
Listen to the testimonies and the words to the song. I hope it will be inspirational to you, as it is to me.
Enjoy, and let me know what you think of this video and song by leaving me a comment. Thank you.

Who Am I

by Casting Crowns

album: Casting Crowns (2003)

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours

I am Yours

Psalm 146

2006-09-14T17:56:00.000-05:00

1. Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

3. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.

4. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6. the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

7. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free,

8. the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.

9. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10. The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Coming of the Lord

2006-09-13T22:48:00.000-05:00

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13. "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

14. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

15. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

18. Therefore encourage each other with these words. "

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Sheep and the Goats

2006-09-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

Matthew 25:31-46

31. "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

32. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37. "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38. When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

39. When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41. "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,

43. I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44. "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45. "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46. "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Love

2006-09-10T21:30:00.000-05:00

Romans 12:9-21

9. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

11. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

12. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.(c) Do not be conceited.

17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

18. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"(d) says the Lord.

20. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."(e)

21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

c Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
d Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
e Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Psalm 23

2006-08-13T16:52:00.000-05:00

I want to apologize for not posting here to those who had read Heavenly Inspirations before when I kept it updated. I am going to try to start posting again. Thank you for your comments and coming to read Heavenly Inspirations. ((HUGE HUGS)) to you all!

God Bless You All!
Erin aka Countess

The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit

2005-12-04T06:09:00.000-06:00

Mark 9:14-27

14. When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.

15. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16. "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.

17. A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.

18. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

19. "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

20. So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered.

22. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

23. " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

24. Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

25. When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil[a] spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."

26. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead."

27. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

Footnotes:

[a] Mark 9:25 Greek unclean

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Suffering for Doing Good

2005-11-25T10:06:00.000-06:00

1 Peter 3:8-16

8. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

9. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

10. For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.

11. He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.

12. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."[a]

13. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

14. But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
"Do not fear what they fear[b]; do not be frightened."[c]

15. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

16. keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Footnotes:

[a] 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12-16
[b] 1 Peter 3:14 Or not fear their threats
[c] 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

A Psalm For Giving Thanks

2005-11-24T05:19:00.000-06:00

Psalm 100

1. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2. Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3. Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Footnotes:

[a] Psalm 100:3 Or and not we ourselves

Happy Thanksgiving
to All of you from the United States!

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Parable of the Net

2005-11-23T23:37:00.000-06:00

Matt 13:47-52

47. "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.

48. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

49. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous

50. and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51."Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes," they replied.

52. He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Woman At The Well

2005-11-22T21:48:00.000-06:00

John 4:1-26

1. The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John,

2. although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.

3. When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4. Now he had to go through Samaria.

5. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.

6. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"

8. (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9. The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. [a])

10. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

11. "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?

12. Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

13. Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,

14. but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

15. The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

16. He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."

17. "I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband.

18. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

19. "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.

20. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."

21. Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

22. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.

23. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

24. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

25. The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

26. Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

Footnotes:

[a] John 4:9 Or do not use dishes Samaritans have used

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Give Thanks

2005-11-21T04:24:00.000-06:00

Psalm 105:1-5

1. Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

2. Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

3. Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

4. Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

5. Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Warning Against Unbelief

2005-11-20T03:30:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 3:12-14

12. See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful,
unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

13. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

14. We have come to share in Christ,
if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Rules for Holy Living

2005-11-19T05:29:00.000-06:00

Colossians 3:1-17

1. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4. When Christ, who is your [a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

6. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [b]

7. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

9. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

10. and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

11. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Footnotes:

[a] Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
[b] Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

2005-11-18T16:32:00.000-06:00

Luke 10:25-37

25. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

26. "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

27. He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' [c]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[d]"

28. "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

29. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30. In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

31. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.

32. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

34. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

35. The next day he took out two silver coins [e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

36. "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

37. The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Footnotes:

[c] Luke 10:27 Deut. 6:5
[d] Luke 10:27 Lev. 19:18
[e] Luke 10:35 Greek two denar

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God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Parable of the Sower

2005-11-17T02:36:00.000-06:00

Mark 4:1-20

1. Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge.

2.He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:

3. "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

4. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

5. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

6. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

7. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

8. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times."

9. Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

10. When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.

11. He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables

12. so that,
" 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'[a]"

13. Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

14. The farmer sows the word.

15. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

16. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.

17. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

18. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word;

19. but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

20. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."

Footnotes:

[a] Mark 4:12 Isaiah 6:9,10

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God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Treasures In Heaven

2005-11-16T04:32:00.000-06:00

Matt 6:19-21

19. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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Countess

Be Still

2005-11-15T08:19:00.000-06:00

Psalm 46

For the director of music.
Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.
A song.

1. [a] God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3. though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5. God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7. The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8. Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10. "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11. The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Footnotes:

[a] Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
[b] Psalm 46:9 Or chariots

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Countess

Paul and Silas in Prison

2005-11-14T07:39:00.000-06:00

Acts 16:25-34

16. Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.

17. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved."

18. She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

19. When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.

20. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar

21. by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."

22. The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten.

23. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.

24. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

26. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.

27. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.

28. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

29. The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

30. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31. They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

32. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

33. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.

34. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

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Countess

The Greatest Commandment

2005-11-13T04:45:00.000-06:00

Matt 22:34-40

34. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.

35. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

36. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

37. Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b]

38. This is the first and greatest commandment.

39. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c]

40. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

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Countess

Giving to the Needy

2005-11-12T03:34:00.000-06:00

Matt 6:1-4

1. "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

3. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4. so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

This passage about Giving to the Needy comes right before the passage on Prayer I posted yesterday. Read this one, and then read the one on Prayer below.

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Countess

Prayer

2005-11-11T05:30:00.000-06:00

Matt 6:5-15

5. "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

6. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

8. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9. "This, then, is how you should pray:
"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

10. your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

11. Give us today our daily bread.

12. Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. [a]'

14. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Footnotes:

[a] Matthew 6:13 Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

2005-11-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

He is Risen

Acts 4:1-12

1. The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.

2. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

3. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.

4. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

5. The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.

6. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family.

7. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!

9. If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,

10. then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

11. He is
"the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone." [a] [b]

12. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Footnotes:

[a] Acts 4:11 Or cornerstone
[b] Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Rich Young Man

2005-11-09T06:28:00.000-06:00

Matthew 19:16-30

16. Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

17. "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

18. "Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,

19. honor your father and mother,' [d] and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' [e]"

20. "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

21. Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

22. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

25. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"

26. Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

27. Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

28. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother [f] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

30. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Footnotes:

[d] Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:1216; Deut. 5:16-20
[e] Matthew 19:19 Lev. 19:18
[f] Matthew 19:29 Some manuscripts mother or wife

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

David's Prayer

2005-11-08T06:30:00.000-06:00

1 Chronicles 29:10-12

10. David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

11. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

12. Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Read the Post right below this one. It is also for today.
It is a Poem Prayer I wrote for God.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

My Heart Sings

2005-11-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

My Heart sings your name Oh Lord,
God Almighty, The Most High, Sovereign Lord,
God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob,
The Mighty One of Israel,
Holy Father, Lord Above All,
The Eternal God, God the King,
I Am Who I Am,
The Rock, The Holy one of Israel,
You who breathed life into the Heavens & Earth,
Your name is above All Names,
My Love for You grows with each passing day,
I praise your Name & give you the Glory,
I await the day when I go home to be with you.
To God be the Glory forever and ever,
In Jesus Holy Name I pray, Amen

Copyright ©2005 Countess Demetria

This is a Poem Prayer for God.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Songs of Praise

2005-11-07T05:30:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 12

1. In that day you will say:
"I will praise you, O LORD.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.

2. Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."

3. With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.

4. In that day you will say:
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.

5. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.

6. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Psalm 40

2005-11-06T08:31:00.000-06:00

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1. I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

2. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

3. He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

4. Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. [a]

5. Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

6. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced [b] , [c] ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. [d]

8. I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9. I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

10. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

11. Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.

12. For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.

13. Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14. May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

15. May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.

16. But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"

17. Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.

Footnotes:
[a] Psalm 40:4 Or to falsehood
[b] Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; Septuagint but a body you have prepared for me (see also Symmachus and Theodotion)
[c] Psalm 40:6 Or opened
[d] Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Of David

2005-11-05T07:24:00.000-06:00

Psalm 37

1. [a] Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;

2. for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

3. Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4. Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5. Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

6. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9. For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10. A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.

11. But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.

12. The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;

13. but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.

14. The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.

15. But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

16. Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;

17. for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18. The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.

19. In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20. But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

21. The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;

22. those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.

23. If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

24. though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25. I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.

26. They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.

27. Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.

28. For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

29. the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.

30. The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.

31. The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.

32. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;

33. but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34. Wait for the LORD and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35. I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

36. but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37. Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future [b] for the man of peace.

38. But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future [c] of the wicked will be cut off.

39. The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40. The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

Footnotes:

[a] Psalm 37:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
[b] Psalm 37:37 Or there will be posterity
[c] Psalm 37:38 Or posterity

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Doing What is Good

2005-11-04T09:40:00.000-06:00

Titus 3:1-11

1. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,

2. to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

3. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

4. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

5. he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

6. whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

7. so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

8. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

10. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

11. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Exhortations

2005-11-03T16:21:00.000-06:00

Philippians 4:4-9

4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

9. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Weak and the Strong

2005-11-02T07:30:00.000-06:00

Romans 15:1-13

1. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

2. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a]

4. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

6. so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

8. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews [b] on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs

9. so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name."[c]

10. Again, it says,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."[d]

11. And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and sing praises to him, all you peoples."[e]

12. And again, Isaiah says,
"The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him."[f]

13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes:

[a] Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
[b] Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
[c] Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
[d] Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
[e] Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
[f] Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Submission to the Authorities

2005-11-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

Romans 13:1-7

1. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

2. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

4. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

5. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

6. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

7. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Life by the Spirit

2005-10-31T06:45:00.000-06:00

Galatians 5:16-26

16. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

17. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

20. idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

21. and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23. gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

25. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

26. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Footnotes:

[a] Galatians 5:13 Or the flesh; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24

Today on All-Hallows-Eve Let us focus on the Holy Sprit instead of the Evil spirits, ghosts and goblins, etc... that are celebrated on this day.

Keep your focus on God and his will for your life!

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Comfort for God's People

2005-10-30T07:30:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 40:21-31

21. Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

22. He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23. He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

24. No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

25. "To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

26. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

27. Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?

28. Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29. He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30. Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31. but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just wrote this poem below as I was posting this.
It is less a poem than just what is true about God.
I hope it inspires you as it has me while I wrote it,
and after I read it again.

Give God The Glory in all things!
He is the one who inspired me to write this. It wasn't me.

God Is Love & Hope

When there is no hope in this life,
Hope in the Lord and his promises,
He will walk with you by your side,
God will always love you unconditionally,
He will never leave you no matter what,
He will guide you in the dark and light times,
And will be with you until the end,
So keep your eyes on Him who loves you,
Love, Obey & Serve him with all your heart.

Copyright ©2005 Countess Demetria

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

From Despair to Hope

2005-10-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

Lamentations 3:1-26

1. [a] I am the man who has seen affliction
by the rod of his wrath.

2. He has driven me away and made me walk
in darkness rather than light;

3. indeed, he has turned his hand against me
again and again, all day long.

4. He has made my skin and my flesh grow old
and has broken my bones.

5 He has besieged me and surrounded me
with bitterness and hardship.

6. He has made me dwell in darkness
like those long dead.

7. He has walled me in so I cannot escape;
he has weighed me down with chains.

8. Even when I call out or cry for help,
he shuts out my prayer.

9. He has barred my way with blocks of stone;
he has made my paths crooked.

10. Like a bear lying in wait,
like a lion in hiding,

11. he dragged me from the path and mangled me
and left me without help.

12. He drew his bow
and made me the target for his arrows.

13. He pierced my heart
with arrows from his quiver.

14. I became the laughingstock of all my people;
they mock me in song all day long.

15. He has filled me with bitter herbs
and sated me with gall.

16. He has broken my teeth with gravel;
he has trampled me in the dust.

17. I have been deprived of peace;
I have forgotten what prosperity is.

18. So I say, "My splendor is gone
and all that I had hoped from the LORD."

19. I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.

20. I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.

21. Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22. Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

25. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

26. it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Footnotes:

[a] Lamentations 3:1 This chapter is an acrostic poem; the verses of each stanza begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and the verses within each stanza begin with the same letter.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

2005-10-28T01:40:00.000-05:00

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

2. We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.

3. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

5. because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

6. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

7. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

8. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

9. for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

10. and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Beatitudes

2005-10-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

Matthew 5:1-12

1. Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,

2. and he began to teach them saying:

3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4. Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

5. Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

7. Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

8. Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

9. Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

10. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11. "Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

The Great Commission

2005-10-26T07:35:00.000-05:00

16. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

17. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

18. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Footnotes:

[ a ] Matthew 28:19 Or into; see
Acts 8:16; 19:5; Romans 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13; 10:2 and Gal. 3:27.

God Bless You & Yours-
Countess

Salt and Light

2005-10-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Matt 5:13-16

13. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Here is an inspirational Flash Movie, with this passage. It isn't something I made, but I found it and am sharing it with you.

You Are A Miracle

God Bless You and Yours -
Countess

The Vine and the Branches

2005-10-18T21:19:00.000-05:00

John 15:1-17

1. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

2. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes [a] so that it will be even more fruitful.

3. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

4. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

6. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

7. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

8. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

10. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

11. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

12. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

13. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

14. You are my friends if you do what I command.

15. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

16. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

17. This is my command: Love each other.

Footnotes:

[a] John 15:2 The Greek for prunes also means cleans.

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Doing Good to All

2005-10-16T11:08:00.000-05:00

Galatians 6:1-10

1. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

2. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

3. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,

5. for each one should carry his own load.

6. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

7. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

8. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature [a] will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

9. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

10. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Footnotes:

[a] Galatians 6:8 Or his flesh, from the flesh

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Note to my Readers (if I have any)

I'm sorry for not posting something every day in the past few days. I am going through some deep depression, and it is hard for me to be motivated to do anything.

I feel weird asking this for myself but don't know where else to turn.
Please pray for me if you read this. I need all the prayer I can get. The depression stems from lonliness and the fear of always being single and alone. It helps not at all to be in a group of people, it actualy makes it worse. I see what others have, a spouse, family, happiness. I don't feel I will ever have those things. I am feeling that it would just be better to go to sleep and not wake up. I know I shouldn't feel that way, but have NO Hope at all. I can't see anything good happening to me except if Jesus came back in my life time. Please put me in your prayers.
My name is Erin. Thank You.

God Bless You and Yours -
Countess

Psalm 23

2005-10-12T22:24:00.000-05:00

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Footnotes:

[a] Psalm 23:4 Or through the darkest valley

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

A Tree and Its Fruit

2005-10-11T07:39:00.000-05:00

Matt 7:15-22

15. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

16. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

17. Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

19. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

23. Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Walking in the light

2005-10-10T21:14:00.000-05:00

1 John 1:5-10

5. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

6. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all [b] sin.

8. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

10. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Footnotes:

[b] 1 John 1:7 Or every

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

2005-10-09T05:25:00.000-05:00

John 3:1-8

1. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.

2. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

3. In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.[a]"

4. "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

5. Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

6. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit.

7. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You[c] must be born again.'

8. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Footnotes:

[a] John3:3 Or born from above; also in verse 7
[b] John 3:6 Or but spirit
[c] John 3:7 The Greek is plural.

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

God's Righteous Judgment

2005-10-06T01:59:00.000-05:00

Romans 2:1-16

1. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

2. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

3. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

4. Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

5. But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

6. God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a]

7. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

8. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

9. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

10. but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

11. For God does not show favoritism.

12. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

13. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

14. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,

15. since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

16.This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Footnotes:

[a] Romans2:6 - Psalm 62:12; Prov. 24:12

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Love

2005-10-03T08:08:00.000-05:00

Romans 12:9-21

9. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

11. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

12. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. [c] Do not be conceited.

17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

18. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," [d] says the Lord.

20. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." [e]

21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Footnotes:

[c] Romans 12:16 Or willing to do menial work
[d] Romans 12:19 Deut. 32:35
[e] Romans 12:20 Prov. 25:21,22

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Living Sacrifices

2005-10-02T02:08:00.000-05:00

Romans 12:1-8

1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual [a] act of worship.

2. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

4. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,

5. so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

6. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his [b] faith.

7. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

8. if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Footnotes:

[a] Romans 12:1 Or reasonable
[b] Romans 12:6 Or in agreement with the

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Titus 2:11-14

2005-10-01T21:42:00.000-05:00

11. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

12. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

13. while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

14. who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Passages from the NIV Bible.

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Imitating Christ's Humility

2005-09-30T06:02:00.000-05:00

Philippians 2:1-4

1. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

2. then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

3. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

4. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

2005-09-29T06:56:00.000-05:00

11. 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.

12. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

13. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart..

God Bless You & Yours -
Countess

Welcome To Heavenly Inspirations

2005-09-29T04:59:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Heavenly Inspirations.

I have just started this blog and will add more content here reall soon.

Come Back again and See what I have here.

Countess