Wednesday, November 12, 2014
One times Zero Equals Zero
Our Sunday School teacher asked us to find and read John
3:16 in class this week. I know most of us could recite it by heart. I could. I
marveled at just how many people in the world could recite that verse. I was
disheartened when I had no clue about the next verse the teacher wanted read.
My mind wandered from one place to another. I found myself in third grade
standing up while reciting...
2 x 1 = 2
2 x 2 = 4
2 x 3 = 6
2 x 2 = 4
2 x 3 = 6
...and so on. I required my daughters to stand
up and recite their multiplication tables at home. The best way to
learn them is through memorization. I know this is not a requirement in
classrooms currently. I think it should be though. Why? Because it helps kids
and adults throughout their lives with everyday tasks. I also memorized a poem
that starts 30 days hath September. I still use this poem to remind myself how
many days are in each month. I can also recite all 50 states by singing Fifty
Nifty United States! Memorization is useful.
I imagined my teacher being God and instead of the multiplication tables, he asked me to recite as much of his Word as I could including where they are found in his Book. Wow! I think I said five correctly...maybe. I tried not to open my mouth or think something like "Can you give me something easy please?" Psalm 119:11 says "Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." I know a lot of God's Word but not precisely, can't recite it or tell you where it's at in the book. Would it help me throughout my lifetime if I memorized it? Absolutely! My third grade teacher wasn't satisfied with "close" or "I just missed one or two". We had to say our multiplication tables without fail, all 12 of them.
I doubt God is satisfied with my lack of importance I devote to hiding his Word in my heart. Is he pleased with yours? If we start today and learn one verse per month or week, 1 x 1 = 1, 1 x 2 = 2, 1 x 3 =3. If we don't start today, one times zero equals zero.
I imagined my teacher being God and instead of the multiplication tables, he asked me to recite as much of his Word as I could including where they are found in his Book. Wow! I think I said five correctly...maybe. I tried not to open my mouth or think something like "Can you give me something easy please?" Psalm 119:11 says "Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." I know a lot of God's Word but not precisely, can't recite it or tell you where it's at in the book. Would it help me throughout my lifetime if I memorized it? Absolutely! My third grade teacher wasn't satisfied with "close" or "I just missed one or two". We had to say our multiplication tables without fail, all 12 of them.
I doubt God is satisfied with my lack of importance I devote to hiding his Word in my heart. Is he pleased with yours? If we start today and learn one verse per month or week, 1 x 1 = 1, 1 x 2 = 2, 1 x 3 =3. If we don't start today, one times zero equals zero.
Hiding his Word,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
The Best Election Results 2014
Listen...to the sweet sound of silence! The campaigns are
ended. The phone calls and commercials are over. Georgia is an election state
this year for some big races; Senate, House and Gubernatorial. We received so
many campaign calls my eyes got tired of reading the caller id to not answer
the phone. I voted. The counts are not final as I'm writing this but I've
got high hopes for good results.
People scare me, especially when making decisions. Humans can make some really bad choices. Remember Adam and Eve? What about John 18:39-40, the Trial of Jesus? The Bible says, (this is Pilate speaking to the people) "But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?" Then cried they all again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas." The next words in the scripture are key to the choices we make, which says "Now Barabbas was a robber." The people chose a robber over a man who did nothing wrong! Our sin nature in full bloom.
Let's turn our attention from the election of The House and Senate to the election of our house or soul. 2 Peter 1:10-11 says "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your peace calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." We are candidates in our own election. Jesus makes house calls and the campaign contributions are enormous! Free trip to heaven without taxation, free pardon and parole for every mistake you've made and you can eat from his table whenever you want. When you are the candidate and receive your "peace calling", you'll surely want to answer the call. You won't need caller id. Jesus will identify himself when he calls. For the best results possible, elect Jesus as your Savior. Please hurry, time is running out. Make your choice before the polls close.
People scare me, especially when making decisions. Humans can make some really bad choices. Remember Adam and Eve? What about John 18:39-40, the Trial of Jesus? The Bible says, (this is Pilate speaking to the people) "But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?" Then cried they all again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas." The next words in the scripture are key to the choices we make, which says "Now Barabbas was a robber." The people chose a robber over a man who did nothing wrong! Our sin nature in full bloom.
Let's turn our attention from the election of The House and Senate to the election of our house or soul. 2 Peter 1:10-11 says "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your peace calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." We are candidates in our own election. Jesus makes house calls and the campaign contributions are enormous! Free trip to heaven without taxation, free pardon and parole for every mistake you've made and you can eat from his table whenever you want. When you are the candidate and receive your "peace calling", you'll surely want to answer the call. You won't need caller id. Jesus will identify himself when he calls. For the best results possible, elect Jesus as your Savior. Please hurry, time is running out. Make your choice before the polls close.
Yes to Jesus,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Horror Stories from The Bible
Luke 16. The story of Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus was a beggar who laid at the gate of a rich man wishing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The beggar and the rich man died. Lazarus was carried to Abraham's bosom and the rich man was buried. The Bible says in verses 23-24 speaking of the rich man, In hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. The rich man begged Abraham to allow him to warn his brothers not to come to hell and Abraham said "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them."
Matthew 7. The story of Rotten Fruit. Jesus explains we can identify his followers by their fruit or good deeds. Verse 21-23 says "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
SCARY! This is only two stories. There are more just as scary! There are more just as wonderful too; to the true believer. Biblical horror stories are true. They have already happened or will happen soon. Jason's victims were unknowing, unwilling participants in the movies. If you wake up in hell like the rich man, it will be because you willingly participated in unrepented sin. Don't become part of an eternal horror story. The pay is not good, it's extremely hot and there's no popcorn or Coke!
Happy Halloween ya'll,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Is Jesus Worth Dying For?
Would you agree Jesus died for us? He thinks we're worth it!
Soldiers willingly fight and die for our freedom. Are we worth it? Soldiers
think so. Here's a question to consider. Is Jesus worth dying for? You might
think Jesus would never ask us to die for him. We don't need to die for him,
he's God! Why would we ever need to die for him? I'm glad you asked.
Paul states in Corinthians 15:31 "I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." Paul is not talking about a physical death. He is referring to "dying to self". Becoming a new creature is not optional in Christian living, it is a requirement. Galatians 5:24 says "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Romans 12:1 says it like this "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
That seems contradictory. How can we live and die too? Here is a simple example. Every day I have a choice. I can do what Tammy (my flesh) wants to do or I can choose to die and do what God wants me to. I can listen to Tammy or I can listen to God's spirit for direction. Choosing to die means being obedient and letting Jesus live anew through me. The Bible speaks of "lukewarm" followers in Revelation 3. "Lukewarm" is a symptom of unwillingness to die to self and live for Christ. You cannot accomplish newness of life or salvation without dying for Christ first.
Is Jesus worth dying for? Do you want eternal life in heaven? Yes? Then, you better believe it! Jesus is worth dying for! Death to self is not an option for Christians. It is a choice for eternal life.
Paul states in Corinthians 15:31 "I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." Paul is not talking about a physical death. He is referring to "dying to self". Becoming a new creature is not optional in Christian living, it is a requirement. Galatians 5:24 says "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Romans 12:1 says it like this "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
That seems contradictory. How can we live and die too? Here is a simple example. Every day I have a choice. I can do what Tammy (my flesh) wants to do or I can choose to die and do what God wants me to. I can listen to Tammy or I can listen to God's spirit for direction. Choosing to die means being obedient and letting Jesus live anew through me. The Bible speaks of "lukewarm" followers in Revelation 3. "Lukewarm" is a symptom of unwillingness to die to self and live for Christ. You cannot accomplish newness of life or salvation without dying for Christ first.
Is Jesus worth dying for? Do you want eternal life in heaven? Yes? Then, you better believe it! Jesus is worth dying for! Death to self is not an option for Christians. It is a choice for eternal life.
Please leave me a comment with your thoughts. Have you ever considered that not only did Jesus die for us but we must also die to receive him?
My best,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Do you feel like a disciple?
If David is a man after God's own heart then Peter is a man
after mine! Peter reminds me we all fail and make mistakes. I'm feel like a Peter most days. Are
you a Peter too?
In Matthew 22, here comes Jesus walking on the water. The disciples in the boat thought he was a spirit and were afraid. Peter pipes up "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus said "Come." Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. Peter paid more attention to the wind around him than the Savior in front of him! He began to sink and cried for Jesus to save him. Jesus caught him saying "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" When they were back in the boat, the winds ceased.
Yep, I'm definitely feeling like Peter. I get distracted by things Jesus has full control of, cry out to him when my faith should believe his promises and then, I wonder why I ever doubted when He calms my storm. Poor Peter. He told Jesus he would never forsake him and later denied he even knew who he was, not once but three times. Jesus knew all these things about Peter and still changed his name from Simon to Peter which means "rock". Peter made a lot of messes but he was still instrumental in starting the church of the living God.
Peter's life shows us God is faithful to forgive. He sees our potential more than our faults. Peter reminds us Jesus' disciples were humans, just like us, who put their trust in a Savior. Peter was a friend, follower and disciple of Jesus. Am I a Peter? Are you a Peter? I sure hope so!
In Matthew 22, here comes Jesus walking on the water. The disciples in the boat thought he was a spirit and were afraid. Peter pipes up "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus said "Come." Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. Peter paid more attention to the wind around him than the Savior in front of him! He began to sink and cried for Jesus to save him. Jesus caught him saying "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" When they were back in the boat, the winds ceased.
Yep, I'm definitely feeling like Peter. I get distracted by things Jesus has full control of, cry out to him when my faith should believe his promises and then, I wonder why I ever doubted when He calms my storm. Poor Peter. He told Jesus he would never forsake him and later denied he even knew who he was, not once but three times. Jesus knew all these things about Peter and still changed his name from Simon to Peter which means "rock". Peter made a lot of messes but he was still instrumental in starting the church of the living God.
Peter's life shows us God is faithful to forgive. He sees our potential more than our faults. Peter reminds us Jesus' disciples were humans, just like us, who put their trust in a Savior. Peter was a friend, follower and disciple of Jesus. Am I a Peter? Are you a Peter? I sure hope so!
Can't walk on water,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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