Praise God; He is so wonderful and merciful and true!

So, for the last week, I've been going through the ringer! Pastor Jim has been teaching about how we shouldn't focus on the outside of ourselves too much because what matters is how we are on the inside; how God sees us and how other see us as Christians. He's also been teaching us that we shouldn't have false idols in our lives; things that become more important to us than God! Or focusing too much of our time on worldly things. Well, I've been having these issues for the past few week! I've been focusing a lot of my time on my my outward appearance, namely, my hair! I was going back and forth between keeping it dark and lightening it, closer to my natural color. I finally decided to go lighter yesterday, but then since last night, I've been going back and forth on whether I like the way it looks or not. It's ridiculous how much time I've spend thinking and worrying about this. Everyone likes it, including Thao, so why am I even wasting my time with this? It just makes me disappointed in myself and ashamed of myself because I used to do things like this all the time in the past and I want to change my ways! So, this is a struggle, but both God and Thao are keeping me grounded! As long as I focus on Him and as long as my husband is here for me, when I need to talk (which he has been, even though he is tired of talking about my hair), I can make it through this! Writing about it is also helping the frustration I was feeling, melt away! I am so happy that I have learned new skills to help me cope with these struggles. The main skill is focusing on God and His word! I would be deeply depressed without Him! Thank you Jesus, for helping me through this and for never leaving my side! I love you more than life itself!!

Proof that the earth isn't 4.5 billion years old!

After reading some worksheets that Fritz and Bernadette gave me a couple of years ago, concerning youth earth creationism, I decided to do more research online. One of the worksheets talked about scientists finding soft tissue inside preserved dinosaur bones, so I looked it up and found this article: Dinosaur Shocker. It just goes to prove that the earth is only around 6000 years old, rather than billions of years old. I am now SO fascinated with young earth creationism. I never really believed that the earth was billions of years old.

Another website I found. Evidence for a Young Earth

Luke 12:8-34, NLT, Proverbs 12:21-23

Luke 12:8-34, NLT

8“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. 9But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. 10Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say,12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

Parable of the Rich Fool

13Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Teaching about Money and Possessions

22Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

27“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

29“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things.30These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.31Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

32“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

33“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Proverbs 12:21-23

21No harm comes to the godly,

but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22The Lord detests lying lips,

but he delights in those who tell the truth.

23The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,

but fools broadcast their foolishness.

God Personally Cares for You - Isaiah 40:11

Verse of the Day - Day 4

God Personally Cares for You - Isaiah 40:11

Welcome to Verse of the Day!

Today's Bible Verse:

Isaiah 40:11
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (ESV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: God Personally Cares for You

This picture of a shepherd reminds us of God's personal love as he watches over us. When we're feeling weak and helpless, like a lamb, the Lord will gather us in his arms and carry us close.

When we need guidance, we can trust him to gently lead. He personally knows our needs, and we can rest in the safety of his sheltering care.

"Smoke Signals" -- Harvest Daily Devotion for 7/6/2013

Amen! I love this!!

Daily Devotion with Greg Laurie

SATURDAY, JULY 6, 2013 Smoke Signals And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?" But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." —Luke 18:26–27 I once heard a story about a man who was shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. Seeing that rescue might not happen for a long time, he painstakingly built a little hut to provide himself protection from the elements and a place to store the few items he had managed to salvage from the wreck. Every day he would prayerfully scan the horizon, hoping for the approach of a ship. But he saw nothing. Then one evening, after he had been out and about on the island, searching for food, he came back to see that his little hut was in flames. He tried to put out the fire, but it was too late. Everything he owned in this world had gone up in smoke. He went to sleep that night listening to the pounding of the surf, stunned by his own misfortune. The next morning he awoke to find a ship anchored off the island—the first ship he had seen since he had been marooned. Still trying to believe his eyes, he heard footsteps, and then a human voice, saying, "We saw your smoke signal and we came to rescue you." That's how it happens sometimes. In divine sovereignty and grace, the worst-case scenario somehow becomes the best-case scenario. Disasters can turn out to be great opportunities for God to work in your life. The Lord is always present with us, always intimately acquainted with our circumstances, and He specializes in taking "impossible" situations and turning them around, for His glory and our benefit.

Verse of the Day - Day 3 Treasures in Heaven - Matthew 6:19–21

Today's Bible Verse:

Matthew 6:19–21
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (ESV)

Today's Inspiring Thought: Treasures in Heaven

No matter how much money or stuff we accumulate, we will still feel a certain amount of dissatisfaction with life here on earth. This is to be expected for a believer. Our hearts will always be disappointed with the fleeting, fading, false treasures this side of eternity.

While we can still enjoy this life, our hearts should not be too invested here. The most satisfying, lasting treasures are being stored in heaven, our true home.

Amen; Praise God!

Scripture that stands out from today's bible reading:

Luke 11:1-2, 4 NKJV

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

Luke 11:9-13 NKJV

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

You are faithful, You are faithful, You are faithful!
I know who goes before me, I know who goes behind
The God of Angel armies, is always by my side!
The One who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine
The God of Angel armies, is always by my side!
- Chris Tomlin

Still thinking about a prayer journal. I think I'm more of an electronic journaler, than a handwritten journaler. I like being able to cut and paste scripture and I find typing easier, at least when I have a lot to write about. I also like having a copy stored online. I think I'd be worried about losing a handwritten one. But then it seems like a handwritten one would be very personal. I'll have to think about this more.