The Empty Chair Prayer

And to this prayer, I add,

"Amen."

I would say that all of us will have empty chairs at our Thanksgiving tables this year.

I lost my precious dad in November of 2005.

And my wonderful husband in 2022.

And of course there are others that have left this earth as well. 

And I miss them all.

But I do rejoice that one day, I will meet them again in heaven

along with my Savior, Jesus.

That is something I am thankful for today.

The hope of heaven 

and that I will never face another day on earth

knowing that there are empty chairs at my table.

Because mine will be empty too.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends.

I didn't get here yesterday as I thought that I would.

But I wanted to post something for you today and

wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

I do not anticipate being here for the rest of the week

but I will most likely post again on Monday, December 1st.

I do wish for you a wonderful, safe and peaceful Thanksgiving and many blessings from God. For it is He that is the creator of all

and whom we can depend on above all else.

 

Daily Word

 Today's Word is Baptizim

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”  Mark 10:38

Baptism – Jesus puts this question to all of us.  Most of us don’t have any idea what he is really asking, so we respond just like the disciples.  “Oh, yes, Lord.  I am able.”  Our answers are disappointing because they demonstrate the shallowness of our spirituality.  Do you know what Jesus is talking about?   I used to think that I did.  One day God had to lead me into the wilderness in order for me to understand.  Let’s look a little deeper and see what’s really going on here.

Baptism is a Greek word that was moved intact into English.  The Greek is baptizo.  It was never translated.  It means, “to be submersed”.  It is usually found in religious contexts.  However, it can also mean, “to be overwhelmed, to be saturated”.  Baptism plays a very important role in the New Testament.  You might give some thought to relationship between baptism and death (see Romans).  But of all the baptisms in the Bible, none is more significant than the baptism of Jesus by John in the river Jordan.  What it symbolizes is so important that it sets the stage for all of the rest of Jesus’ ministry

Many years ago, Ulrich Mauser wrote a tiny little book called “Christ in the Wilderness”.  It has been out of print for years.  In that work, Mauser demonstrates that the baptism of Jesus is symbolic of two critical elements in God’s message to Man.  The first is that Jesus affirms his identity as the true Israel.  Just as Israel became a people of God through the baptism of crossing the Red Sea, Jesus takes on the role of the true Son by being baptized before his ministry begins.  Baptism is the event that moves Jesus from his preparation stage into the calling of God.

But baptism symbolizes something else.  That other thing is found here in this verse.  The children of Israel moved through the sea to emerge in the wilderness, a place where they were to learn complete and utter dependence of God, to embrace His rule and authority and to become a nation of priests.  They failed.  Their failure meant that the wilderness became a place of judgment and wrath.  When Jesus accepts baptism, he announces that he is ready to accept God’s judgment, a judgment that culminates in bearing the sin of the world on the cross.  To be baptized is to accept judgment.  That’s why Paul ties baptism to death. Baptism for the true Israel is the decision to die under the judgment of God. 

There is resurrection, but it is not my doing.  Resurrection is God’s doing.  My work is to die.  My choice is to put my life under God’s judgment, to trust Him completely whether or not I will exist.  That’s exactly what Jesus did.  He died for me.  And it started right at the baptism.

So, Jesus asks us, “Are you ready to be baptized with my baptism?”  I took on God’s judgment for you.  Will you now die for me?

(Source: Hebrew Word Study by Skip Moen.D Phil

💖💖💖

In the church, there doesn't seem to be much teaching on the subject of Baptism. If any, really.

This article brings clarity to it, I think.

It is an important act of salvation

and love for Jesus, who himself gave His life for us.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. I apologize for not posting content yesterday, however my family did not leave until later last evening and I was really tired. So please forgive me.

As for this week coming up, I may post content tomorrow, Nov.23, and then I plan to post on Nov.24-25th and will not be here the rest of the week.

I pray for you a blessed day!

Post updates this week

Hello Friends,

I wanted to let you know that starting today and thru Nov. 20th I will not be posting content. Some of my family will be in and out during these days. I do intend to be back on Nov.21.

Next week which of course is Thanksgiving week, will be busy too and I won't be posting much of the week as well. 

I will keep you posted to those dates as well. 

Thank you for your patience. Have a blessed week!

A New Twist on Our Prayers of Thanksgiving

 

I wonder how many of you get daily inspiration from Crosswalk online. I have been getting it for a long time, and it really does bring good stuff to my mailbox. And I found a short article that I want to share with you today about Thanksgiving. Please read on:

The Thanksgiving Factor - Thanksgiving Devotional - Nov. 11

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 
1 Thessalonians 5:18 

In the classic autobiography, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom tells of her sufferings at the hands of the Nazis during the evil reign of Adolph Hitler. Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were incarcerated at the Nazi concentration camp, Ravensbruck, and experienced terrible atrocities there. On one occasion, they were forced to disrobe before the German soldiers. In that awful, humiliating moment, an amazing discovery came to Corrie's mind: "They took Jesus' clothes too. He hung naked for me." When she relayed that wondrous thought to Betsie, she gasped and said, "Oh, Corrie, and I never thanked Him for it." 

One of the things that made Corrie and Betsie such dynamic Christians was the fact that the chose to see life from God's perspective. In the worst of situations, they found new insights to praise and thank God.

The Bible tells us that we are to give thanks in everything, the good things AND the bad things. In Psalm 50:23, God says, "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me." In the hard times, thanksgiving is difficult. It is definitely a sacrifice to thank God in a Nazi concentration camp, but it is so very necessary. Thanksgiving honors God, and when you and I honor God, He honors us (1 Samuel 2:30).

How is your thanksgiving factor? Are you facing tough times? Have you been griping and complaining about the things in your life that are hard, lonely and frustrating? Why not try praising and thanking God for your difficulty.  He knows about it, He is over it, and He cares for you. Without question, He has a purpose in every trial and tribulation. Start today to live a life of thanksgiving. If you will do it, I promise you on the authority of the Word of God, your attitude will change, the people around you will be blessed, and Jesus Christ will be glorified and honored.

  Pastor Jeff Schreve, 

From His Heart Ministries

💖💖💖

Wow, what a profound statement. That Jesus hung naked on that hateful cross, for not only Corrie's and her sisters sin, but on yours and mine too!

And not once did I ever consider that as a need to thank Him for. 

But that is no more.

For that is a new heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving in my life now too. 

One other thing, among many shared in the lives of these two women was that they forgave the people that put them there.

Could we do that if faced with the same kind of situation?

Would we?

Jesus did it.

Corrie and Betsie did it.

We may not be required ever to go through what they did, although the Bible tell us we will be persecuted.

And many Christians are being martyred today for their faith in Christ.

Can we even handle just a little of that?

Let alone be in some concentration camp.

Can we forgive those that hurt us?

God calls us to do just that. And to pray for our enemies.

It's something to meditate on during this

Thanksgiving Season.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends.

Have a blessed day!

Daily Word

 Today's word is.....

Apostle

Of course, we know who the apostles were in the Bible.

They were those that Jesus especially called on to be a part of His earthly ministry. And they became good friends with Him.

But what does that word "apostle" mean.

Let's take a look.

שָׁלִיחַ

The Hebrew word for "apostle" is שָׁלִיחַ (shali'ach) or שְׁלִיחַ (sheliaḥ). This term is used to refer to a messenger or one who is sent on a mission.

Ἀπόστολος (apóstolos)

The Greek word for apostle is ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), which means "one who is sent out" or "one who is sent off". This term is used to describe individuals designated to spread the Gospel and establish the early Christian Church. In a broader context, it refers to a messenger or envoy

(source :Wikipedia)

 English: an important early Christian teacher or pioneering missionary:

💓💓💓

Mark 6:30 And the Apostles, returning to Jesus, reported to him everything that they had done and taught.Mark 6:30

Do you think there are apostles today, in the world, at this time? I know that there are false teachers that call themselves an apostle.

But what about a true Christian. If he evangelizes and teaches the Good News of the Bible, can he be entitled to that title?

Someone recently said in a video about Charlie Kirk, that he was not a modern-day apostle.

But was he. Or was he not?

What do you think?

I think it is possible although I wouldn't say that he was for sure.

But look at what he did while he was with us. 

He spoke to many people about Christ.

He bore much fruit for God's Kingdom. 

Did he heal anyone?

I don't know. 

Did he do other miracles as the apostles of Jesus day did?

I don't know.

Is being a apostle of the gospel of Jesus

a requirement of being able to do miracles?

I don't know.

But its something to think about. 

And maybe when we get to heaven,

we will know for sure.

Thanks for coming today, Friends.

I apologize for not being here yesterday but my daughter came for a visit with me. And since I missed it, I am posting another word for you today. I pray that you found it interesting and perhaps thought provoking.

Have a good day, and God bless! 

Daily Word

 

Today's Word is

Repentance

This word appears in the Bible at least 70 times although this may vary according to a Bing search engine. But what is its meaning?

Repentance, according to the Bible, signifies a profound transformation of heart and mind leading to a purposeful reorientation of life towards God. It goes beyond mere regret, encompassing elements of intellectual, emotional, and volitional dimensions.

The Hebrew term ‘teshuvah’ means returning to God, while the Greek ‘metanoia’ emphasizes a radical change in thinking. Scriptural examples, such as David’s Psalm 51 and the collective repentance of Nineveh, illustrate deep contrition and commitment to reform.

Repentance involves active steps toward reconciliation with God, promising divine mercy and forgiveness. Exploring this concept further reveals its integral role in spiritual renewal and moral transformation.

Teshuva

The Hebrew word for "repent" is teshuva (תשובה), which means "to return." This term encompasses more than just feeling guilt or regret; it signifies a return to a previous state or path. Additionally, the verb nacham can also convey the idea of repentance, meaning to comfort or console. 

FIRM — The Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries+2

💖💖💖

Repentance is a word we hear a lot about in churches that actually believe and follow God's Word. Sadly, there are many churches that at the very least do their best to avoid it, and at its worst do not even teach it.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

However, it is a necessary step in becoming a true Christian and gaining the promise of eternity in heaven. We cannot get there without it because our humanity comes from a fallen world that would rather we denounce the gospel of Christ and even do away with it. But because of Christ's death on the cross, sin was conquered   and we can count on passing into to a much more beautiful eternity then we have here on earth through repentance.

Some churches teach that if we do certain things, "our best life can be here."

Is your best life here on earth.

Mine isn't and I would rather follow what Jesus wants us to do then some devil inspired, man teaching that gives out that message of hopelessness.

I pray you have repented of your sin. I believe it is good to keep daily accounts in repentance because we sin daily in thought word, and deed.

And thank God, He sits on His throne waiting to hear from each of us.

And ready to forgive us each and every day.

Thanks for coming by this morning, Friends.

Have a wonderful day in the Lord!