Good Morning!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: 1 Kings 21:1-29 ~ Jezebel was a deeply committed woman; she just happened to be committed to evil. If you don't live for God, you are against Him.
Ahab and Jezebel were quite a pair. It all really starts in verse 4 where king Ahab acts like a spoiled child - "I want that vineyard! I want that vineyard! Mean old man won't let me have what I want!" Can't you just hear and see his temper tantrum? Then enters Jezebel and tells him she will make it all better and get him his vineyard (toy).
Jezebel was evil and she had Naboth killed. Through deceit, lies and evil - Jezebel got the vineyard, but angered God. God sent Elijah to deliver the message to king Ahab - that he and his family would be destroyed and that dogs would devour his wife - Jezebel and that dogs and birds would eat those descendants in the city and in the country. Ahab had sold himself to evil in the eyes of the Lord.
After Elijah told Ahab all the disaster that was coming on him and all his family, Ahab changed. God saw this change and had mercy on Ahab, but did not remove the disaster for his family, just postponed it and said that He would bring the disaster in the days of Ahab's son.
Jezebel was definitely committed to evil. She did not live for God.
Are you living for God today? Is He your Rock, your Redeemer, your Strength and your Everything? HE is mine! I serve a living God and I live for Him!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, August 6th - 1 Kings 16:29-17:1, 18:1-19:2
Good Morning!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Let's keep looking at bad girls in the Bible...Meet Jezebel - considered by many to be the worst/most evil ever! 1 Kings 16:29-17:1, 18:1-19:2
There is a lot of material in these passages and we see just how evil Jezebel was. First of all, she was a worshipper of Baal (verse 31). Jezebel's husband Ahab was also evil and provoked God to anger, even more so than kings before him. He did not worship God, but so many other things.
In the beginning of chapter 18 we find that the famine was very bad and that Jezebel had been killing all the Lord's prophets. However, Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves and had taken care of them. We find that after Elijah had told king Ahab that there would be no dew or rain unless he said (17:1), Obadiah had been looking for Elijah and had treated those harshly if he was not found. Obadiah was afraid he would be killed as well.
I would have loved to have been there for the rest of the story. Elijah sets up a test: Jezebel's prophets of Baal and Asherah against God! Set the altar on fire was the challenge - they called on Baal and nothing happened. I love Elijah's taunting in verse 27. Well, you read the rest of the story - Jacob poured water and everything on his altar and prayed that God would send fire and He did! All the people of Israel once again cried to the Lord - "The Lord - he is God!" Ahab told Jezebel all that had happened and she was furious and told Elijah that she would kill him!
Do you ever get caught up in what is going on around you and lose sight of what you really know and believe? It is tough at times, but our God is with us and who can be against us? He is ready to take us through each day - with His strength!
I saw a bumper sticker one time that read as follows: "God said it; I believe it: That settles it!" Isn't that true? He is all we need!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Let's keep looking at bad girls in the Bible...Meet Jezebel - considered by many to be the worst/most evil ever! 1 Kings 16:29-17:1, 18:1-19:2
There is a lot of material in these passages and we see just how evil Jezebel was. First of all, she was a worshipper of Baal (verse 31). Jezebel's husband Ahab was also evil and provoked God to anger, even more so than kings before him. He did not worship God, but so many other things.
In the beginning of chapter 18 we find that the famine was very bad and that Jezebel had been killing all the Lord's prophets. However, Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves and had taken care of them. We find that after Elijah had told king Ahab that there would be no dew or rain unless he said (17:1), Obadiah had been looking for Elijah and had treated those harshly if he was not found. Obadiah was afraid he would be killed as well.
I would have loved to have been there for the rest of the story. Elijah sets up a test: Jezebel's prophets of Baal and Asherah against God! Set the altar on fire was the challenge - they called on Baal and nothing happened. I love Elijah's taunting in verse 27. Well, you read the rest of the story - Jacob poured water and everything on his altar and prayed that God would send fire and He did! All the people of Israel once again cried to the Lord - "The Lord - he is God!" Ahab told Jezebel all that had happened and she was furious and told Elijah that she would kill him!
Do you ever get caught up in what is going on around you and lose sight of what you really know and believe? It is tough at times, but our God is with us and who can be against us? He is ready to take us through each day - with His strength!
I saw a bumper sticker one time that read as follows: "God said it; I believe it: That settles it!" Isn't that true? He is all we need!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Sunday, August 5th - Mark 6:14-29
Good Morning!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Mark 6:14-29 ~ Herodias didn't like hearing truth - she had the messenger killed. You may not order a hit on a person, but are you open to hearing truth?
This is a pretty gruesome story, but true! All beginning with Herod marrying his brother's wife! John the Baptist had told Herod the truth, in that, it was not right to have his brother's wife as his wife. Herod had John arrested and put in prison, but had not killed him, because he feared him.
Herodias, wife of Herod and his brother, held a grudge against John and wanted him killed. She knew it was the truth, but didn't want to listen. Why do you think Herodias reacted so harshly to John's truth? Was it wealth; was it position in the palace; was it greed; was it love?
Notice that Herodias used her daughter to get what she wanted. She couldn't get it herself and so she used others! The king had signed an oath, but he was distressed. Could he have not carried out his oath? What would have happened? What do you think the daughter thought when she was handed the head of John the Baptist on a platter? (I think I would have probably gotten sick.) She went directly and gave it to her mother.
I am sure we would not go to the extremes that Herodias went to because she didn't like hearing the truth, but do we act any differently? Are you open to hearing truth? I know that it is very hard to listen to someone telling you that you have been wrong and they are coming to you as a Christian sister or brother and pointing you in the right direction with the Scriptures in hand. However, I would rather have that embarrassment for a moment and a time of repentance and love with my Savior than continuing to live in sin. The truth sometimes hurts, but it is the only way - Jesus is Truth!
Are you open to hearing truth?
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Mark 6:14-29 ~ Herodias didn't like hearing truth - she had the messenger killed. You may not order a hit on a person, but are you open to hearing truth?
This is a pretty gruesome story, but true! All beginning with Herod marrying his brother's wife! John the Baptist had told Herod the truth, in that, it was not right to have his brother's wife as his wife. Herod had John arrested and put in prison, but had not killed him, because he feared him.
Herodias, wife of Herod and his brother, held a grudge against John and wanted him killed. She knew it was the truth, but didn't want to listen. Why do you think Herodias reacted so harshly to John's truth? Was it wealth; was it position in the palace; was it greed; was it love?
Notice that Herodias used her daughter to get what she wanted. She couldn't get it herself and so she used others! The king had signed an oath, but he was distressed. Could he have not carried out his oath? What would have happened? What do you think the daughter thought when she was handed the head of John the Baptist on a platter? (I think I would have probably gotten sick.) She went directly and gave it to her mother.
I am sure we would not go to the extremes that Herodias went to because she didn't like hearing the truth, but do we act any differently? Are you open to hearing truth? I know that it is very hard to listen to someone telling you that you have been wrong and they are coming to you as a Christian sister or brother and pointing you in the right direction with the Scriptures in hand. However, I would rather have that embarrassment for a moment and a time of repentance and love with my Savior than continuing to live in sin. The truth sometimes hurts, but it is the only way - Jesus is Truth!
Are you open to hearing truth?
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Saturday, August 4th - John 4:39-42
Good Morning!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: John 4:39-42 ~ The forgiven woman was so blown away by Jesus' forgiveness and love she could not keep the story to herself. #shareyourstory
Excited! Energetic! Overjoyed! Enthusiastic! Happy! Changed! ~ Just a few words to describe the Samaritan woman that Jesus forgave. She immediately went and told others and shared the Good News! She was a missionary!
Jesus stayed and taught among the Samaritans for two days and many more believed and were forgiven. I love the last part of verse 42: "... and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." They got it! They knew who Jesus was and they shared the news.
How did you feel when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and received His forgiveness? Did you run out and tell everyone you met? Have you shared the Good News with others? That is what we are called to do for God - share the Good News! It's not to late - share your story!
This reminds me of a song that has been around forever and has been re-made and re-recorded by many: "This Little Light of Mine". Do you remember the first few lines? "This little light of mine - I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine - Let it shine - Let it shine!" Will you let your light shine for Him today?
Have a super Saturday!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: John 4:39-42 ~ The forgiven woman was so blown away by Jesus' forgiveness and love she could not keep the story to herself. #shareyourstory
Excited! Energetic! Overjoyed! Enthusiastic! Happy! Changed! ~ Just a few words to describe the Samaritan woman that Jesus forgave. She immediately went and told others and shared the Good News! She was a missionary!
Jesus stayed and taught among the Samaritans for two days and many more believed and were forgiven. I love the last part of verse 42: "... and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." They got it! They knew who Jesus was and they shared the news.
How did you feel when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and received His forgiveness? Did you run out and tell everyone you met? Have you shared the Good News with others? That is what we are called to do for God - share the Good News! It's not to late - share your story!
This reminds me of a song that has been around forever and has been re-made and re-recorded by many: "This Little Light of Mine". Do you remember the first few lines? "This little light of mine - I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine - Let it shine - Let it shine!" Will you let your light shine for Him today?
Have a super Saturday!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Friday, August 3rd - John 4:1-26
Good Morning!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: John 4:1-26 ~ Jesus knew all the sin of the woman at the well, but He loved and forgave her. Do you have sin that you think is too bad to be forgiven?
There is a lot packed into these 26 verses. First of all we see the "humanness" of Jesus. Jesus had been teaching and preaching in Judea and left for Galilee. He was tired and thirsty and sat down to rest. (His disciples had gone into town for groceries.)
The woman came to the well as she did everyday and was not expecting this trip for water to change her life. She was a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew and they never talked to each other or associated with each other. Jesus crossed the "line" (set by the world) and spoke to the woman - "Will you give me a drink?" The conversation and life change begins. Jesus spoke of the living water! Verse 14 is very significant: "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." He spoke of Himself and the hope of eternal life with Him!
The woman at the well still not grasp Who she was talking to and asked for the living water so she wouldn't have to come to the well again. Then the conversation turns to her life of sin and she begins to see the Master, Jesus. Jesus forgave the woman at the well just as she was. She didn't get everything in order before she continued talking with Him. Jesus accepted her for who she was and He forgave her. He is willing to do the very same for us - no matter how big a sinner we think we are - He is ready to forgive and love us like no other.
In verse 23 Jesus explains how we are to worship God the Father - in spirit and in truth. He reveals to the woman that He is the Messiah! Can you imagine the woman's reaction - the look on her face - the feelings deep inside?
How about you? Do you think you have done something or said something that cannot be forgiven? Look to Jesus - call on His name - ask Him for forgiveness and it will be given. Begin your personal walk and relationship with Him today. He is waiting!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: John 4:1-26 ~ Jesus knew all the sin of the woman at the well, but He loved and forgave her. Do you have sin that you think is too bad to be forgiven?
There is a lot packed into these 26 verses. First of all we see the "humanness" of Jesus. Jesus had been teaching and preaching in Judea and left for Galilee. He was tired and thirsty and sat down to rest. (His disciples had gone into town for groceries.)
The woman came to the well as she did everyday and was not expecting this trip for water to change her life. She was a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew and they never talked to each other or associated with each other. Jesus crossed the "line" (set by the world) and spoke to the woman - "Will you give me a drink?" The conversation and life change begins. Jesus spoke of the living water! Verse 14 is very significant: "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." He spoke of Himself and the hope of eternal life with Him!
The woman at the well still not grasp Who she was talking to and asked for the living water so she wouldn't have to come to the well again. Then the conversation turns to her life of sin and she begins to see the Master, Jesus. Jesus forgave the woman at the well just as she was. She didn't get everything in order before she continued talking with Him. Jesus accepted her for who she was and He forgave her. He is willing to do the very same for us - no matter how big a sinner we think we are - He is ready to forgive and love us like no other.
In verse 23 Jesus explains how we are to worship God the Father - in spirit and in truth. He reveals to the woman that He is the Messiah! Can you imagine the woman's reaction - the look on her face - the feelings deep inside?
How about you? Do you think you have done something or said something that cannot be forgiven? Look to Jesus - call on His name - ask Him for forgiveness and it will be given. Begin your personal walk and relationship with Him today. He is waiting!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday, August 2nd - Luke 2:21-24
Good Morning!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Luke 2:21-24 ~ Mary's sacrifice of doves shows that she was poor (Leviticus 12). God uses humble people to do great things - He just needs a willing heart.
Mary and Joseph did everything according to the law of the Lord. On the eighth day He was circumcised and given the name Jesus, just as the angel had told them to do. Did you notice in verse 22 that it said "when the time of their purification had been completed."? Mary had to wait 33 days before going to Jerusalem to the priest to present Jesus to the Lord. (the wait is 66 days for a daughter, according to Leviticus 12) They also brought the sacrifice required - one dove for a burnt offering and one dove for a sin offering. The doves were for those that could not afford the lamb. Yes, for the poor.
God, indeed, uses humble people to do great things. HE gives them everything they need to accomplish the task that He has given. It happens even today! God doesn't always call the qualified, but qualifies the called! What is God calling you to do? Do you have a willing heart? That is all He needs!
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Luke 2:21-24 ~ Mary's sacrifice of doves shows that she was poor (Leviticus 12). God uses humble people to do great things - He just needs a willing heart.
Mary and Joseph did everything according to the law of the Lord. On the eighth day He was circumcised and given the name Jesus, just as the angel had told them to do. Did you notice in verse 22 that it said "when the time of their purification had been completed."? Mary had to wait 33 days before going to Jerusalem to the priest to present Jesus to the Lord. (the wait is 66 days for a daughter, according to Leviticus 12) They also brought the sacrifice required - one dove for a burnt offering and one dove for a sin offering. The doves were for those that could not afford the lamb. Yes, for the poor.
God, indeed, uses humble people to do great things. HE gives them everything they need to accomplish the task that He has given. It happens even today! God doesn't always call the qualified, but qualifies the called! What is God calling you to do? Do you have a willing heart? That is all He needs!
Have a wonderful day!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Wednesday, August 1st - Luke 2:1-7
Good Morning!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Luke 2:1-7 ~ When God tells you that He wants you to do something for Him, we expect it will happen easily. #notabiblicalview Dig deep - keep going
Okay, I have not given birth to a child, but have watched as others have and it is not easy. I also know that traveling any distance in the ninth month is difficult, even by car! Here is Mary who is coming to the end of her pregnancy, has to travel with Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem - walking or on a donkey! Easy - I think not!!
So they make the long journey and arrive in Bethlehem, only to find there isn't a hotel room! They end up sleeping in a stable with the animals. What do you think Mary was feeling and thinking at this time?
Remember that Mary was very young and had been chosen by God to carry His Son. I think it might have been something like this: Joseph, we have come quite a distance and I am very tired and weak - I just need a place that is warm to lie down - I think the baby is coming! God chose me to carry His Son and chose us to parent Him - He will take care of us! The stable is fine - just let me lie down and rest. Joseph made Mary comfortable and they rested. Mary woke Joseph and told him the baby was coming - there was no flurry or hustle - but just gentle moans and quiet cries as Mary gave birth to the Son of God in a manger! His name was JESUS! I can see the animals surrounding the couple and newborn baby to keep them warm. Mary looked at her newborn Son with love in her eyes and joy in her heart - she had been obedient to God the Father!
This is my version of what happened, but the Bible says: "that while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." The Son of God, Jesus was born and God's plan of redemption continued!
God didn't say life would be easy, but He did promise to be with us every step of the way!
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the first day of August. 2012!
Lisa's tweet: LMRMinistries: Luke 2:1-7 ~ When God tells you that He wants you to do something for Him, we expect it will happen easily. #notabiblicalview Dig deep - keep going
Okay, I have not given birth to a child, but have watched as others have and it is not easy. I also know that traveling any distance in the ninth month is difficult, even by car! Here is Mary who is coming to the end of her pregnancy, has to travel with Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem - walking or on a donkey! Easy - I think not!!
So they make the long journey and arrive in Bethlehem, only to find there isn't a hotel room! They end up sleeping in a stable with the animals. What do you think Mary was feeling and thinking at this time?
Remember that Mary was very young and had been chosen by God to carry His Son. I think it might have been something like this: Joseph, we have come quite a distance and I am very tired and weak - I just need a place that is warm to lie down - I think the baby is coming! God chose me to carry His Son and chose us to parent Him - He will take care of us! The stable is fine - just let me lie down and rest. Joseph made Mary comfortable and they rested. Mary woke Joseph and told him the baby was coming - there was no flurry or hustle - but just gentle moans and quiet cries as Mary gave birth to the Son of God in a manger! His name was JESUS! I can see the animals surrounding the couple and newborn baby to keep them warm. Mary looked at her newborn Son with love in her eyes and joy in her heart - she had been obedient to God the Father!
This is my version of what happened, but the Bible says: "that while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." The Son of God, Jesus was born and God's plan of redemption continued!
God didn't say life would be easy, but He did promise to be with us every step of the way!
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the first day of August. 2012!
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