YOU KNOW YOU ARE LOVED WHEN:

 

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LOVED WHEN:

The person can’t wait to see you.

The person’s eyes light up when they do see you.

The person on occasion beams with pride while looking at you.

The person thinks of you when they see something you would like while shopping.

The person overlooks your faults in favor of looking for the good.

The person values your opinion.

The person treats you with loving respect.

The person defends you when the situation warrants.

The person is happy when you are happy and sad when you are sad.

The person thinks ahead as to what you might need.

The person tries their best to nurse you back to good health when you are sick or hurt.

The person considers you a best friend.

The person puts your needs before their own.

The person wants to spend much of their spare time with you.

The person speaks highly of you, never negatively.

If married, the spouse is second only to God.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

II Timothy 3:14-17

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Romans 15:4
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Matthew 5:17-20
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

I Corinthians 10:
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

Luke 24:44-47
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Why do we keep some of the Old Testament laws and not all of them? Here is my study from 1992. I had to clean it up because it was taken from an old floppy disk and transferred with a lot of encoding.

‘92

Why forbidden foods and practices mentioned in Leviticus, once considered wrong, are now allowed:

Suggests that homosexuality is among them, and lesbianism, also, since it is not specifically mentioned in Leviticus. Most of the "laws" mentioned in Leviticus were preparations for ceremonial cleansing. There were, also, instructions for worship, and commandments of behavior, or moral laws, under which category homosexuality and other sexual immorality falls. Because the Israelites were "unclean" before God, who cannot look upon sin, they were required to cleanse themselves before approaching God's "house." God knew about germs and bacteria long before man, so even though the ceremonial cleansing was symbolic, the outward body was made clean. Still, both body and soul were only temporarily cleansed. This is why Christ came (Heb.9:9-14). He became the priest (Heb.2:17) and the atoning sacrifice (Heb.7:23-28). The rules of worship taught the Israelites the concepts of purity, obedience, and self-discipline and were analogies or symbols (prophetic acts) of things to come. For instance, pork, considered ceremonially unclean in the O.T., is symbolic of Gentiles, also considered unclean. Both are "made clean" by Christ in the N.T.(Acts 10:9-28). At Christ's death, prophesies were fulfilled, and a new covenant was established. The physical acts of worship were replaced with spiritual acts of worship. Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19. The commandments of behavior, or moral laws, including homosexuality, bestiality, incest, etc., continued to be condemned in the N.T. (Rom.1:24-27, I Cor. 6:9-10). Incidently, these scriptures specifically condemn women exchanging natural relations for unnatural ones.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT NATION

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT NATION

 MEMORIES OF LENA WALL

Lena (Ancona) Wall and I were not especially close but I was her son’s wife and she was his mother and so we kept a decent relationship during the 30 years I was married to her son. Lena was full-blooded Italian, more specifically Cicilian. Her ancestors moved from Cicily to Chicago where she lived in an Italian district. If I remember correctly, she moved to Mt. Vernon in the 4th grade and was the only non-English speaking student in the class. She never did fully master the English language while in the meantime she forgot much of the Italian language. Her use or misuse of some English words was oftentimes humorous. Three examples that come to mind are “friction” for the word “affection,” “Ho de ho” for “Lo and behold,” and she called a watch a clock. Her words left me puzzled many times but I would eventually figure them out. We laughed at the way she butchered the English language, but not to make fun of her. It was just a cute characteristic of hers, part of what made her unique.

Lena and Tallie had four kids: Mary Alice came first (now Mary Mullinax). John and Jane are twins and Donnie is the youngest.

She had several brothers and sisters: Joe, John (Big John), Tony, Elizabeth and Josie. They were the typical loud, hyper Italian family. Lena’s husband, Tallie, was more low key, laid back. He was the one who built the snow cone stand and he poured the snow cone machine in his foundry from a pattern. He was a patternmaker. He worked in the car shops until he built a foundry in his back yard and would make things people needed that hadn’t been invented yet. Several of his ideas were stolen and patented because he never really knew the process. But before he had his cardiac arrest which disabled him, he made several snow cone machines. He designed the cutting blade so that it would shave the ice really fine rather than gritty like the usual snow cones of the day.

Lena would go into the snow cone stand in the morning and refill the syrup bottles from large jugs. Where she obtained her syrup was top secret. She didn’t want competition. I forget how many flavors she had – 27, maybe. (How many can you name?) She had to mix certain ones and they had to be kept refrigerated. She would also refill the straw spoons. Remember them? The snow cone stand was not air conditioned. It had screens all around and she used a rotating fan, but that was it. The ice was kept in an industrial-type cooler. She started selling around noon and continued until dark. Very little could keep her away from her snow cone stand. She was even late for one of her grandkid’s wedding because she had to sell a few more snow cones.

Donnie got the job of purchasing the ice once he got his driver’s license. He had a bad car accident on the curve by the bridge on his way to town. A drunk missed the curve and sideswiped him with his arm out of the window and the doctors discussed amputating it, but all turned out well. Keeping the snow cone stand going wasn’t easy going. It was not only work, it was hard work.

Lena had another little quirk that I remember. My family was at her house one evening when a tornado warning was issued. The wind was blowing ferociously and instead of finding a safe place in the house, she ran outdoors. I was told she always did. She had to be coaxed indoors.

Lena’s mother was a Torregrossa from the produce family. They weren’t particularly a close-knit family. I don’t know a whole lot about them but what I do know I probably shouldn’t tell.

Lena’s dad ran a store that was in the brick building to the right of the snow cone stand. It burned down once and was rebuilt. He was a hard man. That’s all I will say about him. He died before Lena’s mother died and she lived downstairs in the building until she died. There was an apartment upstairs.

Tallie, Lena’s husband, built the house they lived in. It is well built. He was as good with woodworking and even carving as he was with patternmaking. He was super-talented.

WOMAN: HELPMATE OR NAG?

               

       

WOMAN: HELPMATE OR NAG? WHICH ARE YOU?

Helpmate/Helpmeet:

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:24

A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. I Corinthians 7:39

A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 1 Corinthians 11:7

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Colossians 3:18

Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:4-5

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives... 1 Peter 3:1

For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands... I Peter 3:5

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14

Proverbs 31 - (exceptional woman) 

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Nag?:
(Story of Samson) With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. Judges 16:16

Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. Proverbs 21:19

A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof. Proverbs 19:13

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9

Proverbs 27:15
A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. Proverbs 26:21

OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE STORIES PUT TO RHYME

 

My whole book of Old Testament Bible stories put to rhyme. Copy the link then paste it in the URL bar at the top.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1631243383645227&set=ms.c.eJxFlVuS5TAIQ3c0xVPA~%3Bjc2BTdy~%3B54AFgg7ClcLHYirieOfHjBPTDXgBCUHrD~%3Bgko5IgxB4H7AiwC9CGBFi4qrtD1gdkCTI2FMigqCvqBSLpmAjfIwgTpgnhSVmi~%3B5JzylHxIAR0F~_EMgKIixAlGF~%3BQxVPKfFNShqB0QYApLZdSYEr7HLBvpil5OlI~_Hem5Q64MJ~_hL0WJKaIurtAbBDTmUQ86AbY3wl9KXUhxhpl6ENyMy6kAqQe2xPi8CsusgeNLhckCM4Hrxeb2gr6gpi5avL6WcelaudG~_h9BYsqBwC700RrlR278KIJ8HoGuV40ufcx9B9aO8GoTgxmF5zHiDIVQqEEszVAHuB~_51izgjHLh3Sv~%3BbvI8LVneCsRMQDfUVDWbSmxGXCv11Hux3g9cDeNoRhvnlg7jbk0EpM~_wH9apT4Lp09YSW7ljLKtSy11ZFVTYB1znwIDCEu~%3Ba5H2egBDqhct1uzdII8pcbbUCHbfsYwIn6nyDslbbvtUiG4maY~%3B6TmzEeBMCz4bYdyPwjmX9oThnEujc9V6A5LmgLpXh~_K1P306jCvV1utLTXwp7beFkdzC9tohq~%3BLJ6ZA9JWKYEtCLkM~_oTlnnwucBxwG~_Dp3AHguAYHbpZOprrmGXYnyDGmkXwWercc~_FNJ~_Lrl~_KvpTCWlnxitav23jdtu6QQ2oI8nQUL3J3rS~%3BldL8H274PN3nU1xcvLt3oXXUJXvXRyYuQr8aY7gaJxxDERSBfRM4BZ4TLmu3JlRo3kX1k1AjuLfTkWzj7pC3gFZv4FY1XdJudck~%3B2gnPOjc4N~%3BAfwQP5APLAvriAfqJ~_wfMIq1wZEc0DVsZ3VA13mt~_9sf1QxtR8IHBdhlD5YK2H4SXcR1Y3IDIJbut0kgryB8g~%3BkIiMLolhD9aSrMUVzZ7oX~_gOmvSkeRXAjNGT~_Bz5krSw~-.bps.a.1631241116978787&__cft__[0]=AZacD5erFofcQYXagQveZBx9lgWR2p34uYjuPDgMkCq2hrghbRYX633eNV8hvLj1kJgaPaPzKhP4VLpd-vhDY5xk1M8Jsq5hBiUiu9D2sNfscgwnkWXdk0NfRRLPg4bXo8J8nmlKeAvGGe8Je5XSBi8a63h61Qg-BRVgK5O8uhRWiHsTDQH7xZ50ADz4arOubHPPR4WS8uxMC2eHgxZIssAm&__tn__=*b4H-R

I DID IT MY WAY

I DID IT MY WAY

That song strikes fear in my heart for the person singing it and also for the one who wrote it. Paul Anka wrote it and Frank Sinatra made it popular followed by Elvis Presley. Elvis came from a strong Baptist background but he strayed and went his way. The song is so anti-scriptural that it may play a role in where the singer spends eternity. After all, we will be held responsible for every idle word spoken. 

And now the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend I'll say it clear

I'll state my case of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

Regrets I've had a few

But then again too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

Yes there were times I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all

And I stood tall and did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill, my share of losing

And now as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say not in a shy way

Oh no, oh no, not me

I did it my way

For what is a man what has he got

If not himself then he has not

To say the things he truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows

And did it my way

Yes it was my way

Look at the last stanza: "And not the words of one who kneels." Who kneels? Those who pray. The singer is letting us know he doesn't do things like a religious person. He does it his own way.

I'm not judging. I'm fearing for the eternal life of the singers. We are to do things God's way, not our way. We weren't put on earth to see how happy we can make ourselves. What use are we to anyone, then? Certainly we are of no use to God if we take that attitude.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 14:12, 16:25
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. KJV

Proverbs 16:2
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. KJV

Proverbs 21:4
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. KJV

Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Isaiah 56:11
They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Becky Wall
beckyowall.blogspot.com

FORGIVENESS

FORGIVENESS

Leviticus 5:16
They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven. (The Hebrew people not only failed to do deeds in regard to "the holy things," they often failed to obey God. Therefore, a ram had to be offered as a guilt offering so that they would be forgiven. Jesus would one day become that guilt offering on the cross and would assume the role of priest.)

Leviticus 5:18
They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven. (Jesus was without sin and His value was unfathomable. Yet He would be the one to make atonement for the people's sins, intentional or unintentional.)

Deuteronomy 29:9-21
9 Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do. 10 All of you are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God—your leaders and chief men, your elders and officials, and all the other men of Israel, 11 together with your children and your wives, and the foreigners living in your camps who chop your wood and carry your water. 12 You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God, a covenant the Lord is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, 13 to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 14 I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you 15 who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God but also with those who are not here today.

16 You yourselves know how we lived in Egypt and how we passed through the countries on the way here. 17 You saw among them their detestable images and idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold. 18 Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

19 When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,” they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. 20 The Lord will never be willing to forgive them; his wrath and zeal will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will fall on them, and the Lord will blot out their names from under heaven. 21 The Lord will single them out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law. (There was a song out a couple of decades ago called "I Did It My Way." I greatly disliked that song. Living life your way with self-centeredness, self-gratification, your wants, your "needs," and no thought for what the Lord wants will blot your name out from under heaven.)

2 Chronicles 7:14
...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Job 7:21
Job lost everything he had and was covered with sores. He cries to God, "Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.” (It isn't that Job wasn't forgiven; he was being tested by God.)

Psalm 79:9
Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

Psalm 103:3
...who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases...

Jeremiah 36:3
"Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, they will each turn from their wicked ways; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.” (Forgiveness cannot happen until people turn from their wicked ways and ask for forgiveness.)

Jeremiah 50:20
In those days, at that time,” declares the Lord, “search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare. (Note the last two words. God forgave those He spared. There are consequences for ongoing sin and no repentance: no forgiveness.) 

Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. (God delightfully forgave those who did not rebel against Him and who asked for forgiveness.)

Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Christ will not forgive us if we do not forgive others when asked.)

Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 9:6
"But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” (No one on earth can forgive sins. Jesus is the only one who has that right.)

Mark 2:7
“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

When you will not be forgiven:

Deuteronomy 29:19-20
19 When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,” they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. 20 The Lord will never be willing to forgive them; his wrath and zeal will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will fall on them, and the Lord will blot out their names from under heaven. (There was a song out a couple of decades ago called "I Did It My Way." I greatly disliked that song. Living life your way with self-centeredness, self-gratification, your wants, your "needs," and no thought for what the Lord wants will blot your name out from under heaven.)

Joshua 24:19
Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins."

1 Kings 8:39
...then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart),

II Kings 24:4b

For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive. (Consider this verse in regard to the abortion issue.)

Isaiah 2:6-9 (Isaiah telling God on the Hebrew people)
You, Lord, have abandoned your people,
the descendants of Jacob.
They are full of superstitions from the East;
they practice divination like the Philistines
and embrace pagan customs.
7 Their land is full of silver and gold;
there is no end to their treasures.
Their land is full of horses;
there is no end to their chariots.
8 Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.
9 So people will be brought low
and everyone humbled—
do not forgive them.

Jeremiah 5:1-2 (A major prophet telling the Hebrew people God's message)
“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider,
search through her squares.
If you can find but one person
who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city.
2 Although they say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’
still they are swearing falsely.”

Jeremiah 5:7 (Jeremiah continuing his message)
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.

Jeremiah 18:23
But you, Lord, know all their plots to kill me. Do not forgive their crimes or blot out their sins from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.

Jeremiah 31:1-2 (the Lord promises to forgive those whom He has not punished)

“At that time,” declares the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.” 2 This is what the Lord says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.”

Lamentations 3:42
“We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven. 

Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 12:31-32
And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Matthew 18:35
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Mark 3:28-29
Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

RON'S TESTIMONY AS TOLD BY HIS BELT BUCKLES

Among Ron's things was a box full of mostly brass belt buckles -- many, many belt buckles. As I went through them, I realized they told a big part of his life's story. The one that shocked me was one with a marijuana plant on it. That was obviously from his Outlaw or pre-repentant days as were the two buckles advertising beer. He had a couple from Brown & Root, Inc. where he was a welder in Texas. He was really proud of his prestige and abilities as a welder and he liked the money. There were a couple that had to do with Texas. He lived there twenty-something years. After he became disabled and lost everything he moved back to the Mt. Vernon area. He lived in Wayne County a while where he had horses, so there were a couple of belt buckles with horses on them. There was one with a Honda motorcycle on it. That surprised me because he has always been a Harley man. Then I remembered he told me he had a motorcycle once that wasn't a Harley. He had a belt buckle that had the slogan on it about "the right to bear arms" and another one with a gun. He was protective of his guns. No one was going to take them away. He had a Willie Nelson belt buckle, typical of a country music fan. And then there were the Harley ones which would be expected, including one that was really old and had an old Harley bike design. There was one that represented his new life in Christ and the giving up of the old life and its destructive ways. That buckle was the Christian Motorcycle Assn. one. I found myself tearing up as I went through the belt buckles and then I told myself "You're weeping over belt buckles" and then I regained control of myself. I did not expect to find his life story in those belt buckles.

I created a photo album showing the belt buckles but I can't get it to transfer to this page. Here is the link but you'll have to copy it and put it in the link address bar above (using a different tab/+):

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=712639755505599&set=a.712639712172270

THE SPIRIT WITHIN US

This is a compilation of scriptures having to do with the Holy Spirit. The verses should answer most of your questions better than I can. After all, they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

THE SPIRIT WITHIN US

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:16-27

John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Matthew 1:18
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:11
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 12:32
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...

Mark 1:8
"I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” That's in addition to and after being baptized in water. He (the Holy Spirit) is the gift Jesus left behind when He ascended into heaven.

Mark 3:29
...but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 12:36
David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’

Luke 1:35
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:41
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:16
John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (That's in addition to being baptized in water.)

Luke 3:22
...and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 4:1
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness ...

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

Luke 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 12:10
And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

John 1:33
And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ (John the Baptist speaking of Jesus)

John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.

Acts 1:2
...until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:16
... and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.

Acts 2:4
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:33
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (You will receive the Holy Spirit after you repent and are baptized.)

Acts 4:25
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 5:32
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Acts 7:51
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

Acts 7:55
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Acts 8:15-16
When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 9:17
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Acts 10:44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

Acts 10:45
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.

Romans 15:13
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.

I Corinthians 2:10-16

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (My note: If we honor God with our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit, is it wrong to put graffiti on our temples?)

1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit ...

Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 4:8
Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:14
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Titus 3:5
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 ...

Hebrews 3:7-9

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did.

Hebrews 6:4-6

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

2 Peter 1:21
For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Compiled by Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com