CONTEMPLATIONS

SANTA DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE

SANTA DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE And I'm Glad

Christmastime is still a time of celebration, but instead of Santa, we in our house have made at home in our hearts. Santa no longer lives there. The children are no longer little. They've become wise to the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus was born in in a stable and there He was placed in a where animals sometimes feed. There was no room at the inn. sang to the at night announcing the birth of the and the who are willing to follow Him. Three important men came from the to see Jesus. They were wise from knowing . They had an idea where Jesus was to be born and the star led their way. And so we celebrate Christmas. Or do we!

Sadly, Santa gets all the glory at Christmastime, and now he is joined by the Grinch. There is no room for Jesus once again, not in people's hearts or in the seasonal celebration. Gone are the Christian ornaments, decorative figures, and the songs about His birth. The songs are all about Santa, snowy weather, the Grinch, and even Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Reindeer. Christmas seems to be growing away from Jesus.

So if Santa and his following should be taken out of the celebration, would there still be any fun left in it? Well, we would still have the tree. Jesus's cross was fashioned from a tree but He was the only thing hung on it. There would still be gifts because the brought gifts for Jesus. Three "wise men" could replace Santa when giving gifts as a way of acting out His birth. There would still be candy canes because they represent the shepherd's cane and the red stripes represent the stripes that he bore from a terrible beating. The star on the top of the tree represents the star in the sky that the wise men followed. And the lights represent many things but mostly Jesus is the light of the world. And our little lights also should shine.

Yes, if you look into our hearts, you will see that Santa doesn't live there anymore, or the Easter Bunny, or even the tooth fairy, but Jesus is here to stay. In Jesus only do we still believe.

#Santa #EasterBunny #Christmas #Easter #Rudolph #Grinch #FrostySnowman

They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through (, Santa, Grinch) worship. (I improvised this verse a little but it still has the same concept.

THANKS

THANKS

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:35
Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.”

1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

2 Chronicles 5:13
The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud,

2 Chronicles 7:3
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 7:6
The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the Lord’s musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the Lord and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, “His love endures forever.” Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 31:2
Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord’s dwelling.

Ezra 3:11
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Nehemiah 12:24
And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as prescribed by David the man of God.

Nehemiah 12:27
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.

Nehemiah 12:31
I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.

Nehemiah 12:40
The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials,

Nehemiah 12:46
For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 9:1
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 106:1
Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106:47
Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:8
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

Psalm 107:15
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

Psalm 107:21
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalm 107:31
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:19
Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.

Psalm 118:21
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

Psalm 118:29
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 119:62
At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.

Psalm 136:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:2
Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:3
Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Psalm 147:7

Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.

Isaiah 38:20

The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord.

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

Jeremiah 30:19
From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained.

Jeremiah 33:11
...the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the Lord.

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

Matthew 15:36
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

Matthew 26:26
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Matthew 26:27
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

Mark 6:41
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

Mark 8:6
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so.

Mark 8:7
They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.

Mark 14:22
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

Mark 14:23
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 9:16
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.

Luke 22:17
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.

Luke 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Luke 24:30
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

John 6:11
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

John 6:23
Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.

Acts 27:35
After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 6:17
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.

Romans 7:25
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 14:6
Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

1 Corinthians 1:4
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:16
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 11:24
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 14:16
Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?

1 Corinthians 14:17
You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:11
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

2 Corinthians 4:15
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 8:16
Titus Sent to Receive the CollectionThanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.

2 Corinthians 9:11
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:12
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Ephesians 1:15
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,

Ephesians 1:16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:10
Thanks for Their GiftsI rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

Colossians 1:3
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Colossians 1:12
...and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 1:2
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
Thanksgiving and Prayer rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

1 Timothy 2:1
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

1 Timothy 4:1-5
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Philemon 1:4
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,

Revelation 4:9
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,

Revelation 7:12
saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Compiled by Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

SCIENCE IN THE BIBLE

SCIENCE IN THE BIBLE

"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth..." Isaiah 40:22 (The earth is not flat, it does not sit on a turtle's back, Atlas doesn't hold it above his head.)

Credit goes to Sealing Time Ministries

LIGHTING UP LIVES

LIGHTING UP LIVES

Ps. 18:28b - ". . .my God turns my darkness into light."

Ps. 19:8 - "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

Ps. 28:7 - "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped."

Ps. 43:3a - "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me. . ."

Ps. 112:4-8 - "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes."

Isa. 8:2 - “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

Isa. 42:16b - "I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

Isa. 58:10 - "...and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬-‭36‬ ‭- ““No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.””

Jn 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

1 Thessalonians 5:5 - "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

Compiled by Becky Wall
beckyowall.blogspot.com

SOMETHING YOU CAN FLAUNT

SOMETHING YOU CAN FLAUNT

When someone bullies you,

Or you must endure a taunt,

Don’t hang your head or cower,

Here is something you can flaunt.

You are the child of a king,

And one day you’ll wear a crown.

You’ll be a prince or princess;

Don’t let anyone get you down.

Some people may avoid you,

Just because you are poor,

But you will have riches in glory,

And live in a mansion galore.

No one on earth is perfect,

So you might have a physical flaw,

In heaven you’ll have no blemish,

Of yourself you will be in awe.

So the next time you are bullied,

And the taunting doesn’t end,

Just look your enemy in the eye,

And say, “I love you, my friend.”

For whatever problem you have on earth,

Whatever you must endure.

Life is but as the blink of the eye,

And heaven is the cure.

Becky Wall

DEALING WITH A PERSON WITH DEPRESSION

DEALING WITH A PERSON WITH DEPRESSION

Most of us have had a bout of depression. Some have deep or . Their world is dark, hopeless, unloving, hurtful, and everything and everybody are seen in a negative light. Maybe I should say a negative darkness. Many with depression will say they feel as if a dark cloud is hanging over them or that a dark blanket envelops them when they walk away from a well lit area filled with "normal" people and into their own living space.

People who have overcome depression are more empathetic toward others, especially those who are going through a phase of depression. Sometimes just talking it out makes a big difference. People who have had or worse are better equipped to handle a future situation because they have been through a storm or storms and realize the sun will shine again. They actually become stronger.

Encourage the person with depression to pour his or her emotions into an art form such as singing, playing an instrument, writing, sculpting, etc. If the person is into sports, give it his/her all. An art form without emotions poured into it is like the difference between creative writing and a newspaper article. It's like playing sports half-heartedly which almost guarantees a loss. says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters..."

Does the person have ? Persons with ADHD go through spells of depression, but they also have excess energy and emotions. Therefore, when they become adults, they fit right in with the teenagers. They have the energy to lead them while the rest of us have lost energy. Their excess energy makes them hard workers. They have a need to stay busy. They have trouble focusing but when they do, they can take their thoughts to a level others don't. Many with ADHD do get depressed until they learn to corral their emotions and behavior. Then they often excel. Encourage the person who has it to corral their ADHD traits and use them for the good. All children have to learn to corral their behavior. Kids with ADHD have to try harder to corral theirs partly because their emotions run so high. When they do act out, they are ashamed afterwards and think no one loves them because they are "bad." ADHD isn't a bad thing to have once the person learns to use his or her excess energy for good. As I mentioned before, pouring their emotions into an art form is great therapy and often produces an exceptional outcome.

is needed in order to be an overcomer of suicidal thoughts, depression or anxiety. Paul says in the book of Corinthians, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" . Focus on serving others and give it your all. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." .

Suicide among young people is at an all-time high. Suicide starts with depression. Suicidal thoughts can quickly escalate or take months to build up. If you do happen to speak to someone with suicidal thoughts or comments, try to learn if they are serious, though even then a person can't be sure the person is being forthright. Find out if they have a plan and if they do, how would they do it--cut their wrist, use a weapon, jump off a building, drown themselves, overdose on drugs? Has their normal behavior changed? Do they have dark circles around their eyes indicating lack of sleep or other health problems. Ask them when is the last time they slept and ate. That is important. They need their sleep and fuel to ward off evil thoughts toward themselves. Are they taking the medicine they have been prescribed, if any? Have they been giving their belongings away?

Keep the person bent on self destruction talking if that person talks like they're going to take action. Ask them who would be hurt by their death? Name their closest kin and friends or ask that person to name them. Ask if they have a pet. What is their favorite season? Remind them it will come around again. What sport do they like? What team? Do they like to swim? What was the funnest thing they ever did. What was their most embarrassing moment? Tell them one of yours. (For me it was waving good-bye to my boyfriend in jr. high and turning around and walking into a tree with him still watching.) Tell them about things the future may hold. They would miss out on their friends and siblings getting married, then their friends and siblings would have kids who would love their uncle or aunt, as the case may be. Their favorite sports team may take home the national prize. They wouldn't want to miss out on that. The future will hold some down times but it will also hold some exciting and fun times or even peaceful times.

If the person has been "dumped" by a boyfriend or girlfriend, don't minimize their feelings. Sympathize with them. Memorize the following scripture verses but don't worry if you have a difficult time memorizing book, chapter and verse, like . "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." When a person is hurting now, their emotional pain will eventually turn to joy. God will punish those who cause pain to others instead of showing love. Those who laugh at a hurting person will be brought to tears. Our charge is to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" () no matter the reason.

As I mentioned before, people who have been through depression can be especially helpful to those who are currently grieving over a situation. They have been through storms and realize the sun will shine again. Never underestimate the good you can do just by talking to someone who is depressed.

beckowall.blogspot.com

BEST FRIENDS UNTIL DEATH

(I Samuel 18-20)

Jonathan’s dad was King Saul,

The son was therefore a prince.

David and Jonathan were very best friends,

Which made the surly king wince.

For Saul had come to hate David,

He was jealous of his fame.

He badly wanted to kill him,

He hated his very name.

God’s Spirit had left King Saul,

And so he became depressed,

He asked David to play the harp,

So soothing when he could not rest.

One day Saul lost his temper;

He tried to spear David against a wall.

Though the young man had served him well,

That didn’t matter to Saul at all.

Jonathan helped David escape,

His father’s murderous quest.

He knew his friend’s heart was good;

He thought of him as the best.

He reasoned with his father,

And convinced him David should stay.

So David returned to the castle,

Until fear again drove him away.

The two friends stayed in touch,

They vowed to be best friends forever.

But Jonathan was killed in a battle,

Their “forever” only death could sever.

--Becky Wall

There's more to the story. I encourage you to read I Samuel 18-20.

SAUL: THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL

THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL

(I Samuel 10-11)

Israel wanted a king,

Which made God feel rejected.

He decided to grant their request,

Even though He greatly objected.

He instructed the prophet Samuel,

To anoint Saul the first king.

Saul came from the tribe of Benjamin;

Both good and bad he would bring.

Samuel prepared a dinner,

And put Saul at the head of the table.

He gave him the choicest leg of meat,

Though as king, Saul felt unable.

Samuel anointed Saul the next day,

More or less against Saul’s will.

He thought himself not important enough,

For such a role to fill.

But God filled Saul with His Spirit,

And he appeared like royalty.

He was a head taller than everyone,

But he lacked loyalty.

Though anointed, Saul kept it quiet,

‘Til Samuel showed up one day,

And had each tribe march before him;

Much to Saul’s dismay.

After every tribe and clan had passed,

And Saul was named as king,

He could not be found,

For he was cowardly hiding.

The Lord revealed his hiding place;

He was cowering behind the supplies.

Though he stood a head taller than everyone else,

He was small in his own eyes.

Samuel talked him up to the crowd,

Then they shouted, “Long live the king.”

Samuel stated the rules of kingship,

Only trouble would such power bring.

Saul would obey the Lord,

But rarely all the way.

He liked to do things differently,

Which caused God much dismay.

His confidence grew stronger,

So much so that he became evil.

Eventually he was full of himself;

And turned into a weevil.

He tried to take the life,

Of the boy who played a harp.

He even tried to spear his own son,

But his son was a little more sharp.

Saul’s moods often changed with the wind,

For God’s Spirit was no longer with him.

He was nice one minute; the next he was not;

He knew his future looked grim.

The boy that played the harp for him,

Would one day take his place.

Because Saul did things his own way,

His life would end in disgrace.

--Becky Wall

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

I have included below the following categories: Man, Woman, Man & Woman, Children,
Family, Married, Unmarried, Engaged and Widowed.

MAN/HUSBAND/FATHER
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24

"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just." Genesis 18:19 This is the Lord speaking about Abraham, but the same message applies to today's households.

13 Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. 15 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. 16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful. Malachi 2:13-16

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Colossians 3:19

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. I Peter 3:7

WOMAN/WIFE/MOTHER
To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

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

39 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. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. I Corinthians 7:39-40

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. 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

MAN AND WOMAN
Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time. Deuteronomy 4:40

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! Deuteronomy 5:29

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16

The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. Isaiah 38:19

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:9-12

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Proverbs 29:17

CHILDREN
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

Do not be like your parents...who were unfaithful to the Lord...II Chronicles 30:7

The 10 Commandments Exodus 20:3-17, Deut. 5:7-21

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32

1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Deuteronomy 6 - the whole chapter

Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? (I have to admit, this verse has always bothered me.) Proverbs 20:11

Whoever robs their father or mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is partner to one who destroys. Proverbs 28:24

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. Proverbs 29:15

FAMILY
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

I Corinthians 13 - the love chapter

...in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:... Philippians 2:3-5

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:9-12

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. I Corinthians 10:23-24

MARRIED

I Corinthians 7:1-21 (adults only)

39 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. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. I Corinthians 7:39-40

UNMARRIED

I Corinthians 7:25-35

ENGAGED

I Corinthians 7:36-38

WIDOWED
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.

6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. I Timothy 5:3-16

Compiled by Becky Wall
beckyowall.blogspot.com

THE LORD'S TOP TEN CARVED IN STONE

THE LORD’S TOP TEN CARVED IN STONE

(Ex. 20:1-17 & Deut. 5:6-21)

You shall have no gods before me.

Do not make or pray to an idol.

For I am a jealous God,

On your heart I want a bridle.

Do not misuse my name;

In a way without true meaning.

I am outraged when my name is exclaimed,

I think of it as demeaning.

Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy;

Six days you shall do all your work.

The seventh day is mine alone,

So relax; your work you can shirk.

For in six days I made the heavens,

And all life in the earth and sea.

I rested on the seventh day;

I blessed it and declared it holy.

Honor your father and mother,

So you may live long in the land.

Do not murder, be true to your spouse,

And do not steal with your hand.

Do not lie about anyone.

Don’t covet what belongs to your neighbor.

If you will keep these commandments,

With Me you will find favor.

--Becky Wall

CONTEMPLATIONS

SANTA DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE

THANKS

SCIENCE IN THE BIBLE

LIGHTING UP LIVES

SOMETHING YOU CAN FLAUNT

DEALING WITH A PERSON WITH DEPRESSION

BEST FRIENDS UNTIL DEATH

SAUL: THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

THE LORD'S TOP TEN CARVED IN STONE

Table of Contents

SCRIPTURES FOR OFFERING/TITHING WORSHIP TIME

Click on the title "Table of Contents" under "Featured Post."

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