Temptation

Temptation:
Why is is so easy to give into temptation? Whether it's a temptation of stealing, lying, disobeying, or something else. Why is it so hard to resist temptation?

The Webster's 1828 dictionary's definition of temptation is:
"The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good. The state of being tempted or enticed to evil. When by human weakness you are led into temptation, resort to prayer for relief. Trial. An allurement to any thing indifferent, or even good."

In Matthew 6:13 it says, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one..." (NKJV)

Mark 14:38, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Luke 8:13, "But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

Luke 22:40, "...Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

1st Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation..."

Jesus himself was tempted in Luke 4; however, Jesus resisted temptation.
Just like Jesus, we too can resist temptation. The next time you are tempted, try to pray; God will be there to help us!

Merry Christmas!!!

~Have a Merry Christ filled Christmas~

I hope you enjoy this video!
This is another Sand painting video, but he does it with the song of
"A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith Hill in the background.

Life is hard, but God is good part 2

This morning, we received some sad news.

Denise Sproul, died last night. After years of battling Leukemia, God called her home.
Please be prayer for the Sproul family, as they fight this devastation.

I couldn't help but think of the Sproul's this entire day.
Today our family went to the movie theater, but during the entire time, I couldn't help but think of all my blessings. I couldn't help crying for the Sproul Family. How could our family be laughing at a movie, while the Sproul family is crying hundred's of miles away.

I couldn't help but think, "Why them?" Why did God have to take Mrs. Sproul away? Why now?
It brings me to what I said in my earlier posting...
Life is hard, but God is good.

Yes, there will be trials that we all go through. Maybe it's a death in the family, maybe it's an illness, or maybe it's a struggle that you're dealing with; whatever it is...do you feel God there?
I know that God is there with the Sproul family, as they embark in this new journey of loss.
Please keep them in prayer!

Denise Sproul is at home with the Lord

from R.C. Sproul Jr. Dec 18, 2011

Denise, enjoying the blessed vision of our God and Father, is at home with the Lord. Cancer no longer afflicts her, and every tear has been dried away. The Queen of Orlando casts her crown at her Savior’s feet, and together, they dance.

Life is hard, but God is good!

A few nights ago, we watched a movie called, “The 5^th quarter”. It was based on a true story.

This son-Luke, he was coming home from school with his friends, and he get’s in a car accident, and is tragically killed. The story tells about how the parents, Luke’s 2 brothers, and his sister cope with the tragic loss.
One of the parts of the movie is when Luke’s oldest brother is talking with his friends, and he is very angry and confused. He yells and says, “why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?”

…isn’t this a good question? Why do bad things happen to good people?

Without me going through certain trials in my life, and without my parents losing a child; I don’t think that I would be where I’m at today. As much as I ask “Why?”, I also say, “Thank you God!”
Going through trials are hard! But God is good!!!
Thinking about all the trials you’ve been through personally, wasn’t God there? God never left! He was faithful, and he stayed by your side when you least expected it. He was the one who was carrying you.

"...He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5

Urgent Prayer!

Some of you may not know who Denise Sproul is. She is R.C. Sproul's wife.
She was diagnosed with Leukemia, (I don't know how long ago) and the doctor's don't know how long she'll live. She's taken Chemo, and nothing has helped. This is what her husband said:

Dear Folks,
Some of you are aware of the trial the RC Sproul Jr. family is currently going through as Denise fights for her life in a battle against leukemia.
Below is an update RC Jr. just shared with me, and gave me permission to share it abroad.
Please join me in fervent prayer for the Sprouls.
God is good and His mercy lasts forever.

Marion Lovett
-----------------

"Today Denise begins another round of chemo. The doc gave us a choice of this, or hospice two days ago. There is only a ten percent chance this will bring on remission and may put her in a chemo or kill her. Denise wants to keep fighting. The kids have been told. Today may be the last day I will be able to speak to her. Prayers are very appreciated."
~R.C. Sproul

Please be praying for their family as they endure this trial. Only God knows what's going to happen.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain: It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

In the Mood for Christmas!

This morning I was in the mood for Christmas. It was really cold outside, the fire was going downstairs, and their was fresh snow on the ground. Don't you just love those days? Of course for me, I don't like the cold, so it was more like the "do I have too get out of bed" days.
I listened and watched some funny songs/video that we downloaded last year.
Anyways I've attached some funny Christmas video's below.

Helping One Another

What does it mean when we Help one another?

My mom has been struggling with Insomnia for several years, and she has gone to every chiropractor, doctor, and herbalist that she can think of and nothing is helping. She is very stressed right now, and around this time of year needs a break.

The other day I asked my mom, "What helps you to feel less stressful", she then told me that making the dinners for the week is what really stresses her out. So, I cook mostly all the dinners at the house to help my mom out.
Have you ever helped someone out so much that they thanked you over and over again? It feels good, doesn't it?

Today I was doing my writing homework for the week, and my sister asked me, "Kate, can I do the dishes for you?"
I was so blessed by her offering to do something so small, yet so big.
It's different for each person, mother, and father. Some mom's might think that doing Laundry is very stressful, others think that doing the dishes, or cleaning the house is stressful. In a previous entry I talked about a worry and stress free life. Let's face it, I am not an expert. It is so much harder said than done. Now, I will admit that sometimes I don't have a good day, and when my mom asks me to do something I do it with a heavy heart.
Sometimes helping one another with each others burden's is what blesses people.

So, what can you do to bless others? It can be a friend, relative, sibling, or a parent. Whatever it is, ask them what you can do to help them. Trust me, they will be blessed.

"Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another...Even as Christ forgave you..."
~Colossians 3:13

After Thanksgiving already?

The picture above is on Thanksgiving Day, when everyone was together.

So here we are, a few days after Thanksgiving.
We got back on Friday night from visiting our Family in Texas, and the drive back was ... how should we say it, "Tiring". After all of us staying up all night with our cousins for hours, the sleep finally caught up to us.
My Cousin had her first baby the day that we came. Unfortunately their were some complications, and so they had to do a C-section. Thankfully, the baby is fine now, and my cousin and her husband have a beautiful baby girl whose name is, Availeth Joy Williams!!!

My cousins took me to the mall, and to the wonderful "In-N-Out Burger" for the first time, and I stuffed myself to death. We had Turkey, Ham, Creamed Corn, Strawberry Jello, rolls, potatoes, plus not to mention all of the wonderful pies, cookies, cakes, and other desserts they had there. I stuffed myself, so much so that I felt like I gained 20 pounds. (okay, maybe I'm over exaggerating, a little.)
We had our annual Bingo game, and "I" was the first one to call "Bingo!" I got a $5.00 gift card to Sonic, although I had a hard time deciding on all the prizes.

Anyways, It's refreshing to be back, but I already miss the family in Texas.
I don't know how it is in your family, but in ours, EVERYONE is grumpy the entire drive back home whether we like it or not.
It was actually very depressing to drive back. We had the case of "Rain" most of the way back. And when it wasn't raining, it was so cold that you couldn't even see out the window.

Isn't that how our life is sometimes? We hold grudges, thoughts, words, and actions; so much so that we can't see through our evil thoughts.
Just a thought...anyways, have a wonderful Week!

Giving Thanks ...even when it hurts!

We will be going on vacation on Monday, so I will write my Thanksgiving post now.

There are so many things to be grateful for, but are we grateful for our trials and tribulation?
Are we thankful that God gives us Joy in the midst of our trials?
Are we thankful for both the good and bad?
Make a list of each and every little thing you are grateful for. Trust me, it will fill a lot of pages. I'm thankful for my eyes, nose, mouth, heart, ears, family, love, siblings, friends ... well, you get the point.
Are you thankful for your family? Maybe you had a fight the other day with a family member, or friend. Are you still thankful for them?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV /Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Ephesians 5:20 ESV / Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 107:1 ESV / Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 7:17 ESV / I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Thanksgiving Delights:On Thanksgiving Day we’re thankful forOur blessings all year through,For family we dearly love,For good friends, old and new.
For sun to light and warm our days,For stars that glow at night,For trees of green and skies of blue,And puffy clouds of white.
We’re grateful for our eyes that seeThe beauty all around,For arms to hug, and legs to walk,And ears to hear each sound.
The list of all we’re grateful forWould fill a great big book;Our thankful hearts find new delightsEverywhere we look!

~By Joanna Fuchs~

Top 10 Cutest Babies!

My brother showed our family this hilarious video of the top 10 cutiest babies laughing. It's hilarious!!! Please share!

Worry and Stress Free life!

We all worry don't we? We worry about if we will pass the driver's test, if their will be enough food for week, if we will live to see our children or great grandchildren, if we will get paid, if we will have enough gas to get through the week. If, if, if, but, but, but; we are constantly worrying about everything.

Do you know what God says about worry?

I've spent an awful lot of time in my life worrying. I've worried about approaching deadlines and shrinking budgets. I've worried about bills and expenses, rising gas prices. I've even worried about having our own home in perfect condition for "company," and within seconds of their arrival, the house is turned upside down and no one even notices.
I've worried about first impressions, and contagious infections..
Over the span of my lifetime, worrying accounts for hours and hours of invaluable time that I'll never get back.
Here are four biblical reasons not to worry.

Worrying Accomplishes Absolutely Nothing.
I don't know about you, but I don't have any time to waste these days; And worrying is a waste of very precious time. Worrying won't help you solve a problem or bring about a solution, so why waste your time and energy on it?
Matthew 6:27-29 says, "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

Worrying is Not Good for You.
Worrying is destructive to us in so many ways. It becomes a mental burden that can even cause us to grow physically sick.

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad. Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God."

The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use in prayer. Here's a little formula to remember: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.
Matthew 6:30 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!"

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction.When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember his love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need.

Matthew 6:25 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"

Matthew 6:31-33 " Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

So, let's have a worry and stress-free life!

Sand Painting

I was sent this video below on Sand Painting. It is an incredible video!

After watching this ... think about how just like this man worked on one creation and then another with completion, so God does with us. He knows just where to put things in our life. He created us. I hope you are blessed with this video!

"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You."
~Psalm 139:17-18

What if ...?

There was a video that I once saw that I can’t find, so I’d like to share
with you in my own words as best as I can.
Once there was a man who was blind. He went by the stairs to a building nearby, and sat down with a sign that he made out of cardboard that read, “I am blind, anything helps”. This man would just sit there with a cup by his foot for people to give him money. Occasionally he would get a few coins here and there, but not much. After a few hours this young woman comes over to him, takes the sign that this man wrote, and writes something on it with a permanent marker. The old man felt her shoes at the bottom of his feet, and wondered what she was doing. After the woman wrote down something on the board, she walked away without saying a word.

A few minutes later there were people passing by this man and they were constantly putting coins and money into this man’s cup. An hour or so later the young woman came back. Once again the old man felt her shoes, and recognized it as being the same woman who wrote something on the cardboard. Curious, the man said, “Miss, what did you write on my sign?” The woman then replied, “I wrote what you wrote, only with different words; and with that, she walked away. As the woman walked away without another word, the camera focused onto the sign that said, “It’s a beautiful day outside, and I can’t see it.”

Put yourself in this man’s shoe … what if you were blind? It makes you think … huh?

God Loves you!!!

I found this video below on GodTube.
It makes you think of how special God really thinks you are.
Today, I went to the Christian Book Store, and I saw a shirt that said, "God doesn't just like you, he LOVES you." ... have a blessed day!

The Power of Forgiveness!

The Power of Forgiveness:

It’s starting to get in that time of year, so … last night we watched a movie called, “A Christmas snow”.
In the movie it talked about forgiveness. I have attached the story below.

Kathleen has carried around the unwanted memory of her father abandoning her and her mother on Christmas Eve.
For the past 30 years, she has blamed her mother for that night and refuses to celebrate Christmas in any fashion.
Although she has tried to forget her past, it has not forgotten her, and in the days leading up to Christmas she finds herself stuck in her own home with two strangers, because of an unforgiving blizzard.
As the storm brings her face to face with the hurts of her past, she will have to choose one path; letting go and grabbing hold of a life changing forgiveness or continuing to carry her pain and bitterness with her.

I will just tell you how it ends right now (I know! Sorry!)… Kathleen ends up finding her father without even realizing it; and her father finds her without realizing it. This man “Sam” (Kathleen’s Father) stays with Kathleen, and then leaves on Christmas Eve to find his daughter to tell her that he’s sorry. A month later, Kathleen finds out that her dad died a month before.
Kathleen receives a package, opens it, and finds her father’s watch and Bible with a love letter written to Kathleen. Kathleen then realizes that the Bible was Sam’s, (her father) and cries.
In the letter that Sam gives to Kathleen, it asks her to forgive him and her mother whom remarried to another man.
Kathleen shows up at her mom’s house the next Christmas to ask forgiveness for her mother and step-father.
The point is … you can choose to forgive … the question is … will you?

Halloween...What is the Biblical application?

Halloween ... what does God think about it?

Many people think that Halloween is just a fun night filled with laughter, candy, and tricks. Some people go around the neighborhood and say, "Trick Or Treat?" and other people go to church socials and gatherings.
A few weeks ago my dad and us older ones in the family watched a movie about Halloween, and the history behind it. After watching this movie, it made me realize how utterly wicked Halloween is. Many people don't realize that there are cults all around the world, including the United States, who will literally kill children (babies included) to give their blood to the "gods". It was very sad for me to hear, and to see.

In our family we got to an event yesterday called, "The Reformation Celebration", and we celebrated what Martin Luther, John Knox, and William Tyndale did so that we can have the Bible in our language.
I smuggled Bibles from one side of the church to another, while there were guards all around trying to catch us. If they caught us, we would have to go to jail. It was a very serious thing.
It made me so grateful that we have the privilege to have the Bible in our language!

Now...what is the Biblical application for Halloween, sorcery, and sorcerer?
I won't list all the verses about it, but please look up Deuteronomy 8:9-14

The Bible doesn’t speak directly about Halloween, but some biblical principles apply. One thing is clear -- all pagan practices are to be avoided. Witchcraft, occult practices, sorcery, etc. are strictly forbidding in the Bible (Exodus 22:18; Acts 8:9-24; Deuteronomy 8:9-14). It is obvious that a small child dressing up as a princess or a cowboy isn’t involving themselves with witchcraft, so what is a biblical stance on Halloween?

The decision is up to you. If you decide Halloween is something fun for you, make sure you are kept far away from the evil aspects of Halloween. When believers participate in anything (even Halloween), their attitudes, dress, and behavior should glorify Christ (Philippians 1:27)

God's Magesty!

God's Majesty:
The other night we were doing our family worship. We are going through Job, and in Job 37 it talks about God's majesty. I got goosebumps as I read aloud this chapter. I would like to show it to you. After reading this chapter, it made me think about how God is in control over the seasons, the weather patterns, the sky, the lightning, and thunder.

Job 37:

¹ “At this also my heart trembles,
And leaps from its place.
² “Listen closely to the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.
³ “Under the whole heaven He lets it loose,
And His lightning to the ends of the earth.
⁴ “After it, a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard.
⁵ “God thunders with His voice wondrously,
Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.
⁶ “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’
⁷ “He seals the hand of every man,
That all men may know His work.
⁸ “Then the beast goes into its lair
And remains in its den.
⁹ “Out of the south comes the storm,
And out of the north the cold.
¹⁰ “From the breath of God ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
¹¹ “Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
¹² “It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
That it may do whatever He commands it
On the face of the inhabited earth.
¹³ “Whether for correction, or for His world,
Or for loving-kindness, He causes it to happen.

¹⁴ “Listen to this, O Job,
Stand and consider the wonders of God.
¹⁵ “Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the lightning of His cloud to shine?
¹⁶ “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds,
The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,
¹⁷ You whose garments are hot,
When the land is still because of the south wind?
¹⁸ “Can you, with Him, spread out the skies,
Strong as a molten mirror?
¹⁹ “Teach us what we shall say to Him;
We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.
²⁰ “Shall it be told Him that I would speak?
Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?

²¹ “Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies;
But the wind has passed and cleared them.
²² “Out of the north comes golden splendor;
Around God is awesome majesty.
²³ “The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power
And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.
²⁴ “Therefore men fear Him;
He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”