Psalm 8: What is Man?

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

Psalm 8:1

*One of the dominant messages of the Scriptures is that the Lord God is sovereign over his creation. The creation reflects his glory because it is his handiwork. It is perfectly under his control. No "big bang" theory could produce such a magnificent piece of clockwork as our universe. The more universes and galaxies the scientists discover only emphasizes the glory of the Lord God.

An increasing number of scientists are preferring to the intelligent "design" of biological systems, inferring that a creator–God is at work over against an evolutionary process. There is a Master designer behind the immense universe. The intelligent design is becoming increasingly evident to the skilled scientist.
The glory of God is magnified in his creation. The exalted position of man is the capstone of the entire universe.
Wonder of wonders is the fact the Lord God can hold the Milky Way in one hand and take infinite interest in me.*
*Taken From: http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/psa8v1.html

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Psalm 8:2

*This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God’s name. It is proposed for proof that God’s name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved in the last verse. For the proof of God’s glory the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God’s goodness is his glory. God is to be glorified,

1. (v. 1) For making known himself and his great name to us.
2. (v. 2) For making use of the weakest of the children of men, by them to serve his own purposes
3. (v. 3, 4) For making even the heavenly bodies useful to man.
4. (v. 5-8) For making him to have dominion over the creatures in this lower world, and thereby placing him but little lower then the angels

This psalm is, in the New Testament, applied to Christ and the work of our redemption which he wrought out; the honor given by the children of men to him and the honor put upon the children of men by him, both in his humiliation, when he was made a little lower then the angels, and in his exaltation, when he was crowned with glory and honor.*

*Taken from http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=1131&commInfo=5&topic=Psalms

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

Psalm 8:3-5

God made so many things for us to use and enjoy. God even sent Jesus to suffer through trails of life. I spent 2 hours making this list of stuff that Jesus went through along with places in the bible that talk about how he suffered through things that we go through every day.

• Betrayed (Mathew 26:14-16)
• Friends didn't trust in him (Mark 14:66-71; Mark 16:14)
• Made fun of (Luke 22:63-65)
• Plotted against (Mathew 26:3-4)
• Tempted (Mathew 4:1-11)
• Rejected (Luke 4:20-30; Luke 23:20)
• Doubted (Luke 8:23-25; John 11:1-16; Mathew 14:28-31; Mathew 16:1)
• Ignored (Luke 10:38-42)
• Not Been Thanked (Luke 17:11-16)
• Forsaken (John 6:60-66; Luke 22:39-46)
• Not Wanted (Luke 23:20)
•  Friend/Family Died (Matthew 27:5; John 11:1-33; Matthew 14:1-12) (Judas, his disciple; Lazarus, his friend; John, his cousin)
• Cried/Been Sad (John 11:35; Mark 14:34)
• Disappointed (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 14:32-41)

Jesus went through all of that and more, but he didn't sin. He never thought an ugly thought, or have a sinful rage. He was never ashamed. He never fought with his siblings, and he had at least six of them (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). "what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Man did nothing to be honored or respected or ever noticed by God

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Psalm 8:6-8

And you’d think we’d thank God for all of this and be really grateful. God has given us everything we need and then some. In fact, God loves us so much that angels wish they could be like us.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

1 Peter 1:12

When a lot of angels rebelled against God, they were not given the chance be saved from their sin. Angels want God to care about them like God cares about us. You’re lucky to be human because God took the time to care about you. Angels serve God all of their life (unless they’re Satan’s Angels) and they never get to have a relationship with God the same way we do. They want that so bad.

When was the last time you thanked God for giving you the chance to be a Christian? Or food? Or the computer/phone you’re using to look at this?

Those angels that are watching over you right now (Psalm 91:9-12) are wishing that they could be you, because living with the sin that you live with is worth getting to know God the way that only you can.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:9

Sources:

http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/psa8v1.html

http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=1131&commInfo=5&topic=Psalms

http://jasonwaller.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/angels-want-what-we-have/

Baptism

These are the main verses used by people to say baptism IS needed for salvation

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 3:21

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:4

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.

Acts 2:38

This verse is often used to say that baptism is part of salvation, but we know from other scriptures that it is not, lest there be a contradiction.  What is going on here is simply that repentance and forgiveness of sins are connected.  In the Greek, "repent" is in the plural and so is "your" of "your sins."  They are meant to be understood as being related to each other.  It is like saying, "All of you repent, each of you get baptized, and all of you will receive forgiveness."

Taken from: http://carm.org/is-baptism-necessary-salvation

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Matthew 3:11

I'll start with the big verse that says baptism isn't needed for salvation. This one pretty much says it all. These are clips from John three. So a Pharisee comes to Jesus and Jesus explain how to become a Christian.

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

John 3:3-6

If you just look at verses 5, you could say Jesus said baptism is needed for salvation,  but quite the opposite is true The following verse says "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." 

And then Jesus said:

that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.

John 3:15; 18; 36

3 verses uttered by Jesus say "Faith only"

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Baptism is a work.

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

Roman 4:1-11

Circumcision was the old testaments version of baptism. Faith is simple, and yet so incredibly complicated. All you have to do is believe. You don't need to be baptized or circumcised. Those are symbols. You just have to believe.

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 6:3-8

Baptism is a symbol of being one with Christ.

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galatians 3:27

For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:13

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Luke 23:39-43

This man was not baptized, and he is in heaven.

And then there's Acts 10.The holy spirit came upon Cornelius (Romans 8:9, 1 John 3:24) and his household and THEN they where baptized.

Baptism is clearly a symbol of faith, and not a part of it. If you believe baptism is necessary for faith, then you must ignore numerous passages that state otherwise.

Sources:

http://carm.org/is-baptism-necessary-salvation

http://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-1Peter-3-21.html

Photo Credit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jesus-army-baptism.jpg

Daily Reminders #8

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

John 15:1-9

Photo Credit:

http://www.klove.com/blog/post/2012/09/13/I-am-the-vine;-you-are-the-branches.aspx

Holidays: Christmas Edition 2012

Merry Christmas everyone! I have decided to hopefully give you some new thoughts on Jesus and his birth. I actually wrote this post up in May, and it's finally the right time of year to post it!

Jesus Christ was born in a manger for one reason. Humility.

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthains 9:19-23

Paul is like Jesus because while Jesus is a king and ruler of the world, he became a like everyone else to win as many as possible. The king was willing to humble himself and be born in a manger. Jesus put himself lower than some of us are.

There are a lot of ministries that help people, I’ll take Samaritans Purse for example, an origination provides for the needy people of the world.

But there are very few people who will become poor to help the poor or homeless to help the homeless. Don’t take this the wrong way. I think Samaritans Purse is a great company and I am not trying to criticize them, but trying to say that Jesus did more than help people he became like those he was trying to help to win as many as possible.

We want to help people without sacrificing our comfort. Just be glad Jesus doesn't feel the same.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus took the low place with his birth, life, and even death. I doubt he was ever envied, especially as he died nailed to a tree.

When a king a queen have a child, everyone know about it, but only high classed people are allowed to see the child. In Jesus’ case, his father sent his messenger (an angel) to low class smelly peasants (Shepherds) so that they could see the newborn king.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you

Luke 2:11

Look at the last word of Luke 2:11. YOU. For unto the low class Jesus has been born not to the nobles or kings, but to those who work with sheep. And they were most likely the first to see Jesus besides Mary and Joseph.

Jesus wasn’t even average, he was considered below average. He became below average to reach those below average. If you have read about Jesus life, then you know that Jesus was despised by the Pharisees (the above average). If Jesus wanted to reach them, he would become above average, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to reach those who were poor.
Even as a baby, the high ranking people did not like Jesus. King Herod tried to kill Jesus as infant because he misunderstood Jesus. He thought that Jesus was for the upper class, and didn't want to except that.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 1:10-11

Even today, the world does not receive God. Instead of saying "Merry Christmas" we say "Happy Holidays" or "happy Xmas" People have marked Jesus out of the picture with a great big X over his name.

Even in the modern world his own do not receive him. The people of today want to be in darkness, so they reject the light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves
Colossians 1:13

The only reason we are in the light and accepted it is because God forgives. And he forgives because Jesus was willing to be rejected by the human race. He was willing to be mocked and beaten up.

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.

Luke 1:46-55

This is Mary’s song Mary sang this before Jesus was born. “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” Mary understood that Jesus wasn’t here for the rich. She knew that the rich wouldn't even want Jesus. If the rich were hungry, then Jesus would have given them some food...and there was a small amount of rich people who were "hungry" (Like Nicodemus, the Pharisee (See John 3 for more information))  She knew that he was here for the poor, the ones who knew that they need Jesus. The poor knew they were hungry, but the rich thought that they were full. Mary understood that God chose her to carry his son because of “the humble state of his servant.” Mary understood the humbleness that was in the manger.

Are you ready for Christmas? Be sure you don't get caught up in the celebrations, and remember to celebrate Jesus.

Here are a few Articles and Blog posts that are insightful and I would recommend reading this Christmas:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/11/30/born-in-a-barn
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/01/07/feedback-manger-misconception
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2002/12/24/what-was-star-bethlehem

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Sources:
http://www.providencebf.blogspot.com/2009/12/purposeful-humility-in-manger-scene.html
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2010/12/24/creator-in-the-manger
The Bible

Photo credit:
Jesus nailed to the Cross: http://candy-jesusesmidulcerefugio.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Christ(x)mas: Me
Santa: http://vsf15mm.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

Sin...Songs and Some Scripture

Sin is something that makes everyone have something in common. I grew up hearing sin is bad, but the truth is we are sin. You must murder yourself if you want to live. Sin is a big deal, it's something that you will notice one day when your flesh is burning hell if you don't notice now.

And now on a lighter note, I like music, but what teen doesn't? Music is written by a band, but interpreted by the listener. What you have been through in life effects how you hear music. With that being said, I'm going to interpret two songs based on my life.

I'd recommend listening to this youtube video unless you've already heard "It's not me, it's you" by skillet.

First of all, there's defining this song. It could be taken for a song to someone whose hurt you, or to Satan, but I think it's a song to yourself...your sinful nature. A songs meaning can change based on what's happening to you at the moment. This song has for me.

For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

Romans 7:5

Sin is a poison, once we drink it, it wears our body down and it finally drives us to insanity.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:12-14

WeAsHuman's message is more clear than Skillets in song. It's clearly says that when we stop sinning is when we feel the most alive. It says to let go of sin, so that you can be free. "Sitting here by my graveside, I've never been so alive" Because Jesus took me out of the picture.

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

John 8:34-16

God pulls the dead man out of us.

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:6-11

This is a concept that is hard to understand, and that I don't fully get, but when we die to ourselves, that's when we feel most alive.  "Sitting here by my graveside, I've never been so alive. You pulled the dead man out of me."

But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.
Romans 7:8-11

But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.
Romans 8:10

Is it ok to lie?

I think this is an interesting topic. Of course I could state the obvious "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16) or "Do not lie." (Leviticus 19:11) or "Do not lie to each other" (Colossians 3:9) But I think there's more to it.

Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country." So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites
Exodus 1:8-12

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?" The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
Exodus 1:15-21

In this example of, God blessing the Hebrew midwives for lying.

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come."
Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.
John 7:1-10

In this example, Jesus lies. And Jesus is perfect...right?

Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Do not let anyone know about this conversation, or you may die. If the officials hear that I talked with you, and they come to you and say, 'Tell us what you said to the king and what the king said to you; do not hide it from us or we will kill you,' then tell them, 'I was pleading with the king not to send me back to Jonathan's house to die there.'"
All the officials did come to Jeremiah and question him, and he told them everything the king had ordered him to say. So they said no more to him, for no one had heard his conversation with the king.
Jeremiah 38:24-27

Jeremiah, God's prophet, lies.

But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them." (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.)
Joshua 2:4-6

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
James 2:25

Rahab is honored for her lying. 

But then there is this:

...all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Revelation 21:8

Does that mean Jesus has a place in hell? And the midwives that God blessed?
In the case of the midwives, it was lie or kill babies.
In the case of Rahab, it was lie or let the spies be killed.
In the case of Jeremiah, it was lie or maybe be killed.
In the case of Jesus it was lie or be...truthful

Jesus doesn't even have a life on the line. He could go like this:

I'm gonna go to the feast, but in secret. Just don't say anything."
Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

 I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.

I looked into things, and according to the footnotes in my bible, "Some early manuscripts do not have yet."
And removing the 'yet' makes it so that Jesus could be talking about how it's not time for his death yet. But,, at the same time, removing the yet means that Jesus says 'I'm not going.' instead of 'I'm not going right now.'

I think the lying is more of your motive. When Rahab was faced with lie or let the spies be killed, she chose lie. And that was a noble choice.
When the midwives were faced with lie or let the male babies be killed, they chose lie. And that was a noble choice.
The times when God blesses sin is when it's sin V.S. sin and the choice is the more honorable sin. So I don't want what you take away from this post to be lying is ok. Because most of the time, it isn't.
-Ruth

Trees: The Palm

As a Christian, you should strive to be like a palm tree by being be very useful. Here are some things that palm tree are used for:

• Shade in the desert
• Food
• The Fronds can be used to make baskets
• The seeds are food for camels

The palm tree's roots go deep into the ground in search for water so that it can survive even when it's really dry. Here are some bible verses about the palm tree.

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

Exodus 15:27

On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers.

1 Kings 6:29

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

Psalm 92:12

The vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree--all the trees of the field--are dried up. Surely the joy of mankind is withered away.

Joel 1:12

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

John 12:13

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Revelation 7:9

Like a palm tree, we should try to be useful and strong. And we should go as deep as we need to to find Jesus, our water.


The Acacia
The Cedar
The Palm
The Fig
The Olive

Valentine's Day Special Part 2

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
1 Corinthian 13:4-8


Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:3


Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Songs of Songs 8:6


Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:10


This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 3:16


Happy Valentines day!

Valentine's Day Special Part 1

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

I sure this probably is what you think about when you think of valentines day. Most of you are thinking of giving people hearts and telling them you love them. Where does God come in?
GOD IS LOVE!!!


Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:10


We love BECAUSE God loved us. We live BECAUSE Christ saved us.
So we should love God. Some people make valentines and give them to friends, well make yourself a valentine for God. God's got a place in valentines day because God set the example of love. 
And what about these verses?


Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:16


Like I said before.
GOD IS LOVE!!!
If God is love, then God must know a whole lot about love. And God wants a whole lot of people to love him, not just on valentines day. Valentines day is just one of 365 days that God wants love on. Today is just the awareness day. Love God all day, but today I am just telling you that God wants your love.
God gave you love and God wants you to give some of it back. God wants you to give some love to people, but save some for God!
There's a whole different post for what love is. I'll get that one out there soon, but if you want a preview for my "Valentine's Day Special Part 2" post, then read 1 Corinthians 13.
God is love, and love has come for us.
I wrote this whole thing to tell you should love God. Give God a valentine and you can give people valentines too, but be SURE to give God one.


Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. 
1 John 4:7-19

John 3:11-21

I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Blessed... Part 3: Gospels of Blessing

So who is blessed? are you throughout these parts, learn if you are blessed. so enjoy part 3, Gospels of Blessing.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mathew 5:3

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Mathew 5:4

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Mathew 5:5

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Mathew 5:6

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Mathew 5:7

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Mathew 5:8

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Mathew 5:9

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Mathew 5:10

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Mathew 5:11&12


Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Mathew 21:9

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke 6:20

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Luke 6:21

Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
Luke 6:22

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.
Luke 11:28

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Luke 19:38


blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
John 20:29

And this is love:

Happy valentines day! as we prepare for valentines day on Feb 14, I want to give you some good verses about true love.


And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2john 1:6

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

1john 5:2

We love because he first loved us.
1john 4:19

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1john 4:8

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1john 3:18

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1john 3:16

love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1timothy 1:5 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
1thessalonians 3:5 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud

 1Corinthians 13:4

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9 

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life

Isaiah 43:4 

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. 
Songs of Songs 8:7 

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Proverbs 27:5 

Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
Psalm 6:4


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34

Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.

Deuteronomy 11:1

Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."
Genesis 29:18

Again, happy valentines day, and I hope that wasn't to long...

I love Christmas

I love Christmas, and most everyone does. On Saturday we set up our Christmas tree and decorated the house. and it was fun, I love cookies, chocolate covered snowballs, and candy canes. they're good, they're christmas food. but we also also need to remember Jesus. the king of the world and this is how he was born

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths 

and placed him in a manger, 

because there was no room for them in the inn. 

(Luke 2:7)

most likely you were born in a hospital, but I doubt you were born in a stable and slept in animal food. but let's go back to the beginning, Why Jesus was born in a stable.

In those days Caesar Augustus 

issued a decree that a census 

should be taken of the entire Roman world. 

And everyone went to his own town to register.

o Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth 

in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David,

because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Read Luke chapters 1 and 2 this Christmas to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Even if you don't get everything you asked for this year you got they ultimate gift, Jesus. he is Gods son and God is the giver. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16.

but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Romans 4:24

Merry Christmas!

the story of Nicodemus

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.
He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.
For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

This is the story of Nicodemus, I man who wanted to know more about God. he came to Jesus one night to talk about it. he answered like this

In reply Jesus declared,
"I tell you the truth,
no one can see the kingdom of God
unless he is born again.

This story is from john in chapter 3. If you've never heard this story read the entire story please. but he asked Jesus this

"How can a man be born when he is old?"
Nicodemus asked.
"Surely he cannot enter a second time
into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered,
"I tell you the truth,
no one can enter the kingdom
of God unless he is born
of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh,
but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

this is talking about being a christian. later in verses 16, 17, and 18 he says

"For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son
into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned,
but whoever does not believe stands condemned
already because he has not believed
in the name of God's one and only Son.

it says God loves us and sent his son not to judge the world, but save it. who ever believes in him isn't judged, but those who don't are judged because they didn't believe in Jesus.
then I'll skip down to verse 35 and 36.

The Father loves the Son
and has placed everything in his hands.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever rejects the Son will not see life,
for God's wrath remains on him."

God loves Jesus and gives him power. who ever believes in him has life but those who don't will not see heaven, or have a full life, for God doesn't forgive them that reject it.